Asian Voice

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Women take centre stage in the East Midlands

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VOL 40. ISSUE 14

FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE

VOICE

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

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Parliament heading for more trouble

Anna writes to MPs, asks them to prevent introduction of Lokpal Bill The UPA government is planning to introduce the proposed Lokpal Bill in both Houses of Parliament on Thursday. If the mood of the Opposition on Tuesday was an indication, then more adjournments and debates can be expected in the parliament.

Meanwhile, the civil society camp is busy garnering support for its version of its anti-graft bill.

Anna Hazare is planning to go on fast to garner support for inclusion of

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee arrives at Parliament House during the Monsoon Session in New Delhi.

the prime minister and judiciary in the purview of the Bill. Hazare in his open letter to the MPs said that it was regrettable that many issues which were addressing common man’s persisting concerns on corruption, had been totally overlooked in the Bill cleared by the cabinet.

He writes, “I write to focus and highlight the plight of the common man, being let out yet again…

Continued on page 26

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Gujarat's Speaker Ganpatbhai Vasava honoured in London for his achievements

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6th August to 12th August 2011

Millionaire donor demands money back to give away in charity Philanthropy is more of a virtue than a kindness and more of a habit than an urge.

The Indian diaspora that has settled in Britain since 1950s has not only adopted this country as their own but also has given plenty to charitable causes, the well being of Britons and done enough for the people in their country of origin.

From Lord Gulam Noon to Lord Popat to the Dhamechas to Vijay

and Bhiku Patel- all have contributed a lot to charitable causes- for social upliftment.

Continued on page 14

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UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

one to one

It’s a privilege and honour to represent ethnic groups throughout New Zealand. I am the first Indian born Sikh to be a member of New Zealand’s Parliament and I work hard to help the people of my community. In this role I have the privilege of visiting various countries and experiencing a diverse range of cultures. I particularly admire the Pacific people for their family values, respect for elders, and caring for their community. As an MP I have learnt, and continue to learn a lot every day.

Keith Vaz MP with

Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi – National List MP New Zealand’s first Sikh MP. Kanwaljit (or better known as Bakshi) started his career in politics in 2008, as a National MP. As well as being a voice for New Zealand’s Indian Community, Kanwaljit’s sits on the Government and Administration Select Committee and the Justice and Electoral Select Committee.

Kanwaljit’s Out of Parliament Office is located in Papatoetoe, Auckland. He considers it a huge honour to represent fellow Indians and the people of Manukau East in Parliament.

Kanwaljit has been working tirelessly since becoming an MP. He sees constituents on Mondays and Fridays, attends Parliament from Tuesday to Thursday on house sitting weeks, and attends several events over the weekend across New Zealand.

Kanwaljit was born in Delhi India, the youngest of 3 siblings. As a young man Kanwaljit had a strong interest in Politics. His father was a politician and Kanwaljit helped his father with his election campaigns.

Kanwaljit is married to Irvinder Kaur and has two sons Gawan and Rijak. They moved to New Zealand in 2001.

He has been involved with the National Party since arriving in New Zealand. Kanwal became interested in the National Party because he felt they held to the same values as he did.

Kanwaljit is a strong believer that New Zealand is a land of opportunities. There is a bright future and huge potential for everyone.

1) What inspired you to begin your career in politics?

I felt that there was a lack of representation for the Indian community in New Zealand’s political system. That’s why I joined the National Party. I support the

National Party’s values in particular equal opportunities for every citizen, individual freedom and choice, and competitive enterprise that rewards achievement.

2) What is your proudest achievement as a

I recently accompanied the New Zealand Prime Minister, Rt Hon John Key on a state visit to India. It was particularly special for me to be able to travel with the Prime Minister to my home country.

3) Please tell us about your current position?

As a National MP I’m a member of the Justice and Electoral Select Committee and the G o v e r n m e n t Administration Select Committee.

I chair the New Zealand Sri Lanka Parliamentarian Friendship Group and I’m part of the National Ethnic Team. I’m also a member of the New Zealand and India; Poland and Pakistan Parliamentarian

Diabetes Care) Dr. David Jenkins and the team of researchers at the University of Toronto Department of Nutritional Sciences and St. Michael’s Hospital Risk Factor Modification Centre have announced that consumption of two ounces of nuts per day, instead of carbohydrates, can help control diabetes.

Subjects in this study on a no-carb/ nut only diet reduced their blood sugar levels, and their LDL cholesterol (or “bad cho-

Friendship Groups.

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

So far none 5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?

My biggest influence is my father. He was a political thinker who had vision for our society and he played a big role in my interest in politics. My father was a firm believer in equal rights and opportunity for all and said to achieve anything of value in life we must work together.

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

Food For Thought lesterol”) was also significantly reduced.

"Those receiving the full dose of nuts reduced their HbA1c [the long-term marker of glycaemic control] by two-thirds of what the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recognizes as being clinically meaningful for therapeutic a g e n t s .

Furthermore, neither in the current study nor in previous reports has nut consumption

The most challenging part of being an MP is that we don’t get to spend a lot of time with our families. Our families are such a strength and support to us and they sacrifice much to support us in our capacity as an MP. I know personally I’m fortunate to have a wonderful family backing me all the way.

8) What are your long term goals?

The National-led Government has done a lot to build a brighter future for New Zealand.

We’re taking action on violent crime, encouraging economic growth, and investing in important areas such as health and education.

I would like to see this continue. I want New Zealanders to have every opportunity to get the education they deserve and the opportunities they need to succeed.

9) If you were Prime Minister, what one thing

been associated with weight gain. If anything, nuts appear to be well suited as part of weight-reducing diets," Dr. Jenkins said.

It’s also interesting to note that coffee and the herb Ginkgo Biloba have beneficial effects in relation to diabetes; a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine concluded that drinking one cup of coffee every day decreased the risk of diabetes by seven percent. The data was gathered from several studies that involved over 500,000 people.

Ginkgo Biloba has been used as a traditional remedy in Japan and China for hundreds

We have a very good Prime Minister.

But if there is one thing I would strongly support, it would be continued growth of businesses because if we are to grow our economy we will have to encourage our businesses as they are the ones who can generate more employment. In New Zealand, small and medium enterprises make up close to 90% of all businesses.

They have to struggle with a lot of compliance costs. We’ve already made a lot of progress in reducing business costs but I would like to see continued reform in this area so that businesses can focus on what they are good at rather than struggling with paper work.

Another thing I would like to see is that our youth get the best education they can. They are the future and the ones who are going to take control of our nation. One can lose everything in his life but not knowledge and education.

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

I would like to spend time with Singapore's former PM Lee Kuan Yew and understand what motivated him to develop Singapore from a small island into worldclass financial hub in spite of the many challenges he faced. I would also like to know how he visualises the world in days to come.

of years, and we now know it contains a potent antioxidant, which can be used to treat high blood sugar and also diabetic retinopathy, as it helps to improve blood flow to the eyes.

Anyone undertaking a new diet should consult their GP and get advice from medical professionals, as every individuals needs are different.

Silver Star is a local charity which promotes diabetes awareness and tests for diabetes. They run a Mobile Diabetes Unit (MDU), which can visit your organisation or place of work.

Contact Silver Star on 0845 094 9933 or email health@silverstaruk.org.

SOC IE LAW

0800 118899 Email: mpatel@levenes.co.uk Website: www.levenes.co.uk Ashley House, 235-239 High Road, Wood Green, London N22 8HF

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Contact Mr. Mitesh Patel, Solicitor No Win No Fee

7) And the worst?

Last year I introduced a Private Members Bill called the Military Manoeuvres Act Repeal Bill. This Bill repeals legislation that allowed any land to be made available for military manoeuvres. It’s about cleaning up legislation that is no longer necessary, thereby reducing bureaucracy and tidying up our books.

TH

On their way to developing type 2 diabetes, many people have what is called prediabetes, which is where the blood sugar level is elevated but not quite high enough to be diagnosed as diabetic. However, even in these early stages of development, the “side effects” of diabetes – such as circulatory and nervous damage- may have already begun to take hold.

Here are a few recent findings on what specific foods can help control diabetes and reduce the risk of developing diabetes.

In an article entitled “Nuts as a Replacement for Carbohydrates in the Diabetic Diet” (published by the journal

politician?

would you change?

Personal Injury

SOLICITORS

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

COMMENT

Truth will out: Sri Lanka in dock President Mahinda Raapakse of Sri Lanka has squirmed uneasily, as have his close aides, as charges that Sri Lankan troops went on a murderous spree against Tamil civilians and surrendering Tamil Tiger troops during the final stages of the civil war continue to swirl around his regime at home and abroad. Proof of these outrages have been caught on film, with eye-witnesses to these horrors, revealing what they saw, with faces covered to protect their identity and possibly their lives. Channel 4 has run a relentless campaign to expose the truth, not being in the least deflected by the hostility and abuse its reporters have had to endure from the Colombo authorities. The customary farrago of militant counter-charges alleging colonialist falsehoods will no longer do. Self-justifying posturing compounds the crime of mass murder and rape. It is a badge of dishonour.

Time is not on President Rajapakse's side. His predecessor, former president Chandrika Kumaratunge, has taken her courage to the sticking place in a public address in Colombo, when she denounced the Sri Lankan army's depredations, having examined the evidence with her children.

With tears streaming down her face she said she was ashamed of being a Sinhalese and a Sri Lankan and called upon all people of goodwill and integrity to voice their opposition to what was done in their name two years ago on the beaches on the north-east.

Channel 4 in its latest report has accused the island's Defence Minister Gotabaya Rajapakjse, the President's brother and a power in the land, of giving the green signal for the anti-Tamil bloodbath. His chosen instrument, apparently, was Brigadier Sivendra Silva, who executed his master's orders. He was rewarded for his loyalty with

promotion to the rank of Major General and made deputy head of the Sri Lankan mission at UN headquarters in New York on his retirement from the army.

When confronted by a Channel 4 newsman with a catalogue of his alleged crimes, Mr Silva in a show of indignation denied all knowledge of them and made a desperate attempt to turn the tables on Channel 4 with the accusation that the network had deliberately poisoned the narrative.

Mrs Kumaratunge has spoken out against the Sri Lankan military's crimes, and to impugn her patriotism would surely be self-defeating. The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon will shortly pronounce on these tragic events, based on the findings of the UN's own inquiry.

President Rajapakse and his brother Gotabaya may bluster and talk defiantly of China standing by their beleaguered regime, but this is likely cut little ice with the international community. Colombo has a case to answer, and it had better do so sooner rather than later.

Sri Lanka needs peace and reconciliation. But this desirable state of affairs can only come about when there has been full accountability for the crimes committed. The guilty cannot get off scot free. Revenge and violence will fester if they do.

The international community must rise above power politics, draw together and tell the Sri Lankan government that further subterfuge is pointless, that it must come clean accept responsibility for these black deeds. Now. Democracy and the rule of law have been imperilled in Sri Lanka by state diktat backed by covert violence against critics of the Rajapakse coterie. The Pearl of the Orient has lost the lustre for which it was once famous.

No recovery of UK economy in sight The first quarter economic growth in the UK at 0.2 per cent gives little cause for satisfaction.

The recession appears to be deeper than expected and better days will not come soon.

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne had no option but to put a brave face and extol the stability in the nation's finances. This is Micawber-like consolation in a difficult situation. There will always be something to cheer in balance sheet – manufacturing was not doing badly, the national debt was being reduced, as was the interest charges on it etc. But any economy is the sum of its parts. So 0.2 per cent growth cannot be good for the Coalition's morale. Bite the bullet and keep swallowing the bitter pills of deep spending cuts and high unemployment.

Spending cuts are making their greatest impact on the welfare services, especially in health, housing and education. Their social effect will remain long after the economic recession has disappeared. This will be difficult to properly measure through bald statistics alone.

Indeed, there will be a wide range of statistics covering different areas that will have to collated before judgement can be passed on the wider consequences of the economic downturn.

The rub is that while repayment of the British debt is an urgent priority for all mainstream par-

ties, many citizens are out of kilter with an overreliance on market forces to stimulate economic activity. Priming the pump to lesser or greater degree is one solution to our mounting problems.

After all, high unemployment entails lower tax revenues and increased welfare spending.

Across the pond in the US we see a similar dilemma. Yet on both sides of the water the expenditure on defence continues to be forbiddingly high, notwithstanding the pruning of administrative costs and reduced force levels, particularly in the UK, where army numbers are the lowest since the Boer War. Military conflict today requires high-tech systems, and these don't come cheap. The search for military solutions to political problems, whether it be in the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan-Pakistan and now Libya is a continuing burden on the nation's finances. Members of the Nato alliance are, in their different ways, hobbled by such warfare. Diplomacy should be about strengthening peace – which can only be achieved by an honest vision of the world we seek to build, one that is based on cooperative endeavour rather than unilateral action for selfish ends. This needs to be sorted. Consensual statecraft will meet the needs of true global security to the mutual advantage of all nations. This will surely be the most enduring solution to our economic current woes.

Deepening challenge to China's authority in non-Han provinces All is not well with the Middle Kingdom. Its relations with its South East Asian neighbours continue to be bedevilled by Beijing's arrogant claim to the South China Sea, overriding the rights of other littoral states in the region. But this is not all. China's two outlying provinces of Tibet and Xinjiang are in a state of continuous ethnic unrest. Beijing has long been at loggerheads with the Buddhist Dalai Lama, an object of ritual abuse ever since he fled his homeland in March 1959 for the sanctuary of India. Beijing's inner demons are fearful of Tibet's secession from the “Motherland” sometime in the future. They see the hidden hand of India behind their troubles in Tibet, hence the fraught relationship with New Delhi. Beijing says Tibet is a “core” issue for China, but so it is for India with the Chinese military presence looming large across its Himalayan borders.

Xinjiang is the western-most Chine province; the bulk of its population Muslim Uighers of Turkish ethnicity whose language is related to

those of its Central Asian neighbours. There has long been simmering discontent among Beijing's Uigher subjects. From time to time there riots have broken out between the Uighers and Han Chinese. The latest occurred only a few days ago with an armed Uigher attack which resulted in the loss of Chinese life. Surprise, surprise, China blamed its closest ally Pakistan, because it was in Pakistani Mujahedin training camps that it alleges these Uigher insurgents received training. Does this presage a breakdown of the Sino-Pakistan axis, whose principal target is India? This is unlikely for now, but Beijing has much to worry about.

Its diplomacy, whether it cconcerns the Dalai Lama and his possible successor or Uigher unrest in Xinjiang, is a throwback to the 17th and 18th centuries. Kowtowing to the occupant of the dragon throne is as much out of date as the tributary system itself. China must learn to adjust to the mores of the 21st century.

www.abplgroup.com

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Thought for the Week

Hold fast to dreams, For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird, That cannot fly.

Langston Hughes (1902 -1967)

Sarah Teather MP Liberal Democrat MP for Brent Central and Minister of State for Children and Families

The hacking scandal: a chance to get our democracy back on track The last two weeks have been dramatic ones for politics. We have seen the most powerful media organisation in the UK brought almost to its knees and the flames of fresh revelations move to envelop both police and politicians. We now also have allegations that the News of the World hacked into the phones of some of those who had most need of privacy – the family of the Soham murder victims, dead servicemen and women’s loved ones and the murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler.

I think that everyone shares the sense of horror about these alleged practices. For myself and my colleagues in the Liberal Democrats, this horror is tinged with regret – that previous Labour and Conservative governments did not act when they should have done because they were too scared of the power of Rupert Murdoch. This was underlined just last month when both Ed Miliband and David Cameron attended Murdoch’s summer party – still seeking to curry favour even with storm clouds approaching fast.

No Liberal Democrat politician was at that party. By contrast, the Liberal Democrats have been warning for a decade that the Murdoch media empire was too powerful and was having a chilling effect on democracy in this country. When the Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Business Vince Cable was overheard by reporters saying that he was prepared to take a stand against this, I suspect that he spoke for many people across the

country. Unaccountable power breeds abuse of that power, something we as Liberal Democrats have always stood against.

However, we should not be content to just acknowledge the problem – a scandal on this scale requires proportionate action from politicians. This is why, firstly, Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats have ensured that the part of the inquiry into regulating the press is to be led by a senior judge Judge Leveson. What’s more we have successfully campaigned for the inquiry to be held under the 2005 Inquiries Act, which means that witnesses can be summonsed to give evidence under oath, just like in a court of law.

Secondly, the Liberal Democrats in government are continuing to push for root and branch review of media ownership in this country to ensure that our media isn’t controlled by a few wealthy individuals. The rules that we inherited from the last Labour government aren’t working and we are pressing for an independent commission to look at media plurality.

Alongside the other inquiries that have been announced, these changes form the basis for real change in the way newspapers and other media are held to account. As the former editor of the Sun admitted before the last election “a vote for the Lib Dems is a vote against Murdoch and the media elite”. In government, we are determined to continue to push for the reforms necessary to ensure a healthy democracy in this country.

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

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LEICESTER VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

Woman fights rule that bans husband until he learns English Rashida Chapti, pictured, is a British citizen whose husband in India does not speak English.

A couple have lodged a legal challenge to a new immigration rule that the husband cannot join his spouse of 37 years in England unless he can speak English.

In a test judicial review in the High Court the couple say that the rule contravenes their right to a family life and their right to marry and constitutes discrimination.

Rashida Chapti, 54, a British citizen, and her husband Vali Chapti, 57, who have six children, are applying for him to join her in Britain.

Mr Chapti is an Indian citizen and does not speak, read or write English. Mrs Chapti is reported to have been travelling between India and Leicester for about 15 years and has now applied for her husband to be able to live in England with her.

But under new immigration rules announced by Theresa May, the

Home Secretary, in June last year, he cannot do so because of a new English language requirement for migrants applying to come or stay in England as a spouse.

The rule, which took effect last November, is part of the Government’s strategy to cut immigration abuse and foster integration.

But the Chaptis, along with two other couples, have launched proceedings to contest it.

At the High Court in Birmingham, Manjit Gill, QC, repre-

senting the couple, told the court that the requirement was a breach of their human rights. He said that it contravened several articles of the European Convention on Human Rights: Article 8, the right to family life; Article 12, the right to marry; and Article 14, the right to be free of discrimination.

The suggestions that the rule would help integration and would save the public purse had not been proved, and he said that the evidence was “vague and unclear”. He added: “It is not just small numbers here or there who will be affected, it is very significant numbers of people.”

The case is the first of its kind and Liberty, the human rights group, and the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants have been granted permission to intervene and make submissions.

The case at the Priory Courts in Birmingham continues.

Festival of Chariots attracts thousands to Leicester city centre Thousands of devotees pulled three 30ft chariots through the streets of Leicester on Sunday in celebration of a 5,000-year-old festival.

Colourful flags and lively rhythms led the 14th annual Hare Krishna Festival of Chariots from Humberstone Gate, in the city centre, to Cossington Park, in Belgrave.

The event was staged by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

Organiser Nimai Devi Dasi said: "Today is about getting the chance to show other people what we're about.

It's a nice, jovial time and we're not restricted to the temple, which means we can get a lot more people involved – people who may not have come across us before.

"The Jagannatha Ratha Yatra is a celebration more than 5,000 years old, making it the oldest street festival in the world.

"Devotees believe that if they get the honour of pulling the ropes of

the giant chariot, carrying Lord Krishna then at the end of this life, they will be granted a place in the spiritual world."

The procession featured three huge chariots, which carried deities Lord Jagannatha (Krishna), Lady

Subhadra and Lord Balarama.

Participants pulled the giant floats to Cossington Park, where more than 9,000 people were entertained with live music, dancing and singing.

Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby took part in the ceremony, sweeping the procession route as a sign of humility and service to the people.

He also joined the procession as it slowly made its way along Belgrave Road, helping to pull the giant chariots for part of the way.

He said: "It's the first time as city mayor that I've taken part in the event, which I've seen grow and flourish over the years.

"It's an important part of our cultural heritage and brings life and colour to the city."

The parade was filled with music and singing as it snaked its way through the city centre and along Belgrave Road.

Mum made up as halal cosmetics prove a hit A businesswoman has attracted worldwide interest after launching a range of make-up which complies with Islamic teaching.

Nadia Gani claims she is the first manufacturer of halal-certified cosmetics in the UK, as reported

by Leicester Mercury.

And she said sales have exceeded expectations since she set up her business three weeks ago.

Mrs Gani, who lives in Evington, Leicester, said she had received telephone calls from around the world from people interested in selling the products.

"As far as my research has shown, there's no other manufacturer of halal make-up in the UK," said the 27-year-old mother-of-two and founder of Miracle Halal Mineralz.

"I've sold more than I thought I would. It's been mad. Some of it has come from me attending events, from networking, from people finding the website on Google and simply from word of mouth.

"As a child, I always saw myself having my own brand of make-up.

This was my dream."

Mrs Gani creates the cosmetics in an industrial unit in Earl Shilton, with help from her taxi driver husband, Ashiaf, 35, and sells them through the company website.

Her products are certified by the global halal organisation All Things Halal, which is based in Leicester.

Mrs Gani said she was also talking to independent shops in the UK about stocking her products.

She said she had already made dozens of

sales. She makes a wide range of make-up, including lipsticks, lip-liner, eyeliner, eye shadow and blusher. She said she and her husband could make up to 24 pieces a day.

The business is expected to make a turnover of about

£20,000 in its first year, although it could be a lot more.

Halal cosmetics do not contain pork extracts or alcohol, both common in standard make-up.

Millions of Muslims worldwide live by the code of halal.

Landlord fined for dishonesty A landlord has been fined thousands of pounds for banking housing benefit for a tenant who had not moved in at the time.

Madhusan Mistry, 51, pleaded guilty to dishonestly retaining the wrongful payments from Oadby and Wigston Borough Council's housing benefit department.

The council's fraud team began investigating Mistry when his tenant phoned the council, seven months after mak-

ing the claim for benefit, to say that because of uncompleted building work at the house, he had only just been able to move in.

During this time, Mistry deposited cheques totalling ￡2,861.61, into his own bank account.

Prosecutor Kalv Garcha said that Mistry had been intentionally dishonest and was familiar with his obligations as a landlord, having had two previous tenants.

In brief

Fun day at The Hut

A fun day roped in more than £200 for the Hut in Old Ashby Road, Loughborough.

The event took place on Saturday, July 23, with more than 100 people turning up to raise some much needed cash for the Loughborough community centre. Stalls aligned the centre offering brica-brac, tombola, hook a duck, splat a rat with one local resident serving up Asian food. Domino’s Pizza and Charnwood Neighbourhood Housing also played a part.

Peter Bruce, centre manager, said: “I would like to thank everyone who turned up and all the members who got involved as well.”

Man beat girlfriend unconscious in taxi

A man beat his girlfriend unconscious in a taxi and was still hitting her when they arrived at hospital.

The 20-year-old victim had blood streaming down her face and there were splatters on the cab ceiling from the blows. Wells (25), of Sibson Road, Birstall, wept as he was jailed for 12 months Earlier that evening, the couple went out to celebrate after she told the defendant, James Wells, she thought she was pregnant.

But they ended up having a row and, in the taxi home, he turned on her.

He admitted causing actual bodily harm, on the night of March 3. Victoria Rose, prosecuting, told Leicester Crown Court the pair went to various bars in the city centre before falling out. At 1am they caught a taxi and Wells began shouting at her and repeatedly punched her in the face.

Jasmine Kumar, mitigating, said the couple were in an "unhealthy" 18-month on-off relationship, which ended that night.

Fraudster was falsely paid £22,000 A man who claimed he was too ill to work for more than two years was paid £22,000 in benefits – but all the time he had a full time job.

Leicester magistrates were told that Paul Chavez, who is also known as Bodycote, of Newlands Road, Barwell received a total of £22,384.09 in housing benefit, council tax benefit and incapacity benefit. A fraud investigation by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and Jobcentre Plus revealed that for two-and-a-half years, from December 2007, Chavez had a permanent, full-time job with Morrisons supermarket, in Hinckley, and was working up to 39 hours a week.

He admitted two charges of making false representations to the council and Jobcentre Plus and a further two charges of dishonestly failing to disclose information about his true circumstances.

He was given a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, along with a supervision order. He will also have to repay all the money.

Leicester postman stole mail to finance luxury lifestyle

A postman financed a luxury lifestyle including a holiday to Las Vegas by selling off items he stole from the mail.

Yogeshbhai Patel (38) who pocketed £46,686 over two-and-a-half years was jailed at Leicester Crown Court. He would regularly arrive an hour early for work at the delivery office in Leicester.

His manager thought he was being especially helpful – but he was actually looking for packages to steal.

Leicester Crown Court heard he then ensured the valuables, destined for other postal rounds, went into his own sack of mail.

Patel, of Kingston Avenue, Wigston, admitted theft of post as well as money laundering, by cheaply selling thousands of new stolen items to a second-hand games and electrical goods store, in the city centre.

Adrienne Lucking, in mitigation, said Patel had no previous convictions and, apart from the holiday to America, had not lived lavishly.

She said he was too embarrassed and ashamed to tell his family he was caught in credit card debt.

She said that he owed £59,000 by 2008.

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

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UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

Cllr Rabi Martins Watford Borough Council

By Spriha Srivastava

Free Marketing Tips Anyone?

Hitul Thobhani, an MBA is a Principal Consultant at Marketing Sharpness, a website where companies can quickly find out how good their marketing is from 0 to 100. This website is the brainchild of Hitul, who became so fed up with the lack of practical help for businesses to assess their marketing and sales that he decided to fund and promote the creation of this new service.

I spoke to him about the advantages of this new strategy.

Tell us in brief about yourself?

I am 39 and married to Seema. We live in Stanmore and have two daughters, Nikita 7 and Simran 5. As well as Marketing Sharpness, I am a co-Founder of Kidz4Mation, which boosts primary aged children’s school performance and behaviour by boosting their confidence. I have written 7 books. When I have time around work and family, I try to run and do yoga and have recently taken up tennis – let’s see how long that lasts! My education includes a Masters in Business Administration from De Montfort University and a degree in Management and Maths from the University of Manchester. I grew up in Leicester, having been in the UK since 1972, when my family was part of the exodus from Uganda.

How does your latest tool "Marketing Sharpness" work?

It is a free, quick and easy way for business owners and senior managers to stop losing sales and new enquiries to

Hitul Thobhani

their competitors. Users simply go to www.marketingsharpnesstest.com and take a 7 minute survey. They will then receive their Marketing Sharpness score of out 100 and a free copy of my new ebook, “The 21 Step Marketing Sharpness Makeover” to help them change the areas they are losing business. The focus is on equipping business people to boost their business themselves, without spending more on marketing. If individual businesses request help to make the changes in their business, chargeable programmes and consultancy are available, where we work with them to boost their marketing and they emerge with a Marketing Sharp business.

How can it help Asian business professionals?

The service will help Asian businesses to boost their sales, new enquiries and ultimately profits with a limited marketing investment – often just by reallocating their current marketing activities to more effective but less obvious tac-

tics. We recently implemented a strategy that generated 50 hot new leads for an investment of £10. This method is explained in the book and can be used by any business in any industry.

How did you come up with this idea?

Asian businesses need to sell their way out of the recession – you can only cut costs so far.

With government business support slashed when it was needed most, I felt there was a real need for business growth support targeted at the Asian business community, whose entrepreneurial spirit is widely appreciated. The service is available to all communities, not just Asians.

For those who are interested, how can they get in touch with you?

Readers can get free marketing help at www.marketingsharpnesstest.com. They can contact me directly on 07970042632 or hello@marketingsharpnesstest.com. The programmes run in London and Leicester.

Tony Ryan, formerly Director at KPMG Consulting and Deloitte Consulting, and now Managing Director of Tristar Consultants, welcomed the launch of the service. At the launch he said, “In my years of leading and advising businesses, sales and marketing errors are often at the heart of a business’ problems. The Marketing Sharpness service is a great way for companies to understand how good their marketing is and where the problems lie.”

Let us know what you think.

Email Spriha at spriha@abplgroup.com

Teenagers convicted after spraying burkas Two Muslim teenagers have admitted drawing burkas on advertisements of scantily-clad women because they offended their religious views.

In one incident, Mohammed Hasnath and Muhammed Tahir, both 18, used black paint to draw the traditional headdress over a model in a poster for Lynx deodorant. The vandals said it was a ‘sin’ for the woman to remain uncovered and they were ‘just trying to do good’.

They also painted over faces in several other advertisements, including one for the Nicolas Cage

Tahir and Hasnath

film Drive Angry.

Thames Magistrates’ Court in Bow, East London, was told the pair were caught red-handed after members of the public called police. The youths admitted six counts of criminal damage. Hasnath, of Poplar,

and Tahir, of Tower Hamlets, were each told to pay costs of £283 and were released on a 12month conditional discharge.

The case came only days after Islamic extremists started a poster campaign proclaiming areas where Sharia law ‘enforcement zones’ have been set up. The messages order that there should be ‘no gambling’, ‘no music or concerts’, ‘no porn or prostitution’, ‘no drugs or smoking’ and ‘no alcohol’.

Community leaders in East London denounced those behind the posters as ‘small-minded idiots’.

Influence the final bill Weeks ago the Coalition Government revealed its plans for the delivery and management of public services.

Ministers went to great lengths to assure us that it recognised just how much we value our public services saying “all of us rely on good public services to lead civilized lives in a cohesive nation” Such a clear and unambiguous statement is difficult to quarrel with.

Take the NHS for example. It is a universal service that the public pays for through the tax system. That is why the public feel they have a right to demand that delivery of care through the NHS will continue to be based on need and not ability to pay.

The central tenet of the proposals set out in the white paper is that public services can be opened up, giving local people more control, and widening the delivery of services to include new providers. Thus it is fair to assume that anyone can apply to become a provider.

If that is indeed true than it will be no doubt excite many Asian entrepreneurs who are always on the look out for new and exciting business opportunities.

What will disappoint the public is if it transpires that who rush to bid to become players in this new market place are driven purely by the profit motive It is ironic that the white paper is released just when the independent residential care provider Southern Cross announced it was to close. Perhaps this is a happy co-incidence as it may lead the government to consider what happens in the event of market failure.

Rather tellingly this is one significant issue that white paper fails to address.

This is why alarm bells should start to ring. In the case of Southern Cross we now know that the one set of directors made an enormous profit from the venture but that when the going got tough the new owners were able to walk away and leave families to pick up the pieces, and the tax payers to foot the bill.

This new drive to give more individual choice and control in public services will of course not be limited to just health and social care but will embrace education, skills training, early years, children's services, family services, health and social housing. All areas where the vulnerable have been able to sleep easy knowing the state was there to provide them with a safety net when needed. In the new order these people will have to shop around for the provider who can help them best. The question is whether those with poor education, language difficulties and poor communications skills will fail to avail themselves of the services on offer.

Admittedly the government acknowledges that our society, particularly sections of the Asian community, is blighted by inequalities in access to good schools, high quality healthcare, and safe places to play, culture, sporting opportunities and decent homes. These reforms could make their situation worse and it is unlikely the government will find the money to bail them out.

That is why there is an onus on us all to study this white paper and influence the final Bill.

Call for state-backed bank to help industry Lord Bhattacharyya, professor and director of Warwick Manufacturing Group, says conventional banks are too ‘short term’ in their approach Plans for a “rebalanced” economy with a greater emphasis on industry and investment will only work with the help of a new governmentaided bank to aid manufacturing, according to one of Britain’s most respected business academics.

Lord Bhattacharyya, pictured, a Labour peer who is director and founder of the Warwick Manufacturing Group at Warwick University, said the new institution was needed to establish a “change of culture” towards manufacturing businesses by convention-

al banks which he accused of being too “short-term” in their approach.

Dismissing the effort by five of the big highstreet banks to set up the £2.5bn Business Growth Fund to provide equity and loans to midsized companies including manufacturers, Lord Bhattacharyya told the Financial Times: “This [the BGF plan] is peanuts compared to what is needed if Britain is to be serious about growth [in manufacturing].”

Vince Cable, business secretary, said he approached the idea of an industry bank with “an open mind”. In spite of commitments by the banks to step up lending to small to midsized businesses under the Project Merlin agreement, Mr

Cable said ways to improve the flow of finance were still needed.

Backing for Lord Bhattacharyya’s plan came from David Frost, director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce. “A bank of this sort could be part of a national strategy to help raise the performance of manufacturing,” Mr Frost said.

First Sikh in Britain to be High Court judge The first Sikh in Britain to be appointed as a High Court judge has been announced.

Rabinder Singh, QC (pictured), of Matrix Chambers, will sit from October in the Queen’s Bench Division.

He is the first Sikh and also the first male High Court judge from an ethnic minority to reach the High Court.

The only other High Court judge from an ethnic minority among the

107 is Mrs Justice Dobbs, who was appointed in 2004.

Mr Singh was one of

the founding members in 2000 of the breakaway human rights set Matrix, along with Cherie Blair, QC, wife of Tony Blair who was then Prime Minister.

He was called to the Bar in 1989 and was one of the panel of junior counsel to the Crown until taking silk in 2002.

Though Hindus and Jains have not reached this position as yet, we are sure this will be an inspiration for all.

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

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www.abplgroup.com

Dee Katwa

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

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

New book unveils Idi Amin’s hidden identity One of Britain’s finest writers and eloquent communicators has officially launched his new book, a personal account of his acquaintance with Idi Amin, the famous Ugandan dictator.

The book, entitled Idi Amin – Lion of Africa, was unveiled by author Manzoor Moghal in the presence of around 50 of his close friends at the Melbourne Centre in Leicester last Wednesday.

Multilingual Mr Moghal, flanked by special guests, Leicester Crown Court Judge Simon Hammond who is also the Diversity and Community Relations Judge for Leicestershire and Winfield Belgrave, an expert on race relations issues, thanked his son Arif and personal assistant Radhika Madhani for their help in getting his book published. Rolling back the years, Mr Moghal shared vivid memories of his encoun-

ters with Idi Amin. Like others before him, Mr Moghal writes about the atrocities of the Amin regime. However, he subtly endeavors to re-interpret the politics of the time, primarily through re-examining the motivation behind Amin’s actions and theatrics. He portrays Amin as a leader who pursued his intentions insidiously, but with well timed swiftness and accuracy, a man capable of impeccable tact and shocking brutality. And while he makes no apologies for Amin’s crimes, he implicitly argues that the majority of stories about Amin are told without context, making it difficult to understand the

man and his actions. In Uganda, Mr Moghal was an outstanding politician and had frequent dealings with the highest officials of the Ugandan administration, including Prime Ministers and Presidents.

He contributed substantially to the civic, social, community and political life of the country, but was forced to flee Uganda in 1972 with his family, a historic episode which is captured in his book. He also spoke about the then unwelcoming atmosphere of the City Council’s advertisement warning

Asians not to come to Leicester. But they ignored the warning and arrived anyway, settling here ever since. In 2001 he was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Honours List for his work on race relations in Leicester. Mr Moghal is a role model public speaker who always speaks without the aid of notes, unlike a raft of British politicians and so-called ‘pillars of the community’, who without a script, that too prepared by their consultant, would probably feel lost. Photo: From left – Winfield Belgrave, Manzoor Moghal and Judge Hammond. Mr Moghal’s book is available at www.amazon.co.uk/IdiAmin-Africa-ManzoorMoghal

‘Stab your MP’ maniac caged

Top lawyer loses job

A Midland IT graduate who called for MPs in favour of the Iraq War to be murdered has been jailed for 12 years. Bilal Zaheer Ahmad, 24, from Wolverhampton, had pleaded guilty in May to using the website Revolution-muslim.com to encourage users to ‘raise the knife of jihad’ against nearly 400 MPs who he claimed had supported the 2003 invasion. Sentencing Ahmad, pictured, Mr Justice Royce described him “a viper in our midst”. Inquiries into Ahmad’s online activity following his arrest in November after a “challenging investigation” uncovered more offences, resulting in further guilty pleas, including one for intent to stir up religious hatred against Hindus – the first successful conviction for this offence in the UK. Ahmad also admitted three counts of collecting information likely to be of use to a terrorist.

Mirza Ahmad, the most senior legal officer at Birmingham City Council, has lost his £115,000-a-year job. Mr Ahmad, pictured, lost his Corporate Director of Governance role in a shake-up of the council’s senior management posts, carried out as part of a restructure to save £1.4 million. Self-publicist Mr Ahmad failed to be appointed Strategic Director of Resources and has now left the council to pursue new opportunities. He is chairman of the Bar Association for Local Government and the Public Service and a member of the General Council of the Bar for England and Wales. While at the council, father-of-three Mr Ahmad gained a reputation as a national expert on the implications of the Human Rights Act.

M6 Toll firm in red

One Young World, the founder client of Elbrus Consultants, Andy Coulson’s PR agency, has stopped working with the ex-Downing Street spin surgeon owing to the ongoing phone hacking affair.

The company that runs the M6 Toll, has plunged further into the red with a loss of nearly £50 million.

Midland Expressway’s accounts show the firm had an operating profit of £53mn for the 18 months to the end of 2010 – but interest and charges on its large debts saw it run up a loss of £49.1mn during the period. Midland Expressway holds the government’s concession to operate the 27 miles of the M6 Toll - which opened to traffic in December 2003 - until 2054.

Top role for Dr Patel A heart specialist from Birmingham is to lead NHS services across Worcestershire. Dr Kiran Patel, consultant cardiologist, has been appointed medical director for West Mercia Cluster. He will head development of new commissioning groups that will replace PCTs by 2013. Dr Patel, pictured, graduated from Cambridge University in 1993 and has trained in Cambridge, Bristol and Birmingham.

New hotel at theme park The Midlands’ newest 150-bedroomed hotel is set to open at Drayton Manor Theme Park on August 15.

The hotel will have 11 Thomas & Friends-themed family rooms, each one featuring Thomas & Friends décor and specially-designed Thomas the Tank Engine bunk beds.

Salt to the wound New role for Rajan Zurich, the UK arm of the Swiss financial services giant, has hired Rajan Lakhani from EDF – where he spent four years and most recently managed the retail media team - as senior media relations manager.

Lakhani, pictured, will manage media relations for ‘global corporate UK’ as well as Zurich’s corporate responsibility programmes and other cross-UK activity.

Thief admits offence A thief who stole a Range Rover worth more than £41,000 that he hired while lying to its owners that he had been the victim of a carjacking in Birmingham has been jailed for 18 months. Catering business boss Sukwinder Paul, 32, of Coventry, admitted charges of theft and doing an act intended to pervert the course of justice at Birmingham Crown Court.

Six months for sex attacker A Birmingham man who carried out a sex attack on a frightened Black Country woman after a heavy drinking session has been given a six-month jail term, suspended for 18 months. Manjit Nijjar, 44, of Handsworth, who was caught on CCTV carrying out the attack, was also ordered to register as a sex offender.

News in Brief Hospice opens Peace Room A Birmingham charity, St Mary’s Hospice, has opened a new Peace Room in recognition of the diversity of its patients and their families.

The launch event brought together representatives from major religions, each of whom offered their blessings and affirmations. Each year St Mary’s Hospice in Selly Park offers care and support to around 1,000 people with terminal conditions including cancer, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease and Aids. To find out more visit www.bsmh.org.uk

Call for talented volunteers Existing and emerging talent from the UK’s Indian community, particularly youth, are being encouraged to take part, on a voluntary basis, in the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Ram Katha Vedic Festival due to be held in Birmingham on September 10. Are you a musician, singer, dancer, solo, part of a band, or have you got a talent which you aspire to showcase in public? To find out more contact Ramanbhai N Parmar on 0121 474 4906 or email Bhima@ktc-edibles.co.uk

Toxic clay pills on sale Deadly clay tablets are being sold to pregnant women in Birmingham as a remedy for indigestion.

The toxic Sikor pills contain arsenic and lead and can cause miscarriages, premature and still births, cancer, kidney and brain damage. The sale of the tablets was discovered by undercover Birmingham Trading Standards officers at six stores in the Aston, Handsworth and Small Heath areas of the city. The practice of eating Sikor, “maati”, known as geophagy, is an ancient tradition that is still widespread in many parts of the world, particularly in India and Africa.

Understanding Hinduism A three-day festival of religious discourses and devotional songs is being held in Coventry, starting this Friday (Aug 5). The event, from 5pm to 9pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, has been organised by the local Shri Swaminarayan (BAPS) Temple in Heath Road as part of the Hindu holy month of Shravaan. Themes will include family values, the meaning of life and the power of God, each drawing links to the Hindu holy scriptures. For more information contact Pravinbhai Karia on 024 76 725567 or 07932 60 3696.

DIY Police Station Residents in the Quinton area of Birmingham who complained about the proposed closure of their local police station were left shocked after being told by a senior officer: “If you want to keep it, run it yourselves.” Sgt Jeff Doak told an astonished public meeting last Monday that the decision to ask volunteers to run the station in crime-hit Quinton was inspired by PM Cameron’s Big Society. “I’m flabbergasted. This is policing DIY,” said the ward’s appalled Labour Councillor John Clancey.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

Top A-level students to be offered incentives at university Students with top A-level grades are set to be offered cut-price courses and cash sums by universities desperate to attract them.

These deals are being aimed at pupils with grades of at least two A's and a B after the Government announced they can take-on as many students as they want as long as they meet those standards.

At Britain's top universities 85 per cent of

people will achieve those grades, meaning many will benefit from the bidding war.

Cash deals are already being offered in Essex and Kent to attract students for next year, where students getting three A's will get a £2,000 scholarship regardless of their financial circumstances.

Goldsmiths College in London is to waive the £9,000 fees for ten of the brightest students from the borough of Lewisham,

where it is based. De Montfort University in Leicester is also offering £1,000 to students with AAB grades or above at A-level.

Meanwhile it seems students going to less prestigious universities will also benefit from a fee cap of £7,500.

Universities Minister David Willetts has taken 20,000 student places and put them in a central pool only for institutions up to that price bracket

Go-getter Asians flock to grammars Ambitious immigrants and ethnic minority families are challenging the stranglehold of the white middle classes on grammar schools as they use selective education to move up the social ladder.

New government figures have shown that in big cities some groups, particularly Indians and Chinese, have far higher numbers of children in grammar schools than would be suggested by their share of the overall population.

Experts believe immigrants and ethnic-minority parents are far more likely than their white workingclass counterparts to see education as a way to

advance themselves in society.

While white grammarschool children, who remain the biggest group, are more likely to be middle class, those from minorities often come from far poorer backgrounds. The government analysis which covers Greater London, the Black Country and Greater Manchester shows that, in the capital, 12% of grammar-school children are of Indian origin, twice the proportion of Indians in the capital’s schools overall. Children of Chinese origin account for 4% four times their overall proportion.

The difference is simi-

larly striking in the West Midlands, excluding Birmingham, where 19% of those bright enough to win grammar-school places are ethnically Indian, although they make up just 9% of all children in the region.

Only in Manchester are Indians slightly underrepresented.

In all three areas children from African and Caribbean families are the most underrepresented group in grammar schools.

At Queen Mary’s, a grammar in Walsall, 47% of children are Indian; in a nearby comprehensive their proportion is just 5%.

Asian Voice Youth Conference This Saturday 6th August, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar have organised Asian Voice Youth Conference at 8187 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7NQ. It is designed as a free-workshop based conference for young people, to help them at such a critical moment their lives, to guide and advise them on particular decisions, whether that be in education, career or simply how to cope with stress.

With tuition fees soaring and the job market suffering (as well as pressure from parents!), it is understandable that most young people will be feeling anxious. The workshop will give them a chance to come and clear their doubts as well as listen to what the professional speakers have to say.

The Speakers attending the event are: l Supriyo Chaudhuri, the Head of Education at LondonSAM l Cllr Sachin Shah, a Labour councillor in Harrow, who also works for the chari ty Parkinson’s UK. l Mamta Saha, the Director of Think Spa London l Amit Sodha, a life coach and associate at Think Spa London. l Pratik Dattani, an economist at FTI Consulting and Chairman of the City Hindus Network. l Cllr Sachin Rajput, a barrister and a Conservative Party politician. l Divya Talwar, a reporter for BBC news specialising in original journalism.

Compere for the afternoon is - Aekta Mahajan, Strategy Development Manager for the Home Office(IPS) Coordinators: Tanveer Mann, Editorial Intern & Rupanjana Dutta, Associate Editor, Asian Voice.

Entry based on PRIOR registration ONLY. For more information contact Rupanjana at rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com /020 7749 4098.

Getting married this autumn?

The Garden Productions, an independent production company founded last year by the team who made the BAFTA awardwinning series One Born Every Minute and more recently, 24 Hours in A&E are making an exciting new series for Channel 4

about love.

This intelligent and sensitive series will reflect relationships throughout a lifetime – from the first kiss to the final farewell and everything else in between. They are now looking to hear from couples who are getting mar-

ried this autumn and whose families have been involved in their choice of partner.

To find out more and for an informal chat, please call 0203 465 9060 and ask for Anna, or email anna.dangoor@thegardenproductions.tv

Celebrate the strength of the family One in four of us will be affected by a mental health problem at some point in our lives.

Stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health can often leave people feeling ashamed and unable to talk about it. Here, 31 year old Chirau talks about being diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and how the support of his cousin Kaanan has helped him become stronger and open up about his mental illness.

Chirau: “I was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 1998, around my 18th birthday.

Before that I had been in and out of hospital and so when a diagnosis came, it was a huge shock for my family, but it meant that I would finally be able to get some help.

“At first I used to throw away my medication as I didn’t feel I needed it or that it would make a difference. It took me a while to realise that my doctor would only prescribe me with treatment that would help me get better and improve my condition. With the help of a strong family network and support from Kaanan I started taking the medication and over time, things started to improve. “ “I have known my cousin Kaanan my whole life and like a sister, we used to play games together and fight over toys like siblings do.

She has been an amazing friend to me over the years and always supports me on hospital appointments. She is there for me during the good and bad times.

“There is definitely still a lot of ignorance and misunderstanding around mental health,

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especially within the Asian community. People feel awkward talking about it and I often find that if I tell strangers that I have a mental illness they become tongue tied and don’t know what to say. The key is to treat us the same as any other human being, we have a condition that is treatable just like any other illness.”

temple, helping out around the house and playing football. He wants others to understand that by combining professional mental health support and a caring family, things can and do improve. Chirau has come such a long way and is now even thinking about starting a BTEC in Science.

Kaanan: “When Chirau was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, it was a huge shock for all the family. It was hard for us to understand what it meant to have his condition and we didn’t know how to help. I know more about it now, as I’m doing a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. However, you don’t have to be an expert on mental health, just being there for someone and listening to them is sometimes all they need.

Stigma surrounding mental health problems is often perpetuated because people do not understand them enough. I think it’s good to remember that a person does not choose an illness and it’s not their fault. Being open and honest about a mental health problem can break down barriers and help people to accept and understand what they are going through.

“Chirau has been so strong. He works hard to live a healthy life, doing things like visiting the

It’s time to talk, it’s Time to Change. To find out more about ending mental health stigma please visit www.time-to-change.org.uk

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YOUR VOICE Sikhs and Hindu teenagers

Hindu and Sikh teenagers more likely to go to University is pleasant but not surprising news. These teenagers are blessed with parents’ strong marriage ties, stable family, and loving grand parents that steers them on path of progress, to excel in peer competition, and resist evil practices rampant among co-students.

Religious, cultural and ethical instructions are also imbibed and emulated by Hindu and Sikh teenagers with help of spiritual icons as role models. Such mind set enables them to perform well in schools to target admission in university.

Yet CB Patel’s -eye opener- comments in “Jivan Panth” about children turning apathetic towards family ties, separatist and indifferent to parents’ hard workmay be tip of the iceberg.

It is effect of multiple translations, transformation and multi-religious/cultural/social environment. Evil effect of TV soap, films, body-exposing fashion etc also makes teenagers feel their heritage and parental behaviour as incongruent.

Religious gurus from India must translate Hinduism, Hindu values and way of life in modern and post modern terms, to demonstrate that only these values can help to live clean and healthy life.

These must be linked with pride in Bharatiya (Indian) heritage.

Short term pleasures and easy going life lead to unsavoury future.

Ramesh Jhalla Via Email

Issues remain unsettled I wanted to communicate earlier after watching CBlive on MATV when CB had Live Phone In session.

I was quite pleased that quality of the questions asked were subjective and responded well by CB but what happens after these questions are asked, who will follow up?

Issue remains that Hindus/Gujaratis lack united front or any Organisation which truly represents voice of Hindus or Gujaratis.

Few months ago I did express my views in Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar siting same issues raised by few callers that Hindus/Gujaratis need some one or an Organisation to take up issues affecting them.

I see no credible Organisation which has the courage or conviction to champion for issues affecting Hindus/Gujaratis hence I again emphasise strongly that Gujarat Samachar/Asian Voice undertakes to do so or form an action committee which can represent the Hindus/Gujaratis without being aligned to any Organisation/s.

ABPL have the capability and contacts to form such issue based committee which will achieve far more than any Organisation which exists in UK today.

I think every week CB should allocate 10 minutes for Q+A in CB Live Programme (MATV).

CJ Rabheru Via Email

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

Lokepal or Jokepal Bill?

Osborne-Mukherjee talks

Indian government’s draft on Lokpal bill to be submitted to the current parliamentary session is a joke. The bill does not include even one demand made by Anna Hazare and his team. The bill excludes the Prime Minister and his office, top civil servants, politicians, judges and so on.

The exclusion of Prime Minister and his office is a deliberate attempt to hide the corruption charges originate from the top level. Jayalalitha the newly elected Chief Minister has asked Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh to answer the charges levied against them. Under the proposed new bill nobody can raise the 2G scam.

The judges are exempted by the new Lokpal bill. The former Chief justice of India Mr. Balakrishnan was found to be corrupt in helping his son to buy land and being Dalit he was appointed as the Chair Person of Minority Commission and his son is a leading member of the congress party. Justice Dinakaran from Karnataka High Court was found to be involved in landing dealing. These people are exempted from corruption charges.

The Commission set by the central government under Justice Banerjee in 2005 came to the conclusion that Godhra carnage was ‘accidental’ and had no external output. On the other hand justice Nanavati Commission appointed by Modi government after several years of enquiry came to the conclusion that the train fire was a ‘premeditated event.’ The new Lokpal bill will prevent the public to challenge the dubious and dodgy report produced by Banerjee which is more political rather than the real truth.

The present Lokpal bill produced by the UPA government is a Jokepal bill.

I read the news about OsborneMukherjee talks in Asian Voice (30th July, pg 7). We understand Britain is planning for investment in India et all, but what I don't understand is why is Britain investing outside or planning to bail out Greece, when they should put their house in order first?

The Coalition government must realise we need money in the country.

When the petrol prices are soaring up in the UK, the government is venturing out elsewhere. How wise is that? We always believe that charity begins at home, but we don't see that happening, at least in case of Britain!

The Chilcot enquiry shows how Tony Blair's alliance with George Bush and America landed us in a soup. Though the official figure states Britain has lost much less soldiers than the US in Iraq, but that is not the reality we all know. We must realise that, we have lost so much of money and men in a power war that is not even ours. The ministers are supposed to be clever- doing best for their country. But I feel UK government has grown a tendency over the years to overlook public good to achieve their personal agendas.

Vidya Bhargav London

Arun Vaidyanathan Via Email

Briefcase and Brolly Brigade I refer to Dinesh Sheth's letter, "Briefcase and Brolly Brigade", which appeared in the Asian Voice, Issue 10, dated 9th July to 15 July 2011.

I too was a Civil Servant, 'till recently.

His argument to Civil Service pensions is a valid point. I should also point out another aspect of such hypocrisy. This in regard to Civil Service pay. Why is it that no comparison is being made between the private sector and the civil service.

The Unions have for years have argued for such comparisons to be made during pay negotiations, but successive governments have been reluctant to negotiate on that basis.

But when it comes to Pensions, they base their attack to our so called "generous" pensions by comparing between Private sector and Public Sector.

Currently the Civil Servants are on a second year of their 3 year pay freeze. I wonder how many private sectors are on the similar pay freeze.

Mohindra Master Via Email

Musharraf plans to return to Pakistan?

In recent media report I read that Mr Musharraf planned to return to Pak politics after self imposed political exile in the UK and his return is like entry to the Dragon's den!

He has been already framed with various criminals and corruption charges, His return will create volatile and hostile public reaction. Musharraf reckons his relationship with Zardari was congenial.

Zardari never supported extradition of Musharraf for any court appearances in Pakistan even for murder charges of his wife. Zardari cannot guarantee safe return particularly during peak of election period. It is unwise of Musharaff should play cards safely other wise he may be digging his own grave!

Dr K R N Moorthy Handworth

India and cricket The way, Team India performed recently, has put me in doubt over it's 1st rank in Test Cricket. Defending 200 runs gets risky for the Men in Blue. Apart from Rahul Dravid, neither a bowler nor a batsman has put an impressive performance so far. It is understandable that the conditions are pretty different compared to the sub-continent; it's all about delivering your best in different domains.

India has almost 7 batsmen to play for; still they can't compete promptly.

Kevin Peterson, recently, has said that this series (i.e.India Vs England) is not as exciting as the Ashes. And I completely agree with Kevin. After a couple of days or so, the match seemed almost one sided and it lacked any sort of fight back from the opposition.

Devang Bhatt Harrow, London

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‘Smile Pinky’ too gets the Oscar Boyle says Mumbai dwarfed the statuette

E-mail: support@abplgroup.com

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

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

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

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

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Any one who is even remotely economically literate would know that US is bankrupt for all practical purpose. Yet US is refusing to admit it, borrowing some $3 billion a day, increasing its debt by $1 billion every four hours. Every 42 cents in a dollar US spends is borrowed money.

Iraq war is not about oil but Gaddafi advocating that Middle East oil producing countries should refuse to accept dollar and demand payment in gold. China is in an unenvious position, holding most dollar bonds that may one day become junk bonds. So it is no wonder China is off loading dollars and buying tangible assets, mining companies and large landmasses in Africa, Australia and South America.

With US interest and influence in Pakistan on the wane, China expanding its naval force by leaps and bounds that will make mighty US Navy irreverent in thirty years’ time, laying claims on vast areas in China Sea and along her borders with India, Vietnam and most countries bordering China, US knows that only a well armed and economically prosperous India could thwart China’s evil intention of world domination.

But India is hampered on two fronts, internal and Pakistani sponsored terrorism, appeasement and corrupt, inapt government. Winston Churchill, referring to Hitler appeasement, once said that “An appeaser is some one who feeds a crocodile, hoping that it will eat him last.”

Perhaps that is what Sonia Gandhi and Congress thinks about terrorism.

Bhupendra M Gandhi Via Email

Clash of the Titans The two mighty giants of cricket – India, the world cup winner and England, the Ashes winner are battling it out on English soil for the top spot in cricket.

India wants to maintain its number one spot whereas England desires to topple them and claim the number one position.

It would be very interesting to see the end result. Who would be the champions?

This however puts me in a dilemma and reminds me of the cricket test or Tebbit test as it was known at the time. Mr Tebbit, a minister of the Government in his heydays, had said: "A large proportion of Britain's Asian population fail to pass the cricket test. Which side do they cheer for? Are they still harking back to where they came from or where they are?"

We are originally Indians who have made England their home. So should we support our motherland or should we support our adopted country? Every time India plays against England, I am faced with this dilemma. Your other contributors may have views on this. England is already ahead of the game having won the first test at Lords. Lets wait and watch with abated breath who comes out at the top?

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

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Health Watch

US intransigent policy failure

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UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

11

Gujarat's Speaker Ganpatbhai Vasava honoured in London for his achievements Kamal Rao Purvi Shah Gujarat State Assembly Speaker Ganpatbhai Vasava was in London to attend the Commonwealth Parliament Conference.

Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice organised an evening reception to honour Mr Vasava and his family. Along with dignitaries from various fileds, Baroness Sandip Verma, Minister for International Development, Minister for Equalities and Women and also the Whip in the Cabinet office, House of Mr Subhash Lords.

Thakrar, London Chamber of Commerce Chairman were also present.

After a Gujarati buffet dinner, the program began with the usual enthusias-

CB Patel, Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar welcoming all the guests

tic spirit of CB Patel who introduced Mr Vasava to the guests present. Tanvir Mann, Editorial Intern at Asian Voice and a student at McGill University in Canada, garlanded and formally welcomed Mr Vasava. While Vaidehi, daughter of Mr Vasava

Vaidehi, daughter of Ganpatbhai Vasava, garlanding Baroness Sandip Verma

garlanded and honoured Baroness Sandip Varma and touched her feet.

The Coffe table book “Love Gujarat” published

by Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice was presented

by Baroness Varma to Mr Vasava, as a gift from ABPL. This was followed by a melodious bhajan-kirtan

by Gujarat’s popular Singer Shri Vinod Patel.

Chief guest Baroness Sandip Varma, said “I was not able to understand the language much. But its melody touched my heart.

The lyrics, which I understood made me think that if we compare ourselves to the ocean and its waves, we can also come together and our unity can change a lot in the community. As the lyrics rightly says, one

bangle cannot make noise.

We need to be like that bunch of bangles, that can create a ripple with unity."

Mr Vasava was happy to see that the Indians living abroad still practice and preserve their traditions. He said, “This is difficult and that too when we are in the 21st century.

If we keep on getting such amazing support and inspiration from all the Gujaratis settled abroad then it is for sure that our Gujarati culture will live for ever."

Ganpatbhai Vasava, is the first in history of

Tanveer Mann garlanding Mr Vasava

it this far, it’s a proud moment to see our fraternity participating in British Parliamentary said Dr conference, Gautam Chakravarti,

Baroness Sandip Verma addressing the audience

Gujarat to get the post of State Assembly speaker at age of 39 yrs. “ Its amazing that a person from a small place can make such a huge difference, a tribal son of farmer family coming all the way and making

Secretary, General Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organisations, UK. Astrologer and social activist Shri Bharatbhai Vyas said “Ganpatbhai

and his brother Amarsinghbhai are Mahatmas of the Adivasi region. They have solved people’s problems without keeping any discrimination of caste and creed.

They have done lot for the tribal community, they also arrange 'Samuhlagna' for them."

Shri Rajnibhai Vaghela said, "His progress is not an overnight miracle, but his constant efforts and hard work is the key to his success."

Subhashbhai Thakrar, Chairman-London Chamber of commerce heartily congratulated Mr Vasava and said, "The post of Gujarat Assembly Speaker is extremely powerful. He has the right to even stop the Chief Minister and the Opposition party in the Assembly.

Continued on page 15

12

MEDIA WATCH

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

Scrutator’s Pakistan's new Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, a glamorous 34-year-old mother of two, and member of a powerful, Punjab-based political clan – her uncle Mustafa Khar was one of the late prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's most trusted aides in the 1960s and 70s – created a stir in New Delhi among the paparazzi, when she arrived for talks with her Indian counterpart, the 79-year-old S.M.Krishna, who, The Daily Dean Telegraph's Nelson remarked puckishly, was “old enough to be her grandfather” (July 28).

The IndoPakistan pour parlers apparently went off well, “sweeping India off its feet and into a 'new era' of trade and co-operation in the war on terrorism.”

Mr Nelson, as bowled over as the rest, it would appear, wrote that Ms Khar's “ a p p e a r a n c e S.M.Krishna with Hina Rabbani Khar appeared to vindicate President Asif Ali Zardari's decision to nominate her as foreign minister in the hope that it would 'send positive signals about the soft image of Pakistan.' Her own comments on a 'mindset change' and a 'new era in bilateral cooperation' reflected the same theme. 'A new generation of Indians and Pakistanis will see a relationship that will hopefully be much different from the one experienced in the last two decades', she said.....Yesterday's talks did not produce a breakthrough on Kashmir, but agreed a series of confidence building measures to double trade over the Line of Control.” Deja vu. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto struck a similar note at the Simla Conference with Indira Gandhi in the summer of 1972, and his daughter Benazir did the same during Rajiv Gandhi's visit to Pakistan in the late 1980s. Pakistan is yet to arrest those responsible for the Mumbai terror attack on 26/11 2008.

Cautionary wisdom Truth is the military and ISI call the shots in Pakistan. They did so when Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee embarked on his famous “peace mission” to Islamabad in the spring of 1999, the exercise being derailed

by General Pervez Musharraf with his military misadventure on the Kargil heights. General Musharraf then conducted a coup against Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan's civilian prime minister at the time.

Seema Goswami, a leading Indian social commentator, said she feared the brouhaha about Mrs Khar's good looks and designer clothes could reduce the serious business of statecraft to a fashion show. “We're so obsessed with her designer bag and clothes that we forget she first held talks with the Hurriyat [Kashmiri Islamist separatists].

She could be Pakistan's new weapon of distraction,” said Ms Goswami, whose brains are a welcome antidote to the vacuity of the capital's gawping males bewitched by the sinuous form on the catwalk.

Naik fires broadside Air Chief Marshal P.V.Naik, who retired at the weekend, spoke a few home truths during a press conference in New Delhi at which he was quizzed on Pakistan's muscle-flexing over its short-range 'Nasr' missile, which is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. Neither the

missile nor Pakistan's expanding nuclear arsenal was worrisome, he said. The retiring Air Chief Marshal reminded his audience that India was wedded to a 'no first use' policy on nuclear weapons. That said, it was also Indian policy to respond to any nuclear attack from Pakistan with “heavy retaliation”.

Referring to Pakistan's Nasr missile, he denied it was a 'game changer' as was being peddled in Islamabad. However, “tactical or strategic, it is a nuclear weapon.

So, obviously our response would be absolutely violent as per our existing policy,”said Air Chief Marshal Naik.

Canada upbeat A top Canadian bank has urged investors to enter the Indian market. India's growth was unstoppable and Canada should be a key partner in that economic growth, said speakers at the roundtable organised by the Bank of Montreal, one of Canada's top five banks.

“We believe that the ongoing impressive expansion of the Indian economy will mean continued strong returns for those seeking to invest in its markets,” said Serge Pepin, head of investments at BMO Investments Inc, at the Canada-India Trade and Investment Media Roundtable.

He said: “India offers long-term returns on stocks that are as good, if not better, than China's.

India is still quite under-invested. There are opportunities for Canadian investors to partici-

pate in and benefit from that growth.”

Stressing the importance of ongoing talks between the two countries for a free trade agreement, Canada-India Business Council President Rana Sarkar said India and Canada should continue the momentum until the deal was reached. “Eighty per cent of the India of 2030 is not yet built. Something very profound is happening, with growth taking off over the next decade. This is the chance for Canadian investors and businesses to get access to the opportunities this brings,” said Mr Sarkar (Times of India July 16).

Indonesia to Gujarat A report in the New York Times

by Jim Yardley and Vikas Bajaj (July 27) describes how a ship named “Vanshi”, on a two-week voyage across the Indian Ocean

Bihar hero Bihar and India's larger-than-life hero is mathematician Anand Kumar. Born into a family of modest means in January 1973, he grew into an accomplished mathematician and was offered a place at Cambridge University in 1992, which he was unable to take up for lack of

Gautam Adani

was carrying coal from Indonesia to the port of Mundra in Gujarat. They write: “For Gautam Adani, the power mogul, the answer was simple.

He owns the Indonesian coal mine, the Korean-made cargo ship (named for his niece “Vanshi”), the Indian power plant and most important, the

Anand Kumar

at its favourite bete noire (July 30) contrasted New Delhi's 'bullying' of India's neighbours with China's 'smiling' diplomacy towards them. You don't say?

The burra sahibs are clearly unaware of Mentor Minister of Singapore Lee Kwan Yew's remark that, while India's rise had caused no concern in Singapore's neighbourhood Beijing's increasing heft coupled with its belligerent claim to the South China Sea had given rise to alarm in the region. Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and Brunei have closed ranks in the growing confrontation with the colossus to the north.

It is all of a piece with the paper's past record. On the eve of its general election of December 1989, The Economist warned that India was planning a war with her neighbours in a bid to keep the country breaking up. In the mid-1990s, the magazine claimed that Indians loved killing, why else would there be so many Victoria Crosses among Indian troops in the Second World War. Its sympathies appeared to lie with the Islamist bombers of the Mumbai suburban train in July 2006, saying Indian policy on Kashmir was the problem. As for the recent bombings in Mumbai, The Economist (July 16) put this down to “anti-Muslim pogroms” in Gujarart and the alleged “illtreatment of Muslims in Kashmir”. Joseph Goebbels couldn't have done better.

Naval chief in Russia

Teaching Mathematical to students in Patna

finance. While graduating at Patna University, he published important papers on Number Theory, which were published in the prestigious journals in the West such as Mathematical Spectrum and The Mathematical Gazette.

In 1992, Mr Kumar started teaching mathematics, beginning his own institute, which he named the Ramanujan School of Mathematics, after the legendary Srinivas Ramanunan. Mr Kumar's earliest classes in Patna attracted modest numbers, but as his reputation spread the numbers grew. And then in a moment of inspiration, he decided to hold classes for 30 of the best students – Super 30 - wishing take the entrance examinations to the famed Indian Institutes of Technology. Bihar with its crumbling education system and widespread poverty was an unlikely source of recruitment. But the miracle came to pass and Mr Kumar's students have been making the grade to the IITs, much to the astonishment of the rest of India and the world beyond.

Television's Discovery Channel, the New York Times, Newsweek and Time Magazine have all run stories on the remarkable Anand Kumar. Time selected Mr Kumar's Super 30 school as the best in Asia. He now has the recognition he deserves (The Globe and Mail, Canada June 29).

The Chief of India's Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma has been on a week-long visit to Russia, taking in the country's naval facilities, where major Indian projects are underway.

Besides visiting the headquartersss of the Russian North Sea and Pacific Fleets and the White Sea base, Admiral Verma called at the Sevmash shipyard to assess the progress made in fitting out the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya; he also visited Vladivostok in Russia's Far East, where the MiG 29s are being built for use on the aircraft carrier.

private Mundra port. He owns coal mines and a major port in Australia, and has built his own private railroad in India. His business plan is to do as much as possible without relying” on things simply working out in India, where ironically there are abundant reserves of coal, although of inferior quality to Indonesia's and Australia's.

“He is able to do well partly because he is very entrepreneurial and he found the right opportunity,” said Eswar Prasad, an economic adviser to the Indian Finance Ministry. “He is able to deliver something more effectively than the state.”

Messrs Yardly and Bajaj again: “The rise of Mr Adani attests to a broader shift, as the private sector is playing a greater role in areas once controlled by the state like telecommunications, Chief of India's Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal ports, airports, banks Verma (right) with host Admiral Sergeyevich and infrastructure. .....Mr Adani recently Vysotsky, Chief of the Russian Naval Staff in Moscow had to outbid the Chinese for his Australian port.”

Admiral Verma also visited

Baiting India The Economist is arguably the most persistent India-baiting publication in the British media.

The magazine's latest broadside

the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad (on the Baltic Sea), where India's Talwar class frigates, such as INS Teg, are under construction as part of a follow-up project to the earlier ships.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

Political Sketchbook Alpesh Patel’s The Politics of Patriotism and Cricket Like me, you probably watched the cricket. Although born in England, I feel I have earned the right to support India.

After all, I’ve suffered enough haven’t I supporting England in the football. I’m allowed India in the cricket surely? But oh no. I choose to support India in the cricket just as England trounce them.

Should have stuck to India in the football and England in the cricket.

Anyway, when else do I get the chance to support India in sport – the land of my ancestors? And surely, as any Man Utd supporter in Thailand will tell you, you don’t need to be born in the team’s neighborhood to support it. Anyway, in supporting India I am not against England, just with India. All this is just me showing that my IQ is significantly higher than Norman Tebbitts – no it really is.

But what of patriotism? Patriotism should be made of greater things.

They say when you will something – the even the Gods join in. So it is I decided a few weeks ago to see what I could do to help eradicate child sex slavery in India. And as I made that personal decision, so it was people came out of the woodwork to help – as if the Gods had joined in. For instance, this past week, at a Law School reunion, together with a fellow Barrister, with whom I studied Law and went to Bar School and worked in Washington DC, we decided that we would seek in the next five years to end child sex slavery in India. We both turned 40 this year and it seemed a worthy thing to do. The kind of thing barristers do. Thankfully there are many organisations undertaking this task. But actually – it is worrying there needs to be so many organisations undertaking this task. And then to my horror I discover it is not just in

India but in England sex trafficking happens too – as Kapil from this paper pointed out to me.

So as the media looks up its own behind because a few precious minor celebs had their boring and trivial voicemails hacked. And we justly enjoy (depending on who you support) the cricket, what of the things that matter?

What of the child sex trafficking in England? Our Police Commissioners are too busy resigning over phone messaging systems sadly.

Why does England need the likes of RowForFreedom.com – a group of ladies rowing the Atlantic to raise funds for charities to combat this sex trafficking? Why is all Parliamentary Select Committee work not halted until this scourge is eradicated.

And what of in India – where I surmise their politicians care a heck of a lot less about their country measured by the levels of corruption – how will they ever eradicate child sex slavery?

So it is, I am sorry, but I cannot with pride salute the England or Indian flags in the cricket – because in both my countries – this problem exists. But instead of whining, it is for me to get on with doing something about it.

So join me, whether you are an English or Indian patriot or a patriot of both countries. Do me a favour and look up these sites and do something that will make you more proud of your country than their winning a cricket match ever will.

The sites I want you to visit: www.rowforfreedom.com and www.beulahlondon.com . These are patriots beyond measure and they can support whoever they want in the cricket!

Alpesh Patel www.facebook.com/alpeshp1

Migrant spouses to face English language test Immigrants from outside the European Union will have to take an English language test before they can come to Britain to marry or join their partner.

Under plans to announced by the Home Office on Monday, spouses and unmarried couples already in the UK will also have to prove they

can speak English from this autumn.

Visas will not be issued until the migrants demonstrate they can speak English at the same level required of skilled workers under the points system, which aims to equip them for everyday life in Britain.

Migrants from Indian, Pakistan and Bangladesh

are likely to be especially affected.

Those wishing to enter the country as a spouse or partner must also show that their partnership is genuine and that they can support themselves financially.

Partners can apply first for a two-year settlement visa, then for indefinite leave to remain.

Starstruck Switzerland Bollywood has always favoured Switzerland to flaunt its picturesque scenery.

After Kashmir's political unrest closed its doors to Bollywood, Switzerland became the next sought after destination. Spots like Engelberg are a hot favourite amongst location hunters. Whether it's Govinda's comic relief, Shahrukh's romantic choreography or Akshay's breathtaking stuntsall have seen Switzerland's best of best places.

On Mount Titlis you can actually see a man-size cardboard cut out of Shahrukh and Kajol from a DDLJ song sequence. Whether Chinese or Indian- nobody forgets to stop by to take a photo with the King Khan, even after 16 years of its release!

But then Switzerland is just not about Bollywood, it has a network of transports and variety of tickets available that connects foreign visitors to lots of interesting destinations and excursions. Whether it is Wellness, Waterfalls, Food or following in the footsteps of film stars – everything can be easily reached and explored.

Alpine Wellness Recharge your batteries with a Wellness holiday in the Swiss mountains. Alpine Wellness can mean anything from enjoying a ‘thermal’ bath while breathing fresh mountain air and taking in the view of the surrounding alpine scenery, to beauty and fitness treatments, to simply finishing off a days’ walking or hiking with a relaxing massage or soothing aroma bath.

Switzerland offers a wide choice of Wellness hotels right in the mountains, and what better way is there than a short break or a weeks’ stay to boost your energy levels? Leukerbad, for example, is the biggest Wellness destination in the Alps where every day 4 million litres of water replenish the resorts’ twenty two thermal pools amid a backdrop of snow topped mountain peaks.

Waterfalls Switzerland boasts not only the biggest waterfall in Europe but also Europe’s largest subterranean water-

falls and even a valley of 72 waterfalls.

The mighty Rhine Falls – Europe’s largest waterfall – can easily be reached from Zurich within an hour.

Among these the subterranean waterfalls of the Truemmelbach Falls are definitely worth a visit. They are the world’s only glacier waterfalls that are accessible underground by lift, galleries, tunnels, paths and platforms.

For Sherlock Holmes fans a visit to the Reichenbach Falls near Meiringen, where the detective famously staged his own death, is an absolute must.

Cheese, Chocolate and Cookies Excursions for the whole family to enjoy should at some point or the other involve chocolate or at least cookies. Both keep children smiling, especially when they not only can watch them being made but are also allowed to taste them.

A firm favourite among those excursions is the Chocolate Train from Montreux to Gruyère. In the morning enjoy coffee and croissants on the train, visit a cheese making demonstration, explore Gruyère castle and visit the NestléCailler ‘ World of Chocolate’ in Broc for some chocolate making and tasting.

Families are welcome

Throughout Switzerland you will find special ‘Family welcome’ resorts and attraction parks offering activities and programmes specially created for children. Theme-trails, adventure parks, sports or even pizza baking, there are all sorts of leisure activities. Each family resort offers a variety of option – however not always available in English. Travelling to these locations use one of the fabulous Swiss Travel System tickets which will entitle you to a free Family Card allowing your children under 16 years of age to travel free.

Moreover groups of 6 people or more can benefit from special group rates tailormade to their itinerary.

Muslim Aid launches a national Ramadan Charity campaign International British charity Muslim Aid has launched a national Ramadan Charity campaign with the support of Asda superstores across London, Birmingham and Manchester. The campaign will see Muslim Aid volunteers give their time to help customers at Asda stores pack their shopping

at till points and in return raise money and awareness to tackle global poverty.

The campaign was launched on 19 July at Asda’s Hounslow store in London.

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COMMUNITY

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

Women take centre stage in the East Midlands

By Meera Majithia Leicester played host to the first Asian women’s conference – predominantly for Gujarati people, over the weekend.

Held at the Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre on Rothley Street, Leicester on Saturday 30th July, the event brought together a number of successful women from various sectors to voice their opinions and debate on issues such as healthcare for the elderly and domestic violence in the home.

Chaired by Baroness Sandip Verma, the ladies on the panel included; Kokila Patel, Managing Editor of Gujarat Samachar and event coor-

they will eat us up. I’m really thankful to you all, you have opened up our eyes. These are the things we don’t normally talk about.”

While some of the discussions were quite emotional, the ladies managed to successfully raise awareness of the issues with the audience members and later opened the floor for comments and suggestions from the listeners.

Formalities for the days proceedings began at 2.30pm with prayers and lasted until 6.45pm.

Things began with a Karma Yogi Sanmaan ceremony for various members of the community, after which attendees were

Baroness Verma presenting the Karma Yogi Sanmaan to Chandrika Sheth

Continued from page 1 Dr Chai Patel who has done plenty for the community, in an recent interview with The Daily Telegraph said he would like to donate the money he loaned to Labour party for charitable causes. Dr Patel who has been Labour's biggest financial supporters has disassociated himself from the party and has asked for his money back so that he can use it in philanthropy.

Dr Patel is one of the 12 businessmen, whom the Labour party is yet to pay back the loan and are asked to do so by 2016. This makes the party financially dependent on the big unions ahead of the next elections as businessmen pull their supports back!

In an interview with Christopher Hope, The Daily Telegraph, Dr Patel

nominated by our readers and selected by a panel of judges. The recipients of the award were Cllr Manjula Sood, Don Kotak, Ashaben Nathwani, Manilalbhai

Baroness Verma presenting the Karma Yogi Sanmaan to Thakershi Morjaria

Baroness Verma presenting the Karma Yogi Sanmaan to Leelaben Koya

dinator Nina Patel, Smita Patel, Sobha Joshi, Meera Trivedi, Rita Saujani, and Cllr Manjula Sood.

Speaking at the discussion, the Publisher/Editor of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice, CB Patel said: “If we don’t try to shed light on these issues

Kokila Patel, Managing Editor of Gujarat Samachar

Baroness Verma presenting the Karma Yogi Sanmaan to Manilal Samani

Baroness Verma and Cllr Sood presenting Karma Yogi Sanmaan to Dr Sunitiben Raivadera

treated to some tasty chai and bhajias, before the women’s conference began.

The Karma Yogi Sanmaan honoured individuals from the East Midlands for their dedication and work within their own communities.

The winners were

CB Patel, Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar addressing the audience

Baroness Verma presenting the Karma Yogi Sanmaan to Ashaben Nathnani

Cllr Manjula Sood with her Karma Yogi Sanmaan and Markas Solanki

Baroness Sandip Verma being presented with a bouquet of flowers by Nina Patel

Samani, Chandrikaben Sheth, Thakersibhai Morjaria, Leelaben Morjaria, Dr Sunitiben Raivadera and Induben Shroff.

Winners were presented with their awards by Baroness Sandip Verma and invited on stage to say a few words.

On receiving her

award, Cllr Manjula Sood said: “I feel very honoured and humbled about receiving this award. For the last 40 years I have been here and I dedicate this award to many women who face challenges in life and hope this inspires them.

“I also want to take this opportunity to urge everyone to support their sisters and daughters and

Kokila Patel, Jyotsna Shah, Cllr Sood, Baroness Verma, Shobha Joshi, Rita Saujani, Smita Patel

encourage them to get an education as education is the key to success.”

Event coordinator Nina Patel said: “In the Midlands we don’t have the opportunity to acknowledge Gujarati people with awards and give them recognition for their work, so this event is

an opportunity to do that, organised by Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice. It is taking place in Leicester for the very first time and this is a great thing because there are so many people here who are unable to stravel up to London for various reasons.”

Millionaire donor demands money back to give away in charity said that £800,000 of his original £1.5mn loan has been repaid, and given to the veterans' charity Combat Stress and to his own foundation. Dr Patel further said, "I agreed that the loan could be repaid upto 2016 and the interest will be rolled out and payments will be in instalments.

I decided that at least £1mn of the loan would go t servicemen's issues. The interest was rolled up. By the time it comes back, it will be £1.8mn."

Despite being a major Labour financial supporter, Dr Patel said he has never met Ed Miliband, the party leader, and rebuffed approaches from party workers to see if he would donate before the last general election. He added, "I

get invitations to go to the conference I get invitations occasionally for the gala dinners, things like that. I have not been to any.

I have no party political affiliation with anybody...I have not been to a party conference or anything like that since 2007...

I have moved on and I want to spend my money through foundation and the charitable work I am doing..."

Recently in CB Live Dr Patel also told the audience that he runs a family foundation of £5mn as well has other income and generously supports causes including charity Combat Stress.

Dr Chai Patel, founder of healthcare investment group Court Cavendish and former chief executive of The Priory rehab clinic –

which treated celebrities such as Kate Moss – is also teaming up with landlord NHP to form a new company to operate 249 Southern Cross homes.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Mr Patel has pledged to bring "absolute clarity" to the residents of the homes and invest in improving the properties, and he says he is "completely relaxed and comfortable" about the financial strength of the new operating company.

The venture between NHP and Court Cavendish will become one of Britain’s biggest care home groups.

In preparation for taking on the challenge, scheduled to begin on November 1, Dr Patel and his team are touring the Southern Cross homes. “I start every meet-

ing by saying there are only three things that we really need to do,” he explained.

“Improve the quality of our services and premises, improve the quality of our staff and their retention, and then, if we can win the hearts and minds of the local community, hopefully improve the occupancy in our homes.”

With 30 to 40 homes under embargoes from local authorities, Dr Patel is trying to establish which of properties urgently need investment and why. He intends to keep existing Southern Cross staff, but bring in new middle managers and improve training and development. There will be no closures of homes, he insists, despite less than half of the beds being occupied in some.

Dr Patel started his career as a provider of care in the NHS, before becoming an investor in the 1980s with the original Court Cavendish. He then rose to prominence at the turn of the century when, alongside Goldman Sachs, he acquired Westminster Health Care and Priory Group. However, controversy soon followed. Mr Patel was accused of being part of the “cash for honours” scandal after questions were asked about a loan he had made to the Labour Party. Mr Patel denied any wrongdoing but withdrew his name from the list of nominees for a peerage.

However, the GMC dropped its case after the High Court threw out the allegations.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

by Shree For more stories visit www.scribbledesk.com

Fairy God Mother

Wedding-Sutra

was snuggle. She met the fairy who asked for a drink,‘I am not your slave,’ cried eldest without a think. ‘You really are a witch, ’ said the fairy mother.

‘What wouldn’t I give to have you smothered.‘But I shall do something far, far worse, ’‘And lay upon you such a curse, ’‘That every time you open your mouth to speak, ’‘A toad or snake shall slither from your beak. ’With this curse, the eldest trundled home, The mother none too pleased, hit her with a comb. In anger, she turned the youngest out,Who ran into the forest with a pout. A passing prince heard her weep, And with a kick made his horse leap, Upon reaching the source of the sound.

He was taken with youngest’s beauty abound. Upon hearing her story and seeing the jewels, He thought the mother and eldest such fools. He had fallen in love with this pretty, young thing, And asked her to become Queen of the King. Youngest accepted and they lived happily ever after, While the eldest still spewed snakes for years thereafter.

Gujarat's Speaker Ganpatbhai Vasava honoured Continued from page 11 Undoubtedly Shri Vasava carries out his job with utmost efficiency. He has achieved this success at a very young age which is an inspiration for a lot of youth."

Following the short speeches by the guests, Shri Vasava spoke about his struggle and strength.

He said that there was a time when the developed countries did not even know about the basic amenities like clothing!

Yet there was India who could flaunt its wise men who had the power of knowledge. It was the time when Bhagwad Gita, Upnishad, Ramayan and Mahabharat were written.

It was the time when Swami Vivekanand went to America and enlightened people about our culture and religion.

He further added, "The

f ashionista

Be a Fashionista, Be You! If you have any questions or a story or a new style to share with us, please write to Shree at aveditorial@abplgroup.com

Short Story by Neha Garg There was, once upon a time, A mother and her two daughters in their prime.The mother and the eldest were both a witch, While the youngest was waiting for someone rich. As is usual in fairy tales,The mother and elder were lazy as snails. They made the youngest cook, clean and sew, Always quick with a stick or a blow.

One fine day did they tell, The poor girl to go fetch water from the well.

Now this well was a mile away,The water jug a ton did weigh. You would have gathered that mother and eldest did cherish, In the thought that youngest may perish. But to their dismay an hour later, The youngest struggled home, chest heaving with labour. ‘What took you so long?’ screamed the mother. ‘I am sorry,’ said youngest. ‘I met another.’‘She wanted a drink, I could not refuse,’‘This is the truth and not a ruse. ’The mother stood aghast, staring at her daughter,She had completely forgotten about the water.For pearls and diamonds sprang from youngest’s lips. And with this the mother could not come to grips. ‘What’s that?’ she screeched. ‘From where do they come? ’‘This is the boon of the woman, mum.’‘You see, the woman was really a fairy, ’‘She gave me this gift, in return for my gentry. ’‘Ah!’ said the mother, ‘But you are useless.’‘What a waste of a gift when not a talent do you possess. ’‘Tomorrow your elder sister shall go,’‘And win herself a boon aglow. ’So the next day, the eldest did struggle, When all she wanted to do

15

Ganpatbhai Vasava addressing the guests

credit for my progress and work goes to my brother Amarsigh Vasava. He was my sole support and guidance to bring me where I am today. I had lost the first election, but won 2002 and 2007 elections.

We have tried to help the villages and remotest places, especially the backward classes. My brother had started Manav Sahayat trust 20 years ago and we still do lot of social work.

Every new year we cel-

Mr Vasava gifting ‘Love Gujarat’ as a souvenir to Subhash Thakrar while Jyotsnaben Shah, Consulting Editor Gujarat Samachar looks on

ebrate sports festival for 2 days where more than 200,000 people get a chance to participate. We send cows from famine affected regions to farmers in South Gujarat. We have been successful in donating as many as 11,000 cows. Moreover we provide free food to 4000 starving people, tricycle for handicapped and many other social services."

When Ganpatbhai entered politics, never did he expect to get this post.

He recalls the time when he was just 4 yrs old, when Late Shri Ashokbhai Bhatt (former Speaker of Gujarat Assembly) was elected every year as the Assembly member. He said, "Such a dynamic person was in this post. I feel privileged to take his place. It's really a matter to appreciate when Chief Minister Narendra Modi chose a tribal villager like me for this post. He has realised my abilities and

I’m going to say this not only because I can, I really want to. ‘I am getting married’. Yes, taking the plunge, doing the deed, tying the knot. It’s happening early next summer and it actually felt slightly surreal to buy my first bridal magazine. Since the groom is Irish, I have the privilege of planning a two-part multi-cultural shebang and there’s so much to learn! I had no idea how big an industry this is and the sheer volume of resources available to anyone looking.

So, this post is a list of everything I have learnt and is dedicated to all bridesto-be, and to those who see a sparkle in their near future.

Dos: 1. Do start planning early. The best venues, photographers and florists get booked more than a year in advance. Nobody I know has actually been forced to cancel their wedding for lack of a venue, but err on the side of over-organisation and don’t cut it too close.

2. Do research. All girls have a vision of their perfect wedding. Some actually write theirs down and make blogs out of them which are incredibly informative. Buy magazines, join bridal networks...you will amazed at the freshness of ideas.

3. Do dare to veer from tradition. You don’t have to wear a red lehenga or have a six course wedding breakfast if you don’t want to. Go on and buy that baby-blue sari. Have a barbeque. Say no to a

given me a chance and I am trying to do my best."

Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice are more than simply news weeklies.

They contribute largely to the society and its development. Saying this, Shrimati Jyotshnaben Shah, Consulting Editor Gujarat Samachar encouraged all to subscribe and

ton of gold jewellery and wear pearls instead.

4. Do go vintage. Oldschool decadence is huge right now. Think yesteryears movie star glamour.

Pick an era and stick to it to avoid a busy mish-

mash. Do your hair in a Veronica Lake wave, throw a tea-party, hire vintage props. Nothing is more sensuous than oldtime elegance.

5. Do delegate. Your friends and your sister, if you are lucky enough to have one, would love to be involved and help you with things like picking out invitations and caketasting. Keep the coregroup small however, and while your girls are happy to go shopping with you, don’t assume that their lives are about your wedding.

Don’ts: 1. Don’t try to pull a Kate Middleton and do your own make-up. You may be tempted to save a

be the part of the support system.

MATV President Shri Kuldeepsingh Shekhawat, BAPS trustee Shri V H Patel, Councillor Shri Yogeshbhai Teli, Shri Manjibhai Kara, Pilubhai Amin, Bhavan’s drama committee Chairman Shri Surendrabhai Patel, Dignitary of Jain commu-

few pennies, but nothing is worth frantically trying to rub off clumpy mascara five minutes before your ceremony. Even K.Middy had sort of raccoon eyes on her wedding day. Don’t go there.

2. Don’t micromanage your florist, decorator or caterer. They are professionals who know their job. You have parted with good money for their expertise. Communicate your ideas to them, be decisive, but also have faith in their skill.

3. Don’t try to involve your man in every ittybitty detail. Pink or red bows on the jam jars you’re giving out as favours? Don’t ask your man. He doesn’t know and doesn’t want to be asked. Men aren’t wired to be as excited about calla lilies as you are. Spare them the pain of having to make non-major decisions.

4. Don’t under-estimate the importance of seating plan! Your wedding is the biggest party you’ll ever throw. And the key to a successful party is often the mix of people invited. While a wedding is celebration of all the different kinds of love we experience in our lives, seating Tony the TequilaMaster from work next to great-aunt Rupali is not a good idea.

5. Don’t stress too much. This is the best time of your life so far. You are ridiculously happy.

And so are your family and friends. Take time to enjoy the moment. Even if it rains on your wedding day or the flowers are the wrong shade of white, I promise you, everyone will still have a great time and you will never ever regret a single thing.

nity Shri Natubhai Shah, Gujarati language expert Shri Jagdishbhai Dave, Humour artist Shri Bhanubhai Pandya, Shri Janakbhai Shah, Irfan Maulvi, Rasikbhai Patel, photographer Shri Vipul Rao were also present amongst the guests. and thoroughly enjoyed the reception.

Audience at the evening reception

16

BollYwood

Asian Voice Saturday 6th

Cashing in on his recent success at the box-office, Salman has increased his fees, becoming one of the highest paid actors in Bollywood With Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan taking full control of their box-office successes and turning it into a financial gold mine, how can Salman Khan be left behind? The actor enjoying his recent success run in Bollywood, with two back to back hits in “Dabangg” and “Ready,” has decided to demand a whopping Rs 500 million for his next project.

Salman who used to charge around Rs 400 million for his films, has now hiked his fees and is charging Rs 500 million per film. At present Salman is in a commanding position at the box-office. And his business manager Matrix is ensuring that Salman's market demand translates into big bucks.

Two filmmakers who have recently signed on Salman, alleges that the star has indeed hiked his price. Also, following in the footsteps of his Khan counterparts, the actor is taking more than a keen interest in all his upcoming projects by calling the shots in terms of casting of the film.

A source says, "Salman is not only quoting a fee close to Rs 500 million, he is also 'recommending' directors for these films. Like, for the T Series project Salman has put forward the names of two directors and has asked producer Bhushan Kumar to choose from one of them. Furthermore, he insisted on Sonakshi Sinha for ‘Kick’ and now he's recommending Zarine Khan to his prospective producers."

Filmmaker Bhushan Kumar admits that Salman's price is being re-negotiated and restructured. "When Salmanbhai did ‘Ready’ the film industry was facing a huge financial crunch.

But he agreed to cut down his price from Rs 400 million to 17 million.

believes in living on her own terms

plays the role essayed by actor Priyanka Chopra in the original. Her villainous character in the film is being loved by the audiences there. Apparently, every time she appears on the screen, the audiences start whistling and clapping.

Ranbir or Shahid to star in remake of Tamil film ‘Ko’

The hugely successful KV Anand-directed Tamil movie “Ko “is set for a remake in Hindi and one among the heartthrobs Ranbir Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor is tipped to play the role enacted by Jeeva in the original. “Ko” was a blockbuster and the director is presently in discussions about the Bollywood project, says actor Ajmal who played a scheming Vasanthan Perumal, Jeeva's friend in the movie. Ajmal,

who shot to fame playing the role of an anti-hero in the Tamil movie “Anjathey,” says his role in ‘Ko’ is what actors "dream to do" and if everything goes well, he might get a chance to do the Bollywood version also.

‘Ko’ has stunning music numbers composed by Harris Jayaraj and the songs are still topping charts even two months after the film's release, especially the foot-tapping Ennamo Aedho...

Kamal Haasan honoured

Malayalam superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal may be facing the ire of the Income Tax department for not declaring their assets, but Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan was recently honoured by the I-T department for being a 'shining example of good citizenship' by paying taxes on a regular

basis.

Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan was honoured at a function organized by the I-T department in Chennai to celebrate 160 years of income tax.

The Tamil Nadu Governor Surjith Singh Barnala, presented a certificate to Kamal, who was one of the special invitees to the function.

“I live life on my own terms. And I work on my own terms. I have always done the best I could. I am not disappointed with the glamour quotient of my earlier films,” said Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif.

“I am too young to not enjoy these films. This is the fun side of filmmaking. As an actress, I don`t see any harm in it," revealed the actress on her new trendy image.

Hmm…she’s got the point. However, Katrina knows where to draw the line as the actress, who wears sexy shorts and smokes on-screen in “Mere brother Ki Dulhan” added, “So what`s wrong? And you know what, whenever I`ll wear shorts, I`ll ensure that I won`t wear a tight tee. That`s not even the last thing I`ll do. I have a responsibility towards the society. I shall never cross the line of decency, I know, this far and no further.”

She is confident that she will not do anything wrong or hurt anyone. Recently she wanted to ride a motorbike and she went ahead and did it. And it was also shown in fim “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.”

Apparently, ad guru Prahlad Kakkar has to say something about Katrina: “Katrina is not being recognised as an actress.

Not by anybody. Not in their wildest imaginations. She has been recognised as a star. She is an object of great desire. She is not only male fantasy, but also teenagers` fantasy. And yes, in the ad world, her position has bettered. Nobody speaks badly about her.”

Anushka Sharma’s secrets and superstitions that rides her high

KAreenA KApoor will play Mandakini Kareena Kapoor will play Mandakini in her new film Once Upon A Time .Their was a debate that whether she will be a perfect Mandakini or not?

The portrayal of Mandakini, as we all know, cannot be complete without the famous waterfall sequence in Ram Teri Ganga Maili. But Bebo refused to do the scene as it required her to wear a white sari sans blouse.

She says she will play the role of Mandakini but with her conditions.She will not be as bold as what Mandakini did. She will not agree to Mandakini's waterfall sequence for the sequel of Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai.

According to sources, Kareena, who can get married to Saif anytime, doesn't want to take such career 'risks'. But director Milan Luthria has not given up yet. He is working on the sequence to make it convenient for Bebo.

Akshay Kumar plays a role inspired

by Dawood Ibrahim. Kareena plays his love interest.

Anushka Sharma and her filmmakers are getting increasingly superstitious about their film release dates. December for them seems to guarantee ideal returns and that is the real reason why all of her films have the preferred dates on this month.

And to the utter surprise, her December releases have been her biggest hits so far. Like on 10 Dec, it was "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi”, on 12th December, it was “Band, Baaja Aur Baaraat” and now 9th December, it can be “Ladies v/s Ricky Bahl.”

Though many might be skeptic to notice the December connection in Anushka's career, but the dates cannot be brushed away as mere coincidences. It is believed that these days are planned with Anushka's tacit support. Though for the outer world she might be the lady exuding charm on the big screen, but for the inner circles that have seen her work closely, the actress is a firm believer in superstition.

Such things are Anushka’s top secrets which works behind her success. She shares one more secret. That she was reading the book “The Secret” when she auditioned for one of her films, and she was selected. She says, “I called my mother and told her that I got this film, you know what my mother told me. That there was this turtle that used to be there in my room. It was some Feng Shui thing, you open the turtle and you put a wish in the turtle. And when it comes true you take it out. So she never told me about this. But when she came down after I got the film she opened that and she showed it to me and she had written it there that I hope that my daughter stars in a Yashraj film. I swear. It's unbelievable, I think somewhere she always wanted me to be an actress." Well all those girls who want to make it big in career can follow "The Secret".

Sanjay Dutt to keep away from politics

“I don’t want to return to politics. I want to be away from it. I will never think of getting back there,” Sanjay, whose younger sister Priya Dutt is an MP from the Mumbai North Central constituency, said. During the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, Sanjay was barred from contesting as he was convicted for illegally storing and then destroying arms during the 1993 Mumbai blasts.

The Supreme Court refused to suspend his conviction to permit him to contest. “I had gone to UP (Uttar Pradesh) for three months. But I feel that the acting we do in films is better than the acting that people do on stage there. So I don’t want to do that,” the actor laughingly said.

17

Salman, the 500 million Khan

KAtrinA KAif

Bollywood actress Celina Jaitly has been rocking in the South lately. The Btown actor who’s first Kannada movie “Srimathi” released last week has become the talk of the town. “Srimathi” is the remake of 2004 Bollywood hit film “Aitraaz.” Jaitly

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

Hema Malini Becomes Showstopper at the Age of 62 Hema Malini showed the world that even at the age of 62 years, she can stand next to today’s actresses and still grab the attention, in fact this was the first time she had walked the ramp for a jewelery brand.

Hema Malini walked the ramp in a beautiful pain blue sari outlined with a red and gold border, matched with a stunning gold diamond choker with her hair tied back allowing her to show off her traditional styled earrings.

Karisma Kapoor wants only Manish Malhotra to do her costume Karisma Kapoor, who is returning to silver screen with “Dangerous Ishq”, has told its director Vikram Bhatt that her favourite costume designer Manish Malhotra should be on board. The intricate and historically-relevant costumes of the film’s protagonist that take her through five different eras are to be researched by Nidhi Yasha, who designed the costumes for Bhatt’s “Haunted.” Karisma, who has hardly ever worked with any other designer, gently but firmly asked for Manish to do her clothes. During the incisive chat, Karisma discussed every aspect of her comeback film at length. She apparently told the director that she would be able to work only around her baby’s daily schedules.

Freida Pinto goes topless Freida Pinto is almost unrecognisable on the cover of the upcoming August issue of Interview magazine. She has gone topless and poses donning a sultry, macabre attitude. With dark lipstick and smokey eyes, the look for a racier, edgier Freida was the brainchild of Karl Templer. Photographed by Mert & Marcus, she appears topless in a couple of the pictures, while she oozes oomph in others with bold make-up and blood red lines across the photos.

Freida is even reported to have admitted to Dev Patel being her 'soul mate' in the interview.

Sonakshi is too fat to look sexy Her transformation from flab to fab was enough for her to make her debut in Bollywood, but Sonakshi Sinha has not yet met director Shirish Kunder's standards. Even though a major portion of the film has been shot, a source said that the forthcoming shoot for the item number requires Sonakshi to be at her sensuous best. "Farah will be choreographing the song and they hope to make Sonakshi look as sensuous as Katrina did in Sheila Ki Jawani.

That's why Shirish has asked her to lose some weight," said the source. Apart from the item number, Shirish also needs the actress to tone down for other parts for the film. Apparently, Sonakshi's weight has only recently become an issue.

Rakhi Sawant wants to marry Yoga guru Baba Ramdev Controversial Bollywood actress Rakhi Sawant expressed her willingness to marry Yoga guru Baba Ramdev. The drama queen admitted that Ramdev's yoga sessions have made an impact on her life. She says she finds him hot. She says “Did you see his flat tummy” and he has loads of money and drives expensive cars. I am ready to marry him.” On her next Swayamvar TV episode she will make sure that Baba Ramdev comes as a candidate, so that she can garland him and marry. As she has always been hungry for publicity, this might be one of her publicity stunt.

18

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

Barclays to cut 3,000 jobs as profit drops Dear Financial Voice Reader, Let me share with you the comments from my NBC USA market comment this week in light of the US debt deal.

This is just the beginning – they’ve been given a bigger credit limit on their credit card – we know how that feels – but it’s not free money - it has to be repaid with interest. So it is the best bet around is to sell dollars. Even holding euros and pounds is better. We have our problems but the American problems are for the moment relatively bigger.

More worrying the Americans have to cut spending – they have to stop propping up economically unproductive people. Think of a country like a company.

There are a lot of Americans who have not been producing a return for their employer but still been employed – by the government or through programmes. And then worst still the Americans want them to spend more. The consumer is maxed out, the Government is maxed out and both are leaning on companies to take up more of the burden.

But that’s the right and best thing. Companies enforce a discipline on themselves Governments don’t.

So when Barclays sacks 30,000 people, it does that because it is not getting a return on employing them.

The Government wont do that. Of course we have social programmes in Government – but a rebalancing requires a shrinking of the Government sector – so money goes to the most productive and who pull their weight. From each according to their abilities and to each according to their abilities (once their basic needs met).

To give you and overview of where we stand. Year to date the Dow is up 4%, the FTSE 100 is down 3%.

In fact, year to date the US markets are the only ones up in the developed world. But where does the US stand today in the table of nations? Year to date the US Dollar is up against most currencies except the Swiss France and Norwegian and Danish Krona. So if you want to bet against the Dollar, these in my view are the strongest currencies to hold.

By the way speaking of debt. China has a debt of $1trillion. India’s is half that. And the Indian and Chinese stockmarkets this year have done worse than the UK and US. So where to from here. I don’t like the Dollar, so I do like Gold. I do like US stocks because they are cheap at the moment. I do like banks – the big ones because they are global players and profitable and shifting their human resources to locations of greatest economic return on investment. I prefer the Euro and the Pound to the Dollar. I like the Australian Dollar and Norwegian Krona too.

I like Indian stocks because after their poor performance and despite the country’s political problems the corporate sector, as in the US, is producing profits.

Alpesh Patel (alpesh.patel@tradermind.com) www.alpeshblog.com

3 Indian-origin businessmen in Singapore's top 40 Three Singaporeans of Indian origin are listed among the top 40 rich businesspersons of the city state in a list published by Forbes Asia. Singapore's 40 richest are now collectively worth $54.4 billion, up by $8.7 billion, or 19 per cent, compared to last year, according to the list released last week.

Mustaq Ahmad, who runs the grocery-to-gold Mustafa Centre retail com-

plex in Singapore's Little India shopping precinct was worth $240 million and ranked 37th in the list.

Vivian Chandran, worth $238 million, was ranked 38th on the list. e Chemoil stake to commodities firm Glencore.

SunnyGeorge Verghese, worth $210 million, was ranked 40 on the list. 51year-old Verghese, runs Olam International, a global agricultural business.

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Barclays will cut about 3,000 jobs this year as the industry grapples with tougher regulation and the impact of a spreading sovereign debt crisis on investment banking operations.

First half profits at the bank fell by a third after a drop in bond trading activity at its investment bank.

Weakness at Barclays Capital had continued into July, the bank said on Tuesday. Group pretax

profit for the six months to the end of June was £ 2.64 ($4.3 billion), down 33 per cent from a year ago but above the average forecast of £ 2.4 billion among analysts polled by the company.

Barclays Capital's halfyear profit fell 9 per cent on the year and revenue at the investment banking arm was down 11 per cent to £ 6.26 billion , led by a fall in fixed income revenue.

That drop was less steep than at most rivals, however, after revenue across the industry slumped in the second quarter due to the euro

zone debt crisis. BarCap's income in the second quarter was down 14 per cent from the previous quarter and first-half revenue from fixed income, currencies and commodities (FICC) was down 20 per cent from a year ago.

New CEO Bob Diamond said the bank had already cut 1,400 jobs during the first half and that the tally was likely to rise to about 3,000 by the end of the year.

Ford Motors to set up $ 1 billion car making unit near Ahmedabad AV Correspondent World’s fourth largest car maker, Ford Motors, has decided to set a car making unit at Sanand, about 25 km from Ahmedabad.

For this purpose, Ford India has signed an MoU with Gujarat government in Gandhinagar last week in the presence of Chief Minister Narendra Modi and minister of state for industry Saurabh Patel.

According to the MoU, Ford will invest over $ 1 billion for the manufacturing unit. They propose to produce 2,40,000 cars annually. The company will initially set up an engine plant which will manufacture 2,70,000 engines per year. The new unit will be set up over 460 acres of land. The government will reserve nearby land for automotive suppliers of both plants. Ford Asia Pacific and Africa President Jo Hinrix said, “Ford has chosen Gujarat because the state has busi-

India's exports up 46 per cent in June India's exports during June grew by 46.45 per cent at $29.21 billion compared to $19.94 billion during the corresponding month of last year, official data showed on Monday.

According to the data released by the ministry of commerce and industry, imports during the month under review surged 42.46 per cent at $36.87 billion as against $25.88 billion in June 2010.

'Oil imports during June 2011 were valued at $10.18 billion which was 30.09 per cent higher than oil imports valued at $7.82 billion in the corresponding period last year,' the ministry said in a statement.

'Non-oil imports during June 2011 were estimated at $26.69 billion which was 47.82 per cent higher than non-oil imports of $18.05 billion in June 2010,' it added.

The data also showed that the country's exports in the first quarter of 2011-12 rose by 45.71 per cent to $79 billion as against $54.22 billion in the like period of last year.

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi was present during the signing of the MoU with Ford Motors in Gandhinagar.

ness friendly environment, good infrastructure, port connectivity with north western India and skilled human resources. We would be able to reach important areas of north and western India through this new manufacturing unit,” he added.

The company intends to start construction of both plants this year itself and first vehicle and first engine will roll out in 2014 as per the plans. By middle of this decade, Ford is

going to introduce eight new vehicles in India.

Hinrix said, “Ford is investing globally for future. These new state-ofthe-art facilities will make it possible to sell about 8 million vehicles by middle of this decade contributing 50% growth. Ford expects 60-70% growth in next 10 years from Asia Pacific and Africa regions.” The company proposes to export 20-25 % of the production.

Modi said that his government would partner

with Ford for fast implementation of the project.

Modi said that the proposed plant would generate direct employment for 5,000 youths and indirect employment for 20,000 persons. Vendors associated with the plant would provide employment to another 10,000 persons.

About 20-25% production will be exported.

Ford India, the US car maker’s Indian subsidiary, already has a car making unit near Chennai with a capacity to produce 2,00,000 units per annum.

Besides this, the French car maker Peugeot is in advanced stage of negotiations with the state government for a site. Maruti Suzuki is also expected to finalise Gujarat as the location for a one million car per annum unit. At present, General Motors manages a plant in Halol near Vadodara since 1994. With all this development, now Gujarat is fast developing into the ‘Detroit of India.”

Indian economy to grow at 8.2% in this fiscal: Manmohan’s panel

India's GDP growth will slow down to 8.2 per cent in the current fiscal and the inflation rate is expected to remain high at 9 per cent till October, the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council said on Monday.

In its report on the state of economy, the PMEAC said: "The projected growth rate of 8.2 per cent, though lower than the previous year, must be treated as high and respectable given the current world situation."

It further said that the global economic and financial situation was unlikely to improve (in the foreseeable future) and this could impact the domestic economy.

The Indian economy grew by 8.5 per cent in the last fiscal, ended March 31, 2011.

The PMEAC's projection for 2011-12 is higher than the 8 per cent growth forecast made by the Reserve Bank in its annual monetary policy, but it is lower than the govern-

ment's target of 8.5 per cent.

On inflation, the PMEAC said that it was likely to come down to 6.5 per cent by March, 2012, but would remain high at 9 per cent till October.

"There will be some relief starting from November and (inflation) will decline to 6.5 per cent

by March, 2012," it said.

Hinting at further interest rate hikes, the PMEAC also said the RBI would have to continue with its monetary tightening policy measures to contain inflation.

The RBI has already hiked benchmark rates 11 times since March, 2010, as part of efforts to tame inflation. Inflation has

been above 9 per cent since December, 2010. To contain inflation, the PMEAC suggested that the government liberally release food stocks.

"Important role for fiscal policy (is) to contain demand pressure. (There is also) need to ensure that the fiscal deficit does not exceed the budgeted level," it said.

The PMEAC asked the government to increase its efforts for revenue collection and to reduce cases of tax arrears.

It also suggested minimising avoidable expenditure and resolving the issues with states that are holding up introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST).

FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

19

The cost of indecision

Managing Director

We had our third Central London seminar on Thursday last week near Wembley Stadium. The turnout was all the more exceptional given the nice evening.

We had attendees from all around London and even had a few from India. Indians in India are particulalry interested in investing in Central london as a way to diversify their new found wealth, though they favour the more up market post codes. I suspect more than viewing the purchase as purely an investment it’s also something to tell their friends and family about. It sounds very good when you say you have a pad in Belgravia or Mayfair, it shows one has arrived in the world. There is still the perception in the psyche on the Indian left over from the British Raj that west is still best.

Sow & Reap A Property Investment & Financing company.

Th e t ime keeping was ac t ual ly m ost i mpres sive, ev eryt hing went acc ording to mi nut e t o minute t iming, despi te t he f act it was organised by Indi ans and f o r Indi ans i t did not go b y Indian ti ming!

Suresh Vagjiani

We went through the background of Sow & Reap and how we have evolved from a mortgage company to one that now has three services.

I will go through the salient points from the seminar for the purpose of our readers.

We started as a mortgage company in Febuary in 2004. Back then credit was abundant and therefore the industry was a good one to be in. Many whom had made their wealth in other industries now diversified into the mortgage sector. Indusrites as diverse as clothing now became lenders. Credit would be given out, the book would then be sold on, based on the quality of the business.

However as we know know this did not last very long as the next few years saw a swift end to the business. So motivated by a need to diversify through a strategic move we chose to shift our focus into two more sectors. One being India property and the other sourcing property in Central London.

India was chosen on the basis that this market had at least another 10 year life span of growth and Central london because of its resilience and general upward only movement irrespective of the rest of the economy.

Many of our readers still do not understand with complete clarity the service Sow & Reap offer. So the purpose of the seminar was to illustrate this with clarity.

W e s o u r c e p r o p e rt i e s f o r c l i e n t s w i t h a f o c u s o n C e n t r a l l o n d o n . W e w o r k f o r t h e b u y e r a n d n o t t h e s e l l e r . E s t a t e A g e n t s ac t f o r t h e s e l l e r s . W e l o o k a f t e r t h e b u y e r ’ s i n t e re t s a n d o u r f o c u s i s a l i g n e d t o o u r i n v e s t o r s .

We are able to deliver good deals for the following three main reasons. One is I have been active in the area for over 10 years, you may have heard the expression proximity is power. The second is we have buying power. Agents know we deliver and we understand the transaction as we have done this hundreds of times, so they treat us differently and communicate with us in the same way in a business you are likely to treat a customer who is a bulk buyer as opposed to an infrequent one.

The other main advantage is you’re dealing with people in the know, so through our advice you’re able to squeeze the most out of your investment.

The property is not neccesarily the main objective, but getting the formula correct is. This has many aspects from looking at the taxation, to what will be a suitable finish to the property, and you’re own attitude to purchasing property etc. It is important to get these right from the outset. Property deals will come and go.

Thought should be given to the strategy behind the purchase, otherwise you could be in danger of setting up a tax time bomb, although we are not tax experts we have an understanding of some the issues you need to look out for.

We went through some of the examples of properties we have sourced in Central London and the current prices in comparison to what they were bought for, and then took the attendees through some very recent purchases, ones which were exchanged on less than a week ago.

One was a two bedroom property we exchanged for a client on a purpose built building called Davenport, Sussex Gdns. Our initial enquires have led us to believe this property will resell for £650,000 with a little bit of work.

We aim to turn this one around within six months. This was the

most recent example we could give and is fairly typical of what we focus on.

Th e research on properties is on the internet for al l to see. As everyone can see t h is i nf ormati on it does not real ly giv e you an edge. U nl es s of c ourse you rely upon ot hers being lazy whic h h appens t ime t o t ime.

The edge we pass on to our client is the knowledge where the market will go in the coming months. This comes from our sources on the street. They inform us where the demand is coming from and whether there is a lack of properties and what type will be most deisrbale in the coming months.

This is the local knowledge which you will benefit from and gain from financially when working with us.

The figures and the examples we give are genuine, they can be verified.

The issue in deciding to invest in property is not a figure one, as these are there for all to see – pretty much.

The blockage is an emotional one. The fear of going forward and perhaps losing what they have means people rather than making the wrong decision they avoid making any decisions.

This results in stagnation or sitting on the fence.

What they miss in stagnation also has a cost, and they are paying for this cost continually.

It’s not roc ket science. If one c onsiders th e fuel pric es f r o m 2 00 9 w h e n t h e y w e r e 9 0 p a l i t r e , t h e y h a v e i n c r e a s e d t o £ 1. 3 0 c u r r e n t l y . T h i s i s a 4 5 % i n c r e a s e over two years.

So the money in your bank will be earning only a few percent.

This means by not investing you are already shrinking your wealth when compared with petrol prices, which is something most of us are forced to use constantly.

This point only illustrates there is a very real cost of indecision.

This is also spread into other aspects of our lives. This is why people like reading and philosophising regarding dieting. This gives birth to a whole new industry which provides information to those who really cannot make any decisions. This industry feeds of this trait.

Simply if you want to lose weight get up early and jog. But that would involve a decision and action.

So the same is there when it comes to property. People procrastinate and delay making decisions and taking action.

We provide a turnkey solution. Contact us now: Specialists in: l Property Sourcing l Mortgages l Commercial Finance l India Properties

UK Sales 0207 313 4595 India Sales 0203 384 5323 Westbourne House, 14-16 Westbourne Grove, London, W2 5RH

Tips of the Week l Don't forget the value of experts in your transaction, you pay peanuts you'll get monkeys l Always plan holistically when purchasing property don't neglect things like taxation

20

financial voICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

HSBC to sell 195 US bank branches to First Niagara Bank British banking company HSBC said on Monday it would sell just under half its retail banking branches in the United States to First Niagara Bank for around $1 billion. The bank said most of the 195 branches to be sold are in New York upstate region, while six are in Connecticut. Six others are in New York state - four in northern Westchester County, and two in Putnam County.

HSBC currently owns over 470 bank branches throughout the US. The sale to First Niagara is part of new chief executive Stuart Gulliver's strategy to cut back on retail operations in some parts of the

world and instead focus on fast growing markets in Mexico and Turkey.

Niall Booker, chief

The bank is still dealing with the legacy of bad loans in the US from the 2003 acquisition of consumer lender Household International Inc. The acquisition made HSBC the biggest subprime lender in the United States at the time, which resulted in billions of losses to HSBC. The sale will be carried out through HSBC's wholly owned subsidiary HSBC Bank USA, N.A. As of 31 May, the branches held approximately $15 billion in deposits, $15 billion in gross assets - including $2.8 billion in loans - and $4.3 billion in assets under management.

executive of HSBC North America, said the deal fits in with the company's strategy "to align our US business with our global network and meet the local and international needs of domestic and overseas clients."

India slips on global FDI chart from 8th to 14th slot India slipped from being the 8th largest recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2009 to the 14th largest in 2010, according to a UN report. This happened because FDI flows into India dipped from $36 billion in 2009 to $25 billion last year even as global FDI flows recovered from the post-meltdown $1.19 trillion to $1.24 trillion.

The World Investment Report 2011, brought out by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), expressed the hope that global FDI flows would recover to near pre-crisis levels this year and projected them to touch somewhere between $1.4 trillion and $1.6 trillion.

That would still be below the $1.74 trillion recorded in 2008.

However, the WIR

Air India gets `2.5 bn to pay banks

The government of India approved an advance equity infusion of Rs 2.5 billion to cash-strapped Air India to ensure that the airline can pay banks and avoid becoming a non-performing asset.

The debt-ridden airline was on the verge of defaulting on payment of installment on working capital loans of about Rs 220 billion for the third month in a row.

However, the airline still has no money to pay salaries to its 40,000-odd employees and they will have to wait to get their dues.

Last month also, the finance ministry had given Rs 2.5 billion to AI as advance equity infusion. In the last fiscal, the government had given Rs 20 billion to AI and is expected to give Rs 12 billion this year as equity infusion. An additional Rs 5 billion was recently cleared for payment to the airline for the VVIP flights operated by it.

warned that the global business environment remains uncertain. Risk factors such as a possible widespread sovereign debt crisis, fiscal and financial sector imbalances in some developed countries as well as inflation and signs of overheating in major emerging market economies could derail the projected FDI recovery, the report said.

In 2010, the report said, the US continued to be the largest recipient of FDI with $228 billion, followed by mainland China with $106 billion and Hong Kong with $69 billion. More than half of all global FDI inflows were into developing countries and transition economies.

However, FDI in services in general and financial services in particular slumped during 2010.

India, EU ink deal to end drug seizure India and the European Union have reached an interim settlement to ensure that none of the 27 members of the economic and trading bloc will detain 'Made in India' consignments of generic medicines, which are transiting through Europe.

"Finally, EU has come around and we have agreed on an interim settlement... which means EU will not make any detention within its territory of pharmaceutical products coming from India. We will wait for the final settlement but we have not lost our right to agitate on the matter again," Rajiv Kher, additional secretary in

the commerce department, told reporters.

This means that India will not withdraw its case against the European Union in the World Trade Organization's dispute settlement body. India had moved the WTO after consignments of generic or non-patented medicines shipped to Latin America were seized by European customs authorities on charges of intellectual property rights violations.

Subsequently, Brazil joined the discussions.

About 17 detentions took place between October-December 2008 at Schiphol Airport at

Amsterdam. These consignments, destined for Latin American countries, were initially detained and later destroyed or returned to India. "Mere transit does not give you the right to detain (a consignment) when it is not meant for you," Kher said. Kher said that as per the bilateral understanding, EU would not only stop such detentions but also amend its regulation under which its member countries resorted to such an action.

The settlement is interim as the EU Parliament is expected to take about 12-18 months to amend the legislation and then India will examine that law.

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Amit Patel has over 15 years experience in the field of Leadership and Human Resource Management

Mind Your Language I always find it remarkable when I hear people say that it is difficult to learn Hindi. Learning any new language can be difficult but I do find such complaints about Hindi somewhat ironic. The English language is by no means straightforward – to emphasise my point I will cite an example about the use of phonics in primary school to help children learn to read wherein they are encouraged to recognise the letter by its sound. This has proven to very effective especially when teaching simple words such as ‘ball’. However, there are anomalies such as ‘knife’ and ‘photograph’. And to confuse the poor children even further, the same letter can have a different sound - the ‘i’ in idea is not the same as it is in bridge!

This is not to say that Hindi is much easier to learn. Even if one was to memorise the alphabet and grasp the grammar, they would still be faced with the huge mountain

of vocabulary. In Hindi there are several words which describe or refer to ‘water’. While all of these are certainly challenging, perhaps the most difficult to master is ‘context’. This is something which has no set rule or parameters. Just when one thinks they have understood something, they are told that they have taken it out of context. Actually the word context is nothing more than a nice way of describing that something has a double meaning. Another word for this is ‘spin’ and another one is ‘generalising’ and so on and so on.

To be master of a language one must be proficient in the art of manipulating context. In fact this skill is essential for ones survival at the top.

When people watch your every move and analyse every word, it is important to always keep the option of context in your back pocket. This is why politicians always promise so much without actu-

By Amit Patel

ally committing to anything.

As Winston Churchill said, “A politician needs the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn't happen.” This actually holds true for all leaders.

The most common error is to actually make a statement without having an ‘exit explanation’.

When Barack Obama promised to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility within one year of taking office, he committed himself to something he wasn’t sure he could achieve. He eventually had to make an embarrassing u-turn on that and offer some passable excuse. Such mistakes can lead to a loss in credibility; once people stop believing, they stop following. And if people don’t follow, one cannot lead.

Cox & Kings bids for UK travel company In the biggest cross-border deal in the travel services space in India, Cox & Kings, the country's oldest tour operator, has made an offer to acquire British travel company Holidaybreak for pounds 312 million ($512 million).

Holidaybreak provides educational and adventure trips for schoolchildren and has an 80% market share in the segment. In India, there is a big market for such specialized services, estimated at about Rs 30 billion annually, and Cox & Kings would leverage on the UK firm's expertise to introduce similar offerings.

The Holidaybreak deal will be the eighth overseas buyout by the Indian firm.

If successful, it will be the third largest overseas buy this year by an Indian company. For the over 250-year-old Cox & Kings, the acquisition is part of its larger vision to have a strong presence in the various segments of the travel

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University of Oxford to launch merchandise in India

services space.

"Holidaybreak is a niche player and it complements our existing businesses," Peter Kerkar, director, Cox & Kings said. The acquisition also helps in mitigating risk through diversification of revenue streams, countering the cyclical nature of the tourism industry, Kerkar added.

Founded in 1758 by a Britisher, it was then primarily into transportation business for the army. The Kerkar family later bought Cox & Kings over, and is now effecting the biggest deal in the Indian travel industry by acquiring a British firm.

Cox & Kings has routed the purchase of Holidaybreak through Prometheon Holdings, a special purpose vehicle created in the UK. The deal will be financed through a combination of equity (pounds 125 million) and debt (pounds 187 million) taken from Axis Bank, said its CFO Anil Khandelwal.

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The 800-year-old British University, University Oxford, has signed up Bradford License India to find partners to adapt Oxford brand into apparel, educational toys, stationery, gifts and home linen in India. "The Indian consumer market is growing very fast at the moment and we feel it is an ideal time to introduce the brand," Oxford Limited MD Chris Evans said.

"The Oxford alumni in India is certainly a factor which will be used as an advantage to make it a consumer brand in India," he said. Bradford License India VP Chitra Johri said the products would be introduced in India next year. She said her company has begun talks with 45 retailers and apparel makers.

The Oxford brand is popular even across tier II and tier III cities because of the eponymous dictionary, Johri said.

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FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

21

Foreign Exchange Rajesh Agrawal is the Chairman & CEO of RationalFX, Currency Specialists.

For any further information call 020 7220 8181 or e-mail info@rationalfx.com

Will the US continue to fall further into debt?

Last week we saw the US fail to agree to any terms regarding their debt and as such we saw the USD plummet! This had obvious effects as EUR/USD reached the 1.45 levels and Cable moved back into the 1.63 levels. On Tuesday in the US, the rate of Home Sales dropped down from 1% in June; the US dollar kept, as a result, its weak position in the market.

Continuing the string of bad US data on Wednesday poor string of US data continued as the US durable goods orders figures decreased, showing once again the dramatic situation of the US economy. In the United States there were two pieces of fundamental data released on Thursday afternoon in the form of pending home sales and initial jobless claims. Initial jobless claims came in to the up side with an increase of 24,000 jobs which was seen as a three month high, this saw the US dollar strengthen against its major counterparts as any piece of positive data at the moment is seen as a USD positive given the recent debt concerns. Pending home sales rose 2.4% from a consensus of -1.0% given the notion that not all is bad in the US as many people may have you think. Friday finished the

week in similar fashion with al lower than expected GDP. During this week, the USD was also hit by its continuous bad data being released. Earlier this week the US announced that they would increase its debt ceiling by up to $2.4tn with the congress agreeing to reduce the deficit by the same amount in 10 years in return.

We began the week in the UK with very little data out to move sterling in any real direction, with most of the movement coming from the Euro and US dollar effecting sterling. Sterling looks to have found some real support around the 1.6200 levels over the last 2 weeks partially due to the weakness in the Euro and US dollar. Towards the end of the week we did see Sterling come under pressure due to some worse than expected figures from the M4 money supply and mortgage approvals, whilst a weaker Euro was seen as a contributing factor. However with weaker US GDP figure coming out from the US late in afternoon trade sterling surged 127 points against the greenback, yet again backing up the notion that the US dollar is continuing to hold Sterling’s hand all of this week.

It has been a stronger Euro

week this week, the currency moved above 1.42 levels with investors demonstrating greater risk appetite after the Eco Fin meeting and the new plan to help Greece. However, we saw the Euro come back below the 1.44 level later with Fitch rating Greece at part default.

Furthermore, concerns are already rising about the new agreement in Brussels. Indeed, no increase in the size of EFSF has been foreseen even though its needs will be a lot more important especially if Greece defaults as it will have to guarantee its bonds. While Sterling is just not that attractive for investors, the Euro offers a better return and as long as the

ECB and other European officials can continue to give the impression that everything is fine, the Euro will remain strong.

Trichet spoke Wednesday night and a few of his comments seem to have startled investors. He mentioned that there was still risk of contagion and Spain has also now been mentioned – He also stated that Greece could still default! Not like Trichet to make negative comments, either there is an angle and he wants a weaker Euro or he is finally admitting defeat! S&P downgraded Greece to CC, two steps above default – nothing new but official. Cypriot Banks have accrued assets to the tune of 6 times the country’s GDP. A default in Greece will lead to serious problems in Cyprus. The 17-nation currency on Thursday came under heavy selling pressure as two big US investment banks sold large amounts of Euros which saw the Euro trade at the low of the week, dragging cable with it whilst pushing sterling/ euro to a higher level in afternoon trade.

However, it recovered on the last trading day given the massive US dollar weakness.

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 2nd August 2011 @ 3pm GBP - INR = 72.05 USD - INR = 44.26 EUR - INR = 62.87 GBP - USD = 1.62 GBP - EUR = 1.14 EUR - USD = 1.42 GBP - AED = 5.97 GBP - CAD = 1.56 GBP - NZD = 1.86 GBP - AUD = 1.49 GBP - ZAR = 10.93 GBP - HUF = 309.47

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-BagladeSh-SrI lanka

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

Pakistan, US put curbs on each others’ diplomats

Islamabad: Pakistan has imposed curbs on the movement of US diplomats and other embassy staffers in the country, inviting a similar action by the Obama administration on its officials in America.

All US diplomats will now require a special noobjection certificate for travelling to other cities, Pakistani authorities have imposed travel curbs on US diplomats a few days ago. The same curbs would also apply on other diplomats.

The US lodged a strong

protest with Pakistani authorities after ambassador Cameron Munter was stopped at the airport here by officials enforcing a rule that requires all foreign diplomats to have a "noobjection certificate" for travelling outside Islamabad.

Munter, who reportedly possessed the NoC, was stopped at Benazir Bhutto International Airport and asked about the document while he was travelling to Karachi last week.

The envoy "strongly protested" about the inci-

dent, which was subsequently taken up with President Asif Ali Zardari.

The incident reflected the tensions that have characterised US-Pakistan relations since al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed by American special forces in a covert raid in Abbottabad on May 2.

Pakistan had threatened to impose "more formal restrictions" on travel by all US diplomats and to require prior notification but dropped the demand when the American administration threatened similar

China blames Pak-trained militants for Xinjiang violence Washington: China blamed extremists trained in terror camps in Pakistan for orchestrating attacks on civilians in the troubled Xinjiang province, where 20 people, including alleged militants, were killed in violent incidents over two days.

While nine people were killed in a violent attack, another 11 including five suspected militants, were killed in another attack.

A statement by the Kashgar municipal government said militants trained by the 'East Turkistan Islamic Movement' in Pakistan were responsible for the

recent flare up in violence.

A group of religious extremists led by culprits trained in overseas terrorist camps were behind the weekend attack on civilians in China's far-western Xinjiang. The Xinjiang region witnessed massive riots in 2009, when almost 200 people were killed in its capital Urumqi, follow-

ing which China launched a major crackdown against Uyghur Muslim separatists.

On July 18 this year, 14 "rioters" were killed when they reportedly attacked a police station and killed four people in the province's Hotan city.

This is perhaps the first time that China has pointed fingers at its close ally Pakistan while referring to terror camps there.

Xinjiang shares its borders with Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and a lot of trade between China and Pakistan is routed through Kashghar as it is located close to the border.

Ahmed Shuja Pasha

den departure of the CIA station chief in Islamabad and an attack in the restive Xinjiang region that Chinese authorities blamed on Islamic militants trained in a camp in Pakistan.

Lt Gen Arshad undertook a week-long trip to Beijing last month to discuss what officials in Islamabad described as "the option of a strategic

Another CIA station chief leaves Islamabad

dialogue" between Pakistan and China on the pattern of the Pakistan-US engagement, The Express Tribune reported. Pasha was to leave for Beijing on Sunday evening, a security official told the daily but did not give details of his itinerary or the exact nature of his trip. The ISI refused to confirm or deny the visit. An unnamed senior official of the ISI said such visits are classified.

The back-to-back trips to China by senior Pakistani military and intelligence officials are believed to be "necessitated by the simmering tensions between Pakistan and the US", the report said.

Washington: Yet another CIA station chief in Islamabad is reported to have left Pakistan last week amid continuing wrangles between intelligence agencies of the two countries in the aftermath of the Raymond Davis episode and the US raid that killed Osama bin Laden in the garrison town of Abbottabad.

US mandarins said the station chief, who cannot be named under American secrecy laws, left due to an illness, but officials from both sides dropped enough hints to suggest his exit was part of a broader ailment afflicting intelligence cooperation between the two sides, including a widening trust deficit.

The departing station chief served just over seven months in Islamabad in what appears to have been a turbulent period in the relationship starting with the Raymond Davis episode, in which a CIA contractor shot his way out of trouble by killing two Pakistanis. The station chief, then new to his post, is said to have played a key role in pressuring Pakistan into releasing Davis, who returned to US in exchange for blood money to the relatives of the victims. From that time onward, ties between the chief spook and his US counterpart went downhill.

the US to stop them.

The Pakistanis believe that since June 18, 2004, when the CIA began the drone strikes, the unmanned aircraft had killed over 2,500 people, mostly civilians. The US

spy agency has conducted almost 250 strikes since 2004.

The strikes have increased from less than 50 in the Bush administration to over 200 since President Barack Obama took charge.

The US government, however, rejects such claims as incorrect, insisting that drones are extraordinarily accurate.

"There hasn't been a single collateral death" since last year, President Obama's chief counter-terrorism adviser John Brennan said.

ISI chief on secret China visit as US ties take a blow Islamabad: Pakistan’s ISI chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha has embarked on a secret visit to China that is being seen as part of Pakistan's efforts to reduce its dependence on the US in the wake of strained military and intelligence ties.

Pasha is expected to open a "broad-based strategic dialogue" with Beijing during his visit, The Express Tribune newspaper quoted its sources as saying. The visit came less than two weeks after a trip to Beijing by Lt Gen Waheed Arshad, chief of general staff of the Pakistan army.

The ISI chief travelled to China days after the sud-

restrictions for Pakistani diplomats in the US. In a tit-for-tat move, the US has also slapped curbs on the movement of Pakistani diplomats and embassy staffers in America. Pakistan has repeatedly denied US Embassy employees entry into Peshawar city in the country's volatile northwest region, police said.

Two groups of US diplomats were sent back from areas in the outskirts of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa province, this month.

Pak urges US to stop drone attacks in tribal areas

Islamabad: Pakistan has asked the United States to stop the Central Investigation Agency-run unmanned air strikes in tribal areas, diplomatic sources has said.

The official request for stopping the strikes, which had started in 2004, was conveyed earlier this month when ISI chief Lieutenant-General Ahmad Shuja Pasha visited. According to diplomatic sources, Pasha told acting CIA Director Michael J. Morell that the raids had become a major source of embarrassment for the

Pakistani government, as it was blamed for failing to stop a foreign power from killing its own citizens.

Pakistan had publicly protested the strikes earlier, but this is the first time that it has officially approached

In focUS Pak frees 24 Indian prisoners

Lahore: Twenty-four Indian prisoners, including 14 fishermen, crossed into their homeland from the Wagah border, as an Indo-Pak judicial panel demanded “fasttrack release of each others fishermen.” The Pakistani government in a “goodwill gesture” earlier released 14 fishermen, mainly belonging to Gujarat, just before the talks between the foreign ministers of both the countries began last week. The authorities later decided to free another 10, including two women. “We have handed over 24 Indian prisoners, including two women, to the Border Security Force,” Pakistan Rangers spokesman Mahboob Hussain said.

BBC reporter killed in Afghan suicide strikes Kandhar: Triple suicide blasts and shootings killed 19 people, including a local BBC reporter, in an ongoing attack that was the deadliest to hit Afghanistan in more than a month. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the coordinated assault in Uruzgan province, that began with suicide bombings on official buildings in the local capital Trinkot and the base of a militia commander who provides security to NATO convoys heading towards the country's besieged south. The BBC said that one of its Afghan reporters, Omid Khpalwak, was among those killed, apparently while he was inside radio and television offices next to the militia commander's compound.

35 Pak Taliban fighters killed in US air strikes Islamabad: At least 35 Pakistani Taliban fighters have been killed in US air strikes in Afghanistan after they attacked a convoy of foreign troops, reports from the Waziristan tribal region of Pakistan said last week.

Reports said that a group of 100 Pakistani Taliban militants fired missiles and rockets at a convoy of foreign forces in Paktiya on Friday. US ground forces sought air cover and NATO fighter jets targeted the Pakistani militants, killing 35 of them. Over a dozen rebels were injured. Those who were killed included militants from Pakistani Taliban groups led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur and Mullah Nazir.

Bangladesh releases 59 Indian prisoners Dhaka: Bangladesh has released 59 Indian prisoners languishing in jails after completing their sentence following the intervention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The External Affairs Ministry informed NHRC Chairperson Justice (Retd) K.G. Balakrishnan about the development and as also its efforts to secure the release of another 17 Indian prisoners who have also completed their jail-term. The NHRC had in November 2010 took suo motu cognizance of the matter and issued notice to the Ministry during Mr. Balakrishnan’s visit to Dhaka, an NHRC spokesperson said.

Karachi violence continues; 200 killed in July Karachi: Deadly civil strife continued from the weekend in Pakistan's commercial hub of Karachi despite efforts by officials to quell the violence in the city that is home to the country's main port, stock exchange and central bank. Police said 17 people were killed in the city in fighting linked to ethnic and religious tension, adding that about 200 people were killed in the city in July alone - one of the deadliest months in about two decades. Most of the areas affected in the latest violence are home to ethnic Pashtuns as well as Muhajirs, the descendents of Urdu-speaking refugees who fled India to settle in Karachi in 1947 following the subcontinent's partition.

Pak police foil plot to target key facilities, personalities Islamabad: Pakistani police claimed to have foiled a plot to hit vital installations and ruling PPP’s key leaders, with the arrest of four terrorists, including two suicide bombers, near here. Islamabad police chief Bin Yameen said that the police had last week arrested one of the four terrorists who, during interrogation, had confessed to his links with a terror outfit active in North Waziristan tribal region. Mr Yameen said that he disclosed that they were four in number and had shifted to Islamabad to hit vital installations and main personalities of the ruling party, who were not identified.

Sri Lanka admits civilian deaths in Eelam war Colombo: Sri Lanka’s government has acknowledged for the first time that there were civilian casualties in the final phase of the country’s civil war against Tamil Tiger rebels. A Defence Ministry report said “it was impossible” to avoid civilian deaths given the magnitude of the fighting and ruthlessness of the opponent.

The report analyzes the events of the war and denies allegations of human rights violations by Sri Lankan troops. The decades-long war ended in May 2009 after a final offensive that saw tens of thousands of people killed in just a few months, according to estimates by a United Nations experts’ panel.

world

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

Kashmir Campaign leader Fai is secret agent of Pakistan ISI

Washington: For the last 30 years Dr Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai was a leader of a campaign to resolve the dispute in Kashmir. He is the executive director of the Kashmiri American Council and the director of an influential British pressure group and is now accused of being a secret agent for the Pakistani military intelligence.

American prosecutors have claimed that the Kashmir Centre is secretly funded by Pakistan’s InterServices Intelligence agency (ISI). Dr Fai is alleged to have been under the control of the ISI for the past 25 years.

The FBI and US Department of Justice have accused him of mas-

Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai

terminding attempts by Pakistan covertly to influence America’s diplomatic position on Kashmir, which is at the centre of a border dispute with India.

Along with an alleged accomplice based in Pakistan, Dr Fai was arrested and charged in Virginia with conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign principal without registering with the attorney-general and to “falsify, conceal

and cover up material facts” that they had a duty to disclose.

Prosecutors claim that Dr Fai has received at least $4 million (£2.5 million) in covert payments from the Pakistan Government.

They say that Kashmir Centres in Washington, London and Brussels are “run by elements of the Pakistani Government, including Pakistan’s military intelligence service”.

A federal judge ruled that Dr Fai should be released on $100,000 bail which requires him to remain at his home under electronic monitoring and bans him from contact with any foreign government representatives.

Fai was remanded to

house arrest with electronic monitoring by a Virginia district court after posting a $100,000 bond at a contentious detention hearing in which US prosecutors strenuously objected to his being freed. Judge John Anderson however ruled that Fai could be detained at home with electronic tags and restricted movement, including ordering the impounding of his passport and that of his wife, a federal government worker who was accepted as his guarantor. He also warned Fai against any contact with his co-defendant Zaheer Ahmed (who is in Pakistan), or with representatives of any foreign government or agency.

Young Indian describes how she escapes Norway massacre A young Norwegian of Indian origin Prableen Kaur, 23, described her experience when Anders Behring Breivik started shooting in which 76 people were killed.

Prableen Kaur describes her experience in the blog soon after her escape in tragic shooting.

She was still in a shock and full of emotions. She elaborates how she escaped being shot at Utøya. She recalls how she and her friends were attending the crisis meeting in the main building after the explosions in Oslo and were consoling that they were safe on an

Prableen Kaur

island. But no one knew that the same hell would break out there also.

Suddenly they heard shots. And they could see a man in police uniform shooting and killing people. She could see people dropping one by one in a pool of blood. She has also seen her friends being killed. She and others

were trying to escape by sitting down on floor. The shooting was still going on, when they pranked and jumped out of window. She landed hard and sought cover behind a sort of brick wall.

She already had made calls to her parents saying how unsafe she was and did not hope to see them anymore. She messaged that she loved them very much. During that time the killer made the presence, shooting everyone to death. Inspite of such tensions she became smart and played dead to misguide the killer. She layed there for an hour without

Kenya is doing well, yet dangers still lurk under the surface Nairobi: For all its recent progress, Kenya still often feels like a country running to stand still. Many Kenyans are sceptical of assurances by outsiders that political risk has diminished. Local tycoons privately say they are worried by a new strain of populist politics, stirred up by jobless young males, as well as by the occasional outbreak of fighting between Kalenjin and Kikuyu people in the crowded Rift Valley. In particular, they fear that the government’s failure to tackle land reform and overhaul the police still makes bloodshed in next year’s election likely. Too many businessmen shift their profits abroad. A new constitution is demanding higher standards. The finger is being pointed at people in high places suspected of drug running. A campaign is under way to shame parliamentarians into paying taxes. The prime minister, Raila Odinga, recently made a point of queuing in a tax office alongside ordinary people to pay his due.

Progress is also being made on vital infrastructure projects, such as a

motorway to link Nairobi, the capital, with the town of Thika to the north-east.

Under the aegis of the revived East African Community, a regional common market has sharply increased trade.

Turnover from fast-growing companies such as Kenya Commercial Bank and Kenya Airways, more than handouts from Western governments, is driving Kenya forward.

Tourism is up by 16% this year. Crops sold both in Nairobi and exported are getting high prices. More jobs are being created and more students have graduated from universities.

Compared with 2008, when Kenya was bitterly divided following a disputed election, the country seems quite harmonious.

A new generation of administrators well-qualified in accountancy and business are making a stab at overhauling state institutions such as prisons and hospitals. The first batch of high-level appointments sanctioned by the new constitution has been made.

Among them was Keriako Tobiko, who now heads public prosecutions, with responsibility to improve

the way criminal trials are handled. He was roughly treated in the selection process, probably on the instructions of those who fear courts with sharper teeth. He has already called for more resources.

He has 83 prosecutors; he says he needs 1,000.

But there is little cash in the government’s till.

Inflation is running at 14%. The stock market is bearish. The country has had to import maize from southern Africa to feed its people. Northern Kenya faces a food crisis - and, at Dadaab, hosts the largest refugee camp in the world.

A $100m World Bank initiative to clear or clean up slums is good news, if it comes to fruition, but highlights the wickedness of past governments’ failure to take urban planning seriously.

The politics remains messy.

An alliance between William Ruto, a Kalenjin sometime cabinet minister, and Uhuru Kenyatta, the finance minister and son of Kenya’s founding president, looks shaky. But Kenya, however buoyant on the surface, still has dangerous eddies swirling below.

any movements that made her escape from death.

Many were shot, but she sneaked and later jumped into water and kept on swimming until she reached the shore.

Reaching there she broke into tears and used her mobile to inform everyone that she was alive. Her parents soon came to fetch her. She saw many of her friends dying but her closest friend remained alive like her. She was happy to get this second life.

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Swaziland economy falling apart Mbabane: This is the worst crisis that little Swaziland in the north-east corner of South Africa, has suffered since independence from Britain in 1968.The government has run out of cash, and no one seems willing to lend it any without radical reforms which Mswati III, Swaziland’s king, seems loath even to consider. But the pressure is mounting.

Civil servants, faced with wage cuts of 10%, are threatening to strike.

Schools, deprived of state subsidies, may have to close. In a country with the world’s highest incidence of HIV/AIDS, clinics are running out of antiretroviral drugs for want of funds.

Most of its revenue comes from a regional customs union dominated by South Africa. But last year, thanks to an economic slowdown, this income, really a disguised subsidy, fell by almost two-third. As government spending usually accounts for nearly half of Swaziland’s GDP, this has clobbered the economy.

Thousands of businesses went bust as the government slashed spending.

Unemployment rose sharply, in Swaziland’s 1.2m people, nearly three-quarters live on less than $2 a day.

Earlier this year the World Bank offered to help bail the country out - on condition of certain

reforms. The government agreed to halve its budget deficit with tax rises and austerity measures, including public-sector job losses.

As it has met almost none of these conditions, international loans have been withheld. Because it is not a democracy, Swaziland fails to qualify for budget aid from donors such as the European Union. So the king has had to go cap in hand to his rich neighbour South Africa.

South Africa President Jacob Zuma might have been willing quietly to oblige. Moreover, he is formally engaged to one of Mswati’s nieces. But the pro-democracy uprising in the Arab world has increased the pressure on Mr Zuma, at home and abroad, to treat despots in his own part of the globe more sternly.

Swazi opposition leaders, who see the economic crisis as a blessing in disguise, have begged Mr Zuma not to hand their embattled monarch any cash unless he promises sweeping democratic as well as fiscal reforms. At a meeting with the king in mid-July, he is understood to have laid down some minimal conditions, including a modicum of political reforms, in return for the $220m-300m Swaziland is believed to have requested.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

American scholars translate Indulal Yagnik’s autobiography

After the reprint of Indulal Yagnik’s autobiography in Gujarati, two American scholars and a Gandhian from Gujarat Vidyapith took up the task of translating this six volume autobiography into English. They began the task 20 years ago. Now, the English version - ‘An autobiography of Indulal Yagnik’ covering three volumes, is out in the market.

Late Devavrat Pathak, along with American historian and political scientist, Howard Spodek and John Wood, has translated the autobiography and it has been published by Gujarat Vidhyapith.

Spodek and Wood met Indulal Yagnik when they were young and found him very charismatic.

“Indulal Yagnik was among the first trustees of Gujarat Vidhyapith. He was a Gandhian in his

Indulal Yagnik

own way. The story behind this translation started in late 80s,” said Sudarshan Iyengar, vice-chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith.

When Pathak started translating Induchacha’s autobiography, the two US scholars also took interest in his work. They finished the task together but the translation was never published.

“In 2008, people gathered for a condolence meeting of Prof Devavrat Pathak at the Vidhyapith and that is when we came to know about this project.

We looked for the first draft and Spodek and Wood reworked on it.

Finally, we got a publisher and the 20 years’ work of these scholars is available today. It’s our own homage to the maker of Gujarat in the swarnim year,” Iyengar added.

On May 1 this year, Gujarat completed 50 years of its foundation. Iyengar, who wrote the preface of the translated autobiography, believes that the life of a leader like Induchacha should reach the international audience and the translation of this biography will provide an opportunity for this purpose.

Indulal Yagnik's autobiography ‘Atmakatha’ is considered to be one of the most significant works in Gujarati literature which describes the political and social scenario of 20th century Gujarat.

Gurgaon court recognizes lesbian marriage man and that the marriage had been dissolved by a khap panchayat in Bagpat district. Their petition disclosed that Beena and Savita subsequently married each other by signing an affidavit before a public notary in Gurgaon.

On the basis of these dodgy claims about divorce and marriage, the Gurgaon court invoked a 2009 Punjab and Haryana high court judgment directing all district and sessions judges to “ensure help and assistance to runaway couples”.

The high court direction had come in the wake of honour killings ordered by khap panchayats against marriages within the same gotra. The Gurgaon judge has now extended that protection to a marriage within the same sex. Though some western countries recognize same sex marriages, all that India has done so

far, through the 2009 Delhi high court verdict on Section 377 IPC, is to decriminalize consensual sex between adults of the same sex.

According to the petition before the Gurgaon court, Beena was unmarried prior to July 22 while Savita had tied the knot with one Ombir last December. Her marriage was dissolved in panchayat proceedings held in Nipura tehsil in Baghpat.

The couple in their petition had submitted before the court that they had known each other for 15 years. “They fell in love in June 2011 and both decided to (have a) live-in-relationship with each other,” the petition said. Their counsel had told the court that both the petitioners had conveyed their intention to their parents, who did not give their consent and threatened them with dire consequences.

Bajaj group plans car making unit in Gujarat

Cartoon: Jami

Same-sex marriages are not legal in India. But that did not stop a Gurgaon court from effectively recognizing a marriage between two lesbians.

While granting police protection to a runaway lesbian couple from Khekada village in Baghpat, additional sessions judge Vimal Kumar recorded matter-of-factly that Beena and Savita claimed to be married to each other.

Their statements were recorded in the order without any indication that such a marriage had no legal status. “We have married to each other on July 22, 2011 of our own free will without coercion, duress, fraud, misrepresentation etc,” it stated.

So far, gay sex was only decriminalised Khekada (Baghpat)/ Gurgaon: The court also recorded that one of them, Savita, had earlier been married to a

Somebody stole the chair!

Now it is the turn of Bajaj group to set its eyes on Gujarat for its proposed car manufacturing unit.

The group is interested in setting up shop near the coastal town of Mundra in the state for which the company has begun informal talks with the Gujarat government. The company has zeroed in on Mundra since it wants to set up this manufacturing unit primarily for exports purposes.

After Tatas, Maruti, Ford and Puegot, Bajaj could well be fifth company to set up an automobile plant in Gujarat if all goes well.

According to officials, Bajaj wants to set up a plant with a capacity of more than 50 lakh units per annum. The plant is expected to require an investment of over Rs 10 billion.

In divine light

By Rajen Vakil

An Empty Vessel Receives The GanGa

As the student goes deeper into yogic practices he realizes there are two aspects to the movement of energy. The first is the ascent of energy from the lower yogic centers into the higher ones, which requires hard practice on the part of the student.

Normally this energy is wasted in daydreams and negative emotions. The student works hard to stop these leakages and then practices techniques to take the energy upwards. The second is the descent of knowledge from higher forces, which requires the student to be free of all accumulated knowledge or information that he has gathered. The student has to drop all the baggage he has accumulated so that he can become free and receptive to higher knowledge.

The descent of the River Ganga from the heavens is symbolic of the disciple receiving higher knowledge when he is ready.

In our previous story, we saw that Saagar’s 60,000 sons were born out of pumpkin seeds.

The pumpkin is symbolic of the underworld or the subconscious mind where all our habits and conditioning is stored. Thus these 60,000 represent the knowledge of the conditioned mind or information. As we see in the

story Lord Shiva had said that they will die of a curse given by a Rishi.

Initially, knowledge is necessary and so these 60,000 dig up the earth and prepare a pathway to its core. Here they encounter the Rishi Kapila whose perception reduces them to ashes.

In yoga, the core of the body-brain system is known as Muladhara. In the Muladhara sits the rishi Kapila. The word comes from the root ‘kamp’ - to shake. The Muladhara vibrates at a very high frequency. Yogis know that it is this vibration which is the source of all energy. Here there is perpetual motion. It is these vibrations which sustain our breathing and all body functions.

Once the Rishi burns Saagar’s 60,000 sons, Saagar requests his grandson, Anshuman to retrieve the sacrificial horse. Anshuman means ‘a ray of light’. This is the moment the yogi is waiting for; when his inner vision opens and he is able to send a ray of light to the source of energy.

Anshuman is the son of Asamanjas who Saagar had banished from his kingdom.

The word

Asamanjas means ‘chaos’.

At present, our attention is fragmented and in chaos. Through practice we can make it steady and one pointed or Anshuman. Each one of us has to banish this chaos from our body-brain kingdom in order to proceed further on the path.

Anshuman succeeds Saagar as King and later his grandson Bhagiratha performs severe austerities which bring Ganga to the earth. The word Bhag means ‘prosperous’. The meaning being, the prosperous chariot, or the vehicle of prosperity. In these moments when we are free of all borrowed knowledge, there is a descent of intelligence or higher knowledge called Ganga. When we hear the stories of most scientific discoveries we will see that something came as a flash to those scientists in moments such as these.

Thus, the student reaches the core of his being, allows all borrowed knowledge to die and then becomes an empty vessel that can receive and be filled with higher knowledge.

Next week we will take the story of how the great Ganga came to the earth.

All past articles on the Mahabharata can be accessed from http://epaper.asianvoice.com or from http://www.3stepbreath.com/mahabharata.html

National Communal Harmony Award for Acharya Lokesh Muni The National Communal Harmony Award for the year 2010 was presented

by IndianVice- President Mohd Hamid Ansari to founder of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti Acharya Dr Lokesh Muni for his contribution in the field of peace, communal harmony and non-violence.

He was presented with a citation and Rs 200,000.00. During the function held at Vigyan Bhawan prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, home minister P Chitambaram and minister for state for home Jitender Singh were also present.

Appreciating the remarkable contribution of Acharya Lokesh in the field of no-violence, peace and harmony, Dr Singh said secularism does not mean being irreligious but on the contrary, is an index of religiousness and spirituality. The more a person is religious, the more he is secular. These ideas and traditions

should be passed on to the newer generations. Dr Singh said that the country becomes weaker when it underestimates the ideas of others and avoids mutual understanding.

India has always been receptive to thoughts and ideas from outside and it was this tradition that had helped it preserve its unity despite diversities.

The Vice President said that principle of “Anekanta” is the strongest medium of mutual exchange of views and Acharya Lokesh is giving very stress on this principle. He said that Acharya Lokesh is a symbol that teaches us how to absorb all kinds of ideas. This award given to him is just an expression of gratitude towards his great contribution for the country. We hope that country would continuously get his guidelines for building a better India.

Acharya Lokesh is a writer, orator and social

worker. He is the chief functionary of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti, a Delhi based voluntary organisation which aims at promoting non-violence, peace, communal harmony, working against female foeticide & drug addiction, providing help during natural calamities, etc. Acharya Lokesh worked to de-escalate Hindu- Muslim strife after the Jama Masjid explosion in 2006-07 and tension between Dera Sacha Sauda and the Sikh community in 2007.

He participated in a 1,500 km walk from Haryana to Gujarat to promote communal harmony. Acharya Lokesh studied Jainism, Buddhism and Vedic philosophy and has 12 books to his credit on subjects like female foeticide, terrorism, principles of peace and brotherhood.

For his academic pursuits, the Indian Board of Alternative Medicines awarded him the Doctor of Philosophy.

InDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

In focus Modi, Jaya & Kerala shrines on terror radar

A letter posted from Chennai to Guruvayoor warned of a bomb attack by the Al-Qaida on two of Kerala’s most popular temples - the Guruvayoor and Sree Padmanabhaswamy shrines, police said. It claimed to be from the Al-Qaida and also mentioned that Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi and Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalaalithas would be assassinated in the coming days. The letter was in English and was addressed to the Guruvayoor circle inspector here. As soon as the letter arrived, police officials rushed to the Sree Krishna Temple along with a bomb squad and made a detailed inspection in the temple compound and also in the temple town.

Justice Shivaraj V Patil appointed new Karnataka Lokayukta

Former Supreme Court judge, Justice Shivaraj V Patil, was appointed the new Lokayukta of Karnataka to succeed Santosh Hegde. Governor H R Bhardwaj has cleared the name of Justice Patil, who had earlier served as Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court as well as Acting Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Raj Bhavan sources said. The 71-year-old Justice Patil, who hails from Karnataka, replaces Justice Hegde, a former Supreme Court judge who completes his term on August 2. Justice Patil also served as the one-man committee that went into the processes and procedures followed by the Department of Telecommunications in the allocation of licences and spectrum between 2001 and 2009.

Prez’s assets worth 24.9 million As she completes her fourth year in office President Pratibha Patil declared assets worth Rs 24.9 million, including eight properties in Maharashtra. The information on her movable and immovable properties comes after a Central Information Commission order requested her to take a decision on the issue of public probity as done by the Prime Minister and the Union council of ministers.

Ranjan Mathai takes charge as Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai, India's former ambassador to France, took over as India's Foreign Secretary. "The Foreign Secretary is as much an institution as an individual. So I will continue this effort," said Mathai. He succeeds Nirupama Rao, who is India's next ambassador to the US. On the India-Pakistan front, he said: "My mandate is substantive dialogue on all issues of common concerns." Mathai will have a two-year term. A 1974-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, Mathai has held a string of high-profile diplomatic positions. He was India's ambassador to Israel from February 1998 to June 2001, and to Qatar from August 2001 to July 2005.

Income tax officials quiz Raja in court custody The Income tax (I-T) department interrogated former communications minister Andimuthu Raja, who is currently in judicial custody for alleged involvement in the 2G spectrum allocation case, an official said. The I-T team reached the Patiala House Court premises and questioned the DMK leader. 'We are quizzing him regarding his family income,' said the official. The I-T department officials got permission from a Delhi court July 21 to interrogate six accused - Raja, Swan Telecom director Vinod Goenka, its promoter Shahid Usman Balwa and three Reliance Group officials - in judicial custody itself. The department earlier moved three separate applications, seeking permission to interrogate the accused.

Kasab appeals against death sentence The only surviving gunman of the deadly 2008 Mumbai attacks has appealed against the death sentence handed down by a trial court. The Mumbai court convicted 22-year-old Mohammed Ajmal Kasab of murder, waging war against India, conspiracy and terrorism in May last year and sentenced the Pakistani national to death.

The sentence was confirmed by the state High Court in February this year. Police officer Rajinder Dhamante said Kasab has appealed to the Supreme Court in New Delhi, which is expected to take up the case.

Taj Mahal remains top tourist draw The government of India earned Rs 870 million from entrance fee at 116 centrally-protected monuments in 2010-11, out of which Rs 198.9 million - the highest came from footfalls at the Taj Mahal. Eight monuments in the Agra circle contributed the maximum, Rs 378.5 million, to the kitty. The overall income is an improvement on 2009-10 figure of Rs 782.3 million. Agra circle’s income has also gone up by more than Rs 30 millione from 2009-10. After Taj Mahal, Agra Fort had maximum visitors as it earned Rs 104.2 million from tickets, followed by Qutub Minar in Delhi that reported earnings of Rs 100.5 million. In Agra, Fatehpur Sikri was the third-highest earner (Rs 57.3 million).

25

Peace on right track, say India, Pak foreign ministers India and Pakistan pressed ahead with their peace engagement, steering around contentious issues - particularly Jammu and Kashmir and terrorism that bedevil their ties.

Erasing the scars of last July, when their foreign ministers clashed in full public view in Islamabad, India and Pakistan managed the rare feat of speaking in one voice. They agreed to invest in a relationship of “trust and mutually beneficial cooperation’’.

It wasn’t easy given differences over the usual stumbling blocks that cropped up during the meeting between foreign minister S M Krishna (78), and his young counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar (34), but the two sides worked around them successfully enough for foreign secretary Nirupama Rao to later declare that the “fog has now lifted'' over the relationship.

Khar too raised hopes

Hindu commander of Hizbul Mujahideen killed A Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district has been identified as Subash alias Wasif, a Hindu member of the militant group, an army spokesperson said. Subash had joined the militant outfit more than 10 years ago. Police had said that the Hizbul commander killed after a gunfight in the forests of Kishtwar was district commander Sajjad Ahmad alias Mohammad Rizwan.

However, the real identity was discovered after the body was brought down to Kishtwar town, the spokesperson said. Hindus started joining the militant movement in the mountainous Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri and Poonch areas in Jammu region, primarily to save their community from terror attacks. Some were also lured by money and the power of the gun, according to police sources.

S M Krishna and his young counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar

when she described the relationship as entering a new era and stated that the mindset of people in both the countries had changed, allowing ties to move in the right direction. In terms of deliverables, a number of CBMs to enhance cross-LoC trade and travel were announced.

“It is our desire to

GI tag for Gir Kesar mango, Bhalia wheat Gir Kesar mango and Bhalia wheat from Gujarat have been accorded the geographical indication (GI) tag by the Geographical Indication's Registry in Chennai.

Officials of the GI registry here said Junagadh Agriculture University and Gujarat Agro-Industries had applied for the tag on behalf of Junagadh farmers. The new status would help prevent sale of ordinary Kesar mangoes, grown mostly in Junagadh and Amreli districts, as Gir Kesar. The entire area around the Gir sanctuary would be home to this variety and only those grown in this area would be known as Gir Kesar.

Mangoes from other parts of the state would be called Kesar though. The GI officials said the taste of Kesar mango from the Gir area was different from the varieties grown elsewhere. Once the GI certification is accorded, anyone

Indian women twice as likely to suffer depression Indians are among the world’s most depressed.

According to a World Health Organizationsponsored study, while around 9% of people in India reported having an extended period of depression in their lifetime, nearly 36% suffered from Major Depressive Episode (MDE). MDE is characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low selfworth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy and poor concentration, besides feeling depressed.

China had the lowest prevalence of MDE (12%).

The average age of depression in India is 31.9 years compared to 18.8 years in

make the dialogue process uninterrupted and uninterruptible,” Khar said after the meeting, summing up the determination to stay engaged. The restraint was evident at the press conference of the two foreign secretaries where neither rose to the bait of provocative questions.

Talks did not start on a

very promising note though. The meeting started with Krishna strongly expressing displeasure to the Pakistani delegation over Khar’s meeting with separatist Hurriyat leaders.

Krishna wanted to know what was the locus standi of the Hurriyat as they were not representative of the people of India.

He also took exception to the press statement Pakistan High Commission issued after the meeting with separatists. Khar promptly assured Krishna that she did not intend to give offence to India.

Hina high on fashion Hina Rabbani Khar made up for all Pakistani ministers in the past.

Apart from that winning smile, which has had India tied up in knots since she touched down here, the attractive Pakistani foreign minister proved to be a spot-the-brand delight for the fash frat this side of the border.

China, and 22.7 years in the US. The study, published in the BMC Medicine journal and based on interviews of more than 89,000 people in 18 different countries, says depression affects nearly 121 million people worldwide. It is the second leading contributor to shorter lifespan for individuals in the 15-44 age group. The percentage of respondents, who had lifetime MDE was higher in high-income (28.1%) than in low to middle-income (19.8%) countries. When it came to lifetime prevalence rates of depression, France (21%) and the US (19.2%) reported the highest rates of depression.

passing off any other variety of mango as Gir Kesar can be jailed for a term extending up to two years or fined. The fine ranges from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000 under the Geographical Indication of Goods (registration and protection) Act, 1999.

Bhalia is a long grain of wheat grown without

irrigation for centuries in the Bhal region of Gujarat.

The wheat has high protein content and has a sweet taste. Bhal region is spread across Bhavnagar and Ahmedabad districts.

The Gujarat government has been informed of the GI status, an official of the Geographical Indications Office here said.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

Yeddyurappa moves court against Lokayukta report

Harin Pathak demands direct Ahmedabad-London flight

Ahmedabad member of Parliament and former Home and Defence state minister Shri Harin Pathak presented a proposal in Loksabha. This proposal valid under rule377 of Loksabha, is of giving way to the demand of starting Ahmedabad –London and Ahmedabad –New York direct flights.

Such direct flights remain absent inspite of spending a large sum of Rs 400 crores on making of Ahmedabad International airport. It is very much necessary to immedietly start the arrangements of starting direct flights in sectors like AhmedabadLondon and AhmedabadNew York, onward- return.

In absence of direct flights, People of Gujarat and Britain has to go through Mumbai or Delhi to reach Ahmedabad or London, that proves to be tiresome with hassle of

And later the petichanging flights tion was presented and long hours. to Shri Praful Direct flights is of Patel, Civil aviautmost need right tion minister of now. Previously India. And letters for a while, direct were send to flight AhmedabadGujarat ministers, London was startCongress, Speaker ed but it stopped of Legislative within some span Harin Pathak Assembly and of time. This has almost all members of added to people’s inconassembly. Gujarat member venience, so this matter of Parliament Harin should be immedietly taken Pathak, Dinsha Patel to into consideration. It was start the direct flight. proposed to Civil aviation Moreover during the minister that the previously inauguration of started direct flight that is Ahmedabad International stopped should be started airport, same was demandas soon as possible to cater ed and proposed also by to needs of the people travchief minister Shri eling.

Narendra Modi,member of Before one and half Parliament Shri Harin year, London based Pathak, State minister Shri “Gujarat Samachar” had Dinsha Patel and many carried an campaign for other dignitaries in their starting the direct flight speech. In response to this Ahmedabad-london demand, civil aviation minonward-return flights, ister Shri Praful Patel had whose petition was signed immedietly given a positive by thousands of people.

answer and had announced that the direct flights will soon start by October-2010.

Unfortunately, the facility of direct flight has not yet started. The same was also demanded during the installation of statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Ahmedabad International airport, at that time when Shri Harin Pathak and Shri Dinsha Patel again proposed for the direct flight, Shri Praful Patel had said that the arrangement for the new aircraft will be made to start the direct flight soon.

Praful Patel inspite of announcing it twice in presence of public, has not started this facility. Later Praful Patel’s post was replaced by Shri Vyalar Ravi who was given the charge of this area. So, Shri Harin Pathak has presented this proposal to him in the initial Loksabha monsoon session.

Parliament heading for more trouble Continued from page 1 It is my hope that parliament will continue to uphold its glorious heritage and prevent introduction of such anti-poor Bill.”

Minister of state for personnel V Narayanasamy on Tuesday gave a notice to Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar to waive off the two-day period so that the Lokpal Bill could be introduced on Thursday. The Speaker can waive off the two-day period which is required to distribute copies of any new bill to political parties so that they come prepared during the introduction.

Government hopes that if the Standing Committee comes out with its recommendations on the bill by August-end, the government could go ahead with its passage.

The Lokpal Bill seeks to keep the office of the Prime Minister outside the purview of the ombudsman during his term in office and also exclude higher judiciary and conduct of MPs inside Parliament. The bill gives permission to Lokpal to probe any Union minister or officials of Group 'A' and above rank without

any sanction.

The Lokpal, consisting of chairperson and eight members, half of them judicial, will have its own prosecution and investigation wing with officers and staff necessary to carry out its functions.

Meanwhile, both houses of parliament were adjourned twice , forcing cancellation of the crucial question hour for the second successive day on Tuesday, as the government and the opposition seemed headed for a stalemate over the nature of debate on rising prices and corruption.

Opposition members rose from their seats, demanding that the question hour be suspended so that debates on price rise and corruption could be taken up on priority basis and under the rule that entails voting.

Special debate on price rise: The government and opposition later reached a consensus after a few rounds of parleys on holding a debate on price rise in both Houses of Parliament under the rule which entails voting on the resolution.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma

Swaraj told reporters that the discussion and voting on price rise under Rule 184 (which entails voting on the resolution moved) would be held soon after the Question Hour concludes on Thursday.

The BJP was adamant on holding separate discussions on price rise and corruption under clauses which entail voting but the government had certain reservations. After a few rounds of discussions between the two, the wording of the resolution was tweaked to suit both of them.

“Despite repeated discussions on price rise in the House, the burden of price rise on the common man is continuing.

Expressing deep concern over price rise, the House calls upon the government to take immediate effective steps to check inflation that will give relief to the common man,” the resolution agreed upon states.

The earlier draft said this “government has continued to increase the burden of price rise on the common man” and that the “House condemns the insensitivity of this government” on price rise.

Senior BJP leader and

Anna denied permission to fast at Jantar Mantar

The Delhi police denied permission to veteran social activist Anna Hazare to hold an indefinite hunger strike at the Jantar Mantar on August 16.

The Delhi police referred to the Supreme Court's 2009 order to deny team Anna permission for the indefinite strike anywhere in Delhi.

The police, in its letter to Hazare, said that as Parliament would be in

session, no group could be allowed to capture the entire space at Jantar Mantar, as many groups come out on protests during that period.

The letter further states that if team Anna wished they could hold their strikes in Delhi's outskirts, or give a definite time limit during which they would be allowed a sit-in protest.

Charging the govern-

ment of bringing a fractured Lokpal Bill, Hazare had said that he would protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on August 16.

"The entire country will protest with me at Jantar Mantar on August 16...This is not Hazare's protest but the entire country's. The people need to look at this as a second fight for their freedom and they should all come out on the streets," Hazare said.

former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha and JD(U) President Sharad Yadav will move the resolution on behalf of their respective parties. Sinha will open the debate.

The same resolution will be moved in the Rajya Sabha next week and will be followed by a debate and voting (under Rule 167).

BJP MP Prakash Javadekar will move the resolution on behalf of his party.

BJP said the PMO's assertion a day ahead of the session that he had asked for detailed consultation on spectrum allocation - rather than seeking to distance himself from the ex-telecom minister A Raja's decisions - meant he had actually been "hands on" with regard to the telecom policy. And, therefore, he had many questions to answer, it said.

While the PMO statement on Sunday argued it was wrong to construe that the prime minister had knowingly looked the other way when irregularities with the 2G allocations were brought to his notice, BJP leader Arun Jaitley said the "clarification" only proved Singh was aware of all developments related to the licences.

Outgoing Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Tuesday moved the high court against Lokayukta N Santosh Hegde's recommendation to try him for graft. He also moved the ombudsman to reconsider his recommendation.

The high court is likely to hear the petition while the petition to the Lokayukta will have to be considered by Hegde's successor, Shivaraj Patil who will assume office on Wednesday.

'Hegde told us that since his term ends today (Tuesday) he will leave a note to the successor to consider the petition,' Yeddyurappa's political secretary B.J. Puttaswamy told reporters here.

In both the petitions, Yeddyurappa has contented that the Lokayukta has gone beyond the terms of reference to probe illegal mining.

He has also not given any opportunity to Yeddyurappa to hear his version and hence the recommendation to try him for graft was against principles of natural justice, Puttaswamy said, quoting the petition.

In his report on illegal mining in the state, Hegde found that Prerana Education and Social Trust run by Yeddyurappa's two sons had received donation of

Rs100 million from a mining company.

The company had also paid the two sons exorbitant price of Rs.200 million to buy an acre of land near Bangalore from them.

The market price was for the land was just over Rs 10 milllion.

Yeddyurppa said in his petition to the Lokayukta that he had no connection with the trust run by his sons and had not favoured the mining company in any way because of its dealings with the trust and for buying the one acre land, Puttaswamy said.

BJP denies Yeddyurappa smashed laptop: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday dismissed as 'totally baseless' a media report that Yeddyurappa angrily smashed the laptop of party leader M Venkaiah Naidu after being told to resign.

While Naidu issued a statement denying the episode, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley also rejected the report as false.

'The news item is totally baseless and concocted,' Naidu said in his statement. National daily the Times of India in a report said that after being forced to resign and not being able to chose his successor, en enraged Yeddyurappa smashed Naidu's laptop on the floor.

Cabinet approves draft of Lokpal Bill The Union Cabinet approved the draft of the anti-corruption Lokpal Bill that is to be tabled in Parliament during the upcoming monsoon session. The Prime Minister and the judiciary have been excluded from the ambit of the Lokpal Bill.

According to this draft, the body will have a chairperson and eight members, including four judicial members.

Information minister Ambika Soni said the chairperson would be a serving or retired Supreme Court judge. She said the Cabinet had approved the draft with minor changes.

Civil society members have expressed their

unhappiness with the draft. Kiran Bedi said, the current government draft was fractured and unhealthy. She said the bill was not in favour of the common man.

The decision to review the Lokpal Bill comes as social activist Anna Hazare continues to pitch for a stronger version of the law to be presented for consideration of Parliament, contending that the official version falls "far short" of people's expectations.

Anna Hazare said that the government is being given a rare opportunity to change the history of India and the nation would be indebted to it if they present a strong Lokpal Bill.

Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar are renowned for organising community events and seminars. Please note our forthcoming events till September 2011.

Date 6th August 2011 28th August 2011

Event/Special Issue British Asian Youth seminar Poet Meghani Festival

August 2011 August 2011 August 2011 4th September 2011 16th September 2011 September 2011

British Goans Khana Pina Gana Nachna British Punjabis Gujarati Language Seminar AAA West Life

Coordinator Rupanjana+Alkaben Kokilaben+Jyotsnaben+ Kamal George Nihir+Kokilaben+others Nikhil Gor Kokilaben+Kamal George Baboy George

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Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

27

lord dolar Popat becomes patron of St luke’s Hospice 25th Anniversary appeal porters and will receive an exclusive badge and a free copy of our 25th anniversary book in which their names will be listed.

Individuals or organisations making a major donation of £1000 or above will feature on a special 25th anniversary tribute board and receive an exclusive plaque to display. Go to stlukes-

theme, for example walking 25 miles, swimming 25 metres, or selling cakes for 25p. For more ideas on how you can celebrate St Luke’s 25th anniversary log onto www.stlukes-hospice.org or contact Jemini Shah on 020 8382 8018 Donate £25 for 25 years. Those donating £250 will be become silver sup-

St Luke’s Hospice is a charity that has been close to my heart for nearly a quarter of a century, and I am proud to have been involved with St Luke’s since its inception. In 1986 our local community identified the need for a hospice to provide free care for people whose illnesses were no longer curable, enabling them to achieve the best possible quality of life during the final stages of their illness.

I have been in the situation where you are losing a close family member; it is a horrible feeling of powerlessness and hospices can be such pillars of strength to both the patient and the family. It was this experience that inspired me to help found St Luke’s and to ensure that families in Brent and Harrow received the support that they need at what can be a very difficult time.

The vision for St Luke’s was of a hospice which would care of the whole person, addressing their social, psychological and spiritual needs as well as their physical needs.

Over the past 25 years St Luke’s hospice has realised this vision;,creating a warm and friendly environment where staff are caring and compassionate: often acting and feeling like a second family to the patients and relatives.

From the original DayCare Centre at Harrow View, to the opening of the In-Patient Unit, expansion of care to patients in their own homes, development of Family support and Bereavement Services, and newer developments in education for professionals and support for careers, the hospice has gone from strength to strength and I could not be prouder of its work.

None of these developments would be possible without the generous support of the communities

who so generously give their time and resources to support patients and families at the hospice. We can always give a little more –be it time or money- to those who are less fortunate than ourselves; and St Luke’s has been a great beneficiary of this philosophy.

The Asian communities have been particularly generous with their support. We are particularly grateful to Asian Voice for becoming the hospice’s media partner for the appeal and The Asian Voice Asian Achiever’s Awards raised over £35,000 for the hospice in 2009. In 2010 I hosted a lunch for community groups at which a range of groups pledged their regular support by organising fundraising events in aid of the Hospice. Every year thousands of Asian ladies take part in the Midnight Walk which raises over £200,000 for the hospice.

This month St Luke’s will be launching its 25th anniversary appeal to celebrate 25 years of care and to make sure that the hospice is here for future generations, and we are honoured that Asian Voice has agreed to be our media partner for the event.

Giving a little to those who are less fortunate that ourselves is a very powerful force, and there are many ways in which individuals and organisations can give a little to support St Luke’s Hospice: Join a 25th anniversary event: the Hospice is holding 25 events for 25 years. You can choose from everything from afternoon teas and golf days to the St Luke’s summer proms, or, for the more adventurous a Fire Walk, Abseil, or trek to Everest base camp. Go to www.stlukes/hospice.org/ events to find out more.

Organise your own 25th anniversary event for St Luke’s.

Why not choose a 25th anniversary

the head of the hospital in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm El Sheik as saying that Mubarak was only partaking liquids and had lost weight. Mubarak with his two sons and former interior minister are to face trial this week.

St Luke’s is supporting patients and families in our community to the same high standard for the next 25 years.

If you would like to discuss your ideas, or would like a representative from St Luke’s to give a talk about the hospice to your organisation just call 0208 382 8040.

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Mubarak refusing to eat as the trial nears Cairo: To go on trial next week on charges that could carry the death penalty, deposed Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is refusing to eat solid food in jail and is suffering from "severe infirmity." It quoted Mohammed Fathallah,

hospice.org/25years to donate.

Share your memories of the Hospice: email stlukes25@slukes-hospice.org or contact Pam Russell on 0208 282 8040.

Whatever you do for St Luke’s, you know that your support will make a real difference. Let us do all we can to ensure that

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28

Community & Travel

asian voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

Purviâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s travel bag

By Purvi Apurva Shah

Rakhi: The thread of Love This frail thread of Rakhi is considered even stronger than iron chains as it binds the most beautiful relationship of siblings in an inseparable bond of love and trust.

Rakhi is basically a sacred thread of protection embellished with the love and affection of a sister for her brother. This day is also known as Raksha Bandhan and celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravana in India.

Traditions & Customs: On the day of Rakhi festival, the sister ties Rakhi on the wrist of her brother and both make prayer to God for the well being of each other. Sisters perform 'aarti' and put tilak on the forehead of her brother. In return, brothers make promise to take care of his sister under all circumstances. Usually, brothers gift something to the sister to mark the occasion. The mirth that surrounds the festival is unsurpassed.

Amidst the merriment the rituals are also followed with great devotion.

Preparation of Rakhi Festival: Generally, the fancy Rakhis and delicious sweets are prepared long before the Shravana Purnima. According to the Indian tradition, the family members get ready for

t h e rituals early in the morning. They take a bath to purify mind and body before starting any preparations. Sisters prepare the puja thali which consists of roli, tilak, Rakhi threads, rice grains, aggarbattis (incense sticks), diyas and sweets.

After offering the rituals to the deities of the family, the sister perform aarti of their brothers and ties Rakhi on their wrist. Then, they put kumkum powder on the forehead of their brother and offer sweets.

All these rituals take place amid the chanting of mantras.

Significance of Rakhi: The festival of Rakhi has taken a broader significance worldwide as it spreads harmony and bring together the family members under one roof.

Rakhi stands for the love between brothers and sisters, the bond of love that they have shared since their childhood. This festival holds immense significance in India. The custom of celebrating Raksha Bandhan started in ancient period and even today people consider it must to express their affection in traditional manner.

History of Raksha-Bandhan: Incident is from the epic Mahabharat and concerns Krishna and Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas. She had once torn a strip of silk off her sari and tied it around Krishna's wrist to staunch the bleeding from a battlefield wound.

Krishna was touched by her action and declared her to be his sister, even though they were unrelated. He promised to repay the debt and then spent the next 25 years doing just that. Draupadi, in spite of being married to 5 great warriors and being a daughter of a powerful monarch, trusted and depended wholly on Krishna. Krishna repaid the debt of love during the "Cheer-Haran" (literally "clothing-robbing") of Draupadi, which occurred in the assembly of King Dhritarashtra when Yudhisthira lost her to the Kauravas in gambling. At that time, Krishna indefinitely extended her saree through divine intervention, so it could not be removed, to save her honor. This is how he honored his rakhi-vow towards Draupadi.

Indian Wedding A tribal wedding The weddings among Indian tribals have become more modernized these days, but the traditional regulations of marriage still prevail. The Gaddi tribe in the Kangra valley practices strange rituals during the nuptials. The groom is seen dressed in a yellow dhoti with ash smeared on his forehead, a bow and arrow in hand and in a way his appearance is similar to Lord Shiva.

Marriage is very important among Gaddis. The community believes that if one does not marry, he or she is doomed to die a devil`s death. Wedding festivities are spread over three days, but it is on the second day that the actual ceremony really begins.

On this day, women perform the rituals. The ceremony begins with the groom begging his mother for the probability to lead his own life. He has to go to her with a pleading bowl, asking for her permission to go ahead with the wedding. In keeping

with a well-rehearsed script, the mother must send him away with the best food, which means that his wish has been granted.

Wedding dress: The bright colors of the costumes are in sharp contrast to the green of the surroundings.

The women duck themselves with heavy jewellery. Big nose rings, heavy silver chanderhars, jo-malas

and kapor-ki-malas are common ornaments. The hair is decorated with a central chiri and a pair of smaller pieces of jewellery is worn behind the ears. A silver chaunk is thought to be important headgear.

Bangles are compulsory, for no self-respecting women will be seen without them. Most of the jewellery is made from silver and the use of gold is usually rare. The Gaddi

woman likes to boast her jewellery and costumes and a marriage is the ideal occasion to showcase them.

Wedding feast: On the first day of the celebrations, Gaddi women sing conventional songs invoking various Gods as well as the sun, moon and the earth. After much singing and festivities, the feast begins. The menu for a wedding usually consists of food items like babroo, lahoda or fried blood cutlets, vegetables, fried mutton, and tea or sur or alcohol. As a rule, mutton is not prepared at the bride`s place. For breakfast, halwa or any other sweet is a must.

Traditionally, the groom was carried off in a palki.

The actual ceremony takes place in a mandaplike structure called the bedi. The bedi is decorated with geometrical figures made of rice flour, turmeric and vermilion.

These days, there are variations in the kinds of marriages that take place amongst the Gaddis. The most authentic of them all is dan-pun or dharampun, where the parents without any pre-conditions arrange the marriage.

Are you the one who dream of being on a floating Bohemia, your every need catered to, while you lie on your deck chair in the sun, sipping your margarita, with miles of deep blue ocean to feast your eyes on? Then head for a 7- day tryst on Alaska cruise in a ship.

One of the most popular cruise destinations in the world is Alaska, an overwhelming landscape of glaciers and endless forests, towering mountains and isolated villages, whales, bears and the rare bald eagles.

When to go to Alaska?

The cruise season in Alaska runs from May to September, with July and August the most popular months. May is best for wildflowers and September is great for the fall foliage, but the weather may be fickle.

How to choose an itinerary?

There are two major routes. The first is the seven day Vancouver-toVancouver cruise that includes stops at Juneau, the capital of Alaska; Ketchikan, a colorful fish packing port; Glacier Bay National Park; and Sitka, the former Russian frontier outpost. This is a good introduction to the scenic wonders of southeastern Alaska and Glacier Bay, although some ships call on Hubbard Glacier instead. The other major route is a seven to 10 day itinerary from Seattle to Anchorage which takes in more glaciers and more of the Alaskan scenery.

How to choose a ship?

More than 30 ships from 13 cruise lines sail in Alaska's waters. The ships range from the medium size (800 to 1,500 passengers), to mega-size (2,000 and more) and smaller, nature-oriented ships with fewer than 200 passengers. The medium size and mega-ships are floating resorts with a wealth of entertainment facilities and organized activities. The focus of these cruises as much on the shipboard activities as it is on the passing landscape of Alaska. The smaller ships focus more on nature and cultural activities. They can also get closer to shore and enter some fjords that may be too small for the larger liners. However, the small ships do not have the resort facilities of the larger ships such as nightclubs, casinos, shops and spas.

Therefore, you should choose your ship on the basis of what kind of cruise experience you want.

Shore excursions You can fish for king salmon in Ketchikan, fly over the Mendenhall Glaciers near Juneau, pan

Cruise vacation!

Next best idea

for gold in an ice cold creek outside of Skagway, enjoy native American and Russian in Sitka, and learn about wildlife through talks by naturalists. These can be booked on board the ship, but some lines do allow you to pre-book the more popular excursions.

The prices range from about $100 to $350 for a half day city tour to the more expensive helicopter rides and adventure trips.

Is cruising expensive?

Just do the math.

Compare a one week cruise against a week at a resort.

With a cruise vacation, your meals, accommodation, entertainment, and most activities are included in the fare. It's easy to stick to your budget. Plus, on a cruise you get to visit many different ports of call.

Unpack once and settle in for a journey that can take you anywhere you want to go. At the end of the day, retreat to your own floating

Visit native longhouse in Ketchikan. You can go off on your own. Or take a guided tour. You can search ancient native villages or hunt for shopping bargains. Ride a raft over river rapids, bicycle down the side of a 10,000 foot volcano, or ride a horse across miles of hills and beaches. Climb a waterfall or listen to live bands.

Follow the footsteps of history or the wake of a waterskiing boat.

If there's still time (and you aren't ready to rest yet), enjoy a folklore show. Play golf or tennis. Eat native foods. Learn how to windsurf. Sun and swim or catch a record marlin. Go to a nightclub or glittering casino. Take a cable car to the top of a mountain.

Explore dark catacombs.

In short, a cruise is the easiest way to see new places and do all the things you dream of.

Cruising is the perfect way

resort to enjoy fabulous cuisine, world-class entertainment and be lulled to sleep at sea.

What is there to do on the ship?

Lots! How would you like to go ice skating, rock climbing, practice your golf swing, shoot a few hoops, go to the casino, see a Broadway-style show, do some shopping, workout at the gym, relax at the spa, take a dip in the pool, log onto the Internet, all without ever leaving the ship! Plus, there are some fantastic innovations which will feature an ice skating rink and rock climbing wall.

Every ship has a Cruise Director whose job it is to make sure each guest has the opportunity to make the most of their vacation.

In fact, there are so many things to do that you will probably book a longer cruise next time.

Are there different classes of service?

Every guest can enjoy the use of any of the ship's facilities. The price and category of staterooms are based primarily on size and location. Whichever category you book, you'll enjoy the same courteous service, dining, activities, and entertainment as everyone else.

What is there to do in port?

to sample a number of destinations that you may want to return to for another vacation and you never have to pack and unpack - the destinations come to you.

What about the night life?

At night, life aboard a cruise ship really turns on.

There's dancing, live entertainment in nightclubs, discos and lounges, feature films, and parties with all your new friends.

Most ships have casinos.

There are also many special events like the Captain's Cocktail Party, Passenger Talent Night, the Masquerade Parade, and the Late Night Buffet (for that one last bite to tide you over till breakfast). And the night can go on as long as you want.

What should you pack?

Pack like you would for any resort. Cruise vacations are casual by day, whether you're on the ship or ashore. In the evening, ships vary as to dress. As on shore, attire is dictated by occasion.

For the Captain's Gala, for example, you'll probably want to wear something more formal, such as a dark suit, or cocktail dress; perhaps even a dinner jacket or gown.

The writer is part of the editorial team of Asian Voice, Ahmedabad.

HeAltH WAtcH

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

Any quest ions writ e to m amta @thinkspalon

By Mamta Saha don.com

Psychologist

A glass of milk is a miracle drink

How to deal with negativity from life and from others

It is natural to have expectations of others – especially when those expectations are based around getting support, love and respect for yourself. But what does one do when these expectations are far from fulfilled and as a result we feel unsatisfied by the way we are being treated? Read on to find out some simple yet effective techniques that can help you to rise above the negativity and flourish to your fulfil potential regardless of what life and all of its funny characters throw at you.

Firstly, look at yourself and assess what your major purpose and values in life are. For example your major purpose maybe to ‘serve the community through volunteering at the local temple’ and your values may consist of ‘generosity, humility and order’. Question, is it reasonable to expect others to buy into and go along with ‘your’ purpose and values? When you contemplate this you may think ‘yes’ or your may think ‘no’, regardless of what you think – you have to be clear that your

dreams are your dreams, and to impose your life’s purpose and values as a ‘way of life’ onto others (no matter how compelling they are to) is not fair. Instead of doing this you may want to start appreciating the qualities and purpose of others.

Secondly, maintain an open mind about how you are being treated and how you view the barriers that may come your way. The Talmud said ‘We do not see things as they are; we see things as we are’. This means that your representation, feelings and thoughts of an event or situation are never a complete and exact match to what actually happened.

It is an interpretation that is based on what is filtered through your senses.

Remember perception equals reality. Carl Jung a Swiss Psychiatrist stated that ‘perception is projection’. In other words what we perceive to be true about the world is actually (at least partially) just a projection of our own beliefs and ideas about life. Mostly this comes down to our life experiences, conditioning, cul-

ture and attitudes.

Therefore, if someone is negative that will be projected onto their experience of life and they will find people and situations that validate that perspective, or they will simply interpret life through those filters. When you come across people like this – realise they are unhappy because they have chosen to be and you have the power and control to not absorb and inhale this negativity.

Due to the success of the Impact Boot Camp I am running another event on September 17th in London from 11 – 6 pm.

To register your interest please email: mamta @thinkspalondon.com.

Keep up to date by ‘liking’ the Think Spa London page on Facebook and following us on Twitter.

Lastly, we are now offering Skype coaching. Should you be interested in exploring this send me an email.

Remember you have all it takes to live happily and peacefully – so think twice before you allow anything negative to get the better of you. I send you all peace and energy.

Daily intake of aspirin good to fight heart disease A study by University of Alberta researcher Scot Simpson has shed light on the use of aspirin as a preventative measure for cardiovascular disease and reoccurrence in patients with diabetes. The study collected data from clinical trials that looked at whether taking aspirin as a course of treatment would prevent a first or recurrent heart attack or stroke.

Using information from diabetic patients in these studies, Simpson discovered that patients with previous cardiac episodes who were taking a low dose of aspirin daily had very little benefit in terms of prevention of a second heart attack or a decreased risk of mortality.

However, in patients taking higher doses of aspirin, the risk of a repeat heart attack and/or death was significantly lower.

"We took all of the data from 21 studies and focused specifically on diabetic patients who had suffered a previous heart attack or stroke to measure the ability of aspirin to prevent a second event. We found that, if those patients took up to 325 milligrams of aspirin per day, they had a 23 per cent lower risk of death," said Simpson.

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Scientists have revealed that a plain glass of milk is actually a miracle mix with a lot of ingredients. Milk contains a cocktail of up to 20 painkillers, antibiotics and growth hormones.

Using a highly sensitive test, they found a host of chemicals used to treat illnesses in animals and peo-

ple in samples of cow, goat and human breast milk.

The doses of drugs were far too small to have an effect on anyone drinking them, but the results highlight how man-made chemicals are now found throughout the food chain.

The SpanishMoroccan team analysed

29

20 samples of cow's milk bought in Spain and Morocco, along with samples of goat and breast milk.

Their breakdown revealed that cow's milk contained traces of antiinflammatory drugs niflumic acid, mefenamic acid and ketoprofen commonly used as painkillers in animals and people.

It also contained the hormone 17-beta-estradiol, a form of the sex hormone oestrogen.

The tests also found niflumic acid in goat's milk, while breast milk contained traces of painkillers ibuprofen and naproxen, along with the antibiotic triclosan and some hormones.

The researchers, led by Dr Evaristo Ballesteros from the University of Jaen in Spain, say their new 30minute test is the most sensitive of its kind and could be used to check the safety of other types of food.

Mushrooms could help fight prostate cancer Mushroom used in Asia for medicinal purposes vanquished prostate tumour successfully in mice during early trials.

"Polysaccharopeptide (PSP), a compound extracted from the "turkey tail" mushroom, was found to target prostate cancer stem cells and suppress their formation in mice," says a new study conducted by senior research fellow Patrick Ling.

Ling, from the Institute for Biomedical Health and Innovation (IHBI) at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) added that the results could be an important step towards fighting a disease that kills 3,000 Australian men a year.

"What we wanted to demonstrate was whether that compound could stop the development of prostate tumours in the first place," said Ling. "In the past, other inhibitors tested in research trials have been shown to be up to 70 per cent effective,

but we're seeing 100 per cent of this tumour prevented from developing with PSP. Importantly, we did not see any side effects from the treatment."

Ling said, "Conventional therapies were only effective in targeting certain cancer cells, not cancer stem cells, which initiated cancer and caused the disease to progress." During the

research trial transgenic mice that developed prostate tumours were fed PSP for 20 weeks. Ling said, "No tumours were found in any of the mice fed PSP, whereas mice not given the treatment developed prostate tumours".

He said, "The research suggested that PSP treatment could completely inhibit prostate tumour formation."

anupm keqrs#

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Contact: Ashvwin Gosai

129 Bowes Road, Palmers Green, London N13 4SB.

Tel: 020 8889 9112 Mobile: 07985 404 942 E-mail: anupamcaterers@yahoo.co.uk www.anupamcaterer.com

30

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

CB Live is only a Gujarati programme in UK on MATV SKY 793 This week on CB Live Mr Suresh Vagjiani, Director of Sow and Reap will be interviewed

by CB Patel about the recent trend in the UK and Indian property market. In the later half of the programme, telephone lines will be open for viewers' interaction.

If you do not have a SKY, go to www.tvunetworks.com and watch CB Live on TVU Player Channel 75203

For more information e-mail: cblive_matv@yahoo.co.uk

Coming Events l Shree Sorathia Prajapatui Community celebrates Silver Jubilee of Shri Ram Mandir-Birmingham, till 7th August. Contact: 0121 773 5735 l Bolly-Flex expedition begins at Hackney Empire Birmingham’s Drum Theatre on the 20th-21st August. l Shree Jalaram Mandir, 39-45 Oldfield Lane South, Greenford, Middlesex, UB6 9LB, Tel: 0208 578 8088 / 9285 Friday 5th August to Saturday 13th August 2011 Daily Katha from 2.30pm to 6pm followed by Prasad upto 8pm l Shravan Maas Satsang at Shree Aden, 67A Church Lane, London N2 8DR at 7:30-10:30pm from 1st-29th August. Contact: 020 8346 6686 l Grand4- day cultural event, BAPS South East London Satsang Mandal Monday 1st AugustThursday 4th August, Shaheed Udham Singh Asian Community Centre, Plumstead SE18 1DG. Contact: se.parayan@gmail.com l Surrey Gujarati Hindu Society has arranged a coach trip to ISKCON Watford temple for Janmashtami on Sunday 21st August 2011.Depart by 10.00am and leave temple by 7.00pm.

Bhavnaben on 0208 684 4645 l 108 Hanuman Chalisa 7 August, 2011, 11-5pm Social Club Hall, Northwick Park Hospital, Watford Road, Harrow, HA1 3UJ, Opposite Car Park 3 and 186 Bus Stop, Dipakben Patel 020 8459 5758

Pushti Nidhi celebrates 3 days festival

Pushti Nidhi (UK) celebrated the 3 day festival – 84 Baithek Manorath, with pomp. Over the 3 days more than 1500 vaishnavas attended the program

Sneh Joshi - 020 8518 5500

7pm to 8pm

Shop for Indian Homes in the UK The Times of India Group is hosting the India Property Show to help NRIs living abroad buy property back home.

London alone has in excess of 175,000 Indian nationals. Coupled with British PIO, this number would be approximately 450,000, accounting for 6% of the London population.

Though a large percentage of the Indian diaspora may have substantial amounts of disposable income, which can be invested in real estate, they do not have the time to scout for prime properties and take informed decisions. An annual or bi-annual rushed India-visit, where families must be met and other various social obligations seen to, is also not conducive to buying a home.

The India Property Show will help potential customers like the afore

mentioned to meet some of the best real estate developers in the business like the Hiranandani Group, Nirmal, Godrej Properties, Lodha, Omaxe, KSL & Industries, Sriram Properties, Amanora Group…... This will not only give house shoppers an idea of the rates back in India but it will also help them have a clearer understanding of builder projects across Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Delhi and Goa. This exhibition will be held at The Cumberland Hotel, Great Cumberland Place, London W1C 1LZ on the 6th and 7th of August.

Mr. Virendra Sharma, MP for Ealing Southall, will inaugurate the show and declare it open. For the Indians here, investing in property in India couldn’t have become more convenient.

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21

Relationships are complex in the best of times, but communicative Mercury's retrograde motion can make things even more complicated now. Misunderstandings can plague partnerships or potential romances - be more careful and forgiving. A good time for completing unfinished business and reassessing your future projects.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22 As Mercury turns retrograde in your fourth house, you need to watch out for extreme changes in peoples attitude and behaviour at home. Strong emotions may spill out with your loved ones, but it is alright to reveal your fears and insecurities sometimes. It's a cosmically testing time, so try not to tread on each other's toes.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22 You need to pay more attention than usual to your schedule while Mercury is retrograde. Meetings, work hours and organised breaks could play havoc, unless you're prepared to re-group on the spur of the moment. Try to be meticulous but flexible about your schedule. Play your cards right and you can pull strings in you favour.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23

You will feel energetic and confident as the week begins. Your thinking is inspired, so listen to your thoughts. This may be a time of expansion and improved opportunity and it would be unwise to let yourself become complacent. A good time for restructuring and rethinking your aims and interests. Affairs of the heart are likely to flourish.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

Mercury turns retrograde in your sign for some time to come. Normally we expect matters to be dealt with smoothly, but not while the planet Mercury in your sign, is moving backwards.

Confusion and frustration reign, so put your plans on hold.

Curb your expenditure as you will spend unnecessarily.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23 With Venus and Sun embracing your 11th sign, this should be a good time for love and friendships. Unfortunately, Mercury turns retrograde for the next few weeks. Be patient with your loved ones as your communications are going to be garbled and misconstrued. Saturn in your sign will also prove to be frustrating.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22 It's a lovely week for a romantic encounter, as Jupiter transits your opposite sign of relationships. Bear in mind that Mercury turns retrograde in your eleventh house of friends and associates as well. The next few weeks would serve you well if you spend more time listening than speaking.

The Mayor of Leicester, Sir Peter Soulsby attended the festival. The festival was also attended by Deputy Mayor Manjula Sood and other councillors.

Editor: CB Patel Associate Editor: Rupanjana Dutta Tel: 020 7749 4098 - Email: rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com Senior News Editor: Dhiren Katwa Freelance Correspondent: Rudy Otter Chief of Operations ABPL: Liji George Tel: 020 7749 4013 Email: george@abplgroup.com Chief Financial Officer: Surendra Patel Tel: 020 7749 4093 - Mobile: 07875 229 220 Email: surendra.patel@abplgroup.com Accounts Executive: Akshay Desai Tel: 020 7749 4087 Email:accounts@abplgroup.com Advertising Managers: Alka Shah Tel: 020 7749 4002 - Mobile: 07944 151 893 Email: alka.shah@abplgroup.com Kishor Parmar Tel: 020 7749 4095 - Mobile: 07875 229 088 Email: kishor.parmar@abplgroup.com Media Consultant: Rovin John George - Email: rovin.george@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4097 - Mobile: 07875 229 219 Business Development Managers: Urja Patel - Email: urja.patel@abplgroup.com Nikhil Gor - Email: nikhil.gor@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4009 - Mobile: 07875 229 200 Design and Layout: Harish Dahya & Ajay Kumar Tel: 020 7749 4086 Email: graphics@abplgroup.com Customer Service: Ragini Nayak Tel: 020 7749 4080 - Email: support@abplgroup.com (BPO) AB Publication (India) Pvt. Ltd.

A great deal will depend on how you organise your priorities this week. This does not mean that you will have to compromise your ideals but you may be obliged to realise that sometimes a more flexible approach is needed. Your best line of action this week is to stick doggedly to familiar routines and avoid all distractions where possible.

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20

207 Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad Tel/Fax: +91 79 2646 6061 Chief Executive Director: Kamlesh Amin Tel: +91 922 710 4308 Email: kamleshamin123@yahoo.co.in Editorial Co-Ordinator (BPO): Nilesh Parmar (M) +919426636912 Consulting Editor (BPO): Bhupatbhai Parekh, Ahmedabad, Gujarat Tel: +91 79 2630 4142 Mumbai: Kanti Bhatt, Hemraj Shah (Jumbo Advertiser) Horizon Advertising & Marketing: 205 Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad Tel / Fax: +91 79 2646 5960 (M) +91 9913346487 Email: horizonadvt2009@yahoo.in Neeta Patel, (Advertising Manager) (M) +91 98255 11702 International Advertisement Representative: Jain Group(South India) Tel: +91 44 42041122/3/4 Fax: +91 44 25362973 Mumbai: +91 222471 4122 Email: jainmedia@eth.net

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SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 Mercury turns retrograde in your tenth house of career and status, slowing down your progress at work. It is important for you to be steadfast and focused as misunderstandings and confusion reign. Stay as organized as possible while Mercury, the planet of communications does its best to trip you up.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20 You will continue to be in a restless mood for some time to come. This makes you impatient with restrictions and even more determined to cut your own path. Do not get over-anxious if everything seems to be in slow motion - it is time to pull a few strings. You are likely to experience some tension in close relationships.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19 It would be unwise to take any risks, particularly in regard to joint interests and investments. Expenses and outgoings are likely to become heavy. So be extra careful if you need to deal with complex legal matters and necessary red tape. If love has left you feeling rather dejected or cynical, it looks as though soon events will pull you out of this mood of despondency.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20 Your closest relationships come under scrutiny as Mercury, the planet of communications goes retrograde in your seventh house of marriage and partnerships. There can be a lot of misunderstandings and confused signals. You'll need to listen carefully to what your partner is saying during the next few weeks.

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

SPort WORlD

Easy draw for England in 2014 world cup

Ronjan Sodhi becomes World No 1 in double trap

England were handed a straight forward looking qualifying draw for the 2014 World Cup in Rio on Saturday, with Montenegro, Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, San Marino their Group H opponents.

The group saw Ukraine drawn to face Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland in a group which England ought on paper at least to win to guarantee their passage.

If they slip up then the Three Lions will have to go through the playoffs for one of four remaining berths, assuming they at least finish as one of the best eight runners-up in the nine groups across the Old Continent. But while the 1966 champions, who will have a new coach in charge after Fabio Capello steps down next year, had little cause to feel hard done by it was a different story for 1998 champions France, drawn in the same group as champions Spain. Belarus, Georgia and Finland make up Group I. “It's an extremely difficult group,” said Noel Le Graet, the head of the French Football Federation.

“We have time to progress but it's absolutely essential to finish first. We will face Spain and be very competitive. We still have a year and a half to get ready.”

Brazil are pre-qualified as hosts, but for hundreds of millions of fans from around the world watching the draw

unfold there was tension as they waited on their teams’ fate. Scotland were drawn with a Wales side whose recent slide down the rankings now has them lower in the standings than the Faroe Islands. The pair will face off with Croatia, Serbia, Belgium and Macedonia in Group A. Scotland and Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam wrote on Twitter: “Tough draw but have a good chance nothing is impossible.”

Also in the European zone, 2010 finalists Holland will face Turkey, Hungary, Romania, Estonia and Andorra in Group D. Four-time champions Italy are in Group B with difficult matches against Denmark and the Czech Republic standing in their way

with Bulgaria, Armenia and Malta also in the section.

Three-time winners Germany lead Group C with tricky ties with Sweden and Ireland in prospect while Austria, Faroe Islands and Kazakhstan are also in the pool.

Saturday's preliminary draw for the 20th World Cup was made 91 years to the day since the first final saw Uruguay emerge as champions.

Before the main draw, the fifthplaced team in South American qualifying was drawn to play the fifth-placed team in Asian qualifying for a finals place while the leading nation from Oceania was selected to meet the fourth-ranked country from the North, Central American and Caribbean (CONCACAF) zone. CONCACAF gets three guaranteed places plus one playoff berth, while Oceania's 11 countries are fighting for just a single place via that same play-off. Africa will have five qualifiers and in the draw West African giants Ghana and Ivory Coast were handed tough tasks.

In Asia, reigning Asian champions Japan and North Korea came out together. Australia's bid to qualify for a third successive finals begins in Group D, where they will take on Saudi Arabia, Oman and Thailand.

Sania-Shvedova pair claims Maryland title India slip to 3rd place

India's Sania Mirza and Russia’s Yaroslava Shvedova beat Olga Govortsova of Belarus and Alla Kudryavtseva of Russia 6-3, 6-3 in 66minutes to clinch the women's doubles title in the WTA Tour event in Maryland, USA on Sunday.

For Sania, it was the 12th doubles title of her career, for which the duo received $11,000 and 280 points. The 24-year-old Hyderabadi, had won two titles earlier this season with regular partner Elena Vesnina, in Indian Wells and Charleston.

In the ATP Tour event in Los Angeles, giant-killers India’s Somdev Devvarman and Philippines’ Treat Conrad Huey fell 6-7, (3-7), 6-7 (8-10) in the final after causing a string of upsets to get to the title round. Mark Knowles of the Bahamas and Belgium’s Xavier Malisse won the title in just under an hour. Somdev and Huey,

teammates at the University of Virginia, were richer by $18,000 and 150 points.

In the latest ATP men’s singles ranking, Somdev dropped three places to No. 65. In the individual doubles ranking, while Somdev climbed 61 places to No. 189, there was no movement in the top order of world doubles with No. 5 Mahesh Bhupathi, No. 8 Leander Paes and No. 10 Rohan Bopanna retaining their positions. In the WTA singles ranking, Sania dropped two places to No. 64, but stayed at No. 11 in doubles.

Serena serves Open challenge with triumph: Serena Williams sounded an ominous warning to her rivals that she will be a genuine contender at the US Open after winning the Stanford Classic on Sunday in her third tournament back from injury. Williams overpowered third seed Marion Bartoli of France 7-5 6-1 in Sunday's final and her opponent, who triumphed when they last met in the fourth round at Wimbledon this year, applauded the American's performance. The former No. 1, who returned to the tour after taking almost a year off, is projected to break into the top 80.

in ICC ODI rankings

World champions India have slipped to third place in the ICC ODI team rankings after an annual update of the list in which Australia have extended their lead at the top to 12 points.

Despite capturing the World Cup 2011, India fell behind runners-up Sri Lanka in the updated rankings.

"This is due to the fact that in the 2008-09 rating year, now dropped, India won 17 ODIs and lost only five games, which was easily the best record during that period.

"In the same year Australia won 11 and lost 11 ODIs and so now Michael Clarke's side are no longer penalised for that relatively poor year," the ICC explained in a statement.

"In the past 12 months, India has lost nine ODIs, including its last two ODIs against eighth ranked West Indies and one in the group stages of the ICC Cricket World Cup, and has a win-loss ratio that is poorer than World Cup finalists Sri Lanka and quarterfinalists Australia and South Africa," it added.

Pak foreign minister pitches for Indo-Pak cricket series Pakistan's young foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar broached the topic of sports diplomacy during her meeting with her Indian counterpart S M Krishna last week.

Batting for resumption of cricketing ties, Khar told Krishna that the game had the potential to bring closer the two countries at a time when people were keen on peace.

Khar said that the time was particularly ripe for resuming test series between the two nations. There has been no bilateral series since the Mumbai attacks in 2008.

In fact, no international team has toured Pakistan since March 2009 when the Sri Lankans were attacked in Lahore by terrorists.

Krishna responded, saying India was keen on resuming sporting ties and hoped India would soon host

Hina Rabbani Khar

the Pakistani cricket team and vice versa. While cricket did not find specific mention in the joint statement, it said the two ministers emphasized on holding sports tournaments. Khar is also learnt to have pitched for cricket matches between the women's teams of the two countries.

The idea played on throughout her visit. Earlier,

at the dinner in the Pakistan high commission, she asked BCCI vice-president and MoS for parliamentary affairs Rajeev Shukla to work towards initiating an India-Pakistan cricket series.

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla is learnt to have assured Khar that resumption of an Indo-Pak cricket series would be discussed at the BCCI meeting scheduled for next month. A series is said to be tentatively scheduled for next year but it has not been confirmed yet.

The BCCI and the Pakistan cricket board recently held a meeting in Hong Kong on the sidelines of the ICC annual conference in which resumption of bilateral cricketing ties was discussed.

Khar, a polo enthusiast herself, may have taken

some tips from her 11-yearold son, a cricket enthusiast who accompanied her to India. For a Pakistan cricket board that is struggling to remain afloat, it is imperative to engage India in a bilateral series not just to generate revenues but also to give the right message to other test playing nations who are shying away from playing there.

In India though, it is likely to be seen by many, including opposition parties, as a major concession to Pakistan. Krishna had said in April that India had agreed to play matches with Pakistan while going ahead with peace talks, leading to BJP condemning the statement. The opposition party maintains that cricket ties should be revived only if there is a change in Pakistan's attitude towards terror.

31

Champion doubletrap shooter and Asian Games gold medalist Ronjan Sodhi on Sunday grabbed the top slot in the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) world rankings. Ronjan, who was earlier ranked second behind American Joshua Richmond by three points, attained the summit by virtue of his bronze medal-winning feat at the World Cup earlier this month in Maribor, Slovenia.

Ronjan is currently the only Indian shooter to be ranked world No. 1 in the ISSF rankings.

It was Ronjan's consistency in the past one year that has assured the world No.1 spot for the Punjab shooter in double trap. He is also the reigning World Cup final champion, where his impeccable score of 192/200 fetched him a gold medal last year. He followed that up with two silver medals at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi last year, before clinching the silver in Guangzhou.

"It's a great feeling to be ranked world No 1.

It was one of my dreams to be at the top of the ISSF rankings and now that I have reached here I plan to look forward towards my other goals and ambitions. The journey hasn't been easy but my determination was what kept me going and the last three years have given me a lot to smile,” Ronjan said.

Afridi, Shoaib set to lose PCB contracts In a major shake up, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has omitted around five leading players, including former captain Shahid Afridi, from the list of new centrally contracted players for the next six-month term. According to well placed sources in the PCB, the board had finalised the list of players to be awarded central contracts from July to December and it does not include at least six players who were given contracts in the first half of 2011.

“The likes of Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar are out because they have announced their retirements while players like Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq and Ahmed Shahzad have not got the nod from the selectors this time because of number of issues, mainly inconsistent form and performances,” one source said.

The source added that former captain Shoaib Malik could get a central contract if he is cleared by the integrity committee for national selection on August 15. “The finalised list includes some new names but the major omissions are Razzaq and Kamran because of their performances,” he said.

Oz cricket board looks for Indian investors Cricket Australia (CA) is looking to attract Indian investors for the Twenty20 Big Bash league as it plans to generate around $50m from the sale of franchises. According to reports, Credit Suisse representatives working for CA are all set to take a road show to India next week to attract wealthy Indians, who may wish to own a stake in a Big Bash team.

If their foray to Indian shores remains successful, two franchises - one from Melbourne and one from Sydney - will find themselves immediately richer by $2 million while the relevant state associations and CA will share the rest of the windfall, 'The Australian' reported.

Though, private investment in the eight citybased franchises was proposed during the formulation of the concept, the process got derailed until a recent decision to allow two of the sides to test the market and sell a minority shareholding. Reports suggest that CA is hoping to generate around $50m from the sale of the two franchises.

Investors will have to pay the money up front. The teams will retain $2m of the sale price while the rest will be split equally between the state and CA after sales costs are taken out.

32

Asian Voice - Saturday 6th August 2011

Sachin sets another record; 100 tests outside India With each test that Sachin Tendulkar plays, a new record is set more often than not. And so it is with the ongoing Test against England at Nottingham which has become the 100th match for the master-blaster, away from home soil. With 179 tests for the country, Sachin is already the most-capped player in the longest format of the game. The milestone reached on Friday when the second test between India and England began. Sachin averages 56.48 in all matches played outside India and his highest individual score of 248* also came against Bangladesh in Dhaka.

Twenty nine of his 51 test centuries have been scored at international venues with 8,191 runs to boot.

Dhoni shortlisted for ICC People's Choice Award Five cricketers, including India skipper MS Dhoni, were shortlisted for the second edition of ICC's 'People's Choice Awards.'

The shortlist includes the likes of South African batsman Hashim Amla, Chris Gayle of West Indies, former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara and England's Jonathan Trott apart from Dhoni.

The list was nominated by an elite panel of cricket experts headed by former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd, along with Pakistan's Zaheer Abbas, England's Mike Gatting, South Africa's Paul Adams and New Zealand's Danny Morrison.

Cricket fans across the globe will have a unique opportunity to vote for the player of their choice. Voting will be open on August 25 and the winner will be announced on September 12 at the LG ICC Awards in London. Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar bagged the honour in 2010, first time when the award was included in the ICC's list. "The award proved hugely popular among fans across the globe and showed us just how much voting for their cricketing heroes meant," ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat, said.

India ripped apart by rampant England

By Premen Addy

Was England batsman Ian Bell out, as he dozily left his crease for the pavilion at tea on the fourth day of the Second Test match at Trent Bridge, without waiting for the umpire's signal that the ball was dead? It clearly wasn't when returned to the wicketkeeper, who whipped off the bails. Was India right to give the erring Bell a reprieve and earn Brownie points for sportsmanship? These will surely be subjects for animated discussion down the years among cricket fans wherever they may be. Suffice it to say that the consensus among commentators, explayers and media gurus was that Bell was correctly given out, but few were prepared to dispute captain Mahindra Singh's Dhoni's reprieve as a manifestation of the truest spirit of the game, although in violation of its grammar.

Whether any other side would have behaved with such courtly grace is doubtful. One recalls Gundappa Viswanath recalling the England batsman Bob Taylor after he had been wrongly given out caught behind in the Silver Jubilee Test in Bombay in 1979. Taylor and Ian Botham proceeded to enjoy a record partnership in a famous English victory. It's history now.

What must be a more serious talking point is India's abject performances in both Tests, losing the first at Lord's by a massive 196 runs and descending even lower with an 319-run defeat at Trent Bridge. The past fortnight has been a veritable Indian nightmare: a fitfully effective pace attack, non-existent spin, an acclaimed spearhead hobbling off the field with a damaged hamstring, fielders in geriatric mode, with the batsmen, apart from the sturdy Rahul Dravid, shown up as men of straw, bewitched, bothered and bewildered by the surging tide of the English attack. For India, it was calamity compounded by disaster; for England a dream come true as the

Stuart Broad and Tim Bresnan lead the victorious England side off the field, England v India, 2nd Test, Trent Bridge, 4th day, August 1, 2011

World's No 1 Test playing nation: triumphant fulfilment meeting unforeseen humiliation.

England were as brilliantly prepared as would any thoroughbred be, India were busy constructing castles in the air.

Too much celebrity culture, too great exposure on television, much of it indecently mediocre and vacuous, and too little competence and integrity in Indian cricket's establishment. The whole outfit was generally under-primed, over fed and over paid. They were a disgrace to themselves and to the millions back home who live a life idolising rabble.

The Indian touring party to the West Indies were unconvincing, one or two among them were clearly on a Caribbean pleasure cruise courtesy the selectors, whose chairman Krishnamachari Srikkanth had promised to scour the IPL for the best available talent. For all one knows, he could have been deaf, dumb and blind because the talent among some of the newcomers would have busted an electron microscope. Their gifts were as illusory as the Emperor's new clothes in the Hans Andersen fable. It was a sign of things to come.

Michael Atherton, the former

England captain, says this English team is the best he has seen in his lifetime.

They took the measure of Australia in the last Ashes series Down Under and have reduced their vaunted Indian opponents to pulp. Their pace bowling is lethal in its line, length and movement in the air and off the seam.

For India, Praveen Kumar was a model of consistency with the new ball, while Ishant Sharma, like the curate's egg, was good in parts. Sreesanth was a mixture of good and bad, while Harbhajan Singh defies rational description.

England's batting had flair, with Bell outstanding for his 159; Dravid's 117 in India's first innings breathed defiance, Laxman kept him company with 54.

Mahindra Singh Dhoni appears to be in an advanced state of disintegration.

Virender Sehwag has arrived at last, but it is too late to make a difference. If india were to pull back a Test it will be likened to Christ's raising of Lazarus from the dead.

England 221 and 544 India 288 and 158 Stuart Broad was named Man-of-theMatch and deservedly so. He has been a revelation with bat and ball.

Harbhajan, Fletcher face wrath after Trent Bridge defeat India's morale-sapping second test humiliation against England has triggered a desperate wave of soul-searching in India with some former players questioning spinner Harbhajan Singh's place in the side and the appointment of coach Duncan Fletcher.

India arrived in England as the top-ranked test team and still basking in the glory of their 50-

over World Cup victory on home soil in April, but the tourists have been comprehensively outplayed in the first two contests of the four-match series.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men lost by 196 runs at Lord's last week and were battered by 319 runs within four days at Trent Bridge on Monday, putting England on course to claim the top ranking if

they complete a series win by a two-victory margin.

To arrest the slide, India should axe the off-colour Harbhajan, former captain Bishan Singh Bedi said.

"There's no point discussing his lack of flight or lack of spin or his action because we have been doing that for years," Bedi said of the off-spinner who conceded 218 runs for a single wicket at Lord's.

Nursing an abdominal strain, Harbhajan fared little better at Trent Bridge, sending down just 13.4 overs that cost him 69 runs for the wicket of Stuart Broad.

"He lacks guile, and that's a great handicap for a spinner. The right areas to bowl lie not on the 22 yards but in between your ears, in the mind," said Bedi.

The former left-arm

spinner said Harbhajan should return to domestic cricket to rediscover himself and India should include either leg-spinner Amit Mishra or pace bowler in Munaf Patel for the third test starting in Birmingham on Aug. 10.

Former opener Angshuman Gaekwad also backs the inclusion of Mishra for Harbhajan in the third test.

The back-to-back defeats made former batsman-wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer wonder if Fletcher was the right man to coach India.

"What are these highlypaid coaches doing? The results are not showing.

What is Fletcher doing?

Just because (predecessor) Gary Kirsten recommends him, is that sufficient to get the job?" Engineer asked.