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A recent and sudden spate of racial attacks against African nationals living in India, has led to diplomatic tensions between India and African countries, leading to a profound sense of embarrassment and shame among Indians (see comment on page 3). 29 year old Masonda Ketada Olivier from Congo, was beaten to death by three men on May 20, after an argument over hiring an auto-rickshaw ensued in south Delhi's Kishangarh.

Springing into action, at least five Indians accused were arrested, top Indian leaders condemned the attack, and strict action was promised on the Indian government's behalf. In a charade that has become a tad too familiar, India again guaranteed safety to its foreign residents, only to be failed by its citizens.

The death of the young Congolese man was the final straw for the African embassies in New Delhi, as they have finally retaliated. Heads of African embassies in New Delhi wrote a strongly-worded letter to the Indian government to take "concrete

steps" to ensure the safety of Africans. "Given the pervading climate of fear and insecurity in Delhi," Alem Tsehage Woldemariam, ambassador of Eritrea and dean of the African Group Head of Mission, said, "the African

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We should not turn our back on Europe EXCLUSIVE

Lord Dolar Popat

On June 23rd Britain will have a referendum on our membership of the EU. For those of us old enough to remember the vote in 1975 on our European Communities Membership, the past few weeks of political coverage on the news has been a bit like stepping back in time.

Continued on page 5

British Indian business leaders come forward to back the 'Remain' campaign Priti Patel attacks PM Cameron over immigration impact on working families

Masonda Ketada Olivier heads of mission are left with little option than to consider recommending to their governments not to send new students to India, unless and until their safety can be guaranteed."

Once the statements were made public, Indian Ministry of External Affairs was quick on its feet, trying to make the best efforts for damage control. However, they came off as lacking in empathy and appeared

more disturbed with the defacing of the country's image than the loss of life and aggressive signs of racism.

Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted, "I have asked my colleague General VK Singh to meet the heads of missions of African countries in Delhi and assure them of the Indian government's commitment to safety and security to African nationals in India."

Continued on page 26

Rupanjana Dutta 81 British Indian business leaders, representing companies which range from multi-million pound businesses to SMEs and employ thousands of people across the UK, have signed an open letter in support of the UK’s continued membership of the European Union.

Continued on page 6

2

ONE ONE with Keith Vaz, MP

Asian Voice |4th June 2016

www.asian-voice.com

to

Mrs Prema Subaskaran

Mrs Prema Subaskaran is the Chairperson and of LycaHealth. She is also a Director of a number of companies within the Lyca Group. With a degree bio-medical sciences, Prema is an entrepreneur with a passion for philanthropic, medical & community projects that are designed to support the most vulnerable people and communities across the world.

In addition to her position at LycaHealth, Prema is also a trustee of the Gnanam Foundation which is the charity arm of the Lyca Group founded by her husband and chairman, Subaskaran Allirajah. Her vision for the Foundation is to develop the skills of under-privileged and the vulnerable people to give them access to opportunities that would otherwise be unattainable.

Lycahealth is a new, customer-centric healthcare venture that brings top consultants to all its clinics specialising in a comprehensive array of medical conditions. These specialities range from cardiology, neurology, neurosurgery, gynaecology, gastroenterology, general surgery and orthopaedics to physiotherapy, sports medicine, chest medicine, sleep disorders, ENT and more. Additionally, LycaHealth offers access to the best MRI and low radiation CT scanners, digital X-ray, ultrasound, and more including routine investigations..

All patient healthcare records are accessible by both the patient and their clinicians anywhere in the world. Operating an “Apple store” type experience, patient’s satisfaction is paramount. Lycahealth is accredited by all private insurers.

1) What is your current position?

I am the Chairperson of LycaHealth, and a trustee of Gnanam Foundation. I am also a wife and mother!

2) What are your proudest achievements?

Having completed my Bio Medical Science degree, I decided to focus my family to bring up my 3 wonderful boys rather than my professional career. While that mission isn’t yet completed, I am very happy and proud to be able to help thousands of people

in need of assistance globally as a trustee of our charity Gnanam Foundation.

Recently we ventured into health care sector to help people and add significant value to the private health care in the UK through the efforts of LycaHealth which has just opened its second diagnostic centres in Kent, Orphington and the third one will open soon in Chennai, India. Our first Canary Wharf health centre which was inaugurated by the Mayor of London and MP Boris Johnson on the 5th of November is up

3) What inspires you?

My husband’s, Allirajah Subaskaran’s confidence, courage and positive thinking to be able to make a small sized business Lyca Telecom into more than two billion Euro Lyca Group of companies in a short span of 10 years inspires me a lot. His passion and never ending willingness to help the needy and vulnerable people is another quality that always inspires and encourages make me to do more for people in need.

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

My childhood ambition was to become a medical doctor and serve in Sri Lanka where I was born. The civil war in Sri Lanka that ended in 2009 was the biggest obstacle for me to finish my University degree in medicine and embarked on my ambitious career. We were displaced and had to abruptly abandon my studies. That disappointment coupled with my husband’s never ending encouragement support inspired me to carry out humanitarian work across the world to support under-privileged people particularly in health related issues through Gnanam foundation.

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

It would be a tough decision to choose between my husband Subas and my mother. My husband has been the biggest influence on my life and career to date. I have witnessed him struggling to make ends meet and grow the business against all odds including moving his base from Paris to London. My

Katha that took place back in 2008. Eight years later the plans for a temple on the site are still on the cards, though community members face a mammoth funding task

Northampton Kutumb Centre and would cost around £12 million, will also provide room for sports, leisure, and educational activities.

Though talk of the plans appeared to have gone quiet since an open meeting in January 2014 momentum is gathering again behind the scheme.

BBC ‘racist’ immigration documentary sparks divided reaction on social media A BBC documentary showing the evolving communities of the East End has drawn criticism from viewers who branded the programme 'racist' and accused it of 'white supremacist propaganda'.

The Last Whites of the East End received mixed reviews on Twitter with

some branding it the 'most racist programme I've ever watched' and others threatening to cancel their licence fee. However, while not all were impressed with the show, some did applaud the BBC for giving an 'honest' insight into the east London borough of Newham where 73 per cent

of the local population is now made up of ethnic minorities and Black British. The programme looked into how cockneys are becoming an endangered species in the borough, with many moving towards Essex, after 70,000 immigrants moved in over the past 15 years.

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is our long term objective. We would like to leverage the network and contacts gained through these ventures to be able to support our CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) mission to help people in need across many countries.

and running achieving rapid growth day by day

Parade aimed to boost interest and funds for Northampton Hindu temple scheme Plans for a Hindu temple in Northampton first mooted in 2008 are still very much alive according to a team of fundraisers as they launched a week of activities to whip up interest in the scheme last week and included a parade.

The Indian Hindu Welfare Association (IHWO) were given planning permission to build a new temple on land off Lings Way in Lumbertubs in 2012, after the proposals were first reported four years earlier.

The new facility, which would be known as the

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mother on the other hand, has struggled alone to bring up the 6 of us, as I had lost my dad early on in our lives. She has dedicated her whole life to care for her children and family. Her own needs never mattered to her or had any priority.

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

The immense learning that I am undergoing is fascinating. I am learning not to pass examinations but to make decisions on a daily basis that affect other peoples’ lives. That drives my hunger to learn and do more.

7) And the worst?

I am still a novice in balancing my time and attention between the kids, family and LycaHealth, and that is my worst challenge that I am grappling with.

8) What are your long term goals?

It is our intention to open 8-10 healthcare centres in the UK and many overseas over the next 5 years. Making every such LycaHealth center to be a high quality, customer-centric facility

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

Mental health problems in children can affect their overall well-being in both the immediate and longer-term. There has been a report that three children in every classroom experience mental health problems. The latest ONS (Office of National Statistics) figures show that 1 in 8 children aged 10 to 15 are reported to have shown symptoms of mental health issues. Therefore in my humble opinion we have to make changes to improve mental health issues in children and young people. Vulnerable children with mental health problems have to wait long time sometimes weeks, months and years to get the assessments and treatments. This is unacceptable and need for a change is a must.

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

I would choose my husband first. However since you ask me for a historical figure I am struggling to find someone. I always admired and look up to Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa but I would not want them to waste time with me being marooned on a desert island. Their time is so precious that they could have changed the lives of thousands of people in that time.

Man sought after offensive item thrown towards mosque Police in Islington are appealing for the public's help to identify a man they wish to speak to in connection with a religiously aggravated hate crime.

The offence happened at about 02:00hrs on Thursday, 26 May, at Finsbury Park Mosque on St Thomas's Road, Finsbury Park.

A bag of meat was thrown over the surrounding fence towards the mosque. (The bag was dis-

posed of before the specific type of meat was identified.)

Police are releasing a CCTV image of a man they

wish to speak to in connection with the enquiry.

Detective Inspector Ralph Coates of Islington Community Safety Unit said: "We take hate crime extremely seriously as we know how destructive these offences can be, both to individuals and to communities. I would urge anyone who recognises this man or has any information that will help the investigation to contact police."

Embarrassing Body’s Surgeon ‘hit daughter in face for slating new young love’ obesity surgeon who A leading surgeon carried out a stomach thumped his daughter operation for Channel in the face and threat4 TV show ened to kill her after Embarrassing Bodies, she called his young screamed “wild b*tch” girlfriend a “wild as he ranted about his whore”, a medical triformer wife Dr Almira bunal heard last Tuesday.

Professor Basil Ammori is on trial Al-Abadi.

Professor Basil for allegedly beating daughter Huda Huda, a university Ammori, 53, is said to student, later needed in row over his new partner hospital treatment and have grabbed Huda, 22, with a single mother less developed problems with by the neck as they argued than half his age. her eyesight amid fears over him leaving his GP During the bust-up she had a detached retina. wife and setting up home Ammori, a consultant

C MMENTS

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Asian Voice |4th June 2016

India, Iran in broad alignment Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s eagerly awaited visit to Iran, carefully calibrated, carried a message to the region and the wider world: India was emerging from paralytic to active mode, beginning at last to start the process of transmitting economic and military power into diplomatic policy. It has taken the touted ‘all weather friendship between a jihadi-toting Pakistan and a malevolent and cynical China to awaken the powers that be in Delhi to take firm steps in the unfolding 21st century Great Game being played out like its 19th century mutant, across the Eurasian landmass. China has displayed its hand: an ambitious commercial corridor through Pakistan to the country’s port city of Gwadar as an outlet to the Persian Gulf and beyond.

Beijing’s opposition to Pakistani-based jihadi Mohammed Azhar’s condemnation by the UN, and its refusal to allow India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group is a diplomatic and strategic marker that brooks no denial. The regional kaleidoscope has attained a moe complex dimension with the Afghanistan government’s outright condemnation of Pakistani-sponsored jihadi violence in the country.

Following a period of conciliation, President Ashraf Ghani censured Islamabad in no uncertain terms.

Mr Modi’s visit to Tehran, where he with Iran’s leadership, was to cement Indo-Iranian ties not simply with honeyed words but meaningful deeds Thus, India’s financial commitment to develop Iran’s Chabbahar port as an economic and transport hub is hugely significant.

For a start, it will lead to a rail network into Hazarapopulated Herat province in western Afghanistan, thereby foster India-Afghan trade and investment.

Under present conditions this is impossible as Pakistan is resolutely opposed to such transit facilities. The Chabbahar agreement will enable India to circumvent this blockade. Critically, following the signing of the Indo-Iran deal by Messrs Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani arrived to append his signature and make this into a Trilateral Transport and Transit Corridor linking Chabbahar with the Afghan road and rail network.

Chabbahar will involve an Indian investment of $500

million. The India’s private sector – the Adani Group, for example, has vast experience in port construction, as has Larsen & Toubro - will be engaged in this infrastructure development. Beyond this, there were oil and energy talks and arrangements between India and Iran, much of which is still work in progress.

The Middle Eastern context must also be subjected to close critical scrutiny. It is riven by discord and conflict born of inter-state rivalry fed by primordial sectarian hatreds. Saudi Arabia and the Sunni Gulf kingdoms are hostile to Shia Iran, so is Israel, for different reasons. Yemen is ablaze, so are Iraq and Syria, with Turkey also in turmoil. And then there is the seemingly intractable Israeli-Palestinian. For India, these fissures require dexterous footwork. This is a formidable challenge, but one that must be faced and surmounted. The highest common factor rather than the lowest common multiple is what will bind India to these disparate partners.

That said, India’s transcending horizons stretch well into Central Asia, to the Caspian Sea and the Russian Federation – the Eurasian Economic Union, in a word.

A rail head from Chabbahar, in the Gulf of Oman, to Astrakhan, notably home to a thriving Gujarati commercial community, thence to Russia’s heartland will save valuable weeks from the present detour via the Suez Canal onwards, to bring Indian goods to market.

Strategically, it is a vital Indian security interest that Eurasia’s core area does not come within the ambit of destabilizing hostile forces, notably Islamic State or Taliban or their former Western patrons. India and Russia will be conducting high level military exercises on Russia’s Far Eastern territory, according to an announcement in Vladivostok, from July to December.

A fictional book by a retired British general with Nato set the scene for nuclear war with Russia in 2017.

The book carried endorsements from other retired Nato generals and one from a former US Army chief.

The lunatic fringe in West is clearly in good voice.

The stakes for India in this far-reaching diplomatic exercise against this combustible are high. India is the fulcrum of the Eurasian landmass.

Delhi’s brutality towards Africa The death of a young Congolese man in Delhi following a dispute over an auto rickshaw fare, when he was set upon by a mob is a final wake-up call to the government, the city’s Aam Admi administration and the citizenry at large that something is terribly wrong in the general attitude and treatment of Africans. There have been outrageous incidents before, most notably when Aam Admi goons barged into an African household and molested the women residents. An uproar followed and steps against such an occurrence were taken, but is now clear that these have been insufficient. African envoys in the capital had made representations to the Ministry of External Affairs and they have done so again, much to the embarrassment of ministry officials gearing up for Mr Modi’s forthcoming visit to the continent for the India-Africa summit.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj issued the following prompt mollifying statement: ‘I would like to assure African students in India that this is an unfortunate and painful incident involving local goons.’ Maybe

so, but the malaise of racism in the city runs much deep and takes different forms. Young people from India’s North East have been insulted and assaulted because of the facial characteristics, women of all ethnicities feel unsafe in the city, and Africans face problems of insensitive behavior almost every day of their working lives, whether it be on the Metro or other public places.

Problems arising out of uncouth behaviour in Delhi stem in considerable part from a segment of its population with roots in its rural surrounds, where ways of life are frequently brutish. The plain truth has to be told and faced, however deep the pain and shame such admissions arouse. Better education and policing will help, but a media and general publicity blitz from roadside hoardings and public spaces, and more informed education on Africa and African culture may bring home to people the need for the proper courtesies to be displayed to guests and fellow citizens alike. Prattling on about Western colonialism with the blight of racism staring one in the face is the height of hypocrisy.

Unlocking a Hungarian scholar’s legacy The Asiatic Society, set by British Indologists and housed in a prominent building in Calcutta in the early of the 19th century, is a heritage site today. Its treasures are the cynosure of all eyes interested in India’s classical past. One of its rooms – always under lock and key – is where Alexander Csoma de Koros, a noted Hungarian scholar and Indologist worked for a decade. His researches have been recognized by UNESCO as path-breaking. Recently the room was opened for a delegation from Hungary, led by the country’s Minister of Culture, Istvan Ffgyarto, to revive the story of this eminent but forgotten son of Hungary. Csoma de Koros believed through his linguistic skills and studies that the roots of the Hungarian language were located in Central Asia. He perceived linkages between Sanskrit, Tibetan and Magyar (Hungarian). Having travelled in Tibet, where he met the English traveller William Moorcroft, whose diaries are an indispensable source of information of this region in the opening decades of the 19th century.

The Hungarian began to be noticed following the publication of a series of scholarly papers and the first

Tibetan-English dictionary and Grammar. Koros mastered 19 languages including Bengali and Hindi.

He lived on a stipend from the East India Company and lodged in the premises of the Asiatic Society and became its first Librarian.

He started on yet another journey to Tibet to work on his early researches into the roots of his country’s language when he died in Darjeeling in 1842 en route to Lhasa. ‘When we received a letter from the Hungarian Embassy saying a mission from their government would be visiting the room where de Koros worked, we were thrilled,’ said Satyabrata Chakraborty, General Secretary of the Asiatic Society.

The delegation’s gifts to the Society were two books published by it and long out of print. Copies were republished by the Akademiai Kiado, Budapest.

The second gift was a scroll highlighting de Koros’s contributions to scholarship. ‘We are looking forward to a collaboration that will centre around Koros’ unfinished work,’ said Mr Chakraborty. This project, together with the achievements of a truly remarkable man and scholar underwrites the cultural relationship between India and Europe at the highest level.

3

The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways; the point is to change it.

-Karl Marx

Seema Malhotra MP

Labour and Co-op Member of Parliament for Feltham & Heston Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Brexit poses a grave risk to our economy’s short term stability and longer term potential It’s time for the Leave campaign to come clean about the costs of walking away from the European Union.

Investments by foreign companies whose investments are vital to the long term prosperity of British families and businesses. We know businesses are delaying decisions to invest because of fears about Britain leaving the EU. I was told recently of a member of a major employers organisation who wasn’t sure how he would vote on June 23rd. But he shifted his view following a chat with an Indian business who told him their UK investments were on hold.

Why? Because at the moment their UK business gives them access to a single market of 500m people. It gives them not only customers but also a pool of talent. They get the benefits of cross border collaboration bringing together the best minds and skills that helps them to compete in today’s global environment.

But if we walk away from the EU they will lose all that. They would be in a market for talent and consumers of just 60 million people. When thinking long term and investing billions, they are asking why they should close themselves off from access to talent from 500m people?

That's the reality of choices that investors are having to make, and the threat to our prosperity is real.

The facts show British economy is in a fragile and vulnerable state. Recent statistics have shown our construction sector shrink-

ing, industry in recession and our trade deficit is ballooning.

And the lost investment and trading opportunities would likely mean a permanent reduction in economic growth and the tax revenues we need to pay for public services.

And nor must we confuse bashing Brussels to solve issues caused by national policies. Take Priti Patel’s claim that a problem faced by curry houses in getting visas for skilled chefs would be solved by Brexit. The reality is that this is absolutely nothing to do with Brussels.

The Home Secretary Theresa May could fix it by applying the immigration rules more fairly and adding chefs to the occupation shortage list as many of us have supported. In fact Labour called for this and short term visas alongside having an apprenticeship in the constituency.

Priti Patel sits round the Cabinet table with the Home Secretary.

What has she done to get the government to change its mind?

The effects of leaving the EU will be felt by millions of families.

Wages will grow slowly, if at all there will be fewer job opportunities and increased insecurity.

The Treasury, the Bank of England and the IMF have made clear their honest assessment that the threat of Brexit poses a grave risk to our economy’s short term stability and longer term potential.

Those voting Leave must do so with their eyes open. They should be ready for a severe economic shock that could hurt us all.

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

4

UK

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Luxury-living VAT fraudsters jailed for stealing £2.6m A VAT fraud gang who stole £2.6 million from the taxpayer and then splashed the cash on luxury lifestyles have been jailed for more than 54 years.

A total of 23 criminals - 17 of who are from the West Midlands - have been sentenced after a four-year investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

A court heard ringleaders Zuwal Qarnain Sajawal, from Stechford, Nadeem Noor, from Smethwick and Ul Hamid, from Yorkshire, orchestrated the large-scale fraud involving bogus companies.

The gang spent the proceeds of the fraud on extravagant holidays, high-performance cars, luxury goods and furnishings for their homes.

Ul Hamid used his knowledge as a qualified chartered accountant to exploit the VAT system and defraud the public purse.

The gang created fake

L to R: Ul Hamid, Zuwal Sajawal, and Nadeem Noor

companies, produced bogus invoices and manipulated bank statements to claim VAT repayments they were not entitled to.

Between November 2007 and March 2012 the gang set up and operated 20 companies supposedly selling computer supplies or electrical fittings for new build properties that didn’t actually exist.

The gang submitted more than 80 fraudulent VAT

repayment claims totalling £2.6 million.

The ringleaders recruited further members to act as fronts for the fake companies and helping launder the proceeds of the fraud.

The defendants appeared at either Birmingham Crown Court or Stafford Crown Court between September 2014 and June 2015.

Confiscation proceedings to recover their criminal prof-

its are ongoing.

All of the defendants were charged with conspiracy to cheat the public revenue apart from Zaheer Hussain who was charged with cheating the revenue, while Muhammad Sagheer was convicted of money laundering.

As well as jail sentences the majority received bans on being company directors for up to 10 years.

Gang plundered thousands from pensioners in 'Courier Fraud' scheme Four people have been hit with jail sentences for their part in a phone scam plot designed to trick elderly residents into handing over their life savings.

Jahangir Khan, from Glendower Road in Perry Barr, and Arafa Begum, from Denby Close in Nechells, ran a ‘Courier Fraud’ scheme targeting primarily pensioners across the Midlands and other parts of the UK. Along with Londoners Mohammed Miah, 21, and 24year-old Motahir Rahman, they tricked victims into handing over bank cards and PIN numbers by posing as police officers claiming their bank accounts had been hacked.

In less than two months from early January to late February 2014, the heartless

group made more than 1,300 ‘phishing’ calls to landline numbers. And they plundered the accounts of 84 people, including 58 in the West Midlands, after persuading them to surrender their bank cards.

Among their victims was an 89-year-old Short Heath woman whom they conned

out of more than £3,000.

Two weeks later they took more than £2,500 from an 83-year-old Kingstanding woman, while they also stole £498 from a 92-year-old woman in Weoley Castle.

Detectives from West Midlands Police’s Economic Crime Unit secured CCTV of Khan using a stolen bank card

in a shop yards from Begum’s home, as well as footage of the pair spending £313 in Tesco at another pensioner’s expense.

Painstaking phone analysis of the ‘phishing’ calls by fraud investigators identified Khan, Miah and Begum as suspects, while a phone number given by Begum during a motorway police stop on the M5 was linked to a damning text message exchange in which she discussed splitting scam profits with Khan.

More key evidence − including phones and more than £2,600 in cash − was recovered when police searched a vehicle in which Khan and Begum were travelling. And Rahman was caught on CCTV using a bank card stolen from one of the group’s victims.

Police officer who sparked terror alert with fake 999 call jailed A police officer who sparked a nationwide terror alert by making a hoax 999 call to his own force has been jailed for seven years.

PC Amar Tasaddiq Hussain sent West Midlands Police into “overdrive” after phoning through an anonymous warning that a terrorist with links to Syria was planning to kidnap and behead a Muslim policeman.

Jailing Hussain at Stafford Crown Court, Judge Michael Chambers QC criti-

cised the 29-year-old officer for showing no remorse and pleading not guilty in the face of overwhelming evidence.

The officer, who is suspended from duty, was charged along with Adil Bashir, 26, and Muhammad Ali Sheikh, 31, both of Birmingham, with two counts of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

All three denied the charges but were convicted.

Bashir and Ali Sheikh were each given three year sen-

tences.

During a three-week trial, Stafford Crown Court heard that Hussain told his force that a man with links to Islamic State and Syria who he referred to as “Irfan the terrorist” planned to abduct an officer.

Hussain had hoped his bogus tip-off would discredit an official within an Islamic community group.

The court was told that the “false and malicious” call about the kidnap plot, and a

further two calls about an alleged sham marriage, were made to target two men named Faisal Sami and Irfan Ul-Haq because of a “personal grudge”.

Teacher who called homosexuals 'animals' now changed his views A teacher who labelled homosexuals “animals” in a message shared in a Muslim Whatsapp group claims he has changed his views and is “not homophobic.”

Razwan Faraz, former deputy headteacher at Trojan-Horse linked Nansen Primary School, is accused of including an undue amount of religious influence at three Birmingham academies.

The one-time governor was giving evidence at a disciplinary hearing at the National College For Teaching and Leadership

(NCTL) based in Coventry.

Mr Faraz was a member of a Whatsapp group called the Park View Educational Trust Brotherhood , which consisted of Muslim teachers and staff based at the Park View Academies.

Mr Andrew Colman, prosecuting on behalf of the NCTL, referred to messages which Mr Faraz posted on the Whatsapp group.

In a reference to homosexuality being taught in schools Mr Faraz labelled homosexuals “animals” then said: “As teachers we must be aware of

In Brief

AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice |4th June 2016

Razwan Faraz

combatting their satanic ways.”

Nansen Primary and Rockwood Academy – for-

merly known as Park ViewNansen Primary and Rockwood Academy – formerly known as Park View Giving evidence Mr Faraz defended his comments saying he was brought up in a strict Muslim community in Pakistan but no longer held those views.

He said: “I am not homophobic. I have a gay friend who is an actor and a lesbian friend. I was brought up in a strict Muslim community in Pakistan. I realise those views I held and what I said was wrong.”

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Missing teenager Amina Khan found safe and well

A 17-year-old girl Leicester from who went missing nearly a week ago has been found safe and well according to the police.

Amina Khan was reported missing on Monday May 23 by a family member after she had not been seen since 2pm the previous day.

The teenager is originally from Burton-upon-Trent, in Staffordshire, but had been staying with relatives in Leicester for the last couple of weeks.

Amina is Asian, 5ft 1ins tall, of slim build and has long light brown hair. She was last seen wearing a black parker-style jacket, a black top, high-waisted blue jeans, white deck shoes with a black stripe on the sole and she was carrying a black handbag.

Her family were concerned for her welfare and encouraged Amina or anyone who knew where she was to contact the police.

A Leicestershire police spokesman said she had been found safe and well on Saturday afternoon.

Chilling CCTV shows prowler who preyed on drunk students trying to open doors to rooms

A sex monster who preyed on drunken female students has been jailed for at least twelve years.

Lettings agency worker Tahir Nazir, 40, obtained a fake university ID card and trawled the internet looking for student nights all across the country so he could target vulnerable young women the worse for wear after a night out.

The Pakistan-born divorce from Glasgow hired a car and embarked on a 7,000-mile tour of university towns Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Oxford, Bristol and Cardiff.

Fuelled by drink, cocaine and viagra, he followed and then attacked his terrified victims inside their student digs. He even got hold of a fake student ID card.

Chilling CCTV shows Nazir prowling the corridors trying doors in an attempt to find victims. Other images show him tailgating a student into a block of flats. But Nazir’s crimes began to unravel when he was caught sneaking into a student house in Fallowfield at 4.40am on November 6 last year.

He had denied the crimes but was convicted following a trial of trespass with intent to commit an offence, sexual assault, attempted rape, and three charges of trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence.

UK Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

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5

Lack of "sufficient resources" to save lives of migrants crossing the Channel

FFlight Sa Flight S le le

On Saturday night, 18 Albanian asylum seekers, including two children, and two British people were rescued by an RNLI boat when their own boat began to sink off the coast of Kent. They were taken to Dover and are currently being interviewed by Border Force officers.

Refugees have also been killed attempting to cross the English Channel either through the tunnel or by boarding ferries, rowing or even swimming.

Federico Soda, director of the IOM’s Coordination Office for the Mediterranean, said that the recent high number of arrivals was partly due to improving weather and also to the use of larger wooden vessels that carry up to 700 migrants. He also expressed concern

over the unsafe wooden boats. He said, “This also explains the increase in the number of migrants dead or missing: one accident can result in hundreds of fatalities. This is a humanitarian emergency in the desert and at sea where thousands of people are dying.” John Vine said that he had raised the issue of migrants crossing the Channel with the Home Office when he was chief inspector of borders and immigration but this failed to result in “sufficient resources” being devoted to it. He added, “We must come together to change irregular, dangerous and costly migration to migration that is legal, safe and orderly.”

David Cameron has announced that Britain is to send a warship to the

Mediterranean to combat people smuggling as EU operations continue.

Border security expert and former Army officer Henry Bolton, who lost his bid to be Kent Police and Crime Commissioner candidate earlier this month, told BBC Radio 4 that “the UK has no comprehensive cross-government national border strategy. It is a fundamental flaw.”

A number of such people crossing the borders go unnamed, unreported, without protests or vigil, and without families or friends to raise concerns for them. The former independent chief inspector of borders and immigration has said that unless more boats are deployed to patrol for migrants to the UK, lives would continue to be lost in the Channel.

We should not turn our backs on Europe

Continued from page 1

Then, as now, the economic arguments were at the forefront of the campaign. We voted to join a Common Market that has undoubtedly helped to bring prosperity to this country. If we cast our minds back to the British economy pre-1975, we can easily remember inefficient industries and our economy lying in the shadow of many of our European neighbours.

Being able to trade openly with the European Market has brought many jobs to these shores; some estimate that as many as 3 million jobs in Britain are linked to our trade with other EU countries.

Industries that once struggled, for example the car industry, now thrive with our EU membership; with over 700,000 employees.

The City of London prospers because of its role as the pre-eminent provider of financial services in the EU. Similarly, almost all of our leading export industries can point to membership of the single-market as a major part of their success. It is a brave man who can claim that, with Brexit, our economy won’t suffer in any way.

Over the past 41 years

we’ve gone from being an inefficient economy that relied on state interference, subsidies and the cooperation of the Unions to being an open, freetrading and dynamic economy that is admired the world over. Whilst some of the credit must of course go to Mrs Thatcher’s leadership, it is almost impossible to argue that our economy hasn’t benefited from EU membership.

Those of us who want to see our economic links strengthened throughout the globe with emerging markets like China, India and Africa also know that remaining in the EU is the best course of action. Being part of the world’s largest single market makes us a more attractive prospect to these markets and puts us in a much stronger position to negotiate free trade agreements.

If we vote ‘leave’ on June 23rd then we’ll be in a position where we have no guarantee of accessing the single market, and no guarantee of being able to negotiate with emerging markets. We’ll be in a weaker negotiating position; and as President Obama put it, ‘at the back of the queue’. Voting leave is the worst of all worlds.

I have never considered our membership of the

European Union to be perfect; it remains too bureaucratic and centralising for my tastes. But the best way to fix this is not for us to leave; it’s for us to change the EU from the inside. As David Cameron’s renegotiations have shown, there is an appetite amongst European leaders to deliver a more competitive and dynamic Europe.

But fundamentally I believe Britain’s approach to the world has always been outward-looking.

Whether it is our culture, our businesses or our political approach, we look to lead the world, not shy away from it. If we vote to remain on June 23rd, we’ll be following in the footsteps of centuries of tradition to keep looking beyond our shores.

I don’t want Britain’s economy to return to where we were pre-1975, and I don’t want our influence in the world to be diminished. World leaders - including Narendra Modi - are in favour of Britain staying in, as are major business organisations, including the Indian Chamber of Commerce.

That is why David Cameron deserves our support in this referendum, and why I’ll be voting to remain on June 23rd.

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www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

British Indian business leaders come forward .........

Asian Voice |4th June 2016

Continued from page 1

The companies run by the business leaders operate across the country in a range of sectors including: financial and legal services, hospitality, consultancy, real estate, care services, retail, media, technology, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, construction and manufacturing.

The signatories believe that the UK’s membership of the European Union helps to strengthen the British economy and that a vote to leave would create significant uncertainty and put jobs and business investment at risk.

On the other hand, Priti Patel, UK's employment Minister and PM Cameron's Indian Diaspora Champion, who is in favour of the Leave campaign, said David Cameron and other leading pro-Europeans do not care about the effects of mass migration on working families because they are so rich, according to a cabinet minister. This comes after David Cameron suggested high immigration is a price worth paying for the economic benefits of EU memnbership, denying that he is a closet Brexiteer.

In an article in the Daily Telegraph Patel reportedly claimed the “luxury” lifestyles of campaigners who want to stay in the EU mean they are “insulated” from the impact of rising immigration on the daily lives of millions of Britons.

She said it is “shameful” that the Remain campaign leaders fail to consider the struggles of families who, unlike them, cannot afford private health care or feepaying schools.

Although she does not directly name Mr Cameron and George Osborne, she repeatedly makes clear she is aiming her criticism at the “leaders” of the Remain campaign, who include the Prime Minister and the Chancellor.

Downing Street reportedly said Ms Patel’s intervention was an attempt to “distract” voters’ attention away from the economic risk of leaving the EU. Her comments can be witnessed as sign of how the campaign is becoming increasingly personal.

Ms Patel, is a daughter of Indian Gujaratis who came to Britain in the 1970s.

Mr Cameron has hit back, accusing Leave campaigners of offending Muslims by claiming that Turks are criminals and terrorists who will come to the UK if Britain stays in the EU. “I do find it concerning the way that the Leave campaign are talking about Turkish people in this referendum,” he told Muslim News.

“Many British Muslims

will be offended by the way they are trying to frighten people. I think it’s a sign of desperation.” But Ms Patel argues immigration would increase when Turkey, Albania and other countries join the EU. Speaking about the importance of immigration and its positive effect, Guy Chazan in Financial Times interviewed entrepreneur Raif Kuhirt in Germany, who is a big fan of Chancellor Angela Merkel's open door refugee policy. He said migrant crisis has posed serious threats social services, housing etc, but the sudden influx has also profited Germany's propertied class, after warehouses, hangars, hotels, B&B's have been converted into shelters by municipalities across the country- giving birth a whole new subspecies of entrepreneurs – the shelter managers.

Michael Fallon, who is a known Euroskeptic in his comment piece in The Sunday Telegraph emphasised that for security and prosperity, even Euroskeptics have to vote Remain. David Smith in the Sunday Times wrote “HM Revenue & Customs data shows that recently arrived migrants paid £2.5bn more in taxes in 2013-14 than they received in tax credits and benefits.

Part of that money is being used to cut the budget deficit. But it is also as available as anybody else’s taxes to pay for public services...

“Leaving aside the fact that this is also an area of regular misreporting — new jobs and a net increase in employment are not the same thing — that is not the true picture.

“Since January-March 2010, the post-recession low, the number of UKborn workers in employment has risen by 1.1m to 26.25m. That is a record, but so was the proportion aged 16-64 in work last year, at 74.3%. In the six years to the end of the first quarter of this year there was a rise from 70.7% to 74.6% in the UK-born employment rate.

“There was, it should be said, also a net rise of 633,000 people in work from the EU’s new eastern European members, and 309,000 in those from long-standing EU states in western Europe.

“Migrants from eastern Europe overwhelmingly PBV

come to work. More than 80% of those of working age are in employment. But this rise occurred alongside, not instead of, a sustained increase in UK-born employment...

“The migrants have come, but the idea they have been taking all or even most of the jobs is a fallacy...”

While London's first Muslim and Asian Mayor Sadiq Khan, from the Labour party and PM Cameron are on the same side of the Remain campaign, forgetting all the differences during the Mayoral campaign time, almost half of Labour voters do not know their party wants to Remain within Europe, raising more questions about Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's efforts to secure a Remain vote. The party leader has been criticised for going on a holiday this week, while his party colleagues step up the referendum fight. On the Andrew other hand, Bridgen MP for North West Leicestershire has warned that PM Cameron will face leadership challenge even if he wins the EU refrendum. Sir Bill Cash said he is ready to demand David Cameron goes unless he tones down attacks on the Leave side, as a threatened leadership coup became public.

Alok Sharma MP, who is co-ordinating the crossparty campaign group ‘British Indians for IN’, said: “As the Prime Minister’s Infrastructure Envoy to India I speak very regularly with business leaders in the UK and India. Their overwhelming view echoes that of the signatories to this letter, that a vote for the UK to leave the EU will be bad for British businesses, jobs and investment.”

Alok continued: “Brexit will have the double whammy effect of not only hitting UK businesses but also impacting on inward investment. Indian companies have informed me that some decisions on future investments into the UK have been deferred until the outcome of the referendum is known and, if we vote to leave the EU, there is a big risk that Indian companies will think twice before investing in the UK.”

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That’s our song again!

Rudy Otter, an AngloIndian freelance columnist on ABPL’s former Asian Business magazine, heard a song on television that took him back 41 years - because he had a hand in writing it.

A recent BBC Newsnight programme played the song which Rudy co-wrote for the 1975 referendum on Europe. It happened like this.

Rudy, now a retired journalist aged 80, was so keen on Britain remaining in the then Common Market - which promised "easier trading between European countries" that he decided to make a song about it. He persuaded a musician friend, Roger Darvill (correct) of Kent, to join him in producing a calypso "song for Europe" urging people to vote "Yes" to stay.

Rudy, who lives in

west London, explained: "I co-wrote the lyrics with Roger which he set to music and sang beautifully. Some readers may still recall the chorus from 41 years ago: "Let’s stay in the Common Market In Europe we can be great Let’s stay in the Common Market So people don’t you even hesitate No people don’t you hesitate."

Rudy said: "We sent a tape to the pro-Marketers of those days. To our delight, they loved our song and it was played several times on national TV and radio ahead of the 1975 referendum. With luck, who knows, it may well be aired again on tv and radio as the new referendum looms. Hope so, anyway."

Nearly 70,000 drivers given points despite not having licence Recent figures obtained from the DVLA has revealed that there are a massive 70,000 unlicensed drivers who have been given ‘pointless’ penalty points.

A total of 69,353 people have been caught so far driving illegally driving in the UK, if caught driving without a licence you could

be faced with a fine of up to £1,000 and risk 3 to 6 penalty points on your DVLA record.

One of the unlicensed drivers has a massive 40 points on their DVLA record despite not having a licence, according to figures obtained by a freedom of information request.

He commented: "The original concept of the Common Market, with no trade barriers b e t w e e n European countries, seemed a fantastic idea to most voters.

However over the years it has evolved into a more political body, now the European Union, which is not to everyone’s liking.”

He added: ”I have no idea which way I'll be voting on June 23 and may flip a coin three times heads for IN, tails OUT, to reach a majority decision.

It’s no good listening to the so-called experts because neither the Remainers nor Leavers know what they’re talking about. It’s all guesswork and gut feelings this time round."

Sharia teaching abused to disadvantage women

Home Secretary Theresa May has claimed that Sharia teaching is being ‘misused’ and ‘exploited’ inorder to discriminate against Muslim women and has unveiled plans for an independent inquiry into the issue.

To read the letter and see the signatories go to www.asian-voice.com

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UK Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

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7

Zaman, Most Treasured Chef Of Caesar’s Palace Empire Rani Singh Zaman restaurant, named after Head Chef Mahmud Zaman, serves the most delicious Pan Asian/Fusion food I have ever tasted. It’s the healthiest, too.

Though he had studied accountancy for a year and a half, Zaman decided he ultimately preferred a culinary environment, working his way up in the London-based group of restaurants and casinos owned

by Caesar’s Palace. He is so popular that he was given his own named restaurant, a sign of Zaman’s high value and pulling power.

In his office in Zaman restaurant occupying the lower floor of the pleasant, calm, comfortable, light and airy Sportsman Casino just by Marble Arch, hangs a certificate of honour from the Chief of the Caesar’s Palace group. It was only going to be a matter of time before Zaman’s recent win of the “Chef of the Year” award in the Pan Asian section of the Asian Curry Awards.

Zaman responded by saying, “I’m delighted to have won this award, especially in the face of competition from some immensely talented chefs.

Fusion food is my passion and I am very proud to be able to offer Londoners some of the finest cuisine the capital has to offer.

It’s a delight to know that what we serve our customers is appre-

ciated not just by them but by the wider industry too.”

The award is an achievement for The Sportsman and recognition of the casino’s tireless commitment to offering the best dining experience that is both accessible and affordable for customers. I saw a few Indian families among many international guests.

The VIP experience is unsurpassed, with the top managers meeting guests personally as though they are welcoming old, respected friends into their own, rather understated large luxurious home.

Among many outstandingly helpful staff, Darren handles guests in the spacious casino with friendly courtesy. Jillur at the casino bar serves pretty nonalcoholic as well as alcoholic cocktails with interesting names.

We were invited to play Blackjack and Roulette before dinner. The gaming floor atmosphere was relaxed, and the table hosts explained everything so even a beginner like me could have fun and win. Looking around, we could see it was casino play at its finest thanks to the exceptional service and hospitality of the customer relations manager.

This is an establishment where many staff – like longserving Zaman’s own souschefs- have worked for 15 years or more- a loyal tribute to the leadership and testimonial to the company ethos.

With over 30 years’ experience in the restaurant industry, Zaman’s personally designed Halal menu includes delights such as the delicious and tender Wagyu steak- said to be the best

beef in the world- at London’s lowest price, served for a fraction of its cost.

There is a FrenchLebanese influence, Lebanese coffee and camel milk ice cream.

Zaman makes all the ice cream himself- how many head chefs do that?

He checks every food item bought for the restaurantand rejects anything not up to par. Once a year he goes to the North Sea to check the fish and to France to check on his fresh vegetable and Halal meat supplier.

All food is cooked fresh on the day and is not used thereafter. Zaman cooks his vegetarian items differently with few spices. The curries are not oily because only olive oil is used in the cooking –even for meat. You won’t find too much sauce or butter.

The menu features international chefs’ specials - such as, lamb kebabs and Farruj Mussahab - as well as more traditional main courses - like grilled meats and fish, lamb cutlets, asparagus and lemon risotto, and aachari paneer tikka.

All palates are covered; vegans, vegetarians, carnivores, gluten intolerant and those avoiding specific foods like

wheat or sugar.

Maitre d’hotel Enrique Ceniceros combines elegance, character and solicitousness in Zaman.

Enrique and senior waiter Antonio- cross check each ingredient with Zaman before they allow guests to taste and eat. Tasty alternatives to sauces can always be found, like mushrooms sautéed in olive oil. Even side dishes are a work of art; I had pan fried broccoli with real almond butter-including miniscule almond slices- and a great starter of grilled king prawns with lemon butter.

The delicate and spectacular desserts are not small and are artfully presented at different eye levels, high glassed containers being a speciality. The sticky toffee pudding is legendary, and even my exotic fruit salad was laid out as if on a still life canvas.

After dinner we played again with our winnings.

A celebration is a heart stopping moment with the chief staff members all coming out to sing to the celebrating individual with a most unusually made cake- it may be half sponge, half chocolate layers- with full fanfare and a big sparkly candle.

For celebrations or just to celebrate life and feel great, we strongly recommend the Zaman experience at the Sportsman. It is part of a great evening of all round entertainment.

8

UK

www.asian-voice.com Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

BOOK REVIEW

AsianVoiceNews

Pharmacies face closure as government cuts budgets

BLACK TAJ

Black Taj

by Mohini Kent Pub date: 31 March 2016 Hardback £12.99, ISBN: 978-1-908446-45-9 Simi, 25, is a privileged girl living with her family in the mythical city of Atmapuri. Her educated parents, Devi and Gogu, are liberal, but her grandmother, Old Mrs Bhandari, cannot put to rest the ghost of the partition of India in 1947 when her wealthy family lost everything. The bloodbath between panicking Hindus and Muslims as they fled across new, uncertain borders has left behind a permanent and bitter legacy.

Mohini Kent’s book is a very modern tale of individuals negotiating class, caste and prejudice in their daily lives in India. Against a backdrop of monsoons and heat waves, rich old women and angry, poor young men in shanties, social upheaval, religious conflict, violent death, and the trauma of the partition of India, characters are forced to reinvent themselves, each in his own way. A love story, the legend of the black Taj Mahal, desire, betrayals and conflict make this a

compelling story.

The novel is set in 1993, one year after the destruction of the Babri Mosque Masjid in Uttar Pradesh by Hindu activists. When the Babri Mosque crumbles, so does the secure structure of Simi’s life. Religious conflict, which simmers just under the surface of India, explodes in riots in Atmapuri, leaving several dead. To the horror of her grandmother and the outrage of friends, Simi falls deeply in love with a Muslim doctor. Partition stands like a ghost between the two. Her grandmother cannot even bring herself to utter the word Muslim: she calls them Ms.

Will Simi marry the man of her choice, and can they ever be happy?

Will India herself become the nation she was destined to be, open to all communities and societies?

There are many gems for the reader to discover.

Mohini Kent writes: “too much past and too little

future, that’s the problem with ancient civilisations”. A 500-year old issue can still stir up door-die passions in India today, and result in deaths. And religion is a potent rallying cry for poor, dispossessed people who do not have the identity of wealth, education or social status.

At the same time, spirituality has been a continuous thread of Indian consciousness, and that is personified by the Baba: “Half of Atmapuri came to him, Hindu and Muslim. No one knew which religion the Baba followed – he neither feasted nor fasted during the Hindu Diwali or the Muslim Ramadan.

If asked, he said: ‘I am a servant of the Master’.”

Sri Aurobindo called India the spiritual heart of the world, and an unbroken spiritual lineage of Himalayan masters and others keep that alive.

From the class of the Raj, such as Old Mrs Bhandari, to slum women such as Marriam and her son Ahmed, from the aristocratic Dr Chaudhury who lost his inheritance, to his friend Sanjay who is unscrupulous in the pursuit of power, Mohini Kent looks at the rapidly changing nature of Indian society. The book offers an insight into many different mindsets in across feudal structures that is Indian society.

Black Taj will give the reader a home in India.

This is an important book for the new Indian century.

PM Nawaz undergoes open heart surgery in London 60 mins or so,” Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz said in tweets sent out on Twitter.

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Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif successfully underwent open heart surgery at a private hospital in central London on Tuesday, the premier’s second cardiac procedure in five years, his family and hospital officials confirmed.

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The likely closure of thousands of local pharmacies in the face of deep government cuts is a bitter pill to swallow for many, especially those living in rural areas who have to travel long distances to their nearest pharmacy. The worst affected would be pensioners and the other vulnerable living in areas where the public transport is poor or non-existent.

Health Minister Alistair Burt said that a quarter of the 12,000 community chemists in England could close as a result of the £170 million subsidy ending this financial year. The Government had announced last December it would be cutting the budget for chemists by £170m during 2016/17, starting in October. Campaigners are outraged at the plans and have voiced concern that

some areas may be left with no local chemist.

Ministers argue that they want to thin out “clusters” of pharmacies, directly funded by the Department of Health, serving the same area.

Also, keeping things on tenterhooks is officials do not know which ones might be forced to shut.

In a Commons debate, Health Minister Burt said “up to 3,000 pharmacies could be affected” but admitted that he was “extrapolating” and it was not clear how many might shut.

MPs from across the political divide are fighting to prevent the closure.

Last week a cross-party group of MPs, including Labour's Michael Dugher, Tory Derek Thomas and Liberal Democrat former health minister Norman

Lamb, delivered a petition to Downing Street against the cuts. Stephen McPartland, Tory MP for Stevenage, was quoted in The Daily Telegraph as saying: “It does not make sense that we are encouraging pharmacies to take on a bigger role in the NHS, while potentially reducing the number. We just need to understand the impact before pressing ahead.”

The proposal to remove financial support for many rural pharmacies has been made in utter disregard of the significant role that rural chemists play in many communities. A pharmacy can be an essential source of medical help for people who live far from a doctor's surgery, and for people who live near one but struggle to get an appointment.

Remember, Recollect, Recharge

British Asians have come a very long way since their arrival in the UK. They worked hard and achieved so much to reciprocate the warmth and hospitality of the British people renowned for their open, fair and law-abiding way of life.

Paid subscribers of Asian Voice are invited to send in their journey report (up to 600 words narration) with at least 2 photographs (one when they arrived in the UK and another with their family

By Ramesh Jhalla

members at the moment).

These life stories will be published without any charge in Asian Voice as a service to celebrate ABPL's 44 years as well as to put on record our sojourn for the knowledge of our younger generation as well as neighbours.

Here is another story this time by Rameshbhai Jhalla from about his journey as a migrant to the UK from East Africa.

Nyota and papers of Kenya, Times of India, Blitz, and Gujarati newspapers of India.

I am admirer of Theosophy, Swami Vivekananda, J. Krishnamoorty, David Frawly, Conrad Elst, Stephen Hawkings and other thinkers of the world.

Ongoing activities: reading, writing and verbally commenting on current trends. I am grateful to Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice for providing “Readers’ Voice” and “Tamari Vaat” for such comments.

Having observed leaders of Kenya, India and U.K. I conclude that every leader has his own idea of patriotism, tempo and regard for voters.

President Kenyatta stressed on overcoming colonial complex, President Moi stressed on faster pace of nation, U.K.’s leaders stress on usage of iron hand in velvet glove. Indian leaders believe in slow motion decisions but grind fine, accurate and efficient.

No words can be enough to thank my parents and other members of family, for encouragement and support. I am also grateful to leaders of three countries for smooth governance that allowed all citizens and non-citizens to prosper and maintain harmony.

I was born in Nakuru, Kenya, East Africa in 1938 and was educated in the Government Asian Primary School which ended in 1956 when I left Menengai High School.

At that time, Kenya was a British Colony.

There were no colleges, and most of school leavers either joined the family business or became shop the eyes of scientists. All or office workers. Parents through we had plenty of had a very narrow minded outdoor life, with plenty concept of what higher of fresh mountain air. education meant to be I migrated to U.K. in qualified as doctors or 1982. By now, computers lawyers only. Science and had entered the public arts graduates were only field, but were still in good to become teachers. infant stage. There were We had a choice to plenty of non-computer join Teachers’ Training jobs in U.K. Thus I had 17 College in Nairobi in years to polish my IT, Kenya, Makrere College computing and related in Uganda, go to U.K. or skills. After retiring 16 enroll in any University in years ago, I am still India. adding new techniques to I joined National enhance my skills. I have College, (Bandra) and yet to learn multi gadget later I joined Nair (phone/camera/video/ Hospital Dental College, computer/SMS etc) (Bombay Central), both of known as smart phone.

Bombay University. I Extracurricular interqualified as B.D.S. in ests include: reading, 1964. Worked for two travel, socialising, knowyears at Government ing people and volunteerDental College, ing as per the need and Ahmedabad. Moved to capability. In retrospect, I Kenya, indulged in priconsider as blessing to vate practice. All through read Illustrated Weekly of school, college and later London, Illustrated settlement period in Weekly of India, Africa Kenya we had no indoor Samachar (by Nandlal entertainment gadgets.

Bhatt), Film India, (all Television and videos had four now defunct). I read freshly entered houses.

Daily Nation, Taifa, Computer was a glint in If you have a similar story you would like to share please send it and any pictures to CB Patel, Publisher/Editor, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar at Karma Yoga House, 12 Hoxton Market, (Off Coronet Street) London N1 6HW, or you may write to CB Patel at cb.patel@abplgroup.com

UK Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

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Rani Singh, Special Assignments Editor

Unusual Feat; The Solicitor Turned Cookery Writer Food writer and cookery teacher Sumayya Usmani has lived the kind of life that, on first sight, one would not necessarily assume would lead to her current profession as a cookery writer and teacher.

However, look more closely at her challenges and turning points and you will see why it was inevitable that she would end up celebrating the heritage and traditions of her home country, Pakistan, by capturing the rich and aromatic pleasure of Pakistani cooking.

Sumayya was resident food writer for the Guardian COOK in February 2016. Her recent book is “Summers under the Tamarind Tree: Recipes & Memories from Pakistan.”

She was a recent guest in season at Asia House and lives in Glasgow, having moved to the UK with her daughter 10 years ago.

Background Sumayya Usmani was born in Karachi, Pakistan.

“My parents were among

Sumayya Usmani

many Muslim Indians who migrated to the new

Dominion of Pakistan in 1947, following the parti-

tions down to be more spethe backbone of Pakistani cific in their andaza was cooking and will always one of the challenges of remain my kitchen philoswriting. ophy.”

Usmani is happy that The family moved to her native ingredients are Karachi where Sumayya’s easy to find in Glasgow. father decided to become a She will solicit a local shipping lawyer. south-Asian shop to Karachi is a city where order in her favourite the cuisines of indigenous phalsa berries.

Sindhis, Hindus, Indian She described their Muslim migrants, Arabs, taste as “like a cross Persians and other little between a raspberry and ethnic communities who pomegranate, sweet-sour settled there centuries and tangy.” ago all come togethEntertainingly, er. So Pakistani she mixes the food is influberries with enced by some It was far Scottish ingreof the world’s from an dients: game g r e a t e s t and root vegetacuisines. With ideal life bles, mutton an interesting for a child and hogget (meat coastline, it from lamb that is enjoys spiced over a year old). seafood and fish One flavour dishes. Its borders Sumayya always clings to with Iran, Afghanistan, is tamarind, the fruit that India and China mean she would suck under her there are strong Arabic, nani’s tree as a child, Persian and varied Asian even though she said it flavours. tasted so sour that “it Grown up, Sumayya makes you scream.” became a solicitor. But she Consequently, she finds says she was never as excitthat “I’ve always had a ed about Law as she is taste for sour over sweet, about writing on food, and would even eat the which she blogs on too. She leaves.” So tamarind is gave up a full time career as the motif of her book , a lawyer to concentrate full that is a present for her time on cuisine. daughter. She said, “if she Challenges in writing learns how to cook and It is the recipes of her she knows the flavours of mother, five aunts, and her heritage, she’ll always grandmother that she has have this sense of identicarefully preserved and ty, no matter where she written down in her book. lives in the world.”

But nailing her female rela-

tion of India. They still remember the two countries being one.”

Unusual childhood unlocks the key to cooking.

Little Sumayya had a very different infanthood to many of her peers. “For my first six years I lived on a cargo ship, which my father captained.”

Sumayya and her mother went with him on his many journeys around the globe. It may have been fun and strange at times, but what was it like, with no other children to play with, no formal kindergarten? Sumayya said, “it was far from an ideal life for a child. There wasn’t much to distract me from the endless sea that stretched out in every direction. However, it was in being away from home that I began to develop a passion for the cuisine of my homeland.”

The captain had a small galley in his quarters and Sumayya’s mother was so bored on the ship that she spent her time creating new dishes. Usmani would creep into the vessel’s walkin freezers, “where you’d always find the carcass of a goat hanging from a hook,” or watch her mother unpack exotic ingredients bought on shore leave.

She added, “In these moments I unconsciously started picking up andaza, the art of sensory cooking and estimation, which is

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READERS’ VOICE

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Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

Request to Sri Narendra Modi After becoming Prime Minister of India Sri Narendra Modi has made history in many ways. This is a public letter requesting him to legislate for the following.

First, India should abandon capital punishment for good. The duty of a state is to protect life. If there are unacceptable crimes the way forward is to find ways and means to educate people so that the possibility of committing crime is reduced to a minimum.

Second, it is nice to know Sri Modi has embarked upon education reform in India. That is the right way forward. The philosophy of education should be to bring about unity among all sections of Indian society. This must be on Advaita – Non Duality or more appropriately ‘Oneness and Equality’ of the entire humanity.

In addition Sri Modi can try to establish ‘World Advaita Day’ through UN. He has done a great job by establishing World Yoga Day. He can discuss this option with UN Secretary General for adoption by the world as he did for World Yoga Day. Yoga is one of the six schools of Vedic philosophy. It is practised in almost every country in the world. No one has to convert to Hinduism to practise Yoga. Similarly Advaita is a universal philosophy. It is not ritual or religion. In the world it is the only philosophy based on scientific evidence. It is the true picture of what the humanity really is.

Jatindra Saha By email

Hospice celebrations at No 10

I was pleasantly surprised to read in local papers about the reception held at No 10 Downing Street, attended

by PM’s wife Samantha Cameron and organized by St. Luke’s Hospice in Kenton whose patron is Lord Popat who facilitated this special event.

The eye catching photograph accompanying the report, with Lord Popat, AV editor C.B. Patel along with St. Luke’s Chairman Mike Redhouse occupied pride of place on page two of Harrow Times, as well as in AV. As PM’s disabled son received care and support, along with hundreds of families, in their hour of need, Samantha gave her whole-hearted support to this event, speaking about her personal experience with emotion and clarity.

Such charities will be in great demand, as our NHS is fast becoming obsolete for the purpose due to under investment and increasing demand from ageing and ever rising population.

It is indeed commendable for Lord Popat to arrange such events, in association with AV/GS that provide lifeline to people in need at a time when they are most venerable. No doubt the event was a roaring success.

Kumudini Valambia By email

Treatment of the Gurkhas

After a year when two major earthquakes struke Nepal I visited my beautiful "Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal.

I found the second world war 95 year old Gurkha veteran Mandhoj Thapa still taking shelter in temple with his sick wife in the capital in their last remaining twilight years.

Gurkhas especially the martial from Nepal did sacrifice the cream part of their lives for the vested interest of the British empire. But in the end when the war ended the Gurkhas were sent bare foot and empty hand and dump them like a garbage?

Neither the British nor the Nepalese government have the authentic records of the killed or the wounded Gurkhas, during the two bloody great wars and the wounded Gurkhas are forced to settle in Burma, Malaysia and other parts of the world.

Subscribe Today Yam Gurung (Rtd) Nepal

Asian Voice in UK for only £29 for one year

What trump card is Mr Trump holding

On the 26th May, Mr Donald Trump held a press conference in Bismarck, North Dakota to celebrate the support of 1239 delegates which guarantees him the Republican candidacy for president. This has not surprised many of us who noticed that he had already grabbed the top two trump suit cards (ace and king) even before the hand was dealt.

Since 9/11, the most prominent thought in the American psyche has been the fear of terrorism. The terrorist attack in California on 2nd December 2015 which killed 14 innocent people, is still raw in the mind of the Americans.

Mr Trump grabbed the ace card through his proposed solution for terrorism by temporary halt on Muslims to enter the USA and to strengthen the antiterrorism efforts.

The second most prominent thought in the American minds is job security and greed for wealth. The king card is a solution for job security by a proposal to erect a wall between Mexico and the USA, to deport all illegal migrants and to bring back the manufacturing jobs from China and call centre jobs from Bharat. He has also promised to create more wealth by allowing unlimited coal mining and fracking and to permit TransCanada oil pipeline, irrespective of environmental damage.

It seems that Mr Trump’s proposals resonate nicely with the voters. If he becomes the president and achieves his goals, it will be a winwin situation for all. The USA will be self-sufficient for natural and human resources allowing the rest of the world to benefit from the presently consumed enormous imported resources by the USA. And the whole world will benefit from the end of Islamic terrorism.

Narsibhai Patel New Malden

Use it or lose it

I read with interest your article about the improvement of memory on page 19 of last week’s Gujarat Samachar. How appropriate it is in this day and age when, because we live longer with the aid of modern medicine, if we do not regularly exercise our brains, we are sure to succumb to various mental illnesses like Alzheimer’s or front temporal dementia. As we age, we find it increasingly difficult to remember names of people and places. What if we go out and can’t return home because we forget the address of our own home? It is unimaginable what a pitiful situation one would find oneself in. And such cases are on the increase, especially in our community.

As mentioned in Gujarat Samachar, as we grow older, besides taking physical exercises to keep ourselves bodily fit, it is very important for us to exercise our brains too.

This is where the crossword puzzle under “Hinke Betha” on page 14 of G S comes to the rescue. I make it a point to try and solve that puzzle every week. I also attempt to solve cross word puzzles, sudoku and such brain teasers in other English newspapers.

Besides aiding to memory retention, they also help to improve our language skills. It is as simple as that - you either use your brain or you lose it! Another tip to improve memory is the liberal consumption of almonds. They are considered brain food!

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Raising the status of Hinduism

Rajan Zed is correct to suggest that B.B.C. must also air Hindu festivals and programs.

Sunday Times is right to observe that B.B.C. is too Christian in its output, as it follows maxim that religion of majority is religion of the nation. But it is wrong to give B.B.C.’s programe priority a religious slant. It is not B.B.C.’s job to be partial to, or propagate any religion, but to report events in most secular manner. Choice to broadcast event celebrated by religious body, is at the discretion of B.B.C., and prevalent news and events.

Religions and their festivals are very private and spiritually charged rites should not be polluted by using a business oriented organization. Insisting to broadcast any particular religions’ event may tantamount to sacrilege. Aura generated by one religious celebration may not suit followers of other religions. Inter religious competition in name of multi culturalism is also undesirable.

Rajan Zed and ilk must strive to raise status of Hinduism in India where it is marginalized by secularism and silenced by vociferous minority. Our demands for reverence must be backed by government of India. Only then any foreign media can be expected to respect Hinduism.

Ramesh Jhalla By email

Should Obama have apologised?

Lustre Barak Obama became first US serving President to visit Japanese city of Hiroshima, which was destroyed by atom bomb dropped by US in 1945 that resulted in unconditional surrender of pertinacious Japan during the WW2, shortening war and saving Allied lives.

US is the only country to use atom bomb in any conflict, their Air Force dropping two atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki killing two hundred thousand mostly civilians instantly and many more with radiation sickness.

Most Americans and even Japanese believe he was right to express sympathy but no apology, as Japan started WW2 and bombed US naval base at Pearl Harbour in Hawaii even without declaring war first, although there were some mitigating circumstances that prevented Japan from Informing US first, although no Western country would have started war under similar circumstances.

Japanese aircraft carriers sailed to this US naval base in Honolulu in completer radio silence and caught US napping, sinking 20 major destroyers and killing thousands of US sailors and civilians that enraged US who extracted terrible revenge for this unforgettable act, odious Japan breaking every Geneva Convention with contempt.

Although numerous conflicts occurred since WW2, especially brutal Korean and Vietnam wars, no country dared to use nuclear weapons, as all sides possessed nuclear weapons and knew what would be the result of an all-out nuclear holocaust, in sharp contrast to quiescent nuclear free Iraq and Libya who became victims of sanctimonious West.

Bhupendra M. Gandhi By email

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A Broadfield schoolgirl has launched a campaign aimed at changing perceptions of people who wear a hijab.

Laiba Baig, from Teasel Close, has been given $3,000 (£2,000) by Twitter to fund the project after pitching her idea at a Dragons' Den-style competition in London.

The schoolgirl feels as though some people judge or

stereotype her simply because she is wearing the veil. "When people stare at me because I wear a hijab it makes me feel like a target and can make me self-conscious. You should accept people for who they are, not force them to wear the hijab but accept them if they are wearing one and not treat them any differently.”

A million more youngsters to live with parents A million more young people are likely to find themselves living with their parents over the next decade, according to the insurance company Aviva.

The main reason is the affordability of housing, the company said. The study forecasts that 3.8 million people aged between 21 and 34 will be living at home by 2025, a third more than at the moment.

The number of households containing two or more families is also expected to rise, from 1.5 million to 2.2 million. Its figures assume house prices will continue to rise at the same rate they have done over the last ten years. But not everyone is gloomy about the prospect of sharing their living space with other couples.

The advantages

include having other people around for company, cheaper living costs, and more people to share the

chores, Aviva said.

"Multigenerational living is often seen as a necessity rather than a choice, particularly when adults are forced to move back in with family to help save for long-term goals like buying their own house," said Lindsey Rix, managing director of personal lines at Aviva UK.

"But rather than being an inconvenience, our report shows it is often a positive experience, with

shared living costs reducing financial strain and the added benefit of constant company."

Figures from the 2011 census show that in London 11.3% of all homes were overcrowded, rising to 25% in the London borough of Newham, the worst affected area in the country.

Midnight Walk

Get the ladies together for the

17 June 2016

Join 1300 ladies to help support patients at St Luke’s Hospice.

Exam stress 'among teen suicide causes' Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

Schoolgirl given £2,000 by Twitter to change public perception of hijab

Harrow’s biggest girls night out kicks off at Harrow Leisure Centre with fun entertainment and a warm up at 11pm

The 9-mile walk starts at Midnight, and finishes with breakfast back at the Leisure Centre.

All Walkers get a FREE pink t-shirt before the event as well as goody bags, breakfast and water on the night. Entry £25

Premila Bhojani from the Shree Swaminaryan Mandir in Kingsbury says:

‘I have been helping to organise the walk for 2 years now and getting the members of the Temple to take part has never been hard thanks to our Acharya Swamishree Maharaj s inspiration. From young to old they are always happy to take part, have a laugh, sing along, have their face painted, anything for laughter and fun. In return we help raise the sponsorship that helps run the hospice.’

Enter at www.stlukes-hospice.org/midnightwalk Tel: 020 8382 8112 Registered charity number 298555

11

Exam pressures and physical health problems, like acne, are major contributory factors in the suicides of young people, according to research.

Experts at the University of Manchester also found bullying and family bereavement were linked to suicides. They investigated the suicides of 130 people under 20 in England between January 2014 and April 2015.

In February, figures published by the Office for

National Statistics revealed an increase in youth suicides.

There were 201 people

aged between 10 and 19 who killed themselves in 2014 in the UK - up from 179 in 2013.

Students of Scotland’s renowned Lomond School introduced to Hinduism In a workshop, Hinduism was reportedly recently introduced to students of Lomond School in coastal Helensburgh, Scotland; a fully integrated 3 to 18 year co-educational institution.

Students of Lomond School, formed in 1977 but whose history goes back to 1845, were given outline about the practices, history and beliefs of Hinduism; oldest and third largest religion of the world; in this workshop, providing them with an awareness about what Hindus believed, reports suggest.

The students tried meditation and traditional Hindu attire as a part of various Hinduism related activities, in which they

eagerly participated, reports add. Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, pictured, in a statement in Nevada, described it as a step in the positive direction. He stressed the need of organizing Hindu Day in all the schools of Scotland where children should learn about basic concepts, symbols, art, music and traditions of Hinduism.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that awareness about other religions thus created by organizing such days would make the Scotland pupils well-nurtured, well-balanced, and enlightened citizens of tomorrow.

It also made a good business sense to know the beliefs of “others” in a global community. Moreover, students should have knowledge of the entire society to become full participants in the society, Zed added. With a purpose to “develop the whole child”, Lomond School prepares its pupils “to be responsible and active global citizens”.

It has active school partnerships in South Africa, Germany, USA and China.

Johanna Urquhart is the Principal, while Alastair Hope is the Chair of Board of Governors.

12

MEDIA WATCH

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

Exit poll exercises are still India’s infant industry. The preferences of media barons remain an impediment in the search for reality. There is no sign, as yet, that these futile exercises will give way to realistic projections. The true consolation is that truth will out. It was – with a resounding bang. Far from heading for the political wilderness, Bengal’s feisty Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress made a triumphant return to power with an enhanced majority in the 295 seat Assembly, the Congress party came second with 44 seats, the former governing Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPM limped home a poor third with 29 seats, while the ruling BJP at the centre in Delhi , despite its thunder limped in with 3 seats.

Assam’s first BJP regime

In Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha’s AIDMK romped home with a clear, if slightly reduced majority; in Assam the BJP’s victory was little short of thunderous, while in Kerala, the UDF, Left Front coalition

development took pride of place.

There has been significant rural uplift: new asphalted roads replacing dirt tracks, healthcare centres, improved power, more schools etc. There was urban uplift too. Trinamool Congress won each and every seat in Kolkata, a metropolis that was

1 PM Modi with new Assam Chief Minister Solawal

crushed the incumbent Congress party, with Pinayravi Vijayan the new Chief Minister. BJP may have won a solitary seat, but its vote share was an impressive 15 per cent. Assam was a different story. By winning 95 seats to the incumbent Congress party’s meagre 25, made this the first BJP government in the State. Prime Minister Modi attended the swearing-in of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonawal. The BJP hopes to make a breakthrough in the North East. In the Union Territory of Puducherry in Tamil Nadu, Congress won 17 seats in a Legislative Assembly of 30 seats, thus forming the next administration.

Congress decline terminal

Kerala and West Bengal are not BJP country, but the party’s share of the vote registered a marked increase. Its future in either State may not be as bleak as the figures reveal. Where there is life there must be hope. The Congress leasership trotted out rancid clichés about the need for patience, resolution, and much else, in the face of adversity. The contrarian electorate has ‘puckishly put an ass’s head on the poor party at the bottom of the heap.’

Development platform

The scale of Mamata Banerjee’s triumph was something of a surprise, given that the print media and privately-owned TV channels were consistently hostile, at times hysterically so. This has proved counter-productive. Voters were clearly swayed by their experiences on the ground, less by jaundiced media scribes. Hence

once perceived as the 20th century’s ultimate urban disaster, thanks to decades of calculated neglect by the previous Communist-led Left Front government bent on destroying the Bengali middle class. Mockingly, a new Kolkata is emerging from the debris of the old. For all that, and her verbal enticements, industry has not returned in the desired numbers to invest in West Bengal. There is too much unrest, volatility and policy inconsistencies to inspire confidence in would-be investors.

Violence vulgarity

That said, Mamata Banerjee’s election campaign and its aftermath were characterized by levels of violence rarely seen before. It has prompted the West Bengal Governor to intervene with a call to the Chief Minister to control the situation. Ms Banerjee, ever the street fighter, finds it difficult to jettison the habits of a lifetime.

Her carefully choreographed coronation on February 27, which brought normal life in Kolkata to a standstill, was an egotistical display of pomp, but the sequel, a question-andanswer session with the media was relaxed and positive.

Meanwhile, the Chief Ministers of the other States were content with quieter, more dignified swearing-in ceremonies. (Hindu, Times of India, Telegraph, Business Line, May 20-28)

Space milestone

Amidst the political hurly burly, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) scored a signal triumph with the successful launch of the winged

The long awaited contract between India and Russia for the development of the second and final stage of the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) , now under negotiaIndia’s reusable tion, is likely to be signed during space vehicle in the coming months, accordReusable Launch Vehicle ing to the Chandigarh-based (RLS) from the Sriharikota Tribune newspaper, quoting a Spaceport on the coast of the Bay reliable source in the Ministry of of Bengal. This was a technology Defence in New Delhi. The plane demonstrator and its success is to be based on the T-50 aircraft means ISRO will be able to offer designed by Russia’s Sukhoi launch rates significantly cheaper Design Bureau. India’s share of than before. The eventual goal of the work will be 40 per cent (up the mission was to take Indian from the initial 13 per cent) India astronauts into space, said ISRO plans to buy 200 of these top-ofChairman Kiran Kumar. ISRO the-line aircraft. tested key technologies pertaining to navigation, guidance, control systems etc. The next chalIndian needs lenge will be to construct air breathing machine that can India has placed 40 requests for absorb oxygen from the air and so its needs to be serviced. These replace onboard oxygen cylinders include the induction of the latest As many as 600 engineers from Russian engines, an airborne ISRO centres, National radar system with all-round visiAerospace Laboratories, IITs, bility, and reduced radar visibility and Indian Institute of Science compared with the one in the were involved in the RLV exerprototype (Lenta May 13) cise over eight years. Indian space science and engineering have India opts for Israeli Spiders emerged as world -class products, ensuring more successes in the The Indian Army has opted for years to come (Hindu, Business the short range Surface-to-Air Line, Times of India May 24, 25) (SAM)) Spider missile system on grounds of their greater agility in Tejas fit for purpose battle field conditions which require quick reaction to enemy Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, air attacks. India’s Akash system, once a fighter pilot himself, took already in service , operates from the controls of India’s indigefrom static platforms. The Spider nously designed and manufacsystem is mobile, hence can move tured warplane Tejas and passed with battle. India plans to equip it ‘fit for induction,’ thus boosting its forces on the eastern and westthe morale of the team associated ern borders with two regiments with the aircraft. After years of of Spiders (1,800 missiles). snubs and sneers, Tejas has finalIsrael’s Rafel company is the ly made it, said a relieved Kota manufacturer of the Spider sysHarinarayan, the plane’s designtems (Economic Times May 25) er. He said, ‘The Air Chief’s words will go a long way in boosting the Diageo hub in Bangalore team’s morale and work towards induction and raising squadrons Diageo, the world’s largest will now happen with renewed drinks company is to set up a energy. These are good times.’ back offices services unit in (Times of India May 18) Bangalore that will create 1,100 new jobs. Diageo will build what

Postscript

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

could be its largest tech centre in a bid to derive cost benefits and increase growth. The new centre, registered as Diageo Services India has purchased its site in a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and is preparing to piggyback on Indian software prowess (Times o9f India May 25)

New additions to Smart City list

The new list of Smart Cities announced by the Government of India includes Lucknow,, Faridabad,Bhagalpur, Ranchi, Chandigarh, Panaji, Port Blair, Imphal, Agartala and New Town, on the outskirts of Kolkata. As its name signifies New Town is a spanking, newly constructed conurbation, and its Smart City status will bring Central government funds for its transport infrastructure (Telegraph May 25)

PM’s rating remains high

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s approval rating across the country remains high at 74 per cent two years after taking office, according to rating agency instaVaani. The standing of the government, however, whilst also high, is lower than that of the prime minister (Mint May 23).The Times of India poll ((May 26)gave the PM a lower percentage rating at 62 per cent, but it was still high enough to keep him well ahead of the pack

Conciliatory tone

Prime Minister Modi’s conciliatory words at the swearing-in ceremony of Assam Chief Minister was a welcome change. As prime minister, his voice must be the nation’s not simply that of his party. He made a generous reference to past governments in New Delhi who, he admitted, had also worked for the common good and done much to create the present platform of progress and development from his government was attempting to take the country forward (Hindu May 25) President Mukherjee’s ongoing visit to China to be covered next week

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar told reporters that the price of one French Rafel warplane equalled the combined cost of a Sukhoi 30MKI and a Tejas.

PM Modi with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran. see comment page 3

Manohar Parrikar

Is this a message to the powers that be?

India, Russia deal on FGFA

Chabahar - Sadabahar

UK Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

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13

Indian MoD to chronicle its soldiers contribution to World Wars ‘Meeting of the Minds’ Symposium discusses collective remembrance of the Indian soldiers during the Great Wars

UK, EU, US or India?

UK, EU, US or India – where should you put your money. Brexit and Trump mean the question is more important than ever.

How about some evidence from the World’s richest man and also China’s richest man – they say things you would not expect!

This week saw India’s GDP growth overtake China’s. I tweeted China’s richest man who said that the UK is best place to invest, regardless of Brexit. (His name is Wang Jianlin) – and he is richer than the owner of Alibaba. He is looking to increase his UK investments.

What of the world’s richest man – Warren Buffett? These are the best quotes from his letters to Shareholders in the last couple of years: “For 240 years it’s been a terrible mistake to bet against America, and now is no time to start. America’s golden goose of commerce and innovation will continue to lay more and larger eggs. America’s social security promises will be honored and perhaps made more generous. And, yes, America’s kids will live far better than their parents did.

Promises will be honored and perhaps made more generous. And, yes, America’s kids will live far better than their parents did. American GDP per capita is now about $56,000. As I mentioned last year that – in real terms – is a staggering six times the amount in 1930, the year I was born, a leap far beyond the wildest dreams of

Rupanjana Dutta

my parents or their contemporaries. U.S. citizens are not intrinsically more intelligent today, nor do they work harder than did Americans in 1930. Rather, they work far more efficiently and thereby produce far more.

This all-powerful trend is certain to continue: America’s economic magic remains alive and well.

Some commentators bemoan our current 2% per year growth in real GDP – and, yes, we would all like to see a higher rate. But let’s do some simple math using the much-lamented 2% figure. That rate, we will see, delivers astounding gains.

America’s population is growing about .8% per year (.5% from births minus deaths and .3% from net migration). Thus 2% of overall growth produces about 1.2% of per capita growth. That may not sound impressive.

But in a single generation of, say, 25 years, that rate of growth leads to a gain of 34.4% in real GDP per capita.

In turn, that 34.4% gain will produce a staggering $19,000 increase in real GDP per capita for the next generation.

Were that to be distributed equally, the gain would be $76,000 annually for a family of four. Today’s politicians need not shed tears for tomorrow’s children.�

We need not shed a tear for the future generations of America at least. The UK tells a similar story – even allowing for inward migration.

Rule change taking a toll on student visa applications Tighter restrictions on overseas students are taking a toll on the number of student visa applications.

The figures from the Office for National Statistics showed a 6 per cent fall in student visa applications from people outside the EU to 222,609 in the year to March 2016.

The drop principally stemmed from a fall in applications for further education institutions outside the university sector.

Applications to study at further education and other institutions dropped 16 per cent to 20,770 in the year to March 2016.

There was also a 3 per cent fall to 13,591 in visa applications to study at independent schools. The rules introduced in 2011 to stop abuses of student visas can be attributed to part of the decline that made it harder for education providers to sponsor

international students.

Tough anti-immigration rhetoric is also to be blamed, according to critics, as it discourages genuine students from coming to the UK. The changes made in 2012 may also have put them off from coming to Britain as that meant they could no longer stay and work for two years after graduation.

According to Financial Times, the Home Office said that most of the fall in the further education sector’s sponsored visa applications since the peak in mid-2011 was accounted for by licences that have been revoked.

James Pitman, managing director of the higher education division of Study Group, which prepares international students for university, was quoted on FT as saying: “While nations like Australia launch new

international student national strategies, our non-EU students, unwisely included in net migration targets, have been subject to tightened visa restrictions and employment sanctions.�

India’s contribution in World War I was the focus of a unique conference held at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton on 25th and 26th May 2016. The inaugural ‘Meeting of the Minds’ Symposium brought together experts from across all sectors who share a common passion for building a shared understanding of the contribution of Indian soldiers in World War 1. The symposium further hypothesised forthcoming work and commemorations for World War 2 and a museum or more, to be built focussing entirely on Indian (subcontinent) soldiers and their contributions in World War 1 and 2.

The Brighton venue was an ideal location due to its strong links to the Great War and attracted 54 delegates and 28 speakers. The keynote speaker being the world renowned historian Professor Sir Hew Strachan who is one of the leading authorities on the Great War. The symposium was sponsored and organised by the Golden Tours Foundation (GTF) which is a committed to projects related to integration, heritage and education. The symposium was co-hosted by the United Services Institution of India, Brighton and Hove Museums and Imperial War Museum, London.

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Rt Hon Bob Blackman with Defence Adviser of the High Commission of India, Brig Rajesh Jha

The Chairman of GTF Nitin Palan was delighted saying “It is important that the shared experiences of the Indian soldiers together with his British counterpart is understood by today’s generation. As one of our speakers poignantly said ‘there is no difference in the colour of blood spilt by the soldiers who fought in the war.’�

The two day “Meeting of the Minds� symposium concluded with a reception at the Houses of Parliament hosted by Bob Blackman MP. Speaking to the distinguished guests, Mr. Blackman highlighted the need for greater education on the role of Indian soldiers in the World War 1 and World War 2.

He added, “I commend the GTF team for having highlighted the importance of collective recognition of the Indian soldiers during the World War 1 and World War 2. We must not forget the valuable contribution made by the Indian soldiers and must ensure the members of public, especially young people, are educated on the same. I urge you to think of building a physical, permanent place of remembrance that focusses around the contribution of the Indian soldiers.�

The Defence Adviser of the High Commission of India, Brig Rajesh Jha said, “I would like to commend Nitin Palan and Golden Tours Foundation for having brought experts and historians together under one roof to share and their experience and

expertise to facilitate a collective remembrance of the Indian soldiers during the Great Wars.�

He added, “I would like to say that recognition of Indian contribution is a very welcome step and extremely relevant as it acts as a catalyst to deepening the India-UK relationship. It provides yet another opportunity for a close interaction between the UK and India.� “In March 2015 our Prime Minister and President did the honours by becoming part of the commemoration celebrations in New Delhi. The Indian Ministry of Defence has decided to write an official history of Indian contributions in WW1 and WW2 and the team of historians from the MOD will be here in July, to interact and with help of each one of you, the integrity and accuracy of history will be maintained and a genuine official record of the Indian contribution in both world wars will be created.�

Over the two day event eleven historians, representatives from seven leading museums and nine expert practitioners were able to share their work and discuss the challenge of how to make World War history appealing, particularly to the younger generation. It became clear that regardless of whether you were an academic or a practitioner the goal was the same to ensure remembrance, engagement and awareness.

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Inside out

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Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

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A challenge for Gujaratis

Singing is like meditation

Sunetra Senior

Amar - stage name Dr. AAC - graduated from King’s College in 2012 with a degree in Medicine, but could never quite forget that it had been Music that was his first love: “I am a doctor (Radiology Registrar) by profession, practising for 3 years now” he told us “but I couldn’t feel complete without the singing/song-writing in my life. Music has always been there in the background. I am trained in Indian Classical Music, play the piano, guitar and harmonica, and have been singing since I was six, so I thought it was high time I brought them to the fore! I made the gutsy decision to take a year out and seriously pursue music, and so far I’m glad to say, it’s been a great adventure.” Amar’s music can be described as a fusion of Indian Classical, Bollywood and Western genres, and in April, Amar actually made it to the top 50 of a competition called the ‘Magical Voice of India,’ in Bangalore and Ahmedabad, after contending throughout with a total of 12,000 entrants. He has also played up and down the UK from Scotland to Southampton, at festive, boisterous Melas and on hire at more private events: “I’m delighted to have found work on both the public and personal platforms: it’s good to know that taking a risk with my passion is really paying off.” *** But it’s not just Amar’s melodious melds that impress: it’s how they extend to life. “I chose the brand name ‘Dr. AAC’ because I wanted to demonstrate how there are no boundaries to your dreams,” he continued. “I want to keep practising Medicine, but also devote an equal amount of time to performing. I believe it is possible to have both. My initials are in the name too, to highlight that it’s about honouring yourself: you only live once and you should do justice to your identity.” Indeed, Amar’s music possesses a charismatic yet poised quality and no wonder some of his favourite artists are Michael Jackson and Arijit Singh. As much in tune with his soul as he is the mind and body, Dr. AAC shows us how happiness is holistic..

Tell us a bit about your upcoming singles?

The first is called ‘Meri Har Dua,’ and the second is named ‘But I Miss You’.

The latter came to me quite organically as I was taking a walk through London. I passed a place in Borough - a quiet, little garden in an enclosed area and this melody just arrived in my mind. What I usually do is take out my phone and start recording wherever I am, because otherwise you are likely to forget, and jotted it down quickly as soon as I got home. I’m very excited about the tracks and hope that they’ll reach people in the harmonious way they reached me.

How would you describe your personal style?

Soulful! There is a lot of passion and emotion in my music. It’s about connecting with the audience. Love and pain, along with happiness and sadness, are fundamental human emotions, and so I hope people will be able to feel my music.

Is there a particular musical technique you enjoy experimenting with?

I don't have a particular technique as such, but I do practise daily: 2h Indian classical riyaaz of low notes; 3h Indian classical riyaaz of high notes and raagas; 2h piano; 2h guitar; 1h harmonica and 2h of musical composition and improvisation. So that’s a total of 12h a day from about 630am-7pm!

Talk to me more about your influences?

Growing up Bollywood was a huge inspiration, especially Mohammed

what is new.

Rafi and Sonu Nigam, who encompass the ‘Golden’ and ‘Modern’ eras respectively. I love Ghulam Ali too because of the love and devotion which captures his audiences. In terms of western inspirations, the late Prince left a significant mark on me.

My musical idols have all informed my unique style. It’s an Indian base with a western twist. I think it’s a fun, intriguing surprise. For example, when you go to the supermarket and they have chocolate infused with chilli!

What have been some of your favourite shows?

They have all been incredibly rewarding. I did the Southall Mela a couple of weeks back, for example, and that was a really good because it was my first outdoor concert. It was a similarly novel experience when I played at Edinburgh. You learn something different with each show: the aim for music as an artist is to build and adapt that connection with your listeners, and always be ready to embrace

the late, great Prince left a significant mark on me

What’s your proudest accomplishment so far?

Having the courage to see my musical passion through. I remember waiting in line for hours when I entered the competition in Bangalore. It hasn’t been an easy ride, but that’s what builds character. You have to take the harder times with the good, or the good wouldn’t be as sweet.

Do you think your career in Radiology and the nitty gritty of Medicine has helped build your patience?

Yes, and also my compassion and empathy with people. Those are running themes through both my career paths.

What grabs you most about music; what’s the particular sensation you chase?

That feeling of being lost in the moment where nothing else matters.

Singing is like mediation: you are expressing yourself with your heart and your soul. You bring visceral feelings out into the open and play with people’s emotions.

Finally, what do you hope to accomplish with your music in the future?

To obtain a good record label and be truly successful as an artist: become a force in the field.

W

www.dr-aac.com

www.facebook.com/draac9 www.youtube.com/draac9

Yogesh Patel Recently, I happened to be at the Jaipur Literary Festival at Royal Festival Hall where, amidst others, Divya Mathur, the British Indian novelist, was participating in a debate about the issues related to translations. It was all about the exceptional translation work going on into English from various languages in India. A worldwide market for the Indian English literature (I avoid the word Anglo-Indian as it has a different context) is growing fast. Many publishing houses in the West now have branches in India. The shocking reality is that there was no reference to Gujarati literature anywhere in panel’s discussion.

Afterwards, I asked very emphatic Pinto, who has given us some of the superlative translations of critically acclaimed Marathi novels, if there was anything emerging from the impassive Gujarat? He declared in a very sad, concerned and genuine tone that only book of translation that recently came out from Gujarat was Karan Vaghelo. Sadly, that is a very old book showing how Gujaratis are stuck in the past. Has Gujarat nothing new to offer? I am not sure. Gone are the days of the giants like Umashankar Joshi or Suresh Joshi. Gone are the days of very powerful figures of Pandit age. Gone are the days of critics engaging in challenging every comfort zone of literary output as was done by Suresh Joshi to shake the thrones.

The present Gujarat is muted in literature.

All Gujaratis are guilty as the only thing they think of is money or religious discourse. There are no sponsorships for the diaspora literature. Regarding the translation of diaspora Gujarati literature, even the Gujarati Literary Academy in the UK seems to be in a great slumber. I can cite a long conversation with my librarian friend Pascal at the Poetry Library. Keen as he was to tell me about the books they hold of Gujarati literature in translation, we both could not find anything of significance in their catalogue! Yet, he was quite keen to have some translations to offer!

Even the government of Gujarat has changed the nature of its Gujarat Sahitya Akademi to put its own puppets there and has removed its autonomy.

How can literature thrive when it is throttled? Even

with the obvious draconian control it exerts, the Government of Gujarat has no projects on hand about introducing Gujarati literature to the world! It wants money from Gujaratis abroad but fails to do anything in return. Note, the High Commission of India in the UK annually awards only Hindi writers in the UK! My requests for the other languages have been ignored. The rich Gujaratis of Gujarat and Britain only duplicate how disappointing cultural attitudes are at play here. I challenge Gujaratis to come forward and help correct this. For every Gujarati, it seems that chicken thighs, kebabs, bhajia, samosas, or wiggling the bottoms at parties on a dance floor are more important things than the cultural engagement. Compare that to this fact that Gujaratis will have spent hardly anything to support literary books. Let me give you an example. I asked once Prof Jagdish Dave when his book was published by Gujarat Sahitya Akademi in Gandhinagar, what the print run of his very wellresearched and important book was. The astonishing answer was about 700 copies! Out of those many would have been given away, free, also like the one which landed in my lap for a review. Put that in a context to how many millions of Gujaratis are there worldwide. One international survey puts India at top of the list with average reading hours per week per person being 10.40 hours. With reference to the above pathetic figure of the print run, they are definitely not Gujaratis.

Am I provoking you? Yes. Do something about it. Do something amazing and buy a book today by one of our diaspora poets or writers.

I have one to recommend, if you will. Book a free ticket at the following link for the poetry event where I am reading with major diaspora poets from America and Britain, check it out, meet me and tell me how you will help. https://www.eventbrite.co. uk/e/limehouse-booksyurt-salon-with-southasian-poets-tickets25616858714 Yes, DO SOMETHING. Going back to the disappointing print run discussed above, similar books would have enjoyed the sales of thousands in Marathi, Bengali or any other languages of India. What is it saying about the wealth bragging Gujaratis who cannot support the diaspora literature? Tell me.

Therefore, what Pinto has highlighted is the overall apathy, lack of any cultural sense and the cultural poverty of Gujaratis. A disgrace of the rich Gujarat everywhere.

ANANDAsian MELA 2016 Voice | 4th June 2016

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UK's buzziest cultural fest for charity returns Charusmita Anand Mela returns in its 6h year as a grand two-day family event including the 'Assets India Property' show and ‘Aarogya Mela’.

This year it will be held on the 11th and 12th of June at the Harrow Leisure Centre.

Anand Mela attracts over 6000 visitors yearly and boasts of a variety of stalls ranging from beauty, fashion and wedding, property and investment, health and wellbeing, and of course, food and drinks. The event will also witness cultural performances on stage throughout the two days by top-notch performers, as well as community organisations and school children.

Shishukunj, our Charity Partner for Anand Mela 2016, is a children’s

charity that has been working in London for over 30 years. Through the medium of Indian culture, they try to instil morals and values in children from the age of 5 upwards so that they become responsible and respected leaders of tomorrow’s society.

Shishukunj also organises a host of annual activities including celebrating major Indian festivals and events to help the needy, and camping trips.

The exciting line-up for the cultural performances this year includes singer Navin Kundra, Honey Kalaria of Honey’s Dance Academy (HDA), singer Oshin Mehta, Mira Salat of Mira's Performing Arts, singer Kishan Amin, AK Dance Academy, Sai School, Kathak artist Manorma Joshi, to name a few. Subhendu Banerjee,

an Indian theatre actor will also be performing on both the days.

Honey Kalaria is a choreographer, dancer and Bollywood specialist. She has worked with esteemed celebrities, such as Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai and Beyonce.

HDA Performing Arts is one of the UK's first Bollywood dance and performing arts training institution. Navin Kundra is one of the strongest forces in the contemporary British Asian music industry. He is a multitalented singer, songwriter and musician and has six number one smash hit singles and a Guinness World Record. His music fuses eastern and western influences together with a contemporary and edgy sound that is uniquely and commercially progressive.

Mira Salat is a topnotch performer who has been associated with dance for 16 years. She teaches Bollywood dance as well as the classical Kathak dance.

Mira’s Performing Acrts has performed at numerous shows including the Shreya Ghoshal concert in May 2013.

Kishan Amin has acquired intense training in Hindustani Classical Music from well renowned artists, Pandit Rajan-Sajan Mishra from a very young age. He is a versatile performer with various feathers in his cap, such as Sufi music, Bollywood style, and devotional singing.

AK Dance Academy was founded by Archana Kumar. They specialise in Bollywood dance and fuse it with a variety of other dance forms, such as classical, traditional, modern

contemporary and hip hop.

The 'Assets India Property' show will be held at the Masefield suite in Harrow Leisure centre from 10 am to 7 pm, and will share details of properties and profitable investment opportunities in different cities of India.

Renowned developers and companies including India Bulls, Nirmal Life Style, Ajmera Group, Green Shapes will mark their presence and exhibit relevant opportunities.

The 'Aarogya Mela' is organised solely with the healthcare needs of residents of the UK in mind.

Areas of speciality like dental, cardiac, disc and other fields are covered under this segment. Interested people can discuss with the health experts present, and once convinced, can even map our further treatment

procedures.

With different sectors under one roof, Anand Mela also gives businesspeople the opportunity to have their stalls set up.

From marketing to selling, people who want to showcase their business or its ideas are welcome at the Anand Mela.

All the money made from ticket sales proceeds of Anand Mela will go to Shishukunj. Tickets for the fest are £2.50 and can be purchased on the day itself.

Entry is free for children under the age of 12. For stall booking and further details, please contact our office at 020 7749 4080.

If you want to perform at our Mela, to book a slot, please contact Charusmita at charusmita1990@gmail.co m We hope to see you there!

Presents

Sat 11th & Sun 12th June 2016 Venue: Harrow Leisure Centre, Christchurch Avenue, Harrow HA3 5BD

Tickets

All proceeds from ticket sales go to Shishukunj, the chosen charity for Anand Mela

Media Partners

£2.50

er day rson p le per pe availab

Tickets door at the

Car parking FREE for 3 hrs.

HEALTH & WELLNESS EXPO

Exhibiting some of the popular hospital groups, medical travel organisations and health service companies

Also exhibiting are well reputed India property developers invited

by ASSET INDIA LTD. an India property specialists based in London

For Stall Booking Call: 020 7749 4085

16

SPECIAL

Travelling to India is the Best Medicine Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

Travel for health and medical reasons date back to the 18th century, and is currently one of the fastest growing sectors in the world. A perfect example of how globalisation has extended its help, combined with a steady support of science and technology, medical tourism has made life extension possible. The entire process is seen to have caught speed in the late 1990s, as the developed countries began to acquaint itself with the new demand and invested its sources for particular kinds of medical care and global competition. India can be called one of the topmost centres for health and medical care.

With a rich medicinal history that can be evidenced with the abundant literature that cover topics ranged from physical, mental to spiritual healing.

Patients from across the world come to India for various reasons, the foremost reason being high quality treatment at an affordable cost. “Medical tourism or travel for health comprises of 2 different segments. One segment comprises of people who travel to other countries for rejuvenation purposes, and the other segment comprises of people who travel for curative care that is not available in their countries.

While the former is a luxury segment, the latter is economy,” said Nilaya Varma, KPMG, in an interview.

The Medical Tourism Market Report: 2015 said India was “one of the lowest cost and highest quality of all medical tourism destinations, it offers wide variety of procedures at about one tenth the cost of similar procedures in the United States.”

The country’s medical tourism sector was estimated at a worth of US $3 billion last year and is expected to grow to $ 7-8 billion in the next four years. The Indian Brand Equity Foundation says the overall Indian healthcare market today is worth $100 billion, and is expected to grow to $280 billion by 2020. “The Indian medical tourism is pegged at $3 billion per annum, with tourist arrivals estimated at 2, 30,000. The Indian med-

ical tourism industry is expected to reach $6 billion by 2018, with the number of people arriving in the country for medical treatment set to double over the next 4 years.”

Different organisations will provide with different stats, all echoing the same thought. India is among the top five medical tourism hotspots in the world. Using its pros to the maximum, the Ministry of Tourism of the state is also doing its part in order to advance medical and wellness tourism in the country. The 2014 Medical and Wellness Tourism Summit talked about different measures taken by the government to boost the sector. Parvez Dewan, Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism had said, “ The growth of medical tourism in India has led to the enhancement of better and advanced medical facilities in the country. More tourists are coming to India because cost of treatment here is much less compared to the US and the European countries. We are also trying to integrate medical tourism with normal tourism.”

India can become the global leader in affordable healthcare: PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a supporter of wellness and yoga, has contributed to showcasing India as the hub of medical tourism, ever since he came to power. With a vision to making India the world leader in affordable healthcare, Modi vouches by the effects of traditional medicinal systems like Ayurveda. In a speech addressing the 'Vision Conclave' of the Global Ayurveda Festival, the PM said his government is committed to promoting traditional medicines to provide cheap and effective healthcare in the country. He said India would learn from the experience of other countries, especially China, which has put in place policies and regulations for promoting their traditional medicine. He said India could become a world leader in affordable and holistic healthcare.

The year 2016 has seen many ventures initiated with

SPECIAL Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

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Surrogacy Tourism

Surrogacy is a rapidly growing industry in India, as hundreds of childless couples flock to the country to conceive children through surrogate mothers every year. The charade is supported by favourable laws. The Supreme Court of India recognised commercial surrogacy in 2002, after which, it emerged in the top for international surrogacy and surrogacyrelated fertility tourism.

Indian surrogates have become increasingly popular with fertile couples and singles from countries like Canada, USA, Australia, Ireland, France, and UK. The steady increase in the sector depends on two factors. One, being the expenses, for obvious reasons. Surrogacy comes at a reasonable price in India, said a source.

While in the US, the procedure would set back a couple/person by $120,000, India offers the entire charade for only a fourth of the amount. The total expense of having a child via surrogacy could cost anything between Rs 10 Lakh to 25 Lakh. This includes vitro fertilisation, caring for the surrogate for her full term of pregnancy, her fee, and living expenses for the expecting parents. The second reason is its laws. With regulations simpler as compared to those in the UK, some parts of USA, Canada and Australia, where surrogates are consider the legal mothers, India recognises the intended parents as the legal parents. All surrogates in India are required to sign contracts waiving any rights over the child.

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Indian pioneers contributing to the Health Sector

There are many eminent leaders in the sector, who have made prominent efforts to help make medical treatments affordable. One such healthcare entrepreneur is Dr Devi Shetty, Cardiac Surgeon and founder of multi-specialty hospital Narayana Hrudayalaya (NH). A Padma Bhushan awardee, Dr Shetty has forwarded his career to make healthcare affordable with his chain of NH sprawled across India. He pioneered the sole purpose of promoting medical tourism. A National Medical and Wellness Tourism Board has been constituted to provide a dedicated institutional framework to encourage Medical Tourism, Wellness Tourism and Yoga, Ayurveda Tourism and all other forms of Indian style medicine covered by AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy). Three subcommittees have also been set up to look into the issues, relating to visa, accreditation and allied services including marketing & promotion.

The 25-member board includes experts like Trehan, Dr Devi Prasad Shetty from Narayana Health, IATO president Subhash Goyal, yoga guru Baba Ramdev and his aide Acharya Balkrishnan, accreditation agencies like NABHHS, Quality Council of India and industry bodies like CII, Ficci, and PHDCCI. The ministry has also undertaken plans to set up a dedicated web portal highlighting information related to facilities and services offered by hospitals, health and yoga centres, spas, wellness institutes along with costs. “The sub-committee will grade institutions and offer information on costs...we would like to offer accredited facilities to foreign travelers so they have an even experience,” Trehan said.

The Government of India has Medical Visa and Medical Attendant Visa as separate categories of Visa to

Dr Devi Shetty

inexpensive cardiac surgeries by creatively and efficiently driving down costs, facilitate entry of medical tourists in India. The foreign tourists who visited India for medical purpose during 2012, 2013 and 2014* were 171021, 236898 and 184298, respectively (*Data for the year 2014 is of visa type by Nationality. Earlier data is of Nationality-wise FTAs by purpose of visit based on the information recorded in disembarkation card).

High Quality Cancer Care Indian medical centres are sought out on a daily basis by international patients. One of the leading care in Cancer treatment, the Tata Memorial Cancer Centre provides foreign patients a dependable oncology treatment mixed with sustainable and modern technology; all at a very reasonable cost.

Well-renown hospitals like HCG, Apollo Hospital Group, Fortis, Medanta- The Medicity, Mazumdar-Shaw Cancer Centre, they are all institutions for patients to access treatment for cancer and related conditions. The organisations are accredited by international agencies and recognised world-wide for offering top class care.

BS Ajaikumar, founder of HCG Enterprise, said it is an Indian oncologist at hospitals in the US and UK who are found to have the expertise.

This was what made patients want to come to India for the treatment. In fact, the patient care for cancer in India is on par and can be accessed at one-tenth the cost. He said, "The high quality medical

making life-saving surgeries within the means of thousands of poor Indians. He also designed 'Yeshasvini', the world's cheapest comprehensive health insurance scheme, at Rs. 10 (20 cents) per month, along with the Government of Karnataka for the poor farmers of the state. It is very well-used in Karnataka with 4 million people covered.

Another such distinguished entrepreneur, Pradeep K Jaisingh of

expertise and advanced technology invested by us helps diagnose, treat and allow early control of disease manifestation. In fact India is now home to a team of well qualified oncologists, state of the art infrastructure with latest equipment like CyberKnife and genomic based tests for cancer prevention, diagnostics and targeted therapy now available through the StrandTriesta Centre for Cancer Genomics."

Nephrology Tourism Diabetes, Hypertension, and chronic glomerulo-nephritis are common diseases, and may put a permanent plug on renal functions. However, they are pretty much curable with dialysis and renal transplantation. India, with its ISO certified major hospitals, have strong Nephrology and Organ Transplant departments with state of the art computerised dialysis machines, reverse osmosis water plant and facilities including operating rooms and Transplant Intensive Care Units.

Ophthalmology Treatment It is widely known that the south of India got a strong head-start and a lead in the fields of Ophthalmology.

Especially in Tamil Nadu, where eye care awareness is much higher as compared with other parts of the country. Rural people are aware of free eye care programmes and know they won't have to wait for some institution to come and conduct pro-

International Oncology has donated his time to fight Cancer. The network of cancer centres was designed to bring quality and affordable cancer treatment to India using a unique business model. Jaisingh's idea was to provide quality cancer care without having to deal with the expensive real estate costs that come with setting up new clinics. He launched India's first Healthcare Incubator in 2013.

Also doing exemplary

Dr Bala Raju

work in the field is Kolkatabased Advatech. A facility which works with National

Pathology, to offer genetic testing and pathology services, such as blood tests, to NHS and private healthcare providers. Dr Bala Raju, Medical Director at the firm helps it run number of diagnostic labs in India in partnership with other diagnostic centres. The firm will be present along with 10 other doctors, at the Anand Mela's 'Aarogya Mela' to be held 11th and 12th June, at Byron Hall, Harrow Leisure Centre, from 10 am to 7 pm.

grammes. Vellore especially leads the front in Ophtalmology care. The district has a good network of social welfare programmes and numerous other missionary hospitals that contribute to free eye care.

Spiritual Healing It is not just the body that needs healing. Foreign tourists flock by the bunch to the Himalayan region of India, to make the most of its serene surroundings and pristine air. With effective Ayurvedic healing programmes that provide courses in Naturopathy therapy and Yogic therapy, people go

to try & o n e h p ee lt Ex Fr Hea ss e ln el W

through a soul cleanse to improve their quality of life.

Neighbours flock in for better medical aid Hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshis are believed to be among patients coming to India for treatment, there is no official statistics to prove this. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) however, said an estimated 500 patients come to India from the neighbouring country daily for treatment. "Surprisingly, many Bangladeshis come to India for routine pathological tests and not complicated proce-

17

dures. Nine out of 10 head for private hospitals in Kolkata, while the rest go to South India, mainly to the Christian Medical College in Vellore, Tamil Nadu," it said.

According to their analysis, Bangladeshis prefer coming to India because of easy accessibility by road, "even for people without the appropriate documents". People travelling from one country to another for treatment contribute to global business.

Last year, it was a $43 billion market globally, according to the FICCI. Many of them come not even for complicated procedures but for routine pathological tests.

Car parking FREE for 3 hrs.

16

SPECIAL

Travelling to India is the Best Medicine Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

Travel for health and medical reasons date back to the 18th century, and is currently one of the fastest growing sectors in the world. A perfect example of how globalisation has extended its help, combined with a steady support of science and technology, medical tourism has made life extension possible. The entire process is seen to have caught speed in the late 1990s, as the developed countries began to acquaint itself with the new demand and invested its sources for particular kinds of medical care and global competition. India can be called one of the topmost centres for health and medical care.

With a rich medicinal history that can be evidenced with the abundant literature that cover topics ranged from physical, mental to spiritual healing.

Patients from across the world come to India for various reasons, the foremost reason being high quality treatment at an affordable cost. “Medical tourism or travel for health comprises of 2 different segments. One segment comprises of people who travel to other countries for rejuvenation purposes, and the other segment comprises of people who travel for curative care that is not available in their countries.

While the former is a luxury segment, the latter is economy,” said Nilaya Varma, KPMG, in an interview.

The Medical Tourism Market Report: 2015 said India was “one of the lowest cost and highest quality of all medical tourism destinations, it offers wide variety of procedures at about one tenth the cost of similar procedures in the United States.”

The country’s medical tourism sector was estimated at a worth of US $3 billion last year and is expected to grow to $ 7-8 billion in the next four years. The Indian Brand Equity Foundation says the overall Indian healthcare market today is worth $100 billion, and is expected to grow to $280 billion by 2020. “The Indian medical tourism is pegged at $3 billion per annum, with tourist arrivals estimated at 2, 30,000. The Indian med-

ical tourism industry is expected to reach $6 billion by 2018, with the number of people arriving in the country for medical treatment set to double over the next 4 years.”

Different organisations will provide with different stats, all echoing the same thought. India is among the top five medical tourism hotspots in the world. Using its pros to the maximum, the Ministry of Tourism of the state is also doing its part in order to advance medical and wellness tourism in the country. The 2014 Medical and Wellness Tourism Summit talked about different measures taken by the government to boost the sector. Parvez Dewan, Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism had said, “ The growth of medical tourism in India has led to the enhancement of better and advanced medical facilities in the country. More tourists are coming to India because cost of treatment here is much less compared to the US and the European countries. We are also trying to integrate medical tourism with normal tourism.”

India can become the global leader in affordable healthcare: PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a supporter of wellness and yoga, has contributed to showcasing India as the hub of medical tourism, ever since he came to power. With a vision to making India the world leader in affordable healthcare, Modi vouches by the effects of traditional medicinal systems like Ayurveda. In a speech addressing the 'Vision Conclave' of the Global Ayurveda Festival, the PM said his government is committed to promoting traditional medicines to provide cheap and effective healthcare in the country. He said India would learn from the experience of other countries, especially China, which has put in place policies and regulations for promoting their traditional medicine. He said India could become a world leader in affordable and holistic healthcare.

The year 2016 has seen many ventures initiated with

SPECIAL Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

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Surrogacy Tourism

Surrogacy is a rapidly growing industry in India, as hundreds of childless couples flock to the country to conceive children through surrogate mothers every year. The charade is supported by favourable laws. The Supreme Court of India recognised commercial surrogacy in 2002, after which, it emerged in the top for international surrogacy and surrogacyrelated fertility tourism.

Indian surrogates have become increasingly popular with fertile couples and singles from countries like Canada, USA, Australia, Ireland, France, and UK. The steady increase in the sector depends on two factors. One, being the expenses, for obvious reasons. Surrogacy comes at a reasonable price in India, said a source.

While in the US, the procedure would set back a couple/person by $120,000, India offers the entire charade for only a fourth of the amount. The total expense of having a child via surrogacy could cost anything between Rs 10 Lakh to 25 Lakh. This includes vitro fertilisation, caring for the surrogate for her full term of pregnancy, her fee, and living expenses for the expecting parents. The second reason is its laws. With regulations simpler as compared to those in the UK, some parts of USA, Canada and Australia, where surrogates are consider the legal mothers, India recognises the intended parents as the legal parents. All surrogates in India are required to sign contracts waiving any rights over the child.

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Indian pioneers contributing to the Health Sector

There are many eminent leaders in the sector, who have made prominent efforts to help make medical treatments affordable. One such healthcare entrepreneur is Dr Devi Shetty, Cardiac Surgeon and founder of multi-specialty hospital Narayana Hrudayalaya (NH). A Padma Bhushan awardee, Dr Shetty has forwarded his career to make healthcare affordable with his chain of NH sprawled across India. He pioneered the sole purpose of promoting medical tourism. A National Medical and Wellness Tourism Board has been constituted to provide a dedicated institutional framework to encourage Medical Tourism, Wellness Tourism and Yoga, Ayurveda Tourism and all other forms of Indian style medicine covered by AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy). Three subcommittees have also been set up to look into the issues, relating to visa, accreditation and allied services including marketing & promotion.

The 25-member board includes experts like Trehan, Dr Devi Prasad Shetty from Narayana Health, IATO president Subhash Goyal, yoga guru Baba Ramdev and his aide Acharya Balkrishnan, accreditation agencies like NABHHS, Quality Council of India and industry bodies like CII, Ficci, and PHDCCI. The ministry has also undertaken plans to set up a dedicated web portal highlighting information related to facilities and services offered by hospitals, health and yoga centres, spas, wellness institutes along with costs. “The sub-committee will grade institutions and offer information on costs...we would like to offer accredited facilities to foreign travelers so they have an even experience,” Trehan said.

The Government of India has Medical Visa and Medical Attendant Visa as separate categories of Visa to

Dr Devi Shetty

inexpensive cardiac surgeries by creatively and efficiently driving down costs, facilitate entry of medical tourists in India. The foreign tourists who visited India for medical purpose during 2012, 2013 and 2014* were 171021, 236898 and 184298, respectively (*Data for the year 2014 is of visa type by Nationality. Earlier data is of Nationality-wise FTAs by purpose of visit based on the information recorded in disembarkation card).

High Quality Cancer Care Indian medical centres are sought out on a daily basis by international patients. One of the leading care in Cancer treatment, the Tata Memorial Cancer Centre provides foreign patients a dependable oncology treatment mixed with sustainable and modern technology; all at a very reasonable cost.

Well-renown hospitals like HCG, Apollo Hospital Group, Fortis, Medanta- The Medicity, Mazumdar-Shaw Cancer Centre, they are all institutions for patients to access treatment for cancer and related conditions. The organisations are accredited by international agencies and recognised world-wide for offering top class care.

BS Ajaikumar, founder of HCG Enterprise, said it is an Indian oncologist at hospitals in the US and UK who are found to have the expertise.

This was what made patients want to come to India for the treatment. In fact, the patient care for cancer in India is on par and can be accessed at one-tenth the cost. He said, "The high quality medical

making life-saving surgeries within the means of thousands of poor Indians. He also designed 'Yeshasvini', the world's cheapest comprehensive health insurance scheme, at Rs. 10 (20 cents) per month, along with the Government of Karnataka for the poor farmers of the state. It is very well-used in Karnataka with 4 million people covered.

Another such distinguished entrepreneur, Pradeep K Jaisingh of

expertise and advanced technology invested by us helps diagnose, treat and allow early control of disease manifestation. In fact India is now home to a team of well qualified oncologists, state of the art infrastructure with latest equipment like CyberKnife and genomic based tests for cancer prevention, diagnostics and targeted therapy now available through the StrandTriesta Centre for Cancer Genomics."

Nephrology Tourism Diabetes, Hypertension, and chronic glomerulo-nephritis are common diseases, and may put a permanent plug on renal functions. However, they are pretty much curable with dialysis and renal transplantation. India, with its ISO certified major hospitals, have strong Nephrology and Organ Transplant departments with state of the art computerised dialysis machines, reverse osmosis water plant and facilities including operating rooms and Transplant Intensive Care Units.

Ophthalmology Treatment It is widely known that the south of India got a strong head-start and a lead in the fields of Ophthalmology.

Especially in Tamil Nadu, where eye care awareness is much higher as compared with other parts of the country. Rural people are aware of free eye care programmes and know they won't have to wait for some institution to come and conduct pro-

International Oncology has donated his time to fight Cancer. The network of cancer centres was designed to bring quality and affordable cancer treatment to India using a unique business model. Jaisingh's idea was to provide quality cancer care without having to deal with the expensive real estate costs that come with setting up new clinics. He launched India's first Healthcare Incubator in 2013.

Also doing exemplary

Dr Bala Raju

work in the field is Kolkatabased Advatech. A facility which works with National

Pathology, to offer genetic testing and pathology services, such as blood tests, to NHS and private healthcare providers. Dr Bala Raju, Medical Director at the firm helps it run number of diagnostic labs in India in partnership with other diagnostic centres. The firm will be present along with 10 other doctors, at the Anand Mela's 'Aarogya Mela' to be held 11th and 12th June, at Byron Hall, Harrow Leisure Centre, from 10 am to 7 pm.

grammes. Vellore especially leads the front in Ophtalmology care. The district has a good network of social welfare programmes and numerous other missionary hospitals that contribute to free eye care.

Spiritual Healing It is not just the body that needs healing. Foreign tourists flock by the bunch to the Himalayan region of India, to make the most of its serene surroundings and pristine air. With effective Ayurvedic healing programmes that provide courses in Naturopathy therapy and Yogic therapy, people go

to try & o n e h p ee lt Ex Fr Hea ss e ln el W

through a soul cleanse to improve their quality of life.

Neighbours flock in for better medical aid Hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshis are believed to be among patients coming to India for treatment, there is no official statistics to prove this. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) however, said an estimated 500 patients come to India from the neighbouring country daily for treatment. "Surprisingly, many Bangladeshis come to India for routine pathological tests and not complicated proce-

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dures. Nine out of 10 head for private hospitals in Kolkata, while the rest go to South India, mainly to the Christian Medical College in Vellore, Tamil Nadu," it said.

According to their analysis, Bangladeshis prefer coming to India because of easy accessibility by road, "even for people without the appropriate documents". People travelling from one country to another for treatment contribute to global business.

Last year, it was a $43 billion market globally, according to the FICCI. Many of them come not even for complicated procedures but for routine pathological tests.

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Peer's 4-minute speech cost taxpayer £20 a word AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

Taxpayers were charged nearly £9,000 for liberal peer Lord Paddick, to fly home from a holiday in the United States to make a Parliamentary speech that lasted for four minutes, in 2014.

A former Metropolitan police chief, he made an intervention of just 446 words long in a debate on bombing Isis targets in Iraq.

Returning from New York, the 7,000-mile round trip saw him take a British Airways business class flight at an effective cost to the public purse of nearly

£20 a word or £2,224 a minute. Documents under freedom of information laws revealed Lord Paddick flew home from New York's JFK airport in a flatbed seat the night before the debate. After making a brief appearance, he took a return flight from Heathrow, the same night, yet again, in a flatbed seat.

The final bill amounted to £8,897.84- a cost to taxpayers of nearly £20 a word or £2,224 a minute.

The incident was described in the book 'Parliament Ltd' by jour-

Lord Paddick

nalist Martin Williams, published by Hodder & Stoughton last week. It also

Gujarat focuses on tech-based start-ups The Gujarat government is under the works of a separate policy for technology driven start-ups, flagged to be released in a couple of weeks. The proposed policy, being prepared by the Department of Science and Technology, will target more than 2000 techbased start-ups over the next fiver years that have received at least one round of venture capital funding.

State IT, sciency and technology secretary Dhananjay Dwivedi, speaking on the sidelines of the 'Start-up Summit' organised by the Internet and Mobile Association of India with support from Google, said, "Under the policy the

government aims to establish 100 incubators in Gujarat and develop one million sq ft of incubation space besides facilitate investment of $1 billion to start-ups through VC funding over next five years."

Gujarat government had earlier announced a policy in January 2015 for start-ups with an emphasis on manufacturing and services sector. "The 2015 policy was launched by industries department and is focused on manu facturing sector. This will be a different policy with a specific focus on technology-based start-ups and it will be announced soon," Dwivedi explained. "A national sum-

mit on technologies will be held in second week of August, where over 3000 start-ups from the state will participate. We will also be calling VCs, incubators, and accelerators from across the country and give them a platform to interact."

Two major summits and a conference are planned later this year to promote IT start-up policy and other policies. Under the existing policy meant for manufacturing startups, over 100 start-ups are being provided assistance through 18 incubators and the government is in process of identifying 18 more incubators.

56 Indian companies in Forbes 'Global 2000' Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd is on the top of the tally of 56 Indian companies featured in the annual list of Forbes' 2000 largest and most powerful public companies in the world. A comprehensive list of the largest and biggest companies in the world, the Forbes 'Global 2000' for this year showed the upper hand of the US and China in the current business sector.

Companies from both the countries took over the top 10 positions with Japan's Toyota Motor Corp standing at 10th. India's 56th position resonates last year's list with RIL still

Mukesh Ambani

maintaining its position at the top. The company moved from 142 to 121 this year, with a $50.6 billion market value and $91.5 billions of assets. It is followed by the State Bank of India which is at the 149th posi-

tion and has a market value of $23.3 billion. Other Indian companies include, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ranked 220); ICICI Bank (266); HDFC Bank (275); Indian Oil Corporation (371); Tata Consultancy Services (385), NTPC Ltd (400); Bharti Airtel Ltd (453); Coal India Ltd (465); Axis Bank (484), Larsen and Toubro Ltd (505), Infosys (590), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (650), Wipro Ltd (755), ITC Ltd (781), Kotak Mahindra Bank (899), Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd (901), HCL Technologies (943), Tata Steel Ltd (1178) and Adani Enterprises (1993).

Indian couple in Australia sues bank An Indian couple launched a $1.5 billion lawsuit, against ANZ Bank for allegedly undervaluing shares of their fertiliser fiurm to recoup millions in debt. Pankaj and Radhika Oswal, have made the biggest case in the legal history of Victoria, regarding the forced sale of their Australia-based company Burrup Fertilisers after it was seized by recievers in 2010. The couple alleged that Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) and the receiver PPB undervalued their share of the chemical business by $1.5 billion. Tony

Radhika and Pankaj Oswal

Bannon from the Oswal’s defence team said the couple was entitled to a judgment against the bank and receivers. "Not only was it a breach of selling any asset rule 101, as it turns out it’s a breach of a duty

of a receiver," Bannon said, adding the receivers "effectively did ANZ’s bidding." The legal battle has already seen millions of dollars spent with over 25 barristers in court on Monday.

reveals how 43 peers claimed expenses during the 2014-15 parliamentary session worth a total of £621,600 — but never spoke in the chamber. A group of 34 peers claimed expenses worth £130,000 while never voting during the same period. Eight peers claimed a total of just under £29,000 while neither speaking nor voting.

In response to the claims, Lord Paddick said, "I sought the advice of the chief whip and the House of Lords authorities before travelling. I was advised

what class of travel I was entitled to. I gave up two days of my holiday to speak in an important debate in parliament. The claim simply covered the cost of travel. I did not gain financially myself from the claim." If parliament is recalled during a recess, as it happened in 2014, MPs and peers who are away can recover the costs of getting home "including the cost of travel from overseas".

Peers receive no salary but can claim a £300 daily allowance for turning up. It costs the people about

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£18m a year.

Jonathan Isaby, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said, "Given the brevity of Lord Paddick’s intervention, taxpayers can’t be blamed for feeling fleeced after funding the round trip of nearly £9,000. Were no economy class flights available?

Unelected peers talking about being ‘entitled’ to travel business class on the taxpayer will do nothing to instil public confidence that they are being careful with our hard-earned cash."

Youngest CEOs of India Barely adults, the youngest mobile application programmers in India, and two of the youngest in the world, brothers Shravan Kumaran (10) and Sanjay Kumaran (12), have created applications inspired by real life incidents. The students from Chennai have developed around 11 applications that are currently available in Apple store, Google's Android play store and Windows store.

President and cofounder of GQ Dimensions, Shravan said, "Our father taught us the basics; gradually, we started learning Qbasic, animation and programming apps among other. Most of our applications have got mazimum ratings and all the apps have over 1 lakh downloads." Some of their famous apps include Catch Me Cop, Alphabet Board, Prayer Planet, Colour Palette and Emergency Booth. They also designed a virtual reality device called GoVR. "We always wanted a virtual reality

Shravan Kumaran (10) and Sanjay Kumaran (12)

device but whatever was available in the market was expensive, and we wanted a cheaper version.

We have built an alpha version of the device and software and it is priced at Rs 799 unlike the rest which are around Rs 50,000," Sanjay said.

"We have travelled a lot," recalls Sanjay. "Some of the best moments of our lives were when we went to Korea and addressed over 2,000 people, and also when we got a personal mail from late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam after he saw

Switzerland to poll for universal basic income Switzerland is making preparations to vote on proposals to introduce a universal basic income, which as per the campaigners, would erase poverty and remove dependence on welfare. It has been suggested by the intiative's founders that each adult should receive 2,500 francs (£1784) a month with children receiving 625 francs (£446) a month until they reach 18. The electorate is to decide whether to support the principle of the new measure, instead of its immediate non-binding referendum.

Makers of the proposal stress that this government-guaranteed payment, unlike the current benefit programs, will be entirely "no questions asked", which means, it will not be means-tested and it will apply for every person legally living in Switzerland. Called the Unconditional Basic Income, supporters say it

would support the people that will, or already do, lose their jobs to automation and technological progress; a defensive move against "the rise of the robots" as they put it. They also claim that such a measure will give people the opportunity to grow, to learn and to pursue skills or professional goals that are now rendered prohibitive by their current meaningless and mundane jobs, that they are forced into for simply paying the bills.

Gabriel Barta of the Basic Income Earth Network said it could take up to ten years to debate, finance and implement the law. He said, "These people are not actually being guaranteed a life of dignity in the way the constitution says. We need a basic income to allow each person to be his or her own entrepreneur, to choose what work he or she does."

The vote will take place on 5 June.

our website." . The brothers even hold the distinction of being the youngest Mobile Application Programmers in India by Apple. The two had developed more than 150 test apps before launching their first official app, Catch Me Cop. Their other app, Alphabet Board, has a 5star rating on the app store. Now 15 and 14, Shravan and Sanjay Kumaran aim to get at least 50 per cent of the smartphone users in India to use their apps.

JLR profits drop by 40 percent

Carmaker Jaguar Land Rover saw annual profits plunge 40 per cent, despite it reporting record sales and a 10 per cent rise in revenues. The British company which is owned by Indian Tata Motors, saw annual revenues rise to £ 22.2 bn after sales increased 13 per cent to 521,571, the first time the company has broken through the half-million sales barrier.

But pre-tax profits fell to £ 1.56 bn, down from £ 2.6 bn a year earlier, "primarily reflecting market conditions during the first half of the year- especially in China, model mix and continued investment," JLR said.

REAL ESTATEVOICE Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

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Suresh Vagjiani

Sow & Reap A Property Investment Company

The Changing Face of Auctions

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19

The property we went for in the auction last Thursday went over and above the price we were willing to pay. Our top price was £925k, the actual strike price at the auction was £1.5m. This had a guide of £650k, which was hiked up to £800k a couple of days before the auction. A typical strategy by the auctioneers, the low guide serves as a carrot to generate interest. The guide cannot be too far from the reserve therefore the auctioneer brings the guide price up to reflect the reserve after ‘reconsidering’ the interest shown.

Now there are a couple of reasons why the price went ridiculously high. One is, perhaps we were too low, maybe there was more potential to the property than we could see.

Secondly perhaps the buyers have over paid and lost all sight of the actual value and let emotions carry them away.

Once the lot was over my colleague who went to bid informed me there was a mass exodus from the auction room. This was clearly a popular lot.

The comps from the road showed similar properties going for £725k and £765k. It was difficult to see why this property should have gone so high, especially as the property required full refurbishment. There was one angle which was to increase the square footage of the basement, all the other properties next door onwards had basements, this was the only property which did not.

Clearly this lot attracted a lot of interest, it was a great lot. This was a property which was facing the park and so attracted a premium. My conclusion is that there must have been a lot of retail investors who were purchasing a home and therefore, the purchase was less about the price and more about the lifestyle and emotion.

It is rare to find a Victorian house facing the park. Our interest was not based on whether the property faced the park or not, it was based primarily on the purchase price and the yield the property would generate.

This little example shows the market still has the appetite for the right properties. It also shows buyers are not averse to getting their hands dirty and doing major works to a property, and these buyers are attending the auctions.

This is as a result of the education and familiarisation provided by the media. Programmes run daily on auctions, restorations and building works.

Conversely, auction rooms from being a means for professionals to pick up properties only a decade ago, has now become a venue for retail purchasers to pick up homes. They have the surety of being able to do the deal then and there, rather than a long drawn out process where there is no guarantee of eventually getting the property. Now if you have a very desirable property, putting it in the auction may mean you get more money than the agents can achieve for you due to the end user segment of the market.

Despite the current market there is good news for the auction rooms, they’re getting record sales figures. This particular auction had a sale rate of 77% and a massive 170 lots were sold on the day.

Real Deal The

Another property which was being looked at as a home for someone in Harrow, went for £620k from a guide price of £450k. I suspect

the price was driven up by the ‘Brown Pound’, meaning Asians in the area. Harrow has the highest concentration of Indians in the UK, and they have property in their blood. What’s more is they love to buy property which is around the corner from where they live, with the object of one of their off spring living there some time in the future.

Furthermore if something goes wrong with the property they can get someone related to them to fix it for cheap - maybe even for free. And there is much satisfaction to be gained from seeing your property on a daily basis.

Interestingly, a Pub which we purchased for £1.25m in West Kensington and sold on for £1.75m nine months later was sold on in this very same Auction House. This was a freehold property for which we got planning for flats above the commercial premises. We made money the easier way which is without getting our hands dirty; you get the biggest uplift with the least hassle by getting the planning through.

I met the new owners, who approached me to see if they could purchase the architect’s plans and other reports from me. The buyers were from the Middle East and do this on a full time basis, they saw the potential in developing this property. We couldn't come to an agreement on the price of the reports and so they ended up doing the reports themselves.

They had completed the development works, developed three flats above the commercial premises, and then had put the property back on to the market. They had also put in an application to turn the commercial on the ground and lower ground into a residential.

The property was guided at £2.75m and remained unsold, which I found surprising. Perhaps the reason is this is not an end user stock and the investors in the market have become more discerning. There are more deals to choose from currently at the higher levels, and if you have money in your pocket you’re in the driving seat.

Bayswater, London, W2 Purchase Price: £380,000

l A nice studio flat on the ground floor of a period building located in a great location l Share of freehold l Properties in this location are being sold for around £1,200 per sq. ft. and we are getting this property for £1,000 per sq. ft. l Close to the beautiful open spaces of Hyde Park l Excellent buy and hold opportunity

The market at these levels looks uncertain. But uncertainty also brings great opportunity. In the good old pre credit crunch days, if you bought well, you could a purchase property and then you could take your money straight back out of the deal. The property would also be cash flow positive.

What this means in a nut shell is you buy a property with no money in the deal and it produces money for you on a monthly basis.

We were doing this for clients several times over.

We currently have a deal where in your money is expected to be returned within 12 months, and it will produce a sold monthly cash flow. This is the ideal investment as the deal is not based on future capital growth, but on a monthly pay cheque. The property will rise given its location, however this will be the cherry on the pie. Call the office now for more details.

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Tips of the Week l It’s cheaper to raise funds by remortgaging your residential property than by raising on a BTL property, contrary to popular belief you’re still personally liable either way. l Investing in bricks and mortar means the investment is real, hence it cannot simply disappear, like non tangible investments such as stocks and shares. Moreover, property provides a good long-term gain and often you can expect it to deliver regular income too.

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Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

Consultant Editor Financial Voice Alpesh Patel

Dear Financial Voice Reader, A few things can make you rich. Having money is of course one of them! But there is something else which is overlooked for even those with little money.

As a fund manager, my job is to uncover undervalued assets. People ask me how. One of the best approaches is to approach a Private Equity approach to publicly quoted companies. As an asset manager running a hedge fund and p rivate equity fund, this is a simple skill to transfer.

That approach – whether you are doing a billion dollar takeover or buying a $2,000 stock – is Reverse DCF. What? Reverse Discount Cash Flow.

Let me explain why it works a charm to make money…oh, don’t take my word for it…Warren Buffett and pretty much every successful Private Equity firm uses it. I used it to let the BBC know on air that Facebook at IPO will drop about 50% - and it did.

Reverse DCF will make you rich.

It works like this – a company today is worth all the future money it can deliver to you as a shareholder. But of course a $100 in 12 months is worth different to $100 in your pocket today. The difference is the ‘discount rate’.

So this is how it works. Let’s take Apple. (By the way the internet has all this data and more for free): The Earnings (or profits) per share we need. This is $9 in the case of Apple over the past 12 months.

Next let’s work on how many years the company will grow – most trail off – but let’s say 10 years for now.

Of course it helps if it is a predictable business, unlike a start-up. Apple is relatively predictable.

Now we need to know how much it will grow when the growth phase (10 years we said) are over.

Let ’s assume growth then at 4% ie around the inflation – for a further 10 years.

Finally, we need the discount rate – this is the amount by which we discount future cash flow to get a present value – for stocks say 12% ie the annual return we want to compensate us for risk for investing in stocks.

Putting these numbers in tells me Apple is undervalued, because the market is currently assuming a growth rate of 5.6% (earnings per share), even though it has been growing at around 30%+ over the past 5 years.

You should takeover Apple. It is undervalued.) Ie you can buy a share of the company, or all of it, at a price where the market is assuming it will grow more slowly than it has been to date.

The great thing of the market is, it overshoots, so it should result in overshooting to the upside too over the next 5 years. A fair value for Apple, currently at $100, is $255 given I think it will grow at 20% annually over the next 10 years.

If nothing else from all my columns – do this – in the next 5 years, as soon as Apple is up 100% - cash out. I will have doubled your money.

Indian companies to pay higher H1B visa fee

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Govt weighs Tata pension cuts proposal AsianVoiceNews

Ministers are all set to initiate a consultation to allow the UK government cut of billions of pounds from the long-term liabilities of the British Steel pension fund.

UK business secretary, Sajid Javid has proposed changing the annual uplift in pensions provided to members of the £15bn scheme from the RPI inflation index to CPI. Once approved, the move would cut an estimated £2.5bn from its longterm liabilities and reduce its deficit, estimated at £485m, thus preventing it from falling into the Pension Protection Fund, the state pensions lifeboat.

The scheme’s deficit is one of the factors making Tata Steel’s UK assets, put up for sale in March, less attractive to buyers. Mostly welcomed, the idea has however prompted concerns in the Treasury and Department for Work and Pensions as it would also involve legislative changes setting a precedent for hundreds of other

Sajid Javid

pension funds.

What pinched is the fact that the proposal also requires a change to the 1995 Pensions Act, which forbids trustees from reducing payouts promised to members. Pension consultant John Ralfe said, "This is the most extraordinary government document I have ever read. It is telling us that ministers are willing to change the law for one particular company in one particular set of circumstances."

UK steelworkers marched through London last week calling for government action to preserve

SoftBank keen on India's infra-growth story Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who has arrived in Japan for a 6-day tour, said one of priorities include attracting investors to take India growth story forward. "We already have over a thousand Japanese companies which have invested in India. Prime Minister Abe seeks to double it and therefore, I would be meeting individually as well as Arun Jaitley and Masayoshi Son collectivelly, a large solar power already. They number of investors," have made considerable Jaitley said. headway and have identiJapanese conglomerate fied the location and it will SoftBank and other probably be one of the investors hinted at investlargest investments in ing in India's "infrastructhose areas," Jaitley said. ture growth story". After a The telecom and intermeeting, SoftBank Group net giant has made a lot of CEO Masayoshi Son said tech investments in India, he is interested in Internet amounting up to $2 billion companies as well as solar in the past two years. It energy sector, where he has now looks forward to accelalready announced $20 erating the pace of investbillion investment through ments in the future. "India a joint venture. "There are has a great future... We are people who want to particinterested in investing for ipate in infrastructure Internet companies, also growth story. For example, for solar energy. We would at the SoftBank meeting, make a strong committhey are looking at one of ment," Son said. the biggest investments in

their industry. Most of them still wait for Tata Steel to provide some insight regarding their future. The trade unions representing present and former steelworkers have reportedly backed the deal. While the current workforce will certainly end up with smaller cuts than if the pension is forced to resort to the Pension Protection Fund, it could have malign consequences for British workers as a whole if it is allowed to become a general rule.

Companies throughout the economy, particularly those with owners finding them hard to sell because of the cost of pension obligations, will start seeing how they can follow suit.

Meanwhile, with a slew of potential bidders willing to takeover the doomed plant, the Indian company's top executives who met in Mumbai recently, refused to speak out on the matter.

Executive Director Koushik Chatterjee poured water on speculation saying new con-

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cessions could persuade it to keep hold of its UK operations. He said the Indian company remained focused on securing a sale. "At all points in time we have been working very closely with the British government. The premise of the conversation is how to make this into an orderly transaction. At this point, let's focus only on the sale process."

Earlier this month, Tata Steel had announced it had received seven expressions of interest to acquire the firm's UK business. The company released a statement saying all seven have been "immediately taken forward" to the next stage of the sale process, which involves inputs from the British government. Among the frontrunners are, Indian-origin businessman Sanjeev Gupta's Liberty House and a Excalibur Steel UK Limited, a management buyout (MBO) team of former Tata Steel staff who are backed by the Welsh government.

Govt works to curb high airfare Minister of State for civil aviation, Mahesh Sharma announced the government is finally going to announce a mechanism that will help ease airfares, and unveil a new civil aviation policy to address all major issues affecting the sector. Sharma said the policy will lay out a road map to make India a leading player in the sector which is currently growing at over 20 per cent.

The government's priority also is to improve infrastructure which is why it is investing around Rs 15,000 Crore in 2016-17 to upgrade airports and setting up new ones. Sharma said PM Modi was keen to have an upper cap on ticket price and the government would announce the measures while taking views of airlines. "We are in the process of adopting certain measures to cap ticket price. Buty we are trying to do it by consensus and not by regulation. Our Prime Minister also envisions that fares be kept in control," Sharma said.

Airlines had faced severe criticism with the ticket rates touching Rs.50,000 for a one-way

Mahesh Sharma

ticket between Bengaluru and Delhi during the Chennai floods in December last year.

Similarily, the fares had gone up significantly during the Jat agitation. Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) last week said discussions need to be held with airlines before any decision on fixing upper cap on ticket prices. "If capping of airfares is required, then we will have to have discussions with them (airlines)," DGCA chief M. Sathiyavathy said.

Sharma said the policy will address all the pending issues including the 5/20 norm, regional connectivity scheme and the ground handling issues. Under the 5/20 norm, a domestic airline cannot fly overseas unless it has completed five years of operation on local routes and has a fleet of 20 aircraft.

RBI asks banks to update ATMs by next year As per the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, Indian companies will have to pay an additional fees of $4000 for certain H1B and $4500 for L-1 petitioners, as per details issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. The law increased the fees for certain H1B and L-1 petitioners, said a statement published on its website.

The fees applies on

companies employing 50 or more employees in the US with more than 50 per cent of those employees in H1B or L non-immigrant status. The raise is in addition to the base processing fee, Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee, American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 fee and the premium processing fee, if applicable.

The Reserve Bank of India has asked banks to upgrade all ATMs by September 2017 with extra safety measures to process EMV chip and PIN cards to prevent skimming and cloning of debit and credit cards.

Even with the POS terminal infrastructure in the country enabled to accept and process EMV chip and PIN cards, the ATM infrastructure continues to

process the card transactions based on data from the magnetic stripe, RBI said.

"As a result, the ATM card transactions remain vulnerable to skimming, cloning, etc. frauds, even though the cards are EMV chip and PIN based," a notification said. The bank said all banks in India and the White Label ATM operators should ensure that all the existing ATMs

installed/operated by them are enabld for processing of EMV chip and PIN cards by September 30, 2017.

All new ATMs will necessarily be enabled for EMV chip and PIN processing from inception.

RBI said it has become necessary to mandate EMV (Europay, Mastercard, Visa) chip and PIN card acceptance and processing at ATMs

also. "For the purpose of switching, clearing and settlement of their ATM transactions banks, with the approval of their board, may join and any authorised ATM/card network provider."

RBI deputy governor SS Mundra recently said the RBI had surveyed almost 4,000 ATMs in India with sample size fairly representing geographies and bank categories.

CURRENCYVOICE

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

Paresh Davdra is the Dealing Director of RationalFX,

0.4% growth in the first quarter Currency Specialists.

The Pound slipped after gaining over 1 percent against the dollar last week as investors, worried the looming Brexit referendum could see Britain move away from riskier assets. The was little reaction to warnings from Prime Minister and Chancellor that the vote could push Britain into a year-long recession and cost at least 500,000 jobs according to a treasury report.

David Cameron said recently that "leaving the European Union would be economic self-destruction for Britain, shattering stability".

Cameron and Osborne also warned that households would be hurt by a fall in the value of their homes and face expensive foreign holidays if they voted "Out". Sterling made gains yesterday against all major currency pairs amid signs that the campaign to keep Britain in the EU is gaining strength. Bank of England Governor Mark Carney defended his decision to flag the risks of leaving the EU, hitting back at one of his toughest critics of trying to undermine the Bank.

GDP figures showed Britain’s economy grew at 0.4% in the first three months of 2016, despite a slump in manufacturing and construction output that has dragged down growth. The economy only expanded in the first quarter after increases in business services and

21

Foreign Exchange

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

government spending, especially on the NHS, and a surge in consumer spending. Real household spending was up 0.7% on the quarter and added 0.5 percentage points to the growth rate. The disappointing manufacturing and construction figures were blamed by economists on the uncertainty over the referendum’s outcome, weak overseas growth and financial market volatility.

The U.S. dollar gained after Federal Reserve officials made hawkish remarks on monetary policy. San Francisco Fed President John Williams said that the central bank would probably tighten policy a bit quicker in 2017 than 2016, by perhaps one or two more interest rate hikes. On Monday, St. Louis Fed President James Bullard said keeping U.S. interest rates too low for long could cause financial instability and that stronger market expectations for a rate rise were "probably good." Purchases of new homes in the U.S. increased in April to the highest level since 2008, pointing to a strong spring season for construction sector. The number of homes sold and not yet under construction climbed to the highest level since May 2007.

Commerce Department data showed sales jumped 16.6% to 619,000 from 531,000 previously.

The rebound in purchases signals housing was returning to more stability, helped by healthy employment gains and cheap borrowing costs.

Weak service sector growth persisted as Markit Services PMI figures were released, coming at 51.2, below the predicted 53.1. US service providers indicated a sustained upturn in overall business activity during May, but the rate of expansion was only marginal. Poor data also included the quarterly house price purchase index, which worsened from 1.5% to 1.3%. US crude oil inventories also plummeted, as stocks fell by 4.2m barrels last week, larger than the 2.5m barrels expected. In turn, WTI reached its highest price since October 2015 at $49.34. Manufacturing, is struggling with the lingering effects of the dollar's past surge and sluggish overseas demand. The Commerce Department said on Thursday orders for durable goods, ranging from toasters to aircraft meant to last three years or more jumped 3.4 percent last month and nondefence capital goods orders excluding aircraft, fell 0.8 percent.

The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Germany has declined slightly in May 2016.

The index has decreased by 4.8 points compared to the previous

month, now standing at 6.4 points.

"The strong growth of the German economy in the first quarter of 2016 appears to have surprised the financial market experts. However, they seem not to expect the economic situation to improve at the same pace going forward.

Uncertainties regarding developments such as a possible Brexit currently inhibit a more optimistic outlook," says Professor Achim Wambach, President of ZEW. The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for the Eurozone has decreased by 4.7 points to a reading of 16.8 points. Previous reading was 21.5 with a consensus for a reading of 23.4, the Eurozone sentiment figure further compounds the gloomy outlook for the region.

There was a successful conclusion to the Eurogroup’s latest meeting to discuss the Greek bailout program with a new deal to rescue Greece with its third bailout package. The outline of the deal allows the Eurozone to extend €10.3bn in rescue loans to keep Greece afloat this summer, beginning with a €7.5bn cash release next month.

This positive news wasn’t mirrored in the markets, as analysts believe the bailout is an attempt to cover up the cracks and address the issues the Eurozone could face during a future Greek default.

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 31st May 2016 @ 1pm

GBP - INR = 98.39

USD - INR = 67.29

EUR - INR = 75.07 GBP - USD = 1.46 GBP - EUR = 1.31

EUR - USD = 1.11 GBP - AED = 5.37

GBP - CAD = 1.91

GBP - NZD = 2.16

GBP - AUD = 2.01

GBP - ZAR = 23.06

GBP - HUF = 411.47

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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.

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22

WORLD

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China slams G-7 for "taking sides" Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

BEIJING: The Chinese government has expressed its ire at the Group of Seven members for "taking sides" in its maritime territorial disputes with other nations in the East and South China Seas.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that Japan, as the host of the G7 Summit held last week, was only hyping the issue. "China is strongly dissatisfied with what Japan and the G7 have done. It is hoped that G7 countries would take an unbiased and just position, honor their commitment of not taking sides on territorial disputes, stop making irresponsible remarks and do more things that contribute to regional peace and stability," said Hua in a press briefing.

China is locked in increasingly tense disputes with Japan, over islands in

World leaders stand for a group photo during the G7 Summit meeting held on June 7, 2015

the East China Sea, and with several Southeast Asian countries over the South China Sea, which China claims almost in its entirety.

Beijing is accused of undertaking a provocative campaign to expand small atolls and reefs in waters where its claims overlap with those of Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. "We urge the G7 member states to honor their commitment of not taking

sides on issues involving territorial disputes," China’s Foreign Ministry said.

"As the world is faced with a complicated economic situation, the G7, as a platform to discuss world economy, should focus on economic and development issues of global concern," Hua said. As the holder of the G20 presidency this year, China said it hopes G7 members join the agenda of G20, which is more representative, and

play a more constructive role in global economic governance. Hua said what China has done in the South China Sea falls entirely within China's sovereignty, and is completely legal, reasonable, and blameless.

The G7 leaders had agreed that there is a need to send a strong message on China's maritime claims in the disputed sea. The leaders of the G7; Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, endorsed the earlier statement of the group's foreign ministers on maritime security. "We are concerned about the situation in the East and South China seas, and emphasize the fundamental importance of peaceful management and settlement of disputes," the G7 2016 joint declaration read.

Hindu businessman hacked to death in B'desh

Prince Harry shows his goofy side as he photobombs well-known Canadian model Winnie Harlow. Harlow who suffers from Vitiligo has been the cover girl of top magazines.

DHAKA: A Hindu businesman was hacked to death in Bangladesh after he allegedly refused to pay extortion money to drug addicts. The latest in the series of brutal murders in the Muslim-majority nation, Debesh Chandra Pramanik, 68, a shoe store owner, was murdered inside his shop in Gaibandha. Officer in-charge Mozammel Haque said, "The

assailants slit his throat using sharp weapons leaving him dead instantly." The victim's family said several local drug addicts tried to extort money from Pramanik a few days ago, and an argument broke out when he refused to pay up.

Pramanik’s son Debashish Chandra told reporters that his father could be a victim of the drug addicts.

Goldfish taken on 200-mile journey for tumour removal A five-year-old goldfish called Nemo was taken on a 200-mile round trip to the vets to have a huge tumour removed.

The pet underwent an intricate 45-minute operation on his head and shoulders. It travelled from Buckinghamshire to a veterinary clinic in Bristol for the surgery.

He was operated on out of the water and at one stage his heart stopped, but vets managed to revive him. He returned home after a couple of hours.

Living wage undermining growth boost warning The Institute for Public Policy Research has warned that the the British government's plan to boost growth and raise living standards is being impaired by the introduction of the National Living Wage and is ignoring one of the most crucial sectors of the UK economy.

The UK's leading progressive think tank said there was already evidence that the introduction of the National Living Wage by Chancellor George Osborne would add to business costs sans providing the boost to productivity that policymakers envisage.

In Brief

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Taiwan's new president an "emotional" single woman

BEIJING: The Chinese feel Taiwan's new President Tsai Ing-wen practices "emotional" and "extreme" politics because she is a single woman without children. Wang Weixing, a militart analyst and board member of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits echoed the country's views on the change of leadership by saying, "As a single female politician, she is unburdened by love, and lacks the contraint of family or concern for children. In political style and strategy, often she tends to be emotional, personal, and extreme. In terms of political tricks, she considers strategy less, tactical details more,and short-tem goals are paramount, while long-term goals are less taken into account." The verbal attack cane days after Taiwan's first female president took oath of office at the presidential palace in Taipei. Beijing is wary of Tsai and has warned her against any attempt at a breakaway.

'Light beating' for wives allowed

by CII

ISLAMABAD: The Council of Islamic Ideology has proposed its own Women Protection Bill in a bizarre moment, recommending a "light beating" for the wife in case she somehow defies her husband. The council has suggested that a husband should be allowed to beat his wife lightly if she defies his commands, refuses to dress up as per her desires, turns down the demand of intercourse without any religious excuse or does not take bath after intercourse or menstrual periods.

It has also suggested that beating is also permissible if a woman does not observe Hijab, interacts with strangers, speaks loud enough that she can be easily be heard by strangers and provides monetary support to the people without taking consent of her spouse. The bill is said to be drafted by Mufti Imdadullah, a JUI-F member. The threemember delegation of Justice Manzoor Hussain Gilani, Noor Ahmed Shahtaz, and Muhammad Abdullah has raised objections on many of the clauses and urged the chairman to moderate the same.

Village pays £200,000 fine, won't accept refugees

OBERWIL-LIELI: A village in Switzerland chose to pay a fine of £200,000, rather than accepting its country's imposed quota of ten refugees. One of the wealthiest villages in Europe, Oberwil-Lieli voted 'No' in a referendum over whether to accept the refugees. A resident said, "We do not want them here it is as simple as that. We have worked hard all our lives and have a lovely village and that we do not want it spoiled. We are not suited to take in refugees. They would not fit in here."

The government had proposed a quota system across its 26 countries to keep up with the instalments of refugees. With a population of 2200, including 300 millionaires, Oberwil-Lieli rejected the referendum by 52 per cent to 48. As their move was deemed as being racist, the mayor if the village denied the claims. "We were not to be told if the 10 were from Syria or if they are economic migrants from other countries."

Buy your sex slaves from the IS

WASHINGTON: "To all the bros thinking about buying a slave, this one is $8000," read a Facebook post with a picture of girl attributed to an Islamic State fighter called Abu Assad Almani.

In a bid to raise funds, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is apparently selling its sex slaves online, mostly young Yazidi girls who have been captured and kept as slaves by the terrorist outfit.

The same man also posted another image with a caption that read, "Another sabiyah [slave], also about $8000. Yay, or nay?" The worst part of the incident was that the man's friends, instead of condemning his action, began to haggle with the price and mock the girls' looks. The photos were taken off the internet once it gained media attention. The IS has been selling the women from fighter to fighter, exposing them to brutal and harsh treatments. In August last year, the UN said it obtained a hard copy of the Islamic State’s sex price list, alleging jihadist fighters can get children aged 1 to 9 for about $165, adolescent girls for $124 and women over 40 for as little as $41.

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Pak can target New Delhi in 5 minutes, says AQ Khan

AsianVoiceNews

ISLAMABAD: Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, father of Pakistan's nuclear programme, has claimed that the country had the ability and had planned to conduct a nuclear test in 1984, until the then President General Zia Haq “opposed the move”. He asserted Pak was capable of targeting Indian the Indian capital from Kahuta, near Rawalpindi in five minutes.

A Pakistani newspaper quoted Khan saying, “We were able and we had a plan to launch nuclear test in 1984, but then President General Zia had opposed the move.”

While addressing people on the occasion of Youm-iTakbeer, the 18th anniversary of the country's first nuclear tests, Khan said, “Without my

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for nuclear material.

In 2004, Khan had to accept responsibility for the proliferation of nuclear technology and forced to live a Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan life of official house arrest. In services Pakistan would never 2009, the Islamabad High have been the first Muslim Court declared him to be a nuclear nation. We were able free citizen of Pakistan. But to achieve the capability Khan said he regretted the under very tough circumtreatment meted out to him stances, but we did it.” Abdul during Gen Pervez Qadeer was right in the centre Musharraf’s rule. Nuclear sciof the 2004 massive global entists in the country have not nuclear proliferation scanbeen given the respect that dals. He was accused by then they deserve, he said. “We are army chief and president facing the worst, given our Pervez Musharraf of running services to the country’s a rogue proliferation network

nuclear programme,” said Khan.

On May 28, 1998, Pakistan detonated its nuclear devices at Chagai in Balochistan to become the first Muslim country to achieve the status of a nuclear power. “Pakistan’s atomic programme was developed to make country’s defence impregnable. It is a guarantee for peace in South Asia. This programme created balance of power, which was necessary to make this region safe,” Khan said.

Always in controversy, Khan's family was recently named in the scandalous Panama Papers. His brother and two daughters were all shown as owners of a company registered in the Bahamas.

Even Stephen Hawking can't explain Trump LONDON: Science's favourite man, Stephen Hawking is seemingly stumped by the phenomenon that is Donald Trump. The popularity of the presumptive US Republican presidential candidate who can yawn himself into a polemic, is beyond the understanding of the world's most famous living scientist and author of the world's best-selling book.

When asked in an interview, to explain the popular appeal of the billionaire, Hawking, who has contributed to widening the understanding of time, space, and black holes, said, "I can't.

He's a demagogue who seems to appeal to the lowest common denominator." Also giving his two pence worth in the Brexit issue, Hawking appealed to British voters to

Private school puts aspiring pupils through 6-hour interview A top private school has introduced a six-hour interview process for children to help teachers see the individual qualities of applicants who have been highly tutored.

According to Wellington College, it gave pupils time to relax, set

aside their “tutored selves” and show as many facets of their personalities as possible. It not only allows teachers to spot intellectually curious children with academic potential but also “well-rounded” children, a report in The Daily Telegraph said.

The Duke of Cambridge warms up with impressive yoga positions before playing polo at Coworth Park, near Ascot

back the remain campaign in the EU referendum on 23rd June. He called the prospect of the British exit as a "disaster" for science.

"Gone are the days when we could stand on our own, against the world. We need to be part of a larger group of nations, both for our security and our trade. The possibility of our leaving the EU has already led to a sharp fall in

the pound, because the markets judge that it will damage our economy," Hawking said.

He added, "There are two obvious reasons why we should stay in. The first is that it promotes the mobility of people."

Exit vote campaigners however, are unfazed with his opinion as they feel they can spend better on science with the exit.

WORLD Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

In Brief

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Former Maldives president given UK asylum

LONDON: Former president of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed has been granted refugee status in the UK, as per his lawyer Hasan Latheef. The opposition leader who was controversially jailed for 13 years under anti-terror laws last year, was allowed to travel to the UK to receive treatment for his ailing back. The Maldives government reacted swiftly, accusing Nasheed—whose legal team includes the highprofile human rights lawyer Amal Clooney—of trying to avoid serving his prison sentence.

“The government of the Maldives is disappointed, if confirmed, that the UK government is allowing itself to be part of this charade, and further, is enabling an individual to circumvent his obligations under the law,” it said in a statement. Nasheed's office also released a statement saying, "Given the slide towards authoritarianism in the Maldives, myself and other opposition politicians feel we have no choice but to work in exile- for now."

Nepalese soldier wins world's highest marathon on Mount Everest

KATHMANDU: Bed Bahadur Sunuwar, a Nepalese soldier has won the world's highest marathon in the foothills of Mount Everest.

Taking part in the 14th edition of the Tenzing Hillary Everest marathon, the 29 year old completed the 42 km run in four hours and 10 seconds, ending 2000m further down the slopes. "The route is very challenging but amazing too. I feel proud to be the winner."

The annual event initiated in 2003, to mark the anniversary of the conquering of the Everest by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary in 1953, saw runners from Britain, US, Australia, and China.

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INDIA

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UT CM nominee triggers protests Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

PUDUCHERRY: The Congress party that clinched power in the small union territory of Puducherry, have announced V Narayanasamy as the next chief minister triggering massive protest against the decision. Party leaders including former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit and general secretary of the All India Congress Committee Mukul Wasnik announced their contestant nine days after the results of the assembly elections were announced.

Narayanasamy is not a popular choice as he faces

claimed the situation in AP was allowed to go out of hand

by Samy who did not allow rebels to meet either party chief Sonia Gandhi or vicepresident Rahul V Narayanasamy and V Vaithilingam Gandhi. heat over his “inept handling” Protests took a turn for of the internal crisis in the worst with almost 10 Arunachal Pradesh that lead buses attacked after the to the demise of the Congress announcement and windrule in the state. A group of screens of at least eight buses the leaders in the party running between Puducherry

Left sees red over “personality cult”

and Chennai broken down.

The protesters also shouted slogans against Narayanasamy outside the hotel where the Congress Legislature Party meeting was held. There were three contenders for the chief minister's post - former chief minister V Vaithilingam, party chief A Namassivayam and Narayanasamy, which is why there was a delay in choosing the next Chief Minister.

Narayanansamy did not contest the elections. Now, he has to get elected after one of the sitting legislators resigns.

2008 B'lore blast accused in Peshawar

Pinarayi Vijayan

TH IR UVA NAN TH A PURAM: Full page advertisements of new Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's swearing-in ceremony in different newspapers across the state has left the CPI(M) and the Left uneasy. The second largest party in Kerala's Left Democratic Front, the CPI had warned against a “personality cult”, vocally displeased with the promotions.

“The government was sworn in today. How can the government be held accountable before that... We will have to see what it is about, how it happened,” said CPI (M) general secretary Sitaraman Yechury. CPI general secretary S Sudhakar

said, “Instead of saying Vijayan government, it would have been appropriate if the advertisement had said LDF government. Generally, this type of personality cult is not there in the Communist and Left parties.

Personality cult should not be encouraged.” The adverts featured Vijayan's photo in a red background with a tag line that read “Committed to turn Kerala into a truly God's own country.”

Sources said the CPI(M) and the CPI had fought the elections unitedly and it was V S Achuthanandan who was truly seen as the face of the Left campaign.

B E N G A L U R U : Investigations by the NIA and the Kerala police have revealed that the key accused in the Bengaluru serial blasts of July 25, 2008, currently resides in Peshawar, Pakistan. K P Sabeer, who is linked to terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba, was off the radar after fleeing India on a fake passport in 2008.

Sources claimed KA Anoop, an alleged associate of the accused was in touch with him and it was the analysis of Anoop's Dubai phone call records that revealed a number linked to Sabeer. “He has been trying to take his wife to Pakistan and has been offering

100,000 dirhams to obtain travel documents for her.

This is the first time in many years that some information has emerged about Sabeer,” said sources.

Apart from the Bengaluru serial blasts, Sabeer alias Mohammed Sabeer alias Ayub, a former president of the SIMI in Kerala, is also accused in a number of cases, including the 2005 busburning case and a 2008 plot to facilitate terror training for youths from Kerala. Sabeer's whereabouts emerged after Anoop was investigated following his deportation from the UAE last month. He was arrested by the NIA on April 8 this year.

HC stays Jat reservation MLAs buckle their belts for upcoming polls

CHANDIGARH: Punjab and Haryana High Court has stayed the reservation of Jats and five other communities provided by the Haryana government under the newly made Backward Classes category. The interim order was passed while hearing a petition challenging the constitutional validity of The Haryana Backward Classes Act 2016 by a bench headed by Justice S S Saron.

Murari Lal Gupta of Bhiwani challenged the Act, seeking a direction to quash block 'C', which provides reservation to the Jat community. Counsel for the petitioner said that providing reservation on the basis of the Gupta commission report tantamounts to the revision of a judicial order, which the legislature cannot do. He said only the judiciary can revise the findings on an issue already decided in a judicial order.

Also submitted in the petition was that even in 2014, the state government

had introduced such a bill to include Jats in the list of other backward classes for reservation in jobs and educational institutes. The new act provides reservation for Jats and five other communities under the backward class (C) category. The five other communities - including Jat Sikhs, Muslim Jats, Bishnois, Rors and Tyagis - would be entitled to 10 per cent reservation in government services and admission in educational institutions.

A petition challenging the constitutional validity of the Act initially came up for hearing before a bench headed by Justice Mahesh Grover of the High Court. But taking up the matter, the bench observed that the issues raised by the petitioner were required to be decided by the PIL bench.

CHANDIGARH: With an election in the nearing, Congress leaders have begun to make provisions to secure their constituencies. As the polls lay eight months away, some MLAs have already engaged private agencies to survey how well they are placed in their seats, while others have launched mass contact programmes. The move comes after Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh announced that candidates will be selected on winnability.

Congress MLA Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa who has settled down in Fatehgarh Churian said, “I have been in constant touch with my constituency but people expect more of their MLA, especially an Opposition MLA. I am staying put here, attending functions and meeting people.”

Dera Baba Nanak MLA Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa

In Brief

AsianVoiceNews

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Congress falters over superstition bill

BENGALURU: The Congress government in Karnataka remains hesitant about the Karnataka Prevention of Superstitious Practices, a bill that would keep a check on superstitious practices that affect human dignity. Two drafts of the law; one by the National Law School of India, and the second by the state social welfare department was given to the government three years back, but neither has been tabled in the legislature in a fear of a backlash from religious groups. A third draft is currently under works on behest of the Law Minister T B Jayachandra. This one will keep controversial practices like Made Snana from the Dakshina Kannada region of Karnataka, at bay. Some proposals under the bill include banning the carrying of swamijis in palanquins, worshipping of the feet of religious leaders, and the Ajalu system.

World's heaviest baby girl born in Karnataka

HASSAN: A 19 year old women from Karnataka gave birth to the 'world's heaviest baby girl' last week. The baby weighed 6.8 kg at birth, which is almost the same as an average six month old. Local health officer Dr Venkatesh Raju said, “In my 25 years of experience, I have never seen such a big baby. She is a miracle. I believe she is not only the heaviest baby born in India but the heaviest baby girl ever born in the world.”

While doctors were concerned about the mother's health who weighs 94 kg and has diabetes, the kid has turned out to be healthy and “does not have any health issues like irregular sugar levels or thyroid, and is breathing well.” “The surgery took place for nearly half an hour and it was free of any risk. She is really big and beautiful,” said Dr Poornima Manu, who delivered the child.

Current Guinness Record for World's Heaviest Baby is held by a boy born in 1955, who weighed 10.3 kg at birth.

Delhi Metro has no place for mentally disturbed

New Delhi: Health advisory at stations asking “mentally disturbed persons” and people infected with certain diseases not to travel in its trains, has caused trouble for the Delhi Metro. The advisory has also said that only leprosy patients with a certificate from a registered medical practitioner, stating the disease is non-infective, were allowed to travel. The move has been criticised by NGOs working on disability rights. Other diseases mentioned are cerebro-spinal meningitis, chicken pox, diphtheria, mumps, typhus, whooping cough, cholera, measles, scarlet fever, typhoid and tuberculosis.

“These are old regulations in place as per the Delhi Metro Operations and Maintenance Act. No new rule has been created by the DMRC. Similar rules are also in place at other transport systems,” said an official.

Amritsar top in road fatalities

Amarinder Singh

shifted base from Chandigarh to his constituency. “I have locked my house in Mohali and will stay put in my village.

It's not that I have not kept in touch with the constituency, but we need to be present there 24*7.”

Among those who have stepped up their game, are former Congress Legislature Party leader Sunil Jakhar in Abohar, former chief minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, MLAs O P Soni and Gurkirat Singh Kotli, and former MLAs Harminder Gill and Sarabjit Singh Rintu.

NEW DELHI: Among all the cities in India, roads in Amritsar have been ranked the deadlies, with a record of seven deaths in every 10 road crashes. Ludhiana ranked second with one death in every two crashes and Varanasi, third. The report released by the Transport Research Wing of road ministry shows that an overall number of deaths in accidents in 50 big cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai, has been decreasing during the past three years.

Fatalities have fallen from 17,007 in 2013 to 16,513 in 2015. However, numbers have gone up in rural areas, hitting 89,155 from 83,003 during the same period. “Speeding and little enforcement have been the main reasons behind the increasing number of fatalities. We must carry out a study to assess the socio-economic cost of crashes, fatalities and injuries since we are losing very young people in road crashes,” said Ashish Kumar, former TRW chief.

INDIA Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

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Modi to visit five countries next week

Admiral Sunil Lanba takes charge as Chief of Naval Staff

Narendra Modi

Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba has taken over charge as the new Chief of the Naval Staff as his predecessor Admiral RK Dhowan retired from service. During his long and distinguished service spanning nearly 38 years, Lanba has served in a variety of Command, operational and staff appointments.

The Admiral is a recipient of the Param Vishist Seva Medal and the Athi Vishist Seva Medal for his distinguished service of an exceptionally high order.

His Sea Command includes commanding the minesweeper INS Kakinada, frigate INS Himgiri and Executive Officer of INS Viraat, the aircraft carrier.

Admiral Lanba is a qualified specialist in navigation and direction course and will have a full three-year-term in office till May 31, 2019.

His place as the Flag Officer Commandingin-Chief of the Western Naval Command has been taken by ViceAdmiral Girish Luthra.

ise made by in during the 2014 elections. Sources said officials of the two countries are working on finalising an arrangement that could pave the way for automatic exchange of information on tax-related issues.

Modi will proceed to the United States on June 7, on an invite extended by President Barack Obama.

Both of them review the progress made by both countries in key areas of defence, security, and energy. He will also address a joint meeting of the US Congress. The Indian PM will visit Mexico on his way back home, as India eyes trade and investment tie ups with the small country.

Also logged is a stopover in Germany, which is not tagged as a bilateral visit, yet.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin his fivenation visit from June 4, covering Afghanistan, Qatar, Switzerland, the US and Mexico. His tour will begin with Afghanistan to inaugurate India-funded Salma Dam which has been constructed at a cost of Rs 1400 Crore.

He will then proceed to Qatarm where he will hold extensive talks with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, on a range of bilateral issues including ways to boost economic ties particularly in the hydrocarbon sector.

The PM is scheduled to hold talk with the Swiss leadership, in Switzerland, including President Johann SchneiderAmmann and will seek cooperation to unearth black money accounts of Indians, acting on a prom-

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Fire at Army ammunition depot, foul play suspected

A major fire broke out at the Army's Central Ammunition Depot at Pulgaon, Maharashtra, killing 16 people during efforts to tame the fire.

Initial reports said the fire started in one of the sheds that housed "highly sensitive ammunition", around 1 am on Tuesday morning.

Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, Director General of Military Operations released a media statement saying, "Immediate action was taken by the fire fighting parties and Quick Reaction Teams located in the depot by putting the fire fighting mechanism into place as per laid down procedures. This restricted the fire to one shed only which continued sensitive ammunition." Stating that the cause of the fire is yet to be known, he said, "Actions to assess the damage are in progress. An inquiry has been ordered by the Army."

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Army Chief General Dalbir Singh rushed to the site on the instructions of PM Modi, to make first hand assessment of the situation and on-going salvage operations. The area is the Indian Army's largest ammunition depot, spread

over an area of 7000 acres.

It stocks ammo including bombs, grenades, shells, assorted rifles, missiles and other explosives from various factories comes here first and is then distributed to various forward areas.

The 16 who lost their lives include two officers, one jawan, and 13 civilian fire fighting staff. Other 17, nine jawans and six fire fighters were also injured.

The injured have been evacuted to multi speciality hospital, Wardha which is 35 kms from Pulgaon.

Thousands of families living in nearby towns and villages have been evacuated from around the depot.

"Sixteen lives have been lost, they sacrificed their lives to ensure that the fire doesn't spread I am deeply pained at the loss of lives, they sacrificed their lives and managed to contain

fire. The fire has been doused but we're monitoring the situation," said Parrikar.

The army has ordered a Court of Inquiry or investigation; sources said they cannot confirm if the fire was an accident or sabotage. Firefighters using 10 fire engines worked through the night to contain the blaze, said Ramesh Barde, fire officer with the Nagpur fire department.

"The fire was brought under control by 6:15 am.

The situation is under control and a report is being prepared," he added.

The Prime Minister shared his condolences in a tweet that read, "Pained by loss of lives caused by a fire at central ammunition depot in Pulgaon, Maharashtra. My thoughts are with the bereaved families."

26

INDIA

www.asian-voice.com

Vadra in soup over links with arms dealer AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

Son-in-law of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, Robert Vadra is currently under probed after Income Tax raids on controversial arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari revealed alleged links between the two. He is also under fire for cryptic references to a London property.

Citing a preliminary report prepared by the Income Tax Department and the Enforcement Directorate, following raids conducted last month on 18 properties owned by Bhandari, a media source reported emails were found allegedly sent by Vadra and his executive assistant Manoj Arora, to a

relative, London-based Sumit Chadda. While the authenticity of the mails could not be confirmed, it is reported both the men sent emails "discussing payments and renovations for the London home bought for 19 Lakh GBP in October 2009 and sold in June 2010." An email shows Vadra telling Chadda "he would look into the issue", and that his secretary Manoj will be "in touch". The source reported Arora kept in touch using an email ID "Exim Real Estate".

While the businessman remained unavailable for comment, his lawyers were quoted as saying he "does

Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shame Continued from page 1 She also said, "We will also launch a sensitisation program to reiterate that such incidents against foreign nationals embarrass the country. When I came to know about the unfortunate killing of a Congo national in Delhi, we directed stringent action against the culprits. I would like to assure African students in India that this was an unfortunate and painful incident involving local goons."

She said she has asked Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Najib Jung to take steps and ensure that the case was tried by a fast-track court. The attacks come at the worst time possible for Modi Sarkar, as the Prime Minister is in the

Would be most unfortunate if the people of India were to dilute our long tradition of friendship with the people of Africa. preparations to travel to Africa in the next two months.

Doing his part, the Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma met a delegation of Africans and assured them of prompt action for their safety. They were informed of the steps taken for the safety of Africans in the city and was briefed about the meetings of police all over Delhi with members of the African community.

Boycott of Africa Day Celebrations

The statement released by the African group, had requested celebrations for Africa Day to be held on May 26, be postponed in light of recent events.

"They have also decided not to participate in the celebrations, except the cultural troupe from the Kingdom of Lesotho," the statement said. "This is because the African community in India, including students, are in a state of mourning in memory of the slained African students in the last few years,

including Olivier," it added.

President condemns attack President Pranab Mukherjee voiced his concerns over the string of alleged attacks on African nationals.

He said it would be most unfortunate if the people of India were to "dilute our long tradition of friendship with the people of Africa". "We shall have to create appropriate awareness in the minds of our youngsters who may not know the history, age old relations (between India and Africa)...India has had trading relations with African countries for centuries and everyone of the 54 countries of Africa has a thriving Indian community doing business, industry etc. We cannot allow these to be jeopardised in anyway and create a bad precedent which is not the ethos, which is not part of the core values of our civilisation."

The attack on Olivier isn't the first, and most certainly not the last. A French language teacher at a private institute, the victim lived in a rented accommodation for the last five years. A mere months before, in February, a 21-year-old Tanzanian woman was allegedly stripped and beaten up by a mob in Bengaluru after a Sudanese man ran over a local.

A few months before that, three African men were beaten up by a mob in New Delhi after they objected to locals taking their pictures.

In January 2015, a minister of the Delhi government even raided a neighbourhood inhabited

by African nationals, alleging that they were peddling drugs and ran a prostitution ring. Two women, one from Uganda and the other from South Africa, and at least two Nigerian men have alleged that they were targeted in separate attacks this month.

Robert Vadra

not own, directly or indirectly, any house described

by you as No 12, Ellerton House, Bryanstone Square,

London" and the Vadra and his assistant "have not entered into any transaction of a financial nature with Sanjay Bhandari and are not even aware that Sanjay Bhandar is involved in any defence transaction."

Bhandari formed Offset India Solution in 2008, which saw rapid success, until the company's dealings were reportedly red-flagged in 2014. Even with OIS clinching a deal to supply parts for 38 combat aircraft India is buying from Dassault Aviation, Bhandari is under investigation for alleged financial violations linked to suspected shell companies

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

between 2009 and 2014.

The allegations were rejected by Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi in a press conference. He said, "Let me also make it categorical that we have received a preliminary email reply from Mr Vadra that none of it is true. He has received no notice contrary to the report from ED or IT regarding this issue. This is based on misinformation, this is based on yet another part of the same dirty tricks department of the government which believes in opportunistic and selective leaks and therefore we condemn such attempts by the government."

New Delhi almost attacked by Jaish last year Intelligence sources revealed two Jaish-eMuhammed terrorists had made their way into the Capital, in a bid to attack at least four places including the Taj Mahal, last year. They said the two persons rented a room in Lajpat Nagar, assembled six improvised explosive devices, and recced at four different places.

A highly placed media source informed the IEDs were specially prepared using ingredients like shampoo. Preparations were made to the T, with a control rool set up in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on

the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, and instructions being passed on by the handler. The mastermind was not verified, only known to be codenamed MAR. In good fortune for the country, a dry run before the actual attack saw an IED leak while being detonated in the bathroom. The incident sent a thick cloud of smoke in the building, and prompted panic among the alleged terrorists. The men are said to have fled, and taken a return flight to Kabul.

Things turned in favour for Indian officials,

as they launched a crackdown on four Jaish terrorists neutralised in the attack on the Indian consulate. They wrote about the planned 2015 strike being a a revenge for Afzal Guru, executed for his part in the Parliament attack of 2000. Two months later, Kabul police arrested two Jaish operatives named Ahmad Khan Durrani, an Afghan national, and Abdul Qadri, a Pakistani, recovering explosives and ammunitions from them.

Their travel details linked them to the claims and the Indian consulate and intelligence was informed.

A six member team was sent to Kabul, for interrogation. The duo told they were asked to prepare special IEDs which would spread fire rapidly along with the explosion to cause maximum damage. They made it from normal crackers bought from Jama Masjid, Pantene shampoo, wire, watch, and other stuff bought from Lajpai Rai Market on December 5. Their route was tracked including the taxi driver they hired. It was also found that they had got themselves verified from the local police station.

'Ek Nayi Subah' â&#x20AC;&#x201C; NDA celebrates 2 years of Modi Sarkar Marking the completion of two years of the BJP-led NDA government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed an extravagant gala hosted at the India Gate. Called 'Ek Nayi Subah', the event highlighted the achievements of the NDA government, that turned two on May 26. The five-hour event was flanked by top officials, ministers and Bollywood stars, and showcased programmes and achievements under the NDA regime.

The PM took the platform to hit out at the opposition in true Modistyle. "On the one hand there is the agenda of development, on the other, there is the agenda of obstructionism. People are capable of finding out the truth... Political compulsions are compelling some people to criticise us," Modi said. Asserting that change had come in the last two years due to good governance, Modi vowed to root out corruption and make life easier for the people who have been "looted" for years.

"People can see it when compared to previous dispensations. As long as we

Narendra Modi

don't recall the work done during the days of the pre-

Big B interacts with students as he hosts a segment of the evening

vious government, we will not be able to realise that what a big task has been accomplished."

He recalled all the scams and scandals initiated under the previous governments, saying checking corruption was the focus of his government. "We have got renewed faith and enthusiasm. The blessings of the people are also increasing.

We have been able to get the trust and enthusiasm of people despite a very minute examination of our

work. This also increases our confidence."

Ace actor Amitabh Bachchan hosted a segment of the show, speaking to girl students in context of the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' campaign.

The bash was hosted by actor Madhavan, and actress Vidya Balan pitched her part on the success of the Swacch Bharat abhiyaan.

Interviews with ministers were conducted, with Health Minister JP Nadda explaining the targets set for the immunisation programme and increases in the coverage by a measure of five to seven. MoS (food) Harsimrat Kaur stressed on the need to change mindsets about girl children, hailing the sukanya samriddhi scheme, which intends to incentivise people to treat girls equally.

Singer Kailash Kher performed for the show and Women and Child Affairs minister Maneka Gandhi explained the virtues of initiatives like helplines to help track missing or runaway children.

The was telecast live by Doordarshan across the country.

AsianVoiceNews

HEALTH&WELLNESS

Curry could keep Dementia at bay FOOD

FITNESS

study conducted by scientists at the Edith Cowan University in Australia, suggests eating a portion of curry once a week may be effective in reducing the risk of developing dementia. The group studied the impact of the chemical curcumin, which is found in popular Indian spice turmeric.

They found curcumin to have the potential of improving memory function for adults by blocking proteins that destroy in the neurones in the brain.

Results were verified from a group of 96 participants aged between 40 and 90.

Split into two groups, the first group was given a

daily placebo pill while the second were prescribed a pill containing 1500 mg of curcumin. Six months into the study, the candidates receiving the pill displayed evidence of cognitive

decline when completing verbal and memory tests.

Laura Phipps.

From Alzheimer's Research UK, said more research is needed before we can accurately say the chemi-

cal may help in fighting dementia.

“While there has been some early-stage research into the effects of curcumin on brain health, there is currently no conclusive evidence it could prevent or treat dementia in people.

Some studies have produced limited evidence that very high doses of curcumin- much higher than might be normally found in foods like curry, could have some impact on memory and thinking skills, but large-scale clinical trials will be required before researchers can fully assess any potential benefits,” she said.

Low hormone levels trigger obesity in teenagers L

ower levels of a hormone might be the reason teenagers become prone to gaining weight unhealthily. One of the study authors, Seema Kumar from Mayo Clinic Children's Centre in Minnesota, US, said, “Our study is the first to look at levels of spexin in the pediatric population.

Previous research has found reduced levels of this hormone in adults with obesity. Overall, our findings suggest spexin may play a role in weight gain, beginning at an early age.”

Published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, spexin levels

AsianVoiceNewsweekly | Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

www.asian-voice.com

LIFESTYLE

A

of 51 obese and 18 tenagers of normal weights between ages 12 and 18, were studied. Participants

with lowest levels of the hormone were five times more prone to obesity than those with the highest level.

“It is noteworthy that we see such clear differences in spexin levels between obese and normal weight adolescents. Since this is a cross-sectional study, more research is needed to explore the physiological significance of spexin, how it may be involved in the development of childhood obesity, and whether it can be used to treat or manage the condition.”

27

Acupuncture, to curb menopause symptoms

S

ix months of treatment by a licensed acupuncturist can reduce the number of hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause.

Research has shown that after six months, an average 36.7 per cent decline was reported in the frequency of hot flashes.

Nancy Avis from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, US, said, “Although acupuncture does not work for every woman, our study showed than on an average, acupuncture effectively reduced the frequency of

hot flashes and results were maintained for six months after the treatments stopped. The study showed that acupuncture from a licensed acupuncturist can help some women without any side effects and the maximum benefit occurred after about eight treatments.”

209 women ranging from ages 45 to 60, who did not have a menstrual period for at least three months and on an average had at least four hot flashes or night sweats per day in the last two weeks, were examined.

Depression may cause trouble in conceiving

New drug to fight skin cancer developed new drug called HA15 has been developed to treat melanoma. It is tested to find reducing the viability of melanomacells without being toxic for normal cells. A destructive form of cancer, Melanoma affects melanocyts, cells responsible for the synthesis of melanin, which gives skin its colour.

The tumour progresses in three stages- radial growth, where the cells proliferate in a disordered manner in the epidermis, the vertical growth, where the dermis is invaded, and the metastatic phase,

A

where dissemination of the cancer cells in the peripheral tissues occur. While positive results have been obtained for treating the metastatic phase, most patients will need additional treatments to pre-

vent the tumour from coming back, and prevent more metastases from developing.

Stephane Rocchi from the University of Nice, along with his group of researchers, discovered a

new family of drugs, the T h i a z o l e Benzensulfonamides, which have found to contain useful anti-cancer properties. "Initially, this family of drugs was identified in type 2 diabetes, as it increased the sensitivity of cells to insulin. If we wanted to use it against cancer, we had to be able to eliminate this proinsulin activit.

Thus we started top modify its structure," Rocchi said.

After many attempts, the initial TZD structure was extensively modified to obtain a formulation in which the "lead compound" was called HA15.

Get rid of pimples in 3 steps P

imples are often associated with teenagers, but that is not necessarily true. Middleaged men and women are known to suffer from them too. Skincare experts share

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...

three easy steps to help pimples go away.

1. Wash your face two to three times which will help in energising your skin and removing the

dust particles, but don't go overboard. Do not visit sleep with makeup.

Always wash your face which has a mild facial cleanser and warm water to make sure that all dirt, oil, and makeup have passed away. You should also ensure that both your hands will be clean before

popping people pimples.

2. The best and the simplest way to keep your skin pimple free is by keeping yourself well hydrated. It helps in cleaning the tissues and clearing up the skin.

3. Prick these pimples.

In order to take out the yellow puss via those tiny pimples, you will need an alcohol-disinfected needle, gauze patches, warm water, and alcohol consumption.

A

cute symptoms of depression have found to lower chances of getting pregnant. A study has found a steady 38 per cent decrease in the average probability of conceiving in a given menstrual cycle among women who complained of symptoms of the mental disease. Lead author Yael Nillni, assistant professor at Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine, said, "Our findings suggest that moderate to severe depressive symptoms, regardless of current psychotropic medication

treatment, may delay conception." She said that despite prior studies establishing connection between infertility and antidepressants, "current use of psychotropic medications did not appear to harm the probabiliy of conception."

2100 female pregnancy planners, aged 21-45, were enrolled in a study called PRESTO that looks at factors influencing fertility.

The participants were asked to report their existing depressive symptoms and psychotropic medication use, among other factors.

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Ê

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'Kabali' to be released in Malay

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28

WEDDING bells for SAMANTHA?

Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

S

outh Indian a c t r e s s Samantha Ruth Prabhu who runs high on the success of 'Brahmotsavam' has kicked off quite the goss after an interview with a leading Telugu channel.

Revealing that she is in a relationship, the actress announced that she would reveal the name shortly and that both the concerned families have given the nod to her marriage.

With the break she has taken after her late hectic schedule, rumour mills suggest a w e d d i n g around the corner. As the news

began to gain m o m e n t u m , Samantha quickly dialled the whole thing down in a cryptic tweet on the micro-blogging site saying, “No more talk of marriage until I say so … I I I I ME ME ME ME aka SAMANTHA says so . Thank you.” Dear Sammy, while we clearly hear you asking us to stop speculating, we don't see you denying t h e news.

Nayanthara turns producer for next

N

ayanthara is all set to don the producer's hat in an upcoming yet-to-be-titled Tamil project.

“It's an out-and-out woman-centric project.

Nayanthara was so excited when she heard the script that she decided to produce it under her own banner.

She plays a district collector in the film, which will go on the floors in a couple of months,” a source said.

Helmed by Jagan, details of the project are locked and one of the very few reveals tell us that the actress will be playing a very powerful character.

Nayanthara is currently shooting for 'Kashmora', a horror movie, and Vikram's 'Iru Mugan', which also stars Nithya Menon. The 'Naanum Rowdy Dhaan' actress has a lot on her plate as she awaits release of Simbu's 'Idhu Namma Aalu' and Jiiva-starrer 'Thirunaal'.

AsianVoiceNews

M

uch awaited Tamil gangster drama 'Kabali', slated for release on July 1, is all set to be dubbed and released in Malay language. Spoken in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei and Thailand, the film will be the first Indian project to be dubbed in the foreign language. A source said, “The film's Malaysian distributor Malik

Housefull 3

The third instalment of Housefull, watch Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh and Abhishek Bachchan in a laughter riot.

Streams has decided to dub and release the film in Malay. On Saturday, the film's teaser was dubbed and released in Malay, and the fans went gaga over it. It was trending on social media for several hours.”

The film features Thalaivar Rajinikanth as Kabali, a character inspired from a real life Chennai-based gangster.

Stardom does not affect Simbu N

o amount of fame and money has affected Tamil superstar Simbu, who said he has never yearned for stardom.

Giving the credit to his upbringing, he said, “I don't even remember the first time that I faced the camera. I come from a family of actors and since I started acting at a very young age, I experienced stardom at a time when I didn't even understand it.” Son of popular filmmaker T Rajendhar, he said, “My parents raised us in such a way that my brother and I never got carried away by fame and stardom. We were always prepared for the worst. Tomorrow, even if nobody is willing to produce a film with me.” Simbu's upcoming Tamil romantic comedy 'Idhu Namma Aalu' will finally hit the screens after a long delay. Talking about the film where he is paired opposite former flame Nayanthara, he said the film is unlike audiences have seen from him before. “I haven't done anything like this. The film has no fight scenes, no introduction song, and even the special number 'Maaman Waiting' isn't as glamorous as how much songs are usually shot. In a way, it's a risk that I'm doing this project.”

Trivedi helps 'Udta Punjab' fly

A

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

bhishek Chaubey's most awaited 'Udta Punjab' has created quite a stir with its eccentric music, a feat accomplished by Amit Trivedi.

Keeping in mind the theme of the movie that revolves around the rampant drug abuse in the region, music director Trivedi has put together an interesting mix with lyrics and music that are raw on most parts. Meanwhile, a report suggests the film's music has the most number of references to drugs, ever. Four out of six songs in the album talk about the drug addict's state of mind through different and rather clever use of innuendos. Be it the aggressive 'Chitta Ve', cocaine commonly referred to as Chitta in Punjab, or 'Vadiya' which could be about a possible acid trip.

Even before its release, the movie broke records and created controversies with the censor board.

Producers of the film have sold the rights to the film’s soundtrack and album to T- Series for a whopping sum of Rs 18 Crore, making it the most expensive deal in B-town. The album is sure to clock itself for a trippy review!

AbRam had most fun at Kjo's birthday

S

hah Rukh Khan's social media pages are mostly dominated by pictures of his kids, mostly his youngest, AbRam. The 3 year old was in London lately, and had quite the blast at Karan Johar's 44th birthday bash. While daddy caught up with his friends, the little one had fun playing with colourful balls. Posting a picture of him all covered with toys, on Instagram, Shah said, “I am forbidden by family to post their pics on the net but sometimes all u need is some balls to tread the forbidden.” The toddler turned 3 last week and the celebrations took off 30,000 feet from the ground.

Bipasha won't live in the past

E

ver since their marriage lit up the media, newlyweds Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover have been fielding questions on the actor's past two marriages.

Opening up in a recent interview, Bipasha shut down all haters saying she is no way affected by her husband's past. “It didn't bother me and we spoke about it. I believe that everyone has a journey, and it is very easy for anyone to exclaim 'Oh.. this is his third marriage, it will end in divorce'. I tell people that you have to be in someone's shoes to know their story and understand their journey. This world is full of cynics, and thankfully, I have never been cynical no matter what has happened in my life. I have always been a believer. And Karan is like that too.” She added, “I have had bad relationships, and I could have been easily married twice. The relationship could have been as deep. You can't condemn someone on the basis of a piece of paper.”

29

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Kareena becomes the bigger person AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

B

ollywood Begum Kareena Kapoor Khan has never settled for anything less, and there is no reason she should start now. Signing up for Rhea Kapoor's next production, 'Veera Di Shaadi', to be directed by Shashank Ghosh, the 'Bodyguard' actress made sure she scored the lead.

Reporting the news, a source said, “Kareena loved the script and the idea of acting in a chick flick for the first time, she made sure that hers had to be the meatiest role and that the story revolves around her character. Kareena is being very choosy about her roles now.” A possible adaptation of Hollywood flick 'The Sisterhood of The Travelling Pants', the movie is about four best friends, all of them finding love at some point of their journey.

“Rhea's chick flick, however, will revolve around a big fat Punjabi wedding. The essence of the film will be about four girls on a journey from Delhi to Europe and it will culminate in Veera's wedding.”

The film also features Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar,and Shikha Talsania. Stating that Kareena can afford to dictate terms, the source said, “She adds star value to the film, which otherwise only has Sonam. It just makes the project much bigger. Rhea had to bow down to her diktat and inform Sonam, who is a sensible girl. She agreed to play the second lead. Of course, everyone is hush-hush just now till they all start shooting in July.”

C

Salman miffed with Arijit

ontroversy's favourite child has somehow managed to walk right into the minds of the media with yet another story. The internet woke up to an apology letter issued to Salman Khan, on Tuesday, by none other than singer Arijit Singh.

The 29 year old issued a letter pleading Salman to retain a version of a song in his upcoming 'Sultan', also apologising for unintentionally insulting the 50year old during an awards function in 2014. “I apologise here in front of everyone but please it is a request.

Please do not remove the song that I sang for you in sultan. You want anyone else to sing this song, absolutely fine but keep a version at least.” While many of the singer's fans came out in support for him,

Singh deleted the post later. For whatever reason, a song sung by Arijit has been dropped from the film. After deleting the original post, he put up another status message about the issue. “I hope he gets my letter through someway.

Ps. This whole thing will backfire at me I know. Prayers..”

While the actor was unavailable for comment, one of his close

Dia Mirza is the good wife

F

ormer beauty queen Dia Mirza has clinched a role in the country's first web series, where she will play the title role of 'The Good Wife' in one of the episodes of 'Shockers'. Talking about her role, the peppy actress said, “As an actor it is exciting to be a part of different mediums of storytelling. Short film, as a format, is exciting, because in a limited period of time a lot can be conveyed.

Samaira's story in 'The Good Wife', could be anyone's experience. It is real and extraordinary. I enjoyed shooting for this in one night with Faruk Kabir, who is a director, is pushing the envelope of spookiness.” The episode deals with a supernatural presence in the character’s house.

S

'Udta Punjab'

friends Nikhil Dwivedi tried to clear the air and said Salman never asked the makers to remove the song.

“I m privy &Salman nt once interfered in d choice or askd 2remove any singer.

He only refused 2meet Arijit. His wish!” his tweet read. A source close to the film unit also rubbished Arijit's claims and said that the singer is clearly mistaken. The source said, “Salman isn't petty.

Why would he ask for a song to be removed from the film when he had shot with the version recorded by Arijit? Music directors usually record a song with various artistes and the best one makes it to the album. So, in case of Sultan, it was purely producer Aditya Chopra's and Vishal-Shekhar's call.”

'Phobia' impresses censor board

oon-to-be-out psychological t h r i l l e r 'Phobia' has escaped the censor board with zero cuts.

Featuring Radhika Apte of 'Hunterrr' fame, the movie is based on an agoraphobic. “I was really worried about how the censors will react because it is thematically an adult film. So I was really worried that they might say cut the movie or do this, do that. When they saw the movie, they called me in and said that the movie was really engaging, really intense and they felt they can't cut one single thing from the movie,” said director Pavan Kripalani. “We have tried something really different, we're doing a psychological thriller in the industry after a very long time. I feel that it is more than just a horror film, it's not a scary movie, it has moments of scare, but largely it's a thriller.” The censor board has rained hard on films recently, altering films including Prakash Jha's 'Jai Gangaajal'.

A

cornered by the censor board

“E

xcessive swearing, abusive language and drug consumption”, are the reasons the censor board cited as it refused to give certification to the mostanticipated 'Udta Punjab', a movie that revolves around the region's uncontrollable drug abuse problem.

The Central Board of Film Certification found several scenes in the movie quite objectionable and a report claimed that the board has ordered 40 massive cuts, including expletives, a song, and scenes that show substance abuse. A source was also quoted saying the movie's producer Anurag Kashyap

Tiger in 'ABCD 3' ?

fter hitting the roof with Shraddha Kapoor and Varun Dhawan in its last edition of the 'ABCD' franchise, filmmaker Remo D'souza is reportedly keen on getting Tiger Shroff on board for his third. Impressed with the actor's dancing skills, Remo is said to want to make 'ABCD 3' with him. While the makers plan to create a hattrick with the third part, news of whether the Shroff prodigy has signed up for the role is yet to be confirmed. Dance master Prabhudeva will also be playing a crucial part in the upcoming. Leaving matters hanging for fans, Remo said, “Prabhu Deva and the rest of the cast will definitely be there and, right now, work on the script is under process. Tiger is definitely a good dancer but it's too early to talk about it.” 'ABCD2' went on to become one of the biggest releases of 2015, it even crossed the 100 Crore mark.

Tiger is currently shooting for 'A Flying Jatt', with Remo.

approached the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal to get speedy clearance with nominal cuts. The film, that hit the limelight way before it did the screens, has apparently also found the upcoming Punjab elections as an unfavourable situation.

The makers have also approached the minister of Information & Broadcasting, Rajyavardhan Rathore, to clear the film with an A certificate without any cuts, the report added. The ruling Shiromani Akali Dal has been opposing 'Udta Punjab', expressing reservation about the “negative portrayal” of Punjabis in the film.

Sonam fields for basic human rights

A

ctress Sonam Kapoor made her presence felt at the Kashish Mumbai Queer Film Festival, extending her support to the LGBT community.

“It's a basic human right. It's not about lesbian, gay, male, female or transsexual. It's about being able to be who you want to be and being somebody who is just themselves. I have advocated that from the beginning of my career.”

Also promoting gay and lesbian rights, was Sir Ian McKellen, who called to get rid of the draconian section 377. Lending his support to people protesting against the IPC, Sir Ian said, “I am happy to be at Kashish Film Festival and apart from celebrating Shakespeare, I have also come here to support those who want to get rid of section 377.” Also apologising for the rule that was imposed by the British, he called it a colonial hangover, and said the country is holding on it to protect itself from the western culture.

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UK

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Asian Voice |4th June 2016

This week the paid subscribers of Asian voice will receive a copy of the Charutar Health Foundation magazine with their newspaper.

Ramadan can put health at risk for some people with diabetes, warns Diabetes UK Fasting during Ramadan can be dangerous for those with health conditions such as diabetes, Diabetes UK has warned. Those who observe fasting during the month, due to start on June 7, will go over 17 hours a day without eating during the long summer days.

There is also a risk of overeating at Suhoor and Iftar, the meals before and after fasting, which can send blood glucose levels to dangerously high levels. If fasting is likely to put your health at risk, you can complete your duties by offering charity or providing food to the poor.

People with diabetes are advised to speak with their Imam and healthcare team to work out whether it is safe to fast, and for those who do, how to keep good diabetes control during the period.

Diabetes UK has worked in partnership with the Muslim Council of Britain to develop information on Ramadan and diabetes.

Krishna Sarda, Engaging Communities Manager at Diabetes UK, said: “Diabetes UK recognises and respects that this is a very important time for people and we are urging people with diabetes to take care of their health during this period. South Asian people are two to four times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes and that means there will be lots of people with the condition who may think they have to fast for Ramadan.

For more information on diabetes and fasting, call Diabetes UK’s helpline on 0345 123 2399 or visit www.diabetes.org.uk/Ram adan.

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Children 'not getting recommended diabetes checks'

Almost 75% of older children in England and Wales with diabetes are not getting key health checks, a study suggests.

Data from 27,682 children and young people showed 25.4% of those aged 12 and older had all seven recommended annual checks, such as eye screenings.

However, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, which carried out the audit, says the overall picture is one of improving care.

Diabetes UK said missed health checks for children was "very worrying". Health officials recommend all children with diabetes should be assessed to ensure they are managing their condition properly.

Police hunt thugs after BMW driver targeted in horrific hammer attack

This is the moment a group of men appear to flee from a fight in which a BMW driver was allegedly hit in the face with a hammer.

The BMW had its windows smashed in by a man with a hammer who then bludgeoned the driver's nose with the tool, police said.

A second victim was slashed in the hand with a knife as he tried to defend himself from the gang, according to detectives.

The driver, 30, was taken to hospital after the attack near Spindrift Avenue, close to Millwall Park on the Isle of Dogs.

He has since been discharged following the incident just before 9pm on

May 16.

Police have released mobile phone footage which appears to show a group of youths running from the scene of the attack.

Detectives want to trace a man, aged in his 20s, around 5ft tall who wore a dark hooded top and dark trousers. A second man police want to find was slim, Asian, 5ft 4ins tall, in his 20s and wearing a green khaki jacket with a shoulder bag.

Both men spoke with English accents, police say.

Anyone with information should call police on 020 7275 4550, via 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20 Legal matters are likely to

occupy your attention this week. A long-standing problem or disagreement will need to be sorted out before allowing you to restructure both personal and joint financial interests more efficiently. Extra energy and drive will serve you well in getting things accomplished.

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 Whether you’re single or

attached you’ll have to go through a lot, as deep psychological transformations are taking place in all types of relationships. Don’t be afraid to experiment, trust your hunches, go with your gut feeling. Solutions to minor problems should be considered very carefully.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22 Although all kinds of

opportunities are coming your way, there are many obstacles between you and the fulfilment of any of these. As you clear your path you will get closer to achieving your dreams.

Relationships and romance are both under scrutiny by the presence of Saturn in your 7th house.

It is a good time to get away from usual routines and seek a retreat for a few days. All the better if you are interested in such things as meditation, yoga and therapies that help you to get in closer touch with your inner self. This will have a beneficial effect on your physical and psychological well-being.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23

You should enjoy a very popular phase in your life where everyone wants to invite you to parties. This will give you a chance to meet people and pursue any romantic liaisons that might present themselves. Your communications are extremely high making it easy to close those lucrative deals.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

It’s an exciting, expansive time, when you should find it easier to be who you are and do what you want.

This is a tremendously exciting time for you, in which you can embrace changes you might not even consider at other times. You’re likely to find yourself weighing practical considerations with long–term goals.

Progress will be slow and may incline you to a negative view of your current work situation. Make up your mind early in the week to knuckle down to the tasks in hand. This should be a wonderful week for those aspiring to higher knowledge - foreign travel is strongly indicated. Associate with people that you are comfortable with.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

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There will be increased scope for varying your activities, widening your network of contacts and getting out and about. It is an excellent time for exercising your mental energies, claryfying your and other people's ideas and getting involved in discussion. Exercise caution when it comes to making financial decisions as being hasty will cost you !

Take some time out to reflect. Try and work out where you want to make changes in your busy life.

Once you know, don't hesitate to implement it systematically. A tremendous amount of planetary activity in your chart signals a time of mixed emotions as well as personal issues to be dealt with.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20 You have been feeling disconnected for some time and this will be the week you will finally feel a sense of grounding. If unclear about what path to take you will soon realize exactly what you must do to fulfill your plans. Financially you will implement your plans to bring in the cash.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19

Efforts to restructure and transform your lifestyle are more likely to meet with success. Experience you have built up in the past will now stand you in good stead. If you are thinking of investments, then this is an opportune time to go ahead with your plans. Co-operative ventures are likely to generate financial success

It’s all about communications, as they take centre stage this week. Responsibility is your key word, especially at work. Set your own goals, rather than trying to meet those set by someone else. You will benefit in every way if you learn to self-discipline and pace yourself wisely. Regardless of the limits, you have the capacity to turn the course of your life in a more fulfilling direction.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

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Gurpreet Sandhu becomes first Indian to play European Top Flight Football AsianVoiceNews

Indian national team goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has become the first Indian to feature in a top-tier league match in Europe, playing for the Norwegian side Stabaek FC. The 24 year old kept a clean sheet in his first Tippeligaen helping the Stabaek FC claim a dominant 5-0 triumph over IK Start in an away league match.

Even though Sandhu had signed for the club in 2014, he did not play in the Tippeligaen till Sunday. He had however, featured in five matches in the Norwegian Cup. He has until now, been playing second fiddle to Ivorian goalkeeper Sayouba Mande, Stabaek FC's first

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

choice. "Proud to become the First Indian ever to start in a Top Division League game in Europe!!!!" tweeted an ecstatic Sandhu. "Facing @ikstart tonight before the International break kicks in, need to finish on a good

Nadal out of French Open Nine-times French Open champion Rafael Nadal has unexpectedly pulled out of the French Open citing a left wrist injury. Addressing a hurried news conference at Roland Garros, the Spanish left-hander said, "I have a problem with my wrist... yesterday I played with an injection, I could play but yesterday night I

started to feel more and more pain. Today I felt I could not move my wrist."

He announced his withdrawal the day before he would have been scheduled to play in the third round. Nadal wore a blue brace on his wrist during what he called "one of the toughest press conferences in my career."

Chelsea hosts Asian Star initiative Over 250 youngsters were hosted by the Chelsea club for the eighth edition of their ground-breaking Asian Star initiative.

Organised at the Cobham training ground, four lucky winners were presented with awards by former Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, and earned 12month placements at a Chelsea Foundation Football Development Centre.

Cudicini, currently a Chelsea FC ambassador, made his first appearance at the event and was hugely

Even after weeks of telling people how he considered himself a bowler now instead of a batsman, Moeen Ali managed to seal the deal, shutting the mouths of his critics.

Picking up his pace, Moeen's unbeaten 155 was full of his trademarke strokes through the off side. "It is about time I got some runs. I felt like I owed the team. Today was a great feeling. I like playing with freedom so if I see it, I go for it. My off side play is my strength and weakness so I will keep playing that way. I enjoy batting at number six but batting eight has not fazed me. I have to get scores if I am to go up the order."

Ali shared valuable

impressed with the arrangements and the talents he saw. "It is a pleasure to be here to see such a fantastic event. It is great for the kids and their families to visit and play at Cobham, just a few yards away from where the firs-team play.

The Chelsea Foundation and whole club, do a great job at supporting and promoting these events and are always at the forefront of new ideas and something like this for kids of an Asian background is setting the standard for others," he said.

note @Stabaek #Tippeligaen," he wrote.

Sandhu will directly join the national football team in Laos where India are playing their play-off match of the 2019 Asian Cup Qualifiers on June 2.

Bengal footballer Mohammed Salim played for Scottish top-tier side Celtic FC in 1936, but did not feature in the premier division. Records about Salim's two-month sojourn in Scotland are sketchy.

After India's Independence, former captain Bhaichung Bhutia played for English third division side Bury FC in 1999-2000 and current national skipper Sunil Chhetri played for the 'B' team of Sporting Lisbon in

Pelé tours UK for charity Football legend Pelé will tour UK in June to engage in a series of events reflecting his greatest achievements.

The 'Evening with Pelé' events will be held in London on June 1st at the Battersea Evolution and in Manchester on June 4th at the Palace Hotel, with Football for Peace Global as the charity partner for the tour that is being held in partnership with Simply Prestige and Human Appeal.

Talking about the tour, the Brazilian said, "The vital work being carried out by Football for Peace reminds us that football and sport are not about petty rivalries, but about bringing people together to celebrate both our differences and shared humanity." Co-founder of the charity, Kashif Siddiqi will also speak alongside the footballer at events, talk about overcoming adversity, and promote their '10 Cities, 100 Schools' campaign.

Moeen finds his place Moeen Ali

partnerships of 92 for the seventh wicket and 72 for the ninth with pacemen Chris Woakes and Steven Finn respectively. But both Ali (on 36) and Woakes (eight) were dropped in the midst of an awful Sri Lanka fielding effort. That was compounded by their third

2012.

Stabaek FC is more than 100 years old and won the league in 2008. They will feature in the Europa League next season. Their coach Billy McKinley was rather impressed by Sandhu's performance, and said the young footballer's performance in the Cup tie was the reason he was chosen ahead of Ivory Coast International Sayouba Mande for the match against Start. Sandhu said, "After playing Stromsgodset, all the pressure went off. They are a very good team. I had not played a top Tippeligaen team in proper competition before. So by playing them, the monkey was off my back."

collapse in as many innings this series, as Sri Lanka slumped to 91 for eight at stumps -- a colossal 407 runs behind on first innings -- with Woakes taking three wickets for nine runs in seven overs. Ali made his name as a top-order batsman with Worcestershire

SPORT Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

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Banned Sharapova in Russian Olympic team

Russia has included Maria Sharapova on their preliminary team for the Olympic tennis tournament in August despite her provisional suspension for failing a drug test. The 29 year old had tested positive for meldonium at the January Australian Open.

However, the country's tennis federation said her participation at Rio "should be resolved" this week.

Russian track and field athletes are banned from an international competition after recent doping scandals. Other sports remained totally unaffected, though. The International Tennis Federation had provisionally suspended the five-time Grand Slam champion on 12 March. The World Anti-Doping Association later admitted in April that scientistswere unsure how long meldonium stayed in the system, suggesting athletes who tested positive for the substance before 1 March could avoid bans. However, Sharapova had already admitted she continued taking meldonium past 1 January, when the substance was added to Wada's banned list. She had faced an antidoping panel in London last week, with the Russian Tennis Federation saying at the time that she may never play again. Sharapova was included in the team alongside Svetlana Kuznetsova, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Daria Kasatkina. If she is not able to compete, her place in the team will be taken by Ekaterina Makarova, the fifth-ranked Russian woman. Last week, Tarpishchev said that Sharapova’s situation was "bad" and she may not play again.

However, the organisation's president, Shamil Tarpischev, said, "She has been put on our Olympic application. It has to be submitted by 6 June."

23 competitors return positive in drug tests Pelé

Siddiqi said, "Having the opportunity to speak on the same stage as Pelé, one of football’s true greats, is an honour and pleasure, and testament to the power of the beautiful game to bring people, from different background and corners of the world, together. As someone who shares our core values of integration, equality and diversity, his support is integral in realising our ambition to launch our ‘City for Peace’ progamme at a national level through the ’10 Cities, 100 Schools’ campaign later this year."

but was deployed primarily as an off-spinner by England, often batting at No.8. This match saw the 28-year-old promoted to No.7 in the absence of injured all-rounder Ben Stokes.

The only highlight for Sri Lanka on Saturday was when left-arm spinner Rangana Herath took his 300th Test wicket.

Herath, 38, was just the third Sri Lankan to achieve the feat after extraordinary off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan (800 Test wickets) and left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas (355).

"It's a big achievement taking 300 Test wickets," said Herath, who reached the landmark when he caught and bowled Finn.

Olympic chiefs announced that 23 competitors at the London 2012 Games have failed retrospective doping tests. The athletes belong to five different sports and six different countries. The International Olympic Committee retested 454 selected doping samples from the 2008 Games in Beijing and a further 265 from London 2012. It said the retests that were conducted using the latest scientific methords, were focused on athletes who could take part at this year's Rio Olympics. "These re-analyses show, once again, our determination in the fight against doping," said IOC president Thomas Bach. "We want to keep the dopers away from the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro." The re-analysis programme remains ongoing. UK AntiDoping's director of operations Pat Myhill said, "The ability to retest samples, as a result of new intelligence or the development of new testing techniques, is a vital tool in the fight against doping in sport. "It sends a clear message to those who dope - if you chose to make that choice, and think that you've got away with it, think again. We can, and will, catch you." Just last week, the IOC announced 31 athletes from the 2008 Games had tested positive following re-examination of their samples. Russia confirmed 14 of those positive retests from Beijing concerned their athletes and included some medallists. High jumper Anna Chicherova, who won bronze in 2008, vowed to clear her name after learning she was one of them. "It's the most complete shock," she said. "I can't explain how it could have happened. I was always sure what supplements and medicines I was using."

Seema grabs Olympics berth

Discus thrower Seema Punia booked her Rio Olympics berth in style, grabbing a gold with her season’s best at the Pat Young’s Throwers Classic 2016 at Salinas, California. The Asian Games gold medallist hurled the discus to 62.62m, overhauling the Rio qualification mark of 61.00m. Seema pipped 2008 Olympic discus throw champion Stephanie BrownTrafton of USA for the top prize. Elated with her win, she said, "There is a sea change from 2004 up to now.

Discus throw is my passion. This time I didn’t have much time to prepare, but I have a gut feeling that Rio will be my best Olympic Games." She is now training in the US under the government’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme, clinched the gold in the Incheon Asiad with a throw of 61.03m. Meanwhile, 2010 Commonwealth Games women’s discus champion Krishna Poonia picked up a silver medal at a qualification competition in the Chula-Vista Olympic Training Centre, San Diego, with a throw of 57.97 metres.

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Asian Voice | 4th June 2016

SRH clinch the cup

The Sun rose in the South this week as IPL cricket team Sunrisers Hyderabad won the title for the first time, beating three-time finalists Royal Challengers Bangalore by eight runs in an exciting match at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru.

Winning the toss the team put up a challenging target of 209 for Royals, Hyderabad bowlers were on fire as they stumped RCB’s star-studded batting line up at 200 for 7 wickets in 20 overs, though they were confronted by RCB openers Chris Gayle and skipper Virat Kohli, who posted 114 in first 10 overs.

Powering into the IPL

IPL 2016: FAST FACTS

PACERS DOMINATE THE SHOW PACERS Wkts 400 | Ave 29.89 | SR 21.7 | ER 8.23 SPINNERS Wkts 191 | Ave 34.54 | SR 25.6 | ER 8.07

Only one spinner in top 10 Y Chahal (21 wickets) is the only spinner to figure among top-10 wicket-takers Best average runs per wicket 18,862 runs for the loss of 665 wickets were scored at an average of 28.36, the best among nine IPL seasons

final for the third time after knocking two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders in the eliminator by 22 runs on May 25 and taming debutant Gujarat Lions in the second qualifier by four wickets on May 27 in New Delhi, Sunrisers had won the title that was much deserved. "When Gayle was going great guns, we knew it

THE BEST OF THE LEAGUE...

ORANGE CAP

973

Season of captains In this IPL, captains averaged 45.18 with the bat, their tally being 3931. This is by far the best batting performance by captains in an IPL season. Four of the top six run-scorers in this IPL are captains.

Least number of boundaries (4s & 6s) conceded M Boundaries % of Total runs Conceded Pune 14 247 53.86 Delhi 14 251 53.25 Mumbai 14 256 53.61

was difficult to stop him.

The hardest thing for us was to maintain composure and have belief in ourselves. We know once he was gone, it would be difficult for the second and the third batsmen to pick up the momentum," a beaming captain David Warner told reporters as the golden Trophy shone next to him.

Virat Kohli RCB

Warner SRH

848

De Villers RCB

687

Gambhir KKR

501

Dhawan SRH

501

PURPLE CAP

23

WICKETS

Bhuvnesh Kumar

SRH Y Chahal RCB

21

Watson RCB

20

D Kulkarni GL

18

Mustafizur SRH

17

3 most memorable moments of IPL 2016

Kohli’s 4th IPL century with 8 stitches 2016 is the year of Virat Kohli.

When he pointed to his left hand after scoring his fourth IPL century of the season, everyone wondered what the RCB skipper was gesturing about.

With multiple stitches on his webbing in the lefthand, the right-hander scored a magical 113 off 50 balls to keep his team alive in the playoff race back then. The Indian Test skipper’s ability to play through the pain helped him and his franchise in getting to the final before they came unstuck against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Axar Patel’s hat-trick The only hat-trick of this year’s IPL came f r o m Kings XI Punjab spinner Axar Hailing Warner for leading a talented team to lift the trophy, Sunrisers’ head coach Tom Moody said the Aussie southpaw had an enormous influence on the players, as he was a world class cricketer, hardworking and very disciplined. "I enjoy working with him. He has been phenomenal with his batting and an incredible captain, providing leadership and being one step ahead of others. David has been very

Patel in the match against Gujarat Lions. The leftarm spinner took four wickets in five balls, including a hat-trick to help Kings XI Punjab register a 23-run win against Gujarat Lions.

Chasing a moderate total of 155, the Lions had already lost Brendon McCullum and skipper Suresh Raina before Axar came to bowl. But the spinner destroyed all Gujarat hopes of a win with a spell of 4-0-21-4.

Dhoni’s final overdrive We all agree M S Dhoni is one of the best finishers in w o r l d cricket. However, Captain Cool failed to produce enough memorable knocks in this season to take his team to the IPL playoffs. Having lost out on the last four race, Rising Pune Supergiants and Kings XI Punjab took on each for the wooden spoon in their last match of the season. supportive of his team and backed them fully to give their best," Moody said.

The 2016 IPL series has closed. It was fairly entertaining with a little something for everyone. Virat was on firing, reaching the ranks of masterblaster Sachin Tendulkar, (well, almost), and Gayle showed everyone who's boss. The 9th edition of the Indian Premier League has ended, leaving behind nothing but memories.

England win Lanka series as Cook scores 10,000 Test runs England brought an end to Sri Lanka's defiance to win the second cricket Test by nine wickets and with it the three-match series (2-0), with English captain Alastair Cook reaching 10,000 Test runs, becoming the first Englishman and youngest ever in the world to do so.

Sri Lanka's Dinesh Chandimal made 126 and Rangana Herath 61 at Chester-le-Street to move their overnight 309-5 to 475.

Man-of-the-match Jimmy Anderson was the most destructive among bowlers finishing the day with 5-58. England then eased to a target of 79.

Chandimal, 54 not out overnight, was fluent throughout. His sixth Test century and first outside Asia was greeted by emotional celebrations, dropping his bat and kissing his helmet in a gesture towards

Alastair Cook

FOR THE RECORDS • Cook has scored more runs than any other England batsman as captain, passing Michael Atherton.

• James Anderson is the first England bowler to take 3 five-wicket hauls in a series since Ryan Sidebottom against New Zealand in 2008.

• Anderson trapped Herath lbw for his 450th wicket in Test cricket.

• Dinesh Chandimal is only the eighth wicketkeeper to make a Test century when following-on. the Lankan dressing room.

He received great support from Herath.

England were forced to field for longer in Sri Lanka's second innings was

also down to their own mistakes in the field.

Anderson already had Milinda Siriwardana held at gully when he got Chandimal to inside-edge

through to wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow, who put down a straightforward chance to reprieve the right-hander on 69. And Herath was given a life on

47 when James Vince made the mess of a skier, back-pedalling towards the point boundary.

Except Anderson, England were below their best with the ball, with Moeen Ali and Steven Finn disappointing.

Still, Sri Lanka's stoicism did give the small crowd in the stadium their opportunity for a moment of history, with captain Cook delivering. Needing five to become the first Englishman to hit 10,000 Test runs, the left-hander inside-edged spinner Herath for a single, then clipped the pace of Nuwan Pradeep to the leg-side rope.

Cook becomes the 12th man in the history of Test cricket to reach the landmark and at 31 years, five months and five days, the youngest, beating the record of India legend Sachin Tendulkar, who was

31 years, 10 months and 20 days.

In England second innings, opening batsman Alex Hales was quickly dismissed by Siriwardana and it was left to Nick Compton to finish the game who pulled Siriwardana for back-to-back boundaries to seal a four-day victory.

In the first innings England scored 498 for 9 declared and in response Sri Lanka perished for 101.

However, when followedon, the visitors showed their class and tried their best to bounce back with a respectable 475 in their second innings. However, it was not enough to defend and England easily chased 79 needed to win the Test finishing the Test at 80 for 1.

England will have the opportunity to complete a series whitewash in the final Test at Lord's, which begins on 9 June.