AV 5th July 2014

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Govt to evacuate stranded Indians from Iraq &&&! !

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Morari Bapu starts his historic Ram Katha in Rome

Britain honours Overseas Heroes from the First World War

See Page - 16

See Page - 17

Britain's East India company issues gold coin in honour of Sachin

See Page - 20

Saina wins Super Series title

See Page - 32

Government of India has sent two ships to Iraq to evacuate stranded Indians. Official sources said that cargo ships have also been sent to Basra to carry Indians to the nearest safe port from where Indian Air Force (IAF) of Air India planes will carry them back home. There are 10,000 Indians in the country and some of them have already come back.

The government is putting up camp offices at various places, including Karbala, Najaf and Basra.

India has already issued an advisory urging all Indian nationals, who wish to travel voluntarily, that they can take commercial flights out from the airports of Irbil,

Baghdad, Najaf and Basra.

The government is doing everything to bring back Indians from strife-torn Iraq. With the situation in Iraq fast spinning out of control, the Indian government is putting all the efforts to evacuate Indians not only from Sunni-controlled troubled areas, but also herded them out from relatively peaceful Shiadominated regions.

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London to host its first Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas India has chosen London as the host city for its next Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention in October 2014 for 2 days, given the size and importance of the Indian diaspora in the UK. This will be the eighth regional convention, but the first one in the UK. On Monday evening, at the India House, HE Ranjan Mathai, the Indian High Commission to Britain reportedly announced: "As we work on this event and develop some ideas, the High Commission will meet with members of the community here and take this initiative for-

ward."

"The Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre will be a partner for the divas in the UK and will work with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to work on a good business plan.�

The High Commissioner also said that the destination of the annual Indian PBD will be Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, to mark the 100th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's return from South Africa.

He added, "Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated on January 9 every year to mark the contribution of the Continued on page 8

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Sources said that, this week over 600 Indians will leave their workplaces and jobs and fly back to India with the help of Indian government despite many do not have their papers in order. The Indian embassy is quickly putting their documents in place and planning to put these Indians on commercial

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th July 2014

Keith Vazwith MP

Keith Vaz MP

Manubhai Makwana

date?

My parents played a large role in teaching me to be independent and they gave me the confidence to pursue my goals. I would also say that following the Hindu Dharma has guided me to lead a peaceful and happy life. My wife Jayaben Makwana and my family have always supported me both in my business and community work.

Manubhai Makwana is the Chairman of Hindu Council (Brent) and has been an active member of the organisation since 1993. Hindu Council (Brent) is an umbrella body representing 80 organisations. He came to London from East Africa in 1975. At the same time, he joined his community organisation Shree UK Luhar Gnati Mandal (London) where he worked in various roles for 32 years. Manubhai has also served Asian Foundation for Help as a Trustee and Hindu Forum of Britain as a committee member. Manubhai has also been a local Councillor candidate. Manubhai Makwana is also the Managing Director of KP Engineering Works Ltd. The company was established in 1990 and specialises in the manufacture and installation of steel products such as security grilles, gates, railings and staircases. He is a social person and enjoys working with people and in charitable organisations.

1) What is your current position?

I am the Chairman of Hindu Council (Brent) and also Managing Director of our family business, KP Engineering Works Ltd. 2) What are your proudest achievements?

I am really proud of seeing the growth of my business, especially now that my 2 sons Pravin & Ketan have taken full responsibility of it's day to day running and progressing the

business well. In terms of my voluntary activities, I take great pride in my community work having worked for various charitable organisations in the UK over a period of 40 years. It is also a privilege to be serving Hindu Council (Brent) as Chairman for the 2nd term.

3) What inspires you?

Seeing the Hindu community maintain their cultural identity and progressing in this challenging world, especially in the area of Politics. It is the com-

Multicultural curriculum could be affecting White British children, study says

A study, published by Lambeth Council in South London, has found that working-class white children are becoming demoralized at school because lessons are too focused on celebrating other cultures while ignoring British traditions.

Head teachers told how they ran numerous projects such as Black History Month and cultural days to raise awareness of countries such as Portugal, Poland and

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

I have faced many challenges in my life but I have managed to overcome them with hard work and dedication and of course with the full support of my family.

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

7) And the worst?

Nothing is so bad that I can describe it as worst, I take each moment and challenge as it comes and try my best to overcome the difficulties.

Madame Tussauds welcomes stunning Kareena Kapoor Khan figure

Jamaica. But it was reportedly claimed that white British pupils from deprived homes often “cannot see themselves or their lives reflected in the curriculum”, making them dislike school altogether.

The study said that poor children were further isolated by a "small world" mentality, with parents failing to take them to the local park or visit places of interest.

Researchers called on the Department for

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munity spirit which really inspires me to work selflessly for and on behalf of the community on a daily basis.

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

As Chairman of Hindu Council (Brent) I have been able to serve the Hindu community in Brent with dedication and without ego. In terms of my business, I feel good knowing my 2 son's are progressing the business after I laid the foundations when it was first started.

Bollywood superstar Kareena Kapoor Khan's stunning Madame Tussauds wax figure today took up residence at the World famous attraction's original venue in London where it will remain for a special visit over the summer. The figure, first unveiled at Madame Tussauds Blackpool in 2011, is moving to join the Bollywood line up in London in response to overwhelming fan demand.

On seeing her wax figure for the first time in 2011, Kareena said: “It is an honour and a privilege for me to have my own Madame Tussauds wax figure - this is a moment of pride for Indian cinema. The figure looks

incredible and is so lifelike, I had to do a double take when I saw myself – they have really done a superb job at capturing my essence.”

Education to develop a "curriculum that treats white British identity in the same way as ethnic minorities”. These findings come just weeks after

Michael Gove, the Education Secretary, pledged that all schools have to actively promote British values in the classroom to target extremism.

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8) What are your long term goals?

Hindu Council (Brent) is dedicated to working for the benefit of the Hindu community.

Therefore for the foreseeable future I would like to continue campaigning to get Brent Council to re-instate the Navratri grant after it was axed 2 years ago. Of course I would also like to take more time out and spend some more time at the seaside.

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

I would make more funding available to local Councils so that community festivals can be celebrated in style and with passion as I see community spirit and cohesion as the life force of a country.

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

It would be an honour to meet Mahatma Gandhi to learn more about his patience, positive attitude and strength in securing independence for India. I would also definitely ask him to join us in our campaign to get the Navratri grant back!

Gymkhana becomes first Indian eatery named 'National Restaurant of the Year'

Exclusive Mayfair restaurant Gymkhana, named after the Indian term for a posh sports club, has become the first Indian restaurant to be named UK National Restaurant of the Year.

The Gymkhana on Stafford Street was chosen as number one over several world-renowned eateries including Le Gavroche, The Ledbury, The Fat Duck and the stunning Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons to top the list of the 100 top restaurants in Great Britain.

The restaurant opened in September 2013 and serves traditional Indian cuisine which use British ingredients. It is owned by chef Karam Sethi and his family, who also owns

Trishna.

The bar serves a range of cocktails made using Asian spices and the restaurant also features a traditional Tandoor oven and Sigri charcoal grill.

“It is testament to the quality of Gymkhana as well as the true diversity of the U.K.’s eating-out scene that an Indian restaurant has been named the best place to eat out,” Stefan Chomka, editor of Restaurant magazine reportedly said in a statement.

The National Restaurant Awards are the magazine’s annual countdown of the U.K. top 100.

Rankings are based on the votes of some of the top chefs, restaurant-owners and food critics in the UK.

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th July 2014

COMMENT

Benefactors of humanity

The true benefactors of humanity in the contemporary world transcend the limits of politics and its glib practitioners. Only the other day, US Secretary of State, John Kerry, stood before the cameras to brazenly proclaim that America bore no responsibility for the dire situation in Iraq or any other of the region’s trouble spots, a statement that told of an absence of conscience and scruple and a gaping deficit in moral sensibility. What redeems humanity are the people who care for other people and strive to relieve their want and suffering and bring rays of light and hope into their darkened lives.

Food security are buzzwords much bandied about.

Its lack brings malnutrition and disease, hence Sanjaya Rajaram, a dedicated Indian teacher and wheat breeder, is a name to ponder. Agricultural scientist-administrator, Etienne Duveiller, Director of Research for South Asia at the Mexico-based International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre, describes Mr Rajaram in action: standing in the middle of a field, selecting varieties of grain, with a group of students around him scribbling furiously in their notebooks as he spoke. “That scene [captures] him perfectly, a teacher and wheat breeder,” said Mr Duveiller. Sanjaya Rajaram,71, has been awarded the 2014 World Food Prize for research that has resulted in global wheat output increasing by 200 million and more in the wake of the transformative Green Revolution of the 1960s and 70s. Mr Rajaram worked with Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug – “my grand amigo,” said Borlaug - at the International Maize and Wheat Centre, leading its wheat programme from 1976 to 2001.

Over a distinguished career, he has developed 480 wheat varieties that have been released in 51 coun-

tries across six continents. Mr Rajaram has warned against complacency: crop production will decline unless the world adopts advanced genetics and addresses issues of soil fertility and water deficits in the next 20 or 30 years. “Plant breeding is gaining much importance as we need disease resistance in wheat,” says Etienne Duveiller. “He was always determined to use new technology and innovations in breeding and, over the years, trained hundreds of scientists from various countries,” explains Raj Krishna Gupta, Head, Experimental Farms, Borlaug Institute for South Asia, New Delhi.

“Small and large-scale farmers around the world are the beneficiaries of Rajaram’s work,” said Maize and Wheat Institute’s website. It is the perfect summing up of Sanjaya Rajaram’s long service to humanity.

Another benefactor, this time in Bangalore, has earned the Rolex Award for Enterprise from a global pool of 1,800 candidates. She is Bangalore-based entrepreneur Neeti Kailas, whose project for the screening of new-born babies with hearing problems, has won worldwide acclaim. Ms Kailas, a National Institute of Design alumnus, runs the Sohun innovation Laboratory in the city, with her engineer-husband Nitin Sisodia. Their portable, battery-powered, non-invasive device to measure the auditory brainstem response among the newly born is undergoing advanced trials, and should reach the market in 2016-17. It will cost a fifth of the devices now on sale at home and abroad.

Affordability is as important as inventiveness. It is the name of the game. It is a key Indian attribute, a selling point across continents to tackle human impairment, where need is paramount.

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), Tata Motors global brand in cars and sports utility vehicles (SUVs), created 250 jobs with the Land Rover Discovery, at its Halewood plant, near Liverpool. The new vehicle has meant new investment in Halewood over the past 18 months, amounting to 200 million pounds sterling, taking the total investment package to 500 million pounds sterling. However, Halewood’s growth has been spurred largely by the company’s most successful product to date, namely, its Range Rover Evoque. Since 2012, JLR has been running Halewood on three shifts, enabling it to operate 24 hours a day to keep pace with demand. “In many ways, Halewood has embodied the transformation of Jaguar Land Rover,” (JLR) said the plant’s Operations Director Richard Else. As part of the latest investment in the Land Rover Discovery Sport, has put 45 million pounds into a press line, acquired 260 robots and laser-welding facilities, as well as introduced new monitoring and reporting systems. The Discovery Sport will hit the market next year.

Sales of Jaguar Land Rover rose by 19 per cent in 2013, with profit before tax at the end of the financial year in March 2014, a healthy 2.5 billion pounds. JLR has plans to spend 3.5 billion pounds in product creation and capital expenditure in the year ending March 2015. JLR has spearheaded the

revival of the British automotive industry and the wider manufacturing sector. Aston Martin, Bentley and Nissan are among the carmakers bringing new investments and jobs over the past six months. Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) have revealed income generated by British car exports has more than doubled over the last decade, rising to about 25 billion pounds, from 12 billion pounds in the previous year. Britain, which produced 1.5 million cars last year, is set to cross the 2 million-bar by 2017, according to the SMMT projection.

A postscript to the UK performance of Tata Motors, an Indian-owned company, was complemented by the Honorary Knighthood in the Queen’s Honours list, conferred on Indian scientist Professor Tejinder Virdee, one of the founders of the Compact Muon Solenold (CMS), which led to the discovery of the Higgs Boson and a Nobel Prize in Physics for Peter Higgs. Professor Virdee teaches at Imperial College, London. Reacting to the honour, he said, “It came as a complete surprise to me. To be frank it took a while for the news to sink in. I’m delighted and truly humbled to get such an honour.” Britain, India and the world of science will surely rejoice in his achievement. It represents the best in the Indo-British partnership. More power to his elbow.

The touring Indian cricketers in England have an opportunity to redeem the abysmal record of its predecessor in the summer of 2011, when all four Test matches were lost by humiliating margins. This abject performance was repeated a few months later in Australia with another Test series whitewash.

India lost a subsequent contest at home against England, and not much comfort can be taken by the successes against the West Indians and Australians, the former, in particular, a poor reflection of the men who had brought glory to the Caribbean from the mid-1970s through to the early 90s. A rejuvenated Australia are now a power to be reckoned with. India, meanwhile, lost consecutive Test series in South Africa and New Zealand, reinforcing the sad truth that they are unable to cope with conditions in foreign climes, where pitches have more bounce and are more responsive to deviations off the seam and in the air than they normally do on the placid surfaces of the subcontinent. These factors are compounded by the surfeit of one-day cricket, especially the biff-bang-wallop of the Twenty/20 format. The truest mettle of an international cricketer is surely revealed in the crucible of a five-day Test match, where skill and flair must be

aligned with patience, concentration and judgment.

The legendary status of Don Bradman is located in the centuries, double and triple centuries he compiled against the most demanding bowling attacks of his time, at home and abroad. The same yardstick applied to such legends as Gary Sobers, Viv Richards, Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall, Richard Hadlee, Shane Warne, Jacques Kallis, Sunil Gavaskar, Kumar Sanggakara, Imran Khan et al. Do present-day Indian players have what it takes to succeed consistently at this level? They have to prove themselves by their deeds, not by the hallucinatory Indian media hype. It is time to stand up and be counted. The Indian team that is set to do battle this summer has names that were found wanting on the last tour of England; newcomers will find English conditions testing, to say the least.

There is no purveyor of leg-spin in the side, instead, we have a gaggle of medium pacers, some not fit for purpose. The opportunity to blood new talent in a taxing environment has been spurned.

Gavaskar and Tendulkar, remember, were acclaimed stars by their mid-twenties? India’s selectors, it would appear, are enemies of promise. Sticking with mediocrity is their métier.

Jaguar Land Rover spearheads UK’s automotive revival

Indian cricket team has chance of redemption

3 Hope is an orientation of the heart; it transcends the world that is immediately experienced and it is anchored somewhere beyond its horizons. It is an ability to work for something because it is good, not just because it stands a chance to succeed - "Seeds of Hope" by Vaclav Havel

Jobs – Get On Your Bike Summer is a time when a lot of people look for new jobs – some not out of choice of course. So here are some thoughts: Passport Office to Motorway Repair Man: In your original job at the Passport Office you were used to making it look like you were working hard whilst doing relatively little paid by the public purse. So use those skills as a motorway repair man. Same skills needed, appear like you are doing something, but actually you are doing very little.

Retail Banker to Lawyer: your original skills were the ability to put up with the rest of society disliking you, taking lots of money from people and offering not much in return and feeling all superior about it. Ideal as a retrained lawyer.

Investment Banker to Somali Pirate: As an investment banker your skills were in charging extortionate, some would say hostage-level, fees to your clients whilst promising them freedom that money brings. Again you have a thick skin and are already used to being disliked. Your skills of extortion are ideal for becoming a Somali Pirate.

Party Organiser to Sports Event Organiser: If you’ve been fired from your job as a party organiser as the market contracts and companies spend less on organising such things, then don’t down-size – go Commonwealth! You will already be skilled at leaving everything to the last minute and praying it all works out.

MP to Accountant:

You were great as at managing your own finances, especially your expenses. So scale up and do it for clients not just yourself.

Accountants to property companies will be especially suited to you, since you are already used to creative accounting for second homes.

Ex-trader wife to personal shopper: As extraders are increasingly made redundant in the wake of more and more scandals, their moneyhungry wives will soon be divorcing them. (And before the feminists get all high and mighty and send me their boxing gloves – read the statistics – most traders are men and if married, they are married to women!

Apologies to all women traders married to other women) So when you discover your husband is no longer any use as his money and he are parting – why don’t you as the wife become a personal shopper and party yourself? You’ve been used to spending his money on yourself, now that he hasn’t got any, spend other people’s money on themselves. At least you know your way around Harrods already.

Facebook often though!

There you have it, the society our politicians have left us with.

Fewer bankers, traders and civil servants – all good you say – until you realise we get more lawyers and accountants. Is this the kind of society you want? If not, write to your MP and tell them to keep spending spending spending on the country’s credit card.

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MIDLANDS VOICE

Father who lost family in blaze describes his anguish

Top row (L-R): Kemo Porter, Tristan Richards, Shaun Carter, Aaron Webb; Bottom row: Nathaniel Mullings, Jackson Powell, Akeem Jeffers, Cairo Parker

A murder trial fell silent as neurosurgeon Dr Muhammad Taufiq told of his devastation at losing his entire family in an arson attack.

Dr Taufiq, who stood in the witness box with his wife Shehnila's Koran, told the judge, lawyers, defendants and the public gallery of the extent of his loss. He said: "I give this statement to express my personal feelings since the deaths of my entire family – my wife Shehnila Taufiq, 47, my son Bilal, 17, Jamal, 15, and my daughter Zainab, 19."

Dr Taufiq, who broke down in tears while giving the statement at Nottingham Crown Court, said: "I am the only surviving victim of this heinous attack.

Words cannot describe the pain that I have to endure and continue to endure every living moment."

Dr Taufiq said that before the family home was destroyed in the

Dr Muhammad Taufiq

early hours of Friday, September 13, last year, his family was planning a community project in Ireland.

He said: "We had a vision to set up a community centre, prayer facility, faith school, restaurant and convenience store and a small healthcare facility all under one roof to serve our community in Dublin. We had gotten so close to materialising the dream, we had purchased a premise to serve these functions. Little did any of us know that this dream would always remain incomplete. This

is a team effort and my team has been murdered."

He was speaking after a jury had unanimously convicted Tristan Richards, (22), of Sparkenhoe Street, Highfields, and Kemo Porter, (19), of Browning Street, West End, of four counts of murder. Shaun Carter, 24, of Franche Rd, Dane Hills, was unanimously convicted of four counts of manslaughter.

The jury also convicted five defendants on majority verdicts on four counts of manslaughter.

They are Aaron Webb (20), of Saltersford Road, North Evington, Leicester; Jackson Powell (20), of Burnside Road, Saffron Lane Estate, Leicester; Nathaniel Mullings (19), of Farrington Street, off Humberstone Road, Leicester, and Akeem Jeffers (21), of Car Mills, Buslingthorpe Lane, Leeds, and Cairo Parker (17), of Wood Hill.

Shamed cop's sister convicted of helping to run brothels in London's West End

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th July 2014

Leicester man linked to jihadists fighters in Syria and Iraq A young man, apparently from Leicester, has appeared in a recruitment video urging British Muslims to join jihadist fighters in Syria and Iraq.

The Sunday Times has said a video posted online

by Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) includes a young fighter who goes by the name Abu Bara al-Hindi, who the newspaper says is from Leicester, where he is known as Raqib.

The video has not been verified, but one of the young men has been identified as 20-year-old Nasser Muthana, from Cardiff, who has been joined by his 17-year-old brother, Aseel. Their father, Ahmed, has said Nasser left home in March saying he was going to study in Leicester.

The man in the video, identified as Abu Bara alHindi, urged other Muslims to join the Sunni

Video shows Abu Dujana Al Hindi, Abu Muthanna Al Yemeni and Abu Bara Al Hindi

Islamists, who have taken control of large parts of Syria and Iraq.

Leicester East MP Keith Vaz said: "Foreign fighters are the gravest terrorist threat this country has faced for 13 years and I am troubled by the recent reports of a Leicester resident going to fight abroad. Every schoolteacher, social worker and parent in Leicester has a responsibility to try to engage and neutralise those who seek to turn young minds into potential terrorists. Our city is home to strong

communities and we must look to them to persuade people not to go."

Suleman Nagdi, of the Leicester-based Federation of Muslims, said: "It may be the media reports are incorrect.

Sometimes, the press gets these things wrong and we need more clarification. In Islam there is the concept of Ummah – a worldwide community – where even things that happen thousands of miles away have a big impact on Muslims here, but he have to discourage people from going.''

Life for Levenhulme's Aftab Alam for murdering wife A jealous husband who murdered his wife days before she was due to move out of their home in Greater Manchester has been jailed.

Aftab Alam, 53, pictured, pleaded guilty to stabbing Aisha Alam at their Levenshulme home in November. He then drove to a police station with the murder weapon and told officers: "I have just killed my wife."

Alam, of Mayford Road, was ordered to serve a minimum of 12 years in prison at Manchester Crown Court.

Mrs Alam, was sitting on the sofa on 22 November when her hus-

band of 29 years stabbed her 13 times in the neck, chest and back. He then went to Longsight police station with a holdall containing the murder weapon and confessed.

The court heard his relationship with Aisha was "profoundly affected" when he suffered two brain haemorrhages in recent years. Police said the mother-of-four report-

ed she had suffered domestic violence at his hands in 2011 but she did not want to press charges.

Mrs Alam had been due to exchange contracts on moving home just days after she was murdered, said police.

Sentencing him, Judge Robert Atherton said the couple's children would "have to live with the dreadful fact that you took their mother from them".

Greater Manchester Police's Duncan Thorpe said: "Aftab Alam not only callously took a life in a brutal and unprovoked attack, he has deprived four children of their mother."

Sentence slashed for hit and run driver A hit-and-run driver who mowed down a dad-offour as he crossed a Birmingham road has had his sentence slashed after a judge ruled his driving was not dangerous.

Uninsured Majid Bashir, 39, pictured, drove off with a shattered windscreen and punctured tyre after hitting Stephen Chappell, 49, on Bordesley Green Road.

The HGV driver, from Great Barr, suffered serious head injuries in the hit and run and died days after the collision last January.

Bashir, of Sparkbrook, was jailed for four years and nine months at Birmingham Crown Court in February after admit-

ply it. They were Talib be published, also pleaded The sister of a disgraced Hussain, 33, of Douglas possessing to guilty West Midlands Police offiAvenue, Hodge Hill, his cocaine with intent to supcer has been convicted of brothers Atif, 26, and Asri ply it to brothel cushelping him and others Hussain, 24, both of Silver tomers. run brothels in London’s Birch Close, Saltley, and Ben drivers Taxi West End. Jennifer Williams, 31, of Disha, 44, and Fadil A jury found Raheela Furlong Lane, Cradley Hyseni, 31, both of Ali guilty of involvement Heath.

Harrow, Middlesex, were in the plot, which also Talib and Atif Hussain cleared of conspiring to involved her husband, being admitted also assist in the management Nassar Ali, and four other involved in conspiring to of a brothel. But the jury people from the Midlands. launder proceeds from the heard four others had earAli, of Buxton Road, brothel. Raheela Ali was lier pleaded guilty to conIlford, Essex, was found bailed and sentencing was spiring to the brothel conguilty of conspiring to adjourned for a report to spiracy and possessing manage or assist in the be prepared. cocaine with intent to supmanagement of brothels and conspiring to launder the proceeds. Her Killer who raped homeless woman loses sentence appeal 50-year-old husband, judges at the Court of rowing with his wife. The 32of the same address, A convicted killer who raped Appeal said he deserved year-old, from Handsworth, brother, a homeless woman while she her and every day of that sentence Birmingham, previously Birmingham-based PC tried to sleep in a Midland for the horrific attack on the served an 11-year stretch for Osman Iqbal, had ear- bus shelter has lost an appeal defenceless woman in manslaughter and was caged lier admitted the same against his prison sentence.

Oldbury in November for 16 years for three rapes at charges. The 36-year- Mohammed Azim, pictured, 2012. The London court Wolverhampton Crown old police officer, attacked his victim, aged in heard Azim, formerly from Court last July. Three senior whose address cannot her 50s, three times after

ting causing death while uninsured, aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving. But his sentence has now been cut by one year after London’s Criminal Appeal Court ruled the original term was too long, with one judge stating: ‘‘His driving wasn’t dangerous in the legal sense of the word.’’

The court heard Bashir - who had no driving licence or insurance - took his wife’s Nissan Micra out for a drive on January 30 last year, without her knowledge. As he drove along Bordesley Green Road, travelling slightly above the 30mph speed limit, he struck Mr Chappell who was crossing the road to return to O l d b u r y, had been drinking and had argued with his wife.

He launched the terrifying attack after the woman spurned his advances. He hit

his parked-up lorry. After hitting the victim, Bashir continued driving the car, despite the windscreen being severely cracked and with one of his tyres punctured. He then abandoned the car but, two weeks later, he callously called his wife’s insurers in a bid to claim for the damage. her over the head with a bottle and dragging her into a factory by her hair. Once there, he subjected her to a half-hour ordeal, raping her and threatening to crack her skull. He was arrested two days later and continues to deny the offences, claiming the sex was consensual.

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Raishma Islam: You are only as good as your last collection

Tanveer Mann

Renowned for her beautiful fusion-inspired collections, Raishma Islam has been dominating the fashion scene for almost two decades.

Increasingly becoming the favourite of A-list celebrities, Raishma continues to surprise with her unique trends displayed on her brand new website. From beautiful daytime dresses, to glamorous red-carpet gowns, the new range features something for everyone.

Raishma is currently preparing to launch her AW14 collection but took the time to speak exclusively to Asian Voice.

How would you describe your designs/collection?

What's different about it?

The Raishma signature look is its fusion style – a blend of eastern style with western contemporary fashion. I adore the intricate embroideries, patterns and the rich fabrics and textures which show off traditional Indian and Pakistani craftsmanship.

Have you always wanted to get into Fashion?

Ever since I could remember, I loved clothes and dressing up – putting together different outfits and accessories. I loved dressing up in my mother’s colourful clothes and accessories, as all little girls do, however by the time I was 11 years old, I had decided that I wanted to be a fashion designer.

As a female entrepreneur, did you ever face

never stop working at the office or at home! The key to doing well in both areas is being thoroughly organised and flexible in your approach.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

There have been quite a few highlights to my 20 year career, but if I had to choose one particular event it would be having the chance to dress Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice. It was such an honour being chosen to provide outfits for the princesses.

Who would you love to dress?

There are a great number of women that I would love to dress.

Bollywood actresses Deepika Padukone; Priyanka Chopra; Sonam Kapoor and Freida Pinto would be firm favourites.

I would absolutely love to dress Angelina Jolie. It

goes without saying that not only is she stunning, but she also has a natural grace about her.

Are there any designers or successful women that you look up to?

From a business perspective I really admire Natalie Massenet, the founder of Net-A-Porter.

She launched the website in 2000 when internet shopping was still relatively new. As a former fashion editor Massenet’s idea was groundbreaking in that it would allow women to buy the latest designer clothes straight from the page. If I had half the level of success with my online shopping site, I will be a very happy women!

Any advice to upcoming designers?

Firstly, you have to have an abundance of creativity and flair, plus an ability to adapt to the changing times. You will need to show determination and focus as it’s a very competitive industry to be in. Secondly, you have to be prepared for disappointment and criticism, but if you are thick skinned and have an ability to make every negative into a positive and learn from your mistakes, you will be highly rewarded.

Fashion designing is a very organic process and you are only as good as your last collection, so you must always try to be creative and deliver fresh ideas.

Where do you see ‘Raishma’ in the next few years?

I would hope to continue the success of my online shopping site. We are a pioneering brand that has become a leader in its field and our product line offers exceptional product quality at competitive prices. I would like not only British Asian women but women from all cultures and backgrounds to wear my clothes. I have some wonderful ideas for future collections that will appeal to all. All I can say is watch this space!

Kensington, London W14 9HE and will include dinner.

On Sunday 13th July, a similar grand programme has been planned in Leicester with the auspices of “Shruti Arts”.

On the first occasion, three versions of Dr. Dalal comprising 3,652 poetries as well as a book “Sakshi Bhav”, written by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi,

will be released.

Furthermore, audio-visuals of Dr. Suresh Dalal and Mr. Narendra Modi will also be presented during the function.

During the function ‘Suresh Ni Sathe Sathe’ (in the company of Suresh), a citation programme of Dr. Dalal’s literary creations has also been planned, in which, a part from Suresh Dalal, other renowned poets’

Raishma Islam

any challenges along the way?

As a working mum, there are always going to be tough challenges to face. Having children and running a business is incredibly hard as you

Event to be held in memory of late poet Suresh Dalal in UK

Kokila Patel

Image Prakashan (Publication), Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice have jointly organised a function in fond memory of the renowned poet late Dr. Suresh Dalal on Saturday July 12, 2014. The programme will be held at 5.30pm at Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, 4a Castletown Road, West

Ramadan Mubarak!

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th July 2014

(Ramzan) Ramadan began on Sunday 29 June and will last for a month.

The month of Ramadan traditionally begins with a new moon sighting, marking the start of the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It is a where many time Muslims engage in prayer, fasting and charity-giving in the United Kingdom.

The word “Ramadan” is derived from an Arabic word for intense heat, scorched ground and shortness of food and drink.

PM David Cameron's Ramadan Message “I want to send my very best wishes to everyone observing the holy month of Ramadan.

This is an incredibly special time of year for Muslims at home and abroad: a time for charity, for contemplation and PM David Cameron community.

Ramadan is a time when that spirit comes to the fore and I am so proud when I hear, every year, about the millions of pounds raised for good causes for those less fortunate than us here in Britain, and those who are suffering in wars and in famines overseas.

Last year I was delighted to see how many community iftars were taking place across the country in mosques and in community centres, in parks and even in tents.

Again this year Government is supporting the Big Iftar programme with hundreds more communities, from Leeds to Luton, Woking to Manchester, throwing open their doors so that people of all faiths and none can break bread and get to know their neighbours.

So wherever you are this holy month I wish you Ramadan Mubarak.”

Typically, Muslims abstain from food, drink, and certain other activities during daylight hours in Ramadan. This time is considered as the holiest season in the Islamic year and marks the time when the Qu’ran is believed to have been revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

Ramadan ends when the first crescent of the new moon is sighted again, marking the new lunar month’s start. Eid-al-Fitr is the Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan.

During fasting, evening meals are kept simple, often consisting

of dates, bread, water, soups, and stews. Fasting during Ramadan is considered as one of the Five Pillars (fundamental religious duties) of Islam. It is a time of self-examination and increased religious devotion. One meal, known as the suhoor, is eaten just before sunrise and an evening meal, known as iftar, is eaten after the sun sets during Ramadan.

In the month of Ramadan, many Muslims also donate to charity by participating in food banks for the poor, organizing a collection or charity event, and other voluntary activities.

Campaigns have been promoted in the United Kingdom to raise public awareness of safe ways to donate to charity and how to avoid donating to fake charities during Ramadan. These campaigns aim to help people choose an honest charity organization when donating money and equipment.

People of Islamic faith are encouraged to read the entire Qur'an during Ramadan. Some Muslims recite the entire Qur'an by the end of Ramadan through special prayers known as Tarawih, which are held in the mosques every night of the month, during which a section of the Qur'an is recited.

creations will be presented with music by the famous singer Parthiv Gohil and TV actress Mansi Parekh Gohil.

Some of the poetry will be performed by drama artists Utkarsh Mazumdar and Chirag Vora. Poets Mukesh Joshi and Hiten Anandpara will also read some of the master-pieces of Suresh Dalal and other poets.

Compering will be done by noted writer Kajal Oza

Vaidya.

During the event, an e-book will be presented

by Apurva Ashar and the host of the event, Utpal Bhyani of Image Publication. The program is also supported by the Youth, Culture and Sports department of Gujarat State, Sandesara Group, SVKM Foundation and Vidyaben Kotak family.

The program in Leicester is organised

between 5pm to 7.15pm at Peepul Centre, Orchardson Avenue, Leicester, LE4 6DP. Entries in both the functions are by invitation only. Interested individuals are requested to contact Bhanubhai Pandya on 0208 427 3413 (R) 07931 708 026 (M) and Surendrabhai Patel 020 8205 6124 (R) in London and Shruti Arts on 0116 261 2264 in Leicester.

Diabetes Czar launches Ramadan health campaign in the House of Commons A nationwide campaign was launched by Professor Jonathan Valabhji, National Clinical Director for Obesity and Diabetes for Silver Star Diabetes in the House of Commons to help people living with type 2 diabetes to manage their condition during Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting.

The ‘Stay Healthy During Ramadan’ campaign will educate about the risks associated Rt. Hon. Keith Vaz, MP with type 2 diabetes and fasting to the heart of Muslim communities across the UK. A series of regional educational events will be held at mosques and hosted by local doctors throughout the months of June and July. The Silver Star ‘Stay Healthy During Ramadan' roadshow will be visiting cities across the UK to target Britain’s nearly three million Muslim population.

The Rt. Hon. Keith Vaz, MP, Founder Patron of Silver Star Diabetes and Vice Chair All Party Parliamentary Diabetes Group, said: “The ‘Staying Healthy During Ramadan’ campaign aims to highlight the need for Muslim patients who want to fast during Ramadan to discuss their plans with their doctor or nurse before observing the fast. We want to ensure that people with type 2 diabetes who are planning to observe Ramadan in this way are aware of the medical facts associated with fasting and living with type 2 diabetes.”

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th July 2014

Scottish No campaign at risk due to being 'run by grumpy old men' Baroness Vadera, former aid to Gordon Brown, has warned that the campaign to keep the United Kingdom together could fail as it is being run by “grumpy old men” while many of the undecided voters in Scotland are women.

An investment banker who became a Labour business minister, Baroness Vadera said the pro-UK Better Together campaign is “testing to destruction” the belief that the No camp will win.

“There is no reason for us to lose this referendum but it is true that the Better Together campaign is certainly testing that thesis to destruction, and I think it’s because it’s run by grumpy old men and the really undecided voters are women. But I think we’ll win, I think it’ll be

alright, but really it doesn’t have to be this close.

It’s completely unnecessary for it to have been this close,” she reportedly said at a recent event last week.

The No campaign has held a consistent lead, but several pollsters have found the gap is closing in.

The contest is likely to be decided by a large body of undecided voters, with around one in eight unsure how they will vote.

Fears that 48,000 immigrants may have cheated in English tests The immigration minister James Brokenshire has confirmed that tens of thousands of overseas migrants have fraudulently obtained English language certificates, which allows them to extend their stay in the UK. The scandal was exposed by the minister when he told MPS that 29,000 migrants had obtained English language certificates fraudulently and that there were question marks over a further 19,000 tests. This has become the latest scam to hit the visa system.

The investigation has led to the uncovering of other abuses, which has resulted in three universities losing their right to sponsor overseas students to study in Britain, Glyndwr University in Wales which awards degrees through the

London School of Business and Finance, as well as the University of West London and Bedfordshire University.

Another 57 further education colleges have had their licences suspended and other universities have voluntarily promised to stop bringing in nonEuropean Economic Area nationals to their London campuses.

Brokenshire Mr warned that the figure could rise with the full results of an inquiry into English language tests carried out by ETS Global, which was one of the biggest providers of the service in Britain. The followed investigation allegations by the BBC One Panorama programme this year of systematic cheating at ETS test centres.

Head of Greenpeace let director use donors' money to fly to work The executive director of the environmental group Greenpeace, Kumi Naidoo, allowed one of his key lieutenants to commute by plane, using more than £15,000 of donors' money to pay for the tickets.

Mr Naidoo secretly agreed two years ago to ignore the ban on staff taking short flights, despite

Greenpeace ironically campaigning for flight restrictions because of their contribution to global warming.

Mr Naidoo’s agreement enabled Pascal Husting, the international programme director of Greenpeace International, to live in Luxembourg and fly 230 miles to work at the group’s headquarters

in Amsterdam.

When Mr Naidoo issued a statement on Monday defending Mr Husting’s flights, he did not reveal his role in approving the arrangement.

He reportedly claimed that Mr Husting had a young family in Luxembourg and “when he was offered the new role he couldn’t move his

UK

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'Pop-up' radicalisation sessions on the rise in Cardiff

'Pop-up' radicalisation sessions are being staged in Cardiff by groups who have been linked to the extremist preacher Anjem Choudary. Attendees of these sessions include the three young men, who featured in a propaganda video trying to recruit other young British Muslims to join the conflict in Syria.

The father of Nasser Muthana reportedly said that his son had been groomed at secretive meetings in homes, restaurants and a leisure centre in the Welsh capital.

20, his Nasser, younger brother Aseel, 17, and another man Reyaad

Khan, 20, are now believed to be among those fighting with the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (Isis) whose Mujahidin have already carried out horrific attaciks as they advance on Baghdad.

Mr Choudary reportedly confirmed that he had been giving talks and attending meetings in Cardiff for a long time but did not know any of the young men in the Isis video. He added: “I’ve been there a lot, but not for the past couple of years.” The preacher did confirm that offshoot groups from the banned al-Muhajiroun were active in Wales.

family to Amsterdam straight away”.

However, by Monday night Greenpeace changed its position after its supporters accused it of hypocrisy. It announced that the “temporary

exemption” for Mr Husting was being withdrawn immediately and that he would travel by train.

Mr Husting, who is paid €73,000 a year, apologised soon after.

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UK

London to host its first Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th July 2014

Dr SY Quraishi, Former Election Commission Chief, Speaks at his HCI Book Launch

Rani Singh

HE Ranjan Mathai, the High Commissioner of India addressing journalists at the India House on Monday 30 June in presence of Dr Virander Paul, Deputy High Commissioner of India to Britain, Mr Prashant Pise, Minister (Press and Information) and Head of Chancery and Mr Pritam Lal, First Secretary (Coordination)

Continued from page 1 overseas Indian community in the development of India and the date was chosen since it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, returned to India from South Africa.

"The 2015 event will be celebrated in a particularly grand way as it marks the 100th anniversary of the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa.” A detailed programme of the event will be finalised in due course.

The last Regional PBD was held in Sydney.

Regional PBDs are organised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs with the collaboration of the host Government, the Indian Mission, Prominent Overseas Indians and Organisations catering to the needs of the Indian Diaspora.

The objective is to reach out to those members of the community who have been unable to participate in the annual PBD in India and to provide a platform for the Indian community in the region to contribute to the relationship between countries of the region and India. There will be plenary and parallel sessions on various themes including aspirations and expectations of the Indian diaspora.

Participation in the event is expected from all

over the UK and also from other countries in Europe.

This convention is not only for the Indian community, but for all persons who are interested in plugging into India’s growing relationship with the UK. It is expected that more than 700 individuals will participate in the conference.

Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre OIFC will be a partner of the Regional PBD Meeting in London.

A Business Roundtable and B2B meetings will be organised

by OIFC and the CII. The programme of the event will feature discussions on enhancing India-UK business partnership including trade and investment, energy, infrastructure, skills and education, technology, youth and entrepreneurship.

Speakers at the event will include prominent dignitaries from the UK and India, prominent members of the Indian community, British and Indian business representatives and academicians and media persons.

The programme of the Regional PBD will be broadly based on the following themes: l Present and future relationship between India and the Indian diaspora l Aspirations and expectations of the Indian diaspora from India l India-UK collaborations

in trade and investment including in third countries; l Role of diaspora in India-EU trade l Role of NRI/PIO businesses in European countries l Contribution of the Indian diaspora to the British/European and Indian societies and economies - Role of youth in widening the scope of engagement between India and the diaspora, including through cooperation in education, culture and skill development.

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman recipients from the UK (2003-2014) l Lord Navnit Dholakia 2003 Public Affairs l Lord Meghnad Desai 2004 Public Affairs l Lord Bhikhu Chhotalal Parekh 2005 Political Science l Shri Vikram Seth 2005 Literature l Sir Gulam Kaderbhai Noon 2006 Business l Lord Diljit Rana 2007 Business l Lord Karan Bilimoria 2008 Business l Baroness Shreela Flather 2009 Public Service l Baroness (Dr.) Sandip Verma 2011 Public Affairs l Ms. Patricia Maria Rozario 2013 Music l Shri Shailesh Vara, 2014, Public Service

Thursday 26th June in the Gandhi Hall of the Indian High Commission, London, there was a high octane group of the great and the good from the Indian scene in London. The event was sharp, ran to time, and was one of the most pleasurable I have attended there recently.

I sense a sea change of openness and welcome emanating from the High Commissioner himself right now, with top bureaucrats holding their arms out to us mortals.

It’s really nice to be given answers to our questions in frank discussion. India House seems to be holding more events than before, and the bonus is that we are fed with tasty Indian bites and watered well at the end of the The High event!

Commission of India was hosting the launch of a book by Dr SY Quraishi, the former Chief Election Commissioner of India (2006-2012). Prashant Pise, Minister (Press & Information) and Head of Chancery, opened the evening after welcoming all the guests at the door himself. With wood panelling and well-lit pictures of Gandhi and other leaders looking down on us, the Gandhi Hall is a suitably dignified and imposing setting for such events. H.E. Mr Ranjan Mathai, High Commissioner of India, then spoke to introduce Dr Quraishi.

He explained that the success of the Indian election process meant that it strengthened India’s soft power. Dr. Virander Paul, Deputy High Commissioner of India and other senior officers were also present. There was a palpable frisson of excitement when Dr Quraishi stood up as, with his acutely sharp mind and shock of white hair, he is a rock star of the international election circuit. Anyone who can

mastermind and flawlessly conduct elections in the world’s largest democracy has to be the equivalent of an organizational demigod.

Dr Quraishi, well known in India and abroad as a development thinker, introduced a number of innovative electoral reforms and strategies for voter education and participation during his tenure. His book, “An Undocumented Wonder: The Making of the Great Indian Election” is largely a first-person account of the recent electoral history of India. It talks about the author’s knowledge and insights as to how the biggest management event of the world, that is, the Indian election, is conducted.

He made a series of startling, informative and entertaining points.

The biggest election in world history covered 834 m voters; some of whom are in deep forests, some of whom are 16,000 feet high, or live closer to Malaysia than mainland India. There is a net addition of 118 million voters since 2009. Dr Quraishi said the ECI was keen that every voter should be within two km of a poll station. He rightly predicted that 2014 will record the highest turnout in Indian history.

As many as 550m in total voted. The statistics were surprising; “India has more voters than the

entire Commonwealth countries put together,” he told us. With challenges including militancy, tribal warfare and 22 different languages, India is the most diverse nation in the world with multiple complexities. The foresight of the framers of the Constitution made sure that the Election Commission of India is justifiably the most powerful in the world. “They examined all the constitutions of the world,” he said,” and created a fiercely independent and powerful election commission". “Our technology is illiterate friendly.

Just press a button.”

Also, this year, the ECI introduced a special, apt category for disillusioned voters who thought poorly of all the candidates, and only had to choose “none of the above!”

The former Chief Election Commissioner reminded us that, unlike some western nations, India gave women voting rights from day one of I n d e p e n d e n c e .

“Democracy is one of India’s best brands. As many as 42 countries got training from us at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) that we set up in 2010," he declared.

VIPs present at this event included- Lord Hameed of Hampstead, CBE DL, The Rt Hon Baroness Prasher, Lady Kishwar Desai, Amar Singh, Cllr Sunil Chopra, Mayor of Southwark, Cllr Tej Ram Bagha, Mayor of Ealing, Antonia Mugica CEO Smartmatic, Didar Singh, SecretaryGeneral, FICCI, Alex Sandber, CEO Averdant, Dr Kartar Lalvani, Founder and CEO, Vitabiotics, Dr Gunveena Chadha, Director and Head - UK CII, Sushma Berlia, Mako Lutyens, Shazia Ilmi, veteran TV journalist.

Lord Loomba asks UK Government to ensure public awareness of United Nations Widows Day Lord Loomba highlighted that International Widows Day was launched by the Loomba Foundation in 2005, which was adopted by the United Nations in 2011. He asked the UK Government “what plans they have to ensure public awareness of UN International Widows Day”.

Since the UN adopted International Widows Day, UN Secretary-General, Ban Kimoon, has issued messages to all states members asking them to raise awareness of International Widows Day, as it is an opportunity for action towards achieving full rights and recognition for widows worldwide and to bring the often invisible issues affecting

Lion Barry Palmer receiving a memento from Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg for making a donation of 2000 sewing machines for widows in India in presence of Lord Loomba and Cherie Blair

them to a point of international concern.

The Loomba Foundation is UN accredited NGO, which works for widows since 1997.

The issue of widows was not identified by any nation including the UN. Lord Loomba feels proud that he has been able to spot light on this issue and brought it to the world’s attention.

Empowerment and Education are the heart of the Loomba Foundation. In his speech, Lord Loomba stressed that by empowering widows in South Asia and across Africa, will solve lot of problems and widows will be able to work, earn money, look after their family members, educate their children and live a life of digni-

ty. The Loomba Foundation to date educated 9,000 children and supported over 50,000 widows’ family members in India.

Recently, launched a project to empower widows, who will each receive sewing machine and training and it will benefit 100,000 widows and their family members. 30,000 children will go to school through this project.

International Widows Day this year has been observed in many countries in South Asia and across Africa.

The Loomba Foundation held an event in India “Justice for Widows; Corporate Social Responsibility” as the Indian

Continued on page 30

UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th July 2014

Leading Lights

Rani Singh, Special Assignments Editor

Nepal’s Minister of Communications on Indian PM Modi I first met the thoughtful Nepali Minister for Information and Communications, Dr Minendra Rijal, in 2013 in Kathmandu.

As the Nepalese Government’s spokesman, he is the go-to official on topics like the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

Dr Rijal was introduced to me by the most well-connected gentleman in Nepal (and possibly the Himalayan region), Rajendra Bajgain. Last year, Minendra proved himself skillfully adept at dealing with my interview questions. At the time, he had just completed a four year term as a member of the Constituent Assembly of Nepal.

Minendra is a cosmopilitan sophisticate, like so many South Asian members of the elite. He was educated in Nepal, but, typically, went to America to take an MBA in Business Administration at the University of Buffalo State, University of New

Dr Minendra Rijal

York. He stood first in his class. Minendra Rijal also took a a PhD in Business Administration from New York He has taught at New York University, the UK’s Lancaster University, Kathmandu University and Tribhuvan University. Mr. Rijal has more than 30 years of experience in teaching, research and consulting in fields including business management, public policy formulation and development economics. He has worked with government, private-sector

organizations and international institutions. He is a former member of the National Planning Commission.

This time round, our interview took place in the Nepalese Embassy in Kensington Palace Gardens. The minister was in London briefly for a significant conference on the transfer of internet intelligence oversight away from the US. Indian PM Narendra Modi might visit Nepal in the near future, it is hoped.

Minister Rijal commented, “Our PM attended PM Modi’s swearing- in ceremony.

That was not just a swearing- in ceremony. Modi, right at the start, initiated a process of reaching out to neighbours. We will only benefit by reciprocating what Modi has tried to do. Modi starts a fresh page as far as the relationship with our country and the regions is concerned.

Nepal and India are unique in terms of the long standing bilateral

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relationship. There’s no other example in the world that comes close to how close and cordial the relationship has been between our two countries.

Naturally, a relationship that’s as old and time tested as ours would have some ups and downs.

Minor hiccups. We’ve had that throughout our history. But nothing has stopped us being the best neighbours, the best friends.

Modi’s government has magnified the chance to deepen our friendship.

Modi’s priorities are clear as far as India’s development is concerned.

Because of this we will benefit and we would like to do whatever it takes to get the best benefit for the people of Nepal from the conducive environment that’s there in the Indian capital.”

I asked Minendra what he might expect from a Modi visit.

“First, India helped us when we were building peace, when we were transforming from a monarchy to a republic, from a unitary government to a federation, from a semi-democracy to a fully fledged democracy, and from an armed insurgency to a largely peaceful country. To institutionalise these achievements we’re in the process of writing a new constitu-

tion. We need the support of the international community. More so of our neighbours; more so of our neighbour in the south; that’s India. The goodwill Modi has shown towards his neighbours augurs well as far as the constitution writing process in Nepal is concerned.

Second, our South Asia region is the least integrated of all the regions in the world.

SAARC has been the least effective and least functional among all the world nations. We’re hopeful, because of the unique position that India holds within the SAARC region.

There’s no competition; India is the leader of the region. To solidify its global presence, India needs its neighbours solidly behind it. We are hoping that Modi understands the challenges and opportunities that lie in the global arena. That means a chance of moving forwards as far as development is concerned.”

So what one thing did he expect from the new Indian PM? “Infrastructure development is very important.

We have long been talking about Nepal’s hydropower to the best advantage of both our countries. Nepal getting the royalties from exporting energy, and India getting energy into its energy-starved north-

9

ern provinces. If we can set an example to initiate power projects, hydro projects, so that not just one gets developed, many others will be developed along the same lines in the future. That will be a very important achievement for both our countries, when our prime ministers meet each other.

On Nepal, this friendly, articulate minister told me that the outlook for his country is optimistic.

“The outcome of the Constituent Assembly election is very good for the country. We have two thirds strength in Parliament. The Maoists did not concede defeat, they were not reconciled to the outcome. We convinced them that their interests would be best served if they joined the Constituent Assembly.

To get a consensus fairly gracefully, we agreed to let the Maoists head the Committee for Constitutional and Political Dialogue. The former Maoist PM heads that committee.”

Dr Rijal said that they are on track to get the constitution completed by the stipulated third week of 2015.

Dr Rijal also said that to help with peace building, the integration of Maoist combatants into the Nepalese army or reintegration into Nepalese society was complete.

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YOUR VOICE ISIS

According to the Penguin India Reference Book 2005, page 321, Shia Muslims in Iraq were 60%-65% and Sunni Muslims were 32%-37%. Christians and others were 3%, while Muslims were 97%.

Bryan Walsh writes in Time magazine double issue July 7 / July 14, 2014 on page 23 his viewpoint “Blood for Oil – If the violence in Iraq spins out of control, global crude prices could skyrocket….if Washington can’t help Baghdad stop ISIS now, oil will be a casualty.

Mr Walsh also states that nearly all of Iraq’s oil fields and infrastructure are in the predominantly Shi’ite south, far from the fighting.

It is quite conceivable that Shia Muslim controlled government have not given sufficient attention to the Sunni minority population in the past. The civilized countries in the world appear to worry more about price of crude oil rather than the researching into the demographics of a sovereign state.

In Sudan, as the oil was mainly in the South, the West helped to split the country in two: North Sudan and South Sudan. These two separate nations are worse off now than when they were as one nation.

Just because oil in Iraq is in the South and the Shias live mostly in the South, the West should not ignore the rights of the Sunnis who (by deduction) must mainly be in the North. After all, they are almost 40% of the population.

Nagindas Khajuria By email

Parents dilemma

Young, talented Muslim men joining perceived Jihadis in Syria and Iraq is a nightmare no parents should have to endure.

Decent, law-abiding parents make huge sacrifices to educate their children, sending them to medical college in the hope that by qualifying as doctors, they will serve their community and the country they call their home.

Seeing them radicalised under false grandeur, never able to return home without threat of spending rest of their lives behind bars or being blown to pieces is torment beyond belief. So what community should do to spare such heartache?

So often University campuses are infiltrated by huckster iconoclasts who are paid agents to recruit intelligent Westerners, although they hardly make dent on battlefield, but is immense propaganda victory to recruit millions more for their perceived cause.

The tragic case of Cardiff family who lost two sons to jihadis is a timely reminder of unenviable situation the community is facing.

Tragedy is that they are fighting their impressionistic Muslim brothers just like Protestants verses Catholics conflict in Northern Ireland.

I cannot help but wonder what beautiful world, Shangri-La we could be living in if they follow gospel of Gandhi, Mandela and Martin Luther King who should be an inspiration to us.

We must not forget the families this Armed Forces Day

Improving educational standards

Foreign universities in India

Saturday 28th June marked the Armed Forces Day, an opportunity to thank our service personnel. This is made more pertinent by the centenary of the start of World War One in August, when we will pause to remember all those who have played their part, including my own great uncle, Private Samuel Wakeham, who was killed during the Battle of the Somme in September 1916.

SSAFA (then the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Families Association) was the only charity in 1914 caring for the families of troops sent to the front line.

Without a welfare system in place the government asked for help to fill the gap in support for the servicemen’s families.

Through two World Wars and every subsequent conflict involving Britain, SSAFA has been here for our servicemen and women and their families. Today we still support some 90,000 people each year. The bottom line for us is providing support – for those who have done their bit for our country, and their families, making sure that when they are in need, we are there for them. They have made their selfless contribution and the least that we can do is be there for them in return.

Chief Executive of SSAFA, Air Vice-Marshal David Murray CVO OBE

The Education Secretary, Michael Gove, has been propounding innovative proposals to improve the standard of education in the country, and rightly so. Education in this country used to be the envy of the world with institutions like Cambridge and Oxford attracting higher education students from all over the world. And medical education too was unparralled.

His previous proposals were to make school exams tougher in a drive to restore confidence in the system and improve standard. He had said “Education is like trying to run up a down escalator.

There are some uncomfortable decisions that will have to be taken. There will be years when, because we are going to make exams tougher, the number of people passing will fall. There are headteachers who have been peddling the wrong sort of approach to teaching for too long, who are going to lose their jobs.”

His recent proposal is to extend the school day which can help youngsters from disadvantaged communities. This however has met with opposition from parents who say that rather then extending the school days, a better option would be to have smaller classes and more qualified teachers. The end product of current education system reminds me of my days at work in the Department of Education and Science where I used to handle correspondence for Education Ministers and the spelling and grammar in letters which we used to receive from students and even school teachers left a lot to be desired.

It is ‘naive’ on the part of Lord Parekh to jump onto bandwagon to support the present BJP government to allow foreign universities to set up campus' in India.

There are four different types of universities in India. Central universities or union universities are established by an Act of Parliament and the University Grants Commission lists 42 central universities. Each university has more than 5000 students. State universities are run by the state government in each state.

University of Mumbai, and the university of Madras are examples.

Most of the state central universities are ’affiliated universities’ and several colleges are affiliated to the university. In Tamil Nadu alone there are 570 engineering colleges; 520 colleges affiliated to Anna university, 6 are government colleges, 3 government aided colleges and 511 are self financing colleges.

Some of the self financing colleges are run by religious groups and they form their own curriculum and syllabus. State universities like Chennai and Calcutta have more 300,000 students. 80 Colleges are affiliated to Delhi university there are are more than 500, 000 students. It is the same case for other affiliated university.

Number of students in private colleges and deemed universities are not easily available.

By sitting in London Lord Parekh should not encourage India to become a factory for producing cheap graduates. In fact there are more higher education institutions that super market. In India degrees are worthless and in U.K degrees and certificates awarded by new universities are worthless.

National language and politics

Sadly pan-India patriotism is undermined by opposition to promote Hindi as national language. It is a fact that BJP/Modi won the election on basis of Hindutva and not Hinditva.

It must be accepted that one single language can never be national language in multi religious/cultural /ethnic nation.

There has never been a single national language in India. Vedic days had Sanskrit, Prakrit and Pali. Moguls imposed Hindustani and Farsee.

Colonialists used English, French and Portuguese. Today India has 22 languages including Hindi, Hindustani, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali and 4 South India languages. All these are capable of resisting imposition of any single language.

No substitute is found to replace English as link language within India and between India and Anglophile countries and peoples. Remedy is to declare language of the state language as compulsory. Other languages of India may be declared as second language for curious polyglots. English and other western languages may be pursued if needed for travel, study, diplomatic services, or to settle in foreign countries. Use local language for state administration, but Hindi or English for communication with Central government at Delhi. English must be used by Government of India to communicate with Anglophile countries, or any individuals.

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BBC and its programming

When organisations such as the BBC are producing any programmes they must ensure that there is a degree of truth in it and those personalities involved are trust worthy and not attention seekers for their own popularity.

Priti Patel took the right action to bring to the attention of Lord Tony Hall about the programme produced for the Indian Election and about Modi. I would request Lord Tony Hall to see the programme himself and comment on whether he feels it is right to do so or not.

Dharam Sahdev Ilford

Taste-bud starvation for Alphonso enthusiasts

Leicester East MP Keith Vaz who is spearheading the fight to lift Kangaroo court corrosive ban on importation of sweet, corpulent Indian Alphonso mangoes that Indian taste-buds are used to as summer delicacy is the true friend of Indian community, always standing by us in our hour of need. Indian mangoes, every one’s favourite is in reality no more threat to EU agriculture than mangoes imported from Africa and South America. Now Indian pans, green leaves are the next target.

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Arun Vaidyanathan By email The gnarled, fudged ban is politically motivated by conjurer EU to influence Indian election result but it failed, backfired spectacularly! Offer of fossilized technical assistance by DEFRA is nothing more than smoke-screen, interlude to keep agitated Indian community sweet!

It would be inconceivable for France to tolerate such arbitrary ban if her citizens were deprived, either ignoring it completely or flouting it by importing mangoes through back-door, via Egypt, or Kenya, without murmur from EU. It is time for gullible Britain to stop being conventional, soft touch, conscious of EU, the only nation that honours all EU directives irrespective of its’ legal and moral concept, shortfalls and for gullible, incoherent Indian community to standup and be counted.

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th July 2014

Liberal Democrats promise to increase pension by £790 a year The Liberal Democrats have vowed to put pensions at the heart of any future coalition, with new plans to raise the state pension by at least £790 a year.

Steve Webb, the Lib Dem pensions minister, has revealed that his party will demand that any government of which it is part must enshrine in the law the existing “triple lock” pledge which dictates that pensions rise by whichever is the greater figure: the increase in earnings, inflation or 2.5%.

A new pensions law will be a main part of the Lib Dem manifesto and is likely to be a deciding factor in coalition talks with Labour or the Tories.

If the guarantee becomes law the state

pension would be worth at least £131 a week by 2020.

Pensioners who receive the full state pension would get at least £6,800 in 2020, £790 more than it will be in 2015.

Webb reportedly said pension reform was “central” to the party’s vision of a fair society.

Arabs are stereotyped as terrorists on screen, says serial actor Nabil Elouahabi, who is best known for starring in Eastenders and Only Fools and Horses, has criticised the stereotyped portrayal of Arabs in films and television.

Elouahabi, 41, pictured, who has starred in US series 24 and Channel 4’s Top Boy, reportedly described the issue as a “real problem” and added, “Without wanting to sound in any way ungrateful, over the years a lot of my work has revolved around playing terrorists.”

Mr Elouahabi’s comments come after Lenny Henry appeared before the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on Tuesday where he attacked the lack of diversity at the BBC. Mr Henry also reportedly warned the best of

British talent is “haemorrhaging” to America and criticised proposals from Lord Hall, the BBC director-general, to bring more black and ethnic minority talent into the BBC. In a recent interview, Mr Elouahabi reportedly said he and his black and Asian friends had considered a move to the US where there are more roles for non-white actors and performers.

5 Asian men wanted for rape of teenage girl in Slough

A teenaged girl was gangraped by a group of Asian men in Slough on Friday 27 July, Police have confirmed.

The 17-year-old victim met a group of men in Slough, Berkshire late Friday afternoon. She then went to an offlicence with one of the group and continued to a residential street, where they were joined by four men in a small silver car.

The girl walked with

the men down a footpath towards a river surrounded by woodland where she was raped by several of the men.

Detectives confirmed today they were looking for five Asian men in connection with the brutal attack which happened near the Jubilee River in Slough.

The girl raised the alarm shortly after 9pm last night and she is being looked after by specially

trained officers.

Detectives are investigating CCTV from the offlicence and businesses in the area to see if they can find the number plate on the car or identify any of the suspects.

Detective Inspector Nicola Hurdley reportedly said: 'We are still speaking with the girl at this time to get a full picture of what has happened, but what we do know is that while she was in this

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wooded area she has been raped by several of the men. We have specially trained officers with her now, who are supporting her while we carry out our inquiries in the area."

The girl has told police that she was walking from Darvill's Lane towards the High Street when she came across the group of men around the junction with Church Street and Chalvey Road West.

UK

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Priti Patel MP emphasises strong Essex-India Trade Links MP for Essex and the Prime Minister's UK-India Diaspora Champion, Priti Patel MP, pictured, has announced her support for better trade links between Essex and India.

Priti delivered a keynote speech at a 'Doing Business in India' event held in Marks Tey in her constituency and organised by the Essex Chambers of Commerce the UK India and Business Council (UKIBC).

Priti Patel, who is working with the Prime Minister to boost UK exports to India, reportedly said: "New opportunities are opening up in India for overseas investors and exporters to take advantage of. I want to see firms from Essex at the forefront of that charge securing deals and trade with India.

Events like this one will help firms learn more about entering the Indian market place and how to Detectives believe the girl did not know any of the men before the attack.

Police have launched extra patrols in the area while specialist forensic officers are scouring the scene for any potential evidence.

Anyone with infor-

trade there."

"India is a growing market with the fastest growing working age population and middle class of any other major economy. They want access to the world's best goods and services and Essex can deliver these in abundance.

The new Government elected in India is eager to increase trade and the world-beating reputation of businesses in Essex should mean that they are well-placed to trade more with India." mation should contact the Force CID team at Slough via the Thames Valley Police Enquiry Line on 101. If you don’t want to speak directly to the police, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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MEDIA WATCH

India has ratified an Additional Protocol with the International Atomic Agency (IAEA), a move that will boost energy security by lifting international security through enhanced transparency relating to its nuclear infrastructure. The issue had been dormant for the past five years, but the Modi government decided that the time had arrived for a decision in the national interest.

The BJP, in opposition, it may be recalled, had voted against the Indo-US civilian nuclear accord in Parliament, which then prime minister Manmohan Singh had declared would be his greatest achievement in office, as it brought India in from the cold and given it formal recognition as a nuclear weapon state, despite the refusing to sign up to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT). The new government’s decision clears the decks for the import of nuclear technology for purposes of power generation and other civilian projects.

The Additional Protocol, limited to facilities already monitored by the IAEA, excludes facilities reserved for nuclear weapon development.

“It essentially ensures the collection of data India’s nuclear exports guarantee the non-diversion of materials from unauthorized use,” said a senior government source.

Assurance

The Indian government has given an assurance that routine access and exit from these sites

by IAEA personnel will be guaranteed “free communication” emanating from IAEA surveillance or measuring devices already in operation at the approved facilities. This fulfils India’s undertaking in the IndoUS civilian accord, and will gel well with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington in September for talks with US President Barack Obama. India’s signature to Additional Protocol will also pave the way for its membership of the prestigious Nuclear Suppliers Group of 45 nations,

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad

office, Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that his Ministry had asked the Law Commission to simplify regulations by discarding redundant laws and drafting simpler ones, enabling a single window clearance for prospective investors..

Prasad, who also holds the Telecom portfolio, noted that India’s cumbersome procedures required 20 separate clearances for an investment project. He hoped to put in place self-certification that would require an applicant only to state that due process had been observed as per the rules, with a penalty to be imposed in case of rules’ violation. Ministry consultation included trade bodies like the Confederation of Indian Industry.

Gujarat plan to power India

Plans are afoot to extend the Gujarat model of round-theclock electricity seven days a week to the rest of India. This will entail separate feeders for

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th July 2014

senior government official in Delhi. However, proof of the pudding will be in the eating (Mint June 24)

India most favoured emerging market

According to the latest Bank of America Merrill Lynch fund manager survey, India’s positive placement increased substantially in June, hardly surprising given Narendra Modi’s rollercoaster ride in the recent general election, and the absolute majority his BJP enjoys in Parliament, this reinforced by the government’s decisive beginning. The general flow of funds, thanks to a brisk tailwind, has led to an improvement in the current account deficit and currency stability. With Indian markets 18 per cent already up in the financial year, much of the good news appeared to be priced in. Citi Research issued a caution: has been here “India before…..And it has faltered before too; we see risks in the market getting too far ahead of itself…..political expectations running too high and global developments.” (Mint June 24)

Air India aircraft

national carrier to become the first Indian airline to join this global grouping. Teams from Air India, Star Alliance and its member carriers are to complete the procedures to ensure that Air India is able to offer its customers the benefits of this membership from 11 July onwards.

Talk of Air India’s possible privatization was neither confirmed nor denied by the Civil Minister Ashok Aviation Ganapathi Raju (Times of India, Business Line June 25)

Army chief in China

Chief of the Army Staff General Bikram Singh has visited China as part of the increased military engagement between the two

Suburban fares unchanged

The government has rolled back the sharp hike in suburban rail fares for Kolkata, Mumbai and other metros, ranging from 60150 per cent by announcing a flat increase of 14.2 per cent on second class monthly tickets.

There will also be no increase in the second class ordinary fare involving a journey up to 80 kilometres. The rethink came in the wake of sharp protests from the BJP’s coalition partner, the Shiv Sena, with an eye to its lower middle class base in Mumbai, and the coming State elections in Maharashtra.This protest was echoed by the Maharashtra unit of the BJP. The

General Bikram Singh

countries which involves confidence building measures along the Line of Control on their

and other military hardware by cutting red tape, but will not undertake a “full review” of pending acquisitions. Continuity, generally, would be its guiding principle. There would be no starting from scratch on arms acquisitions and the like.

However, Jaitley wanted a leaner bureaucracy in the interests of efficiency. “Our defence forces want their requirements to be fulfilled and the procedure to be speeded up….all their requirements will be met by the public exchequer,” he said. As concurrent Finance Minister, Jaitley is in pole position to allocate funds for the armed forces without the customary inter-departmental turf wars or long drawn out consultations (Telegraph June 25)

Naval reach

Addressing the Navy Commanders in Delhi, the Defence Minister pledged to plug the holes in the fleet, notably in its under-strength submarine force, but in warships, helicopters and sensors as well. Minister Jairley told the biannual conference of Navy commanders in Delhi that it was imperative that the Navy adopt a proactive posture through deployment to safeguard the country’s economic and maritime interests through a blue water role. He echoed Prime Minister Modi’s message on board the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya that maritime security was allied to India’s economic growth. Minister Jaitley signaled the government’s intent to speed up the induction of new platforms based on continuing indigenization. India was on message with the ongoing construction of 44 warships and submarines that would augment the Navy’s strength in the next few years.

Manpower shortages would also be addressed, he said (Hindu June 25).

Ajit Doval

Suburban trains in Mumbai Kundakulam nuclear power plant

which controls the commerce in nuclear technology and raw materials such as uranium.

India’s safeguards agreement with the IAEA covers 20 of the country’s civilian facilities, including the Nuclear Fuel Cycle complex in Hyderabad, Tarapur atomic power plant and nuclear power sites in Kundakulam, Rajasthan and Kakrapur (Hindu June 23, Times of India June 24)

Single window clearance

With the BJP-led government completing its first month in

agricultural and rural households in the national budget to be presented to Parliament on 10 July. The plan may be made applicable across the country to ensure eight hours of quality power to agricultural consumers and 24 hours of electricity to households. The system will include meter reading and strengthening power distribution. “The scheme modeled on the lines of one in Gujarat could be announced in the Union budget. It will reduce redundancies in the system. The details are being worked out,” said a

Railways hope to net about Rs 9,200 crore from the overall price rise in other segments.

(Times of India June 25)

Air India in elite airlines club

Air India has been inducted into the Star Alliance, an exclusive club of 28 major global airlines, which will enable seamless travel for its passengers to 1,300 destinations and increase its revenue by 5 per cent. The CEOs of the alliance network at their meeting in London unanimously approved Air India’s membership, clearing the way for the

Himalayan borders. General Singh held extensive discussion with the top leadership of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The two sides are in talks on the implementation of a variety of practical measures to strengthen the new border arrangements agreed during then prime minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Beijing in October 2013 (Times of India June 25)

Continuity, speed in defence

The Defence Ministry, said Minister Arun Jaitley will expedite the purchases of weapons

An edit-page article by Londonbased strategic analyst Shashank Joshi, of the UK’s Royal United Services Institution, on Ajit Doval, the new National Security Advisor to the government, made interesting reading. En passant L.K.Advani is revealed to have advocated the abolition of RAW, the external arm on the intelligence services apropos of Moraji Desai in his time. Working through the corpus of Doval’s writings, Joshi saw in him a capable, resolute and formidably courageous intelligence officer, driven by the belief that India’s security was best served by concentrating on its internal situation and conditions prevailing in the adjoining neighborhood.

Doval was scathing about the United States, which, he said, would “outsource Afghanistan to Pakistan,” (as it had done repeatedly in the past), Washington’s ultimate goal being the reduction of “India to an American satrapy.” Phew!

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Muslim jailed for murdering prostitute because she was working near mosque

A Muslim man, who stabbed a pregnant Romanian prostitute to death after he warned her not to work near a mosque, was jailed for 29 years on Friday 27 June.

Farooq Shah, 21, used a knife to stab Mariana Popa in her chest while riding his bicycle along a road notorious for sex workers on October 28.

Miss Popa, 24, had only been in Britain for three weeks and was trying to earn the money to support her family when she was stabbed in Ilford, Essex.

She limped into Chicken & Pizza 4U in Ilford Lane and collapsed in her own blood as her killer rode away on his bike.

The mother-of-one was six weeks pregnant with her second child when she bled to death.

Mariana Popa

Farooq Shah

CCTV footage showed Shah waiting at a BP garage close to where prostitutes were working on Ilford Lane. Miss Popa could then be seen to walk towards him and speak to him before he stabbed her twice in the chest.

An hour before Shah stabbed Miss Popa, he had robbed Ikran Chohan, a blind man of £400 and his mobile phone at knife-

point. A bicycle matching the description of Miss Popa’s killer and Mr Chohan’s assailant was also found outside Shah’s flat on St Francis Way. Shah, of Station Road, Forest Gate, east London, was found guilty of murdering Miss Popa and robbing Mr Chohan. He was given six years in jail for the robbery to run at the same time.

Gandhi star Ben Kingsley to be voice of Bagheera in new 'Jungle Book'

Renowned Oscar-winner Sir Ben Kingsley, pictured, best known for his roles in Gandhi and Schindler's List, is set to bring Rudyard Kipling's loyal black panther to life. He will voice the black panther Bagheera in the forthcoming Disney adaptation of The Jungle Book.

Jon Favreau’s liveaction remake of the 1967 animated classic

already boasts a starstudded cast, including Luther star Idris Elba as the voice of tiger Shere Khan, as well as Scarlett Johansson and Lupita Nyong’o. And now Kingsley, well-known for his roles in Gandhi and Schindler’s List, is set to add some additional star presence to the movie based on the novel by Rudyard Kipling.

UK

A&E overfilled as millions fail to get GP appointments Millions of people are flooding A&E departments as they become frustrated with waiting weeks for a GP appointment.

More than one in four visits to accident and happen emergency because patients were unable to see GP, the first authoritative study on the issue has found.

The difficulty of booking a doctor’s appointment is leading to almost six million trips to A&E every year and piling pressure on hospitals, accord-

ing to researchers at Imperial College London.

In a study published in the British Journal of General Practice on Monday 30 July, they presented the first statistical evidence that millions of patients are turning to

A&E because of frustration with the waiting times for primary care.

The academics estimated that 5.8 million people (26.5 per cent of all unplanned visits) went to A&E in 2012-13 because they could not see their GP. In a poll of 1,800 patients at an A&E department in London, 58 per cent said that one reason they had gone there was that it was “quicker than getting a GP appointment”.

Former-Property Ownerturned-courier, who transported drugs money for criminal gangs was caught with £136,000 of money in his car and home.

36-years-old Zunaid Katchi, pictured, from Leicester, was arrested following an undercover surveillance operation by the National Crime Agency.

He was stopped on the M1 motorway after undercover officers saw him collecting a rucksack from suspects they had tracked from the north-east, on April 16 last year. After leaving the meeting-point at Donington Park servic-

es, Katchi’s Hyundai was stopped as it headed south.

Officers found £90,960 in the rucksack on the car’s back seat. The money, mostly in £20 notes, bore traces of cocaine, said Jonathan Straw, prosecuting, at Leicester Crown Court.

There was a further £23,030 in cash, with traces of heroin on, inside a gift bag in the boot of the car. Katchi’s then home, in Bankart Avenue, Oadby, was searched, and a further £21,510 in cash was seized, along with a money-counting machine

which bore traces of cocaine. He admitted transferring criminal property, in relation to the cash in his car, and possessing criminal property, relating to money at his home.

Katchi, from Highfields, Leicester, also admitted fraudulently obtaining three mortgages. Katchi was jailed for four-and-ahalf years.

Former Property Owner found with £130k of drugs money

Gujarati Owner sells British e-cigarette firm Nicocigs to Marlboro The Owner of Marlboro, Philip Morris, acquired one of Britain’s fastestgrowing electronic cigarette-makers, Nicocigs on Thursday 26 June.

Nicocigs, which was founded in 2008 and is based in Birmingham, is best known for its Nicolites brand. The brand was set up by Nikhil Nathwani after he saw the potential for a massive future for e-cigs.

In 2011 the company turned over £600,000, rising to £6 million in 2012.

This year so far sales have topped £23 million and are forecast to hit £50 million in 2014.

Philip Morris, the owner of Marlboro, said the acquisition will give it “immediate access to, and a significant presence in, the growing e-vapour category in the UK market, as well as a strong retail presence”.

Nicocigs has about 27% of the UK’s e-cigarette market, which has an estimated total retail value of $350 illion (£206 million). The start-up employs 40 sales staff and distributes to 20,000 stores in Britain.

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When is Enough Enough?

The St Joseph's Young Adults Group from Wembley (Goan Origin Youth) assisted in the organisation and also participated in the Spirit in the City is a celebration of Christian faith in the heart of London, hosted by the Catholic churches in the West End. The annual festival

welcomed people of all faiths, ages and walks of life in the middle of the entertainment district. It gave opportunity to raise deeper questions about life. The events featured live music, workshops, talks, opportunities for prayer, reflection and reconciliation.

Midnight Walkers turn Harrow pink for St Luke’s

Over 1500 ladies and 200 volunteers came together for St Luke’s Midnight Walk which has helped to raise an outstanding £174 000 for the hospice.

The 2013 Midnight Walk was the biggest ever for St Luke’s with 1500 ladies from the age of 9 to 73 taking to the streets to raise funds to support patients at the Hospice and their families. The ladies walked 9-miles to help raise funds for their local hospice.

Women started to flood in at Harrow Leisure centre at 10.30pm and enjoyed a spectacular and very energetic warm up with entertainment from the Delicious Crew lady DJ duo, Krupa Entertainment, the Dhol

Drummers, the Fitness Team from Everyone Active, and Harrow singer Lisa Lee who got the crowd dancing. St Luke’s new chief executive Robin Webb was MC for the night.

The Shree Swaminaryan Mandir Kingsbury put together a team of 85 ladies to take part in the walk , and also organised 27 of their members to marshall on the night.

The success of the walk is dependent on over 200 volunteers who marshall, register, serve breakfast, set up and clear up.

St Luke’s Director of Fundraising, Pam Russell says; ‘It was amazing to see so many individuals

and groups from all sections of the community coming together to raise funds for our patients and their families. An outstanding £174 000 has been pledged so far. The walk wouldn’t be possible without the hundreds of volunteers who helped with all aspects of the event, planning, marketing, organising the breakfast, sponsorship and helping out on the night.

A special thank you to Harrow Police Cadets who helped to set-up the event, to Harrow Special Constabulary and to all of the marshalls, including a big groups from the Kingsbury Mandir and the Baladia Community who helped to keep our ladies safe on the night.’

London offers a prosperous life. Having recently registered the largest number of billionaires, most people here live better than 99.9% of the global population. Yet, no matter how successful people are, everyone seems to want more and more. When is enough, enough? Why are people stressed, anxious and depressed? How does acquisition relate to happiness? Is there a purpose to business and life beyond this quest?

An evening seminar was held by the world’s leading authority on selfmanagement at The Dorchester, London on the 11th June 2014.

Swami Parthasarathy is the pre-eminent philosopher and corporate resource. He founded a Scientific Research Organisation in 1988 to train the youth on the technique of life. He has been the Keynote speaker for Aspen Ideas Festival & The Festival of Thinkers, and addressed

the World Economic Forum, NASA, World Bank & several FTSE 100 companies amongst others and authored ten books including three bestsellers. He has also been profiled by Sky Sports and Wisden for competing against players less than a third his age on the cricket field.

Following from the tremendous success last year, this year the viva-

British Asian Wedding Magazine Wins International business awards

UK’s premier online Asian wedding magazine has won an International business award, positioning them as the world’s best and most popular online wedding magazine.

Your Dream Shaadi (www.youdreamshaadi.co. uk), an elite online Asian Wedding Magazine received a phenomenal number of votes in the International Wedding Industry Experts Awards and as a result was voted best online wedding maga-

zine, not just in the UK but worldwide!

Rahul Katrak, Managing Director of Your Dream Shaadi (pictured) is a serial entrepreneur and one of Britain's leading experts on Indian and British Asian style. Rahul commented “We’d like to say a huge thank you to all our advertisers, YDS brides and grooms

and our wedding industry colleagues not only for the phenomenal number of votes we received but also for supporting our vision of building an experiential and innovative online brand that celebrates innovation and reframing wedding media stereotypes.”

This week paid subscribers of Asian Voice will receive a copy of the latest issue of Asian House and Home magazine with their newspaper.

cious Swami at 87 years presented essential techniques to achieve effortless success whilst enjoying cheer and contentment. He is acclaimed by the Time magazine ‘as a man who adds new meaning to the phrase business guru’. His sage advice has been sought by leading business people, sportsmen and audiences around the world for the past sixty years.

UK

Speaker of the House of Commons hosts reception for the British Punjabis

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th July 2014

Baroness Sandip Verma speaking to those present about Punjabi culture

The Speaker of the House of Commons, The Rt. Hon John Bercow MP, hosted a reception for the Punjabi Society of the British Isles to celebrate Punjabi culture in Britain on Thursday 19th June 2014 at his exquisite and grand residence in the House of Commons.

Among those in attendance were members of both Houses of Parliament and other prominent members of society including The Rt. Hon. Keith Vaz MP, Chairman of the Home Affairs Committee and Member of Parliament of Leicester East; Mr Richard Harrington MP, Member of Parliament of Watford; Mr Paul Uppal MP, Member of Parliament for Wolverhampton South West; Mr Mark Pritchard MP, Member of Parliament for the Wrekin, Baroness Sandip Verma of Leicester, Lord Mohammed Sheikh of Cornhill, Dr Virander Paul, Indian Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Mr

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Mr SS Sidhu, Minister Coordination, Indian High Commission, Dr Rami Ranger MBE with other guests

and does not associate itself with any one party and therefore draws from a wide spectrum of the Punjabi community. He added that when holding events, the Punjabi Society of the British Isles always gave its support to charitable causes and as a result support Rt. Hon. John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House enjoyed the wider of Commons greeting Dr Virander Paul, Indian from Deputy High Commissioner to the UK British community who are aware of Sukhdev Sidhu, Minister the good work it does. Mr Consular at the High Speaker also thanked Dr Rami Commission of India London.

Ranger MBE, the President of In his speech Mr Speaker the Punjabi Society of the praised the Punjabi Society of British Isles, for his hard work the British Isles for dedicating and dedication to the promoitself to those who are less fortion of Punjabi culture in tunate. He re-iterated the fact Britain and for creating a platthat the society is non-political

Mr Ranbir Suri, Mr Bir Bakshi, Mr JS Gill, Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP, Inderneel Singh and Mr Harmeet Ahuja

form for future generations to flourish in all aspects of British society.

Baroness Sandip Verma of Leicester spoke on the recognition we must give to those who go over and beyond to bring communities together. She thanked Dr Rami Ranger MBE and the Punjabi Society of the British Isles for working hard to ensure the Punjabis are well represented in the wider community adding that their achievements are not just for them but for the wider Punjabi community. She spoke of the Punjabi community being generous in spirit and working hard to contribute to every community that they go into, making sure that they are positive members of society and are able to not only work for them-

selves but also reach out to others to ensure that nobody is left behind. The Baroness thanked Mr Speaker for his warm welcome and generosity.

Dr Rami Ranger in his vote of thanks speech said that the Punjabi Society of the British Isles was indebted to Mr Speaker, the Rt. Hon. John Bercow MP for allowing us to come to his House for a memorable evening. He further said that the hallmark of a great leader was to make everyone feel great. Mr Speaker has the rare quality of connecting with everyone, from all walks of life and that the House had become much richer with the Speaker’s unique qualities of being fair and firm with everyone. He wished him a very happy and long stay in Parliament.

Interfaith Dialogue - an Islamic perspective

In his foreword to“Interfaith Dialogue”, a book by Dr Qadir Bakhsh, MBE and Maqsood Ahmed, OBE, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, wrote, “Interfaith Dialogue feeds into the world where there is much activity and healthy dialogue and to which it will make an important contribution”.

The book was launched at the House of Lords, and hosted by Lord Navnit Dholakia, OBE. Welcoming a 50 strong a diverse gathering, Lord Dholakia said that “this book is very timely, when a confused debate on British identity is taking place, questioning loyalties of ethnic minorities and the faith communities, who are integral part of British society. He added that “the most British thing at the moment is suspicion of anything foreign”.

“It is timely”, he further added, in that, it highlights the identity of British Muslims, who are participating and contributing to interfaith dialogue.

Professor Anwar,

OBE, enumerated factors, which he thought were helpful to Muslims to making their contributions to interfaith dialogue.

This included Muslims demographics and representation of Muslim in the British political and civic cultures.

The national and global events such as Rushdie affair, 9/11 and 7/7 have necessitated a positive response from the Muslim communities to correct the distorted image of Islam and Muslims, through engaging in dialogue, amongst other initiatives.

Rabbi David Hulbert congratulating the authors for this timely publication

explained that over the decades, the British landscape has changed significantly. The Muslim populations has grown, which is now over 2.7 millions.

There are good examples of highly successful Muslim professionals. In Britain “we have a lot to be proud of”, and added, “the country has continued to provide security, opportunity, refuge and hope Maulana Shahid Raza, Head imam of Leicester Islamic centre, reiterating the timeliness of the publication of the book, emphasised that “Books change emotions, ideals and attitudes” and he continued that “if this book can change ideologies and attitudes, this would be the ultimate award for the authors”.

He added that the book highlights good examples of Muslims and Muslim organisations who have been contributing to the dialogue and hoped that “the evidence, from Quran and Suna presented in the book, would give huge strength, particularly to the imams” Dr Harriet Crabtree,

Maulana Shahid Raza, OBE, Dr Qadir Bakhsh, MBE, Lord Khalid Hameed, CBE, Lord Navnit Dholakia, OBE, Maqsood Ahmed, OBE and Professor Muhammad Anwar, OBE

OBE, the director of Inter Faith Network, commended the chapter on “reflection”, saying that the books deals with both the easy aspect of dialogue and the challenging dimensions as well. She stated that “the book is symbol of importance of dialogue within the Muslim community” and said that “the book is interesting, helpful and positive”.

The Interfaith

Dialogue contains wealth of historical information about the presence of early Muslims and mosques in Britain along with current and projected demographics. It maps in details the ever expanding Global, European and British landscapes regarding interfaith dialogue, programmes and activities, and statistical information, charts, tables and photographs. It also presents powerful excerpts

from the Holy Quran in support of respect for other faiths, need for, mannerism and etiquettes of the dialogue. It presents a conceptual framework of what, how, where, when and why of interfaith, substantiated by the views expressed by a number of expert interviewees. The contributions of Muslims, Muslim organisation and mosques are well documented along with findings of a mosque survey.

SPECIAL

Morari Bapu starts his historic Ram Katha in Rome

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th July 2014

Morari Bapu addressing the crowd

Following the start of Morari Bapu’s historic Ram Katha in Rome, Bapu was invited to meet His Eminence Cardinal JeanLouis Tauran, the President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (PCID).

The PCID is the central office of the Catholic Church for promoting interreligious dialogue, and has in recent years done a lot of work to promote mutual understanding, respect and collaboration between Catholics and the followers of other religious traditions.

Morari Bapu was warmly welcomed by Cardinal Tauran at the PCID headquarters in the Vatican. Following the meeting with other senior priests and scholars at the PCID, Bapu was invited to visit the renowned St

Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world.

Speaking before the visit, Morari Bapu said "I am organizing Ram Kathas at all those places which enlighten the feeling of humanity. Rome is also one such seat of faith for millions. Audiences from the Vatican are also

Audience attending from across the world enjoying and engrossed in the Katha

Bapu has paid tribute to the life of Jesus Christ during his Katha touching on his principles which mirror those of the Hindu

Cardinal Tauran meets Morari Bapu and Lord Dolar Popat at the PCID headquarters in the Vatican

expected to attend the discourse and I will also go and pray in Vatican City".

faith. Bapu paid homage to Jesus Christ, “for sacrificing themselves for prop-

agating the domain of truth (Satya), of love (Prem) and of Compassion (Karuna).

The recital, which is lasting 9 days is taking place in the vicinity of the Vatican City and has so far seen 1,000 Hindu devotees attend from across the world.

The recital has been tagged as ‘unprecedented’, being the first and largest congregation of Hindu’s in the holy Catholic city, just a stone’s throw away from St Peter’s remains one of the most holy places for the Catholic faith. The recital marks a huge step forward in promoting interreligious dialogue between Hindus and

Catholics.

The recital is set to continue until Sunday 6 July, with even more visitors expected from across the globe.

Cardinal Tauran, is set to visit the recital later this week.

Lord Popat, a member of the British House of Lords and a key organiser of the recital, said that Cardinal Tauran's visit will mark a high moment for all those attending.

"The intention of this recital is to foster deeper links and understanding between Christianity and Hinduism. Having a representative of the Vatican, a man as distinguished and honourable as Cardinal Tauran, visit us will help

people, introducing better clinical governance.”

Whilst in her position as Legal Service Ombudsmen for England and Wales, Mrs Manzoor wrote quite a damning report about the state of consumer complaints in the legal profession and was given the authority to fine legal professional bodies up to £1m. She also set up key performance indicators, particularly for the Law Society, working with them to create a smart and efficient plan.

As a commissioner for the Commission for Racial Equality, serving as Deputy Chairman from 1993-1995, Mrs Manzoor described how she has seen race equality improve drastically within such a short space of time. However, where she says it still needs improving, is on the issue of women. She apologetically said, “We could have done more for ethnic minority women. Even today, when I look at board positions, I feel that some of our white counterparts have broken the glass ceiling, whereas our Asian counterparts

haven't. I still talk about the 'concrete skirting board' for Asian and ethnic minority women. I feel that we are still struggling because we have a double discrimination and sometimes treble discrimination, depending on our religious background now as well. So we're having to deal with those issues.”

With unemployment figures declining, one has to ensure certain Asian communities who are struggling, are not ignored. Asking whether she thinks enforcing a separate system for certain pockets of societies is a good idea, she disagreed, “Indian students are doing significantly much better in terms of their education attainment. And of course there are pockets of inequalities that need to be addressed.

There should be greater focus wherever those inequalities exist, whether its in Education, health, unemployment because we want everyone to try to reach their full potential. But I think setting up entirely separate systems is a very bureaucratic way of trying to address it.”

Mrs Manzoor has also served as a Trustee on the

to underline how important religious understanding and tolerance is."

Lord Popat went on "as with all of Bapu's recitals, the key messages will be world peace and how we should uphold the values of truth, love and compassion. These are values that Hinduism shares completely with Christianity.”

During his recital, Morari Bapu has been reading from the ancient Hindu text the Ramanyana, whilst drawing parallels with everyday situations we all face. In a unique twist, he has also been using stories and quotations from the Bible to help draw attention to the teachings of Christ.

Baroness Manzoor emphasises a stronger focus on fighting inequalities

- Tanveer Mann - Rupanjana Dutta

Baroness Manzoor oozes ambition and experience.

At the tender age of 18, Mrs Manzoor committed herself to helping people.

From a humble beginning as a midwife to a Baroness today, her undoubted success is the result of sheer determination and unparalleled commitment to improving public services for all.

Having studied in a medical school abroad in Islamabad and later qualifying as a midwife, Mrs Manzoor pursued a post graduate degree in Child Development and Health Visiting. From her experiences, she was then compelled to teach and begin lecturing in Leeds, rapidly spiralling in to a number of key positions in various different fields including working as a NonExecutive Director in the NHS, becoming the overseer of the Northern and Yorkshire regions of the NHS and the Legal Service Ombudsmen for England and Wales.

Speaking exclusively to Asian Voice, Mrs Manzoor said, “All three paths that I have pursued, I think they've got one key

thing running through all of them and that is about really wanting to improve public services for users.

My father died while I was in my twenties, so for me it was really important that people receive the best services that they possibly can. It doesn't matter what field you are in, the reality is, if we don't continuously look for ways to improve, if you're not passionate enough about it, we end up creating a very unequal society.”

As a Liberal Democrat, Mrs Manzoor believes strongly in ensuring that we live in a fair and inclusive society. She said, “We're the only party that thought about raising the threshold of taxes.

Some of the most vulnerable, poorer people in society now pay less taxes than they did before.

That's quite exciting. If we hadn't been in government, do you think that would have happened?

Apprenticeships are also something which Nick Clegg and Vince Cable have pushed very hard for. It's about looking after our future through our young.”

From 1992 to 1997, Mrs Manzoor served as

Zahida Manzoor, CBE

the Chairman of Bradford Health Authority before becoming one of the eight Regional Chairmen for the National Health Service (NHS), where she was responsible for the Northern and Yorkshire Region of the NHS with a budget of £3.5 billion and serving a population of 6.3 million. She enthusiastically said, “I sat on the policy board of the whole NHS and in my patch were people like Tony Blair and William Hague.

The NHS was also going through change politically as well, so it was exciting to be able to deliver in such a climate to be able to bring some real service delivery changes like reducing waiting times for

Board of the National Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), which she explained as being a tough time due to it being “horrific to hear some of the things people had to go through.” Discussing sexual abuse, sex grooming cases and child abuse, Mrs Manzoor emphatically said, “One of the things I always despair about, is when people get up and say 'lessons have been learnt' because I want people to say what lessons have been learnt?

We need to articulate them clearly so cases aren't repeated. The reality is, the grooming cases are happening across all society. Its an abhorrent and scandalous practice and definitely a criminal offence. But I've never seen it as a cultural thing.

I've seen it as men preying on young and vulnerable people.”

Mrs Manzoor's ambitious streak is evident.

But what drives her? She added, “That inclusive, fairness agenda of the Liberal Democrats, that improves society for everyone. We want to improve society for people like me and you.

That's what drives me.”

SPECIAL

Britain honours Overseas Heroes from the First World War

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th July 2014

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Rupanjana Dutta

Baroness Sayeeda Warsi unveiled plaques commemorating 175 men from overseas who were awarded the Victoria Cross during World War One on 26 June at the Lancaster House.

On 4 August 2014 it will be 100 years since Britain entered the First World War. Within government the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is leading plans to build a commemoration fitting of this significant milestone in world history.

As part of the Government’s First World War Centenary Programme, HRH The Duke of Kent and Senior Minister of State in the Foreign Office and Minister for Faith and Communities, Baroness Warsi, unveiled commemoration plaques for the 175 men from overseas who won Britain’s highest military honour, the Victoria Cross, for service in the First World War. The 11 bronze memorial plaques, which have been displayed to the public for the first time at an event at Lancaster House in London, are inscribed with the names of the Victoria Cross holders and will be sent to the recipients’ home countries and displayed at a prominent location as a symbol of the gratitude that is felt towards them by the people of the United Kingdom.

The VC is Britain’s highest award for gallantry in the battlefield and the six Indians honoured include Risaldar Badlu Singh, Sepoy Chatta Singh, Naik Darwan Singh Negi, Rifleman Gabar Singh Negi, LanceDaffadar Gobind Singh and Lance-Naik Lala. The two Nepalese honoured include Rifleman Karanbahadur Rana and Lance Naik Kulbir Thapa and three Pakistanis honoured include Sepoy Khudadad Khan, Jemadar Mir Dast and Naik Shahamad Khan.

Two of the only nine Victoria Cross holders alive in the world today, Sgt Johnson Beharry VC and Australian Cpl Mark Donaldson VC, also attended the launch of the plaques.

Speaking about the event, Senior Foreign Office Minister Baroness Warsi said: “It is important to remember this was a truly global war, one which pulled in people from every corner of the earth.

Sacrifices were made not only by people in the United Kingdom but by many millions across the world: whether it was the large proportion of Australian men who volunteered to fight in a war

Lance-Daffadar Gobind Singh

Naik Darwan Singh Negi

Naik Shahamad Khan

Jemadar Mir Dast

Sgt Johnson Beharry VC, Cpl Mark Donaldson VC, Brigadier Sandeepan Handa, defence and military adviser of India in the UK, Baroness Warsi, HRH The Duke of Kent and other guests

Sikh soldiers marching in Paris in 1916

far from home, the 1.2 million Indian troops who took part in the war, or the essential support which came from the islands of the West Indies. It is truly inspiring that so many countries came together 100 years ago to uphold our way of life. This was a war which saw extraordinary courage and sacrifice from an entire generation.

“These extraordinary men were awarded the Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest award for valour for their actions during the War. We shall honour them by engraving their names on bronze memorial plaques, to be presented to their home countries, sending out a powerful message that people of all backgrounds and faiths can unite in the name of a common cause.

“I am determined that we ensure that people of all backgrounds and of all generations learn about the courage and heroism of their forefathers a hundred years ago.”

She singled out Gobind Singh, who is recorded to have saved hundreds of lives in 1917 by offering to deliver messages back and forth in the midst of battle fire. “All these men are true heroes and we must ensure that future generations never forget that without them we would not have the rights and freedom we enjoy today,” Warsi added.

Sgt Johnson Beharry VC, who was awarded the VC for Service in Iraq, and Australian Cpl Mark Donaldson, was awarded his for service in Afghanistan. Both attended the event at Lancaster House. Other guests

included descendants of the VCs being honoured, members of the Prime Minister’s Advisory Board on the First World War, representatives of the countries concerned, and some young people from Youth United representing the various cadet forces in this country.

175 VCs were honoured from 11 countries.

These countries are: Canada (70 VCs); Australia (66); New Zealand (16); South Africa (14); India (6); USA (5); Pakistan (3); Nepal (2); Denmark (2); Belgium (1) and Ukraine (1).

This is an extension of the HMG programme to honour UK-born VC recipients with a commemorative paving stone in their home town. The bronze plaques were made at a family-run artisan foundry in the Peak District, Leander Architectural, and use the same design as the flagstones, a design that was chosen through a nationwide competition in 2013.

The plaques will be sent to their countries

Risaldar Badlu Singh

Lance-Naik Lala

where Britain intends for them to be displayed in a prominent public location.

The plaque dedicated to the Indian soldiers who received Victoria Crosses

in the WWI, will be sent to the British High Commission in New Delhi and eventually to the Government f India for a permanent memorial.

Crème de la crème of Community to be recognised at 14th Asian Achievers Awards The prestigious Asian Achievers Awards, also known as People's Choice Awards, is hosted every year by UK's leading news weeklies Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar to honour British Asians par excellence. The awards recognise the outstanding work of individuals from across all businesses and professions, and acknowledge the accomplishments of the finest of the UK’s Asian community. This year’s event will take place on 19th September at Grosvenor House Hotel and will pay particular homage to ‘Entrepreneurship’.

The Asian Achievers Awards salute individuals who are singularly responsible for bringing the Asian community to the centre stage of British life, and celebrate the exceptional and exemplary achievements of community members that are truly inspirational.

The coveted Awards were first envisioned as a standard of excellence that would create role models and encourage younger generations to follow in their footsteps. It is now successfully in its 14th year.

Previous special guests include Cherie Blair, Bollywood silver screen veteran Hema Malini, Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable, Baroness Shriti Vadera, ex-PM Tony Blair, Jack Straw MP, Lord Sebastian Coe and David Blunkett MP to

name a few.

Some of last year's winners at the esteemed Asian Achievers Awards 2013 included Seeta Indrani, Actress and Performer for Media, Arts and Culture, Professor

Naina Patel OBE, Founder, Policy Research Institute on Community and Inter-faith Relations (PRIAE) in the UK for Community Service, Sports Personality of the Year Ruqsana Begum, Kickboxer, British Champion, European Gold Medallist, World Bronze Medallist, Surjeet Manku, Chief Superintendent for Uniformed and Civil Service and Professional of the Year Nandita Parshad, Director,

Power & Energy Utilities Team at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

An independent panel of high profile judges will shortlist nominees down to the finest in the community and the winner in each of the nine categories will be announced at the event. The People's Choice Awards are made for the people by the people, therefore we open up the platform to the general public to nominate achievers in their community.

If there is someone you know who has broken boundaries and deserves recognition for their unique contribution to the community and the nation then please nominate them for one of the awards listed on the website here http://aaa.abplgroup.com/nominations/. Nominations deadline: 14th July 2014.

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th July 2014

Dear Financial Voice Reader,

Last week I presented awards at Madame Tussauds to Indian Educational Institutions. So I thought this week I will write about trading and investing educations.

Here is the most important lesson: Success Is All in the Mind Trader’s attitude to their potential and existing investmentd is often a great determinant of success. As every trader knows, the moment a trade is executed, everything is different. That is the point at which it becomes real, no longer digits on a screen and numbers in an account. Now expectation is joined by anticipation. The brain is joined by the heart. Reason is joined by emotion. You exchange detachment for attachment.

When you have an open position and you are looking to close it, you will either have a profit or a loss. The emotions relating to each are quite different. For instance, when sitting on a loss many traders experience hope that the position will turn around because they fear and deny that it may not. It is for you to recognize these emotions and to discard them. Your judgment has to be based on detached reason relating to your analysis of the company.

How you behave once you have an open position is all important. Without clear thinking you could exit too soon or too late. Your key concern with an open position is timing your exit. Of course there are times when you are deciding whether to add to a position, but generally you are concerned with exit. With an open position you are concerned with closing the position. In order to do that an open position requires an open mind.

“The key is to be intellectually honest. You have to think of every day as a clean slate. You've got to forget about your loss or how much you paid you have to treat each day as a completely new day. You have to start everyday with a blank page. Mark to market should be the rule so you start each day afresh. There is no expected profit or loss on the book so you have to start from scratch each morning.” says Oppetit, former Global Head of Equity Derivatives at Paribas.

As is taught on InvestingBetter.com CDROMs, ‘Trading Psychology if more important than trading stock picks’.

Poor planning produces pathetic performance Although an SAS motto, the above is equally applicable to trading. The top traders did not trade ‘by the seat of their pants.’ Planning and its benefits was a key aspect to the way they viewed the markets. The top traders plan ‘what if’ scenarios and think about their response to each probable outcome. The main benefits were that with plan in hand or in mind the trader’s confidence is enhanced, fear of loss reduced and that in turn assists clear thinking and removal of hope so ensuring the trader stays focused on his original reason for entering the trade.

If you would like to learn more – see the free videos on www.alpeshpatel.com Happy Trading!

US pharma firms want dialogue with India

Top executives of American pharma companies favour "dialogue" with India and "not confrontation" to address their concerns on key issues like the protection of intellectual property (IP) and clinical trials. Arguing that global pharma companies share the same goal of "patient

first" with that of the government of India, corporate executives attending the "US-India BioPharma and Healthcare Summit" organized by the USAIndia Chamber of Commerce said they should not be considered as adversaries by New Delhi.

Shefali Saxena

India for every Indian

To discuss the post election setup in India, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) held a private meeting in the last week of June. The first big Indian business delegation of the year visited Britain as a part of FICCI’s international connect, taking an India-Europe conference forward annually. Hosted

by Dr Roger Hayes, Honorary Advisor to FICCI in the UK, and Senior Advisor at APCO Worldwide, the session threw light on the newly appointed central government, its powers and economic challenges.

Believing that a change of government has sent out a very positive message for development, Dr Alwyn Didar Singh, SecretaryGeneral of FICCI and former Secretary to Government of India in the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, said, “Before elections an economic agenda was shared

FICCI Secretary General Dr Didar Singh delivering the keynote speech at the conclusion of the Global Indian Business Meet 2014 in Liverpool Town Hall last week.

with all political parties.”

He said that the agenda included suggestions and reforms which need to be implemented for the betterment of Indian economy.

This included the question of FDI, education, health, key areas of the country, representation from UK shares and imperatives of getting business agendas in UK and India going.

Former FICCI President, Naina Lal Kidwai reiterated the involvement and achievements of FICCI in working closely with the Indian

government to maintain global standards and relations. She said that India has embarked on a skill development agenda where UK plays a pivotal role.

According to her, education is not about a degree anymore, and it is the skill development programme that can strengthen education.

FICCI works with National Skill Development Corporation to produce skilled professionals as there is rise in private sector jobs which required skilled people.

Hindujas call for increased engagement to kick-start UK-India trade relations

The Hinduja brothers recently called for greater engagement of the British-Indian Diaspora community to kick-start the dwindling trade relationship between the UK and India. The Hinduja brothers - Sri and Gopichand, said policy makers have consistently ignored the huge potential inherent in Britain's two-million strong Indian community and called for forward-looking ways to grow that potential. Addressing a seminar organized by the UK India Business Council (UKIBC) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in London, Srichand Hinduja said: "Despite the long and rich historical relations between Britain and India, the UK still lags behind in terms of investment in India. We have millions of NRIs but organizations like UKIBC and FICCI need to do more to utilize their huge potential". Srichand also called for a 'flag-

ship' infrastructure project similar to the ambitious, $90 billion Japanese government-backed Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) to help accelerate the India-UK trade relationship. "There has been talk of a new industrial corridor between Bombay and Bangalore. Let us all see how we can make that a success.

With the DMIC, the Japanese came with big funds and offered a package to the Indian government and things have moved along swiftly. The result of a large infrastructure project like DMIC is that automatically a whole host of other businesses will grow from it, whether it's education, tourism or health. I can categorically say there is no shortage of funds in the UK. We need to harness the potential of London as a financial centre, the NRI community, and think outside the box and come up with innovative ways to raise money."

Dr (Ms) Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson & Managing Director of Bharat Hotels, and Senior Vice President of FICCI pointed out that Indians migrate to UK for several reasons. She said that like Singapore is the eastern gateway, London is the western gateway. This implies that engagement of SMEs of both India and Britain is strategically significant. FICCI and the government use the funds to support investment in India especially to aid the smaller companies.

India’s emerging creative markets and industry are a great ground for investment. India is the largest provider of low cost health care where sometimes the cost of a cataract operation might be as low as 1/20 of the cost in western countries. This doesn’t mean that Indian healthcare compromises in quality. “High quality and low cost health care is something in which India really excels,” said Kidwai.

Highlighting the impetus of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of corporates, Dr. Singh said, “Why are they not spending 2 per cent profits in CSR?” According to him, this is a part of the corporate act and should be spent on activities of social nature. “India for years gave IT services to the world, but ignored the IT within the country,” he added.

There was a clear consensus among the panellists that involvement of private sector facilitates better delivery of services.

While Dr. Suri believed that India has islands of excellence but they need to become the mainland, Naina Kidwai added that, “Every Indian should rise to their potential and the real message for them should be India for every Indian!”

George Galloway to attend B&B Action Group meeting

The Bradford & Bingley Action Group (BBAG), which represents almost one million former bond and shareholders in the UK’s nationalised bank, has persuaded representatives from the major political parties - including George Galloway, MP for Bradford West and the Respect Party leader - to speak at a public meeting this September on the sixth anniversary of Gordon Brown’s decision to nationalise Bradford & Bingley (B&B) and sell the savings book with the retail network to Santander.

David Blundell, BBAG Chairman and a director of the UK Individual Shareholders’ Society, said: “This act destroyed B&B as an ongoing business despite it having a stronger balance sheet than Northern Rock, Royal Bank of Scotland and Halifax Bank of Scotland, the latter two being partly nationalised at 81% and 40% respectively.”

Among speakers confirmed for the meeting at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford on 27 September are Philip Davies, Conservative MP for

Shipley that includes Bingley, who has worked to secure justice on behalf of B&B employees, share and bond holders, and secured debates on the issues in the House of Commons; David Ward, Liberal Democrat MP for Bradford East; Jane Collins, the lead UKIP MEP elected for Yorkshire & Humberside this May. However, no former minister or MP was willing to attend on behalf of the Labour Party.

Blundell added: “There is no doubt that unless there are changes by the Government to the current

conditions there will be a substantial surplus when B&B is finally wound down, which will pass to the Treasury - not the B&B shareholders - and is an outrageous outcome unless action is taken by the Coalition.”

A report by the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum, whose post mortem on the banking crisis was published in 2011, makes clear that B&B should have been partly nationalised at worst for less than 40%, according to Blundell.

by Roger Aitken

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th July 2014

Suresh Vagjiani

Sow & Reap A Property Investment Company

REAL ESTATE VOICE

The Chinese Invasion

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Despite reports of the London property market cooling, there are at least some strong under currents which will help to reverse the tide.

One which is new Chinese money flowing in, there are also the strong fundamentals underpinning the market. Thirdly, the myth of the foreign buyer which has been reported by nationality rather than residence has given the perception that most of the buyers in the market are based abroad.

A recent Knight Frank report demonstrates that there is a momentum building in the property market which most people are unaware of.

London property has now come under the radar of the wealthy Chinese and although in early stages, there is a slow inclination of this. The government policy of reducing the spending on luxury items, combined with the strength of the Chinese Yuan Renminbi against the Sterling, means that Chinese funds are finding their way into London.

A litmus test is the Rolls-Royce, an ultra-luxury car brand which is expected to experience slow sales growth in China this year as an austere push by President Xi Jinping dampens luxury demands.

By comparison, Rolls-Royce sales rose 16 percent to 998 vehicles last year. The Chinese prize London for its heritage schools and universities and the fact that currently residents are not taxed on their global wealth unlike the US. Another driving factor is Canada has scrapped its immigrant investor program this year, this will increase the attraction for London investment and the country had been a popular destination for the Chinese.

Two milesto nes were passe d last year that demonstrat e the growin g import anc e of mainland Chin ese buyers in Londo n. F irst, China replaced Greece as on e o f the ten larg est groups of buyers in prime ce ntral Lond on. Chin a was in joint f ourth pl ace with Italy. Seco nd, Chin a overtook Russia as th e c ount ry g ranted t he mo st tier one in ve sto r visas in the UK since the scheme starte d in 2008. The UK governmen t gran ts t he visas in e xchang e for in vest ments of between £1 mill io n and £10 millio n an d 187 were issu ed to Chinese nat io nals in 2013, no tably th e high est ever t otal to a sin gle n atio nalit y in o ne year.

Chin ese nationals bo ught more sub - £1 mil lion Londo n ho mes in 2013 t han over the previo us five years combined .

Over t he same period, the figu re grew t o 2.7% fro m 1% in t he £2 million to £5 million price bracke t, and from zero to 1.1% fo r pro pe rties between £5 million and £10 million , in dicat in g Chine se bu yers are in cre asingly act ive in t he hig her price brack ets as they become familiar with the mark et. The fact Chinese buyers are the fourth large st group in prime cen tral Lon don even with outfl ow re strictions in place su gge sts minor chang es in Be ijing in f uture cou ld well have a significant posit ive impact in Lon don.

All of that comes against the uncertain backdrop of a US$10 trillion economy that is shifting its focus away from heavy industry towards consumerism.

Burgeoning wealth levels in China suggest demand will remain strong. Reports indicates the number of US dollar billionaires in China will grow 80% by 2023, placing the country second behind the United States by number of billionaires.

Several major commercial and development deals in the last year underline the appeal of London in China, including Chinese developer Greenland buying the Ram Brewery in Wandsworth for £600 million and a deal by Advanced Business Park for a 35 acre site at Royal Albert Dock. Despite strong demand, controls on outflows of capital from China suggest there won’t be a sudden step-change among buyers in the prime London residential market. Instead data shows a steadier buildup is underway. It is most noticeable in the sub - £1 million price bracket, where the percentage of Chinese buyers in prime central and outer London grew to 7.5% last year from 2.7% in 2010. It is the highest percentage of any foreign buyer since 2008 in a price bracket that typically marks an entry point to the London market. This is a massive growth, the demand has nearly tripled over a 3 year period, and point to note is this signifies the entry level into property meaning the investment levels are likely to grow from here.

It is also worth keeping in mind the fundamentals of the property market in London, there is a chronic lack of supply against a local and international high level of demand. Here are some reasons which argue the case as to why medium to long term property in London will rise due to local demand.

1) Undersupply of new homes: with circa 20,000 homes per annum being delivered against need, which the Greater London Authority has set at over 42,000 per annum.

2) London is foreign, foreign is London: 25 of the 33 London Boroughs have more than 30% of residents born outside of the United Kingdom, and in four of them – including Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea - over half of residents are from outside the UK. International demand for residential is a reflection of the existing international dimension of the London population.

3) International investment has a limited impact on price growth: Difficult to estimate, but recent reports suggest international purchasers make up only 6% of London market. In other words, the 94% of transactions made by British buyers make up a far more significant proportion of demand, which drives price movements.

The Real Deal

It is import an t when assessing inte rnation al demand in Lond on to define what exactl y is a “foreign bu yer”. Most analysis to d ate has con cent rated on the n ation ality of purch asers; but t his is misleading d efinition in a city as d ive rse and globally co nne cted as Lo ndo n, where 38% of in ner Lon don reside nts were classified as foreign born in t he 2011 cen su s.

Hampstead, London, NW3 Purchase Price: £550k

Is a French banker who has lived and worked in London for five years a “foreign” buyer when he decides to stop renting and buy his first home? Or a software engineer from India who has been living and working in the Shoreditch tech cluster for two years? Rather than looking at nationality as a way of assessing foreign demand for London property, it is more accurate to consider a buyer’s residence. Over the 12 months to June 2013, 49% of all £1m+ sales in prime central London went to foreign buyers by nationality, but only 28% of buyers were NOT resident in the UK. This latter group are largely composed of investors, looking to earn an income by letting.

The above serves to illustrate the central London property market is driven by many diverse and complex factors, it is not as simple as if interest rates go up then prices must come down; despite the need for many to have an overly simplified model and to paint the whole property market with one brush.

l A large one bedroom raised ground floor flat l High ceilings l Share of freehold l Can be converted into a two bedroom flat l Close to the leisure facilities of Finchley Road and Hampstead Heath l Comparable properties are priced at around £1,000 per sq. ft. while this comes at around £770 per sq. ft. l Expected resell value after works to be around £700k Call us now to secure this deal!

0207 993 0103

We provide a turnkey solution. Contact us now:

Specialists in

Central London Property Sourcing

info@sowandreap.co.uk

www.sowandreap.co.uk

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

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SowandReapProperties

Tips of the Week l While Letting your property you must protect the tenant's deposits via an approved Tenancy Deposit scheme, failure to do so may affect eviction proceedings.

l Under current law the local authority are within their rights to take over a property if it is left vacant for a long period of time; it’s important to be mindful of your local authorities policy on this matter.

20

BUSINESS

Kotak Mahindra founder urges govt to privatise state banks

Uday Kotak, the founder and managing director of Kotak Mahindra – one of India’s fastest growing private banks, has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to push through a radical shake-up of the country’s state-owned banking industry, by diluting government stakes and allowing private banks to take over public-sector operators.

He said that government should also sell 10 per cent stake in Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), raising “at least $10bn” to recapitalise other ailing statebacked institutions.

Kotak proposed diluting government stakes below 51 per cent in institutions such as State Bank of India, the country’s largest lender, helping to meet part of the estimated $28 bn needed

Anil Ambani seeks to raise $500m

Anil Ambani’s cash strapped Reliance Communications is planning to raise $ 500 million through a share issue. In a statement to the Bombay Stock Exchange, Ambani group confirmed that a meeting of its board had authorised an equity placement to institutional investors, as it seeks to cut back net debts that hit $6.8 bn in March this year.

The response of the investing public to RCOM issue will be a test for other cash strapped Indian companies to raise funds.

Earlier Anil Ambani made several failed attempts to raise capital into his struggling business empire. The move marks the latest in a series of moves by capitalstarved Indian companies to raise equity in the aftermath of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s election victory last month, which prompted shares to hit record levels.

Numerous other overleveraged industrial groups, including power and energy conglomerate Adani and infrastructure business GMR, are also understood to be in the early stages of plans to take advantage of recent market highs to raise funds.

Reliance plans to raise equity at a price of Rs 142, roughly a 5 per cent discount below Tuesday’s closing price of Rs151, according to one person familiar with deal.

Ambani also plans to invest a further $200m into RCOM during the process, purchasing equity at Rs152. A spokesman for Reliance declined to comment on the move.

to recapitalise public sector banks by 2018. “My view is we have got to get bolder . . . if you want to fix banking, you have to fix the state sector, because it controls three quarters of the industry,” he said.

Any move to sell majority government stakes remains controversial in India and would also require contentious legislative changes.

However, the proposals do mirror recommenda-

tions from an independent panel appointed by Reserve Bank of India, which suggested similar stake dilutions last month. India’s 1969 Bank Nationalisation Act should also be amended, Kotak said, allowing private sector operators such as HDFC Bank or ICICI to acquire public sector competitors.

“The government could do a strategic sale,” he said. Raghuram Rajan, the Reserve Bank of India

governor, called last year for a “dramatic remaking” of India’s banking sector, with heightened competition from new-entrant private banks and foreign operators alongside reforms to less competitive state institutions.

Citing renewed confidence in Indian markets, Kotak said his bank – which he compares with US-based JP Morgan for its mixture of retail, commercial and investment banking – would now see growth in its financial markets operations outpace its retail division for the first time since the global financial crisis.

“Financial services in India was on a wonderful path, but stuttered after 2008,” he said. “Since then it has been in that unconscious state for five or six years, but that part is waking up again.”

terminating a long-term sourcing agreement with Ocado. The contract is due to expire in September 2020, but both sides have the option to terminate the agreement from March 2017, with an 18-month notice period.

The Jefferies analysts claim “there is a very good chance that Waitrose will elect to break the relationship”.

“The most crucial unknown is the impact on customer behaviour from a rescission of the sourcing agreement and, in time, a lack of access to the Waitrose brand,” wrote Jefferies retail analysts in a note to clients

last week. With Waitrose largely defining the Ocado own-label offering, the risk is that the overall attractions of Ocado’s consumer offering may be reduced once the business cannot stock these products.” Ocado is due to announce half-year results this week. Analysts are expecting revenue of between £438 million and £446 million, and EBITDA of £31 million-£33.7 million.

Short sellers lost hundreds of millions of pounds last year when Ocado signed a joint venture with troubled Morrisons, which sent shares in the online retailer soaring. Before the announcement Ocado shares were among the most shorted on the market with more than 17 per cent on loan.

Ocado has yet to make a profit 12 years after it was launched by former Goldman Sachs bankers.

explained to the audience “How to successfully raise capital for your business in today’s economic conditions.”

Aga Korfel explained the audience about how the government’s Growth Vouchers programme helps small businesses get strategic business advice on various aspects such as finance and cash flow, recruiting and developing staff and making the most of digital technology.

Guests include London Anjappar restaurant franchise partner Jayandan, Asian Voice’s Associate Editor and Indian Journalists’ Association Secretary Rupanjana Datta, Mrs Kamala Sekar who was till recently the head of export finance at UKTI, Dosa Dosa Restaurant business partner Ezhil Suresh, many prominent UKTamil Nadu based businessmen and members of UKTNCC. Sundar Subbiah cofounder of UKTNCC, thanked the speakers and Metro Bank for allowing to hold their monthly meeting at Metro Bank.

Short sellers downloading Ocado shares

Share prices of Ocado have been falling following speculation that Waitrose may end a crucial supply agreement with the online supermarket. Hedge funds have bet tens of millions of pounds on Ocado share from falling further.

The percentage of Ocado shares on loan, a key indicator of short selling, has increased sharply in recent weeks. More than 5 per cent of Ocado’s shares are out on loan, up from 1.9 per cent in April.

Short sellers profit by selling shares they do not own in the hope of buying them back cheaper at a later date. Separate filings with the Financial Conduct Authority show that the sellers targeting Ocado include GMT Capital Corp, a $4 billion Atlantabased hedge fund, which has short sold 3.1 per cent of Ocado’s shares.

Analysts at Jefferies warned that Waitrose could be on the verge of

UK Tamil Nadu business meet

UKTNCC Limited, a business association for the business communities in UK & Tamil Nadu, held their monthly meeting at Metro Bank, near Holborn station on the 26th June.

Siv Matchendran, cofounder of UKTNCC, welcomed the guests and also introduced Dina Pinto of Metro Bank to the audience.

Karthik Durgaprasad, co-founder of UKTNCC, invited speakers and also gave a short description about Harinder Singh, director of SME Finance, and introduced Aga Korfel to the guests.

How to raise capital?

Harinder Singh

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th July 2014

Britain’s East India Company issues gold coin in honour of Sachin

Sanjiv Mehta & Sachin piece in its own right.

Britain’s luxury goods Exclusively presented in brand East India a custom made presentaCompany has issued an tion box the coin is exclusive legal tender accompanied by an indigold coin worth 12,000 vidually numbered pound sterling in and personally honour Sachin signed certificate Te n d u l k a r ’ s of authenticity remarkable along with an career spanning autographed 24 years. cricket bat by The issue of a Sachin Tendulkar,” it ‘legal tender’ coin added. is an official mark of Tendulkar said distinction given he was honoured to individuals by the recogniwho have tion. “All my life, accomplished I have had a great achievedream of playing ments in human cricket for India. I am history. The cricket very fortunate to have icon himself and his lived this dream for the 200th Test milestone are symbolically represented last 24 years. I am honby Tendulkar’s autooured to be recognised graphed bat, helmet and with the issue of these special coins, which have the number 187 which he been impressively wore during his 200th designed with a lot of and final Test at thought,” Tendulkar Wankhede Stadium in said.

Mumbai in November In 2005 Sanjiv 2013, where he Mehta, an Indian announced his retireEntrepreneur, acquired ment cheered on by thouthe East India Company sands of his fans during (EIC) from 33 different an emotional farewell. share holders and spent Sachin Ramesh five years to reposition Tendulkar’s 200th Test the Company as a luxury Match was embossed on brand for today. The East one side of the coin while India Company was Queen Elizabeth II is relaunched on 15th embossed on the other August 2010 with its first side of the coin. The canvas of the coin shows the flagship ‘Fine Food’ store latitude lines of the globe in Conduit Street, London. Today EIC is a modelled in cricket multi-channel business stitching to represent the dealing with fine food, international stage of precious metals, hospicricket. tality, publishing, fashThe design of the ion, art and jewellery. coin has been handcraftSanjiv Mehta, CEO ed in great detail by one of The East India of the world’s most Company, said of the renowned coin designers coin launch: Joaquin Jimenez, cur“Historically precious rently the Chief Engraver metal formed an imporat Monnaie de Paris. tant part of The The Gateway of India Company’s trading activfeatures to denote ities. We have been issuTendulkar’s home city of ing our own gold and silMumbai, where he startver coins for centuries ed and completed his illustrious career. East and began to do so again in 2010. EIC originally India Company, the comintroduced Cricket to the pany which made the Commonwealth, then coin, said that only 210 the British Empire, and gold coins, each weighing it made immense sense 200g, will be released to for us to issue a coin for pay tribute to the Indian this special occasion. We cricketer. Collectors can feel honoured to have pre-order the ‘200th Test been given the opportuMatch Gold Coin’ for nity to pay tribute to one 12,000 pound here. of the Greatest Cricket Other coins commemoPlayers of all time.” rating Sachin Tendulkar The Sachin Tendulkar are 1oz ‘The World’s ‘Limited Edition’ coins Greatest Batsman’ gold are available to purchase and a silver coins made from the East India by the same company.

“Every single 200g Company’s official webcoin issued is a mastersite eicgold.com .

CURRENCY VOICE

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th July 2014

21

Foreign Exchange

Paresh Davdra is the Dealing Director of RationalFX,

UK Economy grew at 0.8% Currency Specialists.

The Bank of England announced new affordability test on banks, they must now calculate the impact on borrower’s ability to repay their mortgages if interest rates rise by three percentage points. The have also announced a lending cap of no more than 15% of any lender’s total number of new residential mortgages should be at or greater than 4.5 times the borrower’s income.

Mark Carney explained that the Bank of England is acting now, to avoid the housing market spiralling out of control and threatening financial stability.

The governor says that the UK economy is broadening and strengthening, but the housing market is the main risk to financial stability.

The BoE governor explained that it is not the Financial Policy Committee's job to control house prices but it is worried about the state of household indebtedness in the UK. Carney explained that household debt isn't an immediate threat but it is a worry for the future.

Mortgage approvals fell to an 11 month low confirming that the lending market was already

losing some steam before last week’s new Bank of England curbs. The bank reported yesterday that there were 61,707 mortgage approvals in the month, an 18.7% decline from their recent peak in January and the lowest monthly figure since June 2013.

UK GDP figures were released on Friday showing The UK economy grew at 0.8% in the first three months of 2014 which was on par with estimations. However the annual growth rate has been revised down a little, to 3.0% from 3.1% growth. These GDP figures did little to move the pound after they were released.

Growth across Germany's firms slowed to an eight-month low this month, but remains rather stronger than in France.

Germany’s overall composite output index, measuring factories and service firms, fell to 54.2 from 55.6 in May German firms reported that new business continued to increase, with export orders up for the 11th month running and firms kept hiring new staff this year.

However French manufacturing PMI tumbled to a six-

month low of 47.8, down from 49.6 in May showing French manufacturing falling deeper into negative territory. June’s PMI data painted a picture of subdued economic performance in France, with output down for a second successive month, orders falling slightly and the sharpest cut in staffing levels for four months Later on in the week we had more disappointing figures from France the euro zone's second largest economy. The France failed to grow in the first three months of the year, GDP came in flat with Zero growth FGDP was weighed down by a fall in consumer spending and investment by non-financial companies. France only avoided an overall economic contraction in the first quarter of the year due to government spending and companies rebuilding their stock Inflation in the Eurozone remained unchanged at 0.5% in June. It is the ninth month running that Eurozone inflation has been below the target of just below 2%. There is one sign that the Eurozone is moving away from deflation with core

inflation (which strips out volatile measures such as food, energy, alcohol and tobacco) moving up to 0.8% from 0.7% previously.

Food, drink, and tobacco prices across the Eurozone have actually fallen by 0.2% this month compared with June 2013 US GDP contracted by an annual rate of 2.9% in the first quarter, official and final figures showed yesterday.

The U.S. economy contracted at a much steeper pace than previously estimated in the first quarter to record its worst performance in five years.

Economists had expected today's figure to come in at minus 1.7%. It was estimated the severe weather could have slashed as much as 1.5 percentage points from GDP growth in the first quarter. The GDP figure was dragged down by weak demand for transportation, machinery, computers and electronic products; electrical equipment, appliances and components; as well as a 31.4 per cent plunge in defence capital goods orders.

Weekly Currencies

As of Tuesday 1st July 2014 @ 4.30pm

GBP - INR = 102.90 USD - INR = 60.03 EUR - INR = 82.15 GBP - USD = 1.71 GBP - EUR = 1.25

EUR - USD = 1.37 GBP - AED = 6.30

GBP - CAD = 1.83

GBP - NZD = 1.95

GBP - AUD = 1.81

GBP - ZAR = 18.29

GBP - HUF = 391.04

www.rationalfx.com

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

22

PAKISTAN - LONDON

Pak army pounds main Taliban town

Islamabad: After days of targeted air strikes on Taliban militants in Pakistan's tribal region of North Waziristan, ground troops moved into Miranshah town as tanks and artillery pounded hideouts in the city.

The military has started clearing of built-up areas of the militants, said a security official. The ground attack focused on the main Bazar area in Miranshah where the Pakistani Taliban has a strong presence.

The numbers of casualties was not known as yet.

Operation Zarb-e-Azb was launched on June 15 and the army is trying to mop up the major areas before start of the Muslim holy month. According to the army, so far over 300 militants have been killed in the operation. It has also displaced over 450,000 people who have taken up temporary residences in nearby towns of Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Dera Ismail Khan.

Andy Coulson faces twoyear jail sentence

London: Andy Coulson, the prime minister’s former director of communications, was found guilty of conspiracy to hack phones but the jury failed to reach verdicts on allegations that he was involved in the corruption of public officials while editing the News of the World.

David Cameron was criticised by the judge for almost causing the trial to collapse by commenting on Coulson’s conviction while the jury was still considering the outstanding charges of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

Justice Saunders called the prime minister’s conduct into question after he made comments which suggested that Coulson had lied to him when he sought assurances about phone hacking. The High Court judge said: “I don’t know whether it was just done in

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ignorance or whether it was done deliberately.”

It is not the first time that Cameron has upset the judiciary. His public backing for Nigella Lawson during the fraud trial of her former personal assistants threatened the case after he said that he was “a massive fan” of the TV cook.

The prime minister was one of a series of politicians, including Ed Miliband, the Labour leader, who made comments in what Justice Saunders described as “open season” while verdicts were pending. The Crown Prosecution Service will announce whether Coulson, 46, will face a retrial with Clive Goodman, the NoW’s former royal editor, over alleged payments for confidential royal telephone directories.

Coulson already faces a

two-year jail sentence after he was the only defendant to be found guilty in the eight-month trial. He will be sentenced alongside four others who pleaded guilty last year to phone hacking.

Rebekah Brooks, the former chief executive of News International, was cleared of involvement in three separate conspiracies, including phone hacking, alongside her husband, Charlie, and three other defendants.

News International, now called News UK, which owns The Times, bore the brunt of the trial expense as the company privately funded six of the seven defendants.

However, the cost to the public purse, once related inquiries are taken into account, is expected to reach tens of millions of pounds. Justice Saunders described it as “astronomic”. However, the bill will leap by millions more if Mrs Brooks applies to get back some of her legal costs.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th July 2014

In Brief

Arabs being depicted as terrorists, says leading actor

London: Nabil Elouahabi, a leading British-Arab actor, has lamented and said that Arabs were being depicted are as terrorists in films and television programmes. Elouahabi’s comments come after Lenny Henry appeared before the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee where he attacked the lack of diversity at the BBC.

Wonga faces probe for fake legal threats to debtors

London: Wonga, the payday loan giant, may face criminal investigation after it has sent fake legal letters to threaten customers who have defaulted on repayment of their loans and charged them for the letters. Police have confirmed they are to look again at whether they think a criminal investigation into Britain's biggest payday lender would be appropriate after the firm agreed to pay out £2.6 million in compensation to 45,000 customers who had received the bogus letters after being named and shamed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) watchdog.

Obama seeks $ 2 bn in border control aid for immigrants

Washington: US President Obama will seek more than $2 billion to respond to the flood of immigrants illegally entering the US and new powers to deal with returning immigrant children apprehended while travelling without their parents. More than 52,000 unaccompanied children, mostly from Central America, have been apprehended entering the US illegally since October. Obama plans to make the requests to Congress in a letter to be sent, the White House official said.

NOMINATION FORM

The prestigious Asian Achievers Awards is hosted every year by UK’s leading news weeklies Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar to honour British Asians par excellence. If there is someone you know who has broken boundaries and deserves recognition for their unique contribution to the community and the nation then please nominate them for one of the awards listed below.

Make sure that you fill in this application form and send it on or before 14th July, 2014 by post, fax or email to Mr. L George, Tel: 020 7749 4013, Fax 020 7749 4081, Email: aaa@abplgroup.com. If you are sending it by post the address is Mr. L George, ABPL Group, Karma Yoga House, 12 Hoxton Market, London N1 6HW.

Please tick the appropriate category Entrepreneur of the Year ....................................................

Uniformed and Civil Services ............................................

Awarded to an entrepreneur with a proven track record of operating a successful business enterprise.

For outstanding achievements in uniformed and civil services or contribution to the community through any of the above services.

Achievement in Media, Arts and Culture ....................

Professional of the Year ......................................................

Someone who has made a mark in media including print and broadcast media; cinema, art and culture.

Achievement in Community Service................................

Professionals in the field of medicine, law, education, banking, finance and others, who have scaled the heights of their chosen profession.

International Personality of the Year ............................

In recognition for an individuals service to community.

Awarded to those who have acclaimed popularity internationally for his/her contribution in any particular sector and is recognised for their timeless philanthropic activities.

Sports Personality of the Year............................................

Awarded for excellence in sports.

Woman of the Year ................................................................

The award will recognise and honour a woman who has made a significant mark in any chosen field.

Business Person of the Year ..............................................

Awarded to a business person who is a success in every sense of the word and can demonstrate a genuine passion for social issues.

Lifetime Achievement Award ............................................

To honour those individuals, who during their lifetime, have made immense contributions in any given field. This remarkable individual can be marked as an example for the younger generation.

Application Form

Name of the Person you are Nominating: __________________________________________________________________________

Contact Details of the Nominee (Tel & email):_______________________________________________________________________

Present Occupation of the Nominee:_______________________________________________________________________________

Please attach the Nominees's CV which includes the following information (Please do not exceed a limit of 1000 words) (1) Personal background (2) Most important career achievements till date.

(3) Nominee's contribution to the community and nation.

(4) Future Plans, ambitions and visions.

(5) Any notable obstacles in the Nominee's career that has helped him/her to reach where they are today.

Summary- (Please include a summary in not more than 150 words why the nominee is worthy of winning the particular award in a separate sheet) Nominator’s name and contact details: ____________________________________________________________________________ Nominator’s current Occupation/Company: _________________________________________________________________________ Tel/Mobile: _________________________________ Email: __________________________________________________________

NOMINATION AND SELECTION PROCESS This is a unique event where readers nominate and an independent panel of judges comprising of eminent personalities selects the winner. Judges’ decision is final. ABPL Group will not entertain any dialogue with members of the public regarding the judging process. In order to ensure a high degree of transparency and fairness, the management and members of the staff of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar will play no role in the nomination or judging process. You may use an additional sheet if the space provided is insufficient. The winners will be announced at the AAA Awards ceremony on 19th September, 2014. Asian Voice, Gujarat Samachar will publish the names of the short listed candidates and winners after the event. The winners names will also appear in our e-edition www.abplgroup.com You can nominate yourself if you wish to.

Nominations and entries must follow the prescribed format. All nomination forms must reach our offices on or before 14th July, 2014

Aspirin may be able to prevent miscarriages

London: Doctors at Care Fertility, a private provider of IVF treatment, believe that blood-thinning drugs such as aspirin and heparin may be able to prevent miscarriages among women. Doctors now believe the recurring problem may owe more to a genetic defect than to fertility complications.

Doctors discovered that the gene can cause miscarriage in the mother even when it is only present in the father. The fault causes improper blood clotting and can be treated with blood thinners. The gene, known as C4/M2, was present in 44 per cent of Care Fertility patients compared with just 15 per cent of the general population.

French Jews fleeing to Israel following Muslim attacks

Paris: More and more Jews are leaving France for Israel following religious tensions and rising antisemitism.

French Jewish community leaders say the increase in departures comes amid antisemitic acts and insults stemming partly from the far right, but mainly from radical Muslims in France. The Jewish community in France is estimated at 500,000 people, and 3,288 of them left for Israel in 2013, compared with 1,907 in 2012. In the first three months of this year 1,407 people emigrated - four times as many as in the same period last year. Community leaders predict that the record of 5,292 after the Six Day War in 1967 is likely to be exceeded this year.

White people avoid mixing with ethnic groups

London: A study has found that Britain’s white population mixes less with people from different ethnic groups than others do. Increasing diversity in Britain has not led to a “melting pot” and instead people are by and large sticking to their own kind, according to researchers. While all ethnic groups mix with one another, white people are the most insular, having on average just half the expected number of social interactions. Black and Asian Londoners have more interactions with those of other races, but still less than two thirds of the number expected.

Dog attacks on postmen, women and MPs on the rise

London: A new study has found that more and more women, postmen and canvassing MPs are falling victims of dog bites. On an average nine postal workers suffer attacks every day in Britain while 50 MPs were attacked by the canine. More than 3,300 dog attacks took place on postmen and women between April 2013 and April 2014, an eight per cent rise on the previous year. “Dogs are a significant hazard faced by postmen and women on a daily basis,” a Royal Mail statement said, describing the rate of attacks as “unacceptably high.”

Disadvantaged children disappear at secondary schools

London: According to the Institute of Fiscal Studies, bright children from poor backgrounds lose their way at secondary school and overtaken by less intelligent children from middle class families. The research says that every year more than 2,000 children from poor families who get excellent test results are missing out on places at leading universities. Of almost 8,000 disadvantaged students who achieve level 5 in both English and maths at 11, only 900 make it through to an elite university. However, 2,200 would do so if they continued their earlier academic success throughout their school life.

Banker fined for taking children out during school term

London: As a test case, the wealthy banker James Haymore has been fined for taking his three children to US for a memorial service while the school was in progress. He refused to pay a £120 fine from his local council and will appear in court where he faces a £2,500 fine and a jail term. But the account manager at JP Morgan, who moved to Britain from America four years ago, says the decision breaches the Human Rights Act because it affects his children’s right to a family life.

Keith Vaz’s book on ethnic minority MPs and peers

London: Keith Vaz, the Leicester MP, has edited a book called “Rainbow over Westminster,” a history of ethnicminority MPs and peers. It is an interesting book, especially for the excerpts from the first speeches of minority and ethnic MPs. Marsha Singh, elected in 1997, spoke of suffering an identity crisis after being elected as the first Asian woman MP, while Adam Afriyie described the thrill of canvassing in Windsor. One door he knocked on was opened by a beautiful woman. “She seemed stunned to see me and I was delighted to see her,” Afriye said. Thinking I was her boyfriend, she had come to the door naked,” he said.

House prices skyrocket in London

London: The house prices in London have gone beyond the reaches of would-be buyers and fuelling fears of a national housing bubble. In the first three months of the year, average house prices in the capital rose by 18 per cent compared with the same period last year, pushing the cost of a typical home to £362,699, according to Nationwide Building Society’s index. The gap between house prices in London and the rest of the UK has become the widest since records began in the 1970s as the North-South divide in property shows no signs of narrowing.

Climber rescued from Mont Blanc after boots stolen

Paris: A climber to Mont Blanc had to be rescued by helicopter after a thief stole his walking boots, police said. The climber found himself within a few hundred metres of the summit of the famous Alpine peak, but was to forced to call for rescue services because someone stole his walking boots. Mountain rescue authorities from Chamonix, on Mont Blanc, came to the man's aide as he was left helpless at the Gouter refuge, which stands nearly 4,000 metres above sea level.

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Delhi opens up to reach out to Dhaka

New Delhi/Dhaka: In an attempt to reach out to Bangladesh and assuage possible concerns in Dhaka about the Narendra Modi government, New Delhi eased the visa regime for minors and the elderly, and proposed a special economic zone in Bangladesh.

India also agreed to send back a fugitive murder accused from Kolkata, give additional 100 MW of power from Tripura, and offered to increase the frequency of Maitreyee Express and start bus services between Dhaka and Guwahati and Shillong.

India’s external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj conveyed Modi’s “in-principle approval” of the invitation to visit Bangladesh at an early date, and invited Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina to India.

Bangladesh, in return, indicated its “unequivocal” and “uncompromising” opposition to terrorism. “PM Hasina’s tough

Britain one step closer to quitting EU

London: Britain has moved a step closer to leaving the European Union after David Cameron declared “war” on Brussels over the nomination of JeanClaude Juncker.

Keeping Britain in the EU “has got harder”, the Prime Minister said, after he was outvoted by 26 to two in his attempt to prevent Juncker from becoming the European Commission president.

The result emboldened Eurosceptic MPs and Ukip supporters who want to leave the EU. However, Cameron said he would wage a “long, tough fight” to reform Brussels before campaigning for Britain to remain in the EU in an inout referendum he has promised to hold in 2017.

The Prime Minister said the decision to nominate Juncker, an archfederalist facing questions about his drinking habits, represented “a sad day for the EU”.

Cameron said: “My colleagues on the European Council know that I’m deadly serious about EU reform - that I keep my word. I’ve said I’m not going to back down. I won’t. This is going to be a long, tough fight. And frankly sometimes you have to be ready to lose a battle in order to win a war. It has only stiffened my resolve to fight for reform in the EU because it is crying out for it. It has made me even more determined to make the EU address the concerns of all those voters who are intensely frustrated with it and demand better because they deserve a voice.”

stance against terrorism was appreciated by India,” Bangladesh Foreign Minister A H Mahmood Ali said.

Dhaka also allowed 10,000 metric tonnes of foodgrains to be sent through Bangladesh to Tripura. However, Ali said there was no agreement on transit through Bangladesh yet. While Bangladesh raised the issue of the Teesta water sharing pact and land boundary agreements, Swaraj steered clear of giving any categorical assurance, and reiterated that the process of building a national consensus and

internal consultations was on. Her conversation with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the eve of the visit to Dhaka was described as “very, very pleasant and useful”.

While Mahmood Ali said the issue of illegal immigration was not raised by the Indian side, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said it was discussed, since it is a “staple” issue.

Modi, in his letter to Hasina, said, “For us Bangladesh is not merely a neighbour, but a nation with which we share histo-

ry, culture, civilisation, and enduring links between people. The emotional bonds of Bangladesh’s birth as an independent nation and ideas of democracy, secularism, pluralism and rule of law also serve as a link between India and Bangladesh.”

Without mentioning any particular issue, he said, “We should meet frequently so as to better understand each other’s priorities, perspectives and concerns, and thereby take our relations to greater heights.”

Swaraj, during her talks with Mahmood Ali, referred to the war of 1971, which led to the birth of Bangladesh: “We shed blood together... our destinies are interlinked.”

She added, “India is always there for Bangladesh. We will support Bangladesh’s development.” Swaraj also met Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Pakistan mean that killing a woman whose behaviour is seen as immodest is widely accepted.

Immodest behaviour that sparked recent killings included singing, looking out of the window or talking to a man who is not a relative. For a woman to marry a man of her own choice is considered an unacceptable insult by many families.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said 869 so-called "honour killings" were reported in

the media last year - several a day. But the true figure is probably much higher since many cases are never reported.

The weak Pakistani government, battling with a troubled economy and a Taliban insurgency, does not collect centralized statistics and has no strategy to combat the killings.

Pakistani law means that even if a woman's killer is convicted, her family are able to forgive the killer. Many families simply nominate a member to do the killing, then formally forgive the killer.

That's what happened earlier this week, a lawyer said, when a tribal council in central Pakistan's Muzaffargarh district sentenced another young couple to death for marrying for love.

Pak family slits throats of young couple over love marriage

Lahore: A young couple in Pakistan were tied up and had their throats slit with scythes after they married for love. The 17year-old girl and 31year-old man married on June 18 without the consent of their families in eastern Pakistan's Punjabi village of Satrah, police said.

The girl's mother and father lured the couple home with the promise that their marriage would receive a family blessing.

"When the couple reached there, they tied them with ropes," police said. "He (the girl's father) cut their throats."

Police arrested the family, who said they had been embarrassed by the marriage of their daughter, named Muafia Hussein, to a man from a less important tribe. Cultural traditions in many areas of

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24

INDIA

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th July 2014

29 killed in Chennai building collapse

Chennai: As many as 29 dead bodies were recovered and 30 people were rescued from the debris of a building in Chennai that collapsed on Saturday evening. On Monday two more construction workers were rescued, while four more bodies were recovered from the debris.

Several more people are still believed to be trapped under the debris and hundreds of personnel are engaged in clearing the rubble as part of the rescue effort. Two alleged owners of the building along with two engineers were among five people arrested in connection with the incident.

Over 100 personnel from Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services along with 120 others from National

Karnataka minister lands in soup

Disaster Response Force are taking part in rescue operations at the site of the tragedy, which is being

described as the largest building accident in the recent past in Chennai.

“Our priority is to locate survivors. We are using modern cameras to locate them and are watching closely for any voices from within the debris,” said NDRF DIG SP Selvan.

Sniffer dogs, too, have been brought in to locate persons trapped in the rubble.

Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has announced an ex gratia of Rs 200,000 each for the families of the deceased while Rs 50,000 has been extended to those who have been injured in the building collapse.

viding tenders, transfer of department staff and purchase of drugs. The duo also entered into a criminal conspiracy with five others to siphon off funds allotted to the animal husbandry department, the DVAC said.

From 1998 to 1999, they cheated the department of 8200,000. The next financial year they caused a loss of 8600,000 to the government exchequer, said the DVAC. Seeking discharge, they filed a petition under Section 239 of CrPC (if the magistrate considers the charges against the accused as groundless, they could be discharged). Last week, special judge for DVAC cases G Vijaylakshmi discharged them.

Senguttuvan contested and won elections from Marungapuri constituency in 1996.

the Sikhs of Haryana.

Bhupinder Singh, who was elected to SGPC after he defeated ad hoc HSGPC president Jagdish Singh Jhinda, said, "I am forced to resign as Badals, Makkar and the SGPC are hardly bothered about development or maintenance of Haryana gurdwaras."

Not a single educational institute has come up in Haryana despite the fact that Haryana gurdwaras contribute nearly Rs 1.72 billion to SGPC funds.''

Welcoming the resignation, Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (HSGPC) ad hoc president Jhinda said, "This is just a beginning, you will see other members coming out in support of a gurdwara separate body.

Some of them are in touch with us and are likely to resign soon,'' he said.

Sukhdev Singh Gobindgarh, member of All-India working committee of SAD (B) said Bhupinder Singh's had acted hastily. "We are working to bring him back in SAD," he added.

Ex-minister discharged from corruption case

Bangalore: Trouble is brewing for Karnataka minister Qamarul Islam. He has been indicted for breach of privilege in connection with allegedly furnishing false information to the house on encroachment of wakf property. The privileges committee of the legislative council charged the municipal administration, minority welfare, Haj and wakf minister with misleading the house last year by providing 'false' information regarding alleged encroachment of wakf property.

Committee chairman G Madhusudhan (BJP), who tabled the report in the house, has recommended suitable action against the minister. The council is likely to take up the issue to decide the course of action.

Council chairman D H Shankar Murthy had referred the matter to the privileges committee after

opposition chief whip A H Shivayogiswamy moved a privilege motion against Islam last year. He accused the minister of furnishing 'false' information on the issue. It all started after the Anwar Manippady committee, which was appointed by the then BJP government, submitted a report on encroachment of wakf property by Congress leaders.

Replying to a question on whether the government had received the committee report, Islam had said no.

Chennai: A trial court has discharged former DMK minister B M Senguttuvan from a corruption case which alleged he had caused a loss of 16.80 million to the veterinary department during his tenure as the minister for Hindu religious and charitable endowments (HRCE) and animal husbandry in the DMK government during 1996-2001.

Senguttuvan joined the AIADMK last year.

The directorate of vigilance and anti-corruption (DVAC) had booked Senguttuvan along with six others under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

According to DVAC, Senguttuvan had recommended the appointment of Leelavathi as the director of veterinary services. After appointing her, he allegedly abused his power and committed irregularities in pro-

Gurgaon: Students from the city won three gold medals and a silver and a bronze in an international Olympiad conducted by the Science Olympiad Foundation in association with the British Council and BBC Knowledge.

The gold medal winners were Akshit Goel, a Class VI student of Delhi Public School, who bagged the first rank in the mathematics Olympiad, Aditya Arora, a Class XII student from the same school who got a gold in the Cyber Olympiad, and Carissa Nair, a Class II student of The Shri Ram School who won the gold in the English Olympiad. Two other students, Tanay Sharma and Kshitij Sodani, won the silver and bronze medals.

More than 3400,000 students from over 16 countries had participated in this year's edition of the Olympiad. The gold medal winners get a cash prize of Rs 50,000, the silver medal winners get Rs 25,000, and the bronze winners Rs 10,000.

Akshit, who won the gold medal in mathematics,

said his parents' emphasis on his applying the skills in daily life helped him perform well.

"Whenever we take him out for shopping, we ask him to calculate the total amount we have spent. We also provide him with study material from various websites," said his mother Ritu Gupta.

For Aditya, who plans to pursue higher studies in computer science engineering, attending various cyber workshops and seminars helped him enhance his knowledge of computers. "I never felt pressured that I am competing for an international Olympiad. For me, programming is the most interesting thing in the world. This will go a long way in boosting my confidence," he said.

Tanay Sharma, who secured the second rank in the cyber Olympiad, said he loves to explore the field of international security. "I would love to become an ethical hacker.

I want to devise my own tools that would help secure systems from hackers," he said.

Chandigarh: Bhupinder Singh Asandh, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member from Haryana, resigned as senior vice-president of SAD (Badal) in Haryana.

It is speculated that he has resigned following gaining demand for a separate gurdwara body in Haryana His exit is a jolt for Panjab chief minister Prakash Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal and a boost for the proponents of a separate panel to run Haryana gurdwaras. The state sends 11 members to the SGPC. The move is significant as it comes amid expectations that the Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led Haryana government may announce a separate Sikh body. Sikhs constitute 15% of the total population as well as vote share in Haryana.

While announcing that he was quitting SAD (Badal), Bhupinder said SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar, Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and deputy CM Sukhbir Badal were misleading and ignoring

Qamarul Islam

Gurgaon students win gold medals at Olympiad

Haryana leader quits SAD citing gurdwara neglect

South Brief

‘Amma’ Pharmacy launched

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa last week launched “Amma Pharmacy,” which will sell quality medicines at “fair price.” Amma pharmacies were launched at Chennai, Erode, Salem, Cuddalore, Erode, Madurai, Sivaganga and Virudhunagar. The pharmacies, set up a cost of Rs 10 million, will “sell quality medicines at fair prices,” in line with directives from Jayalalithaa in this regard, a state government release said. The effort comes close on the heels of the government launching the subsidised Amma Salt recently even as Amma Canteen and Amma Mineral Water, both low-cost initiatives, have been well received by a large section of the people.

Gas pipeline blast, blaze kill 15 in Andhra

Amalapuram (Andhra Pradesh): Fifteen people were killed and 25 others suffered severe burns when a Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) pipeline caught fire in East Godavari district. It triggered a blast, the blowout which engulfed an entire village. The 200-km pipeline, passing through Nagaram village, had reportedly sprung a leak, which went undetected until a tea stall owner lit a stove, leading to the blast. The flames, 820 feet high, singed the village. Villagers alleged that the pipeline was corroded.

Obama-Singh fellowship for Bangalore doctor

Bangalore: Ann Sarah Koshy, a young intern with a rural hospital off Sarjapur Road in Karnataka, has been selected for the ObamaSingh 21st century knowledge initiative. She will be leaving for the Harvard University to research how Vitamin B12 helps in neonatal growth. This fellowship was planned as a part of US aid in Indian education when President Barack Obama came to India in 2010. Ann was one among 10 students selected for the research mentorship.

North Brief

Punjab in PM's model village scheme

Chandigarh: Union minister for social justice and empowerment, Thaawar Chand Gehlot, gave his nod to include Punjab under the "Prime Minister’s Adarsh Gram Yojna" scheme that will benefit scores of schedule caste (SC) residents in the state. The decision was conveyed to Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal by Gehlot at a meeting in his office in New Delhi. Badal said that he had been pleading to get this demand implemented since long, as Punjab was the most deserving state with highest SC population (32%) in the country as per the 2011 census. Out of the total 12,168 inhabited villages, 2,800 (23.01%) had 50% or more SC population here, he said.

Upper caste villagers grab dalits farmland

Patiala: Dalits in Punjab are being used as proxy bidders by upper caste peasants to corner thousands of acres of agricultural village land that should ideally be rented out only to scheduled caste members. This practice has been exposed by the Punjab State Scheduled Caste Commission in its report on the boycott of dalits in Baupur village by upper caste members. The state government gives out agricultural land on rent to farmers after an annual auction. A third of the land is reserved for dalits but they often don't have the financial resources to bid and are then used as proxy by upper caste farmers.

Aggarwal Samaj clamps down on big, fat weddings

Chandigarh: The Aggarwal Samaj has come forward to curb lavish marriages by introducing few restrictions during its district-level meeting at Jind on Sunday. Aggarwal Samaj comprises around 8% of the total population in Haryana.

Besides barring the families of the groom and the bride from fixing the amount to be spent on weddings, the community also barred 'shagun' ceremony for the grooms. Samaj also strictly barred the groom's side from asking the bride's family to solomenize function at former's place.

‘Life’ – a project for not-so-fortunate

INDIA

25

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th July 2014

India can be satellite launch service provider: NaMo

Mayuri Dave

While congratulating space scientists and department of space for a successful launch of PSLV C23 – Polar Satellite – Indian Prime Minster Narendra Modi said that India has potential to become launch service provider of the world.

“India has a potential to become launch service provider of the world. We must work towards this.

May all of your endeavours meet with the success,” said elated Modi adding that he has asked India’s space community to take up the challenge of developing a SAARC satellite. He said the fruits of India's space missions should reach other developing nations, especially India's neighbours.

The Indian Space

Research Organisation's (ISRO's) PSLV C23 lifted off from Sriharikota last week in the presence of Modi. The 230-ton Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) lifted off carrying five satellites from four countries – France, Germany, Canada and Singapore.

The Prime Minister watched the launch with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu.

The Prime Minister sought to dispel the notion that space science is for the elite. “This is the biggest mistake some people make. Space science ultimately works to change the lives of the poor ... Space science

empowers a child in the farthest village with education.

It delivers telemedicine. It enables a youth in a small town with various new job opportunities. Satellite technologies have made distance irrelevant. It furthers the power of 125 crore connected Indians,” said Modi.

He suggested that space should be the national mission and India should have bigger satellites with larger power. “We also have to further our international partnership in space technology.

Extend our launching capabilities to heavier satellites,” he said, urging ISRO to tie up with universities and colleges to develop future scientists and leaders.

This year’s Formula Student UK is all set to witness 8 teams from India, 3 of which are all-electric race cars. The participants are students from various colleges and universities in the country.

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers in Europe organizes the student friendly motorsport competition well known as the ‘Formula Student’.

Renowned automobile OEMs and mechanical industries support the event and offer backup. All budding engineers and designers are encouraged and supported to bring out innovative ideas. Once they participate in the event, they are sure to put in all efforts to utilize their skills and talents. By the time they graduate, they become ready to face the industry.

The Formula SAE competition was first held in the year 1981. It was introduced by the Society of Automotive Engineers, and first held in the United States of America. The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IME) also joined hands with the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) in the

year 1998. This year, the Formula Student was inaugurated and run in the continent of Europe. From then on, this event has been held every academic year, jointly organized by the two societies.

The Formula Student UK for the year 2014 is scheduled to be held from July 9th to July 13th, at Silverstone Circuit in the United Kingdom. The type of the engine for the car can be decided by the participants. They are required to design and fabricate either a petrol engine powered formula type car or an allelectric formula car. The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IME) has issued a rulebook, which lists out the general guidelines for all the participants. The design and fabrication of the formula car must strictly adhere to the guidelines mentioned, and all features must be within the limits of this rulebook.

The event invites participants from all across the world. This year, the world is going to witness 8 teams from India. Three of these teams are all set to enter using their all-electric racing cars. The par-

ticipants are students from Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Vellore Institute of Technology and SRM University – KTR. The designing and fabrication of the electric cars was done in-house by these participants. The remaining 5 teams shall be participating with petrol engine propelled FS cars. These 5 teams come from Bhaskar Engineering College, Punjab University Patiala, Delhi Technological University, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, and Chitkara University, Punjab.

SAE BAJA, Formula SAE (FSAE), Formula Student Germany (FSG), and several other international events have seen participants from India multiple number of times. Indian students have shown their excellence in a number of international student level motorsport competitions.

They have adjusted the regular classes and their innovations side by side to set high goals and achieve them. They have put up their best to outshine all other teams and show the magic of India.

Project “Life,” a threedecade old benevolent organisation that touched the lives of millions of under-privileged people through its activities spread across various fields – health, education, alternative therapies, envi-

ronment and women empowerment.

Headquartered in Rajkot “Life” is a conglomerate of two registered Trusts – Saurashtra Medical & Educational Charitable Trust as well as Indian Medical Scientific Research Foundation.

The seed of the organisation was planted out of compassion. In the late seventies the founders saw a young man dying due to inappropriate blood transfusion in Saurashtra. At that time there was not a single blood bank in entire Saurashtra-Kutch region.

The incident inspired them to fill the vacuum in the region to provide safe and quality blood.

Thus, in 1981 the Rajkot Voluntary Blood Bank started. Over the years, the sapling became a big tree which served over half a million needy patients and still serving many more. One of the members of the governing council of “Life” is Jaya Bachchan.

The NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare)

accredited blood bank through advanced technology and methodology in blood transfusion has collected and distributed 59,000 units of whole blood and blood components.

“Project Life is receiving cooperation from national and international donor organisations. We are in the process of establish International chapters in UK, USA, UAE and Thailand. A support chapter at Mumbai and one at Ahmedabad are already operating in the fields of housing in tribal areas and Women empowerment,” said Chandrakant Koticha, one of the trustees. Another important project is Thalassaemia Control & Prevention Programme.

Launched in 1993, the programme is an endeavour to curb Thalassaemia major through massscreening, counselling, ante-natal diagnosis drive, mass awareness and scientific research.

“Over 624,000 screening for Thalassaemia have already been done. Births

of 200 Thalassaemia children have been averted by foetuses diagnosing. Over 220 Thalassaemic are being supported constantly through giving blood free-of-cost,” said Rushikesh Pandya, CDO of the project.

This charity organisation has also financed 2,200 houses through Project ‘Life’ – Mumbai chapter. Besides, over 4,500 widows have been trained to earn a living on their own and distributed over 243,000 well nurtured plants (above 10 feet) under its environment related initiative.

“Life” initiated Centre for Excellence in Education to improve state-of-the-art infrastructure for primary schools, quality of education through human resource development, vocational guidance, scholarships, faculty development and modernization of schools.

Aftermath of the devastating earthquake in 2001, ‘Life’ built 65 primary school buildings and 5 primary health centres in rural parts of the region.

Life headquarter on Race Course Ring Road encourages activities like Yoga, Healthy Life Club, meditation etc. The building also houses one of the six Non-Resident-Gujarati (NRG) centres in the state which provide information to Gujaratis settled on foreign soil.

8 teams from India enter Formula Student UK

26

INDIA - LONDON

Modi asks BJP MPs to use social media

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated his party’s MP to use social media to maintain standards in public life and take the message of good governance to the people.

After inaugurating a two-day workshop for over 150 newly elected Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs of BJP, Modi guided them on how to nurture their respective constituencies and make use of the media, especially the social media in spreading the party message.

BJP leader Venakiah Naidu told reporters that the workshop for the first time MPs of the party was organised to train them in parliamentary procedures and make them aware of the BJP ideology. Naidu said the PM guided the MPs on how to ‘maintain standards in public life, how to take the message of good governance to the people, the message of

BJP and in turn of Modi to people’.

BJP leader Jagdish Mukhi, who is in charge of party affairs in Haryana, said the Prime Minister told them that their responsibilities as members of the ruling party are different and they should behave accordingly. Modi told them that they should treat the rule book on Parliament proceedings like the Bhagavad Gita and should not step out of it. He also advised them not do anything in Parliament without the

permission of the chair.

The PM asked the new MPs to inculcate good parliamentary practices and good conduct in their public life. Haryana BJP president Ram Bilas Sharma said Modi, who is also a first time MP, wanted to stay for the entire length of the workshop but could not do so as he had other responsibilities to fulfil in his new role as Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, party veteran L K Advani likened Modi to a batsman who scored a triple century on

debut. Addressing the party's first time MPs Advani asked the new members to ensure that their conduct ensured a second term for them in 2019. He asked the MPs to strengthen the Modi government by working towards its policies and refrain from indulging in UPA-bashing.

An ardent cricket lover, Advani said: “In Test cricket, we have heard of players who score a century or a double century on their debut. But I do not know of any batsman who becomes a captain in the very first Test he plays and scores a triple century! This is Narendrabhai's unique achievement.

As the prime ministerial candidate in his very first election, he has led the NDA to win more than 300 seats. The BJP on its own has won 283 seats. I heartily congratulate Narendra Modi for this historic success.

Continued from page 1 flights from Baghdad and other Iraqi cities from where flights are still taking off. With Air India, military transport aircraft and naval vessels on standby, India is, for the time being, making use of the commercial flights that are still operating from Iraq's main cities -Najaf, Kerbala, Basra and Baghdad.

Meanwhile, it is believed that the 40 kidnapped Indians are being used as captive labour by ISIS. Describing the transportation of Indians back home as a “proactive approach“, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said that Indian diplomats are seeking out Indian nationals at their homes and places of work in Iraq to deliver the message that they should leave while the going is good and the airports are still open. The MEA has dispatched over 25 officials to the key Iraq cities outside the conflict zone to facilitate the repatriation of Indian workers by helping them with documentation and air tickets.

With ISIS declaring the establishment of a caliphate, the reading here is that the Sunni-Shia battle will get more bitter. As there's no one really with a line to ISIS, the sense of foreboding has only grown. Officials here no longer rule out the possibility of Iraq, as the modern world has known it, disintegrating. For its part, the Iraqi government, now armed with Russian Sukhoi fighter aircraft, has started air strikes on Tirril and other ISIS positions.

Meanwhile thousands of Muslims in India have

signed up to defend Iraq's holy shrines and, if need be, fight Sunni Islamist militants. Denouncing the militants of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) as terrorists, scores of Indian Muslims have filled out forms, complete with passport-size photographs and photocopied identification documents, to travel to Iraq.

Leaders of Anjuman E. Haideri, the religious organisation spearheading the effort, said they might march to the Iraqi embassy in New Delhi to deliver the forms. A Shia cleric is leading the effort and the volunteers want to protect shrines venerated by the sect in Iraq, but the group's leaders say their cause is not sectarian.

“They aren't Muslims.

Jihad means to defend.

Jihad doesn't mean to kill,” said Syed Bilal Hussain Abidi, a senior member of the group as he showed graphic footage on his cellphone of beheadings and bombs exploding in Iraq.

Even though Muslims are a minority accounting for only 15 per cent of Indians, they still number about 175 million, making them the third-largest Muslim population in the world. India's foreign ministry has said it won’t allow Indians to go to Iraq because of the security situation in a country where 40 Indian hostages are being held in an undisclosed location and 46 Indian nurses are stranded in Tikrit hospitals.

The group wants to defend shrines spread across Iraq in the cities of Karbala, Najaf, Samarra and Kirkuk, but also stem the rise of crude oil prices that have shot up as a

result of the crisis and could hit importer India hard.

Isis declares its own Islamic state Islamic extremists proclaimed the establishment of a caliphate as sources in Iraq admitted that recapturing large cities such as Mosul could take six months. The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (Isis) declared itself ruler of all Muslims as Iraqi forces met fierce resistance trying to wrest the city of Tikrit from a coalition of jihadists and followers of Saddam Hussein. Isis rules territory spanning eastern Syria and western Iraq after its advance in recent months and the seizure of Fallujah, Tikrit and Iraq’s second city, Mosul. The proclamation of a caliphate — a Muslim empire with a supreme religious and political leader — will draw anger from the estranged alQaeda allies of Isis. It aims to put Isis’s secretive leader, Abu Bakr alBaghdadi, in charge of Muslims worldwide. The caliphate harks back to the days of the Prophet Muhammad, when an empire of believers stretched from the western borderlands of Afghanistan to medieval Spain.

UK mosques launch anti-terror campaign London: To check radicalization, mosques across Britain have joined hands to call on young Muslims citizens to stay away from the civil war in Syria. Imams involved in the nationwide anti-terror campaign are instead encouraging donations to Syrian cause through legitimate charities. Their message coincides with the holy month of

Ramadan, which began this weekend.

It comes after a video emerged showing two young Cardiff men urging others to join the jihadist fight in Syria - where tens of thousands have died in three years of war - and in Iraq.

These men are believed to be among the 500 Britons fighting in Syria for the militant group ISIS. The video, thought to have been filmed in Syria, features Nasser Muthana and Reyaad Khan, both 20 and from Cardiff, along with Abdul Rakib Amin (25) from Aberdeen.

Muthana's younger brother Aseel Muthana (17) has also reportedly joined them.

Earlier this week, their father had criticized the British government's antiradicalization strategy in Cardiff, saying it failed as it was made up of mainly white officers.

Sheikh Zane Abdo from the South Wales Islamic Centre, the local imam in Wales, said he believed the men had been "groomed" by people they had met outside of their mosque.

"These are young men who are very sincere, they want to do something good. But you can be sincere and you can be sincerely deluded in what you want to do, and they have been groomed to think a particular way," he said.

UK foreign secretary William Hague believes as many as 400 Britons may be fighting in Syria, recently confirming that security measures are in place such as the option of withdrawing leave to remain, cancelling passports and arresting those fighting in Syria or for the ISIS.

Govt to evacuate stranded Indians from Iraq

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th July 2014

In Brief

Jaguar advertisement banned for 'focus on speed'

London: An advertisement for Jaguar has been banned for focusing on the cars' speed and encouraging dangerous driving. The four video ads on Jaguar's website showed a car driving at speed through a tunnel and crossing over the single white lines in the middle of a road, before driving across a mountain road at night. One viewer complained that the ads were irresponsible because they ''glorified speed and encouraged dangerous driving''. The Advertising Standards Authority noted that the cars were driving on what appeared to be public roads and in a manner that would be ''irresponsible and illegal'' on a public road in the UK.

Women more likely to be aggressive with their partners

London: A study on domestic violence shows that women are more likely to be physically and verbally aggressive towards their partner than men. More than 1,000 men and women aged 18 to 22 were questioned about their behaviour using a scale of verbal and physical aggression. The verbal aggression scale included shouting, screaming and insulting, while the physical aggression scale ranged from pushing and grabbing to beating, throwing things and using weapons. Women were “significantly” more likely to be verbally and physically aggressive to their male partners than men were to women, the study shows.

90-year-old woman raped as she walks to local butchers

London: Police have launched an investigation after a 90-year-old woman was raped as she was walking towards a local butcher’s shop. The pensioner was attacked in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. She felt a hand go over her mouth and was hauled backwards in Spotland Road, police said. She lost consciousness and awoke on the floor having been raped. Greater Manchester police expressed “revulsion” at the crime as they appealed to the local community to help them track down the attacker.

Councillor faces criticism for branding food bank users as selfish

London: Tory councillor Julia Lepoidevin has been criticised for branding some food bank users as selfish people. She said that these people use food banks because they choose to fritter their money on alcohol and drugs. At the Coventry City Council she said that some parents in the city made a conscious decision not to pay rent or provide for their children. Labour councillors said they were staggered by her views.

Gwynedd council staff told to speak Welsh

London: The Plaid Cymru-run Gwynedd council has asked its staff at leisure centres in Bangor, Tywyn and Dolgellau to speak in Welsh, “the customer’s language of choice.” Sixty-five per cent of Gwynedd residents and 88% of under-16s speak Welsh. The staff has been threatened with disciplinary action if they did not comply with the directive.

Savile hospital boss accused of sexual behaviour

London: Alan Franey, the man who run the Broadmoor Hospital, has been accused by the staff of having “about 50 affairs” and contributing to a climate of inappropriate sexual behaviour. An inquiry by the Department of Health has revealed that he used his hospital accommodation to entertain female members of staff. The allegations against Franey suggest that while he stayed in hospital accommodation during the week, “female members of staff visited his house after hours, often for prolonged periods”, the report said.

Interpol launches hunt for Samantha Lewthwaite

London: The Interpol has launched a worldwide hunt for Samantha Lewthwaite after convicted hate preacher Abdullah el-Faisal claimed that he preached Samantha, the terrorist suspect known as “the White Widow”, while he was in a British prison.

Faisal says that Lewthwaite, who was married to Jermaine Lindsay, one of the 7/7 bombers, visited him at Long Lartin prison in Worcestershire in 2006.

A documentary on Samantha reveals that following the 7/7 attacks she painted herself as a grieving widow, selling her story to a national newspaper and condemning Lindsay’s actions.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th July 2014

HEALTH STOP

Health & Wellness

Why one should have an organic diet?

ating fresh produce is perhaps our only interE action with nature. The

word "organic" refers to the way farmers grow and process agricultural products, without using toxic, persistent pesticides and fertilisers, which are known to contaminate soil, air, water and food such as fruits, vegetables, grains and dairy products.

So, the big question is - Why organic?

It is a common misconception that conventional food that we eat when washed thoroughly, removes all harmful pesticides and chemicals, making the food completely safe and edible. The fact is, pesticide residues and heavy metals accumulate inside the plant and get into our systems when we consume them.

Our daily intake of pesticides ranges from 147% to 7218% for adults and for kids it is estimated to be between 214% and 7218%, in India. Studies at the Agency for Toxic Substances and disease registry, US Department of Health and Human Services proves that organic foods have 27% more vitamin C, 21.1% more iron, 29.3% more magnesium, and 13.6% more phosphorus, compared to conventional food items.

Pesticide residue in conventional food suppress the body’s immune system, normal growth of the nervous system and cognitive development.

Also, a steady deterioration in male reproductive health has been reported with the regular use of conventional agricultural products.

Organic foods have higher nutritional value than conventional foods, according to multiple researches. Some studies have linked pesticides in our food to everything from headaches to cancer to birth defects. A few experts maintain that the residue levels in conventional food are safe for most healthy adults. But even low-level pesticide exposure, can be significantly more toxic for foetuses and children, due to their developing immune systems. For pregnant women, chemical residue laden food can put added strain on their already taxed organs. Prolonged and continuous use of organic products will result in the human body developing a natural immune system to fight disease.

“Consumers who wish to minimise their dietary

pesticide exposure can consume organically grown food.

Organic baby foods are the most popular items, especially for parents who believe in preventive healthcare. Organic foods are also great antioxidants, which help neutralise free radicals that are thought to contribute to ageing and cancer.

Consider the health benefits from breakfast to dinner, if we consume organic flakes, cereals, flours and juices,” says Nirupama Raghavan, Manager R&D, Sresta Natural Bio-products Ltd. Nirupama further adds, “Even when it is about processed food, processed organic foods are better than processed conventional foods. Most of the harmful food additives like artificial flavourings, synthetic colours, hydrogenated fats are banned under organic standards. The organic cold pressed oils are just expelled, pressed and filtered and hold all the essential nutrients like lecithin, natural Vitamin E and phytochemicals. On the other hand, conventional refined oils are solvent extracted, bleached and dewaxed stripping them of all naturally present nutrients”.

In the wake of rising obesity levels, the acceptance of organic food provides a welcome relief.

Going organic and consuming pesticide free food will lead to better health.

6,000 steps a day keeps knee problems at bay

study has showed that walking 6,000 or more A steps per day may protect

people with or at risk of knee osteoarthritis (OA) from developing mobility issues such as difficulty in

getting up from a chair and climbing stairs.

"Walking reduces risk of functional limitation associated with knee osteoarthritis,” said Daniel White from

Neeta’s Herbal Clinic for Hair & Skin Care

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A traumatic experience when one is balding or suffering from hair loss If you have been one to watch in despair as your luscious locks disappeard down the plug-hole everyday, then there is hope to save your crowing glory!

While lustrous, healthy hair is a source of pride for men and women alike, many are forced to battle with hair problems.

There are many reasons why a person can start losing their hair.

Research has shown that stress plays a vital factor in determining hair condition. Poor hair care, environment, lifestyle and diet too has its effect on hair growth.

It is very important to ascertain what kind of hair you have and then look after it accordingly.

Hair loss falls into two categories, where it is distributed over the whole scalp and where hair loss is limited to localised areas. Hair loss is often more than a beauty problem. In some cases of alopecia, the condition is caused by bacteria or other infection or may even indicate a severe systemic disease. In the case of Hair loss, the hair follicles loose the capacity to initiate new growth.

Neeta’s Herbal offers a safe and natural solution to combat hair and skin problems.

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Sargent College at Boston University in Massachusetts, US. "We tried to find out how much daily walking is needed to minimise risk of developing problems with mobility in people with knee OA," White added.

For the study, researchers measured daily steps taken by 1,788 people with or at risk for knee OA. Walking was meas-

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...

ured with a monitor over seven days and functional limitation evaluated two years later.

Walking an additional 1,000 steps each was associated with between a 16 per cent to 18 per cent reduction in incident functional limitation two years later. Walking less than 6,000 steps daily was the best threshold for identifying those who developed functional limitation.

"We encourage those with or at risk of knee OA to walk at least 3,000 or more steps each day, and ultimately progress to 6,000 steps daily to minimise the risk of developing difficulty with mobility," White suggested.

The silent killer High Cholesterol

Sushma Bhanot Pharmacist, Ayurvedic and Homeopathic Consultant, Lecturer and Author. Heads Research and Development at Coolherbals

Jeet came to see me saying if there was anything that could be done for his high cholesterol? As it was slightly high, he had been advised to control it through diet.

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance which is made in the body by the liver but is also found in some foods. It plays a vital role in how every cell works and is also needed to make Vitamin D, some hormones and bile for digestion. However, too much cholesterol in the blood can increase your risk of getting heart and circulatory disease .

What is good and bad cholesterol?

Cholesterol is carried in the blood attached to proteins called lipoproteins. There are two main forms, LDL (low density lipoprotein) and HDL (high density lipoprotein). LDL cholesterol is often referred to as bad cholesterol because too much is unhealthy.

HDL is often referred to as “good cholesterol” because it is protective.

Knowing your levels of these can help explain your risk of heart disease. Your doctor should be able to tell you your levels of “good” and “bad” cholesterol. In some people a high cholesterol level is due to another condition. For example, an underactive thyroid gland, obesity, drinking a lot of alcohol and some rare kidney and liver disorders can raise the cholesterol level.

In some people a very high level of cholesterol runs in the family, due to a genetic problem with the way cholesterol is made by the cells in the body.

27

What Should my Cholesterol levels be?

Simply; Total cholesterol (TC) - 5.0 mmol/L or less. However, about 2 in 3 adults in the UK have a TC level of 5.0 mmol/L or above.

How to maintain healthy cholesterol levels?

1. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily.

2. Start your day with fresh fruits and grains such as oats that are high in soluble fibre.

3. Reduce consumption of animal products including dairy products.

This is because animal foods are high in saturated fatty acids and dietary cholesterol.

4. Restrict consumption of Omega-6 rich oils such as corn oil and safflower oil. Instead, use olive oil, sesame oil and rapeseed oil that have ‘good fat’.

5. Eat a lot of anti-oxidant foods such as strawberries, apples, nuts, carrots, broccoli, spinach, salmon, sardine and tuna.

Eating Garilc helps too.

6.

Use turmeric and curry leaves when cooking dishes.

Ayurvedic remedies to fight cholesterol: 1. Boil water with 2 tsp coriander seed (dhania).

Strain and drink this water twice daily. It helps reduce cholesterol, flushes out toxins, and improves digestion.

Fenugreek seeds or methi help to reduce the body’s absorption of cholesterol coming in through the fat-rich foods we eat. Alsi or flaxseed has been shown to reduce cholesterol.

2.

Guggulu (Commiphora mukul) is effective in lowering cholesterol. Records over 600BC show this has been used traditionally for reducing cholesterol.

It is made from sap, a gum resin. It is believed that trigycerides in Guggul helps to reduce cholesterol. Garlic too has been shown to help reduce cholesterol.

For more advice including a cholesterol reducing diet sheet please contact Sushma at sushma@coolherbals.com

Coolherbals Guggal Plus To Maintain Healthy Cholesterol

Coolherbals Ltd. 386 Green Lane, Ilford, Essex, IG3 9JU

www.coolherbals.com

Tel: 020 8597 9039 Email: sushma@coolherbals.com

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th July 2014

T

Amala Paul will be back to work soon

Sakshi Agarwal's weird experience

he quirky Bangalorean makes her debut in Kollywood this year with “Yoogan” - an offbeat thriller movie with enough horror content to make the audience go spooky. The shooting of the movie was held extensively around Kodaikanal and the team has camped across some quieter places for a change. During one such shot, the team had to go through the night to reach the spots and weirdly enough

S

as the team was passing through a single path when both the engine and lights of their vehicle went off. This was quite spooky as the same incident happened on their return journey as well.

The actress considers this even weird as they spotted a Baba temple in the road and as Sakshi being an ardent devotee seemed to have missed fasting specifically only on that particular day.

Well, looks like all the ingredients for a perfect horror movie is already in!

A

ctress Amala Paul who entered wedlock with her long time beau director Vijay has just returned from her honeymoon. The couple had been to Mali and was busy experimenting with scooba diving and other water related sports.

Though Amala had said she won’t be acting in films at least for some years and will be concentrating in taking care of her family she will have to finish the films that she had committed before wedding. The ‘Thalaiva’ actress will be back on the sets of Malayalam film ‘Mili’ in which she has paired up with Nivin Pauly. The director of this film is Rajesh Pillai.

Dhanush to sport Kamal's hair style in 'Anegan'

ai Gokul Ramani, who debuts as a director with ‘Valeba Raja’ was a former assistant of director K V Anand and hence the latter was one of the chief guests of the audio launch that was held recently in Devi Cineplex, Chennai. The ‘Ayan’ and ‘Ko’ director shared the dias with ‘Ulaganayagan’ Kamal Haasan. While speaking at the event Anand spoke about his upcoming venture ‘Anegan’ that stars Dhanush and Amyra Dasthur in the lead role. Dhanush will be appearing in four different styles in the film.

The director revealed that one among them will resemble the hairstyle of Kamal Haasan in ‘Tik Tik Tik’. The director further revealed that a particular portion

in the film happens in 1987 and he wanted his assistant directors to take reference from Kamal Haasan films of 1987.

Tamil actor Bala Murali Mohan commits suicide T

amil actor Bala Murali Mohan committed suicide by hanging himself from the roof of his house in Chennai last week. He was 54 and is survived by his wife, Seetha Rani, and son, Uma Shankar.

Police said Bala Murali took the extreme step when he was alone at his home. The actor's wife found his body when she peeped into the house through a window after her repeated knocks on the door had failed to elicit any response. Police said the reason for his suicide was not known. He began his acting career in Telugu film in

‘Bobby Jasoos’

“Bobby Jasoos” starring Vidya Balan, is a film that celebrates the aspiration of Bobby, who wants to become the number one detective in the city of Hyderabad. The film is directed by Samar Shaikh, produced by Dia Mirza and Sahil Sangha under their banner Born Free Entertainment and is presented by Reliance Entertainment. Music of the film has been composed by Shantanu Moitra. Regarding this project, Dia Mirza said in an interview, "The script of Bobby Jasoos bears testimony to the fact that being patient and investing in good stories usually reaps good dividends."

‘Lekar Hum Deewana Dil’

“Lekar Hum Deewana Dil” (With Our Joyful Hearts) is an

upcoming romantic Bollywood drama film that stars N i k i t a D u t t a , Armaan Jain and Deeksha Seth. Jointly produced by Saif Ali Khan, Dinesh Vijan and Sunil Lulla under the banner of Eros International and Illuminati Films, it is the debut directorial venture of Arif Ali, who was the assistant writer of the film “Aahista Aahista,” directed by his brother Imtiaz Ali. The film has music scored by A R Rahman. The title of the film is utilized from the chart-busting track of the same name from Nasir Hussain's 1973 film “Yaadon Ki Baaraat.” The film had remained untitled for over six months prior to official announcements. Though it was previously titled “Dekho Magar Pyaar Se” but the producers settled for the former title.

1975. He has acted with yesteryear heroines Jayasudha and Jayachitrhra in one film each. Later he started a production company and produced a Telugu film. In the 1990s he took a break from acting and joined National Film Development Corporation. In the early 2000s he started acting again and was cast in character and comedy based roles in numerous Tamil films.

His role in ‘Allithandha Vanam’, ‘Minnale’ and ‘Rendu’ were notable for his performance as a supporting actor in comedy and character roles. In all he has acted in more than 350 films.

Karan Johar is upset with Kareena

M

e d i a reports suggested that Karan Johar is upset with Kareena Kapoor for announcing to the press that KJo has shelved the idea of maki n g “Shuddhi” with Salman Khan and is working on “The Warrior” with Sidharth Malhotra and Akshay Kumar. According to reports, Karan is upset with Kareena for speaking on his behalf. When he read her statements in the paper, he dialled her and asked her why she made such a comment. In actuality, Karan is trying to salvage the situation and make the film happen. He has met Salman and they've had talks, and he's still trying to get Deepika Padukone on board and make “Shuddhi.”

It is exhausting to be in a race, says Alia Bhatt

O

ne actress who is indeed looking forward to a hat-trick this year is Alia Bhatt. It all began with “ H i g h w a y. ” Next came “2 States.” Now, Alia is keeping her expectations well in check about “ H u m p t y Sharma Ki Dulhania” because she is not trying to outdo herself or anyone else because she did not want to be in a race, which she says, is very exhausting. She did not want to be part of the race. "Positive response to a film and people appreciation is always welcome but at the end of the day it is more about whether my director is happy. When an Imitiaz (Ali) or Abhishek (Varman) is happy with my work, it makes me very happy and proud," she says.

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th July 2014

I’m very greedy: Vidya Balan

Shefali Saxena

Rani Mukerji wants to do more ‘Mardaani’ like films

ith an implausibly great boxoffice record and massive W critical acclaim, Vidya Balan is all

set to surprise her fans with her 12 disguises in “Bobby Jasoos.” “Her name is Bilkis Ahmad. She’s called bobby at home so she smartly uses that. You can even call her a ‘gundi’. She’s happy to take up a fight with everyone and she’s not scared of anyone,” says Vidya.

While Bollywood has had a dearth of female detectives on celluloid, Vidya gladly says, “I love that no other actress has done that. I’m very greedy and I want the best parts to come to me. So, I’m glad Bobby Jasoos came to me.”

“It’s also because films are treating women more as people and less as girls and women. For example, bobby is a boy, she just happens to be a girl! She could be anyone from any part of our country,” she says believing, that this movie has come at a time when Indian women are on the brink of a real change.

Vidya had an unusual experience while shooting the first shot of the movie in Hyderabad. “It was guerrilla shoot. Because, the camera was inside a fan, covered with a black box, and I just walked out in my garb with an assistant who was in a burkha we both and sat next to real beggars at the station,” she explains.

While she was behaving like normal beggars, Vidya said, “Certainly no one could recognise me which was a big thrill!”

“There was one woman who just ‘jhatkofied’ my hand and said, what the hell! People like you should be working, aren’t you ashamed? You are able bodied!” says an elated Vidya. She was thrilled because at the end of the day that disguise had worked.

“And to start the film on that note felt very good, because it was the first shot, the first day of shoot,” she adds.

Amidst the speculation in media that she underwent 122 look tests, she says “I wasn’t counting! I was enjoying trying various disguises. The attempt was to make me look as different from the way I look, yet unfold the disguises to make me look like me.”

While her earliest memory of detectives comes from the series

ctor Rani Mukherji would love to be a part of A women-oriented movies but

feels actors are like beggars as they can't choose much. Rani, who is known for portraying strong roles in her films, is now playing a police officer in Mardaani. "It is great that female-oriented films are doing well. I wish more such films come up and work at the box office so more producers are inspired to make such movies," Rani said at the trailer launch of Mardaani.

"We actors are like beggars.

We never choose, but are chosen by creative people, including directors and producers. I will take up the subjects that are interesting and powerful, which is women-centric I will do it. I hope there will be better roles," she said.

Recently, Vidya Balan had said heroines usually don't

like ‘Ghulam’ (with Aamir), ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ (with Shah Rukh Khan) and others, my role in those films was good. I don't have any complaint. They are amazing," she said.

Sonam to lose 8 kilos for romancing Sallu

Karamchand, she clarified, “I called some detective agencies, which was a part of my research and was quite funny due to the kind of conversations they have with their prospective clients.”

On working in an unconventional pairing with actor Ali Faizal, Vidya says, “He’s a fabulous actor!

It was great fun, because he’s extremely good looking, that always helps in the chemistry.”

Post marriage, while Vidya continues to experiment with her roles, she says, “I don’t see how marriage should change anything.

Of course I feel very blessed, because Sidharth completely understands and respects my passion for my work. This (acting) is just an intrinsic part of me that I can’t imagine anything changing that. And it’s still a part of my identity.”

Vidya’s forthcoming project is a love story titled ‘Hamari Adhoori Kahani’ which is directed by Mohit Suri. “I’m very excited because it’s written by Bhatt Sahab,” she signs off.

Bollywood is not my calling: Malika Haydon

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have much to do in films that centre around the Khan trio (Aamir, Salman & Shah Rukh). However, Rani does not agree with this. "I love all the Khans. Since the time I did my first films with them

ou’ve seen her grooving to songs like ‘Pyaar Ki Pungi’ and ‘I’ll Do The Talking Tonight’ in the 2012 film, “Agent Vinod,” but Malika Haydon doesn’t consider Bollywood her true calling. A DJ by profession, the musically-inclined older sister of modelturned-actor Lisa Haydon, says, "Although I never really dreamt of being in Bollywood, I did consider acting, but soon I realised that music is my calling more than anything else. Also, I’ve realised that the career of a Bollywood actor is short-lived and that of a music producer and DJ is wider in scope.

Acting is not everyone’s cup of tea. So, as of now, I have no Bollywood plans."

or the Arbaaz Khan-produced F “Dolly Ki Doli,”

Sonam Kapoor, who plays a curvaceous Punjabi kudi, had to put on a few extra kilos. But now the actresss has to lose between six-eight kilos before she can romance Salman Khan in Sooraj Barjatya's “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo.”

Fortunately for the actress, she doesn't have to go on a starvation diet. She can eat everything in moderation.

She takes small meals ever two hours.

And that's not all. Her personal trainer Radhika Karle reveals that besides doing pilates and 45-minutes of cardio, Sonam is also

Highest French honour for SRK

F

rance has decided to h o n o u r Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan with Legion of France, its highest civilian or military honour. Sources here said French foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, will travel to Mumbai next week to confer the award of Officier dela Legion d'Honneur (Officer of the Legion of Honour) on Khan for his contribution to cinema. The only Bollywood actor to have received the same honour was Amitabh Bachchan in 2007. The “Légion d’Honneur” (Legion of Honour) is the highest distinction that can be conferred in France on a French citizen or on a foreigner. Lata Mangeshkar and Satyajit Ray are other notable winners of the honour from India.

undergoing 'interval training'. "It's a high intensity workout regimen that will tone her down," she explains. As Sonam starts shooting in July, she will travel with her gym equipment so as not to disrupt her workout regimen.

"Soon, we will also begin swimming exercises," says Radhika who's trying to fight Sonam's sweet tooth. "While we were in Paris, she was trying to tempt me into having a chocolate croissant so she could have one too." But no chocolates for Sonam for the moment, working with Sallu is enough of a sweet temptation!

Preity Zinta back to work

P

reity Zinta who left the “Happy Ending” team in the lurch by suddenly leaving for Los Angeles is finally back on the sets. The actress has a cameo in the film which also features Saif Ali Khan, Ileana D'Cruz and Kalki Koechlin in the lead roles. Preity shot some of her portions in LA early this year but some of her scenes are yet to be filmed.

According to a source, "The producers were worried for the actress and also their film as they couldn't chalk out their next schedule." But now that she's back in Mumbai, director duo Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK are relieved.

Preity got in touch with them a few days ago and allotted a chunk of dates in the first week of July so they could complete the shoot.

HC grants divorce to Yukta Mookhey

A

fter former Miss World Yukta Mookhey and her estranged h u s b a n d Prince Tuli were granted divorce as a result of mutual consent, the Bombay High Court quashed the FIR registered against Tuli. The court also directed the concerned police station to handover the personal belongings of the estranged couple, collected as evidence, to the respective parties after of their amicable settlement. After arriving at an amicable settlement in their matrimonial dispute recently, the duo had approached the Bombay High Court seeking to quash the cases filed against each other in various courts.

30

UK

Lord Loomba asks UK Government to ensure public awareness of United Nations Widows Day

Continued from page 8 Government has made it mandatory for all Corporates to donate 2% of their profit for charitable causes. The event was attended by Chairman of Human Rights and former Chief Justice of India, British High Commissioner, Sir James Bevan KCMG, Dr Kiran Bedi, Dr Shashi Tharoor and many other dignitaries and business leaders. The Loomba Foundation was pleased to announce partnership with Dr Kiran Bedi’s Foundation to empower widows through sewing machine project.

Following this event, the Loomba Foundation observed International Widows Day in London on 23rd June, which was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP, President of the Loomba Foundation, Mrs Cherie Blair CBE QC, Lord Speaker, Baroness D’Souza, Indian High Commissioner, His Excellency, Ranjan Mathai, and his wife, Mrs Gita Mathai, Trustee of the Loomba Foundation, Lord Dholakia PC OBE DL and many other dignitaries and business leaders. The Loomba Foundation was pleased to announce partnership with Lions Club International, who has agreed to donate 2,000 sewing machines to help widows in India.

On both occasions, the Loomba Foundation also launched “Walk for Widows”, which has been undertaken by Champion of the

Loomba Foundation, Chris Parsons, who is a Senior Partner in Herbert Smith LLP, the 5th largest law firm in the world. Chris has completed his 30 years with the firm and he has decided to support the Loomba Foundation by walking 30 marathons in 30 days from Mumbai to Bangalore, a distance of 1260 km, from January 10 to February 10. Chris is aiming to raise one million dollars through his walk.

Anyone can support Chris by visiting Just Giving page, which has been set up for Chris’s walk.

In concluding remarks, the noble Baroness Northover, the Minister for DFID said the post-2015 development framework seeks to address those who have been left behind and have not yet been brought into the kind of situation in which many of us in our society find ourselves. We are working hard to ensure that the new framework includes a standalone goal on gender equality, as noble Lords will know, with a holistic set of targets that address the root causes of the inequality and discrimination that affect widows. These include eliminating violence against women and girls; promoting women’s economic empowerment; fostering girls’ and women’s leadership and participation; ensuring universal sexual and reproductive health and rights; and improving girls’ education.

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l Saturday 5th July 2014 – Sitting at the Guru's feet Talk by Dr Rembert Lutjeharms from 6.30pm – 9.00pm at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, Rothley Street, Leicester LE4 6LF. l Sunday 6th July 2014 – Om Day Conference 2014 for Unity and World Peace from 1pm – 5pm at London Buddhist Vihara, Dharampala Building, The Avenue, Chiswick, London W4 1UD. l Sunday 6th July 2014 – Bhajans at 3pm by Shree Budhevbhai, Shree Manubhai8 Kotak, Shree Surendrabhai Sharma and visiting Artists – finishing with Arti at 5.15pm at Adhya Shakti Mataji Temple, 55 High Street, Cowley, middlesex UB8 2DZ. Contact: 07882 253 540. l Sunday 6th July 2014 – A live musical tribute to the legend Mohammad Rafi at 4.30pm at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 4a Castletown Road, West Kensington, London W14 9HE. Contact 02073813086. l Thursday 10th July 2014 – Guru Purnima Utsav in the divine presence of HDH Hariprasad Swamiji from 6.15pm onwards at Shree Kadwar Patidar Samaj UK. Contact: 07702708297. l Friday 11th July 2014 – Celebrations of Shri Gurupournima Utsav 2014 at Wembley and Leicester Temple from 8am-6pm onwards. l Saturday 12th July 2014 – Main Celebrations of Shri Gurupournima Utsav 2014 at Wembley and Leicester Temple from 12am-6pm. l Sunday 13th July 2014 – Chha Gam Nagrik Mandal hostes picnic, games and entertainment from 2pm – 8.30pm at Ruislip Social Club Sports Ground, Grosvenor Vale, Ruislip Manor, HA4 6JQ. Contact: 07956 816 556 l 13th July 2014 – 15th July 2014 - In the Aid of Samarpan Goshala: Geeta Parvachan from 7pm – 8pm at Shree Geetabhavan Temple, 107-117, Heathfield Road, birmingham, B19 1HL, UK. Contact: 0120 554 4120. l 17th July 2014 - 19th July 2014 - In the Aid of Samarpan Goshala: Bhakt Mal Katha from 6pm – 8.30pm at Shri Laxminarayan Temple, 323-341, Leeda Road, Bradford BD3 9JY, UK.

COMPETITION WINNER! Congratulations! The winner of the Travlin Style Competition is Mrs Sulakshana V. Chandgude.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th July 2014

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20 Don't take short-cuts in legal or official matters. It will be only too easy to feel exasperated by bureaucracy but you won't be doing yourself any favours if you lose your cool. This is a fine time for you to get away from the mundane realities of life and relax. Some of you will probably go abroad.

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 Your energy and attention will be very much devoted to financial matters.

The tide of fortune continues to run strongly in your favour for some time to come. You will be working harder than usual, intent on getting things done. Close personal relationships may come under some stress and strain.

With both Venus and

GEMINI May 22 - June 22 Mars resonating powerfully

in your Solar chart, amorous affairs are likely to become extremely intense. Sometimes it is a good idea to stand back and get a more objective view of the pattern of your life. You may find that you can enrich your lifestyle considerably by simplifying certain areas and re-organising your priorities.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22 The pattern of significant relationships in your life will continue to favour you. It seems that a great deal of mutual benefit will accrue because of various interactions. This is an excellent time for making investments and for dealing with all soundly-based and long-term money matters. You also stand to benefit through a bonus, rebate or perhaps a lucky windfall.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23 Social commitments are liable to increase considerably. At times this could lead to a conflict of loyalties and perhaps a degree of resentment that others are taking advantage of you.

Jupiter, the planet of expansion and excesses is associated with splashing out on luxury items which sometimes we do not really require - take care or you will end up having things that you really have no use for.

There seems to be a danger of conflicts of duty between home and work. Your work is likely to take up a lot of your time which may generate some domestic strain. Try to balance these areas of your life. Some of you will be intent on expanding their mental horizons through meditation, yoga or by travelling.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

Give top priority to important written work.

This applies particularly to financial and commercial interests. If you can manage to get away from usual routines, this will prove to be highly enjoyable and have a beneficial effect on your physical and psychological well-being. Loved ones will be looking after you.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

Progress will be slow and may incline you to a negative view of your current work situation. Make up your mind early in the week to knuckle down to the tasks in hand. This should be a wonderful week for those aspiring to higher knowledge - foreign travel is strongly indicated. Associate with people that you are comfortable with.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

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SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 The underlying trend towards increased contentment in love continues with Venus and Mercury shedding a pleasant and harmonious light on close ties of affection. You will have a powerful urge to push ahead with money-making and business interests but, one way or another, something will intervene to hinder progress.

Saturn has been in retrograde motion for a long time, and it’s been nothing if not frustrating for you. It’s all about cultivating patience until your ruling planet goes direct. This is evident mainly in the arena of work, but it could also flow over into business partnerships and joint ventures. While you wait, don’t waste any time organise yourself.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19 This week you will make your best progress by focusing your mental and physical energies on what you want to achieve. Intense focus is what is needed now. The underlying trend seems to be pulling you into a much wider social circle now. This is bound to enrich your life and give you a deeper sense of purpose. The prevailing pattern of planets gives you a marvellous opportunity - take advantage.

It seems that the winds of change begin to gather momentum and put a strong focus on domestic and family matters. Besides spending more time tending to domestic affairs, the focus can be on cultivating and nourishing your inner foundations, so to speak. Extra energy and drive will serve you well in getting things accomplished, but try not to come on too strong when you deal with others.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th July 2014

India face uphill task at Trent Bridge

India are going to play a five-Test series in England after 54 years. They will embark on this series knowing fully well how they were whitewashed in their previous visit in 2011. There have been huge personnel changes from both teams ever since that series and that is the reason why there is an unpredictability factor around both teams this time.

The series kickstarts on July 9 at Trent Bridge, a venue where England have remained undefeated since 2008. Their last defeat was against India when a Zaheer Khan consigned England to a seven-wicket defeat. The pace bowlers have dominated in Trent Bridge but the X-factor for England and for oppositions at this

venue has been James Anderson. He has taken a staggering 49 wickets in seven Tests at this venue at an average of just under 18. He has six fivewicket hauls and two 10wicket hauls at this venue.

The Anderson factor is one of the key points in the England team. If

Anderson gets going at Trent Bridge, then he is unstoppable. In the last five Tests, he has taken 42 wickets, including hauls of 7/43 against New Zealand in 2008 and 6/17 against Pakistan. It was his 10-wicket haul last year in the Ashes opener that gave England a thrilling 14-run win. India

will have to counter the Anderson factor in Trent Bridge if they have to dictate terms to England.

Batting trends in Trent Bridge The way a pitch behaves in a Test is determined by the average score that a team makes in each innings. The first innings of a match at Trent Bridge has always been the key. When one looks at the average score in the first innings, it is safe to say that the Trent Bridge pitch offers assistance to the bowlers on the first and second days.

When one looks at the second and third innings, one can say that the pitch is best to bat on days three and four while chasing a target in the fourth innings is very hard as the pitch has deteriorated.

Germany, Holland, Costa Rica, Brazil and Columbia in world cup quarterfinals

Germany beat Algeria Substitute Andre Schuerrle and Mesut Ozil scored in extra time and Germany survived Algeria's aggressive play with a 2-1 win on Monday to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the ninth consecutive time. All three goals came in extra time after Algeria dominated for long stretches during the opening 90 minutes.

Germany finally took the lead when Thomas Mueller provided a cross from the left flank that was slightly behind Schuerrle. The German forward dragged his left leg and backheeled the ball into the far corner in the 92nd minute, leaving goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi with no chance. Ozil added the second in the 120th and substitute Abdelmoumene Djabou pulled one back in injury

time for Algeria.

Huntelaar's late penalty gives Dutch 2-1 win The Dutch were worried about the oppressive heat at Arena Castelao, and they left it with the stifling hot conditions to thank for a spot in the World Cup quarterfinals.

An inspired tactical change during the second of two official stoppages led to a late goal from Netherlands forward Wesley Sneijder and an injury-time penalty from Klaas Jan Huntelaar in a dramatic 2-1 victory over Mexico on Sunday. The Dutch will next face Costa Rica in the quarterfinals on Saturday in Salvador.

Costa Rica beat Greece on penalties Costa Rica reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time by beating Greece 5-3 on penalties on Sunday after

Luis Suarez exits the World Cup with one of the longest bans in tournament history.

The Uruguay forward, widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, was banned by FIFA from all football for four months for biting an Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini in an incident that marred the team's victory and progression to the second round. It's the third time he's served a suspension for biting an opponent - after similar incidents at both Ajax in the Dutch league and Liverpool in England and the second straight World Cup where Suarez exits in disgrace. The four-month ban will sideline Suarez for the first two months of Liverpool's season.

India's N Srinivasan was confirmed as chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Melbourne last week, giving the 69-year-old industrialist the most powerful role in the governing body's restructured organisation. Srinivasan, who emerged as the leading candidate to become ICC chairman in February, will assume office almost immediately after the governing body rubberstamped constitutional changes at its annual conference being held in Australia.

"It is an honour to be confirmed as the Chairman of the International Cricket Council," Srinivasan said in a statement after the 52-member full council approved amendments which, to many observers, give India, England and Australia virtual control of

FIFA bans Suarez for 4 months

conceding a stoppage time equaliser and playing 54 minutes with 10 men.

After the 1-1 draw following extra time, Costa Rica keeper Keylor Navas made a superb one-handed stop to keep out Theofanis Gekas's fourth spot-kick before Michael Umana fired high into the top corner to send the Central Americans into a last eight meeting with Netherlands.

Brazil beat Chile Brazil beat Chile on penalties to reach the World Cup quarterfinals here on Saturday.

The Brazilians won 3-2 in the penalty shootout after the match was deadlocked at 1-1 after 120 minutes of play. David Luiz opened the scoring in the 18th minute while Alexis Sanchez equalized the score in the 32nd. In the penalty shootout, Luiz put Brazil ahead 1-0 then

Chile's Mauricio Pinilla stroke straight at Brazilian keeper Julio Cesar.

Chelsea's Willian shot just wide of the left post before Cesar got down low to parry Sanchez's penalty away. Neymar put the hosts 3-2.

Columbia beat Uruguay 2-0 James Rodriguez scored twice to put Colombia into the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in a 2-0 victory over Uruguay on Saturday.

Colombia will play host Brazil in the last eight.

Rodriguez gave his team the lead with a stunning long-range volley on the turn in the 28th minute and added the second from close range shortly after the break as Colombia dominated a Uruguay side that sorely missed banned striker Luis Suarez.

Srinivasan takes over as ICC chairman

the sport.

Often described as the most powerful man in cricket, Srinivasan became the Board Of Control For Cricket In India (BCCI) president in 2011 but was ordered to step aside in March to ensure a fair investigation into an illegal betting scandal during last year's Indian Premier League involving his son-in-law.

The Chennai-native was also accused of having a conflict of interest due to his India Cements compa-

ny owning a franchise in the lucrative Twenty20 league. Srinivasan added that he had voluntarily stepped aside from the top BCCI post.

"I have not done anything wrong for which I should feel hesitant to take this position," he added. Once he assumes the new role at the end of the conference, Srinivasan's priority will be to expand the global reach of a sport that only has 10 teams playing at test level.

SPORT WORLD

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Vijay Amritraj turns into a successful wine producer

Vijay Amritraj, one of India's most famous tennis players, has now turned into a successful wine producer. The collection had its glamorous UK launch at the annual Wimbledon Summer Party on Sunday, 29th June at St James' Court Hotel in Central London, in presence of many dignitaries. The all new Grover Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection is a collaboration between the sports iconturned-entrepreneur and Grover Zampa vineyards, one of the oldest wine producers in India. Amritraj reportedly told the audience, "Wine is the one thing I've drunk for a very long time. Wine making started out as something of a hobby but has evolved into a lot more than that. "It had always been my intent to have a premium wine out of India primarily because there are some great Indian wines but the truly good ones haven't been exported out of the country to a great extent. Launching this wine, with the Grover family who have been very close friends for a long time, has been a dream in the making for several years.

We've already won a number of awards, including recently in Hong Kong and Dubai and we are hoping to launch it in the US and the Asia Pacific region later this year."

When Sachin Tendulkar met David Beckham!

Have you ever imagined what happens when two ‘Gods’ of their respective fields meet and shake their hands? You have tears of joy in your eyes and your heart melts like butter on hot frying pan (Sorry, for the bad reference, but you get it right?). Yeah, that’s probably what happened with the fans of Sachin Tendulkar and David Beckham on the Day 6 of Wimbledon Championship 2014. Some things are known for its traditions, and Wimbledon is definitely among them. Wimbledon kept their tradition of inviting sporting stars on first weekend. Former England football captain David Beckham and India’s now-retired cricket legend Tendulkar were invited in Centre Court’s Royal Box. Tendulkar being a self-confessed Tennis fan visited with ex-England captain Andrew Strauss. Sachin Tendulkar was accompanied by his wife Anjali, while David Beckham was accompanied by his mother Sandra. Apart from these two legends, other star names that rained on that day were Football legend Sir Bobby Charlton, England rugby captain Chris Robshaw, England cricketers past and present in Phil Tufnell, Stuart Broad and Steven Finn, golfer Ian Poulter, boxing stars David Haye and Anthony Joshua, and British squash ace Laura Massaro. It was definitely one of the ‘legend wait-for-it day’ moments when Sachin Tendulkar was introduced to David Beckham!

Uma Shah, aged 9, took part in her first triathlon (50m swim, 2km cycle, and 1km run) on 21st June in Henley completing the event in 23 mins 7secs. Uma had been training for it since October last year. As part of this event, Uma chose to raise money for SewaUK (a local charity) and managed to raise nearly 1,000 pound.

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Saina wins Super Series title

India’s ace badminton player Saina Nehwal lifted her first Super Series title in two years, clinching the Star Australian Open after outplaying Spain's Carolina Marin in the summit clash on Sunday .

The sixth seeded Indian, who had won the India Open Grand Prix Gold earlier this year, prevailed 21-18, 21-11 in a 43-minute contest.

Chinese superstar Lin Dan fought back from dropping the opening game to overhaul Simon Santoso and win the men's title.

The two-time Olympic gold medallist and fivetime world champion downed the 18th ranked Indonesian, 22-24, 2116, 21-7 in 75 minutes. It was Lin's first World Super series final in over two years and he took charge from the second game.

“I am very happy with the win. My hard work has work paid off. My coaches have worked really hard to keep me injury-free. This victory could not have come at a better time for me,“ an elated Saina,

whose last Super Series triumph came in the Indonesia Open in June 2012, said.

“This is an extremely important year for me as I would be defending the Commonwealth Games gold medal and the Asian Games are also there. So, it will boost my confidence,” added the 24-yearold. Saina, who enjoyed a 1-0 head-to-head record against Marin going into Sunday's match, logged the first point and displayed some deft net play against her rival, stroking in some delectably timed

volleys to take a 5-2 lead in the opening game.

But the 21-year-old Marin was not the one to give up easily and showed just why she is considered one of the most feisty players on the circuit. She narrowed the gap to 6-8 but seemed distinctly out of her comfort zone every time Saina dragged her towards the net.

Also, the world No 11 didn't help her cause by committing a service error to gift an easy point to Saina, who went into the interval leading 11-7 after an intriguing rally which

ended with the Spaniard smashing the shuttle wide.

Marin raised her game and the decibel levels after the break but Saina was quick to counter-attack and returned her rival's attempted smashes with quiet intensity.

In between, Marin played some fine strokes but they never came consistently enough as Saina made it 17-12. Marin's dogged determination was there to be seen in every point she played for but that alone was never going to be enough to upstage a composed Saina.

New Zealand's Vincent gets life ban for fixing

Disgraced former New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent on Tuesday was banned for life from cricket for match-fixing, admitting he was a cheat who had shamed the sport and his country.

"My name is Lou Vincent and I am a cheat. I have abused my position as a professional sportsman on a number of occasions by choosing to accept money through fixing," he said in a statement.

The punishment, which was confirmed by the England and Wales Cricket Board, stems from one-day matches that Vincent admitted he helped rig in English county cricket.

His former Sussex

team mate, Naveed Arif, was also banned for life last month after admitting similar corruption offences. The ECB said in a statement that Vincent pleaded guilty to 18 breaches of its anti-corruption regulations. Four charges related to a Twenty20 match between Lancashire and Durham in June 2008. The remaining 14 concerned two fixtures played in August 2011 -- a Sussex v Lancashire Twenty20 and a Sussex v Kent CB40 match.

"We are extremely pleased that the matter has now been brought to a satisfactory conclusion and that an individual who repeatedly sought to involve others in corrupt activity for his own personal gain has accepted that his conduct warrants a lifetime ban from cricket," said ECB chief David Collier.

International Cricket Council chief executive David Richardson welcomed the ban by saying: "The ICC has a zerotolerance approach towards corruption.”