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VOL 41. ISSUE 34

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Indian doctors to face stringent assessment tests in Britain In the wake of many cases of medical negligence coming to light in recent times, the General Medical Council (GMC) has decided to toughen the qualification assessments for overseas doctors. Almost 36% of all doctors practicing in the UK are from abroad, with the largest group hailing from India. The GMC has confirmed that in the last five years nearly 63% of overseas doctors who have been struck off the register or suspended by the GMC held overseas qualifications.

Embarrassingly, the Sunday Telegraph has reported that Indian doctors account for the highest number of foreign doctors struck off or suspended by the GMC followed by doctors from Nigeria and Egypt. The grounds for disciplinary action range from personal misconduct including sexual misbehaviour,

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Angry India demands justice over Nirbhaya’s tragic death

Welcome 2013

Purvi Shah & Reenu Punnoose

In a country where a woman is raped every 20 minutes (National Crime Records Bureau), Nirbhaya's case could have become just another statistic. This time, however, the people of India have decided enough is enough.

On Sunday, December 16, 2012, 'Nirbhaya' (Amanat/Damini-symbolic names given to the victim) was gang-raped and brutally assaulted with an iron rod by six men in a moving bus in Delhi.

Thirteen days and three surgeries later, “India's daughter” as the national media have christened her, succumbed to her injuries on Saturday, December 29, 2012. Hours after news of the horrific incident was reported, hundreds and thousands of Indians took to the streets to protest.

Twenty-three year-old Nirbhaya, was the apple of her parents’ eyes and a role

Story on page 4 model to her two younger brothers. She had recently qualified as a physiotherapist and was working as an intern in a Delhi hospital.

Her parents, who had taken out loans to fund her studies, were a rare model Indian family in which the daughter came first and led the way.

Nirbhaya’s ordeal began when she and her male companion boarded a private bus on Sunday December 16, 2012, on their way home from a cinema in Saket, South Delhi, and were attacked by six men who were the only other passengers on board.

Continued on page 26

Narendra Modi, who led the BJP to an emphatic victory in the assembly elections, was sworn in as Gujarat Chief Minister for the fourth time. He was administered the oath of office and secrecy

by Governor Kamla Beniwal at an impressive ceremony at Sardar Patel Stadium on 26th Dec. Modi was sworn in along with seven ministers of Cabinet rank and Narendra Modi, who led the BJP to an emphatic victory in the assembly nine Ministers of State. elections, was sworn in as Gujarat Chief Minister for the fourth time. He was Continued on page 26 sworn in along with 7 ministers of Cabinet rank and 9 ministers of State.

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UK

www.abplgroup.com - 24th November 2013

Keith Vaz MP

Keith Vaz MP 6. And the worst ?

Working through the night on various occasions. Once when acting for a US company acquiring trading desks - I returned to the office at midnight to start negotiation for a Chinese based corporate in a high profile acquisition of a UK based car manufacturing company.

Reena Popat Associate Solicitor Reena graduated from Birmingham with a degree in Law and trained in Leicester before moving to London. Having worked in a West End law firm for over 3 years, Reena joined Darlingtons Solicitors and is now an integral part of the Company Commercial team. Fluent in Gujarati and Hindi, and well-versed in Punjabi, Reena has a successful track record in providing advice and commercial drafting solutions to organisations and entrepreneurs within the Asian community. Reena has extensive contacts with lawyers in India to facilitate a multi-national jurisdictional approach.

Born in to a Ugandan Asian family, Reena is the eldest child of four children. In her spare time, Reena enjoys being involved in a number of organisations including the Association of Women Lawyers.

1. Please tell us about your current position.

2. What are your proudest achievements ?

I am currently working at Darlingtons Solicitors as a Company Commercial Lawyer.

Based in Edgware, North-West London, Darlingtons is absolutely not a local high street firm. The majority of the lawyers and staff have West End or City experiences and the firm has an excellent track record of bringing young lawyers through from trainees to partners.

My work consists of advising small to medium sized businesses right the way through to the large multinational corporations in providing all aspects of legal advice in most business sectors. This includes buying and selling assets and shares, restructuring, commercial contracts and insolvency work.

As a Newly Qualified Solicitor in a West End law firm, I founded and established an ‘India Desk’. I built ‘bestfriend’ relationships with Indian Law firms and facilitated transactional cross border work.

I was also nominated and shortlisted in the category of Commercial Solicitor of Year in the Society of Asian Lawyers annual awards.

3. What has been the biggest obstacle in your career to date ?

Organisational culture, the outdated perceptions of women, resistance to contemporary management practices such as flexible hours and the perceptions of client expectations coupled with coming from an ethnic minority back-

7. What are your long term goals ?

I believe it is very important to set goals which give you longterm vision and short-term motivation and to review these regularly. My career goal is to join my firm as a Partner and to double the size of my Corporate team. My personal goal is to try and achieve more of a work-life balance, to spend more time with my family and to travel.

ground meant that the legal sector is still very male dominant and creates glass ceilings for the advancement of top female talent.

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

I would have to say my family.

Coming from a family of 10, I realised at a very young age that I was good at problem solving and the law seemed to provide the opportunity to use these skills and make a real difference I was also an avid fan of LA Law – not that my career has

ever been so glamorous!

5. What is the best thing about your current role ?

I am fortunate that my chosen career path does not restrict me to sit at my desk all day.

No-one day is ever the same.

Once in a while you get the opportunity to help someone who needs your help. It feels good to be that person.

Law is a thinking profession, not just a doing job. I get paid to read, write, think and argue – all the things I would do anyway!

8. If you were Prime Minister, what one thing would you change ?

I would change the education system to focus more emphasis on morals, manners, creative skills, charitable work and the riches of humanity and nature.

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

To choose just one historical figure is difficult. It would be Gandhiji – to learn his way of negotiation and achievements.

Often I refer to his famous quote ‘it is unwise to be too sure of one’s own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err’.

The Asian Voice Political and Public Life Awards 2013 It is that time of year again…The Asian Voice Public and Political Life Awards nominations. The awards celebrate the achievements of those who have made a special contribution to our political or public life over the last 12 months in a variety of fields.

The Asian Voice Political and Public Life Awards represent Asian Voice’s modest effort to honour a number of outstanding

individuals from different communities, walks of life and diverse political persuasions who serve society in their own special

way, and who contribute significantly, in whatever they do, towards making a better world today and for the future.

2012 Winners Cabinet Minister of the Year Shadow Cabinet Minister of the Year Liberal Democrat Minister of the Year Junior Minister of the Year Labour Backbencher of the Year Conservative Backbencher of the Year Parliamentary Journalist of the Year Diversity in the Public Services Award Journalist of the Year TV Personality of the Year Business Demonstrating Sustained Growth of the Year Young Entrepreneur of the Year Parliamentary Service Award Broadcaster of the Year Lifetime Achievement in Health Business Person of the Year Restaurant of the Year Asian Broadcaster of the Year School of the Year Business in the Community Local Government Award

Rt. Hon Andrew Mitchell MP Rt. Hon. Yvette Cooper MP Paul Burstow MP David Gauke MP Stella Creasy MP Gavin Barwell MP Anushka Asthana John Hannett Riz Lateef Jameela Jamil Mr Deepak Nangla Rajesh Agrawal Staff of message service Nick Ferrari Dr K. Anji Reddy Bharat Shah Chak 89 ATN BANGLA HABS Lycamobile UK Ltd Councillor Jagdish Sharma

It is the sixth year the awards have been presented and as in previous years, the event will be attended by 250 high profile politicians from all political parties, successful people from the world

of business and community leaders.

The awards for achievements in 2012 will be handed out at a prestigious ceremony in the Members Dining Room of the House of Commons on

7th February 2013.

This year, as every year, we are seeking your nominations for the awards. Please send your nominations for Political and Public Life Awards to: ppla2013@hotmail.com

2011 Winners Parliamentarian of the Year Conservative Minister of the Year Junior Minister of the Year Special Award for Achievement in Film Conservative Backbencher of the Year Liberal Democrat Backbencher of the Year Labour Backbencher of the Year Journalist of the Year Business in the Community Award Lifetime Achievement Award Local Government Award Charity of the Year Businessperson of the Year Contribution to Sport in the UK Columnist of the Year TV Personality of the Year Restaurant of the Year Asian Broadcaster of the Year Face of the Future Award International Entrepreneur of the Year Community Award Professional of the Year Creative and Entertainment Co of the Year

Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP Rt Hon Michael Gove MP Ed Davey MP Tariq Anwar (The Kings Speech) Nadhim Zahawi MP Julian Huppert MP Anas Sarwar MP Paul Lewis Kantesh Popat Nirmal Sethia Luftur Rahman & Dr Neeraj Patil (joint award) Path to Success – Anita Choudhrie Fukhera Khalid Leicester City Football Club Yasmine Alibhai Brown Rudolph Walker Curry Fever B4U Arjun Rajyagor Subaskaran Allirajah Ranjit Mathrani Professor Iqbal Singh Naz Choudhry

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th January 2013

Comment

A Diamond Jubilee to remember The Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II has run its course, its span exceeded only by the reign of Queen Victoria. The present monarch has been uniquely popular and is much loved and respected as the Jubilee celebrations have demonstrated. She has been an iconic figure in difficult times, both for the Royal family and the nation. She has seen prime ministers come and go, from the Winston Churchill to the more recent Gordon Brown. She has been a model of constitutional propriety; of regal dignity leavened by a common touch that has connected her to her subjects in these islands and in far corners of a multiracial Commonwealth, once the preserve of the White Dominions. She has witnessed at firsthand this transformation of a former imperial bastion into a voluntary association of self-governing states based, for the most part, on democratic principles buttressed by the rule of law. The Commonwealth has meant more to her than, it would appear, to the majority of British politicians.

The Queen has also presided over the vast transformation that has altered the face of Britain. The certainties of many old values and attitudes have given way to greater social tolerance and an awareness of other cultures at home

and abroad. British culture has been enriched by the experience and its expanding horizons. When Queen Victoria ascended the throne the British Empire was well on the road to global dominance. It reached its zenith at the time of her passing: Britannia did indeed rule the waves. But not for long. The carnage of the Great War left her gravely weakened, economically and militarily. The Second World War completed the cycle.

Britain and Europe had lost their former ascendancy. But while the retreat from Empire added some lustre to the British name, the same could not be said of France, Holland, Portugal or Spain, each of whom were dragged screaming into the decolonized post-war world.

Contemporary Europe has no outstanding leaders, only journeymen unable to cope with the challenges of the 21st century, as the continent’s continuing economic crisis vividly demonstrates.

This historical trajectory was propelled by a multitude of large factors, hence no latter-day King Canute could have held back the waves.

British economic and military power have declined and with it Britain’s global influence.

But many enduring assets of culture, thought and science remain. The Queen is not the least of these. Long may she reign.

What Japan’s new regime means for Asia The election of Shinzo Abe as Japan’s new Prime Minister promises to end years of indecision, instability and bickering that have hobbled the country’s economy and left it politically rudderless. Mr Abe’s promised era of change and has the mandate of a stable parliamentary majority. It will hopefully get Japan moving again. As the world’s third largest economy, based on a formidably developed industrial base, with considerable technological resources at its command, the time has come for a larger Japanese footprint in continental Asia and beyond.

Prime Minister Abe has long evinced an interest in a new security architecture for Asia in which Japanese partnership with India, he believes, will be key. The postponed India-Japan summit, which was deferred by the Japanese elections, will now go ahead and its results eagerly awaited, not least in India and the Pacific rim including South East Asia. Japanese investment in Indian infrastructure, particularly in the Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor and similar corridors in India’s south and east, has the potential to alter the face of the subcontinent. The superb Delhi metro is a transformative example of modernity in action.

Closer Indo-Japan bonding will inevitably include greater military cooperation between the two countries, each with anxieties on China’s rise and its assertive behavior on territorial disputes with neighbouring countries. Mr Abe has set out his vision in an earlier address to India’s Parliament in the following words: “A Broader Asia is now beginning to take on a distinct form.

Our two countries have the ability – and the responsibility – that it broadens yet further and to enrich these seas to become seas of clearest transparency. This is the message I wish to deliver directly to the one billion people of India. That is why I stand before you now in the Central Hall of the highest chamber, to speak with you, the people’s representatives of India”

Mr Abbe’s previous spell as prime in 2006 lasted a year, from September 26, 2006 to September 26, 2007. Prior to that he was on a visit to India as Cabinet Secretary, when Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, now India’s ambassador in Beijing, with previous diplomatic experience in Tokyo, advised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to break with protocol and invite Mr Abe to tea and a talk, which Dr Singh duly did.

Japan is now trying to “catch up to the reality of this Broader Asia,” Mr Abe told a delegation of Indian MPs. “Japan has undergone The Discovery of India [the title of Jawaharlal Nehru’s book], by which I mean we have rediscovered India as a partner that shares the same values and interests and also as a friend that will work alongside us to enrich the seas of freedom and prosperity, which will be open and transparent to all.….This partnership is an association in which we share fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, and the respect for basic human rights as well as strategic interests.”

Looking into the future, Mr Abe hoped for an “Arc of Prosperity” along the outer rim of the Eurasian continent. “The strategic Global Partnership of Japan and India is pivotal for such pursuits to be successful,” he concluded. Clearly the timidity that has characterized Japanese policy during a succession of feeble coalition regimes, whose heads were reluctant to utter a boo in China’s direction, however grave the provocation from Beijing, has ended and a new chapter in Japanese politics is about to begin.

Prime Minister Abe’s ability to conceptualize the pattern of an evolving system of regional relationships and the means necessary to strengthen its foundation tells of a man with a vision to fulfill.

This would surely contribute to global stability.

These wider goals can be realized if a firm IndoJapanese condominium is established and its mission fulfilled.

Exit of a giant Sachin Tendulkar, the greatest ODI batsman in the annals of the format, has hung up his boots.

Whence comes another? The brightest and largest jewel in his crown was the World Cup of 2011 in which Tendulkar played a stellar role with two centures, the first against England, the second against South Africa, followed by two half centuries against Australia and Pakistan respectively in the run-up to the final in Mumbai, where India withstood a gallant challenge from Sri Lanka to carry of the trophy, last won at Lord’s in 1983. His career tally of 49 ODI hundreds included a memorable unbeaten 2000 against South Africa was the first in limited overs cricket. What gave his innings its special lustre was the exceptional quality of the pace South African attack, then, and still, the best n the world. When one considers that it took 79 ODI matches before Tendulkar reached his first

hundred, his record becomes the stuff of legend.

The range of Tendulkar’s strokes, their sublime timing and the execution, not to speak of the classical poise, have been part of the Little Master’s magic for the past twenty-three years. His has been a legendary career, both for its duration and consistency of performance. But age takes its inevitable toll, and at 39 the body is unable to do what it did 20 years previously. Tendulkar’s decision to retire from ODIs is wise. He well understood that the concentrated one-day game made demands on the energy of a player that was impossible to fulfill at his age. He will thus have time to give the forthcoming Test series against Australia his best shot. He has already done enough to warrant a luminous place in cricket’s Hall of Fame.

Even so, Tendulkar fans the world over will fervently hope that he leaves Test cricket on a high.

3

Thought for the Week The whole of life is about another chance and, while we are alive, till the very end, there is always another chance - Jeanette Winterson (2011)

Freedom of Speech

Yogesh Patel Is David Cameron turning the implementation of Lord Leveson’s recommendations in to pantomime?

You cannot ask monkeys to come to the table to tell them to organize a jungle.

The Prime Minister’s ploy to invite editors to Downing Street to come up with their own self-regulation just does not grind with the victims of the press. In my eyes, Nick Clegg has again demonstrated his grasp of what is right for the country, and in the process, reestablished his image as the honest broker. I requested Lord Dholakia to let me have Nick Clegg’s comments for Asian Voice. In response, the Deputy Prime Minister referred to his Common’s statement, adding that ‘we must implement Leveson's plans for an effective new press watchdog, underpinned by legal guarantees’.

Dr Henry Kissinger once said that history is made by those who take a (courageous) decision. He was referring to the required grit shown by the leaders involved. The Prime Minister has already tarnished his image by being ‘too close’ to News International. His closeness to senior executives like Rebekah Brooks has a negative ‘public perception’. Hence, when it came to making a historic decision regarding Freedom of Speech, it is fair to say that it seems he went for a great dodge. It makes the intentions even more questionable as, instead of working with the other parties, the cross-party line was breached, as if earlier position were a cha-

rade.

I have experienced first hand the impotent Press Complaints Commission. I was also amazed by its inability and reluctance to bring the abusive newspaper in line! Thanks to Leveson’s report, the PM has no choice but to get rid off the PCC. The trouble is that he is utterly misguided in asking the editors who have enjoyed their kangaroo court for a long time! A joke of the apologies ever published is also such that it would be buried somewhere on the pages where it would have no bearing!

While David Cameron has been concentrating on a dodge mentioned, Nick Clegg has been trying to explore the alternatives.

He says OFCOM also is not the right party that should be given the role of regulating the press. Its objective is incompatible with its own purpose of being. He looks at the Irish model as well, and tells us that none of our newspapers operating across the borders has complained. The Press Council of Ireland is the new body for press regulation in Ireland, independent of both government and media. As Nick Clegg says, such independence also will need to be ’underpinned by legal guarantees’. To any common person this approach will seem reasonable.

However, David Cameron’s point that one needs to be careful before the line is crossed to legal underpinning is also important. What most victims disagree is that it should not be used as an excuse as he is trying to.

Freedom of Speech does not mean anarchy of expression leading to human right, racial, or religious abuse amidst other things.

In addition, democracy does not mean that citizens can do whatever they please with an utter disregard for the others, including the animals.

Laws do create balanced restrictions, a notion that implies the right for the press too.

Continued on page 6

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4

UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th January 2013

Sarah Teather MP Liberal Democrat MP for Brent Central

Looking ahead to 2013 Looking back at 2012 the real highlight for me was undoubtedly the Olympics and the Paralympics. As the Member of Parliament for Brent, the area of London that includes Wembley Stadium (host to both the 1948 Olympics and a number of sports in the 2012 London Olympics), I really enjoyed witnessing firsthand the warm hearted welcome given to people from around the world by the volunteer games makers, local residents and business owners.

It was fantastic to see people of all ages and backgrounds coming out in support of our terrific Team GB athletes and, I hope, many will be inspired to get out there and try a new sport or to rediscover one they used to enjoy. However, for me the most important positive effect of the games was witnessing the, hopefully long lasting, impact that the Paralympics has had on people’s attitude to disability. Not only did our Paralympians prove that they could excel at their chosen sport but they also showed us that we as a society should have higher aspirations for people with disability.

The games this summer were certainly a highlight of last year.

However, as 2012 closes and 2013 starts, it is important to recognise that the coming year is going to be difficult for many people as Britain continues its slow recovery from the financial crisis. In this context it is natural that, as they contemplate the new year, the worries dominating many families’ thoughts are over the weakness of the economy, uncertainly over the future of their jobs and the prospect of their children getting their first job.

These are facts that there is no getting away from and it is the reason that the Coalition Government is making it an absolute priority to promote the creation of jobs and to get the economy back on its feet. To do this we are investing in a ÂŁ5.5bn capital package and support for long-term private investment to kick-start the building of major projects including new roads, science infrastructure and free schools. We are creating a Green Investment Bank which will work with the private sector to invest in projects from offshore wind to waste and non domestic energy efficiency, helping to deliver our commitment to create

jobs and growth right across the UK. We also know how difficult the job market is at the moment for young people with little or no work e x p e r i e n c e .

Consequently, to help get young people into work we have set up the ÂŁ1 billion pound Youth Contract, which aims to ensure that all jobless young people are either earning or learning.

This is not all however, we also recognise that while the economy has been struggling the cost of living has risen, and families are increasingly having to cope with higher bills for everyday essentials. This is why the Liberal Democrats in Government have fought so hard to put in place changes that will make a real difference to people’s lives, one of the most important of which is fighting for fairness in the tax system.

Since getting into Government we have significantly increased the amount of money someone can earn tax-free every year. If you pay tax on your job or pension as most people will do, you may have noticed this extra money in your pay packet every month. This April the limit will be raised even further to £9,440 – a total income tax cut of £600 a year for more than 20m working people. This means that due to these changes someone earning the minimum wage will be paying just half the income tax they were paying under Labour and 2.2 million people will have been taken out of paying income tax altogether.

We are also cracking down on the measures the very richest take to avoid paying tax and in 2011 we raised ÂŁ2bn extra from top earners.

We are making tackling tax evasion and avoidance a priority by investing ÂŁ150m over two years in HMRC to ensure wealthy individuals and multinational corporations pay their fair share of tax. This should secure an extra 2bn a year.

In this way, the Liberal Democrats have done our best to make 2013 the year, when despite tough times, more families up and down the country will have the support they need. We’ll keep fighting for a fairer Britain next year and every year until the end of this Parliament and beyond.

Finally, I’d like to take this chance to wish all the readers of Asian Voice a happy, healthy and successful 2013.

Britain welcomes the New Year in style Fantastic firework display on the banks of river Thames lit up the capital's skyline as the city welcomed the new year in style. About 250,000 people lined the river banks witnessed the incredible display of pyrotechnics and lights as 12,500 fireworks let off, costing approximately ÂŁ200,000 during the 11-minute display launched from London Eye. Most of the viewers waited for hours to secure the best viewpoints on the banks of the Thames, and fortunately it was a dry and mild night. Clips from the 2012 Olympic Games featured in the fireworks displayed over the London Eye. Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'What an amazing end to an incredible year.

'Watched by hundreds of thousands in the capital and millions around the globe, London has proved, yet again, that it can pull off spectacular world-class events in style.'

17 years old Tanya

Datta who travelled from Manchester, all the way to London to spend Christmas and New Year with her aunt told Asian Voice, “It was my first time at the London fireworks. I layered myself up so that I could brave the wet cold as I waited to watch the fireworks on a bridge. I must say it was a spectacular sight and I will come back next year with my friends.�

31 years old Vivek told Asian Voice, “I have

Indian doctors to face stringent assessment tests in Britain Continued from page 1 poor communication skills putting a patient at risk and incorrect diagnosis leading to life-threatening situations.

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, British Medical Association (BMA) director of professional activities, claimed that doctors qualified overseas are “more likely to be subject to disciplinary action� but admitted that the reasons for this were not yet clear and more “research was needed to understand why�.

She further added, “the UK is still short of doctors and so we must ensure that those coming from overseas are given adequate support to be able to practice medicine in the UK." Niall Dickson, chief executive of the GMC, confirmed that there was a move to subject overseas doctors to a more rigorous assessment of their clinical competence and English language skills. As

a result, the Performance and Linguistic Assessment Boards (PLAB) test will be made more difficult for applying doctors than it is at present to ensure they meet the new stringent criteria before being allowed to practice medicine in the UK. Meanwhile, Dr. Umesh Prabhu, vice-chairman of the British International Doctors Association, has described this move against overseas doctors as acts of “discrimination and racism�.

The GMC's new reforms include a new induction programme involving a combination of online training in British medical practices and a one-day course covering the important issues faced by new entrants. A pilot scheme of the new induction programme for all arriving doctors will be launched in early 2013. A review of the current testing system and better checks also form part of the new reforms.

Paid subscribers of Asian Voice will receive a Table Top Calendar from Boss Revolution Telecom along with this week's newspaper

been to these fireworks thrice. Every year it is worth the wait. Thank God it was not that cold tonight. But I wish the fireworks could last a little longer. There are so many of us who wait here by the river for hours.

May be a longer display in the future would do more justice!�

Around 75,000 partygoers joined in a mass rendition of Auld Lang Syne after the clock struck midnight in

Edinburgh, Scotland.

This year however London went a little crazy as the London Ambulance Service answered 2,603 emergency calls between midnight and 5am. There were several binge drinking cases and at one point LAS was taking 635 emergency calls an hour.

Police made 96 arrests in the capital relating to New Year celebrations, mainly for public order offences and assaults.

Qatada family wants to leave 'racist' Britain Terror suspect and Islamist cleric Abu Qatada is believed to have moved into a detached house in the borough of Harrow.The 52-year-old began renting the ÂŁ450,000 three-bedroom house a week ago following complaints his previous home in Wembley was 'filthy' and not big enough.The controversial move is thought to be costing the taxpayer ÂŁ1,400 a month, sparking outrage among campaign groups.

Qatada, once Bin Laden's right hand man, has moved into the new property with his wife and four of his five children following his latest appeal against deportation for terror charges in November. His appeal was upheld after lawyers claimed he would not get a fair trial in his native Jordan, where he is wanted on charges of terrorism. Home Secretary Theresa May has said she will continue her attempts to deport Qatada. The Ministry of Justice has revealed that the cleric has received more than ÂŁ500,000 in legal aid.

In an open letter to the Islamic Human Rights

website, the cleric's eldest son wrote that the family were thrown out of their Wembley home after their harassed landlord was forced to evict them through the courts and that they were then lumbered with the fees for process. The house is frequently targeted by protesters.

"Racist pressure groups in Britain hold demonstrations outside the house on a weekly basis between four in the afternoon and eleven in the evening.

These demonstrators would scream and curse at us and at Islam," claimed the letter.

The family has also claimed that that they are desperately trying to leave the UK because they have "suffered so much".

UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th January 2013

5

New Year Honours for our community heroes Every year The Queen bestows honours to the well worthy Britons twice. Once on her birthday and especially on the New year, marking the beginning of a great year by acknowledging outstanding achievements. For the 2013 New Year Honours list, a total 1,223 people were recommended to The Queen for an award. 1,068 candidates have been selected at BEM, MBE and OBE level, 286 at BEM, 535 at MBE and 247 at OBE. 72% of the recipients are people who have undertaken outstanding work in their communities either in a voluntary or paid capacity. There are 572 successful women candidates in the List, representing 47% of the total. Women candidates include 13 Dames, 40 CBEs and 2 CBs. 5% of the successful candidates come from ethnic minority communities including South Asians (list as follows).

This new year a Special Honours List has also been published to recognise our Olympians, Paralympians, and the most successful coaches, following Team GB’s unprecedented success at the London 2012 Games.

ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE CBE Shabir Randeree. Chairman, DCD Group and Founding Member EduTrust and Islamic Bank of Britain plc. For services to Business and Education. (London) OBE Ms Shahnaz Ali. Senior Lead in Equality and Diversity, NHS North West. For services to Equality and Diversity. (Sheffield, South Yorkshire) Dr Lisa Appignanesi. For services to Literature. (London) Jabeer Karim Butt. Deputy chief executive, Race Equality Foundation. For services to Health Equality. (Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire) Ahmed Choonara. Board Member, Network for Black Professionals. For services to Further Education.

(Nottinghamshire) Dipak Kumar Fakey. For services to Education and to Community Cohesion in Leicester. (Leicestershire)

Dipak Kumar Fakey said, “ I am a teacher at Abbey Primary Community School in Leicester. I was very surprised to receive the news of OBE award for services to Education and community cohesion in Leicester. I have received this honour for running Good Values club which follows the Sathya Sai Education in Human values programme to promote values of Truth, Love, Peace, Right Conduct and Non Violence. This message of drawing out the inherent values in children is being spread to several schools through the activities of the club.”

Ms Sunaina Mann. Principal, North East Surrey College of Technology. For services to Further Education. (Great Bookham, Surrey) Paul Thomas Noon. General secretary, Prospect. For services to Employment Relations and Sustainable Development. (Kent) Professor Mala Rao. For services to Public Health in the UK and Overseas. (Colchester, Essex) Professor Bhupinder Kaur Sandhu. Professor of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Bristol Royal Hospital, South West. For services to Paediatric Medicine. (Clifton, Bristol) MBE Anis Faruki. For services to charity and to the community in Preston Lancashire. (Preston, Lancashire) Mrs Santosh Fenwick. Senior Executive Officer, DWP Operations. For services to Jobseekers in West London.

Mahendra Gajjar. Officer, Small and Medium Enterprises, London, HM Revenue and Customs. For services to Tax and Duty Fraud Prevention and to the community in Edgware.

(Edgware, Middlesex)

Mrs Inderjeet Hunjan. Head of Access and Widening Participation Team, Leeds Metropolitan University. For services to Higher Education. (Leeds, West Yorkshire) Dr Hariprakash Mamtora. Consultant Radiologist, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, Lancashire. For services to the NHS. (Wilmslow, Cheshire) Dr Vina Mayor. Chair, Nursing and Midwifery Council Fitness to Practice Panel, Bedfordshire. For services to the NHS. (Flitwick, Bedfordshire) Dr Mel Mehmet. Chief executive, easitNETWORK. For services to Business and Sustainable Transport. (Surrey) Mrs Nilima Menski. Founder, Centre for Indian Classical Dance. For services to Dance. (Leicestershire) Dr Geetha Nagasubramanian. Consultant Gynaecologist and head of Service, Tower Hamlets Contraception and Sexual Health Services, London. For services to Women and Young People. (Orpington, Kent) Kaushik Chaturbhai Patel. Community Pharmacist, Essex.

For services to Pharmacy. (Clacton on Sea, Essex) Rajesh Patel. Community Pharmacist, Cheshire. For services to Pharmacy. (Gatley, Cheshire) Dr Madhu Lata Pathak, JP. For services to the community in Romford, Essex. (Romford, Essex) Emdadur Rahman. Journalist and Community Volunteer. For services to the community in Tower Hamlets and to the Bangladeshi Media. (London) Mark Ravin Ramprakash. Formerly Cricketer, Surrey County Cricket Club. For services to Sport. (Middlesex) Popatlal Sojpar Shah. For services to Charitable Giving in the UK and Overseas. (Edgware, Middlesex) Mrs Neelam Aggarwal-Singh. For services to Community Cohesion, Health and Welfare through the Indian Hindu Welfare Organisation. (Northamptonshire) Miss Piriadarshni Wignarajah. Senior manager, Olympic Delivery Network, UK Trade and Investment. For services to the British Business Embassy. (North Harrow, Middlesex) BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL

DIPLOMATIC SERVICE AND OVERSEAS LIST ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE OBE Colin Cadell Wagstaff. Chairman, Kings World Trust for Children, South India. For services to education and young communities in southern India.

MBE Keith Dudley Brook. Voluntary worker, The Peace Garden School, Nepal. For services to charitable work in Nepal.

Ms Janette Sonia Salter. Founder, Kathmandu Animal Treatment Centre. For services to animal welfare in Nepal.

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL COMMONWEALTH GRENADA ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE MBE Ms Sheila De Silva. For public service.

ORDER OF THE BATH Miss Mridul Hegde. Director, Financial Stability, HM Treasury.

For services to the Stabilisation of the British Banking System.

(London) ROYAL VICTORIAN ORDER LVO

BEM Ranjit Singh Danda. Lead for Faith Inclusion, Nishkam School Trust, Birmingham. For services to Education.

Mrs Meena Kumari Dhawan. For services to the Royal Mail and the community in North London.

Avneet Gill. Trailblazer Volunteer. For services to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. (London) Mrs Daksha Joshi. For services to the community in Strand on the Green, London Borough of Hounslow. (London) Muhammed Khan. Trailblazer Volunteer. For services to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. (London) Jit Pal. For services to charity and to the community in Southall London Borough of Ealing. (Slough, Berkshire) Riaz Ravat. Deputy director, St Philip's Centre, Leicester. For services to Interfaith Understanding in Leicester.

(Leicestershire)

Dhruv Manmohan Sawhney. Formerly chairman, International Liaison Group of The Duke of Edinburgh's Commonwealth Study Conferences.

ROYAL VICTORIAN MEDAL QUEEN'S POLICE MEDAL QPM ENGLAND AND WALES Surjeet Manku. Chief Superintendent, West Midlands Police.

This may not be an exhaustive list.

For more information see http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/newyear-honours-2013

'One Pound Fish' singer leaves Britain The 'One Pound Fish' singer from Pakistan, who landed up with a recording deal after his song in the fish market went viral on the internet, was asked to leave Britain, after it was found that his visa had run out.

Immigration officials told the novelty artist Muhammad Nazir to get a flight back to his native and not return until he has sorted out his paperwork.

The father of four's song has proved to be a sensation and has attracted more then 4 million hits on the Youtube.

He was inspired to write the catchy tune at Upton Park market, where he is a fishmonger. His success came after he failed to impress judges on the X Factor with the song earlier this year.

He was greeted with chants of "long live the one pound fish" upon his arrival, where he was welcomed by his mother and hundreds of fans.

Muhammad Nazir in his popular video

Greeted with garlands and cheer by fans in Pakistan

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UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th January 2013

Joy that turned into despair on Christmas

Privacy, intimacy and the expansion into Africa; the main trends in 2013 for brands

Mo Luthra Branding Consultant www.moluthra.com Aunt Bushra Tazarib

Adnan, left, and Mohammed

Adnan Habib, 10, and four-year-old Mohammed Arsalaan were killed along with 32-year-old Bushra Tazarib on the M6 in Staffordshire as they travelled to a family wedding in Greater Manchester. In a statement the family said their 'joy turned into tragedy in a split second' when the car crashed into a tree and overturned.

In an emotional tribute the family said: 'Adnan and Arsalaan were our family’s precious jewels, spreading joy wherever they went.

'They were happy and joyous boys who were a central part of the family, always smiling and bringing smiles to everyone they met.

'Bushra had been part of the family by marriage for almost 14 years, and was a vital person.

'Always helping and supporting every member at all times, regardless of difficulty and joy.

'Bushra was so loving of all children, even though she was not blessed of any of her own.'

The red Ford Focus the three were passengers in crashed and overturned

on the northbound carriageway between junctions 14 and 15.

The mother of the two young boys, Parveen, 38, who was driving the car, and their 17-year-old sister Misbah survived and were discharged from hospital last week.

The family said in the statement: 'Christmas day began with all the joy all over the UK. 'We, as the rest of the nation, had the build-up to the Christmas holidays, attending school plays and preparing for a family wedding.

'The joy turned into tragedy in a split second, when we lost our boys moments apart and our beloved auntie.'

They added: 'We thank everyone for their kind words of support, and we would like everyone to remember them in your prayers.'

Boxer Amir Khan, who was at the wedding in Greater Manchester that the family were travelling to, also spoke of his despair at the deaths.

The former world champion, a second cousin of the bride, was at

the wedding when the news of the crash came through.

He told The Sun: 'My heart goes out to the families of those involved in this terrible accident.

'No one could believe it. One minute everyone at the wedding was joyous the next it had turned into despair.”

The boys' mother and sister left the University Hospital of North Staffordshire on Boxing Day. Friends and extended family of the boys had gathered at a local Islamic centre where prayers were being said.

The children's father was said to be 'inconsolable' at their deaths.

A witness said the maroon Focus appeared to have struck a tree beside the hard shoulder before flipping. No other vehicles were believed to be involved.

Chief Superintendent Martin Evans from Staffordshire police said afterwards that emergency services worked 'seamlessly' in 'very sad and exceptionally difficult circumstances'.

Family has two siblings born on the Christmas day Hamima Juma, 24, had her first daughter Maheera on December 25 2009 but was stunned when her little sister arrived exactly three years later. They had each shared the same due date of December 19. Maheera, was born at 9.05am and weighed 5lbs 12oz, while the latest arrival - who has not yet been given a name - weighed 5lbs 11oz and was born at 10.30pm. Mrs Juma - who gave birth to both girls at Coventry's University Hospital - said: "I used to joke with my friends that this baby would come early on Christmas Day again. But that was only supposed to be a joke.

"It shows that nobody knows what is going to happen. Once I went into labour my husband was willing the birth to be before 12 o'clock.

"Maheera is quite excited - she can't wait to see her. I'm not sure what the chances are but it's quite a remarkable coincidence."

Mrs Juma and husband Maruf, 33, were in the middle of celebrating Maheera's third birthday at the family's home in Coventry when the contractions

Hamima Juma, 24, with her baby girl and Maheera

began. Mr Juma, a chef, said: "We had my sister who is a student midwife on standby because we knew what happened a couple of Christmases before.

"So when she went into labour we were in safe hands to start with and we got Hamima straight to the hospital. I was praying for another Christmas baby it's brilliant.

"Next year will be mad now, we'll have two birthday parties and a Christmas party to organise. But we wouldn't want it any other way - we've had a couple of Christmas miracles there and we feel truly blessed."

With 2012 complete and the world still ticking over, here is a brief look ahead as to what is in store for 2013.

With more of our lives now on social media platforms, our activities, likes and dislikes are there for all to see.

Savvy brand owners have been harvesting the rich pickings of freely available data and have found ways to generate revenue from it.

While up to now people were willing to be themselves online, they no longer want to be exploited and hence 2013 will see a fight back from users who know how to ‘play the game’.

For example, job seekers will manipulate Facebook to create profiles which are squeaky clean and desirable to employers.

Innovative businesses will also shine by offering a high degree of privacy. Certain night clubs are creating rooms where there are no phones allowed, no photography, no tweeting or anything that allows an individual’s actions to be recorded, shared and commented upon.

While privacy will be a reactionary force by consumers; businesses will look to offer greater levels of intimacy to their customers. ‘Individual attention’ will be the buzz words that will be humming around progressive companies. With more attention paid to data collection places like restaurants will be able to respond to personal needs without having to be asked.

Rather than clumping consumers as one group, companies like airlines and hotels will be able to offer more closely matched services by data collection at the point of booking.

Retail spaces will look to have individual experts as part of their experience.

Already nutritionists are in place in certain supermarkets, gracing their floors and talking to shoppers, giving advice, tips and buying recommendations.

Finally, Africa will be an area geared for increased expansion.

Already set with a bulging middle class, the continent is now getting up to speed with the internet. More regions have access, and it is becoming a bedrock for emerging developer talent and entrepreneurs.

Big brands are moving into the high-end arena within Africa.

Hotel development is going through the roof as more business travellers fly to the region. While luxury goods companies are plucking up the courage to invest in an area that has more millionaires than Russia.

For brand centric businesses the opportunities to carve out interesting niches in 2013 will certainly present themselves. Without doubt it will be an interesting year.

Britain to welcome immigrants?

Britain's reputation for tough immigration controls may be discouraging the world's best scientists from settling, Chancellor George Osborne has admitted.

The Chancellor said the visa system is actually very open to the "brightest and best" foreigners but the UK may need to change its unwelcoming image. He was challenged by Sir Paul Nurse, president of the Royal Society, over why some top scientists "no longer feel like they're entirely welcome to come here".

Speaking on BBC Radio Four Mr Osborne said "if there is that perception, we must change it" as it does not match with the reality of the visa regime.

"Immigration control should not keep out the brightest and the best," he said. "For the kinds of people we're talking about they should have no problem in coming and working here."

Mr Osborne said scientists of exceptional talent are "fastracked" into the UK and PhD students will be allowed to stay longer after finishing their studies. The Chancellor also said he personally intervened to make sure two foreign scientists stayed in Britain to develop commercial uses for a super-material called graphene.

On the other hand a report has suggested that more than 20,000 foreign

workers from outside the EU could flock to Britain to replace Romanian and Bulgarian fruit pickers who will be tempted by better jobs when work restrictions are lifted next year (Dec 2013).

Unemployed Britons tend to be based in cities and few are interested in short-term, seasonal work on farms in rural areas The new wave of overseas workers if allowed to come in, will include countries viz. Ukraine, Moldova and Croatia, despite 2.51 million unemployed people in the UK, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) said.

Hayley CampbellGibbons, chief horticultural

adviser for the NFU, said:“Without those 21,500 workers we simply won’t have enough people here to pick crops.

“In the past there have been years where we simply haven’t been able to get enough workers – not on that scale, but by a few thousand – and the result is that crops go unharvested and unpicked and food has to come in from elsewhere.There have been shortages on the shelves.

It’s not somewhere we want to go again.”

The Government's immigration advisers are considering the impact on the UK and its seasonal workers on farms

Freedom of Speech Continued from page 3 If the press is restricted in a wrong way, it will undermine the fundamental principles of freedom of speech. Like any citizen, the press also needs a protection. Therefore, it makes sense, that ‘two liberal principles’ (Nick Clegg) expressed by the Irish Press Council in their preamble are also enshrined in the new body Lord Leveson proposes, but with some muscle.

It is easy for the Asians in the UK to ignore this important issue, and not write to their MPs (www.writetothem.com) asking them to support Lord Leveson ‘s report in

its entirety, but the facts were apparent in my fight with the Times, which as an example of abuse published a mockery of Hinduism, and the PCC then turned their blind eye to it.

The Prime Minister needs to step away from his press-appeasing mode to realize that history does not bring such opportunities often to allow one to make a difference of the nature Lord Leveson proposes. It is not about riding a horse that is a favour, it is about riding a horse that people have given him to ride! He needs stand with Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg on this issue.

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Indians in London remember Nirbhaya Spriha Srivastava Call her Nirbhaya, Amanat or Damini, it doesn’t change the brutal and barbaric act that she underwent in the national capital of India – Delhi.

Her suffering and consequential death brought out the seething anger within each one of us. It brought in a delayed realisation that our women are not safe back home and it is high time we do something about it. But what can we do?

Rape is the fastest growing crime in India.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the number of rape cases registered in India increased by a startling 873.3 %, from 2,487 in 1971 to 24,206 in 2011.

In comparison, the murder cases increased by 250% over an even longer period, six decades, starting from 1953 to 2011. So clearly, something is going wrong somewhere.

The case brought together thousands and thousands of people demanding justice for the 23-year old and a safer country for women. The protests were limited not just to the Indian boundaries but concerned members of Indian origin settled abroad organised protests and candle light vigil to demand speedy justice and to pay homage to Nirbhaya.

In London, the Pravasi Bharat, a humanitarian organisation working for the welfare and basic rights of Indians living abroad organised a peaceful gathering and candle lit vigil, near Mahatma Gandhi Statue at Tavistock Square. Led by Nagendar Chindam, chairman of Pravasi Bharat, the event started with a two minute silence in the memory of all the rape victims who have lost their lives and to pay respect to all those who have fought their way back into their lives.

Despite the cold weather and rain, many Indians came to support the movement and expressed their anger and

disappointment over the sad state of affairs back home. Those present at the gathering signed a petition demanding stricter punishments for rapists and introduction of fast-track courts for speedy justice. Protesters also touched upon the issue of rehabilitation of rape victims and the need for educating young girls to be more alert and for boys to respect the dignity of a woman. One of the speakers also said that India should focus on its priorities inside the country first before going ahead with moon missions and other advanced science and technology projects.

Amit, an Indian settled in the UK has some inter-

People gather at Hounslow to pay homage to Delhi rape girl Over 100 people with Indian flag in one hand and candles in the other met at Hounslow's Shree Jalaram Seva Trust temple. While many people spoke about their grief at the passing away of Amanat (not her real name), many held up posters that read "We demand stricter laws" and "RIP India's daughter".

The prayer meeting started with local politicians voicing their concerns about what happened to Amanat and how it has touched them personally. "My sister and I talk on the phone regularly and all we have been talking about last few days is this case," said Seema Malhotra, Labour MP from Feltham and Heston.

There was considerable anger against the Indian government at the meeting too. "Why was she taken to Singapore when we have the best doctors in India?" asked a housewife who turned up with her daughter to pay homage to "India's daughter". For many this has been a mediated event - something they've watched on television and read about in the newspapers.

Darshan Grewal has been a Delhi cop and also served as the Mayor of Hounslow. He reportedly told at the event, "For days nobody said anything.

Sonia ji didn't say much and Sheila Dikshit, also didn't say much. But now you young people - you've put pressure on them to change themselves."

Many people in the crowd, especially women, were quite emotional about the case and wanted to tell the Indian government, "Make India safer for women."

Apart from prayers and sympathy, there was mention of the community coming together to raise funds for her family.

"There are many people who are very generous and especially for such causes.

We always come forward for any worthy cause. Even in the past, many people have sent money through the Indian High Commission and through other people and I think you won't be disappointed at all at the way people show their support and generosity," said Jagdish Sharma, another prominent member of the local community here.

For many it was a time to reflect on how they can push for change, even if they don't reside in India.

"We've got over two thousand signatures for our petition asking the Indian government to introduce fast track courts and introduce harsher punishments for rapists. We must awaken the Indian government. It seems asleep right now," said Nachiket Joshi, a local youth leader.

esting thoughts on events in the last 10-15 days or so.

“Still not sure on why this particular rape has caught the attention of the public more so than the numerous rapes that occur in India every day.

Every case is as sad and terrifying as the other and yet most rape victims in India don't even have access to very basic health care facilities let alone getting transported to Singapore for a state of the art organ transplant.

Secondly, role of the media: whilst the media has done a commendable job of highlighting shortfalls in the Indian judicial and police system they are starting to now distract us from the heart of the issue and turning into pure jingoistic entertainment. The attacks on the President’s son whilst being truly deserving might reflect some of that. The underlying issue with the media coverage is that it has infused us a society with mass attention deficit disorder (ADD) and in the longer term unclear if it will necessarily create a sustainable and systemic change to the addressal of these problems. And finally, there is an additional underlying issue (in addition to many raised) with India that this case and other similar ones (Remember the lawyer murdered in her home in Mumbai by her watchman) highlight large parts of India's society are economically marginalised and co-exist with islands of affluence, particularly in urban India. They have no education, no stake in the system and some of them have no value of human life and dignity (not having received any in the first instance). This strata will increasingly turn violent and resent/despise the increasing affluence of the rest of the country (which by the way might be the minority).”

A number of concerned participants shared

their opinions similar to Amit’s and shouted slogans like “Justice for Women” among others.

After the gathering at Tavistock square, the protesters marched to the Indian High Commission where representatives of the Pravasi Bharat organisation submitted the petition to the High Commissioner of India to UK, Mr. Jaimini Bhagwati.

A Candle light vigil was also held at Hounslow's Shree Jalaram Seva Trust temple where

more than 100 NRIs took part and paid respect to the 23-year Nirbhaya. A number of local politicians present at the event expressed their views on the event and asked for more stringent laws to prevent such crimes.

The brutal question looming over our heads is when will the government wake up? The incident has kept India and her citizens awake for the past two weeks now but there still has been no strong response from the government on either the antirape law or stringent punishments. The debate at this moment seems to have been distracted towards whether naming the anti-rape law after the victim or not?

One can seriously hope that this incident is not forgotten like the many incidents in the past. I always feel that one rape incident in India brings out many opinions, comments, debates, blog posts, protests and promises from government but it all dies down until a next big crime is committed. In this case, one can only hope that the Nirbhaya’s sacrifice and the voice of thousands of protesters does not go in vain.

Save Our Sisters - Candlelight Vigil Mahatma Gandhi once said "The day a woman can walk freely on the roads of India, that day we can say India has achieved Independence."

Unfortunately, in his eyes India is yet to achieve independence. Crime against women in India is rising; there were 24,000 reported cases of rape in 2011 with a 9.2% rise over the previous year.

CAREducation has teamed up with the Big Hug Foundation to hold a Candlelight Vigil called 'Save Our Sisters' for the Delhi Gang Rape victim and forwomen in India who are assaulted on a daily basis.

Date: Saturday 5th January Time: 12pm Location: Gandhi Statue, Tavistock Sq, WC1H 9ND Closest Stations: Euston, Euston Square and Russell Square.

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Art & Culture

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th January 2013

Unravelling ‘Midnight’s Children’ with Deepa Mehta Dr. Reenu Punnoose When two of controversy’s favourite children decide to work together on adapting a literary classic of our times to the big screen, it is bound to create a buzz. Oscar-nominated director Deepa Mehta, known for her Elements trilogy, Fire (1996), Earth (1998) and Water (2005), is currently promoting her latest film, Midnight’s Children, which will be released across the UK on Boxing Day 2012. The movie is based on the Booker prize-winning novel of the same name by Salman Rushdie, who is also the screenplay writer for this movie.

The idea to adapt Midnight’s Children into a movie came about during a casual chat between Mehta and Rushdie in 2008 in Toronto where the latter was promoting The Enchantress of Florence, Rushdie asked Mehta which of his books she would like to make into a movie. “I said, Midnight’s Children, it was totally instinctive”, recollects Mehta.

This is not the first time Mehta has collaborated with an author for a movie. She famously collaborated with Bapsi Sidhwa whose novel Ice Candy Man (1991) formed the basis for Mehta’s movie Earth (1998) and Water: A novel (2006) was based on Mehta’s 2005 movie Water. Mehta notes that the process of collaboration was different in each case based on the people involved and their personalities. In the case of Midnight’s Children, although she was creatively involved with Rushdie in deciding what the narrative line of the film should be, she wanted Rushdie himself to pen the screenplay. “I was

Mehta realises that there are bound to be expectations from the movie because the book has enjoyed global popularity and tremendous readership but she remains unfazed, “when I decided that we were definitely going to do it I made a very conscious decision and that was that I am not going to be paralyzed by fear and I am not going to be thinking about what the fallout of this might be and I am not going to be thinkSalman Rushdie with Deepa Mehta ing of people’s expectations because if I did that determined that Salman should then it would first of all not be my write the screenplay. It was very film, secondly it would already be important to me that he should write tainted because when you start it. I think the sort of healthy disrecatering to people’s expectations, spect that he can bring to his work, you aren’t being true to yourself”. nobody else can”, says Mehta.

Nevertheless she hopes that the Mehta has touched upon a variaudience will relate to the universal ety of socio-cultural issues in her themes in the narrative, “… it is previous movies, particularly the about the importance of family and if trilogy movies, whether it is you don’t have your own family, you women’s rights and sexuality in Fire can make your own, the importance (1996), or the partition of India in of being connected and hope…I Earth (1998), or widowhood in rural think that’s what makes the film India in Water (2005). Midnight’s really universal”.

Children, Mehta reveals, has been a Every Indian deserves to watch different experience altogether. this movie because it is not just a fic“Saleem and his parents came from a tional tale about two boys born at past that I totally understood… I am the exact historic moment of India’s roughly the same age as independence, but is also an allegory Saleem…Growing up in India, what for young India’s discovery of its India was like, the promise of indeidentity, a nation unravelling the pendence, how much we worshipped challenges that arise from newNehru…we were in love with that found freedom, and aspiring for a kind of milieu, middle-upper class better tomorrow against all odds. parents with their cars and servants, I felt that it was my life”.

Rendezvous with ‘Midnight’s Child’ Satya Bhabha A son of two leading academics and a graduate of Yale University, 28 years old Satya Bhabha is in an ‘ivy league’ of his own.

Only four films old, he plays the protagonist in the soon-to-be-released movie adaptation of Salman Rushdie’s Booker Prize-winning novel, Midnight’s Children, directed by Oscar-nominated film-maker Deepa Mehta. Bhabha, who is most known for his role as Mathew Patel in the 2010 movie Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, shares his thoughts on essaying the enigmatic character of Saleem Sinai in his latest movie, “he is indefatigable, he has this burning hope, that things can get better, that people can come back together, these sort of disparate fragments can reconnect, that is his absolute passion, his belief… that is something that I relate to and that I think also is really the heart of my performance and the heart of this character is this hope, his drive, his spirit.”

As Bhabha recounts the long, intense preparations he undertook to play Saleem, it is easy to see this young man’s dedication and commitment to his craft. Mehta organised a two-week workshop for the principal cast in

Mumbai with theatre guru Neelam Man Singh. Apart from the workshop, Bhabha immersed himself into his own individual preparations, “I set myself off on a huge course of acclimatisation and delving into the thing [character]… I went to Yale, I am sort of from an academic background so there is a certain amount of intellectual understanding that I need in order that I can be comfortable and so there was a lot of factual stuff that I needed to get.” This involved reading about Indian history from Nehru’s Discovery of India to Maximum City and Rama Chandra Guha’s India after Gandhi to Freedom at Midnight. He also travelled across India in an attempt to build a character history for Saleem, “I have never lived in India. I don’t have a Mumbaikar accent. I didn’t speak any Hindi. Body language was completely different so I went and

spent some months in India, spent some months in Bombay travelling all over, learning Hindi and then exploring the city and I would use the book as a kind of map and then sieve the rounds finding places.”

Even though Bhabha is half-Indian (his father is Indian, mother is Italian), he had only seen glimpses of India during family holidays. He admits that his preparations for the role of Saleem helped him build a personal connection with India, its history and its socio-cultural pulse.

Midnight’s Children was apparently filmed secretly in Colombo under a different title as the team feared protests by Islamist fundamentalist groups.

Both Mehta and Rushdie have sparked controversies in the Indian sub-continent before. Bhabha gives full credit to Deepa for deftly handling the various challenges they faced during the shoot, “Deepa is a ferocious loving master on set. She has an incredible acuity to human truth and emotional veracity. That is something that she hunts down with an almost excessive passion…there was a lot that was happening on the set at all times and it was a really challenging shoot.

There were many obstacles

thrown in every one’s way but I think ultimately Deepa really managed to craft beautiful performances out of all of the actors.”

When asked about the inevitable comparisons between the novel and the movie, Bhabha is realistic, “Does the film have all of the nuance, detail and subtlety of the novel? No! Can any film have the nuance, detail and subtlety of the written word? I don’t know.” Nevertheless, he feels that for a 600-page novel to be condensed to a 110-page screenplay and yet retain the essence of the novel is a great achievement.

So why should the audience watch Midnight’s Children? “It’s a story about finding yourself and finding your own family.

Families are not always the people we are born to, they are not always the countries we are born into, they are not always the languages, cultures, the races or socio-economic groups we are born into,” says Bhabha, “I think that hopefully people will come out of this film understanding that it’s not an insular film about Indians’ dealing with Indians. It’s a film about disparate strangers just coming together and finding a sense of home.”

The journey from book to movie Over three decades after Rushdie’s second novel Midnight’s Children propelled him into literary celebrity status; the novel is also the first of his works to be adapted to the big screen and is slated for a Boxing Day release across the U.K. The magic-realist plot revolves around the lives of two b o y s , Saleem and Shiva, born at the precise moment of Indian independence, whose lives are magically entwined with their country’s destiny. The movie also marks Rushdie’s debut as a screenplay writer and he admits that the thirty-year gap from the novel made his job easier, “I think one of the things that allowed me to be the scriptwriter is the fact that there was such a long gap…the ability to have that distance from the book was what allowed me to do it.” As for how he went about condensing his 600-page novel to a 110-page screenplay, he said “it was just a question of finding what was the narrative line that went most clearly through the book [sic].” It was Oscar-nominated film maker Deepa Mehta, the director of Midnight’s Children, who persuaded an initially reluctant Rushdie to pen the screenplay. After deciding to work together on the adaptation, they each separately wrote down what the narrative thread of the movie should be. When they compared notes, they were surprised at how similar their ideas were. “I think it was comforting, I think both of us were a little bit nervous about sitting down to work with each other and that [the similarity in their visions] was a very reassuring thin...,” said Rushdie. He further added, “I could see her passion for the story and that it felt personal to her and you know people direct good films when it feels personal to them, not because it’s a famous book or something.”

The team of Midnight’s Children faced several challenges during its filming. It was apparently shot secretly in Sri Lanka under the title Winds of change to avoid potential protests from fundamentalist groups owing to Rushdie’s association with the movie. “the problems around me have nothing to do with this novel. They have to do with another novel. But sometimes there is a kind of spill over,” said Rushdie. Talking about why none of his books had been made into movies

before, he further added, “There was a long period in the aftermath of the fatwa against the Satanic Verses that it was probably difficult to make any film associated with anything that I’d done. And that

created a sort of, you know, wilderness of a dozen years or more during which it was impossible to make a film…not just the Satanic Verses, but with anything else.

Any problems that were associated with producing this film had to do with the remnants of that problem rather than anything to do with this book.”

Midnight’s Children premiered in September 2012 at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film has also been shown at the Vancouver International Film Festival and the BFI London Film Festival.

Rushdie and the entire team of Midnight’s Children are now looking forward to the movie’s release in India. Mehta had initially struggled to find distributors in India but in early October 2012, PVR pictures acquired the distribution rights to the movie. When asked about potential backlashes in India due to the controversial portrayal of former Indian Prime Minister, Late Smt. Indira Gandhi, Rushdie said, “there is nothing in this story which is not discussed every day in India.

There is nothing in this story which is in anyway taboo. This is part of the history of India and we all know it. And this is a drama which in part talks about great historical events like the Bangladesh war and about independence itself and you know various large historical moments and all of this is on matter of record. None of this is inadmissible.”

After this interaction with Rushdie, the movie premiered in India at the 17th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) on 10th December 2012.

After the screening, certain sections of the Congress Party spoke out against the portrayal of Late Smt. Mrs. Indira Gandhi. However, there is good news: the Indian Censor Board has approved an A certificate for the movie without any cuts and it is well on its way towards releasing across India in February 2013.

UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th January 2013

Leading Lights

Rani Singh, Special Assignments Editor

The new Ambassador for Bangladesh to the Court of St James; MOHAMED MIJARUL QUAYES Talks exclusively to Asian Voice in his first British Interview in post Ambassador Mohamed Mijarul Quayes, a career Foreign Service officer, arrived in the United Kingdom December 3rd 2012 as High Commissioner of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to the Court of St. James. We are thrilled that His Excellency gave his first interview in his new post, to the Asian Voice.

Prior to his current assignment, Ambassador was Foreign Quayes Secretary of Bangladesh from 2009 to 2012.

He has served as High Commissioner to the Maldives and Ambassador to the Russian Federation, and also had postings in Singapore, Geneva and Tokyo.

Talking about his responsibility or mission in the UK, Ambassador Quayes said that it was two-pronged –representation and interests.

Although much of his work is about “Representation, state-to-

state and formal, it is possible and essential for a successful Ambassador to take his/her mission beyond the corridors of the Foreign Office” he said; and elaborated, “it means connecting with potential stakeholders – the media, academia and think tanks, the private sector, and civil society.

Interests range from bilateral political, economic, trade, cultural etc. to multilateral engagements and priorities, to consular and other services, including for the expatriate community. My mission is to be heard and seen on all these fronts and shepherd all of these into one whole.”

Ambassador Quayes is a Master in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

As Foreign Secretary, he was involved in expanding Bangladesh’s relations with neighbours in South and South East Asia as well as with other global

Mohamed Mijarul Quayes

partners. He worked on drafting two optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (concerning children in armed conflict and the commercial sexual exploitation of children) and the Declaration on the rights of Indigenous People.

The High Commissioner served as an Expert Member on the UN Human Rights Commission’s Working Group on Migrants and Human Rights and has just been elected to the International Civil Service

Commission.

High Commissioner Mijarul Quayes also has a large cultural portfolio. He taught at the North South University and BRAC University in Dhaka. He teaches aesthetics and the history of art at the National Academy of Fine Arts in Dhaka. He organises some of the premier cultural events in Dhaka, like the Asian Art Biennale-Bangladesh, and the Dhaka International Film Festival. He served on the International Jury Committee for the Asian Art Biennale, Bangladesh, and juries for several international film festivals. He was the force behind Bangladesh’s debut at the Venice Biennale and inaugurated the Bangladesh Pavilion in 2010. He sits on the Board of Trustees of the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro (World Literature Centre), Dhaka, which he co-founded. He is an active member of the Theatre International Institute, Bangladesh Chapter.

Ambassador Quayes says that the international media has not always been fair to Bangladesh, focusing solely on natural disasters or political upheavals like military coups. He feels that the country’s achievements, strengths and positive human stories “tend to fall into a blind spot.”

Whereas Bangladesh,

says the Ambassador, is a country on the move, “consistent, stable and forward looking. We can rightly be proud of our credentials as an active, responsible and contributing member of the international community.” His country is the world’s second largest readymade garment exporter, “the top troops and police contributor to UN Peacekeeping,” and has sustained six per cent growth over the last several years - despite the

We can rightly be proud of our credentials as an active, responsible and contributing member of the international community. global recession! Social innovations in empowerment, such as microcredit and non-formal education models are Bangladesh’s gift to the world. Women’s empowerment and gender mainstreaming are important features of today’s Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is all set to meet the UN Millennium Development Goals Four (to reduce child mortality) and Five (improvement in maternal health) by the target year of 2015; and is on track on the others.

In order to position Bangladesh more accurately in the global percep-

tion, High Commissioner Mijarul Quayes, when he was Foreign Secretary, reached out to the world by introducing a programme of familiarisation visits to Bangladesh.

“We have been looking at how to expand our visibility in positive and substantive terms. We also want to have friends in the global media who understand us better. The aim of the programme is to gain first-hand experience, to know us better, and if they choose, to write about their experience in Bangladesh.

Ambassador Mijarul Quayes, through the first Leading Light column of 2013, wanted to convey his heartiest greetings for a very happy new year to Asian Voice readers and sent a message of friendship from the people of Bangladesh. “I believe there is enormous potential for our communities to work together for adding value to our lives and lifestyles, to promote and pursue common perspectives and interests, and create quality space in the B r i t i s h mainstream.

Expatriate communities are like banyan trees, with their roots deep in traditional values and experience with branches spreading out drawing from their host cultural experience.

Let us make the best of this strength.”

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Your Voice

10

The Royal Message Eighty years after the Queen’s grandfather, King George V, said on 25 December 1932 “I speak now from my home and from my heart to you all” and marked the beginning of a tradition, the Queen has embraced the latest technology for her address this year. For the first time in her 60 years on the throne, she made use of modern technology and delivered her Christmas message in 3D thus giving an added dimension to her speech which focussed on the theme of “ strength of fellowship” apparent at her Jubilee celebrations and paid tribute to the British sporting heroes like Olympic and Paralympic athletes who inspired the nation.

After witnessing many tragedies in her personal life, what with the untimely death of her daughter-in-law and her sister, she had some comfort when she participated in the wedding of her grandson last year and celebrated her diamond jubilee on the throne this year. On this 40th anniversary of the arrival of Ugandan Asians in the country let us wish her well for it was during her rule that we found shelter in this country after being expelled by the ruthless ruler like Idi Amin from Uganda.

Having spoken with Her Majesty at a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace which I had the privilege to attend at the invitation of the Lord Chamberlain, I must say that I was struck by the grace and dignity with which she carried herself. I also had the privilege of speaking with Princess Margaret, the Queen’s sister, when she made a whistle stop visit to my place of work at the then Department of Education and Science accompanied by Margaret Thatcher, who was at the time Education Secretary, and she too oozed charm and dignity Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Respecting Women With regards to the recent sad and shameful incident of the Delhi Rape case where a 23 years old medical student was brutally raped and tortured by 6 men in a bus and then thrown away from the moving bus without an inch of cloth on her body. The male accompanying her was also hit on his head and thrown out of the bus while unconscious.

There is a strong reaction both from the media and the public on the issue to push the Govt. to introduce a new law and to punish these 6 devils. This is one of the many incidents that happen to women in India quite often. Every now and then we get to hear about some woman/girl been raped, beaten up, faced acid-attack, etc. Stricter laws have to be introduced in order to stop people treating women in an unsuitable way.

Women don’t get the respect they deserve. And then figures like Aamir Khan would debate on Satyamev Jayate that “why do we have more men than women in India?”. To me, this is just one of many incidents that got highlighted by the media. We actually need to make sure that none of these sort of incidents hap-

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th January 2013

Rape and death of the young girl in Delhi

Asian Elite reject positive discrimination

No words can express horror about the rape/death of an aspiring young girl, by some barbaric men. Sordid torture has drawn national attention and outrage.

Our heartfelt condolences must be with family of the victim. Culprits must be given harshest, swift and merciless punishment even at the cost of national/global outcry/opposition. Juvenile involved must be punished mercilessly.

Simultaneously, pending cases of rape must be expedited. Those judges or police and relevant enforcers, who drag their feet, must have their promotion deferred till target is reached. Sentences must range from maximum jail, maximum fine, death, with no clause for appeal/clemency at all.

Shifting victim to Singapore was diplomatic, strategic/damage control move rather than humane/medical one.

Last year we witnessed 4 cases of patients removed from ventilator, sent home and died soon. Delhi’s rape-victim was given two ventilator sessions, suffered cardiac failure, brain damage, and multiple organ failure. How can such person be clinically alive? Safdarjang Hospital and victim’s family were tightlipped, prove the death suspicions.

Police must be vigilant towards crimes by criminals rather that preoccupied by VIPs and VVIPs. Such diversion aided by corrupt police has made criminals fearless. Criminals bond with VIPs and VVIPs for protection against police investigation, legal and punitive procedures.

Bollywood must also refrain from making films that groom criminals and rapists. Moral policing and nanny state must be imposed against import of foreign crime/sex films, magazines and promiscuous celebrations.

Moral and ethical catharsis at national level can be best tribute to the victim of brutal rape and death.

Ramesh Jhalla Via Email

Support truth We all know about the 23 years old who was brutally raped in Delhi, has recently died.

In this day and age I can not trust that it was not possible to save this woman.

May I ask Indian Officials that why they did not bring her in Britain? I am sure the woman could have been saved here.

I was brought up in Amritsar between 1946 to 1966 and we all know what sons of political leaders used to do.

We are starting the New Year 2013, let us pledge that we all will be brave enough to take actions in our life to support the truth.

Dharam Sahdev Ilford pen in the country. We have got to make a difference.

Devang Bhatt, Harrow, London

The trustees of Diversity UK would like to point out the positive discrimination was not debated as an issue at our launch event on 12th December 2012 (report in AV, 22nd Dec 2012)- there were personal comments made by the two speakers, Chris Hyman and Bala Mahendran in their addresses to the audience – but it was not an agenda item for vote, either formally on informally. Diversity UK as a think tank will be researching prevailing opinion from diverse communities on affirmative action, the results of which will be available in mid 2013.

The trustees also reject the notion of “Asian Elite”. We all have many years of experience working for and with diverse audiences and consider ourselves very much part of the communities we are from. Indeed, the very concept of “Asian Elite” would belie the need for an organisation like Diversity UK which aims to highlight underrepresentation in the public and private sector.

I absolutely did not “lambast Goldman Sachs for their poor record on ethnic variety at its higher echelons”. I actually said that it was not a criticism of Goldman Sachs, which has progressive policies on diversity and inclusion, but the comparison between the ten, mostly Asian, apprentices that it took as part of the Evening Standard’s ‘Ladder for London’ campaign was a stark contrast to their boardroom representatives and that the 25 to 30 year span between apprenticeship to the boardroom was one of the issues that Diversity UK would like to research.

I affectionately described Bala Mahendran as the “Godfather of Essex” for his unwavering support of the Asian community. Mr Mahendran suffered an industrial accident at the age of 22 and was not “maimed as a child” as reported. He said that despite this life-changing experience, when interviewed for the post of CEO at Basildon Council ““no favours were asked, none were given. I don’t want to be anyone’s token”.

Diversity UK is a collaborative think tank that will undertake research and illicit public opinion to proactively tackle the root causes of under-representation - an issue that I hope all your readers will be able to support.

Lopa Patel MBE Via Email On behalf of the Trustees of Diversity UK: Dilip Joshi MBE, Sushila Khoot, Hashmukh Pankhania, Reema Patel, Shanthi Waas

Eve Teasing In online Times of India (ToI), dated 28th December, apart from that horrific and barbaric gang rape of that medical student on a moving bus in Delhi, there were also several articles on rape, eg, (i) minor girl raped and murdered in UP; (ii) teenager gang-raped for 7 weeks, 7 arrested. Only a few days prior to 28th December.

In that same paper, I read about a girl under 10 raped by her neighbour in Hyderabad. There was also a case in Patiala, where a 17 year old victim who reported her rape to authorities, committed suicide, because of Police harassment of her, instead of apprehending the culprits. What justice did she receive?

Suspension of the officers involved after her death. ToI of 28th December also printed an article on a woman claiming she was raped inside a BJP Office in MP. In fact this one does not even surprise me, because only few moths back in 2012, in one of the state assembly, legislators were too busy passing around gleefully a pornographic video on a mobile.

According to a survey carried out by another Indian paper “The Mail”, 582 rape cases are reported in Delhi so far this year. Delhi Police figures shows that rape is reported on average every 18 hours and some form of sexual attacks every 14 hour. If this is only in Delhi, I dread to think how many such cases are not reported at all either in Delhi or in India as whole, due to stigma, police inactions and narrow minded thinking of the victims and their relations about their honour instead of bringing severe punishments to the culprits. Rather than keeping up the pressure by media and peti-

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tioning the legislators to bring in a stronger legislation to outlaw and class “Eve-Teasing” as a criminal offence and a very severe punishments, such as total surgical castration or hanging to rape crimes, the ToI of 28th December, had a poll on Indian cricket and the captaincy.

That is more important, it seems.

Mohindra Master Via Email

Rape Victim Support The Indian media has reported about the death of ‘Nirbhaya’ very vividly. Let’s hope that all party political leaders get together and come out with a stronger legislation and severe penalty for rapists.

This tragic incident and official statistics report that every 20 mins a female is getting raped. That is reported crime, but in reality it could be every 10 minutes a girl or a woman is getting raped.

India needs a fast track court to resolve rape cases quicker and sentences should be so severe that persons involved or likeminded learn a lesson of a lifetime.

We in the UK used to ask our girls travelling to places to be careful. But that never included streets of India. Now even the UK government has apparently suggested places in India that need to be avoided. This year my wife and I decided not to celebrate on the New Year’s Eve but donate that money to a rape victim support charity. I would be happy to know if any charity been set up after her death. If not then let’s hope someone can set up a charity in her name.

Mahendrasinh C Jadeja London Continued on page 11

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th January 2013

Your Voice Continued from page 10

Hat-trick for Modi One may love or hate Gujarat CM Narendra Modi but no one can ignore him.

Even the ever resourceful and ultra-capable Berkha Dutta of NDTV would love to interview Modi on her show, as Modi has steadfastly refused to appear on NDTV as this popular channel is more interested in discussing 2002 riots again and again rather than the tremendous economic progress Gujarat is making under BJP. Modi rightly feels that it is time to move on from the Godhra carnage and its aftermath when some 60 innocent Hindu pilgrims were burnt to death.

This is a fifth for BJP and third straight win for Modi that would significantly increase Modi’s prospect and Prime Ministerial aspiration. BJP grabbed 115 seats out of 182 and even incumbency factor did not dent either Modi’s popularity or BJP’s hold on the State, although the BJP deserter the geriatric Keshubhai Patel did some indirect damage, BJP losing some ten winnable seats to Congress in Saurastra due to Keshubhai’s Gujarat Parivertan Party (GPP) candidates grabbing up to 20,000 BJP votes that enabled Congress candidates to get in through back door. But it was a minor hiccup that would not change the political map of Gujarat.

One noteworthy achievement was that caste, creed and religion did not play significant part, as BJP candidates triumphed in areas with significant Muslim voters, even though BJP did not field a single Muslim candidate, which I feel was a glaring mistake and an opportunity missed.

Lastly our heartfelt congratulations to GS/AV for giving us detailed account of Gujarat election in such a short time, delaying the publication by a day or two only.

Bhupendra M Gandhi Via Email

Family of Royal Hoax nurse writes to the British hospital The family of an Indian nurse who was found dead after being caught in a royal prank call has written to the British hospital that employed her, demanding answers to questions surrounding the incident and her condition before her death.

The grieving family has assembled a set of 60 questions which they have posed to the hospital as well as to the parent company of the Australian radio station that played the prank.

The letters were sent by Labour MP Keith Vaz, who is acting as a spokesman for the family at their request, with some of the questions suggesting the hospital may not have taken extra security measures during the stay of a pregnant Kate, the Daily Mail reported .

“Was there any indication that Jacintha was under increased pressure or stress in the weeks preceding her death?” asks the family in one of the questions.

A question also suggests that the nurse may have been involved in a dispute with a colleague a few weeks before the Duchess was admitted while another implies that the 46-year-old may have been ‘spoken to’ by the hospital’s matron on phone a day after the prank call.

Saldanha’s body was discovered on December 7, and the notes left by her suggested that she may have been under pressure after she fell for the prank.

11

Entrepreneur's £775,000 gift to the Lib Dems questioned The Electoral Commission has been asked to examine whether £775,000 paid to the Lib Dems by Rumi Verjee, the entrepreneur who brought Domino’s Pizzas to Britain, is an “impermissible donation”, The Sunday Telegraph reported.

The payments were allegedly made through Brompton Capital Limited, a company with no staff that has not recorded a turnover since 2003.

Mr Verjee dined with Nick Clegg at Chevening, the grace and favour mansion in Kent used by the Lib Dem leader, a month after the second £250,000 donation was paid in May last year.

A Labour MP has written to the Electoral Commission urging the watchdog to investigate whether Brompton is a “permissible donor” and whether the Lib Dems carried out adequate checks when accepting the money.

If the payments are found to have breeched the rules, they will have to be repaid.

Michael Dugher, the shadow Cabinet Office minister and vice chair of the Labour Party, described the arrangement as “bizarre”.

“There are clearly serious questions to answer about the permissibility of these large donations,” Mr Dugher said.

“It would seem only right that this is fully investigated by the Electoral Commission as a matter of some urgency”.

Labour have also asked the Commission to examine £11,000 of donations made by Brompton to Andrew Mitchell, the former chief whip at the centre of “plebgate” affair, prior to the 2010 election.

The Lib Dems said Brompton’s donations complied with the law and that it carried out the appropriate checks. However, their defence raised fresh questions, as the party cited Brompton’s development of a London property early last decade as evidence it was an valid company.

The party reportedly declined to discuss why Mr Verjee chose to make the donations through a company rather in a personal capacity. He is listed on the electoral roll at one of his West London homes, suggesting that he would have

been capable of making a donation in this way.

The paper said, Mr Verjee’s company has made three payments of £250,000 and another of £25,000 to the party since Mr Clegg’s party entered Government in May 2010.

A further donation of £2,000 was paid to the Lib Dem office in the Twickenham and Richmond constituency of Vince Cable, the Business Secretary.

Mr Verjee owns Brompton through a company in Jersey, the Channel Island which the Lib Dems have accused some firms of using as a tax haven. Vince Cable is currently leading Government’s crackdown into companies that use tax havens to minimise their tax liabilities.

Analysis of Brompton’s accounts over the past ten years discloses that the company: • reported a loss of £357,000 last year, of which £350,000 was said to be “donations”; • paid no corporation tax in 2011 and only 6,051 the year before; • has not recorded a turnover since 2003 and has not employed an staff or paid a dividend for 10 years The Sunday Telegraph last week asked Mr Verjee why he had chosen to

donate through the company rather than make a personal donation, but the businessman referred the enquiry to the Lib Dem press office.

Mr Verjee’s ancestors initially came from India to British colonial Africa and he was born in Uganda where his family owned the Grand Imperial Hotel and had a range of other business interests.

He was educated at Cambridge and qualified as a barrister.

However, in 1972 Idi Amin, the Ugandan dictator, began the mass expulsion of thousands of Asians living in the east African country.

55 years old Mr Verjee, a member of the Ismali Muslim community which is led by the Aga Khan, has said his family lost around 90 per cent of their wealth due to their forced departure.

In his late 20s Mr Verjee approached the American founder of Domino’s Pizzas and won the franchise rights to start the home-delivery pizza chain to Britain.

Although he amassed his fortune by selling fast food, Mr Verjee now owns Thomas Goode, a chain of upmarket china, glass and silverware retailer based in Mayfair. He is also a major shareholder in Watford FC, the Championship football team.

Catholic Church urges followers to lobby against 'legalising abortion' The head of Ireland's Catholic Church has urged followers in his Christmas Day Message to lobby against government plans to legalise abortion.

Ireland, the only EU member state that currently outlaws the procedure, is preparing legislation that would allow limited access to abortion after the European Court of Human Rights criticised the current regime.

The death of an Indian woman in November who was denied an abortion of her dying foetus and later died of blood poisoning has intensified the debate around abortion, which remains a hugely divisive subject in the predominantly Catholic country.

"I hope that everyone who believes that the right to life is fundamental will make their voice heard in a reasonable, but forthright, way to their representatives," Cardinal Sean Brady said in a Christmas message on Tuesday.

"No government has the right to remove that right from an innocent person."

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny a regular Mass goer, is bringing in legislation that would allow a woman to have an abortion if her life was at risk from pregnancy.

The country's Supreme Court ruled in 1992 that abortion was permitted when a woman's life was at risk but successive governments have avoided legislating for it because it is so divisive.

The death of Savita Halappanavar, who repeatedly asked for an abortion while she was miscarrying in an Irish hospital, highlighted the lack of clarity in Irish law that leaves doctors in a legally risky position.

Halappanavar's death re-ignited the abortion debate and prompted large protests by groups both in favour of and against abortion.

Savita Halappanavar

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Media Watch

It has been a turbulent few days with little evidence of the seasonal cheer as news of the horrific Delhi bus gang rape of 23 year-old Nirbhaya by six drunken brutes cast a pall across the country. As the victim struggled for her life - she was eventually flown to Singapore for specialist care to her damaged intestines, but died of organ failure - public rage spilled over onto the streets of the capital.

Candle light vigil for Nirbhaya

www.abplgroup.com - asian Voice 5th January 2013

the devil incarnate. Thus, Keshubhai Patel, his factional BJP opponent, likened him to Adolf Hitler, while Markhandey Katju, Chairman of India’s Press Council and a former high court judge, claimed that social development in Gujarat under the Modi dispensation had fallen below Somalia’s.

That said, Mr Modi’s third reelection as Chief Minister is an astonishing achievement on every count. The incumbency factor has never come into play during his 12year tenure in office, neither have his shortcomings as man and politician.

His mantra of development and good has governance been the crest on which he has ridden to power and become a household name in every corner of the land. Investors at home and abroad will be making a beeline for his state, as the Vibrant Gujarat business conclave later in the month should prove once again. That Gujarat is an economic powerhouse few who matter would deny.

Embracing the future

Sunday amid an outpouring of anger and grief by millions across the country demanding greater protection for women from sexual violence

What could have been a dignified and effective demonstration of the people’s will at, say, the Ram Lila grounds, turned into a violent scrum, with hooligans battling the police in the protected area of Parliament, Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Prime Minister’s residence.

Nothing comes easier than blaming the police from the comfort of television studios in exercises of solemn rectitude by people who, faced by a mob, would do a sprint worthy of Useyn Bolt.

Police Constable Subhash Tomar lay dead either from his injuries or from a heart attack, which was of small comfort for his grieving and distraught family.

There were opportunists aplenty seeking to enlarge their public profile, among them a holy man and a disgruntled former general turned professional agitator.

The authorities were slow to respond to the situation. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s nationwide broadcast sought to pour oil on troubled waters, but he lost valuable days doing so.

His words were well crafted, and if he lacked (and lacks) the oratorical flair of Barack Obama, it is simply because he is a different sort of man. Two days after US President’s stirring speech at a service of remembrance for the victims of the Connecticut school carnage, there was yet another senseless killing spree in New York. So, while words do have their place at such moments, action counts for more in the search for a solution.

Rape capital Truth is that Delhi has become India’s rape capital. The molestation of women on buses and trains and on the streets has long been a norm without the appropriate response from the political and policing establishments and the judiciary. Too often attacks on women have been underplayed or dismissed on the ground that their attire or makeup was provocative. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a year ago, attributed a rape in central Kolkata to a media conspiracy hatched by her party’s opponents. The rapists were tracked down and arrested, thanks largely to the brilliant detective work of a young police woman, who was promptly transferred to a more routine desk for proving her egoistical boss wrong.

Education and social awareness are where the broad remedies to this growing scourge lie.

But individual responsibility rests finally with the individual conscience. It will be awhile before India recovers lost ground for civilized conduct.

Meanwhile, the shaming reality is a call for sackcloth and ashes.

Modi’s hour Narendra Modi, Gujarat’s feisty Chief Minister, has confounded his critics and brought rapture to his followers, but also cognitive dissonance to the disoriented lunatic fringe for whom he is

The India-Asean summit in Delhi was a seminal event, taking the relationship between the Association of South East Asian Nations and its neighbor to the west to a higher level. To their free trade pact the partners have added a fresh agreement on investment and services. IndiaAsean trade turnover stands at $80 billion, a mere quarter of the $300 billion Asean turnover with China.

Adi Godrej, President of the Confederation of Indian Industry wrote a welcoming edit-page article in The Times of India (December 23), which was supplemented by the paper’s upbeat editorial. Mr Godrej referred approvingly to India’s Look East policy and its economic dividends; and he emphasized the overall importance of Asia as a hub of growth at a time when the US and Europe were mired in doubt and depression (or recession, if you will).

The Times leader drew attention to the potential challenges Asean goods and services were like to pose for Indian competitiveness in the domestic market and emphasised the need for rationalization and greater efficiency by Indian manufacturers.

Also, China’s rise and its increasing assertiveness in territorial disputes on land and sea had prompted Asean’s approach to India as a balance to China’s heft, the paper said

US immunity for ISI India has expressed its unhappiness with the US decision to grant immunity to Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence agency in a civil case brought by families of Americans killed in the 26/11 Mumbai carnage.

Modi victory

The Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi said: “For India, it remains of vital importance that justice is done and that those who organized and perpetrated this crime are brought to justice irrespective of the jurisdiction under which they may reside or be operating.

It cannot be that any organization, State or non-state that sponsors terrorism enjoys immunity….this decision is a matter of deep and abiding concern. The leadership of the US has publicly stated its commitment to counter terrorism, to dismantle terrorist bases in Pakistan and to bring those responsible for the Mumbai terror attacks to justice. In this context the decision of the US authorities…. is a cause of serious disappointment.”(Times of India) Tall talk and double standards are the benchmarks of the crudest real politik. Its fateful consequences will surely emerge in the fullness of time.

Putin in Delhi

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

President Vladimir Putin was in Delhi on December 24 for a daylong summit with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and delegation-level talks involving Russian and Indian ministers.

An article by him in The Hindu was timed to coincide with his visit. The title of his tour d’horizon of the Russia-India relationship carried a line from the text: “For Russia, deepening friendship with India is a top foreign policy priority”. He set the scene and context for one of the defining relationships of the post war world. As the architect of its present shape, his words carry special significance. He writes: “The Declaration on Strategic Partnership between India and Russia signed in October 2000 [following Mr Putin’s accession to power] became a truly historic step.

The development in the first decade of the 21st century confirmed that it was a particularly significant and timely step…..today we…..face serious challenges. These are unbalanced global development, economic and social instability, lack of confidence and security…..We have a common goal – to make the world in which we live more just, democratic and secure and to facilitate resolving global and regional problems, including the situation in the Middle East and North Africa and in Afghanistan.”

Strategic Partnership The President explained: “The strategic nature of the partnership between India and Russia is witnessed by the unprecedented level of our military and technical cooperation…..

Serious attention is being paid

to developing a fifth generation multifunctional fighter plane and in multipurpose transport aircraft. The product of our designers, the BrahMos cruise missile, has successfully passed all tests. Today experts are thinking of its aircraft version.”

India and Russia have laid a roadmap for the supply of 16-18 Russian nuclear reactors, at an expected cost of $40-45 billion, for the generation of clean power for India’s energy needs within a 20-25-year timeline, according to blogger Rajesh Sharma’s First World website, perused from the India-Russia joint communiqué.

India’s ONGC will take a stake in Russia’s oil and gas fields in Siberia and the Arctic, while a consortium will be set up to stimulate two-way investment and ease the flow of bilateral commerce. Glitches in a number of areas will be tackled and sorted through routine consultation.

Military deals India will spend some $4 billion acquiring 42 addition Sukhoi30MKI warplanes and 71 Kamov Mil MI 17 V5 helicopters, with a joint project to produce for the manufacture of Kamov products in India. (The Telegraph 26) India and Russia agreed to take the first steps towards operating a “ranging station” that will help accurately fix the location of satellites. A military side agreement on receiving precision signals from Glonass was signed in 2011, following active interest shown by National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon (The Hindu, Times of India, December 2)

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Political Sketchbook

www.PoliticalAnimal.me

Alpesh Patel

India - an obituary b.1947. d.2012.

India died in December 2012 from severe injuries. The young nation which had been born with much fanfare and hope in 1947 had been sick for many years. Despite assistance from overseas, notably Britain and Italy, the country was unable to overcome her injuries.

The injuries first came to light several years ago, and were clearly the result of repeated gang-rape by the political classes and some of the citizenry.

Despite the rapes coming to light, few attempted to come to any form of rescue, and as the Constitution of the country eventually declined, a sad long demise was inevitable.

Born in August 1947 after a very painful blood-soaked birth, the country actually had held much promise thanks to the expert skill of its mid-wife, Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Nation. The country was actually separated at birth with a complicated, rushed surgery by British surgeons, from its Siamese twin, Pakistan, by which it is survived – to the surprise of many who had actually feared the twin was the sicker of the two nations.

The attacks continued through the years. Whilst some of her sons went on to become very wealthy, more had been expected given the lineage of the country, which many continued to cling onto.

The country had also suffered many years of disease stemming from the Head of Government, but in the end, a cancer spread to all organs of the State, corrupting the blood stream too. All attempts at transfusion led to rejection of the foreign bodies. A loss of vision

soon followed, ultimately followed by a loss of hearing. Eventually, just after Christmas 2012, the country suffered ultimately from a failure of the heart.

The original British surgeon at the birth had been much blamed for the country’s maladies, but it transpired as the years passed that in fact the country had after its continual rape in fact succumbed to insanity. The cancer was possibly a hereditary condition, but that is disputed by some experts.

Sadly before passing away, the country ultimately despite some extremely wealthy sons, was unable to feed half her under five year old children and look after her daughters in particular. A post-mortem revealed a mixture of long-standing deep rooted cultural issues, from a misunderstanding of the treatment of women from as far back as the teachings of the Ramayana, to more immediate lack of enforcement of laws. This it is believed had led to the medical condition of schizophrenia where daughters and goddesses were admired and held in high regard in abstract, but not in practice.

India is survived by one billion orphans. It is anticipated many will be adopted by foreign nations. Whilst a few have been born with vision, they sadly have been the mute ones – lacking vocal chords or suffering from muscular dystrophy. The ones with fully developed vocal chords, have by curious fate been deprived of vision.

Although on a happier note, some do cling on to hope of reincarnation.

Ugandan born Brit-Indian investors welcomed to contribute in rehabilitation and development of Uganda The First Lady and Karamoja Affairs Minister Janet Museveni has welcomed Ugandan born Indian investors who are willing to have an input in the rehabilitation and development of Uganda.

She cited the case of processing and value addition industries, which she said will be great motivation to the farmers to produce more.

Mrs. Museveni addressing a group of potential investors, who included the Ugandanborn Nagrecha Brothers, based in the United Kingdom. The meeting took place at Nakasero State House.

The group was led by Mr. Willy Mutenza, a Ugandan businessman based in the UK and the Chairman and Founder of the Uganda UK Convention.

The Investors’ interest in Uganda is in response to the First Lady’s call to Ugandans in the Diaspora and their friends to invest in the country. She made the call during the Uganda UK Convention 2012 in London in September.

The Convention which run along with the

Nagrecha brothers with the First Lady

Diaspora Trade and Investment Expo 2012 under the theme “Aspiring for Sustainable Prosperity” promoted Uganda as the preferred investment destination for Ugandans in the Diaspora.

Vinubhai Nagrecha and Hasubhai Nagrecha who own the Cash and Carry chain in East London not to mention a vast property portfolio.

The Nagrecha’s plan to invest between $10 to $20 million in a modern maize mill plant in the country.

The Nagrecha brother left Uganda during the Idi Amin’s expulsion and from nothing have accumulated a lot of wealth and are one of the wealthiest Asian in UK. The delegation included other investors from Indian that included

Champak Unadkat (Nitash Cogeneration), Nirmal Bhandari (Pride International) and Ashwin Chandrani (Overseas Steel supplies Ltd) from UK. The Investors also have plans to mobilize out growers and build silos in maize producing areas.

The group further told Mrs. Museveni that they intend to explore opportunities of investing in milk processing, fruit processing and biomass power generation.

They donated 2 tractors to the farmers in Karamoja and Ruhaama in addition to pledging in cash to rehabilitate the 75 year old Nyakika Primary school in Ruhaama Ntungamo District in an effort to provide better education for Ugandan children.

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Faith schools may be radicalising students, warns Department of Education More than 100 independent faith schools may be radicalising students, the Department of Education has warned in a secret memo which admits that officials are struggling to tackle extremism in state and private schools.

Michael Gove, the education secretary, was one of the key voices calling for a ban on support for non-violent extremism when it published its Prevent strategy to fight radicalisation last year.

But behind closed doors there are concerns about 118 “socially conservative” independent faith schools - the vast majority of them Muslim where pupils may be encouraged to cut themselves off from mainstream society.

Ministers have been told they do not have “detailed information” about the religious orientation of the groups and movements behind all independent faith schools.

And officials have privately admitted that they also have no system in place to identify institutional extremism in state schools, the Daily Telegraph has reported.

They say there is also “a gap between what we think we know and what we can prove” because they cannot use undercover methods open to journalists.

From January, the Independent School Standards will require a respect for “fundamental British values” including democracy, the rule of law,

individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

Ofsted has not yet trained its inspectors in how to enforce such standards but it is introducing a “specialist cadre” of inspectors to look at faith schools as part of a planned “prioritised inspection programme.”

However, the education department has admitted in briefings that it can only look at the “ethos” of independent schools, rather than how they are actually run.

And the department says it has failed to measure the mindset in state schools because it cannot work out how to “detect” extremism or a “baseline” to start from.

Burglar caught on private CCTV jailed

A burglar caught on private CCTV has been jailed after his victim shopped him to police and then tracked him down again when he didn't turn up to court.

Frustrated at being burgled twice in the past, Mark Avery installed the CCTV camera inside his semi-detached house.

And it paid off one morning when the camera recorded two men acting suspiciously in his back garden.

Mohammed Prince Islam, 26, and a 16-yearold accomplice were captured on film as they used a crowbar to break in.

They then helped themselves to Mr Avery's

Playstation, games and a computer.

Islam, dressed in a dark blue hoodie, can clearly be seen peering through the living room window, then through the broken glass door and sneaking inside.

Mr Avery turned the footage over to police and both intruders - who stole around £800 of his property - were charged with burglary.

Despite the evidence, Islam still pleaded his innocence at Southampton Crown Court. He was convicted and bailed but failed to turn up for the next hearing, so a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Vinubhai Nagrecha and Hasubhai Nagrecha donated two tractors

Mohammed Prince Islam

Then, Mr Avery, of Southampton, Hampshire, stepped in again. He spotted the fugitive, 26, working in a city centre shop and turned him over to the police, who arrested him.

Now Islam, from Harefield, near Southampton, has begun a 30-month prison sentence.

Judge Peter Ralls QC heard Islam was on a community order for drugs offending when he broke in.

Mr Avery, who is in his 40s, lives in a 190,000 pounds, 1980s, semidetached house with a porch on a quiet suburban cul-de-sac.

The Nagrecha Brothers whose parents were among the Indians expelled from Uganda by the former president, Idi Amin, in 1972, said their hearts are with the country. They pledged to do their best as they contribute to re-building Uganda.

Mrs. Museveni thanked the Indian Investors for their big heart and for their input in re-building Uganda. It is great that the Ugandan UK Convention has managed to fulfil its objectives and mission in attracting investors to Uganda.

UK

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How do I apply for a visa to India?

If you are planning a trip to India, irrespective of the reason of travel, you need to complete an online application form, take a print out and submit it at the nearest India Visa Application Center in the United Kingdom.

This Form is common for all categories being applied for and can be found on our website at http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk along with all required information on fees, documents required and locations where the application can be submitted.

You also have the option to send us the application form and all required documents via post to our visa application center in Hayes.

It is very important to keep in mind that the two photographs that you do need to submit along with your application must be of a specific size i.e. 50x50 and with a white background. The visa centers in London, Birmingham and Edinburgh do have photo booths that will be able to provide you with the right size and quality.

Please note that incorrect or incomplete applications, documentation or photographs may not allow us to proceed with accepting your dossier at the visa center. A comprehensive FAQ tab on the homepage of our website will provide you with more information on your application requirements.

Where do I apply for a visa to India?

There are 8 locations within the United Kingdom where you can submit your application for a visa to India. These are: India Visa Application Center 60-62 Wilton Road, Victoria, London, SW1V 1DE. India Visa Application Center 142-148 Goswell Road, London EC1V 7DU. India Visa Application Center 1-3, Canalside, Uxbridge Road, Hayes, Middlesex, UB4 0JN India Visa Application Center 20 - 21 Pemberton Street, Birmingham B18 6NY India Visa Application Center 66 Hanover Buildings Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 2NN Submission of Application for all the above centers: 0830 - 1430 Hrs Collection of processed passports from all the above centers: 1300 - 1630 Hrs Monday-Friday India Visa Application Center C/o. The India Centre, Sanquhar Street, Splott, Cardiff, CF24 2AA. Working hours are from 09.00hrs until 14.30hrs Monday to Friday India Visa Application Center C/o. Mel Milaap Centre 134 Berkeley Street, Glasgow, G3 7HY. Working hours are from 0930 - 1430 Hrs Monday-Friday India Visa Application Center C/o. Jain Community Centre 669 Stockport Road, Longsight, Manchester, M12 4QE. Working hours are from 0930 – 1430 Hrs Monday-Friday What documents are required and the subsequent fees to be charged?

Complete information on the documents required and the subsequent fees which will be charged can be found under the section ‘All About Your Visa’ on the homepage of our website http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk. Under each category information is broken down into four tabs at the top of the page titled: Visa Fees, Document Checklist, Application Form, Photo Specifications and FAQ. The new tourist visa as the 2 months re-entry restrictions on a Tourist visa has been removed by Government of India (HCI, London) w.e.f 4th Dec.

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Hinduism and Sex: A Debate at LSE

Kishan Devani

HinduJourney held a debate at the London School of Economics on Hinduism and Sex. Kishan Devani delivered a talk to the intellectuals of LSE which looked at the various different approaches to the topic of Hinduism and Sex. The various views both scholarly and scriptural views of Sex within Hinduism were dissected.

Then the crowd of students were asked to grapple with their own perceptions of sex within their own lives.

The talk was delivered to the Hindu Society at LSE and hence the students looked within their own personal lives to arrive at a conclusion on how they as young Hindus view sex. Pre-Marital Sex, Adultery, Living with someone without getting married were just a few of the areas that were discussed. Kishan Parshotam Vice President of the Hindu Society at LSE, and Khushboo Miyani (Assistant Vice President)

said; "Kishanbhai's speech not only engaged the students in attendance, but provoked thought and intellectual discussions.

We, as LSE students, were reminded of the role we should play in our communities in order to be 'good Hindus' and 'good Citizens'. We were very grateful for Kishanbhai's attendance and look forward to inviting him, and Hindu Journey, back to LSE in the future." Nimesh Kara and Sidhant Mehta spoke on Hindu journey and its progress.

The short talk consisted on explaining to students what HinduJourney was and their main aims, particularly stressing the importance of the seva and social strands. Many students from the society were interested in joining in such activities. Mr Devani closed the debate with an important message for many Hindu Youths; where he stressed the importance of joining public life and giving back to British Society ‘It is vital that we as young British Hindus involve ourselves within professions such as the media, journalism and politics, by which we can serve Britain; we are fortunate to have inspirational people within our community who have given back to Britain; who we can look up to’.

Stamford Bridge comes to Chak 89 Diners at Chak 89 were in for a pleasant surprise on Sunday, 23rd December when several Chelsea players walked in to celebrate their 8-0 whitewash of Aston Villa by tucking into their favourite Indian cuisine.

Arsenal player Gervinho joined young Chelsea players David Luiz, Oscar, Lucas Paizon and Victor Moses in their 'curry' outing.

This award-winning Indian restaurant in South London is not new to hosting celebrities. Many Bollywood actors, sports personalities and politicians are frequent customers at Chak 89. For Frank Khalid, owner of Chak 89 and a huge

Chelsea fan, it was a night like no other. He was thrilled to see his favourite football players digging into a variety of traditional Indian dishes, his restaurant is famous for.

The ambience was overwhelming as everyone cheered and applauded the players who went around to meet other diners and have their pictures taken.

The players also signed the famous Chak 89 board to show their appreciation for the beautiful food, service and ambience.

Jain Group Raises £65,000 for DeafBlind Children A cheque of £65,278 was presented by Jain group Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur UK (SRMD UK) to a charity Sense International supporting deaf and blind children from proceeds of the landmark the 'Love of Faith' Walk held in central London by the Jain community. Attending the walk were over 450 participants from across the world with representatives from nine faiths.

Mayur Mehta President of SRMD UK, Sunil Sheth Chairman of Sense International, Mayor of Harrow Cllr Nazim Ismail, Deepa Mehta of SRMD UK, other supporters and well wishers

For more stories visit www.scribbledesk.com

Short Story

by Neha Garg

The Wicked Witch of the North – Part 1 Once upon a time, there lived a mighty witch named Frieda. She lived just north of a pretty little seaside town called Tring and did her best to uphold the old witching traditions and be as wicked as possible.

The people of Tring never saw her step outside her little brick cottage. The cottage was run down and crumbling and looked like it was only held up by the poison ivy that grew all around it. The ivy covered the cottage so completely that no one could get in or out at the little wooden door. The garden was overgrown and covered in weeds.

The only thing that suggested that someone must still live inside was the brightly coloured smoke occasionally rising out of its chimney and the little brown owl flying in and out of a window at the back.

The townsfolk of Tring never went near the cottage if they could help it, for they had heard stories. Stories of a wicked witch who spent all day brewing horrible potions capable of all kinds of horrible things.

‘You are not to step foot anywhere near that old witch’s cottage,’ mothers would tell their children. ‘She’ll cook you in one of her potions and feed you to her owl.’

‘But ma,’ whined the children. ‘The apples in her orchard are as big as watermelons …’

‘That’s because they are full of magic potions,’ mothers would warn.

You see, Frieda the Witch had a great liking for big, red, juicy apples and behind her cottage she had planted the greenest, leafiest and fruitiest apple orchard you’d ever see.

But the witch, as all witches tend to do, hated children and specially hated the children

who creeped up in the middle of the day to steal apples out of her orchard.

‘This’ll show them,’

said the Wicked Witch, cackling to herself one fine day. ‘This’ll show those pesky kids.’

She stirred her steaming cauldron clockwise, three times and then anticlockwise until the smoke started to turn green.

‘They won’t dare step in my orchard again,’ she mumbled to herself. She stood on tip-toe to reach a jar marked, Bat’s Spleen Powdered, and dropped a pinch of it in her cauldron. The smoke turned a bright orange.

An owl flew in at her window and sat at the edge of the bubbling cauldron.

‘Aah, there you are my darling,’ said the Witch, looking up from behind a menacing looking book called 101 ways to turn children into rats.

‘Carrots’ said the owl because that was all he could say.

The Witch grinned, showing off what was left of her dirty yellow teeth.

‘You are just in time, my darling,’ she said, stroking the owl, under its chin.

‘Carrots,’ said the owl again.

‘You must fly to the orchard tonight my darling,’ said the witch to her owl, feeding him a chunk of carrot. ‘After today, we won’t be seeing those pesky kids ever again …’

‘Carrots,’ said the owl a third time, but this time you could make out a grin on its pointy little beak.

UK

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15

If you have any particular topics you would like covered on my page, please let me know.

MusIc

Tanveer Mann ACADEMY AWARD WINNING COMPOSER A.R. RAHMAN UNVEILS SHORT FILM AND SINGLE 'INFINITE LOVE'

www.punjabeeblonde.wordpress.com tanveer.mann@abplgroup.com

HEALTH

Two-time Academy Award winning composer, A.R. Rahman, has released a new music video and single called 'Infinite Love'. The inspiring song and short film delivers a powerful message about how individuals can effect positive change in the world by tuning to one strong pure will. Rahman brings this theme to life in a visually stunning short film that traverses the globe.

embracing the differences of each,_” said A.R. Rahman. “_This short film serves as a reminder for us all to be open to change and the incredible ways we can come together in the world.”

The video was directed by Paul Boyd (Lenny Kravitz, Sting) who traveled across four different countries in 20 days to shoot the footage.

With over 200 people worldwide, three months of CG visual effects and 30 hours of footage, the video was edited down to a short film that highlighted their “I wanted Infinite Love to embody all the magical journey in great facets of life and culture around the seven minutes. From world, while celebrating the similarities and the U.S. to Jamaica, and Did you know..?

India to Hong Kong, the crew The first word spoken on the moon was “okay.” collaborated with locals, actors and artisans to help bring Rahman’s vision to life.

Word of the Week: The 'Infinite Love' film and Abiotrophy: n. physical degeneration; loss of vitality. song is available NOW for abiotrophic, a. download at iTunes

RAPID FIRE INTERVIEW

GET BACK IN TO SHAPE As the New Year has finally arrived, a lot of us are still feeling under the weather from a month of merriment. That’s why it is even more important to get back in to shape as quick as possible so that bad eating habits won’t stick and you’ll be feeling extremely refreshed for the new year. Here are a few quick and easy tips to fitting in some exercise in to your daily routine.

TOOTH BRUSH WALL SQUATS – they really work!

Every morning, instead of standing still while brushing your teeth, lean against a wall, slowly bending your knees as if you are sitting on a chair.

Hold the squat position for 30 seconds while you begin to brush your teeth. Then, stand up, take a quick break and repeat until you’re done brushing your teeth (two to three minutes in total). If you do this twice a day, your thighs and legs will be back in shape in no time.

PARK AND WALK Whenever you are out and about, try parking your car as far away as you can so you fit in some extra walking.

BED CRUNCHES Before you even wake up in the morning, try to do ten crunches. Slowly increase the amount every morning. It will make you feel extremely fresh and ready to tackle the day!

…WITH RAJAN NAZRAN Rajan has a fascinating story which has seen him rise from being an under achiever to gaining one of the highest marks as an Erasmus student in Italy.

He has been a Mental Coach for Olympic athletes, lived and worked in over 16 countries, met, conversed and consulted with Prime Ministers, Presidents and leading CEOs from around the world. He has been a campaign adviser, as well as an explorer visiting tribes and working with individuals from all walks of life. He uses his real life experience and lessons he has learned from leading figures around the globe to inspire, encourage and provide practical advice to individuals of any age.

What has been your dream since you were little? Are you fulfilling it now?

When I was little, my dreams changed quite a bit, from wanting to be a monk to an explorer. I always wanted to see and have a better understanding of the world in which we live in; to meet with different cultures, traditions and people and yes, I am fulfilling part of it now but there is more to see and do!

You have worked in over 16 countries; tell us a little about what you do now?

Prior to what I do now, I was a mental coach for Olympic Athletes and I had the privilege to have met, consulted and work with Prime Ministers, Presidents, and CEOs. Now I work as a healer and communications expert/trainer and I use my experiences and lessons that I have learned from figures around the globe to inspire, encourage and provide practical advice and techniques to assist people in creating positive change.

What have been your top 5 experiences?

1.

Working with street children with leprosy in West Africa 2. Being invited to be a Mental coach for Athletes 3.

Meeting and sharing ideas with heads of state 4. Whilst working in the Middle East I was asked to do some home healing for a family. The change on their faces after was remarkable; you could see something had been lifted. It was when I discovered that I had something special.

5. The first time I was approached to do a work-

MAKE TIME FOR EXERCISE IN THE MORNING You may not realize but forcing yourself to wake up an extra half hour early to do a mini workout, will boost your confidence for the rest of the day, you won’t be feeling groggy and tired and it won’t be tapping in to your day if it is out of the way before hand – simple!

shop on realising your inner potential. I remember the buzz of it afterwards - people were energised and so passionate about life which always make me smile.

How have you benefited from gaining such valuable life experience?

Essentially I feel like I am truly alive. I’ve been able to shake hands with remarkable people, laugh with strangers in a desert and join in tribal dancing with the Massai to name a few! Meeting all these people, sharing ideas, experiences and techniques with them has allowed me to realise that there is more to life than what we think there is and it makes you fearless.

How do you keep yourself motivated so that you can motivate others around you?

Every morning I pray and meditate and feel that connection to the world. My wife and I also have a photo collage of some of the things we have done. The experiences, people we have met and my home is filled with little tokens from people around the world. Every morning I look at them and remember what it took to achieve those experiences and it just keeps me 'topped up', so to speak!

It's funny to watch I guess, but when somebody feels empowered, they can’t help but spread it!

Where do you think your next endeavor will be?

Here in the UK as much as possible. I’ve spent so many years abroad and I hardly recognise the

people here. I’ve started to do workshops at colleges and exhibitions here in the UK and will be talking at the ‘Mind, body and spirit’ and ‘Mind, body and soul’ events next year. I’ve been on radio and I appear on television once a week where I take calls on a range of subjects to do with realising your inner potential.

I have also set up www.HealingWithBalbir.com for the healing and change work I do and will be launching another site for training workshops for business. My aim is to write a book on the lessons I have learned and practical tips towards living a rewarding life.

Ha Ha.....

He He.... :P

Q. What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire?

A. Frostbite.

Q. Where do polar bears vote?

A. The North Poll Q. Why don't skeletons fight each other?

A. They don't have the guts.

16

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th January 2013

Ranbir KapoorPriyanka Chopra starrer 'Barfi!' is out of Oscar race after it failed to qualify for the next voting round in the best foreign film category, according to the Academy.

The film, which revolved around the love story of a deafmute boy and an autistic girl, played by Ranbir and Priyanka, was India's entry to the Oscars this year.

Released on September 14, the film was lauded by the critics as well as audience. It turned out to be another disappointing year for India at the Oscars. In the past, only Aamir Khan starrer 'Lagaan' in 2002, Mira Nair's 'Salaam Bombay!' in 1989 and Mehboob Khan's 'Mother India' in 1958 have managed to earn nominations in the foreign film category without registering any wins.Out of the 71 films that have qualified for the Oscars from across the world, only nine films are advancing to the next round of voting. The shortlist will be winnowed down to the five nominees by specially invited committees in New York and Los Angeles.

Amala Paul not refusing to pair with new actors

Bollywood needs to learn from Tamil film industry: Big B The CIFF took place in December . A total of 154 films from over 50 countries were screened at the festival. Even though Bollywood is bigger in size, it needs to learn from the Tamil film industry, megastar Amitabh Bachchan said in the event. "Bollywood may be bigger in size and popular, but it still needs to learn from the Tamil film industry. I've shot for a few films in Tamil Nadu, and built strong camaraderie with the industry, and in turn have understood how disciplined they are and the affection with which they treated me," Amitabh Bachchan said at the closing ceremony of the 10th Chennai International Film Festival (CIFF). "This is something Bollywood needs to learn from them," said Mr Bachchan, who was the chief guest at the event. "The Indian film industry may be the largest in the world but a major proportion of it consists of the southern film industry. The Tamil film industry is the pivotal part in the south and one can't ignore it come what may," the actor said.

Sridevi: 'Women tell me I've changed their lives with 'English Vinglish' Sridevi, who played a housewife ridiculed by her family for her poor English in Gauri Shinde's directorial debut English Vinglish, has revealed that many women thanked her after watching the film.At recent event the actress stated, "After watching this film many women approached me. Whenever I go out many ladies come up to me and tell me that I've changed their lives. Many of my daughter's friends went up to their mothers, after watching the film, and apologised for their behavior in the past and for being mean to them." English Vinglish marked Sridevi's comeback to Bollywood, after a sabbatical of 15 years.

There are rumours that Amala Paul is refusing to pair with new heroes. Amala Paul is currently pairing with Jayam Ravi in Nimirindhu Nil and with Vijay in Tamil film Thanga Magan.

She is also pairing with big heroes in Telugu films.

Amala Paul while speaking said, “There are rumours that I am stipulating conditions to producers that I will act with only big heroes. I have not stipulated any such conditions. Selecting the heroes is the responsibility of the producers and directors. I don’t interfere in these matters. I will act with new actors if I like the story. I have just come into the industry. If I had acted in 25 films, I could have stipulated conditions. I am ready to act if anyone gives me an opportunity. The directors select me only if the roles suit me. I have never recommended any heroes to pair with me.”

nth ika ajin hR wit ng rki Wo

Anurag Basu's 'Barfi!' out of Oscar race

Fans of b o t h Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan have been waiting to see the two superstars re-unite on screen but the actorfilmmaker says their coming together for a film would be a costly affair.

They have done a few films together in the early stages of their career, notably Apoorva Raagangal, which was the breakthrough film for Haasan and the debut film of Rajinikanth.

When asked about him teaming up with Rajinikanth again, Haasan said, "Working with Rajinikanth is a costly question. If both of us starred together, there would be no money to make the film! If we have a lot of money, maybe then we can star in a film together."

Remakes and sequels are the order of the da but ask him about revisiting his old hits like Sad and Ek Duje Ke Liye, Haasan says he won't fit those films anymore. "There are talks about making two of 'Sadma', where the female protagonist rem him and comes back, but I don't think I would f hero's role anymore.

Moreover, a tragedy is best left at that, it is a tr she doesn't return," said Haasan. The 58-year-old ly gearing up for the release of his new bigViswaroop, to release on January 11.

Haasan has written, directed and acted in the f Pooja Kumar, Rahul Bose, Andrea Jeremiah and Ja fast-paced thriller with an international subject. It the films that are being made in the genre of terro way we have made the film is different," said Haas The film will was shot simultaneously in Tamil maker Shekhar Kapur in a special role. "Shekhar a making a film togther. When I asked him to be a p with the enthusiasm of an amateur and worked on here today. "We are also shooting a second part of added.

Soha Ali Khan finally shares screen space with mom "We have been asked to do films together, my mother and I… (but) it never felt right before and there was no real reason for a real life mother and daughter in a film before this," said Soha. Actress Soha Ali Khan recalls a time when she was jealous of her brother and actor Saif Ali Khan for having worked with their mother in films. Not anymore.

Soha shares screen space with her mother, the legendary actor Sharmila Tagore, in an offbeat film, Life Goes On. Saif and Sharmila have worked together in films like Aashiq Awara and Eklavya: The Royal Guard. But when she read the script of Life Goes On she "felt this was the film that I would like to do. Yes, I wanted to be a part of my mother's filmography", said the star best known for her award winning role in the 2006 Aamir Khan hit Rang de Basanti.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th January 2013

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agedy because actor is current-budgeted thriller

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film, which also stars aideep Ahlawat. "It is a is very different from all rism and spy thrillers. The san. and Hindi and also stars filmnd I have been discussing about part of Viswaroop, he went about n this film," Haasan said at an event the film, which will be out soon," he

Sonakshi Sinha Does Not Want To Marry A Man Like Chulbul Pandey!

In Dabangg 2, Sonakshi Sinha might have played a loving wife, who is quite attached to her husband Chulbul Pandey, played

by Salman Khan. However, Sinha claims that in real life, a character like Chulbul Pandey is not her idea of an ideal man! In an interview, the Dabangg dame was quoted saying that she is not the kind of a woman, who would marry a man like Chulbul Pandey as the character is too larger than life for her. She moreover added that she is not in a hurry to choose a man as of now as she has a long way to go.

Sonakshi will be next seen playing the role of a boxer in the remake of Thupakki, which stars Akshay Kumar.

Bollywood fashionosta Sonam Kapoor has received her made-to-order heels from Italian luxury brand Salvatore Ferragamo.

Sonam was presented the designer footwear at the Salvatore Ferragamo Boutique in Mumbai. She had designed the special pair with the brand's shoe designer during her visit to Italy earlier this year.

Sonam was welcomed by the Ferragamo family at Palazzo Spini Feroni, the historic Florentine headquarters of Salvatore Ferragamo in Italy since 1938, in February.

She visited the headquarters as part of the 'Shoes for a Star', where she met with an expert shoe designer and technician, who measured her feet for wooden lasts, an essential part of the Ferragamo shoemaking process. Along with the shoe designer, she created a customised shoe in line with her tastes. In the years to come, the shoe cast of Sonam Kapoor will be exhibited at the Salvatore Ferragamo museum in Florence, alongside other precious shoe casts and shoes from stars and celebrities of all times, such as Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Sofia Loren, Madonna and Drew Barrymore. Among Bollywood stars, Priyanka Chopra and Abhishek Bachchan have had the honour earlier.

Allah Rakha Rahman, the Indian music composer who shot to global fame after winning an Oscar for the 2008 film 'Slumdog Millionaire, has unveiled his latest single titled Infinite Love after a hiatus of almost 15 years. Talking to reporters in Mumbai, Rahman described the song as a dream project and something that was very close to his heart.

"It is a dream project. After doing Maa Tujhe Salaam and Vande Mataram nothing was compelling enough for me to, you know, really get into the zone and once I thought of 'Infinite Love', I though it was a good 15 year break and it was time to do something very interesting," said Rahman.

Rahman said the song was very engaging as he was actively involved in post production as well. "This one song is equivalent to like 10 songs for me because the production and I was doing the concert and I was being a producer for this. I had to have many roles, was shuttling between roles and I was really engaged in the whole process, be it the shooting or the â&#x20AC;Ś It is a whole new learning process for me," he said.

In 2009, Rahman became the first Indian composer to triumph at the Oscars, winning for original score and original song in 'Slumdog Millionaire', a feat that earned him the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honour in 2010.The composer known for his calm demeanour struck gold twice at the Grammy Awards in 2010 adding to the Oscars he won for 'Slumdog Millionaire's' soundtrack and theme song 'Jai Ho'.

Known for his musical versatility -- from romantic compositions to foot-tapping numbers, Rahman has innovated with different instruments and sounds to create some of India's best-known musical hits for nearly two decades.

Despite earlier international credits such as the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical "Bombay Dreams", it is Rahman's work on British director Danny Boyle's Slumdog that endeared him to Western critics.

17

18

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th January 2013

Financial Voice Dear Financial Voice Reader,

Stocks and shares will have a good year. There are many things pointing to this, not just the views of myself and Goldman Sachs!

It is easy to forget that companies have been very profitable in 2012 as a general rule. This means they have piles of cash with which to make investments and expand. Of course retail has generally suffered, but many other sectors have done well.

Also in 2012 people being rather pessimistic about the economic situation globally, in the US and in Europe, were too afraid to demand stock, so the value of companies is not generally very expensive.

These companies will continue to borrow at very low interest rates and so again reduce their costs. The same companies we discovered, especially the US ones, were very good at avoiding paying tax, so they saved 20-40% right there.

So my predictions for 2013: 1. Apple will rise 50% 2. Samsung and Amazon will perform very well. (I sold my iPad and iPhone and moved to a Kindle Fire tablet and a Samsung phone, but keep my iPod and Apple TV!).

3. The stock market will rise around 15% 4. Don’t ask me about banks – you might as well throw a dice or flip a coin 5. Gold will rise, because the US government raised its ‘debt ceiling’ and whenever it does that, the price of Gold follows The best risers will be the ones of which least is expected – like Greece was in 2012. ‘Risk on’ means you move out of the safest markets, so I would not be surprised by a move to Chinese stocks, which did poorly as a whole in 2012.

The Euro will remain intact. The Euro currency will not weaken against the dollar or sterling – in fact it will probably get stronger against both.

The UAE market will bubble again, especially in real estate. Singapore will also bubble as the new ‘Dubai’ gets re-discovered.

Russia will disappoint as will India due to corruption leading to gains not feeding into the stock market. The Rupee should appreciate and get stronger though as it is very historically low at the moment and the risk-takes will be willing to buy Rupees and take the risk.

Of course one key reason for a good 2013 is avoiding the fiscal cliff. So you may ask, what about all this debt then? True – but the markets will worry about that in another year, not in 2013.

Perhaps my most interesting highlight of 2012, was a video of Warren Buffett’s office. The one-time richest man in the world, has a simple modest office. As Steve Jobs said, ‘There is genius in simplicity’. Keep your investments simple and distinguish the difference between holding your nerve, and keeping up hope.

CBI files chargesheet against 3 telcos, ex-DoT secy The CBI filed a charge sheet in connection with alleged irregularities in spectrum allocation during the NDA regime involving three telecom companies, including Bharti Airtel and Vodafone India, while pegging the loss at Rs 846 crore.

The CBI in its charge sheet filed before Special CBI Judge O P Saini named as accused Bharti Airtel Ltd, Vodafone India

Ltd and Hutchison Max and Sterling Cellular, retired IAS and former Telecom Secretary Shyamal Ghosh for alleged irregularities in grant of additional spectrum.

J R Gupta, former Deputy Director General (VAS) cell of DoT and former Director of BSNL, who was named in the FIR as one of the accused, has been made as one of the 73 witnesses in the case, the CBI told the court.

# " #

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# #

!

India's troubled Kingfisher Airlines has lost its permit to fly after a deadline to renew its suspended licence expired, the national aviation regulator said on Tuesday.

The news is a fresh blow for the debt-laden carrier whose operations have been grounded since October after employees went on strike over unpaid wages.

"Kingfisher's flying permit has lapsed," DGCA chief Arun Mishra told AFP. "They failed to provide additional details on the funding of operations," Mishra added, referring to Kingfisher's revival plan submitted to the DGCA last month.

But the airline said there is no "cause for concern" as the rules allow for the renewal of a permit

within two years of expiry.

"Kingfisher is confident of securing approval from the regulator on the restart plan, licence approval and reinstatement of its operating permit," its spokesman Prakash Mirpuri said in a statement late Monday.

Kingfisher, controlled by liquor baron Vijay Mallya, owes millions of

dollars to banks, airports, fuel suppliers and its staff and has been looking for a foreign investor to inject fresh funds.

The firm has been the worst-hit of India's airlines in 2012, with the industry plagued by high jet fuel prices, fierce competition, price wars and shabby airport infrastructure.

The carrier was India's

second-largest until a year ago but its share shrank to just 3.5% — the smallest in the country —before operations stalled completely.

Kingfisher said it was in talks with foreign investors including Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways after the government cleared investment by foreign airlines in the key transport sector.

Aviation analysts have expressed doubt over Etihad's purported interest in Bangalore-based Kingfisher given the Indian firm's debt load, which is estimated at $2.5 billion by the consultancy firm Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation.

FEATURED ARTICLES Soon, petrol prices may change daily

values and beliefs of the ethnic audience that is being targeted.

Patel explains further; “It is only when customers are comfortable speaking to a supplier who they feel understands their beliefs that you have respect – which is necessary for confidence in and loyalty to the brand.”

CNGBS provides ethnic sales & marketing services for two types of clients; brands looking to reach ethnic- owned retailers selling their products; and also for wholesalers who are searching for new retail customers while growing sales from their existing customers.

CNGBS helps brands more effectively reach into the independent retail sector where a large proportion of retailers are now ethnicowned, and by South Asians in particular – this area includes newsagents, convenience stores, petrol stations, high street fashion and pharmacy sectors.

For example, CNGBS helps brands by directly contacting retailers to advise about special offers and new product launches, to carry out customer service calls, to ensure retailers know about any relevant new legislation, and to ensure they are aware of how best to merchandise a particular product. And the business has unique selling points. As CNGBS’s teams work 24/7, they are able to call late in the evening or early in the morning to ensure they reach the relevant decision makers, plus they are multilingual in all main South Asian languages so they can ensure

their message is conveyed.

Frequently, retail store owners come in early to open or late to shut the shop and are out for most of the day, so having a team that is flexible and capable enough to reach the target retailer is important.

For wholesalers catering to or wanting to cater to ethnic owned retailers, CNGBS provides a different range of solutions.

The services include sales ordering and prospecting for new customers, which can be conducted remotely from CNGBS’s office in India.

Many wholesalers provide CNGBS with target prices for the items they are selling plus minimum selling prices that an item can be sold for. This means that when the sales team speak to retailers, if they can give examples of items being sold for less, CNGBS has pricing flexibility to ensure a sale is made –even if it is at a lower margin. And a sale at a lower profit margin is better than no sale at all! The team regularly rings customers when there are special promotions or to clear wholesale stock which has a short shelf-life.

The sales team also prospects for new retailers in the wholesaler’s delivery area and finds new customers when a wholesaler is opening a new depot or looking to broaden its delivery postcodes.

The process is seamless and as wholesalers provide electronic access to their ordering systems, all that is needed is to ensure that supplies are loaded from the depot onto the rele-

vant delivery vans. Even the logistics can be supported remotely; sites can be called before the delivery van arrives so they are ready and waiting. It is a quick and easy way for wholesale businesses to acquire new customers.

Even the pricing which CNGBS charges wholesalers is unusual –for they are able to price the service based on the volume of sales generated, so if no new sales are generated, there is nothing for the wholesaler to pay.

This makes it very easy for wholesalers to use the services with no risk.

CNGBS’ client mix is broad and many prefer to use its services anonymously without letting the retailer knowing they are speaking to an outsourced third party. However, CNGBS’s clients include some very well-known brands like Payzone, one of the UK’s leading payment service providers and Toshiba, the photocopying giant.

As more suppliers look to target the ethnic segment, CNGBS is likely to be dominating behind the scenes, enabling their needs to be fulfilled!

Vijay Mallya

Sanjeev Patel- the entrepreneur turning a niche market into a goldmine!

Rani Singh

Sanjeev Patel, Managing Director of York- based outsourcing company CNG Business Services (CNGBS), has made a success out of something very obvious but ignored by most. If you want to target Asian - owned businesses, then studies show that tailored marketing can double sales! In his thirties, Sanjeev is a classic, dynamic entrepreneur.

More than 5% of the UK population has an ethnicity that is neither black nor white, and of this 5%, 75% are from South Asia – mainly India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. This provides a lucrative, relatively untapped, market for suppliers who can access this sector. Step in CNGBS! CNGBS now offers ethnic sales and marketing services from its Indian base in Mumbai.

Sanjeev Patel says, “Selectively marketing to particular demographics in society is big business and national brands are now realising the potential of supplementing their existing sales and marketing campaigns with targeted programmes focusing on ethnic-owned businesses.

As our business has evolved from the retail space, we are ideally placed to assist suppliers in their campaigns as we know what a retailer expects and we understand how he thinks.”

The biggest hurdle is cultural and linguistic sensitivity. To succeed in this market, brands must use marketing strategies that encompass the cultural

Sanjeev Patel

financial voice

www.abplgroup.com - asian Voice 5th January 2013

19

Scoring a goal even when the posts have been moved

Suresh Vagjiani Sow & Reap A Property Investment Company

On the Friday just before the Christmas break we managed to exchange on a large lump of property in Ealing, consisting of 4,000sq ft, currently registered as a nursing home.

It is currently used as a care home and we are confident in getting planning for conversion into a number of residential flats. The rest of the road is all residential and the planners are of the same opinion.

Exchange was very difficult to execute on time, the reason being because both the solicitors were overloaded with completions and exchanges, and of course everyone thinks theirs is the most urgent, but obviously ours was!

Our solicitor had 19 exchanges to do on the same day and the seller's had five to do on the same day.

Hence we had to oil the machine and ensure our one happened on the day as well and didn't get forgotten in the pile, otherwise anything can happen over Christmas. I mean someone could offer more money or the seller can even change his mind. We had a further time pressure in that the seller needed the funds on the day to execute another deal.

T he property w e purchased wasn’t on the market, the seller wasn’t even looking to sell it. We tracked him down, via a mutually known solicitor, and made him an offer.

It was originally purchased from a charity and was bought at a very good price. The purchaser was planning on refurbishing it, but instead we got him to resell it to us prior to completion.

The deal was agreed on the basis we purchase both properties bought by the seller.

There were two properties both freehold houses as part of the deal, the deal was on the basis both will be purchased simultaneously.

Later down the line we realised one of the properties, whilst being a good deal, had less meat on the bone than the other.

Simply put generally the bigger the deal size, the better the margin, not always but generally true. In our case one was priced at £1.5m, and the other at £840,000.

Consequently it was decided to drop the lesser one. The question was: how should we should play this in order not to scarper the whole deal? We definitely wanted the larger property and had the funds lined up to exchange but we were not too sure how to suggest this to the seller as in all fairness we did agree the deal on the basis both properties will be purchased.

We were thinking that perhaps we can suggest we will pay for one now and then we exchange on the other post christmas holidays.... we decided to lay our cards down to his solicitor and told her we only currently wanted to purchase one, after all she had brought this deal to us.

The vendor was not having it. The reason he decided to take the deal was so that he could release funds to do another deal for which he had a deadline to execute. Therefore it had to be both the properties or nothing, as he needed more funds than £148,000 which is what the bigger property would give to him.

We were in a dilemma. The property we picked up for £1.48m was a very good deal and we didn't want to let it go. The other property was a great buy to let but didn't have the certainty of a buy and sell.

Buying and selling has become our primary focus now, not sourcing to purchase and hold. To do this you need bigger margins of discount to allow for the stamp duty at these levels. Generally you don't get these deals handed on a plate, you need to take a view on the situation.

The seller was within his rights to increase the purchase price for the individual property as this was no longer the same deal anymore - we had moved the goal posts.

The Real Deal Purchase Price: £250,000 (£542 per Sq/Ft) l A large and bright one bedroom flat l A spacious reception room with open-plan kitchen and dining area, bright bedroom and shower room l Benefits from its proximity to the shops and amenities of Maida Vale and the open spaces of Paddington Recreation Ground l The closest transport links are Maida Vale Station l In the borough of Westminster, rental of £325pw achievable l Properties on the same road have gone for over £700 per Sq FT l Share of freehold l An extremely cheap BTL flat

Call now to purchase

Because the information came from his solicitor we knew it to be true.

When we know the problem we can come up with ways to address it, so we made a suggestion of increasing the amount of exchange and releasing it to him on exchange. Normally the solicitor would keep the exchange amount until completion, and this would only be 10% of the purchase price.

We suggested he take 5% extra to help him exchange on the other purchase as his solicitor confirmed this would be sufficient.

This was promptly accepted by the seller and we managed to close the deal on the basis of a larger exchange amount and on the basis it would be released to the seller on exchange.

When two parties are honest and put all their cards on the table problems can be resolved. Issues most often arise when parties are not honest and therefore problems cannot be resolved as nobody knows what they are resolving. Sounds basic but deals can be broken on this basis alone.

However putting all cards on the table risks creating another scenario altogether, especially if the other side is in a position of weakness. The fear in their mind is always about the possibility of the other side exploiting their situation. For example if the seller was about to be repossessed we could use this information to chip the price at the last minute.

In this situation both parties were property people so there exists a certain level of understanding. And we also live in a small world - of course a bad reputation travels around like a bad smell.

The property was purchased for £1.48m, with completion set for February 2013. We have already had a surveyor access the property to get plans done and start looking at what can be achieved regarding planning. From a very prima facie observation we are looking at 4-6 flats.

Although the property consists of 4,000 sq ft, this is deceptive as the top floor is slanting therefore you can't count the full floor area. To compensate we haven't allowed for the possibility of extension to the property. This will add further square footage, and the land print is very large so there is a lot of possibility. The property looks as if it has been untouched for decades.

It is always better to have several exit plans and exercise them simultaneously. This is more work but your position becomes stronger. The plan you originally had may evolve as you start to explore several avenues, instead of only considering one.

What this means is we will also be looking to offload this property prior to completion for a quick profit. Whilst in the process of applying for planning for flats, we will be applying for funding at the same time in anticipation of completion.

Commercial lenders aren't not very forthcoming with funds especially for development projects, this is why there has been entry into the UK lending markets from foreign banks. Companies which are currently lending are very fussy regarding both the types of clients and the projects. Initially they say yes and then several months later after they have undressed the applicants and the project they turn around and say no.

I have always been intuitively averse to bridging finance, just because of the high rates and the charges going in and coming out, however due to the current situation these institutions are becoming a good option.

Currently on the market you finds deals which make sense, in spite of the higher costs of funding.

A big positive with bridging is it reduces the amount of deposit which gets tied up in a project, giving you a higher return on your money as there's less of it buried in the deal.

The project, in my opinion, must not only stack up today but must be in a strong enough area where the price is continually increasing. This way you have a stronger chance of coming out on top even if some of the variables do not go in your favour.

We provide a turnkey solution. Contact us now:

Specialists in Central London Property Sourcing

0207 313 4595 55 Bryanston Street, Marble Arch Tower, London, W1H 7AA

Tips of the Week l With the turbulence of the world economy this is the time to take control of your wealth, banks, institutions and governments cannot be trusted with this task l A heavily discounted property may not be the best buy. Where is the price going to go in the years to come? It may stay the same, or go even lower

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financial voice

www.abplgroup.com - asian Voice 5th January 2013

The First Golden Rule of Good Investing

The Third Rule of Investing - Research Maria Fernandes Mr Justin Urquhart Stewart

Seek and ye shall find – well maybe, but only with a bit of research. Good research is not about guesswork, pages and pages of statistics or even some complicated mathematical equation to establish the odds as to whether the winner is going to be on black or red. No, good research is all about knowing your subject, and conducting a reasoned evaluation leading to a viable decision. Thus please beware the tip sheets, the newspaper and magazine “buy” recommendations. Frankly these are no better than the racing tips on the sports pages.

For many years some such magazines used to pay a small amount per “tip” and thus their strength and veracity were at the very least dubious. Many others I have seen come from the larger institutions and thus apply to institutional trading rather than to individuals, and by the time they reach the wider public they are as fresh as an old Brussels sprout and about as useful.

The art of good research is focus. When faced with a globe of investment opportunities in a myriad of different asset classes from shares to currencies and commodities, it is so easy to be drawn in by the siren cries of different investments as they call out for your money. However it is when these calls are at their loudest that it is time for some discipline.

If you want to be a successful share investor then choose a small number of potential investments and study them carefully so that over a matter of a few months you will quickly become far more expert in them. The good news is that these days there are a legion of information sources often available very cheaply or more often free from the web. With on line notifications of news on your search engine, you can often be as well informed as any city analyst. In fact you will be surprised to know how much you do know, even compared to some of the supposed professional analysts themselves who certainly don’t always seem to be as knowledgeable as they would claim. But which to choose?

The art of this is to keep life simple and I would suggest that you consider just 6 stocks. I would select some quite large companies traded on the UK market and within the FTSE 350. Why? Well you need your companies to have a good news flow, as well as to be easily traded. The temptation is often to go for smaller companies on the basis that you can get some dramatic price rises in percentage terms (and falls!), however what you can often find is that trading in smaller companies can be somewhat fraught. Not only can the spreads between the buying and selling price be like a tub of margarine, and thus lose much of any potential gain you thought you had, but also quite often there may be no purchasers to take the stock off your hands! Very frustrating and a waste of your investment monies.

Better then to follow these larger companies and learn to understand how, when and why they are weaker or stronger, and thus when they are worth buying or selling. You can then strike like a cobra from a position of knowledge and expertise, or bide your time when the situation looks poor. You can invest with conviction, rather than relying on mutter from the gutter or a second hand punt.

So the third golden rule is to be focussed on a small number of quality stocks with lots of news and trading. Now you will be a long-term, informed investor armed with knowledge and evaluation skills, and using your own expertise and judgement rather than the whims of a tip sheet or a stock pusher.

Justin

Seven Investment Management 125 Old Broad Street London EC2N 1AR Tel: 020 7760 8777

maria@abplgroup.com

A Mixed Bag of Problems: Inroads into Rights of Individuals

There have been substantial changes to the immigration rules in the last year. We have seen the introduction of a new income requirement of £18,600 which looks reasonable but has a number of nasty hidden extras; dependent parents can only qualify if they are virtually on their death bed; and the process for the grant of work permits is balanced against the employer and employee and where the principle of giving reasons for actions is being eroded.

The appeals process,

which had a success rate of 40% and indicated that there was a systemic problem, was dealt with by a reduction in rights of appeal. With dwindling rights of appeal at the lower courts, increasing numbers of applicants took their cases to the High Court to challenge arbitrary decisions. The Justice Secretary is now proposing to reduce numbers. There are plans to reduce the period within which a Judicial Review application must be made from 3 months to 1 month.

Usually in cases brought

before the High Court, parties are under a duty to attempt to settle the matter and only if such mediation attempts fail can proceedings be brought. The reduction in the deadline for bringing claims will be a lowering of attempts to mediate. Judicial Review is an important avenue for holding the state to account and an essential process in a democratic system.

There are also worrying signs of debate on the Human Rights Act. The UK are signatories to the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Human Rights Act was passed to, as it aptly stated at the time, “bring human rights home”.

Until 2000, human rights claims had to be made at Strasbourg and often took years to decide. The Act meant that human rights claims became incorporated into our legal system.

A Commission that was established to investigate the creation of a UK Bill of Rights has failed to reach a consensus. Two of the members did not support the creation of a Bill

Cyrus Mistry can hit the ground running

Cyrus Mistry, who takes over captaincy of the Tata group this Friday, doesn’t have to worry about the wicket. With a team comprising some of India’s best corporate leaders — all carefully handpicked by his predecessor — Mistry can surely hit the ground running. For, Ratan Tata is passing on to Mistry a group much bigger, more profitable, more diversified and financially stronger than what he inherited from his uncle, JRD Tata, in 1991.

Mistry will be chairman when Tata Sons is firmly in control, with a shareholding of well above 30 per cent in all group companies. He inherits a group 51 times larger in terms of revenues and profits than Tata did in 1991. The group has grown at a compound annual rate of 21.7 per cent. Its growth has been at a higher pace than the increase in India’s gross domestic product, which grew at a CAGR of 14.4 per cent at current prices, according to Central Statistical Organisation estimates. The group also beat the stock market, with its market capitalisation growing at a faster rate than the BSE benchmark Sensex during the period from FY92 to FY12.

The group has four companies in the Sensex — with a combined weight of 13 per cent — second only to the governmentowned companies that together weigh 26 per cent.

Under Ratan Tata’s watch, the group spent $20 billion — nearly a quarter of the group’s current assets — on acquiring marquee assets, most of which still deliver below-par returns. This opened him

to criticism from markets and analysts. “Marquee acquisitions did bring in revenues and global attention but where are the financial returns?” asks the head of a Mumbaibased brokerage house, on condition of anonymity.

The growth in market capitalisation has been slower than headline numbers but that is not a like-tolike comparison. In 1992, India was in the middle of a bull run, while the economy at present is experiencing a downturn, and valuations are depressed. This is clear in Tata Group’s performance against the Sensex. At the end of March this year, the group was 15 times more valuable than in March 1992. Even if we exclude Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the group’s combined market value has risen eight times since 1992.

In comparison, the BSE Sensex has appreciated a little over four times during the period (see table).

Despite his costly foreign adventures, Tata is retiring with lower debt-toequity and higher return on net worth than those when he came in. This is partly attributed to free cash flow from TCS. “Even without TCS, most of the large Tata Group companies are financially well placed and Tata Sons has multiple avenues to raise

resources, if needed,” says Deep Narayan Mukherjee, director of India Rating, which currently rates a dozen Tata companies.

Twenty years after Tata took over, the group is more diversified and less prone to business cycles than earlier.

In 1992, there were 21 listed companies in the group. This tally has now increased to 29, including subsidiaries and associates of key group companies such as Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Chemicals, Indian Hotels, Tata Power and Tata Global Beverages, among others. The group’s holding company directly owns and controls only 14 firms.

To that extent, the group has a clean and welldefined ownership structure, with one firm in control of all group assets in a particular sector. For instance, all steel and related assets are housed under Tata Steel. This not only caps the risks of minority shareholders but also gives them the freedom to choose the sector they wish to invest in. This is unlike other business houses such as Reliance Industries and Mahindra & Mahindra where the flagship company holds all group ventures.

Since 1992, the Tata group has transformed from an old-styled conglomerate, earning 90 per cent of its revenues from industrial products such as heavy trucks & buses, steel, inorganic chemicals and electricity. Its portfolio now includes some of India’s most successful consumer brands such as Titan, Fastrack, Tata Tea, Tata Salt, Tetley, Westside, Tata Docomo, Voltas, Croma, Tata Sky and Jaguar Land Rover, among others.

of Rights.

Baroness Kennedy, the renowned human rights lawyer, and Professor Phillip Sands raised fears that it could be used as an excuse to get the UK out of its obligations under the Convention. In their words, “it is not a risk we are willing to take.” The Chairman has proposed that the rights could be extended under the new Bill to include equality.

Finally, the UKBA have swiftly brought in last minute changes. The change is to apply the new law introduced on the 13th December to applications made on or before that date, i.e. the change is retrospective.

On this depressing note, I take this opportunity to wish all the readers of my column a Happy Christmas and joyful 2013.

Maria Fernandes has been in practice exclusively in immigration for the past 25 years. Fernandes Vaz is based at 87 Wembley Hill Road Wembley in Wembley and can be contacted by telephone on 02087330123, by email on info@fernandesvaz.com.

India ranks a low 40th amongst 50 most dynamic economies'

India has been ranked at a low position of 40 among 50 economies in the world in terms of "dynamism", which was topped by Singapore, in a list compiled by assurance, tax and advisory firm Grant Thornton.

According to Grant Thornton's Global Dynamism Index (GDI), India was ranked 40th among 50 economies, which were analysed on 22 indicators of dynamism.

They were done across five categories: business operating environment, economics & growth, science & technology, labour & human capital and financing environment. The GDI Index defines dynamism as the changes to the economy which have enabled recovery from the 2008-09 economic recession and are likely to lead to a fast rate of future growth.

Singapore has emerged as the most dynamic economy in the world, followed

by Finland in the list, Sweden was ranked third, Israel (fourth), Austria (fifth), Australia (sixth), Switzerland (seventh), Korea (eighth), Germany (ninth) and United States (10th).

However, in terms of economics and growth, India was ranked as high as fifth, behind Argentina, China, Uruguay and Chile.

"Despite recent signs of a slowdown, emerging markets look set to dictate the pace at which the global economy will expand, at least in the medium term.

In terms of other parameters, India fared badly. Out of 50 countries, India was ranked 46.

Financial Voice

www.abplgroup.com - asian Voice 5th January 2013

21

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

A challenging year ends and another begins With 2012 over, so ends a hugely challenging year for the global economy. The US spent the entirety of the year battling high unemployment and low growth, whilst the developed Asian economies faltered; falling into recession and the developing economies saw problems of their own as the strain of the euro zone crisis took its toll on the previously robust progress.

Going forward into the New Year, though the current problems faced are still present, the progress made has been encouraging. US unemployment is now on the decline, and provided that the expected deal over the US fiscal cliff doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t slow momentum, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foremost economy could see further signs of improvement in 2013. One caveat is at what point Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s colossal debts are deemed unmanageable, it is foregone that the debt ceiling will need to be raised, but where will market forces draw the line.

Europe has been at the forefront of problems, as the debt

crisis continued to stifle the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prospects. The theme of the year has been austerity, as numerous European governments were pressurised to cut spending and increase taxes in order to reduce their national debt levels. Spain and Greece were heavily hit with numerous protests at the levels of austerity, as the troika made it a requisite before any bailout funds were made available to the troubled nations.

Successfully complying with the ECBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s demands, Greece most recently achieved the bailout that the markets so desperately yearned for. Since then the euro has performed admirably as investors were buoyed by the euro zoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s backing. Eventually this feel-good factor will wear and the fear that the can has just been kicked further down the road could rear itself once again.

For now though, confidence remains. This has been reflected in the weakness of the dollar which, prior to the wobbles

related to the fiscal cliff, had deteriorated as investors looked for greater returns in the riskier currencies.

In Japan, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s other safe haven; the economy has been under duress as even its exports had declined. In order to stimulate the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s domestic and foreign demand, the Japanese elected Shinzo Abe as the Prime Minister, whose aggressive stance on monetary easing endeared him to those fed

0 8 0 8

$ 0 4 5

up of the eastern economyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s poor performance. Since his election the yen has weakened significantly against its counterparts, the exact strategy to boost the attractiveness of Japanese products in 2013.

Despite many serious issues as the global slowdown continued, many leaders have taken firm action to address the problems faced by their respective countries. Going into 2013, the problems persist; inflated unemployment and little or no growth are the main worries, however the structural changes that were deemed necessary are likely to be implemented. There are no quick fixes to the extensive problems and there will be numerous crises in confidence, overall though, 2013 has an improved platform to build from.

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 2nd January 2013 @ 3pm GBP - INR = 88.428 USD - INR = 54.23 EUR - INR = 71.85 GBP - USD = 1.63 GBP - EUR = 1.23 EUR - USD = 1.32 GBP - AED = 5.99 GBP - CAD = 1.60 GBP - NZD = 1.55 GBP - AUD = 1.62 GBP - ZAR = 13.87 GBP - HUF = 358.43

www.rationalfx.com Information provided by RationalFX. None of the information on this page constitutes, nor should be construed as financial advice. The exchange rates used areâ&#x20AC;&#x201A;the commercial foreign exchange rates provided by RationalFX. For a live quote or to find out more about how RationalFXâ&#x20AC;&#x201A;can help you, call us on 0207 220 8181.

PX XJ S F U S B OT G FS

G FFT

B OE OP IJ EEFO D PT U T

22

Pakistan-Bangladesh-sri lanka

In Focus Ajmal Kasab's village men in Pak lash out at India

Islamabad: Residents of Ajmal Kasab's village in Pakistan, after hearing the news of the execution of the terrorist, lashed out at India and hounded journalists who asked about the gunman. The impoverished village of Faridkot, the former home of the 25-year-old Kasab, who was the lone surviving gunman behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks, lies in the farming belt of Punjab province - the residents of which are mostly illiterate farmers and labourers. "We don't like anyone being given capital punishment. It is better to pardon. India is Pakistan's enemy and wants to weaken our country. We have no interest whatsoever in what India did with Kasab," said 50-yearold farmer, Ghulam Mustafa Wattoo. "This is a conspiracy against Pakistan. India deliberately implicated Pakistan to get it declared a terrorist state," said landlord Muhammad Zaman, 50.

Malala Yousafzai asks Pak not to change college name

Peshawar: Pakistani teen activist Malala Yousufzai, while taking note of the insecurity prevailing among the students of a girls' college in Swat which was renamed after the 15-year-old Taliban victim, has requested the government to change the college name to end the unrest among the students.Malala, who is currently being treated in Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital in England, called the District Coordination Officer (DCO) Kamran Rahman and requested him to retain the original name of the college so that the students could attend their classes.

Pakistan releases four more Taliban prisoners

Islamabad: Pakistan released another four Afghan Taliban prisoners, including former justice minister Mullah Nooruddin Turabi, as part of a process designed to kickstart peace efforts, a government official said. "Four Taliban prisoners have been released," the Pakistani official told AFP on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

"They include former Taliban justice minister Nooruddin Turabi and ex-governor of Helmand province, Abdul Bari," the official added.Turabi is said to be suffering from poor health. According to the UN website, he was appointed a Taliban military commander in Afghanistan in mid2009 and was a deputy to Taliban supreme leader Mullah Omar.

Three killed, 12 injured in Pakistan blast

Karachi: At least three people were killed and 12 others injured when a powerful blast ripped through a bus outside a railway station in the Pakistani port city of Karachi. The explosion targeted a bus that was at a terminal near the Cantonment Railway Station, Five of the 12 injured were in serious condition and women were among the wounded, they said. No group claimed responsibility for the blast.

Pakistan must find out who was behind 26/11

Islamabad: Pakistan must get to the bottom of who exactly was responsible for 26/11 and bring them to justice, demanded a Pakistani daily. The US State Department has determined that Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and two of its former directors general enjoy immunity and cannot be tried in a New York federal court in the Mumbai attacks case, said an editorial. The editorial went on to say that Pakistan "must cooperate in a transparent manner in getting to the bottom of who exactly was responsible for 26/11 and bring them to justice"."This is in the interests of the normalisation of relations process that is ongoing between the two countries Mumbai attacks were a 'spoilers' effort that they should not be allowed to succeed and hold both countries hostage to their own agenda," it added.

www.abplgroup.com - asian Voice 5th January 2013

BENAZIR BHUTTO'S SON STEPS INTO PAKISTAN'S POLITICAL SPOTLIGHT Islamabad: ‘Kill a Bhutto and another will emerge’, the young Bhutto-Zardari said.

Pakistani President Asif Zardari says his son's training has begun. The 24-yearold son of the late Benazir Bhutto, groomed to take the reins of power in Pakistan, came of age politically exactly five years after the assassination of his mother Benazir Bhutto who was killed five years ago in a gun-suicide bomb attack Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari flexed his tender political muscles at a rally with his father, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, near the family home in Sindh province ahead of next year's elections.

He delivered a political stump speech acknowledging problems in Pakistan, such as

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari

the devastation caused by floods. He also slammed the terror that led to his mother's killing and asked why there have been no convictions for the crime.

He also backed Malala Yousafzai, the young Pakistani blogger who became an international cause celebre after she was shot by the Taliban in

October this year for supporting the education of girls -- a practice much reviled and feared by Islamic militants.

Bhutto-Zardari said that the government has adopted law that protects women in property disputes and from domestic abuse. He tied the assault on Malala to the killing of his mother, condemning and confidently rejecting threats.

"To those who attack Malala, I say, if you attack one Malala, thousands of Malalas will be born," he said.

"We are the followers of Bhutto. If you kill one Bhutto, a Bhutto will emerge from each household."

For every Benazir Bhutto slain, or martyred, he said, "every woman will become a Benazir."

"You will stamp out one

lantern, then millions of lights will burn bright."

Bhutto, the first woman elected prime minister in a Muslim nation, led Pakistan twice, from 1988 to 1990 and then again from 1993 to 1996.

Both times she was prime minister, she was dismissed from office amid allegations of corruption. She was killed in 2007, shortly after returning to Pakistan from a selfimposed, eight-year exile to run in the country's general elections.

"Our party will never fear any terrorist," he told the crowd Thursday in Urdu, the Pakistani language that isn't his native tongue. "Our road is the road to democracy."

His speech had a populist tinge and a warning to his party's enemies.

US to reimburse $688 million Kidnap girl's emotional to Pakistan for cost of troops reunion with mother on Afghan-Pak border Washington: The United States has decided to reimburse Pakistan $688 million for the cost of providing support for some 140,000 troops on the border with Afghanistan.

Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter notified Congress that the US would make the payment to Islamabad for expenses incurred from June through November 2011.

"In making this determination, I find that the reimbursement is consistent with the national security interest of the United States and will not adversely affect the balance of power in the region," Carter wrote in the Dec. 6 letter.

Lawmakers have

Pakistan briefly lifts block on YouTube

Islamabad: Pakistan lifted its block on YouTube - but only for a few hours.The ban was imposed in September 2012 following violent protests in the country and around the world over an anti-Islam video on the website. YouTube was unblocked on 29 December following government work on a filtering system designed to stop people seeing blasphemous material. However, when the filter proved ineffective the Pakistan government re-imposed its blanket ban on the site.The lifting of the ban was widely expected after Pakistan's interior minister Rehman Malik sent a tweet saying the country's ISPs were about to be told to lift the ban.

The September block followed the publicity around a translated version of a video called Innocence of Muslims that sparked protests over its depiction of the Prophet Mohammed. The original version of the amateur film was put on YouTube in July. In Pakistan protests over the film led to 20 deaths and caused significant damage in many cities.

expressed frustration with Pakistan, questioning its commitment in the fight against terrorism and using the foreign aid budget to punish Islamabad. The anger boiled over after the killing of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in May 2011, with suggestions that the country was harboring the terrorist leader.

The relationship improved slightly this year when Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton apologised to Pakistan for the killing of 24 Pakistani troops in late 2011 and Pakistan, in return, agreed to reopen the overland supply lines to USled coalition forces.

The reimbursement had been held up for months.

London: A mother whose daughter was abducted by her father and taken to Pakistan wept with joy after an emotional reunion with the girl she had feared she would never see again.

Six-year-old Atiya AnjumWilkinson had been separated from her mother for more than half her life after vanishing three years ago on her third birthday.

But after being tracked down by Pakistani authorities, Atiya arrived at Manchester airport last night.

Gemma Wilkinson, her mother, said: “She had a big smile on her face. Atiya was told that I was mummy – and she said ‘mummy’ and smiled.”

Ms Wilkinson’s ordeal began in November 2009 after Atiya went to stay with her father, former insurance

Pak assumes UN Security Council presidency, PM, FM to chair special sessions

Islamabad: Pakistant assumed this month's presidency of the UN Security Council and will hold special sessions on peacekeeping and counter-terrorism.

"During its presidency, Pakistan will help Council members to forge consensus and bridge differences. Ours will be an effective presidency," Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN, Masood Khan said.

Pakistan began its twoyear term as non-permanent member of the 15-nation Security Council last year and will be the President of the UN body for the month of January, the first time that Pakistan has assumed the rotational office of the UNSC during its present term.

Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf would be in New York to chair the January 21 open debate on 'UN Peacekeeping: a multidimensional approach', which

Hina Rabbani Khar

would take a comprehensive view of UN peacekeeping.

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar would chair a Ministerial level session on January 15 on counter-terrorism.

The UN Security Council has five veto-holding permanent members - the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China - and 10 nations that are elected as non-permanent members without vetoes.

salesman Razwan Ali Anjum, who said he was taking Atiya to Southport.

Anjum, 28, who had been spurned by Gemma, instead flew to Lahore in his native Pakistan with Atiya before contacting her mother saying: "You'll never see your daughter again."

Anjum is currently serving the latest in a series of prison sentences in the UK for defying a High Court order to reveal his daughter’s whereabouts.

Fatwa prohibits uploading photos on matrimonial sites Bareilly: An organisation of Sunni Muslim clerics here have termed as 'haraam' the uploading of photos on the internet for matrimonial purpose and on social networking sites.

The fatwa issued by Madarsa Manzar-e-Islam of Dargah Aala Hazrat came in response to a question posed by a man from Kanpur.

He had asked whether it was appropriate according to Islamic laws to post pictures on matrimonial and social Mufti Syed Mohammad Kafeel replied that this action would be considered 'haraam'. However, he said bio-data could be posted on the internet without photo.

Imam of Shahi Jama Masjid Mufti Khurshid Alam said a fatwa of Mufti Azam Hind was already available in which he has termed photos without necessity as 'haraam'.

He, however, said a photo can be used for passport and other application forms wherever it is necessary.

World

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th January 2013

In Focus Raped by 42 men in 40 days.

16 years later, she awaits justice

Thiruvananthapuram: When she was 16, she was raped by 42 men in 40 days.

In Kerala, her case is known as the Suryanelli rape case, after the village where she lived with her parents. They have moved houses twice since then, driven out they say by jeering neighbours.

"Nobody accepts us; when they see us, they try to avoid us. We don't go out," said her father. As a teen, she was abducted by a bus conductor who raped her, then passed her onto others, some of who were powerful and well-connected in Kerala at the time. She was then discarded with no money and in no condition to return home - she couldn't sit or stand because of her injuries.It was her case that led in 1999, 35 people accused of raping her were convicted. But the Kerala High Court, three years later, reversed that decision, holding only one person guilty.

141 media workers killed across the globe: 2012 deadliest

Syria: At least 17 journalists, 44 citizen journalists and four media assistants were killed in 2012 in Syria. This has been the deadliest year for journalists, according to both the International Press Institute (IPI) and the Paris-based press watchdog, Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The bald numbers show 88 journalists were killed (up 33% on the year before) and a further 47 people described as "netizens and citizen journalists" were killed along with six "media assistants." That's a total of 141.

Hillary Clinton has blood clot in brain, full recovery expected

Washington: Doctors are confident that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will make a full recovery despite the discovery of a potentially dangerous blood clot between the brain and the skull behind her right ear. The clot did not result in any stroke or neurological damage, her doctors at a New York hospital said Monday as they treated her with blood thinners to help dissolve the clot located in a vein. Clinton was admitted to New York Presbyterian Hospital due to the clot that was discovered during a follow-up exam related to a concussion she suffered in December. Clinton, who is planning to retire from public life once her designated successor senator John Kerry is confirmed by the Senate, would be released once the medication dose had been established, doctors said.

Thousands demanding greater democracy

Sydney: Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Hong Kong, calling for its embattled leader to quit and demanded greater democracy 15 years after the former British territory returned to Chinese rule. Organisers said they expected 50,000 people to join the New Year’s Day march against Leung Chun-ying. Since taking office in July, Leung’s popularity has tumbled and he has faced a no-confidence vote in the legislature amid a row over illegal structures at his luxury home, which is a politically sensitive issue in the city.

Plane crashes in Canada with 9 on board

Sanikiluaq: Authorities say a plane en route from Winnipeg to the remote Arctic territory of Nunavut has crashed with nine people on board. The Perimeter Aviation plane aborted a landing and crashed less than a kilometre from the end of a runway in the community of Sanikiluaq.

Sex, drugs and rock and roll: Australia's other boom

Canberra: Forget Australia's mining boom.

The nation's strong economy, high currency and wages have made it a magnet for sex, drugs and rock and roll.

Foreign sex workers, drug smugglers and global rock acts are all targeting Australia to cash in on an economy growing at 3.1 percent when other developed nations are struggling to expand at all.

23

HUGO CHAVEZ SUFFERS NEW COMPLICATIONS IN CANCER FIGHT Caracas: President Hugo Chavez's new complications after cancer surgery prompted his closest allies to call for Venezuelans to pray for him, presenting an increasingly bleak outlook and prompting growing speculation about whether the ailing leader has much longer to live.

Vice President Nicolas Maduro looked weary and spoke with a solemn expression as he announced in a televised address from Havana that Chavez now confronts “new complications'' due to a respiratory infection nearly three weeks after his operation. He described Chavez's condition as delicate.

The streets of Caracas were abuzz with talk of Chavez's increasingly tough fight, while the news topped

60 dead in New Year's celebration in Ivory Coast

Abidjan: At least 60 people died and dozens more were injured in Abidjan as crowds stampeded overnight during celebratory New Year's fireworks, Ivory Coast rescue workers informed. The head of military rescue workers, Lieutenant Colonel Issa Sako, told public television that "60 people" died and 200 were injured based on a preliminary toll. Another rescue official said the toll was "61 dead and 48 injured".

The rescue official said the injured had been taken to hospitals in Abidjan.

The flow of people coming to the entrance of the city's main stadium to watch the fireworks caused a "very large crush", Sako said. "In the crush, people were walked over and suffocated by the crowd."Images broadcast by RTI television showed bodies stretched lifeless on the ground. Piles of abandoned shoes and clothing could also be seen at the stadium, where soldiers and police were deployed.

Hugo Chavez

the front pages of the country's newspapers.

“He's history now,'' said Cesar Amaro, a street vendor selling newspapers and snacks at a kiosk in downtown Caracas. He motioned to a daily on the rack showing side-by-side photos of Maduro and National

Assembly President Diosdado Cabello, and said politics will now turn to them.

Amaro said he expects a new election soon to replace Chavez. “For an illness like the one the president has, his days are numbered now,'' he said matter-of-factly.

Russia bans adoption

by Americans

In Bolivar Plaza in downtown Caracas, Chavez's supporters strummed guitars and read poetry in his honor on New Year's Eve. They sang along with a recording of the president belting out the national anthem.

About 300 people filled a Caracas church for a Mass to pray for Chavez.

“This country would be terrible without Chavez. He's the president of the poor,'' said Josefa Carvajal, a 75-year-old former maid who sat in the pews. “They say the president is very sick. I believe he's going to get better.''

The president's aides held a Mass at the presidential palace, while government officials urged Venezuelans to keep their president in their prayers.

13-year-old Indian held over bomb threat in Singapore

A controversial law which bans adoption of Russian children by American families came into force in Russia recently.

The adoption ban, signed

by President Vladimir Putin on December 28, is part of Russia's response to the US Magnitsky Act, signed into law by US President Barack Obama earlier in December.

The Magnitsky Act introduces sanctions against Russian officials suspected of human rights abuses and is named after Sergei Magnitsky, a whistle-blowing lawyer, who died in a Moscow pre-trial detention centre in 2009. After Putin signed the adoption ban law, the US State Department called the measure “politically motivated”, saying it “deeply regrets” Russia's decision.

The Russian public has been largely supportive of the new law. Around 56% of respondents in an opinion poll conducted by the Public Opinion Foundation said

they backed a ban on US nationals adopting Russian children. Critics of the adoption ban, however, said it would keep thousands of children, especially those with disabilities, in Russia's orphanage system.

Figures from the US State Department show that more than 60,000 Russian children were adopted by American families in the last 20 years, including 962 last year.

Russian officials blame US adoptive parents for the deaths of at least 19 of those children. The ban has halted the adoption of 46 Russian children by US families whose cases were currently being processed.

While the adoption ban is the most controversial aspect of the proposed legislation, the bill puts forward other retaliatory measures as well, such as banning alleged US abusers of Russian citizens' rights from entering Russia and freezing any assets they may have there.

Singapore: A 13-year-old boy, believed to be from India but attending school in Singapore, was arrested in Singapore after he allegedly threatened to plant bombs in a local casino resort. The boy said in a Facebook post that the day he leaves Singapore, he is going to take "a big big revenge" and "spit everywhere" and "plant bombs on Marina Bay Sands", as quoted. The post also contained an expletive and was critical of Singapore, the report said. Police said they were in touch with the school the student listed on his Facebook page. The boy, who cannot be named as he is a minor, is believed to have posted the threat last week.

The offence is punishable with a fine of 100,000 Singapore dollars ($80,000) or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both.

an agreement would address the biggest issue by raising tax rates on family income over $450,000 a year.

But how to handle deep spending cuts remained a problem.

The contours of a deal to avert the so-called "fiscal cliff" were emerging. Officials familiar with the negotiations said the agreement would

raise tax rates on families making over $450,000 a year to 39.6%. The tax on estates worth more than $5 million would increase to 40% from 35%. Unemployment benefits would continue for one year.

Without that extension, 2 million people would lose benefits beginning in early January.

But the officials said the White House and Republicans were at an impasse over what to do about automatic, across-theboard spending cuts set to start taking effect Tuesday.

Democrats want to put off the cuts for one year and offset them with unspecified revenue.

The officials requested anonymity in order to discuss the internal negotiations.

A Republican official familiar with the plans confirmed the details described

to The Associated Press.

Urgent talks continued between the White House and congressional Republicans, with longtime negotiating partners Vice President Joe Biden and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell leading.

The deal would achieve about $600 billion in new revenue, the officials said.

Unless an agreement is reached and approved by Congress by the start of New Year's Day, more than a halftrillion dollars in tax increases for nearly all Americans will begin to take effect, and $109 billion will be cut from defense and domestic programs.

Though both would be felt gradually, economists warn that if allowed to fully take hold, their combined impact would rekindle a recession.

Fiscal cliff' deal is within sight: Obama

Washington: An agreement to avoid strict austerity measures was "in sight" but not complete, President Barack Obama said and urgent negotiations on Capitol Hill continued just hours before a midnight deadline. Obama, speaking from the White House, expressed regret that his administration and Congress couldn't produce a "grand bargain" to address the country's chronic deficit spending, but he said that was impossible "with this Congress, at this time." Both sides have been unable to make such a sweeping deal for more than a year, and they set the midnight deadline months ago as motivation.

"There are still issues left to resolve, but we're hopeful Congress can get it done," Obama said. "But it's not done." Officials familiar with Monday's negotiations said

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The King Keeps the Rishi’s Horses

With Japan and Canada as partner countries and endorsements from UK, US and Australian business councils, the sixth edition of Vibrant Gujarat Summit (VGS) 2013, a biennial event of the Gujarat government, will be held from January 1113.

"USIBC's ( US-India Business Council) executive mission, comprising senior US business executives representing a broad range of sectors, seeks to promote Gujarat as India's global business hub," according to the council's portal.

It added that under Modi's leadership, Gujarat has emerged as one of the most attractive investment destinations for American businesses.

The event, which showcases Gujarat as a global business hub and investment destination, will have participation from some African countries, Australia, Bahrain, Thailand, Russia, the Netherlands and Belgium,

Govt drafts action plan to dispose of 12,000 cases A week after Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan's meeting with senior cabinet members, bureaucrats and the police brass, the law and judiciary department has drafted a comprehensive action plan for disposal of nearly 12,000 cases of serious crimes against women.

"We will submit our plan to the Bombay High Court and seek the setting up special and fast-track courts on top priority for disposal of all cases in a time-bound period. Our top priority will be to provide adequate infrastructure for setting up the special and fast-track courts,'' a senior bureaucrat told TOI on Friday.

The bureaucrat said most pending cases were registered under sections 376 (rape), 366 (kidnapping and abduction of a woman for compelling her for marriage), 306 (abetment to suicide) and 304-B (dowry death). "We are securing district-wise information on the cases, and once data is available, the special and fast-track courts will be set up,'' he said.

among others.

The state of Karnataka is also participating, with a seminar to showcase investment opportunities there.

"The focus will be on youth, skill development and knowledge sharing.

Having participation from worldwide, it will facilitate investments for major infra projects of the state," an industry department official said.

"Large-scale investments from the partner countries are expected to flow."

Japan has a cooperation pact with the Union Government for 19 projects, of which seven are proposed in Gujarat. In fast-industrialising zones of Dahej and Sanand in the state, two 'Smart City' projects by Japan are proposed. Major investment potential for Gujarat, out of the total estimated infra projects of $90 billion along the 1,500 km DelhiMumbai Industrial Corridor across six states, is of about $30 billion.

Nearly 38 per cent (564 km) of the dedicated freight corridor passes through Gujarat. The state, having one-fifth of country's coastline (1,600 km), also targets to handle 40 per cent of the traffic through Indian ports by 2020.

Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) has acquired nearly 35,000 hectares of land in 2011-12.

"As a part of VGS, Gujarat will host a largestever industrial exhibition - Global Trade Show -spread over 1,00,000 sq mt against 20,000 sq mt last time," an official said.

According to officials, VGS-2011 saw 8,000 Memorandums of Understanding for investment of Rs 20,83,000 crore. However, a very small percentage has translated into implementation, though the state claims to have an impressive 53 per cent overall implementation rate of MoUs since inception of VGS in 2003.

An Indian business delegation to Nigeria has invited the oil-rich African country’s businessmen to the 6th Vibrant Gujarat 2013 Summit, saying that the State serves as the gateway to India’s economy.

The delegation met executives of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and the Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABUCCIMA) here on Monday.

The delegation was led

by Vice-Chairman/CEO Gujarat Maritime Board Pankaj Kumar, who said Gujarat serves as the gateway to the economy of India with a large market and consumption capacity.

“The summit would provide the opportunity for exchanges between investors all over the world,” he said.

Abuccima President Solomon Nyagba promised the attendance of members of his chamber for the Summit and asked Nigeria to emulate India in the area of public-private

partnership.

On the other hand, NIPC invited businessmen from India to explore investment opportunities in the country and promised to provide assistance to prospective investors.

“We are ready to provide assistance to prospective Indian investors and we wish to tell you that Nigeria has made giant strides in economic reforms,” NIPC Executive Secretary Mustafa Bello told the delegation.

“There is a better business environment and favourable global economic arena, combined with improved policy formulation, implementation and coordination to generate a stable macroeconomic environment and increased investment,” Bello said.

Nigeria is India’s largest trading partner in Africa and trade between the two countries touched $17 billion in FY’12.

Nigeria, a country of 150 million people, is Africa’s biggest oil producer and its major export to India is crude, while the

Nigerian companies invited to Vibrant Gujarat 2013 summit

In last week’s column, we saw that the king Shala wounded a deer which escaped deep into the forest. The king asked his charioteer to follow the deer but the charioteer replied it was not possible as the deer was running very fast. He mentioned that even if they had the Vami horses that belonged to the rishi Vamadeva, they would not be able to catch the deer. Curious, the king asked the charioteer to tell him about Vamadeva’s horses. The charioteer replied that these horses could travel as fast as thoughts travel in the mind.

The king asked to be taken to the rishi’s ashram where he paid homage to Vamadeva and told him about the deer. He requested the rishi to loan him his two horses so that he could catch his kill. The rishi agreed on the condition that the horses were returned to him once the deer was caught. The king agreed and left with the horses.

After hitching the horses to the chariot, the king was able to catch the wounded deer. Thereafter, the king instructed his

charioteer to take the chariot back to his kingdom, ignoring the rishi’s request.

A month passed and Vamadeva realised what the king had done. He told himself that the king had invited a wave of misfortune. He instructed his disciple Atreya to go to the king and retrieve the horses. The disciple went to the king who told him that these horses were made for a king, not a poor Brahmin like his guru. He told Atreya to return to the rishi and tell him that the king had kept his horses.

On hearing the king’s response, Vamadeva was very angry. He made his

(To be continued next week)

All past articles on the Mahabharata can be accessed from http://epaper.asianvoice.com or from http://www.3stepbreath.com/mahabharata.html

Suspended IPS officer Bhatt gets Mother Teresa award Suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt was on Monday conferred the Mother Teresa Memorial International Award for Social Justice for 2012.

"We are delivering the 5th Mother Teresa Award for social justice to Sanjiv Bhatt, who stood against communal forces to ensure the protection of the vulnerable and insecure minorities," Harmony Foundation president Dr Abraham Mathai said while delivering the award.

"Harmony Foundation is delighted to felicitate Sanjiv Bhatt with the Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice, 2012," Mathai said.

Bhatt, while thanking Harmony Foundation for choosing him for the award, also expressed gratitude towards his wife and children and dedicated the award to his mother, who passed away recently.

"I would not have taken the stand, which I will keep taking on, without the support of my wife, daughter and son," he said.

"I am deeply humbled by the award which I would also like to take on behalf of all the people who are still awaiting justice. At this moment I would like to assure that

way to the capital himself.

He told the king that it would have been impossible to catch the deer without his horses. But now the king’s work was done and he should return them.

Vamadeva added that if his horses were not returned, the lord Varuna would kill the king with his terrible rope weapons. However, the king insulted the rishi by offering two bulls with beautiful horns to yoke his cart, in place of the horses.

He added that the rishi should be chanting mantras instead of keeping horses. The rishi replied that the mantras take him from this world to the next, but in this world, it is his two horses that take him everywhere and they should be returned to him.

The king offered him many other horses and animals in exchange for the two Vami horses, but the rishi did not agree and became increasingly angry.

He warned the king that he would create four demons with terrible weapons to kill the king.

Sanjiv Bhatt

the struggle is still on with the same vigour," Bhatt added.

Since Bhatt could not be present to collect the award in person on November 28, 2012, at a specially held ceremony in Mumbai, he was presented the honour here today in the presence of Father Cedric Prakash and sisters from the Missionaries of Charity.

Other recipients of this prestigious award in the past have included Dalai Lama, former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed, former Pakistan minister Dr Ansar Burney and Baroness Caroline Cox, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords in the UK.

Bihar is fastest growing state, Gujarat left behind

Bihar has emerged as the fastest growing state in the country with a growth rate of 10.9 per cent.

According to the Planning Commission data, Bihar was the slowest growing state during 2001-05 period with GDP figure of 2.9 per cent.

However, between 2006 and 2010, it grew at 10.9 per cent, becoming the fastest growing state and shedding the tag of BIMARU (an acronym for sick states).

On the other hand, Gujarat was the fastest growing state between 2001 and 2005 with figure of 11 per cent. But during 2006 and 2010, its growth dipped to 9.3 per cent and was overtaken by Bihar and four other states – Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Maharashtra and Orissa.

Interestingly, Gujarat was the only state among 17 fastest ones to see a decline in growth.

Chhattisgarh grew from 7.7 per cent in 200105 to 10 per cent growth, Haryana grew from 8.4 per cent to 9.7 per cent, Maharashtra from 8.2 per cent to 9.6 per cent and Orissa from 7.8 per cent to 9.4 per cent. Average GDP growth of top five states was 9.10 per cent in 11th five year plan, up from 7 per cent in 10th plan and 5 per cent in 9th plan.

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Gujarat Ministers HON. MINISTERS (CABINET)

• Nitinbhai Patel Finance, Health, Medical Education, Family Welfare and Transport.

• Anandiben Mafatbhai Patel Revenue, Drought Relief, Land Reforms, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction, Roads & Buildings, Capital Project, Urban Development and Urban Housing.

• Shri Saurabh Patel Energy and Petrochemicals, Mines and Minerals, Cottage Industries, Salt Industries, Printing, Stationary, Planning, Tourism, Civil Aviation, Labour and Employment • Ramanlal Vora Social Justice and Empowerment (including Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Socially and Educationally Backward Classes), Sports and Games, Youth & Cultural Activity.

• Bhupendrasinh Manubha Chudasma Education (Primary, Secondary and Adult), Higher & Technical Education, Law and Judiciary, Food & Civil Supplies, Consumers Affairs, Panchayat, Rural Housing and Rural Development • Ganpatbhai Vestabhai Vasava Forest & Environment, Tribal Welfare, Women and Children’s Welfare, Law & Parliamentary Affairs • Babubhai B. Bokhiriya Water Resources (except Kalpsar), Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cow Protection.

HON. MINISTERS (STATE)

• Purushottambhai Odhavjibhai Solanki Labour & Employment • Parbatbhai Savabhai Patel Health & Family Welfare, Transport • Vasuben Narendra Trivedi Education, Women & Children’s Welfare • Pradipsinh Bhagvatsingh Jadeja Law, Judiciary, Legislative & Parliamentary, Tourism, Religious & Pilgrims Places, Coordination of NGOs, Non-Resident Gujaratis, and Protocol.

• Liladharbhai Khodaji Vaghela Animal Husbandry, Fishery, Cow Protection, Welfare of Socially & Educationally Backward Classes • Rajnikant Somabhai Patel Home, Police Housing, Border Security, Civil Defence, Home Guards, Gram Rakshak Dal, Jail, Prohibition & Excise • Govindbhai Patel Agriculture, Food & Civil Supplies, Consumers Affairs, Forest & Environment • Nanubhai Bhagvanbhai Vanani Water Supply, Water Resources (except Kalpsar) • Jayantibhai Ramjibhai Kavadiya Panchayat, Rural Housing & Rural Development

Prominent omissions

• • • • • • •

Vaju Vala Narottam Patel Mangubhai Patel Ranjit Gilitwala Vasan Ahir Jitu Sukhadia Jashwantsinh Bhanhor

Vaju Vala named 'pro tem' Speaker of Gujarat assembly

Former state Finance Minister and one of BJP's most senior MLAs Vajubhai Vala has been selected as the 'pro tem' Speaker of the new state assembly.

Following the resignation of Ganpat Vasava as the Speaker of the last assembly, Vala has been selected as the presiding officer of the House until a new Speaker is elected.

Vasava took oath as cabinet minister in the 17-member council headed by Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

When Modi took oath as chief minister of the state for the fourth time in a row, everyone was surprised when Vala was dropped from the list of ministers who were sworn-in with Modi.

As Gujarat's Finance Minster, Vala has a record of presenting the state budget 18 times.

MODI SLAMS CENTRE FOR DECLINING GROWTH RATE

Narendra Modi is riding a big electoral victory and it showed as he hit Delhi with a smile that wouldn't fade even when he was slamming the Manmohan Singh government on "disappointing growth."

Mr Modi is in Delhi to attend a meeting of chief ministers chaired by the Prime Minister. He might also visit former Prime Minister and veteran BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who has been unwell, and senior leader LK Advani, once a mentor.

More than once in the last few days Mr Modi's name has been juxtaposed with that of Mr Vajpayee, the BJP's only Prime Minister to date. Mr Modi's supporters see his emphatic victory in the Gujarat assembly elections as a stepping stone to a bigger role on the national stage, perhaps even as the BJP's candidate for Prime Minister in 2014. His detractors say he will never enjoy the universal acceptance that Mr Vajpayee did as the head of a multiparty coalition, the NDA, which includes parties like the Janata Dal (United) which have made it clear that Mr Modi cannot be a consensus candidate.

At the National Development Council meeting, the prime agenda of which was to seek approval to lower the average annual growth rate to 8 per cent for the 12th Plan, Mr Modi's

speech was scathing in its criticism of the Centre. "It seems that there is no urgency or seriousness in tackling economic crises facing the country. There has been a virtual lack of direction in the macroeconomic management of the country," the Gujarat Chief Minster said, attacking the government for lowering the growth target for the 12th Plan. "It was not impossible to achieve if we had the political will to do what is necessary," said the man who prides himself on what he calls the development model of a "vibrant Gujarat."

He said he was pained at "the unmistakable sense of pessimism in the 12th Plan document...

Significantly lowering the growth targets of the 12th Plan will further add to the mood of despondency and pessimism in the country and cast increasing doubts on the sustainability

of the India Growth Story."

So saying, Mr Modi unleashed the Gujarat model by listing out the initiatives taken by him in various sectors including agriculture, urban development and decentralised planning.

Outside the meeting Mr Modi said, "Even today, of all the reports of the nation, the state of Gujarat is the best."

Mr Modi took oath as Gujarat Chief Minister for the fourth time. Gujarat has had no other chief minister between his first swearing in ceremony in October 2001 and now. Among people who do electoral battle every five years, fighting overwhelming factors like anti-incumbency, his run of 11 years and three straight wins in Gujarat is what political dreams are made of. Today, he was greeted by several other chief ministers, including Tamil Nadu's J Jayalalithaa, who got star billing at his oath-taking ceremony in Ahmedabad yesterday and then flew to Delhi, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who too attended his swearing-in ceremony yesterday and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

Mr Modi walked up to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who too was sworn in the same week, and congratulated him.

The profile and functionaries of Modi men Along with Chief Minister Narendra Modi, sixteen ministers took oath of office in Ahmedabad. Five of them are new entrants to the council of ministers. They are: Cabinet Ministers Anandiben Patel: Fourterm MLA (1998, 2002,2007, 2012)and one of those closest to Narendra Modi. Minister since 1998.

This time, fought the election from Ghatlodia seat of Ahmedabad, and won with highest winning margin in the state. In the last ministry, she was revenue minister.

Bhupendrasinh Chudasma: Four- term MLA (1990, 1995, 2002, 2012). In the 2002 Modi government, he was agriculture minister.

One of the few prominent Kshatriya leaders.

Nitin Patel: Four-term MLA (1995, 1998, 2007, 2012). He was minister in the Keshubhai Patel government.

In the last ministry, he was urban development minister.

Saurabh Patel: Four term MLA (1998, 2002, 2007, 2012). One of Modi's trusted ministers. In the last ministry, he was MOS Industry, Petroleum and Energy Ramanlal Vora: One of the major SC leaders of the BJP in Gujarat. He was education minister in the last ministry. Represents Idar seat

of Sabarkantha district, and has been elected since 1995.

Has been a minister since 1995. In the last ministry, he was education minister.

Babubhai Bokhiria: He represents the Porbander seat. This time, he defeated Gujarat PCC chief Arjun Modhwadia. He was MOS Fisheries in the 1998 Keshubhai Pater ministry. In 2001, Modi promoted him as Cabinet minister, in charge of the irrigation ministry.

Has won three elections, in 1995, 1998, and 2012.

Ministers with MOS rank Liladhar Vaghela: Sixterm MLA. Earlier, he was with the Congress, and joined the BJP in 1998. This time, he won from the Deesa seat of Banaskantha district.

In the last ministry, he was MOS labor and employment.

Jayanti Kavadia: Fourterm BJP MLA, this time representing Dhrangdhra seat of Surendranagar district. First-time entrant to the ministry.

Vasuben Trivedie: Threetime MLA and has represented Jamnagar since 1998. In the last ministry, she was MOS higher education.

Parsottam Solanki: He has been an MLA and minister since 1998. One of the prominent Koli community leaders. In the current elec-

tion, he defeated Shaktisinh Gohil from the Bhavnagar Rural seat. In the last ministry, he was MOS fisheries.

Govind Patel: Two- term BJP MLA, represents Rajkot South, and belongs to the Leuva Patel community. Firsttime entrant to the ministry.

Nanu Vanani: Two- term BJP MLA, represents Katargam seat of Surat. He is also a Leuva Patel. He is associated with the diamond industry.

Ganpat Vasava: Twoterm MLA, represents Mangrol seat of Surat. This time, he defeated Tejas Chaudhari, son of former Congress Chief Minister late Amarsinh Chaudhari. He is a tribal leader. He was Speaker of the last Assembly.

Parbat Patel: He represents the Tharad seat of Banaskantha district. He is a Chaudhari Patel. Four-term MLA. In the last ministry, he was MOS health and water supply.

Pradipsinh Jadeja: Fourterm MLA. This time, he won from the Vatva seat of Ahmedabad. In the last ministry, he was MOS Parliamentary Affairs, Law and Justice.

Rajni Patel: Two-term MLA. This time, won from Bechraji seat of Mahesana.

He is a Kadva Patel.

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BJP has promised 50 lakh pucca houses

In the run-up to the state assembly elections, chief minister Narendra Modi-led Gujarat BJP had promised to construct 50 lakh houses over the next five years for the middle class and the poor after the Congress pitched its 'Ghar nu ghar' scheme.

Within days of assuming power, the Modi government has decided to set up a new housing department for building houses.

The announcement of the scheme called Mukhymantishri Grih Samrudhhi Yojana is expected during the budget in February-March.

State urban development minister Anandi Patel confirmed, "We are working on the new housing scheme and setting up a separate department."

The BJP had proposed ambitious project of Rs 33,000 crore to be implemented by setting up a separate department to be headed by the chief minister for ensuring transparent and timebound allocation of houses.

A source aware of the development said, "A statelevel housing regulatory authority will be set up shortly. The government is also working on relaxing General Development and Control Rules and floor space index norms." The government will also acquire new land for housing purpose.

The BJP has promised 50 lakh pucca houses over the next five years including 28 lakh houses in rural areas and 22 lakh houses in urban areas.

Well developed colonies with basic amenities and houses of 36 sq meter each will be provided to 7.5 lakh slum.

Will not allow Modi to become PM: Mayawati

On a day when Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi lost a legal battle in the Supreme Court on the appointment of Lokayukta, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati dealt a further blow to the former’s prime ministerial ambitions.

Reports recently claimed that the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said that she will scuttle Modi’s chances of becoming the Prime Minister of India.

BSP chief was quoted as telling news channel, “I will ensure that Narendra Modi does not become the Prime Minister in future.” Her reactions came an hour after the apex court upheld the appointment of RA Mehta as the Lokayukta of Gujarat, which was challenged by the Modi government. The decision came as a major setback for the Modi government, which said that it will read the copy of the apex court order and then react to the development.

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Narendra Modi sworn in as Gujarat CM for fourth term Continued from page 1

Nitin Patel, Anandi Patel, Raman Vora, Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, Saurabh Patel, Ganpat Vasawa, Babhbhai Bokhiariya took oath as Cabinet ministers, while Purshottam Solanki, Parbat Patel, Vasuben Trivedi, Pradeepsinh Jadeja, Liladhar Vaghela, Rajnikant Patel, Govind Patel, Nanubhai Vanani and Jayanti Kavadiya took oath as Ministers of State.

A galaxy of top BJP

leaders and those of its allies were present.

Those in attendance included BJP chief Nitin Gadkari, senior leader L K Advani, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, party's leaders in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively, Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his Chhattisgarh counterpart Raman Singh.

The presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, added grist to speculation about a possible

realignment of her AIADMK with BJP-led NDA. Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, his cousin and MNS chief Raj Thackeray, RPI leader Ramdas Athawale were also present.

As expected, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who has been keeping distance from Modi, as also his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi, were conspicuous by their absence.

However, Bihar BJP president C P Thakur attended the ceremony.

Modi's mother Heeraben, who was also present, was seen flashing the victory sign.

Modi greeted all prominent leaders present at the ceremony before taking oath in Gujarati amid chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai (Victory be to mother India).

Seven chief ministers, Thackeray brothers, a plethora of BJP office-bearers, filmstars and a stagefull of religious leaders strategically chosen from all faiths were present.

Happy 6th Birthday

Louis Eden Patel D.O.B.: 02/01/2007 Mother: Dr Sarah Patel Father: Dr Merul Patel Sister: Amber Place: Brighton Wishing you a Happy 6th Birthday!

Lots of love from Mummy, Daddy, Grandma, Grandpa, Baas, Dada, Foi, Fua & all cousins, friends & family.

You are a wonderful son, lovely precious grandson and sweet brother. May all the love and pride we feel keep growing year by year.

May God Bless You.

Angry India demands justice over Nirbhaya’s tragic death Continued from page 1 The men initially abused her for being out at night with a man who was not her husband.

They then took turns to rape her and beat her with an iron rod in an assault that lasted more than an hour. The bus travelled along crowded streets in Delhi, the atrocities inside hidden from onlookers by tinted windows and closed curtains.

After the victims both fell unconscious, they were thrown out of the bus and left to die on a flyover. And then, the six men accused of murdering the young woman in a case that has shaken a nation's conscience, allegedly tried to drive the bus over the couple. When they were brought to Delhi’s Safdarjung government hospital, doctors found she had suffered severe internal injuries. In between operations to remove more than 90 per cent of her intestines, she managed to give two long interviews to the police and a magistrate. She also communicated with her family through writing and gestures and was determined that her rapists be brought to justice.

Her father had remained hopeful that she would recover and had reportedly asked politicians who were visiting to show their support and help find her a job when she recovered. A legal counsellor who had comforted Nirbhaya’s parents while their daughter was in Safdarjung hospital in Delhi told that they were a tight-knit family. “They had invested everything in their daughter,” she said. “She would have become a physiotherapist and gone on to support her family.”

In one of her conscious spells, Nirbhaya had told her mother even as she waged a grim battle with death in Safdarjung Hospital, "Save me... I want to live." This was three days after her brutal gang-rape.

Surgeries had already been carried out on her and her badly infected intestines had been removed. Chances of her survival were, therefore, slim. Still, she had two things going for her: her indomitable will to live, and the prayers of a nation.

She later suffered breathing difficulties and had a cardiac arrest before the government decided to send her to Singapore’s Mount Elizabeth Hospital for specialist treatment.

Her father and mother were by her side at Mount Elizabeth since 6.30pm on Friday when the doctors all but gave up hope. The cardiac arrest she suffered last Tuesday night was beginning to unravel with life-snuffing consequences. Fluid was accumulating in her brain, already badly damaged by the cardiac arrest which had choked off blood supply to the brain for over three minutes. In medical terms it is called cerebral oedema. In plain language, it spelled the end of Nirbhaya's short but heroic life. Her story, though, is certain to live for much longer. At the end of 13 agonising days, her body could no longer keep pace with her spirit. At 2.15am IST on Saturday, Nirbhaya breathed her last. The Mount Elizabeth Hospital where she died is expected to send its postmortem report to the Delhi Police soon. It will be one of the most crucial pieces of evidence in the case that the police is building against the six accused.

Announcing her death, Kelvin Loh, chief

executive officer of the hospital, said, “she was courageous in fighting for her life for so long against the odds but the trauma to her body was too severe for her to overcome.”

Surgeons in Singapore said she had suffered “severe organ failure following serious injuries to her body and brain.”

By the time the chartered plane carrying her body arrived at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on December 30, 2012, she had become known as “India’s daughter” Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, said “It would be a true homage to her memory if we are able to channel these emotions and energies into a constructive course of action.”

Police chargesheet and trial: The bus driver is among those who have been arrested. Delhi Police puts together a 1000-page chargesheet which it plans to submit in a Delhi court on Thursday.

The sources said the police chargesheet is likely to give details of the horrific brutality of the six men and the valiant attempt of the young woman and her friend, hopelessly outnumbered, to fight them off. In that effort, as she was pinned down and raped, the young woman bit three of the men assaulting her. The bite marks on the three accused men are likely to be part of the Delhi Police's evidence, the sources say.

Key testimony also lies in the statement of the software engineer who accompanied Nirbhaya on the bus. According to the police, when the woman and her male friend boarded the private bus at the Munirka bus-stop in south Delhi, they saw some men sitting inside, who seemed to be passengers. The unsuspecting couple, the police sources say, did not realise that all these men were, in fact, part of a group. A little later, as the bus moved, the men came together and confronted the woman for being out late with a man.

A scuffle began and the woman's friend reportedly hit out at one of the accused; his friends pulled out an iron rod and began to beat up first the man and then the woman too, because she put up a fight.

Sources say the police has found out that the girl was taken to the back of the bus and held down by two of the accused, a man named Akshay Thakur and another who is a minor and cannot be named. The police is however conducting bone tests to determine his actual age.

As she fought the men, the woman bit Akshay, the main accused Ram Singh, and another man accused, Vinay Sharma.

Forensic tests will establish who bit them, say police sources.

One of the charges against Ram Singh, the driver of the bus, is destruction of evidence; he allegedly washed down the bus to erase all proof of the crime and also burnt the clothes that the men had snatched off the victims before throwing them on the road.

The police have added dacoity to the list of charges against the six men; they have already been charged with murder, attempt to murder, gang-rape, kidnapping and robbery. The first draft of the chargesheet, sources say, cites around 30 to 40 witnesses, including the doctors who treated the student, first in Delhi, and then at the

Singapore hospital.

While in critical condition in hospital, Nirbhaya shared her testimony with two different judges. Daily hearings have been promised by the Delhi High Court and the government to ensure that a verdict is reached quickly.

Senior police sources say that the chargesheet has been vetted by legal experts and that the police will ask for death penalty for the six men who have been charged with Nirbhaya's rape and murder. The minor cannot be tried in the court. A report will be sent to the Juvenile Justice Board, which will handle his case.

The police has also filed a cheating and forgery case against the bus owner Dinesh Yadav for gaining a permit to operate buses on basis of papers with a forged address.

On January 2, 2013, Chief Justice of India, Altamas Kabir, inaugurated a fasttrack court in South Delhi which will hold daily hearings for Nirbhaya's case from Thursday, January 3 onwards. Meanwhile, lawyers have refused to defend the accused meaning that the government will have to appoint lawyers for them.

Protests, candle-light vigils and reactions: Armed police were bussed into the city centre to protect Delhi Gate, the public parkland in front of the government’s ministerial offices and the President’s House, along with the homes of prominent political leaders, including Congress president, Sonia Gandhi. Sheila Dixit, Delhi’s chief minister, arrived at Jantar Mantar to show her support for demonstrators but was forced to leave after being heckled by an aggressive mob.

As news of Nirbhaya's death filtered through on a wintry morning, thousands poured out on the streets of Delhi and the metros, and even smaller cities/towns like Jaunpur, Meerut and Bulandshahr, to express their anguish. There was a genuine sense of loss - as though people had lost their own daughter or sister. Belying all fears of violence, the congregations were somber, dignified and peaceful.

Her death has also triggered protests and gatherings among concerned Indians residing abroad. MP for Ealing Southall, Virender Sharma, condemned the rape and brutal attack on Nirbhaya and will be attending a condolence meeting in memory of Nirbhaya on Thursday 3rd at 1:30 pm in the Hindu Ram Mandir, King, Southall. He said, “Words cannot express my revulsion and horror at this evil and callous act against this innocent young woman. My prayers and sincere condolences are with the grieving family and friends at this difficult time. Violence against women in all its forms can not be tolerated and I call on government's around the world to do more to protect women and to punish those who perpetrate such despicable acts. Rape, honour killings, forced marriages, infanticide, femicide, dowry related violence and all kinds of domestic violence must end and governments and society at large must do much more to protect women from such violence.”

Vigils were held by the Pravasi Bharat, a humanitarian organisation working for the welfare of Indians living abroad, at Tavistock Square. More than 100 NRI's also

gathered at Hounslow's Shree Jalaram Seva Trust Temple to pay their respects to Nirbhaya. Another candle-night vigil 'Save Our Sisters', is being held on 5th January at Tavistock Square at 12pm. Protests are also being organised by the Southall Black Sisters on 7th January outside the Indian High Commission in London between 4pm and 6pm. The message is simple: Indians will not forget this heinous crime, will no longer tolerate a spineless government and have made their demands for the implementation of stringent laws against crimes on women loud and clear.

While agitated and anxious Indians wait for their democratically-elected government to take strict and speedy action against crimes on women, there are some pertinent issues that need to be addressed at this hour: Reports suggest six state MPs are facing rape prosecutions and two national MPs are facing charges on crimes against women.

Parties had put forward six candidates facing similar charges for the national parliamentary elections. Over the last five years, political parties across India have nominated 260 candidates who are awaiting trial on charges of crimes against women. If so many of the law makers of our country have a criminal record, are we wasting our time trying to get strict laws implemented by the very people who have been accused of breaking them?

In the wake of Nirbhaya's horrific rape and death, the country's highest court is considering a ban on regional and national MP's facing sex charges. If the ban goes through, it will mark the first victory in the public's campaign for justice for the many 'Nirbhayas' in India who have been wronged grievously.

TrustLaw ranks India as the worst G20 country to be a woman: A survey of the world's 20 biggest economies by TrustLaw, a legal news service run by Thomson Reuters, ranked India as the worst country in which to be a woman, citing widespread child marriage, murders for insufficient dowry and domestic slavery worse even than Saudi Arabia, where women won the right to vote only in 2011, are treated as legal minors whatever their age and are still banned from driving.

UN rights chief asks India to strengthen its legal regime: Expressing "deep sadness" at the death of the 23-yearold Delhi gang rape victim, UN human rights chief Navi Pillay has asked India to strengthen its legal regime to get rid of the "terrible scourge" of rape.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said rape is a "national problem" in India, affecting women of all classes and castes and requires national solutions.

Pillay expressed deep sadness over the death of Delhi rape victim and said she joined Indians in "all walks of life in condemning" the attack on the student, expressing confidence that India could emerge reformed in the wake of this "terrible crime."

"India has shown through its social reform movements of the past that it can rid itself of a scourge like rape," she said. She also called for an "urgent and rational debate" aimed at ending violence against women in India.

indiA

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th January 2013

In Focus 27 Indian fishermen released by court in Sri Lanka arrive at Rameswaram

The 27 fishermen, who were taken into custody by the Sri Lankan Navy recently and later released by a court. The fishermen, who belonged to Karaikal and Nagapattinam, were arrested on December 23 when they were fishing reportedly in the Lankan martime area. The Indians were arrested for "poaching inside Sri Lanka international maritime border limits off the eastern coast". The fishermen and their four boats were handed over to the Indian coast guard at the international maritime boundary line by the Lankan Navy.

Empty dams may sink Saurashtra

135 Dams In Region Have Just Nine Per Cent Of Water Left. The storage in 135 dams across BJPs bastion Saurashtra has fallen to a merely 9.32%,a warning that taps would soon run dry in most towns,cities and villages in the region.Jamnagar is the worst-hit with Ranjit Sagar dam reduced to a barren landscape of cracked land. For the first time in a decade,Saurashtra is staring at a serious water crisis just as the winter has set in.

Hooda puts Haryana ahead of Modi's Gujarat

Putting Haryana ahead of Gujarat in terms of development, Chief Minister Bhoopinder Singh Hooda said his government has performed far better than that in the Western state on a host of progress parameters. "I have compared about 50 parameters in which Haryana is far ahead of Gujarat. Be it per capita income, per capita investment, per capita plan budget, old age pension, widow pension, scholarships to children of Scheduled Castes etc, we have performed better," Hooda said after a cabinet meeting.

Trinamool member throws currency notes on dancing girls

A controversy has broken out after young girls danced in skimpy clothes at a Trinamool Congress foundation day function at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district with a TMC leader allegedly throwing wads of currency notes at them.Police stopped the function after midnight last night. Organised at a stone's throw from the Bhangar police station, the function saw TMC leader and 24-Parganas Zilla Parishad member Mir Tahir Ali climb onto the stage and allegedly throw wads of currency notes at the direction of the dancing girls.

17-year-old raped by Facebook ‘friend’ in Delhi

Even as the nation protests over the horrific gangrape of a woman in Delhi, another case has come to light in which a 17-year-old was been allegedly raped by her Facebook friend on New Year’s Eve. The Delhi police has arrested two men in connection with the case and said that both the accused work for an IT company.

The duo have been sent to judicial custody.

The class XI student has alleged that she was raped by two men on the night of 31 December after she attended a party in south Delhi’s Safdarjung Enclave area.

Virbhadra allocates portfolios

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh has allocated portfolios to nine new ministers in his government. Kaul Singh, who was in the race for the chief ministership, has been given health and family welfare, revenue and law and legal remembrance.The portfolios of transport, food and civil supplies, consumer affairs and technical education have been given to GS Bali. Sujan Singh Pathania has got multi-purpose projects, power and nonconventional energy besides agriculture department, while Thakur Singh Bharmouri has been given forest and fisheries portfolios.

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NINE STATES GOING TO POLLS IN 2013, CONGRESS TO RESURRECT

If the year 2012 was bleak for the Congress, which continued to be besieged by an avalanche of scams and antigraft agitations - 2013 looks equally grim. Just as the party had started to come out of its stupor by the second half of last year, Narendra Modi's victory in Gujarat and the country-wide anger triggered by the brutal Delhi gangrape , and the callous political response to it, have pushed it back into a muddle.

The Congress-led UPA government at the Centre had managed to bridge governance deficit to some extent by finally pushing through FDI in multibrand retail, kick-starting the landmark

direct benefits transfer scheme and the hanging of the 26/11 accused Ajmal Kasab.

But the year ahead is strewn with thorns. Nine states are going to polls this year, which include Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka, where the BJP is in power, and Congress-ruled Delhi and Rajasthan.

If the Congress wants to stop the Modi before 2014, it must wrest at least one BJP state and retain both Rajasthan and Delhi. A lackluster performance in the states could undermine the morale of the party's workers and even the leadership and could have a direct bearing

on its numbers in the Lok Sabha elections.

However, after showing signs of recovery during the winter session of Parliament, the Congress is slipping again. Anti-incumbency sentiments are running high in Rajasthan and Delhi. There is confusion about who will be the party's prime ministerial candidate. Rahul Gandhi is yet to make any political splash.

The Telangana tangle continues to be a cause for concern. The party remains rudderless and leaderless in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

Karnataka is the only state where it hopes to benefit from the internal turmoil in

Tata Power plans to replace gas with coal in Trombay unit

Tata Power Company claims to be one of the largest renewable energy players in India, but its plan to switch from gas to coal to fuel one of its 500 MW units in the Trombay Thermal Power Station here belies its stated concern for the environment.

For Mumbai residents, the New Year rings in a public hearing scheduled for January 15 on the change which the company calls modernisation, but is in reality a change of fuel — to low sulphur imported coal.

Currently, Unit 6 is using low sulphur heavy stock and low sulphur fuel oil.

The company, which supplies power to bulk consumers like the Railways, refineries and ports, is gaining popularity among households too, thanks to its “most economic power tariff.” It has an installed capacity of 1,580 MW in Trombay, with five units (one on standby) — two running on coal, one each using oil and gas, and one a

combined cycle power plant.

Its proposal to change the fuel of Unit 6, which has been operational since 1990, requiring two million tonnes of coal a year could put pressure on an already polluted city, with air quality parameters worsening over the years owing to traffic and construction.

Tata Power is responsible for the ‘Islanding System,’ because of which Mumbai enjoys uninterrupted power supply. On its website, the company proclaims: “While we have ambitious growth plans, we are committed to ‘responsible growth.’ From focusing on producing clean and green power to investing

in and implementing ecofriendly technologies; reducing our carbon footprint to joining global initiatives to combat climate change; scouting for clean power sources internationally to driving energy conservation and efficiency; creating sustainable livelihood for communities to green buildings and villages, we are doing all that we can to carry forward our green legacy.”

However, that legacy takes a back seat in Mumbai. The draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report of the proposed change, which will be discussed at the public hearing, says: “There will not be any additional adverse environmental impact...” The draft EIA, which is mandatory before environmental clearance, says the cost of power generation will be cut, thanks to the lesser price of coal than fuel oils or natural gas.

Variable cost will be nearly one-third of the current costs and may even go down further.

the ruling BJP. The Congress is banking on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister P. Chidambaram to turn the tables by pushing economic reforms while at the same time cough up billions of rupees for flagship programmes. But there is muted concern in the party as to how far Chidambaram can go to present a "populist" Budget when the economy is still not out of the woods.

There are also question marks about the Congress's ability to leverage political capital out of schemes such as direct benefits transfer and food security.

Kerala becomes first state to go over to m-governance

With Kerala having the maximum number of mobile phones in the country, the state is implementing m-governance to let people avail services of 90 state government departments.

M-governance, being implemented by the Kerala State IT Mission, is the first of its kind in the country.

Under the project, services of various government departments and organisations are enabled through an integrated service delivery infrastructure platform in a plug-and-play style.

Kerala has population of over 3.30 crore, of which 35 lakh people use mobile phones.

"Citizens accessing government services through mobile phones could be a radical concept in Kerala," said P.H. Kurian, principal Secretary, information technology department.

The Kerala State Information Technology Mission is the nodal agency for implementing m-governance and MobME Wireless is the service provider.

Will implement SC judgement on DMK to decide its LS poll Lokayukta soon: Gujarat govt strategy soon: M Karunanidhi With the Supreme Court today upholding governor Kamla Beniwal's decision to appoint Justice (retd) R A Mehta as Gujarat Lokayukta, the Narendra Modi government said it would soon implement the apex court judgement.

"We will soon implement the Supreme Court judgement on Lokayukta," state law minister Bhupindersinh Chudasama said.

"The Supreme Court has accepted Gujarat government's contention that governor has to act as per the advice of the council of ministers," he added.

A detailed reaction on the issue could only be given after reading the judgement, Chudasama said.

In a setback to the Gujarat government, the Supreme Court upheld Mehta's appointment as the

state Lokayukta, saying it was done in consultation with the Chief Justice of Gujarat HC. The governor was bound to act under advice of council of ministers, but in this case the appointment was not wrong since it was done in consultation with the high court Chief Justice, the apex court said.

Governor Kamla Beniwal had on August 25 last year appointed Justice Mehta to the post of Lokayukta, which had been lying vacant for the last eight years.

With ruling AIADMK deciding to face the next Parliamentary elections independently, DMK will soon convene its top-decision making bodies to finalise its strategy, party chief M Karunanidhi said on Wednesday.

“I cannot give an unilateral reply. DMK's District Secretaries' meeting is scheduled on January 6. (The party) will discuss the matter and finalise the election strategy in the General Council and Executive which will be convened after that,” he said.

He was responding to reporters' queries on AIADMK supremo and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's announcement on December 31 that her party will go it alone in the next Lok Sabha polls and what was his party's stand.

Jayalalithaa had reasoned both Congress and BJP were united in denying Tamil Nadu

M Karunanidhi

its share of water from river Cauvery for the decision.

Karunanidhi will chair a meeting of the party's district secretaries on January 6. In DMK ranks, district secretaries are considered to be very significant links.

A release from party general secretary K Anbazhagan said the subject for the meeting will be party-related work and collection of funds for election, apparently referring to the next Parliamentary polls.

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travel

One of the world’s most captivating places is Brazil - South America’s giant, a dazzling country of powdery white-sand beaches, pristine rain forests and wild, rhythm-filled metropolises. Brazil’s attractions extend from enchanting, frozen-intime colonial towns to dramatic landscapes of red-rock canyons, thundering waterfalls and peaceful tropical islands.

Brazil offers big adventures for travellers with budgets large and small. There is horseback riding in the Pantanal, kayaking flooded forests in the Amazon, ascending rocky cliff tops to breathtaking views, whale-watching off the coast, surfing off palm-fringed beaches and snorkelling crystal-clear rivers.

A holiday in Brazil is incomplete without a visit to Rio de Janeiro. The most popular time to go is during February for the world’s biggest carnival. You need to buy tickets beforehand and make sure you book accommodation well in advance as hotels are extremely busy during this time. You, along with thousands of other people will gather on the streets to enjoy hip-shaking samba and frevo, dazzling costumes and rhythmic powerful drumbeats. Watch breath-taking costume parades, dance away at many carnival balls, bop along to Samba bands and taste incredible street cuisine from carts. If you just want to watch the fun, make sure you are there for the Samba Parade competition where the best dancers from local samba schools compete.

After the buzz of the carnival, enjoy some of the main sights. Sugar Loaf mountain is the most commonly recognized and sought after tourist attraction in Rio. Take a cable car ride to the top of Sugar Loaf. First, you will ascend over 700 feet up Urca Hill affording marvellous views of Corcovado Mountain, the Niteroi Bridge and Guanabara Bay. Then you will transfer to a second car elevating you an additional 1300 feet to the top where spectacular views of Copacabana and other beaches can be admired. The views are gorgeous, the photo opportunities endless, and the experience unforgettable. At the summit of Corcovado Mountain stands Rio's most memorable monument Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor).

Take an electronic train ride to reach the base of the statue for a 360 degree panoramic view of the entire city- the beaches, the forest, mountains, Favelas, picturesque sunsets, Maracana Stadium, Rio Niteroi Bridge, the Jockey Club, Botanic Garden and more.

Another incredible sight on the borders of Brazil and Argentina are the Iguazu Waterfalls. A spectacular site list-

www.abplgroup.com - asian voice 5th January 2013

ed under World Heritage sites by UNESCO, it offers adventures like rappelling from a height of 55m with a marvellous view of the waterfalls. You can descend walking down a footpath or rafting in the Iguazu River. Enjoy a guided excursion through the surrounding subtropical rainforest with over 2,000 species of plants and spot typical wildlife including tapirs, giant anteaters, howler monkeys, and jaguars. Brazil’s diverse ecosystems boasts the greatest collection of plant and animal species found anywhere on earth.

Another pit stop should be the city of Salvador fondly known as the city of happiness. Visit one of the most spectacular churches in the world, Igreja Sao Francisco, which is richly adorned inside with gold, silver and pre-

cious stones and has ceiling art comparable to the Sistine Chapel.

Spend evenings partying at Flamengo beach and Stella Maris Beach and enjoy dinner and caipirinha cocktails at the famous Bar Zullu multi cuisine restaurant or Boi Preto Grill.

A 7 nights stay including flights and accommodation starts from £985pp. To book your holiday to Brazil, call Brightsun Travel’s tours team who can help you put together an itinerary to enjoy all the highlights. Call 0208 819 0486 or book online at www.brightsun.co.uk

Bahucharaji Temple: not just a tourist place but one of the kind of temple for eunuchs

By AV Correspondent ith a rich history and architecture, this temW ple attracts thousands of fol-

lowers across the globe. As per history and belief, Bahucharaji temple is one of the Shakti Pith where Daksha's daughter Bhagwati Sati's hands had fallen.

“From religious point this place has the same importance as other religious places in Gujarat like Ambaji, Pavagadh, Dhwarka, Somnath, Palitana, Girnar and Dakor,’’ said the caretaker and pujari of the temple Manubhai Jani.

Jani is the third generation of caretaker at this temple. Explaining the religious importance of this temple he said the belief is that the goddess resided in this place as a young girl which later on went to become a temple . On the belief on why the deity was revered by the unuchs Jani said, “This is the only temple where the eunuchs consider this goddess, and they worship her as the goddess who recognises their presence in the society.

Explaining the belief on why the eunuchs belief this goddess he said, “She was a daughter of a Charan Bapal Detha, once she and her sisters were on journey with a caravan when a man named Bapiya attacked their caravan. It was common practice in charan men and women if overpowered by their enemies, not to surrender but to kill themIngredients: 1/2 cup Almonds, 1 litre Milk 250 grams Sugar, 1 teaspoon Cardamom powder, 1 teaspoon Saffron, 1 tablespoon Pistachios, 1/2 tablespoon Raisins Preparation: Soak the almonds in warm water for 1 hour. Peel and grind to a fine paste. Dissolve the saffron in 1 tablespoon of warm milk and keep aside. Boil the milk in a heavy bottomed pan, stirring constantly. Add the almond paste and simmer for 30-35 minutes, stirring regularly.

Add the saffron, sugar, pista and raisins. Cook on

selves. Shedding the blood of charan was considered heinous sin. When Bapiya attacked the caravan, Bahuchara and her sisters announced tragu and cut their breasts. History has it that that Bapiya was cursed and became impotent. The curse was lifted only when he worshiped Bahuchara Mata by dressing and acting like a woman.’’ It is because of this incident that the eunuch community of India worships this goddess,’’ said Jani. Many in the eunuch community not only worship on auspicious days but the community also gathers when there is a new member who declares itself a eunuch and joins the group as a eunuch. “They come dressed up like brides offer sacrifice and distribute drums to all those pilgrims who visit the temple on that given day,’’ explained Jani.

He added that some of the miracles that were attatched to this temple was Shri Nathaji at Nathadwara wore a nose ring here, the dead cocks ate by soldiers of Alaudin Khilji were re-born here due to the blessing of Bahucheraji, Manajirao Gakewad the erstwhile leader of the Gaekwad royal was also cured of disease after having visited this temple.

“While in other forms of the goddess where she rides a tiger, in this form of Behcharji she rides on a cock.

During Solanki dynasty period in Gujarat ,

cock was a symbol on the state's flag. There are many miracles and legend associated with the Mataji's cock. Devotees of Mataji consider cock sacred and worship it,’’ said Jani adding that this was also a pecularity to this temple only. Earlier when there was no ban on animal offerings devotees here would offer cocks only but after the ban many come here with offerings of red sari and symbols of cock to appease the mother.

Ceremonies like mundan (shaving off the head) and yagnopavit (the sacred thread) are also held at this temple by the devotees, informed Jani.

“At this place Ma Bahgwati came personally to help her devotees. so no wonder former Chief Ministers like Madhavsinh Solanki who was the longest serving Chief Minister prior to Narendra Modi, had visited the temple thrice and then held successful public meetings,’’ said Jani. He said that a successful rally at this place ensures victory for the person in power, “This was a belief that was followed by his predecessors as well. Hence former Chief Ministers Keshubhai Patel and Chimanbhai Patel and Shankersinh Vaghela too visited the temple and organised rallies that finally led to their victories, during their tenure,’’ said Jani.

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By Mamta Saha kspalondon.com Psychologist

How to deal with passive aggressive people As a British Asian Psychologist I find many of my clients being on the receiving end of some odd behaviours – from their kids, partners and work colleagues. As Asians a lot of the values that we are brought up with resonate around harmony and peace. This is all well and good, but these values make it awfully difficult and frustrating to deal with challenging behaviours of others that could be deemed as ‘passive aggressive’.

Passive aggressive behaviour could be described as: a constant pessimistic attitude, someone who puts the efforts of other people down, individuals who complain that they don’t feel understood, people who avoid eye contact and engagement and choosing to not communicate rather then communicate openly and honestly. Also the extreme of having the values of ‘harmony and peace’ could also lead to passive aggressive behaviour as often people find it difficult to communicate exactly what they are thinking and feeling and this may lead to them ‘shutting themselves away and blocking everyone out’. If this all sounds familiar read on for some insight on how to deal with this positively.

The first thing to do is to not assume responsibility for someone else’s ‘bad mood’. If they are in a bad mood and are being evasive – they have cho-

sen to be in that place.

They may feel that if was you that put them there, but ultimately – ‘we create how we feel’ so stop feeling guilty and remove yourself from their bubble and surroundings of blame, guilt and victim mentality’. Guilt is a selfcreated emotion and it adds absolutely no value to your mental, emotional, spiritual and physical vitality. Remain peaceful and calm yourself and keep yourself in a detached place – for your own wellbeing and peace of mind.

Weigh up the pros and cons of absorbing somebody else’s anxiety and think about whether it is really worth it – what would it give you?

Refuse to play along with passive aggressive behaviour. Stick to the facts about their behaviour and express how it makes you feel, you need to do this when you are in a calm state of mind otherwise what you say will land of deaf ears. You could use this framework: Describe the action, how it made you feel and what you would prefer in the future.

For example: When you shouted at me and told me to go away it made me feel unloved and disrespected because I wanted to help, in future I would appreciate it if you watched your tone when communicating to me.

Simple, but effective. Also this way of saying things gives the person some options for what they can

Aerobic exercise makes brain smarterAuckland: The physical benefits of regular exercise are well documented.

Now researchers in a New Zealand university say that people who routinely perform aerobic exercises are also smarter than those who do not.

Hayley Guiney and Liana Machado from the University of Otago, New Zealand unearthed evidence that highlights the importance of physical activity and its role in improving cognitive function throughout life.

A certain amount of mental deterioration is expected with advancing age. But aerobic exercise benefits cognitive function such as switching between tasks, and selective

do instead. Often passive aggressive individuals are not even aware of the impact that are having and how detrimental it can be to those around them.

Lastly, ensure that you confront these negative behaviours. If you don’t you let the individual know they can carry on like that with you and their negative behaviour is reinforced. When you change the world changes around you. So if you’re constantly forgiving this bad behaviour maybe it is time for you to think about the type of respect and value that you expect from this relationship. Speak from your heart; life is too short to be fearful. Nobody is going to respect you if you don’t respect yourself. So think about a way forward and make a commitment to yourself about the steps you are going to take to not be in a place where you have to deal with such passive aggressive behaviours. Remember, we all have choices – sometimes you need to think outside of your comfort zone and box to find them.

Keep up to date by ‘liking’ the Think Spa London page on Facebook and following us on Twitter. Also register on www.thinkspalondon.com for free articles. Remember you have all it takes to live happily and peacefully – so think twice before you allow anything negative to get the better of you. I send you all peace and energy.

attention and working memory, the journal Psychonomic Bulletin & Review reports.

Review of studies by researchers consistently found that fitter individuals scored better in mental tests than their unfit peers.

Scores in mental tests also improved among those who were assigned to an aerobic exercise regimen, compared to those told to do stretch and tone classes, according to an Otago statement.

Both the updating of working memory and the volume of information which could be held was better in fitter individuals or those who followed an aerobic exercise regime.

You go to a party and in the entire excitement gulp down drinks after drinks.

You get high and feel at the top of the world, but the next morning leaves you miserable. You say to yourself ‘I won’t ever drink again’ and then start to regret your carelessness.

When hangover strikes, you feel like a thousand hammers are pounding your brain and that unpleasant feeling leaves you cringing and cribbing.

Your head is splitting, body aches all over and stomach is wrenching. Well, but there is always a way out.

Time is the best cure for a hangover but these following tips can very much help you to get rid of that nasty and irritating hangover.

Drink plenty of water: Dehydration goes hand in hand with a hangover.

Alcohol depletes water from the body. So, it’s advisable to drink a lot of juice and water to rehydrate yourself again.

Have food or drinks that contain fructose: Having such food will help you burn the alcohol faster.

Also consuming these items might make you feel better. Try having some soup or any fruit juice if the above doesn’t work.

Take a warm bath: A hangover leaves your body aching. Hot shower will

also ease your alcohol headache. A nice warm bath may just work wonders for you and you might feel a little better.

Just sleep: In case you were up really late at night, you could be a little sleep deprived. A proper sleep can take away much of the hangover. Put on some soothing music and just try to sleep.

Have Ginger ale: If you don`t want to drink water, try having a glass of flat ginger ale, which will help soothe your stomach and will fight nausea.

Avoid smoking: Scientists say that your hangover could feel a whole lot worse if you smoke as well. Smoking will further irritate your stomach, so keep away from cigarettes completely.

Make some toast: Eating some slices of plain toast along with eggs

could be a good idea. The combination of protein and carbohydrates in an egg and toast is a good source of recovery nutrients. Eggs contain the amino acid cysteine, which can break down the toxins that cause hangover symptoms, and whole grains contain magnesium, which alcohol can deplete.

Take a vitamin B complex tablet: Vitamin B is really helpful in fighting your hangover. You will feel a lot better in the morning after you have taken a pill.

Get some fresh air: Fresh air can really help you sober up. If it’s an safe option try talking a walk outside. Making your body work or letting it sweat out through walking or exercising can help release out all of the toxins that are in your body causing the dreadful hangover.

A study from the SunyState College of Optometry in New York found that smartphone users hold their devices closer to their face than they would hold a book, forcing the eyes to work harder.

As a solution to this problem, smartphone users are advised to minimise the strain by using a font that’s easy to read, such as Verdana 12-point, on all devices.

Spending more than two hours a day on a tablet may also put pressure on your neck, shoulders, arms

and hands, so experts have suggested using a desktop for longer jobs.

Low contrast text and backgrounds tire the eyes while reading dark text on a light background is easiest.

The bright lights and sharp movements in video games force your eyes to focus and refocus constantly, which causes eyestrain.

Look away for 10 seconds every 10 minutes, use an anti-glare screen, blink often and position your screen below eye level to avoid this, experts added.

5 tips to prevent ‘square eyes’ from too much tech use

5 tips to prevent ‘square eyes’ from too much tech use Melbourne: Looking at a computer, tablet or smartphone screen for longer hours may ruin your eyesight, says experts who have also suggested five tips to prevent it.

A recent research by body+soul and OPSM has found Nearly 60 per cent of Australians spend up to eight hours a day looking at a screen.

If you spend a lot of time using a computer, dim lighting can help minimise eyestrain. To protect from this experts have suggested to use dimmer bulbs and to position your screen so that you do not have direct window light in front or behind it.

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...

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th January 2013

YIV 32nd Annual Christmas Vegetarian Lunch held

Around 130 people enjoyed a sumptuous Vegan lunch on Sunday the 9th December 2012 at the Archbishop Lanfran High School, Croydon. Amongst the guests were members of Purley United Reform Church, Croydon Ecology Centre, Vegetarian and Vegan Society and Friends of the Earth. The newly elected MP for Croydon North, Steeve Reed as well as many councillors were present.

Steve Reed praised the Indian community for the positive role it plays in

Croydon. Leader of the Labour Council Tony Newman said that as a vegetarian he always looked forward to this annual event.

Nitin Mehta in his opening remarks said that the lunch is organised to foster friendship and understanding amongst the communities living in Croydon and to introduce people to the delights of Indian vegetarian food. YIV members had worked hard to prepare the food and the vegan cakes after the lunch were a special hit.

Crime falls 10% despite police cuts The government has reignited its war of words with the Police Federation by releasing new figures showing crime has fallen steeply in the past two years despite sharp reductions in police budgets.

Recorded crime fell by at least 10% in 19 out of 43 force areas in England and Wales while budgets were cut by an average of just under 10%. A Home Office source accused the federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, of “scaremongering” for claiming cuts would lead to “Christmas for criminals” and an increase in offending.

Against a background of growing animosity between the police and the Tories in the wake of the Andrew Mitchell “plebgate” row, the figures will also bolster David Cameron and Theresa May, the home secretary.

They are attempting to force further cuts of 3% on the police as a result of the autumn statement.

When the coalition came to power it said it would reduce government police grants by 20% in real terms over the four years to 2015. Some 16,000 of the 140,000 officers in England and Wales would be cut.

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Coming Events l Mahavir Foundation presents: Sunday 6th January 2013, Parshvanath Bhagvan Kalyanak, 10am-12:45pm On 6th-8 Jan posh sud vidhi will be done in the Derasar.

Sunday 13th January 2013: Ghantakarna Mahavir Stotra and Pooja on Yantra For more details see Mahavir Foundation www.mahavirfoundation.org l BAPS charities present Cancer Care: Living with Cancer, Jan 5, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir l Shri Venkateswara Temple presentd 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, Sat 12th, 5-7pm. l Gujarat Hindu Society organises Youth Sports Festival, Sunday 24 February, 2013, 10am-4pm.

Juniors-8-11 years, Youth 12-14 yearsm Senior 15-18 years. Entrance £1/per sport, sports include: Badminton, Table Yennis, Carom, Chess, Kho Kho, darts, Dodge Ball. Contact: 01772 253 901

150th birth anniversary celebrations of Swami Vivekananda National Committee for the Swami Vivekananda 150th Celebrations (SV150) was recently formed to guide and spearhead the yearlong celebration in 2013 in remembrance of Swami Vivekananda.

The National Committee, chaired by Swami Dayatmanandaji of Vendanta Centre, will be working with many organisations across the UK to truly make it a community celebration.

The year 2013 marks the150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. His famous addresse at the first World Parliament of Religions, Chicago in 1893, gave a blueprint on the future world peace and harmony based on the universal religion as enunciated by

Hindu traditions of the East.

His thoughts and vision are even more relevant today as the humanity faces various challenges of poverty, religious fanaticism, materialistic lifestyle, moral, social fabric issues and environmental degradation. He has addressed many of these issues which can enable us to initiate dialogue and collaborate with each other for a better society.

In the UK, we are commencing the celebrations with the Inauguration ceremony, which will take place on the 12th January 2013 at the Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan. 5pm8pm.

For seat reservations, contact Kirti Vekriya on 07920 529 722

Uranus continues to occupy your sign - Watch for rebellious behavior. Saturn has left its opposition to Aries, and this takes some of the direct pressure off your personal life.Overall, however, you have plenty of opportunity this year to find comfort with your loved ones. This is also a good time to launch new projects or even a business.

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21

2013, for the most part, should be a stabilizing period for you. Saturn opposing your sign will bring some challenges to your love life - it will depend very greatly on how strong any existing relationship is. It's time to assess what and who is most important to you.

Spiritual growth is very important for your overall well-being.

Finances are looking quite positive this year.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22 Jupiter continues to move through your sign until June, and if you haven't taken advantage of this beneficial transit yet, Jupiter's direct motion from February is a great time to do so. Saturn puts great emphasizes on your daily work and health routines - one of the best things you can do for yourself in 2013 is to pay closer attention to both these areas. Close relationships look strong this year.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22 Jupiter continues to travel through your twelfth house until the middle of the year, marking a time of retreat and regeneration. This also is a time for research and unfinished behind-the-scene activities. Some of you will be looking to spiritual enlightenment and take up yoga and meditation. July onwards Jupiter's transit in your sign will herald successful new beginnings.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23 Jupiter illuminates your sector of friends, social gatherings and group activities. Personal relationships are also to the fore and some of you might even find true love. This is a time to follow your dreams and ideals.

July onwards much pleasure and growth might be found in solitude and contemplation. Home is also an area you need to deal with.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23 More than any other time of the year, your focus is drawn to your career and standing in the society. This is the time when you are more interested in, and focused on, accomplishing something important.

Contact with authority figures is more likely during this period. Recognition will come your way whether you ask for it or not, and the responsibility that goes with it.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

You are feeling most adventurous and willing to achieve higher knowledge and spiritual growth. This is a good time to broaden your horizons through travel and higher learning. This may take you to far off lands in pursuit of your new-found goals. You must distance yourself from the mundane grind of life and take on something which is more meaningful for your inner growth.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22 Until July, Jupiter energizes your sector of change, transformation and regeneration. On a more practical level, you may be dealing with joint finances and shared resources now more than usual. You should also make sure that your tax affairs are in order. July onwards you will be more willing than usual to travel and expand your horizons.< /em>

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SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 Jupiter highlights your solar seventh house until July. In this period, you have a greater need than usual to be with some one you love. The emphasis is on "us" rather than "me". Your popularity is increasing, because of your own ability to cooperate and empathise with people. July onwards joint resources need to be taken care of as disputes and disagreements can occur if not handled correctly.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20 Jupiter's transit in your 6th house until July this year, places emphasizes on your daily work and health routines. This transit will help you organize and communicate your thoughts clearly at work.

July onwards the emphasis shift to your relationship sector great time for those of you who are single and for those who want to get married.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19 This is a very progressive period of the year, when you are inspired emotionally. You take more pride in your your love affairs, your children, and your hobbies and are generally very sociable and make friends easily. July onwards the emphasis shift to more mundane part of your life. You will focus more on work and health related issues.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20 With Jupiter transiting your solar fourth house of family and home, these areas are highlighted until July. Buying or selling of property or even renovating it will be uppermost in your mind as you will be trying to put your roots down permanently. July onwards the emphasis will be more on creativity, children and love.

Sport World

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th January 2013

31

Maria Sharapova pulls out of Brisbane International

Australia had their feet planted firmly in the driver's seat as they ended Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test at 440/8 in reply to Sri Lanka's modest total of 156.

Mitchell Johnson hit a confident half century to steady Australia to 440-8 and a 284-run lead over Sri Lanka at stumps following a midorder collapse on the second day of the second Test.

Johnson followed his four wickets on the first day with an enterprising knock of 73 with six boundaries after Sri Lanka claimed three wickets for just four runs before tea.

Michael Clarke earlier brought up his 22nd Test century and first at the Melbourne Cricket Ground after becoming Australia's highest-ever run scorer in a calendar year.

Clarke and Shane Watson shared a 194-run partnership until the Australia captain edged a Shaminda Eranga (2106) delivery with the new ball to Mahela Jayawardene at third slip for 106.

Watson fell for 83 in the

next over when he hooked a lofted shot off Dhammika Prasad (3-102) to the waiting hands of Thilan Samaraweera at deep square leg.

Matthew Wade added just one run before becom-

(13) put on a 58-run partnership for the eighth wicket until Siddle fell just before stumps.

Johnson will resume the third day with Nathan Lyon yet to score.

ing Prasad's third victim of the test, caught by Eranga (2-106).

David Hussey made 34 in a 61-run, seventh-wicket stand with Johnson before falling to a superb one-handed, diving catch by Rangana Herath at the boundary off a Tillakaratne Dilshan (1-38) ball.

Johnson and Peter Siddle

Clarke reached his batting milestone when he got to 56 shortly before lunch.

His total for the year is now 1,595, eclipsing recently retired Ricky Ponting's previous record of 1,544 in 2005.

After resuming on the overnight score of 150-3, Clarke made a watchful start before loosening his strokes

against a tame Sri Lankan attack. He timed 14 boundaries, showing little sign of the hamstring strain sustained in the first test at Hobart.

One of Clarke's fours came courtesy of an error when Eranga fielded a straight drive off his own delivery only to beat Kumar Sangakkara behind the wicket with a return that carried to the boundary.

Sri Lanka's injury woes worsened on the second morning when paceman Chanaka Welegedara pulled up while running in to bowl to Clarke and limped from the field. He left the grounds for scans on his hamstring.

The visitors lost regular wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardena to a fractured right thumb, his place behind the stumps being filled by Sangakkara.

Johnson claimed four wickets to help dismiss Sri Lanka in under two sessions. The only highlight of the Sri Lankan innings was a defiant 58 from Sangakkara that included his 10,000th Test run.

McGrath to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame

Australian pace legend Glenn McGrath will be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame during the third Test between Australia and Sri Lanka starting January 4 in Sydney.

McGrath will join Enid Bakewell and Brian Lara to become third inductee of 2012-13, the ICC said in a statement.

"McGrath becomes the 68th male member of the Hall of Fame and joins fellow 2012-13 inductees West Indian Brian Lara and England`s Enid Bakewell in being recognized by the ICC and the living members of the Hall of Fame."

While Lara and Bakewell were inducted in September at the ICC Awards, McGrath will be inducted at his home ground of the SCG. A fourth and final inductee of 2012-13 will be

announced next summer.

McGrath represented Australia in 124 Test matches between 1993 and 2007 and claimed 563 Test wickets at an average of 21.64. He took more Test wickets than any other seam bowler currently in the game or retired.

He also represented Australia in 250 ODIs, claiming 381 wickets at an average of 22.02, and was part of the Australian side that won three successive World Cups -- 1999, 2003 and 2007. He still holds the record for most wickets in World Cup competitions, with 71 scalps and his figures of 7-15 against Namibia are the best in the competition`s history.

"I am honoured that the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame voting academy, which includes all the current living Hall of Famers, have nominated and voted me to be inducted into the Hall of Fame," McGrath said of the induction.

"I am very much looking forward to celebrating the occasion on 4 January with not only my friends and family, but all those at the SCG which is of course is like a second home to me," he added.

Sharapova sent scans of her injury to her doctor in New York, who advised her not to do any overhead training for at least a week.

Reigning French Open champion Maria Sharapova was forced to withdraw from the season-opening Brisbane International with a right collarbone injury. Sharapova sent scans of her injury to her doctor in New York, who advised her not to do any overhead training for at least a week. "So to be fair I haven't really given myself a chance to pretty much hit any serves or anything over my head, I've just been practising groundstrokes. So I just kind of ran out of time here," said the Russian world number two. It is the second year in a row that Sharapova has withdrawn from the tournament without playing a shot. In 2012 she skipped Brisbane because of an ankle injury and went straight to Melbourne to prepare for the Australian Open, where she finished runner-up to Victoria Azarenka. Sharapova said she would do the same this year, passing up the opportunity of playing in Sydney next week to make sure she is fit for Melbourne.

Virat Kohli only Indian cricketer named in ‘Fairfax 2012 World Team of Year’

Virat Kohli is the only Indian cricketer to find a place in the final XI of Fairfax Media team of 2012. Just four nations have been represented in the final XI of the team of 2012.

Just one player from India, cricket’s commercial and political heartland, has been selected, because of the country’s slide into complacency, when it comes to Test cricket. South Africa’s adaptable Faf du Plessis made the list for his end year surge against Australia in the recently concluded Test series.

Australia was not represented in 2011, but the team is on an upswing and has contributed three players in 2012, including Michael Clarke, who is at the peak of his powers. In keeping with modern trends, the fast bowling attack has been picked from a platoon of pace men, with Vernon Philander on the fringe.

Packed Eden Gardens - a tribute to Tony Greig A little over a year ago, former England captain Tony Greig had called the Eden Gardens "a morgue" after a handful of spectators turned up for a IndiaWest Indies Test. Alas! If only the cricketer had lived a few more days, he would have felt better.

For less than a week after the demise of the popular commentator, the iconic ground is all set to abuzz with a capacity crowd cheering arch-rivals India and Pakistan in a One- Day International (ODI The stadium`s custodian Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has announced a sell-out crowd.

"All the tickets have been sold out. It will be a sell-out crowd," CAB treasurer Biswarup Dey said.

On the flip side though, only 3,500 tickets were made avail-

able for general spectators.

Also, for the first time for an international match at the Eden, tickets for general spectators were sold only online.

With access to the internet perhaps a difficult proposition for ordinary cricket fans, beneficiaries are likely to be the net savvy urban population.

The rest of the tickets were set aside as complimentaries or sold to CAB-affiliated clubs.

The hallowed ground, known for its boisterous and sporting crowd, had been low on the decibel count in the recent past causing concern among many former cricket greats.

The sight of just 1,000 spectators at a stadium with a capacity of 65,000 during an IndiaWest Indies Test in November 2011 had prompted the celebrated Greig to call it a

"morgue".

"Eden Gardens was one of my favourite grounds because of its wonderful atmosphere.

Today, it looks and sounds like a morgue," tweeted Greig, who had happy memories of captaining England to a 10-wicket victory over India at the venue in

1976-77.

The tall cricketer`s own contribution was a 103 that defied a stomach bug and a crumbling pitch.

"I remember when more than 80,000 used to rise on their feet and were roaring. It feels sad to see Eden like this," Greig

had posted on Twitter.

The stadium set up in 1864 could host around 1,00,000 spectators before it was renovated ahead of last year`s World Cup. Now its capacity is 66,000.

Not only in Tests, the stadium has looked deserted during limited over internationals as well.

However, the Indian Premier League matches have been an exception with all witnessing good crowd.

The iconic ground witnessed its lowest-ever turn-out in a one day match in October when just 27,000 watching the fifth and final match between India and England.

India`s legendary off-spinner Erapalli Prasanna feels a full house at Eden would be a fitting tribute to Greig who died Dec 29 after suffering a heart attack in Sydney.

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th January 2013

Pakistan, India set for resumption of hockey ties

Yuvraj Singh cracked a dazzling 72 before the bowlers staged a brilliant recovery at the death overs as India clinched a nerve-wracking 11-run victory over archrivals Pakistan in the second T20 International to level the series 1-1 in Ahmedabad.

India posted a competitive 192 riding on Yuvraj's 36ball-knock that included seven huge sixes, and then restricted the rivals to 181 for seven with the bowlers finding their mojo just in the nick of time.

Paceman Ashok Dinda scalped three for 36 including the important wicket of rival captain Mohammed Hafeez (55) in the penultimate over to turn the tide in India's favour at the jam-packed Sardar Patel Stadium.

At one stage, Pakistan seemed to be well and truly on course to overhaul India's challenging target but Dinda and Ishant Sharma kept their cool during the death overs to seal the issue in hosts' favour.

Needing 20 runs off the final over bowled by Ishant,

After the resumption of bilateral ties in cricket, the Pakistan and Indian hockey federations are also moving in the same direction. The PHF announced that bilateral hockey ties would be restored between the two countries in 2013.

Although no dates were given when the bilateral series would resume but the PHF announced that Narinder Batra, the secretary general of Hockey India, would be visiting Lahore from December 29th.

Sources within the PHF said in the first phase, likely to be held in FebruaryMarch, six tests would be played three each in both countries to signal the resumption of bilateral ties. "But now the move is towards having the matches in India and Pakistan," a source said.

Mithali Raj to lead Indian squad in ICC Women's World Cup

Umar Gul and Shoaib Malik could manage only eight runs much to the delight of the home crowd and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni whose leadership has been under the scanner for some time now.

Apart from Hafeez, who scored his runs off only 26 balls with six fours and three

sixes, openers Nasir Jamshed (41) and Ahmed Shehzad (31) were the other notable contributors for the visitors.

Pakistan captain Hafeez came in at the fall of Shehzad's wicket and took the Indian attack to the cleaners hitting five fours and three sixes. The two shots that stood out was a scoop off

Bhuvneshwar Kumar's bowling once he saw that the fine leg was up. The second was a six over extra cover off Ishant's bowling.

He also hit a couple of boundaries off Ashok Dinda and the equation suddenly changed. When Umar Akmal was cleaned by Dinda, the pair had added 62 runs in 5.3 overs.

Why India lost the first T20 against Pakistan?

A day after India's first ever loss in a T20 against Pakistan, media tries to figure out just where did India, who had multiple chances of winning the match, lost it.

Here are 5 things that cost India the first of the two-match T20 series against Pakistan in Bangalore.

1. Didn't pick Ashwin.

R Ashwin has been India's best spinner in the last twelve months; add to that his recent exploits with the bat. He could have been just the man that India

needed to beat Pakistan in Bangalore.

But the Men in Green were not complaining.

"With Ashwin not playing, India did not have a world class spinner today. It was a surprise for us that Ashwin did not play," Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez said after the 5-wicket win. India captain MS Dhoni, however, defended the decision. "Once we had three seamers we thought we had to give chance to Jadeja once the field opens up. Ashwin

has also gone for runs, and we also had other resources with Yuvraj, Kohli and just in case we needed an off-spinner we had Rohit Sharma & Suresh Raina, but we needed an option of a left arm spinner," he said.

2. Asking Jadeja to bowl the last over Pakistan needed 10 runs to win from the last over. It wasn't an easy task but did the skipper do the right thing by tossing the ball to his Chennai Super Kings teammate Ravindra Jadeja?

Former India captain and NDTV expert Sunil Gavaskar does not think so.

"He is so predictable, he will go for sixes, not just runs but big sixes. It would have given to Yuvraj just because of his confidence," he said.

3. Giving Virat 2 overs With three Pakistani batsmen back in the hut early, India was back in the game and that's when Virat Kohli was brought into bowl, not one, but two overs on the trot. The Delhi boy went for 21 runs in his 2 overs and more importantly allowed the visitors to get their foot into the door. "You don't try non-regular bowlers when wickets are falling and batsmen are under pressure. It is almost like taking the foot off the neck of the opposition," Mr Gavaskar said.

4. Needed better running between the wickets Losing wickets to good bowling is one thing but run outs can be criminal.

India lost their last seven wickets for 21 runs - of those two were run outs.

5. Hafeez-Malik partnership What India couldn't do, Pakistan did, which was stitch together a match-wining partnership. With three wickets down, Hafeez and Shoaib Malik absorbed all the pressure. Even in the final over with the capacity crowd of 40 thousand fans supporting the home team, the visitors kept it cool and walked away with the match.

India has named Mithali Raj as the captain of the 15-member women's cricket squad for the World Cup to be played in India next month. ICC Women's World Cup will begin on the 31st of this month. The finals will be played at CCI ground in Mumbai on February 17.

Hosts India will play on the opening day of the tournament against the West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium.

Chennai Open: Bhambri loses to Haase; Soeda through Big-serving Indian Yuki Bhambri did well to send down eight aces in his first round match against sixth-seeded Robin Haase.

However, in keeping with his seeding, the Dutchman ensured a safe passage to the second round of the Aircel Chennai Open with a 7-5 6-3 victory. It looked like wildcard Bhambri went all out in the first set and was by and large close to his rival going purely by statistics. But having spent the bulk of his energy in trying to contain Haase in the first set, it was always going to be tough in the second.

And the end result was no big surprise: a brave effort by Bhambri but not good enough.

Newly built SCA stadium ready for India-England tie: Shah

Constructed at a cost of around `75 crore, the stadium is spread over 5.50 lakh sq ft area on Rajkot-Jamnagar highway near Khandheri. The newly built Saurashtra cricket stadium is all set to host the India-England in this month and would soon be formally inuagurated, the body's honorary secretary Niranjan Shah had said. "The stadium is completely ready for the first day-night one day match to be played between India and England on January 11," Shah told reporters. Constructed at a cost of around `75 crore, the stadium is spread over 5.50 lakh sq ft area on Rajkot-Jamnagar highway near Khandheri. "It would be one of the best stadiums and we have taken care that the audience can watch the match uninterrupted and therefore fencing has not been set up," Shah said adding that SCA has not compromised with the security arrangements and has installed 40 CCTVs to monitor each and every nook of the venue.