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India-born business honcho launches bank in London India-born business honcho based in Singapore has launched a bank in London on Sunday to provide latest services to its customers in the UK. “We have launched the Smart Global Bank in London because London is global hub and a global city where most of the thinking is going on," Continued on page 26

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Is Britain still hostile towards Modi endorses Asians and Blacks? Narendra direct flight campaign

Rupanjana Dutta

It took 18 years for the parents of Stephen Lawrence, a black boy from South London, to get justice for their son's murder. Proved to be a racially motivated attack, we won-

Oxford sex grooming gang jailed for life Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims come together to fight paedophilia - see page 13

der if Britain has become a better place to live in, 20 years after the heinous acts of some barbaric and distasteful men.

7 years back Anthony Walker was murdered in a racist attack on Merseyside that shocked the nation. His sister Dominique Walker joined the police, perhaps somewhat in hopes of changing the race relations in Liverpool. Between 20072011, BBC reported that nearly 88,000 racist incidents were recorded in Britain's schools.

PM Cameron is often found shouting from a mountain top about the importance of ethnicities, diversities and multicul-

tural Britain, but what is the actual reality? Let's look at a few incidents over the last 3 months.

Incident 1: Last week there have been claims that a 7 years old girl was racially abused by a group of men. Being investigated by hate crime officers in Liverpool, the alleged incident took place at the the Cricketers Club in Wavertree, where a far right group was said to be meeting. Club owner Mr Brian Washington has reportedly said the girl was with her family who were viewing a room at the club which had been booked for a wedding reception.

Continued on page 8

Well-known lawyer and Chairman of the Labour Community Engagement Forum Manoj Ladwa handing over 9,000+ direct flight petitions to Gujarat CM Narendra Modi in presence of veteran Bollywood actor Paresh Rawal.

Last week Manoj Ladwa on behalf of Asian Voice/Gujarat Samachar readers handed over petitions to Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP Election Campaign Chairman

Narendra Modi requesting direct non-stop flights between London and Ahmedabad. Ladwa a prominent Anglo-Indian lawyer and corporate Continued on page 26

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 6th July 2013

Keith Vazwith MP

Keith Vaz MP

Fiona Mactaggart MP Fiona Mactaggart is the MP for Slough. She was elected in 1997 and during her time in office has served as a Home Office Minister and as Parliamentary Private Secretary for Chris Smith. Before becoming an MP, Fiona worked for the National Council for Voluntary Organisations and the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants and a private company.

1) What inspired you to stand for Parliament?

I came from a family where, unusually, politics was normal.

Both my parents were local councillors, my father stood for parliament and my grandfather had been an MP. I support a different party to all of them, not as an act of rebellion but a reflection of my belief that Labour would do more to obtain a better world 2) What are your proudest achievements in politics?

I persuaded David Blunkett to

amend the 2002 Immigration and Nationality Bill to ensure that people who had lost a real citizenship, and been palmed off with British Overseas Citizenship could become full British Citizens if they had no other nationality.

3) Please tell us about your current position?

I am a member of the Public Accounts Committee which under Margaret Hodge as chair works to get value for money for the British taxpayer. We have made progress in expos-

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

I am free to set my own priorities and to really represent the needs of Slough one of the most diverse and exciting places in Britain.

obstacle in your career?

I have always done what I think is right rather than things which are popular.

I stepped down as a Home Office Minister after three years, I feared the cancer I had might recur and I wanted to have time to play with children, walk in the country, read books etc before I died. I am very glad I am still well 10 years later. ing multinational companies which dodge taxes. I also act as secretary to Labour’s Older Women’s Commission highlighting this example of dual discrimination.

7) And the worst?

Being in opposition, we can talk but not make things happen 8) What are your long term goals?

A society where everyone can thrive and achieve.

9) If you were Secretary General of the United Nations, what one thing would you change?

I would end human trafficking and other modern forms of slavery

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

My Dad, he was wrong but he was never afraid of battling against the tide of fashion.

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

Charles Dickens, he could tell me stories.

4) What has been the biggest

“In The Shadow of Freedom” Book Launch at Asia House Rani Singh 28th June saw an event for Laxmi Tendulkar Dhaul and her book “In the Shadow of Freedom, Three Lives in Hitler’s Berlin and Gandhi’s India.”

The usual Asia House type eclectic audience was all assembled.

First off, there was an introductory film which included black and white footage of Hitler in Nazi Germany and, separately, Gandhi in India, intermixed with footage of Zubaan publisher Urvashi Butalia, author Laxmi and personality Suhel Seth speaking at the Jaipur Literature Festival 2013.

Then publisher Urvashi Butalia introduced Suhel Seth , who introduced Laxmi and read a couple of extracts from the book . Then the publisher conducted a Q and A with the author.

Set against the backdrop of Hitler’s Germany and Gandhi’s India, “In The Shadow of Freedom” tells the story of the intermeshing stories of two women, the one man they both loved, their growing friendship and two countries battling with violence and non-violence, fascism and colonization.

This tale describes the turbulent lives of author Laxmi Tendulkar Dhauls’ parents Ayi Tendulkar and Indumati, in the early thirties, narrated by Laxmi herself.

Her father, Ayi

with the British.

With Thea's consent, he soon married Indumati Gunaji, a Gandhian activist and Laxmi’s mother.

Caught up in the whirlwind of G a n d h i ' s a c t i v i s m , Indumati and Tendulkar spent Author Laxmi Dhaul and Publisher Urvashi Butalia several years in discuss 'In the shadow of freedom' Indian prisons.

Tendulkar, a young man from a Only after their release in 1945 small town in India travelled to were they able to come together, Germany to study in 1922. thereby complying with a condiWhilst doing his tion that Gandhi had put on engineering degree he worked as their marriage, that they remain a journalist in Berlin and was apart for several years and do sent several times to India to not have children until India cover the Indian freedom struggets independence from the gle. In 1932, he came into conBritish. tact with renowned filmmaker Indumati and Tendulkar's Thea von Harbou, the writer of daughter, multiple-home owning the classic films Metropolis and wealthy Laxmi Tendulkar Dhaul M and the former wife of legtraces the turbulent time lives of endary director Fritz Lang. They her parents and Thea von were later married when Fritz Harbou, against the backdrop of Lang left for Hollywood.

Nazi Germany and Gandhi's Many years his senior, Thea India, using documents, letters became Tendulkar's mainstay in and images never seen before.

Germany, encouraging and supAt question time, Laxmi told porting him in bringing other the audience that she always young Indian students to the wanted to write the book after country. Hitler's entry to power her mother died since there put an end to this, and on Thea “Were lots of gaps” in the story, von Harbou's advice, Tendulkar and as she started writing, “lots returned to India where he of people started contacting became involved in Gandhi's me.” campaign of non-cooperation Journalist Shyam Bhatia

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Harry Dhaul and Suhel Seth during the drinks reception

who was in the audience in his usual forthright manner asked for clarification as to why Gandhi should get caught up in

the story of the Tendulkar’s marriage when he had loftier matters to deal with.

Laxmi revealed that she did an amount of “padding up” and took “literary license” with some of the copy, imagining how characters would have behaved and what they might have said.

Harry Dhaul, Laxmi’s husband closed the proceedings, telling the audience that even at 93, Laxmi’s late mother was still taking airplane journeys and was quite lively.

(The book is available from Amazon under the title In the Shadow of Freedom: Three Lives in Hitler's Germany and Gandhi's India)

Does go-ahead to majority Christian faith schools show bias?

As part of the government's free schools programme, only one in five applications to open Muslim and Hindu faith schools have been accepted, as oppose to two out of three Christian faith schools.

The data also illustrated that the DfE accepted only 102 entrants from 263 applications to open free schools from September 2014, in the fourth wave of free school openings since the policy was launched by the education secretary, Michael Gove. A comparison of the failed and successful applications

showed efforts to start 18 Islamic faith schools were rejected by the DfE, while six were accepted.

A spokesman of DfE said: “It is quite rightly difficult to set up a free school and it has always been the case that only the strongest applications get the go ahead.” Figures showed the DfE accepted only 102 entrants from 263 applications to open free schools from September 2014. The approval rate of just two in five suggests the DfE could attain a target of opening 180 new free schools in 2015-16.

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 6th July 2013

Comment

Immigration: the nightmare that haunts Whitehall It’s immigration again. It takes precedence over the dire straits of the British economy, its high levels of unemployment and much else besides. There are apparently fewer anxieties on such issues than there are on the perceived surge of immigrants entering the UK from India and some other countries. Following representation from the City, UK companies and academia, the Cameron government introduced palliatives on Indian students and business people seeking to enter the UK. It was at least a start in addressing the issue sensibly. But for every step forward the government takes one backward. Hence short-term Indian visitors to the UK will have to make a deposit of 3000 pounds sterling to be returned to them on their departure from these shores. Whitehall’s search for a foolproof system of immigration control has a resonance of the prohibition years in 1930s

America.

David Cameron has spoken of his desire for closer ties between the UK and India encompassing all fields, from trade, investment, education, science and culture. Constant irritants could erode these laudable goals. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) put well its response: “We share the concerns on illegal immigration but surely there are other more effective and non-discriminatory ways to put a check on it.” The CII expressed “disappointment” by the way immigration rules kept changing over the past few years and warned that this might affect businesses and “bring down the number of students to the UK [already in decline] for higher studies and reduce the tourist inflow from India to the UK.” Would it not be wise to take pause and rethink the issue sensibly? The stakes are far from low.

Pressing the India-US reset button Secretary of State John Kerry’s three-day visit to New Delhi for the Indo- US Strategic Dialogue appears to have fulfilled the hopes and expectations of both parties. Apart from the odd extravagant metaphor (par for the course on such occasions) the mood was friendly and businesslike. When India and the US signed the civil nuclear energy accord, which brought the former in from the cold, in the final weeks of the Bush administration, there was a buoyant air in Washington President Obama described Indo-US ties as the “defining relationship of the 21st century.” The administration foresaw a cornucopia of civil nuclear and conventional arms deals that would give the US pole position in the rapidly emerging Indian market.

No civil nuclear reactor from the US has been exported to India thus far, while the US lost out on a mega defence Indian contract for 126 fighter aircraft to France. There was much disappointment in Washington, where the deal was perceived as done and dusted following Mr Obama’s visit to India. Ties with India had cooled noticeably.. With the Obama administration keen to rebalance its Asia-Pacific policy, pressing the reset button with India made sense.

The US and India began by discussing a number of contentious subjects. For instance a September timeline was drawn on a firmed up understanding that the stalled nuclear reactor talks with America’s Westinghouse company involving India’s liability law would be surmounted. US arms sales, while good, had failed to make the expected takeoff, the reason largely being the unacceptable conditions packaged with the contracted sales. The US accepts this as an error of judgment and has agreed to remove the obstacle.

Certain US Congressmen and captains of industry have caviled at what they claim are India’s protectionist measures against US goods and services. India, for its part, has expressed concern at the Obama administration’s visa restrictions on the entry of Indian IT professionals into the US. Free trade has to cut both ways; what is sauce for the goose must be sauce for the gander. The positive news is that Indo-US trade has reached $100 billion, with the best surely yet to come. US Vice President Joe Biden will visit India shortly and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will do likewise in September with a trip to Washington, thus taking the Indo-US dialogue forward.

Meanwhile, India’s decision to open a cultural centre in Washington on the lines of those existing in London and Moscow should be a welcome projection of the country’s soft power. One recalls the light and joy Bollywood icon Raj Kapoor brought to Russian homes following the harrowing years of the Second World War and its bleak Cold War aftermath. It illuminated the relevance of the broader Indo-Soviet

relationship. In the early post Soviet era an Indian embassy essay competition for Russian schoolchildren on the subject of India was judged by Vladimir Putin, then a member of the St Petersburg’s mayor’s office, and a middle ranking Indian diplomat in Moscow named Ajai Malhotra. Today, the former is Russia’s President, the latter India’s Ambassador to Russia. Soft power is a people-to-people experience.

Mr Kerry as Democratic Senator, together with Republican Senator Richard Lugard, calibrated hefty military and economic aid packages to Pakistan running to $20 billion. The quid pro quo that Pakistan, on its part, would fight terrorism was never fulfilled, according to Bruce Riedel, South Asian security expert and adviser to the Clinton and Bush administrations. Instead the funds, he averred, financed Islamabad’s nuclear weapon programme. Mr Riedel blasted Pakistan’s rulers as “pathological liars,” pouring scorn on its India-obsessed military’s urge to settle scores with its neighbour through the export of terrorism, having failed to do so on the battlefield.

Former US envoy to Pakistan, William Milam, recalled British High Commissioner in Islamabad, Sir Hilary Synnott’s words of wisdom: that Pakistan could neither be likened to a half glass full, nor to a half glass empty; it was best seen as “a glass too large,” by which he meant a “country constantly overreaching.” Which brings to mind its founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah’s boast to Life magazine interviewer Margaret Bourke-White that, “Pakistan is the pivot of the world.” Unimpressed, she perceived a “a nation drawing its spurious warmth from the embers of an antique religious fanaticism, fanned into a new flame.”

Mr Kerry’s prognosis of a “new dynamic” abroad in Pakistan following the election of Nawaz Sharif as Prime Minister lacks credibility. Gallup and Pew opinion polls show most Americans giving Pakistan a poor rating, yet influential American politicians appear to view the country as a national asset. John Foster Dulles, the Eisenhower administration’s first Secretary of State, ardent cold warrior and architect of America’s regional anti-Soviet military pacts, told American columnist Walter Lippmann, in 1954, that, “The only Asians who can fight are the Pakistanis.”

Match this with Henry Kissinger’s observation, in 1971, that Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto possessed a “world class mind,” and you will understand the causes of America’s myriad diplomatic and military failures in Asia, from the vainglorious military interventions in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, stretching later to Iraq and Afghanistan. As long as the US indulges Pakistan, come hell or high water, so long will relations with India be constricted.

Sri Lanka trapped by fear, unable to embrace the future Attendance at the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) meeting in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo is fast becoming an international issue. It is further evidence that the Mahinder Rajapakse government has lost considerable political and moral mileage since its victory over the Tamil Tiger insurgency three years ago. Thousands of lives were lost in that bloody conflict and the ethnic divide between the majority Sinhalese population and the minority Tamil community remains depressingly stark. In the aftermath of this brutal civil war there was hopeful talk of opening a new chapter in the island’s tortured history through reconciliation, buttressed by constitutional arrangements. No progress has been made in this direction. Politics as a whole have turned uglier and more xenophobic. The intolerant voices of organized religion have added much poison to the combustible brew, and the peace of the brave and just has proved elusive. The broad perception along the ethnic divide is of Tamils as a con-

quered people and Sinhalese as their conquerors.

There may be more than an element of distortion in this, but perceptions are real and need to be countered effectively on the ground. Which is where the government surely has a major role, but policy paralysis leading to a refusal to even countenance any degree of devolved power for Tamils has blocked all progress.

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” pronounced America’s great wartime president Franklin Delano Roosevelt. President Rajpakse and his followers are haunted by the spectre of Tamil separatism.

This can be laid to rest if his government were to take a risk for peace at home and seek cooperation abroad with an international community. This way safeguards for national unity would be ensured to the benefit and well-being of all Sri Lankans, irrespective of ethnicity or religious faith. Sri Lanka was once hailed as the “Pearl of the Orient.” There is no reason why this sobriquet should fall into disuse.

3

An inch of time is an inch of gold, but you can't buy that inch of time with an inch of gold - Chinese proverb

“Our London” Navin Shah

GLA Member for Brent and Harrow

Bhopal Gas Disaster The Struggle Continues

A visit by 2 individuals from Bhopal recently signified the ongoing struggle for justice for the victims of Bhopal and the dire need to provide sustained support for hundreds and thousands of Bhopalis still suffering.

An article in the AV of 29 June by Rani Singh aptly gives details about Safreen and Sathyu and the fact that a study conducted in January this year shows that the ground water contamination, even after a passage of nearly 29 years of the gas leak, is spreading and continuing to affect thousands of people in the vicinity of the factory site.

From the very first time – some 18 months ago – on my visit to Bhopal I was struck by the tragedy and the continuing sufferings of the large sections of community. In this context when I met Safreen Khan and Satinath Saranghi (popularly known as ‘Sathyu’) in Bhopal I was moved by their passion and active work in Bhopal helping the victims. That was the start of my involvement with this complex issue.

Since then and beyond the campaign during the London Olympics against Dow Chemicals

my resolve has grown stronger to do what I can do personally can and find ways to mobilise more support.

Safreen and Sathyu’s visit last month to the UK gave me and opportunity to introduce them to our community.

Safreen and Sathyu both have an amazing trackrecord of tireless work in Bhopal. Safreen Khan, a 21 year old Bhopali, herself is a victim of contamination but this has not hindered her from founding a group (Children against Dow Carbide) in her efforts to seek justice and work to improve the quality of children born with deformities. Sathyu ever since I’ve met him too has amazed me with his strength of character and life time’s dedication to the cause. He’s been an inspiration.

Similarly Rachana in her own right is also a true fighter, a campaigner and backbone of the ‘Sambhavna Trust’ (a Clinic) providing medical care to the victims.

The work of both the Sambhavna and Chingari Trust in Bhopal is awe inspiring but much more needs to be done and this is where I want us, Continued on page 30

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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UK / Midlands Voice

www.abplgroup.com - asian Voice 6th July 2013

'I did not rape a boy' accused tells jurors A former care home worker told a jury that he did not rape or sexually abuse a boy. Anwar Ismail, 31, denies anything of sexual nature happened with s, at Woodland Retreat, in Chantry Lane, Leicester.

The prosecution claims Ismail groomed Aron, first abused him when he was 12, in 2007.

The defendant was the boy's carer until 2008, when he was dismissed from the home after forcibly restraining Aaron for misbehaving.

Six weeks after making a police complaint about Ismail, Aaron, who was 15, apparently committed suicide, in June 2010. Giving evidence, Ismail, of Matlock Street, Spinney

Stop smoking at Ramadan Bradford district's Muslims are being urged to consider using Ramadan to quit smoking.

Bradford Public Health's Stop Smoking team are in the 12th year of their annual Ramadan stop-smoking campaign. Officers will be visiting mosques across the district before and during Ramadan which begins on Tuesday 9 July runs until 7 August.

They will talk to mosque leaders and Imaams about the dangers of smoking and second hand smoke and how these risks can be reduced by not smoking or using smokeless tobacco in cars and homes.

They will give out leaflets and information to worshippers at each venue.

Up to 5 million children across the UK are regularly exposed to second hand smoke at home. This results in over 300,000 GP visits and 9,500 hospital admissions for children each year. Secondhand smoking related illness in children costs the NHS £26 million a year.

Ramadan, which is a period of fasting, prayer and self-reflection, is seen as an ideal time for people to reconsider their lifestyles.

Hills Leicester, said he was given one or two weeks training before starting at Woodland Retreat. Within six months he became Aaron's key carer and despite the boy's challenging and attention seeking behaviour, they got on well. Both Ismail and Aaron had shown sexualised behaviour towards staff and they had all advised him about acceptable boundaries.

He said Aaron had on occasions kissed him on the cheek, but said: “I never kissed him.”

The prosecution claims Ismail continued the alleged abuse after Aaron moved to another children's home in Nottinghamshire.

Ismail said after he left the

Leicester home, Aaron obtained his phone number and began calling him.

He said that is was wrong to contact him and it was just to see how they were getting on. Ismail admitted that he had lied to the police, by denying that he was seeing Aaron after they had left Woodland retreat, because he was “scared”.

Ismail denies any charges of rape on 2009, one of attempted rape between January 2007 and June 2010 and one of sexual assault between march and April 2010.

He also denies four charges of sexual activity.

The trail continues.

Coton flood scheme opens

Maharaja’s auction items at Christie’s (courtesy: Christie’s Images Limited 2013)

The dining set comprises of 160 tableforks, 11 dessert-forks, 111 dessertspoons, 1 table-spoons, 7 soup-spoons, 37 coffee-spoons, 6 airs of salad-servers, pairs of fish-servers pairs of asparagus-tongs, 6 gingerpoons, 3 pairs of grape-scissors spoons with shell shaped bowls nd the following with filled handles- 107-knives with steel blades, 4 cheese-knives with steel blades, 37 fruit-knives with silver-gilt blades, 37 fruit-forks with silver-gilt ines, 7 fishknives with silver-gilt blades, 37 fishforks with silver-gilt tines, 3 melonknives with silver-gilt blades, 3 melonforks with silver-gilt blades- otal weighable silver 15,547 oz. (482,572 gr.)

Commissioning such an extravagant set was not considered a surprising move

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In Brief Midlands Family Business Awards

The deadline for entries for the 2013 Midlands Family Business Awards has been extended until 16th July 2013. The ten categories include Fastest Growing Family Business, Outstanding Contribution, Commitment to the Community and Retail Excellence. Entries are free of charge, with submission forms available at www.familybusinessawards. co.uk

New role for Dr Rao

Dr Jammi Rao from Walsall has been appointed to the Board at Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust. Dr Rao is one of four non-executive directors to be appointed. Dr Rao has extensive knowledge in the public health arena, having worked for Sandwell health authority, North Birmingham PCT and the Department of Health.

Mohini’s speech touches hearts

A new flood scheme has opened at Coton, near Tamworth in the West Midlands. The scheme was officially opened last Friday by Christopher Pincher, MP for Tamworth.

Construction of the £2.5 million scheme had begun in October 2012.

MP Pincher said it would be “a great relief to the people of Hopwas and Coton Green who have been flooded

recently and live with the worry of being flooded every time it rains.”

Davinder Gill, Project Manager at the Environment Agency, said the defences would significantly reduce the risk of flooding for the area.”Photo: Davinder Gill, left, with pupils from Thomas Barnes Primary School, Headteacher Mrs Williams and Christopher Pincher MP.

Christie's to sell magnificent £1.5mn dining set commissioned by Maharaja of Patiala Thinking of a royal feast? Should you have £1-1.5mn to spare, Christie's is auctioning a magnificent dining set comprising of over 1400 individual pieces that was commissioned by the Maharaja of Patiala in honour of a Royal tour of India by the then Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII, in 1922. This sale on July 4th is a part of the £18million Exceptional Sale at Christie's.

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by Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh.

Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala (18911938) was born at Moti Bagh Palace and educated at Aitchison College. He was known for his love of showing off his wealth and status and was a welcome guest in the royal houses of Europe.

He was the first man to own an aircraft, and purposely built his own runway to fly it.

The Maharaja later Maharaja Bhupinder Singh with Prince of Wales (later King famously befriended Adolf Edward VIII), during latter’s visit in 1922 Hitler in 1935, after which change their decision. the Nazi leader gifted him a personalised Singh was also an avid and talented Maybach car, as well as 'Lignose, Walther cricketer, with him acting as captain of and Luger pistols', according to his grandthe Indian cricket team that visited son Raja Malvinder Singh in his book England 1911 and again in 1932, The Automobiles of the Maharajas. although he was forced to drop out of the Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, who at second tour for health reasons. least had 10 wives, patronised some of When the Prince of Wales had travthe leading makers in the world, such as elled to Patiala by train arriving at 8.30 Cartier, whom they commissioned to am on the morning of the 22nd February mount the De Beers diamond as the cen1922, he was met by the Maharaja and a trepiece of the magnificent ‘Patiala large reception party, the royal suite was Necklace’, made up of 2,390 diamonds. then escorted by the State cavalry to the Singh was also an avid and early Moti Bagh Palace through streets lined motorcar enthusiast, indeed legend has it with people. The Times report at the time that he would travel in a motorcade of 20 commented on the scene, '...the road, Rolls Royces, however in 1930 he had a with its lavish decorations, its elephants, falling out with Rolls Royce who he felt and its gaily dressed throngs, was most slighted him by refusing to accept an picturesque.' On his arrival at the palace order. Such was his power and influence the Prince reviewed the troops and then, in India that a campaign by him forced accompanied by the Maharaja, ventured the Viceroy to pressure Rolls Royce to out on his horse into the huge crowd

Mohini Samani, a British Asian teenager from Birmingham who overcame cancer, won rapturous applause at an event where she was guest speaker.

Mohini, 14, was giving a speech at Eddie Jordan’s Windsor Race Night in aid of CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people.

Tears of joy rolled down Mohini Samani the cheeks of Mohini’s mother Urvashi who was also in the audience. Mohini was diagnosed in 2007, then aged 9, with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, and after two-and-a-half years of gruelling chemotherapy treatment is back at school and preparing for next year’s GCSEs. Every day 10 children and young people are told they have cancer, and diagnosis usually comes as a shock.

Although survival rates are over 80%, cancer remains the single largest cause of death from disease in children in the UK.

Satinder Kaur awarded OBE

Congratulations to Satinder Kaur who has been awarded an OBE for voluntary and charitable services to ethnic minority communities in the West Midlands.

Mother-of-two Mrs Kaur, pictured, who is also the region’s Deputy Lieutenant, has served diverse communities across professional, social, cultural, educational, health and religious sectors since arriving in England in 1969. Mrs Kaur is daughter of Mohinder Singh, an Indian police chief, and is married to Dr Jagjit Singh Taunque MBE. The modest couple, who have won several awards over the years, live in Hall Green, Birmingham. which included some 10,000 former soldiers who had served in the First World War. This part of the Prince's tour was partly intended as a restful time for the Prince and after the review there was no official timetable.

The Maharaja entertained the Prince with polo matches, pig-sticking, and shooting. The dinners were small and the dances informal.

Only on the last evening was a large event held. The State Banquet for 200 people, for which this dinner service was commissioned, was a lavish send off for the Royal guest who departed for Lahore by train at 11.00 that evening following the dinner.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 6th July 2013

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 6th July 2013

Afternoon event raises awareness to end child marriages in Commonwealth countries Rupanjana Dutta The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) and global children's charity Plan UK organised an afternoon event exploring how the Commonwealth can end child marriage. Key note speakers included HE Mr Gordon Campbell, High Commissioner for Canada in the UK, Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, Deputy Secretary-General of the

7 million are from Commonwealth nations, including around 66% from Bangladesh, 47% from India and 41% from Nepal.

One in 3 girls (34%) in the developing world (excluding China) is married by the age of 18. One in 9 girls (12%) marries before 15.

In these above mentioned countries, girls from rural areas are twice

Alinane came from Malawi, to describe the social situation of young girls in her country and grabbed the opportunity to motivate other girls from her community to take up education for a better future.

Farheea and Laraib are from Pakistan. Young and ambitious these girls take part in educational plays, travel in rural parts of Pakistan to educate

Ms Nazma Kabir, Ms Naana Otoo-Oyortey, Ms Alanna Armitage and Baroness Usha Prashar

C o m m o n w e a l t h Secretariat, Mabel van Oranje-Nassau, Chair, Advisory Committee, Girls not brides, Ms Alanna Armitage, Director, UNFPA, Ms Naana Otoo-Oyortey (MBE), Director, Forward and Ms Nazma Kabir, Director of Programmes, Plan UK. The chair of the second half of the session was Baroness Usha Prashar, Former President

youngsters and families about importance of education and why they must say no to child marriages.

Speaking to Asian Voice Fareeha said: “Poverty is increasing day by day at Pakistan. People cannot afford the expense of girls’ education and give preference to boys than girls. They think that boys earn money and give it back to them while girls will be married and will leave their parents’ h o u s e .

Girls’ education is not important to some people. They t h i n k there’s one solution to end poverty – to marry off girls early and get Laraib, Farheea and Mary speaking at the event a dowry. of the Royal “Early marriage is also attitudes of a certain comCommonwealth society. a cultural issue for us. munity towards its chilOne living in Britain dren, especially towards Some people think that may not be able to imaggirls, such marriages are girls should be married ine, how people in the and will forever remain below the age of 18 21st century still witness violation of a child's because after 18 they will something as primitive as human rights. It has unbenot get as suitable person a child marriage, especiallievably critical impacts on to marry for their girls.” ly in economic giants like one's life and these Laraib added: “We can India. But like prostitugive lessons to parents and impacts are not just physition, paedophilia and sex youth fellows because cal. They are also emogrooming, underage marmany parents and youth tional, psychological, riages also remain a very don’t know about the social and economic. integral part of the ugly effects of child marriage The speakers present realities that a child is on the lives of married on Wednesday 26th, disforced to experience- espeyouths. Young people cussed facts, their personcially in third world know the issues and the al experiences, some also coutries. solutions of child marspoke about different iniReports show that riage. Young people know tiatives to stop child marthere are 14 million chilriages. about their rights and they dren globally, who are The star attraction of want to take action but married before they turn the afternoon were four they don’t have the free18. young girls. Mary and dom to talk from their paras likely to be married by 18 compared to those from urban areas. Key factors leading to such practices are often identified as poverty, gender inequalities within community, lack of protection of a child's rights, lack of educational and employment opportunities, reinforced by deeply entrenched social and cultural norms.

May whatever be the age old beliefs or cultural

Kapil’s

KHICHADI

Follow me on Twitter: @kdudakia

by Kapil Dudakia - email: kapil@abplgroup.com

‘Globalising’ Citizenship On Sunday I was invited to speak at an event held at the Dorchester by the Global Citizen Forum (GCF). GCF is an NGO that serves as a platform to raise awareness to the idea of Global Citizenship and to encourage people to adopt it as an identity through active discussion on global issues. It is launched under the leadership of Dr BK Modi (Founder-Chairman, Spice Global) in February 2013 and its membership spans an impressive list of leaders from different disciplines in society from across the globe.

‘BK’ as he likes to be called is an unassuming man but with a clear presence defined by that favourite of his – the white hat. He may be a billionaire from Singapore, and a person of Indian origin who now practices Buddhism, but he does not seem to let that huge wealth cloud his aspirations for a better society for all.

BK is a passionate advocate of Global citizenship in a world that is increasingly becoming interconnected.

The GCF was established on the premise that technology has precipitated the creation of a global village and that utilising the power and scope of these new technologies – humanity stands on the cusp of a ‘citizenship’ revolution. Since its inception the forum has attempted to spread this message with events in India, China, Malaysia and Singapore, and of course last week also in London.

As a Hindu I am of course accustomed to the time honoured Vedic truths of ‘Samasta Lokha Sukino Bhavantu’ and ‘Namaste’. The former being the very essence of our connectivity with the cosmos, and the latter the most profound expression of our collective humanity. In the words of our Bapuji, ‘be the change you wish to see in the world’ brought home to the audience that one must first have that inner realisation of being a global citizen that transcends the historical boundaries of ‘global dominion’ set up to control the masses. Such initiatives bring home to us all that in our every day myopic lives of ‘me’, ‘I’ and the associated ‘greed’ that we fail to see the ‘human’ in our collective ‘humanity’. As they say every worthy venture begins with that first step, and with millions of spiritual warriors likely to join the GCF, it won’t be long before that one step turns into a march of the multitude. The journey to becoming a global citizen is as important as the goal of being a global citizen. ents. They are bound to follow their parents’ decision because it’s our tradition to accept their decision. We should make young people and parents aware of the issue.”

Inspite of the honest initiatives and efforts by many African representatives and young girls like Mary, Alinane, Farhea and Laraib, it was heartbreaking to learn that there were almost no Indians present in the audiencewhich obviously raises many questions regarding the nation's attitude towards its dogmatic social practices and ignorance towards the risks their women and girls face.

As one of the speakers said, ‘we are born as global citizens, it is now time we recognised our true nature’.

Global cities do not have to be physical structures. For I may live in a city and yet still not know who lives but a few doors away. It is not even about countries, it is fundamentally about hearts and minds of people connected via the thread of their common humanity.

History has shown that peace has not been possible over the many millennia. Even the power of various historical global empires did not manage to secure peace in its true sense. As Mahatma Gandhi said, ‘Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed’. And the greed of the power brokers, be they political or corporate, has ensured that strife remains in the world. For whilst humanity remains divided by borders, race, religion and culture, those who wish to exploit do so steadfastly and fill their greed.

There is hope for all of us as long as mankind is visited by people such as Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela to name but a few. Spirits of such stature give us hope. Hope is eternal. Hope is love for humanity.

Hope is a prayer answered. Hope is to understand and appreciate that when we remove all the veils of ignorance, that we are all part of the same one being. Hope is the energy that allows us to give. Hope remains steadfast, when we may waver.

Hope transcends human indifference to our humanity. Hope opens the inner eye, the eye that sees you and me for who we really are. Hope is endless, it gives without discrimination and it’s the very manifestation of our humanity.

In this world of ever increasing greed and ever decreasing oneness, if we look closely we may find that our Vedic culture shines a light to how humanity may yet still find a way out of this dark unlit tunnel of mutual destruction. Initiatives like the GCF remind us that we can make a difference, but we must make that difference in ourselves for it to be magnified globally. I for one will look at the GCF and the work of BK to see how this progresses over the coming year and commend him for not just the effort, but also the vision and tenacity to see it through.

Friends Malala and Shazia meet again Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl who was shot by the Taliban, has been reunited with her lifelong friend who was injured in the same attack.

Malala and Shazia Ramzan, hugged each other as they met again at the Birmingham Airport for the first time, since the brutal attack last year.

The two teenagers were on a school bus on October 9 when Taliban gunmen came in search of Malala and shot her in the head while Shazia, 15, suffered gun wounds to the neck and shoulder.

Malala was airlifted to Birmingham soon after the

attack, but Shazia stayed in Pakistan and was unable to go to school because of continued threats to her life.

Now, following the recent surge of violence with last month’s massacre of female university students in Quetta and the double murder of two sisters for filming themselves dancing, Shazia has been granted a student visa by the UK to fulfil her dream of becoming a doctor.

7

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 6th July 2013

As I See It 2013

High Commissioner Appasaheb Pant and the African Emancipation

LILY Foundation is the sponsored charity of Asian Achievers Awards 2013

She had everything But was still a victim of trafficking Lady Mohini Kent Noon

Sushma, 20, had everything: good looks, good health, caring parents who ran a small coffee plantation in Coorg, and a brother. She lived in a college hostel in a different city. Then a man named Anu befriended her parents, portraying himself as a wealthy orphan hungry for love. Sushma’s parents accepted him, despite the fact that he was Muslim and they were Hindus. Soon, he was carrying parcels to their daughter and began taking her on outings and returning her safely to the hostel. But tragedy soon unfolded.

Sushma disappeared in December 2011. Her frantic parents filed a police complaint on Christmas Day in 2011 and also appealed to the Odanadi project in Mysore.

The LILY Foundation supports the work of Odanadi.

Investigations revealed that Anu, 49, aka Anwar Faisal, is a contract killer wanted by the police of several

receiving a tip-off that Sushma might be found there. Since they are part of the National Task Force they had managed to obtain Anu’s phone records, which led them to a large compound in Kerala, in a predominantly Muslim neighbourhood, heavily guarded by thugs and security cameras. They contacted one of his gang members and offered him amnesty if he could deliver Sushma to them and turn witness against Anu. Alerted, Anu fled.

Criminals prey on gullible parents, vulnerable girls and defenceless children. Human trafficking is a major organized crime in She had everything before she India.

The LILY was trafficked Foundation supports projects that work Sushma made a single against the evil trade. phone call to her family Anu is believed to be after her disappearance travelling between in which she sounded Karnataka, Tamilnadu disoriented and appeared and Kerala with his gang not to know them. She of 20 and an unknown was probably drugged by woman. Even as you read Anu. this, the Odanadi direcDirectors of the tors are still negotiating Odanadi project, Stanly with Anu’s gang but and Parshu, recently Sushma is still missing. travelled to Kerala after

states. He has murdered, raped and maimed many by chopping off their hands. Recently, a girl’s body severed in half was found in the river, presumably one of his victims.

Another young woman, whom Anu had introduced to Sushma’s parents, has also disappeared. He’s been implicated in crimes involving at least 16 other young women.

For more information go to http://www.ipartnerindia.org/lily-foundation.php OR contact us at info@ipartnerindia.org/+44 20 7841 8919

Dear readers, You will be surprised but more or less it is true. Though I am the Publisher/ Editor of Asian Voice, The Editorial committee allocates space and to retain their cooperation, I have to write accordingly.

After all, let me go to the role played

by Appasaheb Pant during the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya in the 50s (Asian Voice 22nd June 2013, page 8).

Shrimant Parashuramrao Bhagvanrao, more popularly known as Appasaheb Pant was born on 11th September 1912. His father was the king of the princely State of Aundh in Maharashtra.

The king was a staunch nationalist and hugely impressed by Gandhiji's principle of Trusteeship.

The king in 1944 handed over the power of the state to the people, removing himself of the heredity of kingship, appointed Appasaheb as the Prime Minister who was qualified with BA Honours, MA (Oxford University) and Barrister at law from the Lincoln's Inn. In 1948, Prime Minister Jahawaral Nehru appointed Appasaheb Pant as the Indian High Commissioner to East Africa., with headquarters at Nairobi.

Pandit Nehru was a fervent believer of the emancipation of all oppressed people under imperial rule.

Gandhiji himself had declared that the independence of India from the British Rule will be incomplete without the freedom of the other countries.

Even prior to the Independence, Prime minister, Nehru and the Indian National Congress organised without the freedom of the other several conferences to that end.

When Appasaheb Pant was posted to Kenya, he took keen interest in the freedom struggle. He was able to establish very close contacts with Kikuyu and Luo tribes especially.

The Indian government, strictly fol-

lowed the diplomatic norms and yet, provided some assistance through the Indian High Commission in Nairiobi for publicity/transport etc.

The Mau Mau uprising was suppressed by the British power with heavyhand and the consequent atrocities were belatedly acknowledged and some what compensated on 6th June 2013.

But in 1951, the British influence was overwhelming and newly independent India and was compelled to recall Appasaheb for “unacceptable behavior.”

Though unacceptable to India, it was at the time in a very weak position. Indira Gandhi was very sad and angered by this, but it took 18 years before she could settle the account with the British.

In 1969, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi appointed Appasaheb as the Indian High Commissioner to the UK. After some initial reluctance, the British were well advised to welcome Appasaheb to London as the Indian High Commissioner. After his three years tenure was successfully completed, he returned to India.

Gujarat Samachar was launched by Appasaheb on 5th May 1972, at a glittering ceremony at India House in central London.

Amongst the various publications of this illustrious son of India are: “An Unusual Raja- Mahatma Gandhi and Aundh Experiment, Hyderabad: Sangam Books, 1989. Surya Namaskar, an ancient Indian exercise, Bombay, Orient Longmans, 1970.

A moment in Time, Bombay, Orient Longmans, 1974 Mandala: An Awakening, Bombay: Orient Longman, 1976 Survival of the Individual, London: Sangam Books, 1983 Undiplomatic Incidents: Bombay, Orient Longman limited, 1987 An Extended Family of Fellow Pilgrims, Bombay, Sangam Books, 1990”.

- CB

Is Britain still hostile towards Asians and Blacks?

Continued from page 1 "They were only in the room a short time and I saw the little girl was upset but didn't hear what was said to her," said Mr Washington.

He added: "When the group booked they said they were teachers and we thought it was something to do with the strike.

"There was only about 12 of them, we found out they were the National Front or something."

Mr Washington added: "They will not be allowed to come here again - we won't tolerate anything like this."

Incident 2: 2 weeks back a 34 years old Asian woman was allegedly racially abused in broad day light, while walking with her 6 years old daughter in Halifax town centre.

She was subjected to verbal insults by a suspect described as white, in his 40s, of slim build, around 5’7” tall with blue eyes. He was wearing a light coloured baseball cap, light coloured jacket and was unshaven.

Police is still looking for the suspect and appealing for eye witnesses to come forward.

Incident 3: A thug spat on an Asian taxi driver’s face after he refused to take him to west Leeds.

Police launched an appeal for information following the incident.

The taxi driver, who was a 35-year-old Asian man from Keighley, was waiting outside the busy station in the city centre for a fare.

It is believed that he was then approached by the yob who offered him money to take him to the Farsley area of Leeds.

The driver refused and he was then racially abused by the thug.

The man is then thought to have thrown a sandwich he was eating at the car and spat in the driver’s face before fleeing from the scene.

Incident 4: Police are appealing for witnesses after a teenager was knocked unconscious and left with injuries to his face following a racially motivated attack

on May 26 at around 8pm as the 16-year-old black boy was cycling along Foster Hill Road, Bedford. The teenager stopped near to the Premier Store to change the music on his MP3 player when the offender referred to him with a racial slur.

The victim challenged the offender who then used the term twice more before punching the teenager to the floor and then kicking him until he was unconscious.

Officers quickly arrived at the scene along with paramedics and the victim was taken to Bedford South Wing Hospital for treatment.

One man was arrested at the scene and released on police bail pending further inquiries.

PC Jonathan Gordon, who is investigating the attack, said, “It is clear that this was a racially motivated assault and it is important that witnesses come forward to assist us with our inquiries...”

Incident 5: A 75-yearold Asian man stabbed to

Stephen Lawrence

Lakhvinder Reel

Anuj Bidve

death yards from his home. According to the police, it was probably a racially motivated attack.

Fa t h e r - o f - s e v e n Mohammed Saleem, who used a walking stick, was stabbed three times in the back as he returned home from prayers at his local mosque in Small Heath, Birmingham.

Officers were looking for a white man, aged 25 to 32, of medium height and build, spotted on CCTV footage running near the scene of the attack around the time it happened just before 10.30pm.

After Woolwich murder of soldier Lee Rigby, racial attacks on mosques, campaigns by the English Defence League (EDL) also mul-

tiplied by manifolds.

Adhya Shakti Mataji temple near Cowley, Uxbridge, suffered an arson attack, which was believed to be mostly racially motivated.

In a report by Institute of Race Relations, author Jon Burnett said, “The myth is that post-Stephen Lawrence, racial violence has been magically dealt with. A few mechanical changes cannot deal with what is a huge trend tied to national political and economic forces. The legislation is allowing the criminal justice system to target a few perpetrators – and often they are not the most serious offenders, but just the easiest to successfully convict. This is putting the cart before

the horse. Violence does not, by and large, spring ready-made from people’s evil thoughts, but from the larger conditions – and these are not being addressed. There is an urgent need for government – nationally and locally – to consider the implications of austerity measures, industrial and services closures, the enforced moving of populations and cuts in welfare to social issues such as racial violence.

In the twenty years since Stephen Lawrence’s killing, we have seen over one hundred deaths from racial violence in the UK. That is a terrible indictment.”

So how do we tackle Racism in Britain?

Continued on page 30

UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 6th July 2013

Leading Lights

Rani Singh, Special Assignments Editor

Haathee Group Founders Sunny Patel and Meraj Alam – Successful but Grounded Meraj Alam, 34, and Sunny Patel, 31, are the founders of the Haathee Group, an Indian property development company.

They have two high end developments in Gujarat; Ivory Gardens and Riviera in Vadodara, formerly Baroda. They are considered to be the next big thing in Indian real estate for non resident and resident Indians alike.

Though the two friends and partners have had a meteoric rise to stardom, they claim not to have fulfilled their ambitions yet.

Since neither gentleman has a materially privileged background, we asked them to talk about how they found the motivation to become entrepreneurs and lessons that we can share.

Sunny told us that key lessons they learnt as children, “Built us up. We were very focussed on the end goal; we both knew that we wanted to get into

real estate in India and be successful. I believe in the law of attraction; really concentrating on something in order to achieve it.”

Sunny was brought up by his solo - parent mother, his parents having split when he was three. She worked hard in two jobs to support him and his older

brother; in a factory during the week, cleaning pubs and other premises at weekends, when Sunny and his sibling often joined in. “It was something we had to do; the option was not there to have handouts. Whatever I wanted I had to work to get. I had two jobs when I left school, working in

Sports Division and Habitat, earning£2.61 an hour, and I saved £3,500 to buy my first car at 1718.

In an early school report he told his teacher that he wanted to be a businessman. This was something he had always wanted to achieve. “You want the finer things in life, and you associate that occupation with money.”

Sunny’s mother never let her sons feel deprived; once, when he wanted a pair of expensive Nike trainers, she worked overtime in order to buy them for him- “she would make a way or find a way to do it,” he said.

“When we were growing up, it was rare to be a single parent. I learnt a lot of drive from my mum- I had a desire to do my mum and myself proud.

There needs to be a stronger driving factor than just the getting of money itself. As an entrepreneur, it’s just too hard, the problems you go through, so it isn’t enough for it to just be about the money.”

Meraj’s drive too, “Was the hunger for success.” He comes from a small town where his father had a clothing shop.

His father somehow managed to send him to boarding school in Darjeeling.

There, Meraj, placed among high society kids, acquired a desire for the finer things in life.

Although he could not

then afford to keep up with the lifestyle, the experience left him with an everlasting desire to obtain what he could not when he was young.

“I always knew I would have to slog it out and nothing would come easy as my father always reminded me that there are no short cuts to success- you have to go the whole nine yards.” “The passion and hunger to achieve everything that I always wanted keep me going and grounded. It is unbelievable how quickly the company has grown from nothing about five years ago to its current status.”

“There are no short cuts to successyou have to go the whole nine yards” Sunny commented because he and Meraj are constantly travelling, they are now careful about who they hire to work for them; so they pay more and value passion and commitment above academic qualifications.

Meraj remarked that success is not just about working hard, but working smart. “We think hard and smart and keep dissecting an idea or a thought over and over again till we reach a satisfactory solution, and then we execute. `We are constantly thinking, analysing and innovating in order to get the

9

best possible outcome.

Everything is built in our minds first.”

Both men, like many great business leaders, say they don’t have a destination in sight. This is a journey they have embarked upon. Meraj and Sunny are pushing boundaries all the time.

“You have a goal, and when you are about to reach there, you raise the bar.” Says Sunny.

Like many achievers, both Sunny and Meraj, married with young children, get up early, even if they sleep for a full seven hours. Meraj said, “I am a morning person, those two hours between six and eight are when I get my most powerful thoughts.”

Having built one successful development after the other, the partners have just acquired a massive piece of land between Anand and Baroda by the river, which they feel is going to be one of the best projects in Gujarat. It is also likely to be one of the largest developments in the state.

Sunny and Meraj have recently created the Haathee Property Fund, which will allow investors to invest in India in a clear and transparent way.

These two young gentlemen are rising fast but they don’t forget their roots.

Discover more at h t t p : / / w w w. h a a t h e e group.com/

NORTH INDIA FLOODS DISASTER APPEAL

The rains came in Uttarakhand in northern India on Friday 14th June and by Sunday it was official that Uttarakhand was in the grips of the worst flood in hundred years.

The flooding has washed away at least 1307 roads and nearly 147 bridges.

1751 houses have been damaged and the figure is still rising.

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Rakesh Sharma, a state official said the total number of deaths could soar to several thousands, although the exact figure would not be known until the entire region has been checked.

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Your Voice

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 6th July 2013

Fiscal Budget

Another Feather in India’s Cap

The Fiscal Budget is likely to be £745 billion in 2015.

To continue to now play the world policeman role, spending billions on futile wars, profiting from export of armaments, having journalists and informers in virtually every country while its own population’s sixty per cent need welfare top ups to survive implies delusion for grandeur. Charity begins at home. New thinking is urgently required.

Cut out the above unnecessary meddling rather than destroy the quality of life of millions of own citizens.

Low interest rates from 4 December 2008 of 2%; 1.5% from 8 January 2009; 1% from 5 February 2009 and 0.5% from 5 March 2009 have not created any additional economic growth whatsoever.

Money is a commodity like any other.

It has an annual value. Historically for decades it has been about 5% per annum base rate. Quantitative easing and printing money is deceiving the world’s financial system.

It is high time base rates are gradually increased to reflect the real fundamentals. We continue to have unsustainable fiscal deficits, weak growth and negative real returns.

QE has increased pension funds deficits; lowered annuity rates; reduced current and expected future incomes and redistributed income and wealth towards the wealthiest and most indebted groups.

The hype and hoo-hah about the welfare budget being £220 billion is also misleading. £110 billion are paid by 25 million PAYE employees in National Insurance Contributions that entitle them to return of their own savings in State Pension, Jobseekers Allowance, SSP, Maternity Pay, NHS medical treatment, etc.

India is the only country in the world to have won all three coveted trophies.

These are the World Cup, the 20/20 and now the 50 overs champion’s cup. A youthful India side held their nerve to condemn England to 50-over misery with a five-run victory in an enthralling finish to a rain-disrupted Champions Trophy final at Edgbaston on Sunday. By beating our adopted country, our motherland has made us proud. Cricket is the only field in sports where India has been at the forefront, producing exemplary cricketers like Tendulkar, Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and many more.

In India, cricketers and film stars enjoy the status of demigods and rightly so since they provide entertainment and purpose in life for the masses. But India should not rest on these laurels.

Although I am proud to be British and would have been happy for either side to win, I have nothing but admiration for players from deprived background of a third world country who could conquer the mighty British on their own soil.

There! I guess I still pass Norman Tebbit’s loyalty test. As many will be remember, Lord Tebbit had suggested way back in April 1990 that immigrants and their children could not show loyalty to Britain until they supported the England team at cricket. I am sure we would have wished England to win if they were playing any other country. But then we still carry a soft spot for India!

Nagin Khajuria Via Email

Nonviolence Violence is fact, nonviolence an ideal, that is, postponement from ‘What is’.

Any creature which has nervous system suffers from pain in response to infliction of physical or mental trauma.

Anger,greed, lust or unlawful deprivation of someone’s rights are termed as violent acts. A husband who is responsible for multiple child births, is considered violent for that wife. Gandhiji accepted this fact later on in his life, changing his attitude towards Kasturba.

To eat subsoil vegetables comes under category of violence, then what inference should we draw from using leather goods like shoes, handbags, fur coats, silk sprees etc of live animal origins?

Gandhiji used his chappals made out of hide from dead animals, dying of disease.

He followed ‘Aparigrah’ in his life, meaning accepting nothing more than his bare necessities and returning rest to the society.This is one form of ‘Ahimsa’.

Dr Rasikbhai Patel Via Email

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Alpesh’s Political Sketchbook Alpesh Patel is angry. He is very, very angry. In fact he is so angry he has resorted to using words like, ‘scum bags’ and ‘hindu-hater’ (Asian Voice 29th June). So what has angered Alpesh so much? It is the temerity of the Hindus to question our Lords in the House of Lords who accused the Hindu community of practicing caste discrimination here in the UK. There is no proof, no statistics to prove this yet the Lords spent an afternoon accusing the Hindu community of caste discrimination. Instead of pretending that nothing has happened and inviting our Lords to their events with garlands, the National Council of Hindu Temples, the Hindu Forum, Hindu Council and hundreds of Hindu organisations had the audacity to challenge our Lords.

Alpesh is specially miffed that his friend Shreela Flather had been challenged regarding her accusation that Hindus in the UK are Casteists. We are expected to shut up because we are told that she is 80 years old, no matter what she has said. No wonder he wants us commoners to shut up and be grateful for what the Lords have to offer. It is lazy journalism, demeaning and despicable to accuse the Hindu community for being extremists when all they are doing is defending a completely unjustified attack on them. It is those who want us to stop this debate who are extremists.

Nitin Mehta Via Email

More tourists heading for India Reader Raj Patel of Essex posed a perfectly reasonable question in Asian Voice dated 22nd-28th June - how come a tiny island like Gibraltar can attract 6 million tourists a year while enormous India can only manage to draw 2 million? Not quite, Raj! Actually nearly 7 million flocked to India in 2011 and that figure was continuing to rise, Tourism Minister Dr Chiranjeevi told me and my fellow journalists in London last November at India’s 2012 World Travel Market press conference.

Even so, you may ask, why just 7 million and not 27 million or more? The answer is that India is a comparative newcomer to tourism, having started in earnest only in the 1980s while destinations like Gibraltar, Spain, Italy, France and others have been at it since the 1950s, enjoying a substantial head start.

Nevertheless India is catching up with commendable speed, helped by its widespread reputation of being one of the world’s top value-for-money holiday destinations.

India, said Dr Chiranjeevi, is now ready to welcome visitors 365 days a year to experience the subcontinent’s array of attractions, ranging from spa, rural and spiritual to adventure and heritage tourism and a whole lot more.

British television frequently features celebrities doing travel shows on India.

Recent visitors include Chris Tarrant, Paul Merton and Kate Humble, with famous chefs like Rick Stein and Gordon Ramsay touring and sampling Indian food all over the country, helping to stir up even more interest in India.

Rudy Otter Via Email

India V’s Gibraltar As usual, I read Shri Jhalla’s letters with interest and anticipation. He may be the most elderly contributor to “Your Voice” column, yet his command of English is admirable. His letters are informative, provocative and at times irresistible. But on occasion he would not hesitate to bend the truth to make a point. His letter in last week’s AV, “India V’s Gibraltar” was not an exception.

His assumption that only tiny nations like Gibraltar, Singapore are tourist hotspots is far from reality. These minnows can only attract tourists if they are centrally located, aided and abated by tax free shopping, gambling and good governance with friendly disposition towards tourists.

Countries that attract most tourists are industrial giants, like US, China, France and Australia. Even Russia and Germany are climbing bandwagon, gravy train, even without sub-tropical climate and golden sandy beaches. Germany is famous for river cruises and is now building giant indoor Costas on Baltic Sea that will put paid to Spanish Costas!

Lack of these qualities, mind boggling corruption, loot mentality and now violence against women has taken India off the tourist map with the exception of

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Himalayan Tsunami I am concerned about the lack of publicity given to the Uttarkhand tsunami disaster in British Asian newspapers as well as Indian tvs. Since Uttarkhand is ruled by the Congress party, the party has deliberately suppressed the true nature of disaster.

The state government states less than 1000 people were killed and according reliable source the death tool will come to more than 10,000.

More than 1,000,000 people are to be rescued even after two weeks of disaster.

Several Hindu sacred temples in Badrinath, Harsil and Kedarnath were destroyed. Hindus from all over India visit these holy places and it is fully justified workers from other states to take part in the rescue operation. Thousands of pilgrims are still stranded.

The sad part is that Indian voluntary organisations in the UK especially Hindu organisations have not come together to collect money for the relief work or sending materials to those who are affected by the disaster.

NDTV reporter recently was keen on spending time in reporting the killing of two terrorists in Kashmir and on the encounter case of the Ishrat Jahan and in the Sadiq Jamal case. Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh recently visited Kashmir , but they did not have time to visit Uttarkhand.

The American government donated a big sum of $ 100,000.

It is high time that Hindu organisations abroad collect money and restore all the Hindu temples in Uttarkhand since they represent our culture and civilisation.

Arun Vaidyanathan Via Email Gujarat where tourism is taking root, albeit from the infancy.

It is easier to be patriotic from a distance, as we are not directly affected by bad governance but unless we are honest, India will go from bad to worse and ultimately consumed, devoured by her neighbours.

Bhupendra M Gandhi Via Email

Religious mind Octogenarian Dr Rasikbhai’s statement that a religious mind needs no dogmas to seek God is refreshing. He stated that persons who don uniform fanatically enforce dogma of separate Gods.

But Dr Rasikbhai Patel singling out “saffron robed monks” pointing towards one particular faith is unfair. His experiences from “saffron robed monks” should be seen in perspective of malpractices by other “non saffron robed” monks.

He must be aware about monks of other faiths who pursue unethical and unsavoury practices to hoodwink gullible devotees. Some well-known preachers hold public rallies in stadium, parade sick persons and profess to heal them.

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Media Watch

The heroics of the Indian Air Force in rescuing lives in Uttarkhand were the centre of national attention. A world record of 330 helicopter sorties were flown in a single day, but tragedy struck when a helicopter crashed negotiating a narrow valley with formidably steep mountain cliffs, killing all 19 persons on board including the fearless crew who died in Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne in Uttarkhand the call of duty. The silver lining was the Tehri dam’s ability to hold enough of the raging waters of the Bhagirathi river and save the popular pilgrimage sites of Rishikesh and Hardwar being washed away. But the numbers of dead are rising and an arduous task of rehabilitation lies ahead.

www.abplgroup.com - asian Voice 6th July 2013

and Capability Roadmap.” The acquisitions set out are to be made in a holistic manner “without compromising the transparency, fairness and probity at any level,” he said. (Telegraph June 28)

Better news on rupee Though weak still weak, the rupee recovered ground following its precipitate fall to 60.72 to the dollar, its value rupee rising to 60.23 to the US dollar a day later. The current account deficit (CAD) has fallen to 3.6 per cent in the first quarter of the current 2013-14 fiscal (April-June) from the record 6.7 high in its third quarter (October-December) of the previous 2012-13 fiscal. The Sensex jumped 520 points at weekend on the back of a gas and oil price rise. Remittances back home from non-resident Indians (NRIs) have increased by 15 per cent because of the rupee’s slide. So has NRI investment in Indian realty.

Remittances normally account for 4 per cent of the country’s GDP. Phew! (Hindu,Times of India 28,29)

Mahindra for global ties

Opening a new rail link in Kashmir

UAV action in Chhattisgarh

Meanwhile in the Kashmir valley, Hizbul Mujahidin gunmen ambushed an Indian Army convoy killing eight soldiers. The aim was to leave a message for the rest of India: that Islamist terrorism which had waned was now waxing; that the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi was unwelcome. The two leaders had come to inaugurate the rail service through the 11- kilometre Banihal tunnel, linking Jammu to the Kashmir valley.

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are being co-opted into counter-insurgence operations against Maoist terrorists who recently killed 28 politicians travelling to a public meeting.

Their deaths caused revulsion and horror across India leading to a hardening in the public mood and a tougher response from the government. The time for pussyfooting and bleeding heart pap is clearly over. India’s National Technical Research Organization (NTRO) has been given charge of UAV operations.

Mahindra & Mahindra made a significant breakthrough from its earlier mergers & acquisitions business strategy to forging global alliances, the prime example of which is its tie-up with Auto Automotive SA of Spain.

The multi-layered deal involves a share swap. M&M will give

ease the pressure on the rupee.

Unilever currently owns a 52.5 per cent stake in Hindustan Lever (Economic Times June 22)

Gujarat plans maritime cluster

The Gujarat Maritime Board (CMB), the regulator for all for all non-major ports in the State is to develop a maritime cluster on the lines of centres in Singapore, Dubai and the Netherlands. GMB will also develop a port city at Mundhra in Kutch district, while the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation will build a second port city at Pipavav. Ports regulated by GMB handle at least 25 per cent of the total cargo managed by the country’s various ports. So far, private developers and CMB have invested an approximate Rs 30,000 crore in developing infrastructure (Mint June 28)

Seaplanes connect Kerala’s backwaters A commercial seaplane service from the Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam, Kerala, to the State’s idyllic backwaters, was recently inaugurated by Chief Minister Oomen Chandy, adding an innovative dimension to its tourism industry. Tourists arriving at Kerala’s major airports will now be able to hop on to amphibious aircraft for the hassle-free final leg of their of journey to the backwaters, and to the houseboats on hire that await

Anand Mahindra, chairman, Mahindra Group (left), and Anton Pradera, chairman, CIE Automotive, at the signing of the global alliance agreement

Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi inaugurating Kashmir’s Banihal tunnel rail link

The first train was duly flagged off, reminding jihadis that India was not lacking in resolve in facing up to the challenges of hostile men and the unforgiving elements. Within the next two or three years a greater feat of engineering will carry the track across one of the highest bridges in the world spanning the Sutlej river. When completed Jammu and Kashmir will be fully integrated into the All-India rail network.

(Hindu, Times of India, June 25, 27)

(Hindu June 26)

New combat weaponry India’s armed forces are gearing up for the challenges of futuristic warfare. An initial budget of Rs 6 lakh crore for the acquisition of high-tech equipment such as robots for combat roles, precision guided missiles and watchdog satellites has taken shape. Defence Minister A.K. Antony made this clear in a dossier released and prepared by his ministry called “Technology

control of its domestic components business to the Spanish company; in return its own business will acquire global scale.

“This is very atypical for the Mahindra Group where we look for managerial control from the word go,” said Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the $16 billion group. The deal could not have been done without Mahindra’s financial resources and managerial bandwith.

While the Spanish firm had India on its radar and so stands to gain, Mahindra benefits from its partner’s outreach in Europe, South America and China (Mint June 17)

them..Kerala is awakening to its untapped potential as a tourist destination. (Economic Times Magazine June 22)

Dhoni praise for coach Fletcher Amidst the fanfare and razzmatazz of India’s triumph in cricket’s ODI Champions Trophy, captain cool Mahendra Singh Dhoni was quick to praise the acumen of coach Duncan Fletcher. Mr Fletcher had come in for considerable flak in the wake of India’s dismal Test tours

of England and Australia, where they were hobbled by players surplus to requirement. The new squad, young, able and willing to strive and strain had touched the clouds with glory, with their coach playing a critical role in the achievement.

Credit is due also to the nononsense Chairman of Selectors Sandip Patil and his colleagues, who used a new broom to sweep away the cobwebs that were clogging the team’s performances, a refreshing change from the previous timid, status quo regime chaired by Krishnamachari Srikkanth. It wwas good to see the winning Indian team dedicating their success to the suffering people of Uttarkhand (Hindu, Times of India June 24)

China’s sour view of Kerry visit Commenting on US Secretary John Kerry’s recent visit to India for the Strategic Dialogue, Shi Yinhong, a member of the American Studies department at the state-owned Renmin University, said: “The US purpose is to contain and balance China. But India has an independent foreign policy, and what New Delhi wants out of the relationship may be different from what Washington is looking for.

The relationship is a complicated one.” Shi explained that India was wary of the US relationship with Pakistan. He might also have included China, which has privileged ties with Islamabad. (Times of India June 25) However, the acknowledgement of “India’s “independent foreign policy” is fast forward from the Mao era when India was ritually denounced as America’s “running dog.” No matter, India has noted Secretary Kerry’s statement, weeks prior to his arrival in Delhi, calling for a “special relationship with China.” Such a relationship in 1971 targeted India in the war with Pakistan, which led to the liberation of Bangladesh from the genocidal presence of the Pakistani military.

Imperial crisis Ethnic riots in China’s Xinjiang province between the local Muslim Uighers and Han Chinese (mostly settlers) resulted in 62 deaths overall. All is not well in the Middle Kingdom. It may be a superpower, as palpitating media reports in India and elsewhere suggest round the clock, but wiser counsel would point to China’s imperial crisis and the bound feet of clay which come with the muscular displays of its authority at home and abroad.

Unilever in biggest ever India buy back Dutch giant Unilever’s $5.5 billion open offer for its subsidiary Hindustan Unilever, will be the largest to date if fully subscribed. The money brought in by this single transaction will be two-fifths of what foreign investors have pumped into the India this year, hence it should

The Indian team celebrating after winning the Champions Trophy in Birmingham

uK

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Your Voice Continued from page 10

Religious mind

The Politics of Hindu Organisations And Psychiatry Are there different challenges and opportunities facing the Hindu business community of Europe compared to indigenous or other communities?

I have been asked to address this issue at the forthcoming World Economic Hindu Forum in Thailand.

As co-founder of The Indus Entrepreneurs UK, (TiE-UK) part of over 40 global business chapters and the first European Chapter, and as the longest serving TiE-UK board member, it is an issue I’ve been thinking about for over a decade at least. And now as an Advisory Board Member of the City Hindu Network, an issue I will be thinking about long into the future.

But surely business is business. If there is one thing which has only one colour, it is money – and that colour is green. It only has one religion – profits. So are their Hinduspecific or Indian specific obstacles and opportunities?

Opportunities, and the obstacles a business faces because of a lack of opportunities, usually occur due to a lack of networks. We trust introductions from trusted parties. We include in our due diligence how much we know about someone already and what others say about them. The more people know you or

your product the greater your opportunities and fewer your obstacles.

It’s both rational and emotional. It’s human nature.

Therefore the greatest obstacle and opportunity to Hindu or Indian businesses is their access to quality networks. Through those networks, you build relationships, access points, know-how to overcome obstacles, information on which opportunities are available and how to access them.

Not being from Europe, or having families here for generations, we may be at a networking disadvantage. Of course some have not been held back, but many of us are.

Those without access, for instance to Parliamentarians, often in my experience become bitter about it and critical of those with networks and access. They will criticise those with access to networks as ‘gungadins’ or ‘sell-outs’ claiming those who are well networked are doing it for honours. Such critics do not serve their fellow Hindu. They need the services of psychiatrists.

Or take those inside Hindu networking organisations who then become autocratic dictatorial leaders blocking access for all others through their lack of leadership, vision and their constant bullying

and seeking of limelight. These too allow their ego to dominate and destroy service to their Dharma.

They too need psychiatric help. It is why I’ve been involved in the establishment and growth of business networks targeted at Indians and Hindus. It is the single most useful thing a businessperson can do for his fellow entrepreneurs – create the infrastructure allowing obstacles to be removed and share opportunities.

Indeed if you want to know why Silicon Valley is so successful – it is because it is a network, a cluster, an ecosystem. A network which brings know-how and capital together. It is why the British PM was keen to create TechCity in London – a similar network of capital and entrepreneurs. Through this a virtuous circle of role models and business persons to aspire to can be created.

Are there different challenges and opportunities facing the Hindu business community of Europe compared to indigenous or other communities? Yes, not just our lack of Hindu business networks but also our often-times self-sabotaging leaders and our critics who throw stones at the well-networked. By the way, I am on Linked In and you are welcome to use all my connections and networks.

Oxford sex grooming gang jailed for life Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims come together to fight paedophilia

Two pairs of brothers from Oxford who were among seven men who abused girls as part of a sadistic sex grooming ring have been jailed for life.

Mohammed Karrar, 38, and brother Bassam Karrar, 34, will serve a minimum of 20 years and 15 years respectively.

Brothers Akhtar Doghar, 32, and Anjum Doghar, 31, were both given minimum terms of 17 years, at the Old Bailey.

The men's offences included child rape and trafficking, between 2004 and 2012. A fifth man was also jailed for life.

Kamar Jamil, 27, who was found guilty of charges including rape and arranging child prostitution, was told he would serve at least 12 years.

Assad Hussain was found not guilty of rape and guilty of two counts of sexual activity with a child. Zeeshan Ahmed, was found guilty of two counts of sexual activity with a child.

Jurors heard how six girls, aged at the time between 11 and 15, were plied with alcohol and drugs before being forced to perform sex acts. Some were beaten and burned too.

The victims were tied up, suffocated and urinated upon, and would

return to Oxford bleeding, injured and carrying sexually-transmitted infections.

In a statement read by police, the family thanked the girl for "finding the strength" to speak out Judge Rook said the men had blighted their victims' lives and robbed them of their adolescence.

Mosques across the country delivered a hardhitting message condemning the sexual exploitation of children.

Part of the sermon, written by imam and youth leader Alyas Karmani, said “with so many individuals from a Muslim - background involved in such crimes, we have a responsibility to condemn this.”

Mr Karmani, of Keighley, West Yorkshire, went on: “We need to speak against and oppose this crime and make sure that there is a high level of awareness of this issue among our community, of the damage it does to the victims who, as you have heard today, are very often young children.”

He urged Muslims to report suspicions of grooming to police and added: “If you need any motivation other than it is the right and Islamic thing to do, consider this –what if it was your daughter and someone you knew

had not taken that step?”

The sermon, read at about 500 mosques, was the start of a campaign by Together Against Grooming in the wake of the case, which involved a sex ring in Oxford, and others where Asian men abused white girls.

Ansar Ali, spokesman for the group, said: “We’ve been horrified by the details from recent court cases and, as Muslims, we feel a natural responsibility to condemn and tackle this crime.”

In a joint statement by Lord Singh from the Network of Sikh Organisations UK, Anil Bhanot OBE from The Hindu Council UK and Ashish Joshi, The Sikh Media Monitoring Group told Asian Voice, “We welcome last Friday's Khutba Sermon by 500 Mosques to condemn the sexual grooming of children following last week's sentencing of the seven Pakistani men of the Oxford Grooming Group.

We also welcome the fact that the sermon was delivered in English aimed to target such confused young men. We also welcome that the fact the media has now stopped referring to those convicted as 'asians.'

Over the last few decades sexual grooming of girls in the Sikh and

Hindu communities by males of Pakistani origin has been of serious concern. Sikh and Hindu groups met with the Children's Commissioner last year conveying the plight of Sikh and Hindu parents whose children had been uprooted from their families due to grooming, but our concerns fell on deaf ears and were surprisingly not included in her final report. Although a significant number of cases involving white child victims have made it to the Courts, the Sikh and Hindu girl victims rarely come forward due to community stigma, yet the parents and victim are left to suffer in silence.

The attitude of showing disrespect towards non-Muslim girls by a small minority of Muslim men through some confused religious sanction needs to be tackled head on by the Mosques. We welcome the initiatives now supported by the Muslim Council of Britain and the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board to help convey the message to the grass roots that such acts are evil and cannot be condoned in any religion. We congratulate leaders of the UK Muslim community on their timely initiative.”

These faith healers collect lots of money and live life of luxury. Many godmen practice paedophilia, are covered up /defended by top leaders of that faith who apologise for such pervert practices. Non “saffron robed” priests sworn to celibacy have secret affairs, mistresses, families and illegitimate children. One famous faith offers cathartic sessions, pins guilt on devotee and professes to offer psychotherapy/cure at exorbitant cost. Devotee is forced into poverty to be cured of imaginary malady/forcing them to sell literature and products of that faith organisation.

Godmen of another faith deny rights of inheritance/alimony to widows and divorcee ladies. Some indulge in marriage / divorce holidays by bribing poor parents. Inhuman practice of female genital mutilation under name of a religion is no secret.

Yet such fraudulent godmen flourish in all faiths.

Pointing specifically at “saffron monks” creates prejudice against one faith and cover for others to lure more ignorant, desperate and gullible devotees.

Ramesh Jhalla Via Email

Independent public litigation Most of us are concerned about the news of daily scams going on in India, whereby those in power rob the wealth rightfully belonging to Indian people.

The only relief that has survived against these rascals is the Supreme Court of India.

We read of conscientious lawyers or a well to do awakened Indian citizen who would sometimes move the Supreme court to intervene on such manifest scandals by way of Independent Public Litigation (IPL)..

I feel that we NRIs need to provide support, financially if required, to encourage those who wish to move the Court by way IPL. I do not see any other way of curbing the scale of day light robbery openly committed on a daily basis from the wealth rightfully belonging to poor Indian citizens.

G Mistry Via Email

Dewani's health shows signs of improvement Shrien Dewani suffered from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression following the death of his wife Anni Hindocha, in the outskirts of Cape Town.

Anni from Sweden, was shot when a taxi in which the couple were travelling was hijacked.

Mr Dewani has been accused of arranging the killing, which he denies, and is facing possible extradition to South Africa to stand trial for murder.

Opening the case for the South African government at the extradition hearing at Westminster magistrates’ court, Hugo Keith QC said Mr Dewani’s mental health had markedly improved. The 33-yearold care home owner, who was excused from attending the hearing, is being treated in a hospital near his home city, but Mr Keith said it would not be “oppressive’’ to extradite him.

He said there had been “significant and sustained improvement” in his depression.

Mr Dewani’s depression is now moderate, not severe, and in April his PTSD was found to

Shrien Dewani

be “considerably less’’, the court was told. He still has a substantial inability to concentrate and poor memory, the court heard, but he no longer makes references to suicide.

The South African government has offered reassurances that he will be admitted to hospital if he is found to be ill, and if remanded in jail will be kept in a single cell, which will reduce the chance of him being attacked, the court heard.

Mr Dewani is not currently fit to plead, but Mr Keith said this should not stop the extradition process because his condition will improve.

The hearing continues.

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Ajay Devgn and Kareena Kapoor BSICC organises a appearance at UK launch of successful UK South India make UTV Motion Pictures' Satyagraha Business Meet at the HoC Tanveer Mann

Virendra Sharma MP with the speakers and audience at the UK South India Business meet

Rupanjana Dutta Following the successful first UK South India Business Meet in 2012, British South India Chamber of Commerce (BSICC) organised the second UK South India Business Meet on the 27th June 2013 at Houses of Commons (HoC), London. It was chaired by Mr Virendra Sharma MP for Ealing Southall, Chairperson of BSICC and supported by UK Trade and Investment, a UK Government department.

The audience included government representatives from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh & Pondicherry, Members of the British Parliament, especially Stephen Timms MP for East Ham. Present also were media representatives, interested investors from British and Indian companies and businessmen,originally from South of India, who have achieved a great deal of success in Britain.

Kollywood and Bollywood actor Prithviraj Sukumaran also joined the delegation with his wife Supriya Menon.

Speakers included Mr

department, Foreign and Commonwealth office, Mr Sadananda Nayak, Executive Director, Punjab National Bank (international) ltd, Mr Steve O'Leary, Director Infrastructure, Life Sciences and HVOs, Strategic Trade-UKTI, Mr Lakshminarayana- Chief Consultant, Andhra Pradesh Project Facilitators & Consultancy Services

Actor Prithviraj, Virendra Sharma MP, Stephen Timms MP and Gareth Roberts felicitating Ambica Krishna CEO, Ambica Group of Industries

Ltd, Dr Rajendra Kumar, UK Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce, Ms Deepa Sugathan, Partner, Silk Route Legal, Mr Siddharth Raja, Samvad partners, Bangalore, India, Mr Alexei LeveneMD, Innovation Experience Kerala, Mr Aurangzaib Chawla ACCASenior Accountant, Lanop Accountants, Mr K C

Introduction of the audience- L-R: Rupanjana Dutta (Associate Editor, Asian Voice), Caroline Erksine (Senior Business Service Manager, UKIBC) and other guests

Philip Abraham, Vice Chair-Kerala, BSICC, Mr Ganta Srinivasa Rao, Minister for infrastructure and investment, ports, airports and natural gas, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Mr Gareth Roberts, Team leader for India, Nepal and Bhutan, South Asia

how to do or improve business relations between Britain and India, Mr Gareth Roberts,Team leader for India, Nepal and Bhutan, South Asia department, Foreign and Commonwealth office stressed on how Britain has been extremely receptive to Indian investors and looking forward to strengthening the ties further, especially post PM

Janardhan, Hon Secretary, British Business Group, Bangalore, Dr Anand Ravikumar, UK Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Dr Jacob Ravibalan, Vice Chair, Tamil Nadu BSICC. While most of the speakers broadened on

Cameron's delegation.

Asian Voice asked him about the threats the policy of £3000 cash bond poses on the UK-India business relations and how the British government can expect Indians to invest and improve trade relations in an 'unfriendly' environment.

Though Mr Thomas did not have a clear answer to it, but he said that the cash bond is essentially a pilot scheme (open to modifications in due course), and as Mr Cameron has emphasised- it's completely discretionary, not applicable for Indian businessmen, students and investors.

Actor Prithviraj asked why South Indian films were not a part of the discussion, opening up the floor for more debates, speculations and probably some future investments too.

It was a very good initiative taken by the BSICC to bring the UK and South Indian businesses together, though I strongly feel that the organisers should have had more women speakers in the panel- perhaps a food for thought for later initiatives?

Bollywood stars Ajay Devgn and Kareena Kapoor, interacted with media on Wednesday 26th June at the London launch of the trailer for their highly-anticipated, f o r t h c o m i n g film, Satyagraha. The event was held at The Taj in St James Park, London and was hosted by UTV M o t i o n Pictures and Prakash Jha Productions.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker, Prakash Jha, Satyagraha features an ensemble cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Manoj Bajpayee, Amrita Rao and Vipin Sharma.

When asked for his opinion of the movie, Ajay Devgn commented, "Prakash has found a great balance between engaging the audience and, in spite of that, trying to say something which is very current and social. It is the film that works and every character has to work, and I think every character is very well balanced and it has come across well."

In relation to her role in Satyagraha, Kareena Kapoor said, "I have always wanted to work with Prakash-ji, and the role that he's offered me this time is the role of a journalist, which I haven't really essayed before. It's a very strong-headed but sensitive character and I couldn't say no. And, of course, being part of a film which is socially very relevant right now in our country is also a great honour."

Kareena was particularly excited about her

Kareena Kapoor and Ajay Devgn

role as a journalist, which she said, was a challenge she was willing to take.

“Their personalities are in some ways similar to mine because I am headstrong and quite sure about what I want. As a director's actress, I didn't really prepare as such for the role and I completely followed Prakash-ji's direction."

When asked what impact the film will have on international audiences, Ajay said, “the intention is not to have an impact. The intention is to understand and realize what the reality is and I think international audiences will also empathize with what is happening in our country because it is the personal story which engages you. Prakash Jha has found the right bal-

ance between a message and engaging all audiences”.

Following the London Press Conference, Ajay and Kareena linked into the Mumbai Trailer Launch and Press Conference, for the first time, live via Video Conference facility, connecting with Director Prakash Jha, screen veteran Amitabh Bachchan, additional cast members and the attending journalists. This gave Ajay and Kareena the chance to interact with Indian media from a different international territory.

The film Satyagraha releases worldwide on 30th August, presented by UTV Motion Pictures and Prakash Jha Productions.

London Metropolitan University celebrates 100 years of Indian cinema This year sees the 100th anniversary of the Indian film industry, and students at London Metropolitan University celebrated it in style with an ambitious four-day film festival.

It’s been a century since Indian film pioneer Dadasaheb Phalke produced his Raja Harishchandra, the first full-length Indian motion picture. Since then, the industry has grown to attain universal status, with ‘Bollywood’ now a household name around the world.

Students at London Met – which has a large and active Indian community – held a festival on 2 – 5 July 2013, featuring eight films and documentaries that have played a key role in shaping Indian cinema.

Wasim Javed, Vice

President (Participation and Democracy) in London Met’s Students’ Union (pictured) came up with the idea for the festival.

He said: “London Met has always been an international hub, right in the heart of London, representing students from all over the world. This event is about celebrating this diversity and bringing people from all different cultures together to sit shoulder to shoulder and enjoy the films.

“The 100th anniversary of Indian cinema is a major landmark both in India and for the global movie industry and so we must recognise and celebrate it in a way which is both enlightening and educative.

“India has one of the oldest and largest film

industries in the world, but it often overlooked in the ‘world cinema’ category in favour of European, Chinese and Japanese films. For this festival, we have selected eight pieces that have won international acclaim and demonstrate what Indian cinema has contributed to the world.”

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Asian Achievers Award for Young Entrepreneur awaits nominations from you Members of the public are invited to participate in this ‘People’s Awards’ by nominating their choice of candidates The time to rejoice the growing success of Britain's Asian community through a unique and an absolutely non biased awards is drawing close.

Asian Achievers Awards salute individuals who are singularly responsible for bringing the Asian community to the centre stage of British life. Exceptional and exemplary achievements of individual that are truly inspirational.

It is not unknown to us that the first generation of British Asians have travelled a long way since their settlement years in Britain, working exceptionally hard, making innumerable sacrifices to integrate and achieve the current status and providing their younger generations with a role model. The younger generations have also strived enormously to reach another level of success, that their predecessors, may have left unachieved.

Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar continue to proudly play their part in recording the community’s and generation's consistent efforts to maintain and enhance its position within the British society.

ABPL recognises individuals from various fields for their com-

John Brennan of HB Markets and Dr Rami Ranger, MBE, FRSA, Chairman of Sun Mark Ltd with Shamir Shah, Managing Director, Icone Group, winner of Young Entrepreneur of the Year category

mitment to the society through this Asian Achievers Awards (AAA) since last 12 years.

The AAA is now in its 13th year and by an impressive array of high net worth individuals, industry captains, high - level decision makers, Parliamentarians, community leaders and senior professionals.

There are various types of awards worldwide, but Asian Achievers Awards (AAA) is rather uncommon.

Instead of few individuals deciding who the award winner is, a truly independent panel of

judges are given total freedom to select a shortlist and then the winner in each category. Not only the subscribers and the readers of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar but also the wider community is invited to nominate in various categories of the award, as its publicised through radio, television, internet and various events. Every year we receive a record number of nominations and the calibre of the candidates are always very impressive.

Asian Achievers Award categories comprise: Achievement as

a Young Entrepreneur; Award for Entertainment, Business Person of the Year; Woman of the Year; Young Entrepreneur of the Year; Uniformed and Civil Services; International Personality of the Year; Lifetime Achievement Award, Sports Personality of the Year; Professional of the Year and Achievement in Community Service and Achievement in Media, Arts and Culture. This year the theme of the award is Woman. However, one of the key category of this awards is achievement as a Young Entrepreneur.

Our Asian Community have always had the entrepreneurial acumen within themselves. While people fancy jobs in the City and have also done extremely well in the sector, there are quite a few individuals who have shaped their vision through inspirational business ideas, contributing immensely to the community, especially economy and job market. AAA makes an effort to reward such initiatives and the individuals behind them.

Over the last years this category has had winners like Shamir Shah, Dalip Kumar, Kuljinder S Bahia, Rishi Lakhani, Riz Navsarka, Mitesh Patel.

Shortlisted candidates have included Abhishek Varma, Shazia Awan, Jason and Dennis Singh Digwa, Sujan Shah, Rajesh Agrawal, Suraj Gokani, Vikkas Puri, Sanjay Vadera and others Speaking about his achievement last year, winner Shamir Shah, Managing Director of Icone Group of Companies said, "It is an honour to have been awarded the Asian Achiever 2012 Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The Awards ceremony filled me with encouragement not only as a businessman but also as a father. As I looked around the room it was wonderful to see so many Asians who have excelled in fields such as Sport, Media, Business and Civil Service, clearly demonstrating that barriers have come down and our communities have achieved notable successes in these areas. The highlight of the evening was certainly the award presented to Kevin Peterson, as an avid cricket fan, I hope he enjoyed the reception he received, so much so that he might even contemplate moving to the India team if there is no longer a place for him in the England set up…..one can only dream !”

Please tick the appropriate category Achievement in Media, Arts and Culture ................................

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

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

NOMINATION FORM The prestigious Asian Achievers Awards is hosted every year by UK’s leading news weeklies Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar to honour British Asians par excellence. If there is someone you know who has broken boundaries and deserves recognition for their unique contribution to the community and the nation then please nominate them for one of the awards listed below. Make sure that you fill in this application form and send it on or before 12th July, 2013 by post, fax or email to Mr. L George, Tel: 020 7749 4013, Fax 020 7749 4081, Email: aaa@abplgroup.com. If you are sending it by post the address is Mr. L George, ABPL Group, Karma Yoga House, 12 Hoxton Market, London N1 6HW.

Name of the Person you are Nominating: _______________________________________ Contact Details of the Nominee (Tel & email):____________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Present Occupation of the Nominee: ____________________________________________ Please attach the Nominees's CV which includes the following information (Please do not exceed a limit of 1000 words) (1) Personal background (2) (3) (4) (5) are

Most important career achievements till date.

Nominee's contribution to the community and nation.

Future Plans, ambitions and visions.

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

Summary-

(Please include a summary in not more than 150 words why the nominee is worthy of win-

ning the particular award in a separate sheet)

Nominators name and contact details: __________________________________________ Nominators current Occupation/Company: ______________________________________ Tel/Mobile: __________________________________________________________________ Email:_______________________________________________________________________ NOMINATION AND SELECTION PROCESS: This is a unique event where readers nominate and an independent panel of judges comprising of eminent personalities selects the winner. Judges’ decision is final. ABPL Group will not entertain any dialogue with members of the public regarding the judging process. In order to ensure a high degree of transparency and fairness, the management and members of the staff of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar will play no role in the nomination or judging process. You may use an additional sheet if the space provided is insufficient. The winners will be announced at the AAA Awards ceremony on 6th September, 2013. Asian Voice, Gujarat Samachar will publish the names of the short listed candidates and winners after the event. The winners names will also appear in our e-edition www.abplgroup.com You can nominate yourself if you wish to. Nominations and entries must follow the prescribed format. All nomination forms must reach our offices on or before 12th July, 2013

In recognition for an individuals service to community.

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

Awarded for excellence in sports.

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

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

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

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

Young Entrepreneur of the Year ..................................................

Awarded to an young entrepreneur (less than 35 years) with a proven track record of operating a successful business enterprise.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 6th July 2013

‘Slumdog Millionaire’ girl makes Tamil debut

Alia Bhatt wants to paint Hrithik Roshan

Alia Bhatt can also paint! The young actress says if she could, she would love to draw a portrait of Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan some day as she considers him a "Greek god".

Present at the inauguration of an art gallery, Alia said: "I think I would love to paint Hrithik Roshan. He looks like a Greek god. I would love to paint him, but I don't think I would be able to as I can't do portraits."

Otherwise, she loves to pick up the paintbrush and use it creatively. The 20-year-old, in fact, made a charcoal painting and has hung it up in her room.

Tanvi Ganesh Lonkar, who played the adolescent version of Frieda Pinto in Danny Boyle's Oscar-winning "Slumdog Millionaire", is making her Tamil debut with romantic-thriller "Sandithen Unnai". Its director is impressed with the 18-year-old. "I don't know if it's the effect of Danny Boyle or because she is a natural actor, but Tanvi is a treat to work with. Even though she has a language barrier, she doesn't allow it to come in between her work. She learnt her lines and mouths them with confidence," the film's director Nagamaneci, said. The director adds that she is a keen observer. "Tanvi has a knack for making note of every smallest detail. You don't have to spoon-feed her because when you show what you want, she gives you exactly that," he added.

Prabhu Deva and Sridevi to shake a leg together

Shah Rukh, Shahid Kapoor to co-host IIFA awards

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan will be hosting this year's IIFA awards along with Shahid Kapoor.

Shah Rukh Khan had last hosted hosted the IIFA awards in 2005. Screen Awards were the first to bring Shahid Kapoor and SRK together as hosts two years ago. The award ceremony is returning to Macau for a second time this year after 2009. The award show will see performances from Deepika Padukone, Madhuri Dixit and Abhishek Bachchan. Actor-directorchoreographer Prabhudheva will perform with Sridevi in a dance off. IIFA 2013 will be held at The Venetian Macao.

Well two biggies of Indian Cinema are ready to enthrall and sizzle, and where will that be? It will be in China! The Award Ceremony of Indian film academy is gearing up to take place in the wondrous country pretty soon and it will have some of Bollywood's celebs participating in the grandiose event. The event will also mark Prabhu Deva dancing to his "Mukkala Mukkabula". The ace dancer has invited legendary actor Sridevi to shake a leg with him for this glam event, however the "English Vinglish" actress was reluctant at first. But Prabhu Deva's immense confidence and soothing words seem to convince "Kuyil", and so eventually she will dance for the legendary song.

Sanjay Dutt to watch ‘Policegiri’ with inmates at Yerawada jail

The makers of “Policegiri” are apparently planning a screening of Sanjay Dutt's film within the walls of the Yerawada Jail. Sanjay Dutt is serving his jail sentence here. And thanks to a particular jail policy, he will soon join fellow inmates to watch his upcoming cop caper inside the jail premises. Producer Rahul Agarwal is apparently trying to arrange for a screening of his new film. A source says, "Sanjay had raced against time to finish the movie. Now, it's the makers' turn to do something for the actor." Rahul says, "Yes, we were told that the inmates are allowed one movie screening each month. We hope we get permission soon."

Priyanka Chopra to do cabaret in ‘Gunday’

Joining the likes of the legendary Helen, Priyanka will soon be seen doing Bollywood's most sensuous style of dancing, cabaret. While Priyanka was seen in a disco avatar in the song 'Babli Badmaash' in “Shootout At Wadala,” once again its time for the diva to adorn some jazzy costumes. Buzz is that the song will be shot in a lavish style using some really expensive props. Also, we hear that the actress' outfit will be inspired from vintage fashion and almost the entire cast will be a part of this song. However, the details about the song have been kept under wraps.

Swara Bhaskar getting marriage proposals After the success of “Raanjhanaa,” Swara Bhaskar admits there is a challenge to do better work now.

Swara, who played Dhanush's friend Bindiya in the film, reveals that the audience has loved her character so much that she is getting a lot of marriage proposals from fans. "I have already got 8-10 marriage proposals. A lot of people have left me messages on the Facebook and have written “Kundan was mad, marry us and we are serious," Swara said. "Some even said that we are not mad and not stalkers, we will take care of you. So anything else happens or not, I will definitely get settled in my personal life," she added.

Dabangg, Rowdy Rathore don't excite Kiran Rao

Filmmaker Kiran Rao is happy directing movies that focus on human interest without worrying about boxoffice success and records. "I think you can't blame people as they have this way of judging you as Aamir Khan's wife and there is nothing wrong with that identity. Until I made ‘Dhobi Ghat’ people did not knew what kind of a person or films I could make," Kiran said. "But now people view me through a different lens.

It took a film for an audience to see what I do. Now people see me as a separate filmmaker other than Aamir. I have my own work, aesthetics," she said.

"Films like Dabangg, Rowdy Rathore don't excite me as a filmmaker... I don't think I can make it. It is unlikely that I will make films like them," she said.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 6th July 2013

Aishwarya stuns Vishal

S

onam Kapoor, who is style icon for the youth has mostly played girlnext-door roles in her Bollywood films. The actress claims that she loves dressing up and it's not a responsibility to be a fashion diva.

When asked about being fashion diva, Sonam claimed, "It's not a responsibility to be a fashion diva. I enjoy it and also enjoy getting up in morning and putting on make-up, getting ready. I don't think there is any girl, who doesn't like to not look

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good and wear good clothes."

The actress has seen essaying simple roles in her films. "I don't purposely select simple roles. Whatever I am in personal life can't be same way in films," added the Kapoor daughter.

Sonam is busy receiving praises for her performance in “Raanjhanaa” where she plays a simple Muslim girl. "I don't know whether it was different, but it was difficult. I had to concentrate on Zoya and it was difficult. I am a very simple girl in real life and I say what I want so to become someone, who is so complex was difficult," concluded Sonam.

'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' will touch audience:

Vishal and Aishwarya Arjun have come together for the movie “Pattathu Yaanai,” directed by Boopathy Pandian. Being a former associate of Arjun, Vishal and Aishwarya didn’t need much of an introduction.

However, during the initial stages, Vishal was reluctant about Aishwarya's acting and screen presence, however her commitment and performance seem to have stunned Vishal. He has further quipped that Aishwarya blew off his concern by facing the camera with brimming confidence. The songs of Pattathu Yaanai are out and an official word on its wait date is still on the cards.

My look in ‘Krrish 3’ is going to floor all men: Kangana

Actress Kangana Ranaut, who will be seen in new avatar in “Krrish 3,” has said that the superhero film was quite challenging. "My look in Krrish 3 is going to floor all men. It's alien- cumsuperwoman- cum- Tomb Raider- cum- cat woman sort of a character. It was a very challenging film as it had lot of action sequences.

They were choreographed by an action director from China," Kangana said. "I had a great time doing the film. There is ample masala in this film and I am hopeful it will be loved by all," she said. Kangana made a good start this year with “Shootout at Wadala” and now she has three films releasing this year – “Krrish 3,” “Queen” and “Revolver Rani.’ Krrish 3 took three years to be made.

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra “I

have tried to be un-Bollywood with Bhaag Milkha Bhaag,” says Director Rakeysh Omparakash Mehra. He was talking about his latest film which was supposed to take people by surprise. “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag” is a film based on true life, though not a biopic. It is a flick that will deeply touch the hearts of the audience. After seeing this movie, Indians living in foreign countries will have nostalgia of their homeland and they will be proud to see an Indian’s perseverance as an athlete and his courageous human spirit. Foreigners will get a chance to see what they must have never seen before. The character Milkha was 12 when he lost his family during India-Pakistan partition. After the separation, he made his way to Delhi where he grew up in a refugee camp. He became a thief. And surprisingly he later joined Indian army. He witnessed the murder of his entire family in front of his eyes. And all he could see and remember was his dying father screaming to him "Bhaag ..Bhaag Milkha Bhaag," and these were the words that defined the saga of one of the greatest sportspersons on Indian soil. The “Rang De Basanti” team is back again with another masterpiece on the life of The Flying Sikh - Milkha Singh. It gave sleepless nights for Rakyesh Mehra to whom to cast for the role of Milkha Singh. Rakeysh Mehra thinks that Farhan Akhtar has his own interpretation for the character. The music and the background score for the film were composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. The soundtrack features seven tracks with lyrics penned by Prasoon Joshi.

The film is set for worldwide release on 12th July 2013.

Karen David stars in US crime drama serial ‘Castle’ C

anadian-British actress Karen David has appeared in the first of two episodes of US television drama “Castle.” Cast as Sara El-Masri, a 20 year old Columbia University student, who is kidnapped in a plot against her wealthy father. Karen worked alongside well-known television personalities Nathon Fillion and Kate Beckett. The award winning series, produced jointly by Beacon Pictures and ABC Studios, is a crime drama. The show has won accolades since its premiere in 2009; earning two People’s Choice Awards and four TV Guide Magazine Awards.

Karen says of her role, “It was a really exciting character to play as I had to use a broad range of emotions. Depicting the emotion of fear on screen is truly exhausting and all consuming. It’s very intense and you cannot beat around the bush or fake fear. You literally have to feel it deep inside your bones!”

Karen has spent the last year jet-setting across the globe, landing in LA to work on several projects. She recently appeared alongside Robert De Niro in Hollywood Blockbuster “Red Light” and then went on to feature in serial drama, “Touch” with Kiefer Sutherland. She will also feature in British film Amar, Akbar & Tony. The multi-talented actress has also been developing her forthcoming EP in LA, which will be released this August.

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 6th July 2013

Financial Voice Dear Financial Voice Reader,

With the Rupee at a record low making Indian exports cheap, what happened to the currency war? Why does it not materialize? What will be the early signs and how when and if it happens do you position yourself?

We had heard so much talk from Presidents and Prime Ministers that they would devalue their currencies, in a race to cheapen exports to fuel growth. Like a Mexican stand-off you would expect the first one to move would pull it off. Everything from the Brazilian Real and the Mexican Peso to the Australian Dollar and Japanese Yen. But against who? The US dollar of course – their largest trading partner.

So what happened? Have the warriors got wiser and realised that announcing your intentions is not the way to do it, because traders will simply use that information to confound your intentions and make you pay for it?

Or was it always an empty threat because of the actual cost to a central bank of devaluation would mean it is better to try to announce the policy to get traders to push the currency lower without spending a dime – literally – and the traders were too clever to fall for the hollow promise? Indeed, is what we are seeing just an unstated ‘dirty’ currency war to devalue against the Dollar?

How do global Dollar moves tally with an increasing debt burden from QE – surely the currency is debased, so why is it not a one-way bet?

From Warren Buffett to the screaming US twin deficits, a fiscal cliff, a Congress in gridlock, and a downgrade of the Sovereign debt status of the US – everything points to a weakening dollar against all major currencies. A one way bet.

But it keeps failing to materialise. Even the credit crunch saw a flight to safety to US assets – exactly the country that gave rise to the crisis in the first place.

Does the US win either way? Are deficits irrelevant when you are the defacto reserve currency of the world, when 80% of all daily forex transactions involve the dollar and when you are the world’s largest economy?

Or like most expected trade moves, does it actually happen when least expected, when we feel the financial crisis is over, that US and global growth resuming. In other words, now as we no longer expect a weakening dollar, is the precise time to start betting heavily on a falling dollar over the long term?

And what about the Euro? Is the strength in betting on the Euro that no one country is truly relevant – and so the Euro is always a long bet?

The Eurozone is about the size of the US by GDP. Given that Greece has the same GDP as Washington State in the US and no one would care if Washington State needed a bailout from the US Federal Government, can the Euro always be a safe long bet. Any worries should simply be a reason to buy on dips. This is a far more secure currency than we realise.

Or take the crisis around Italy’s debt. Of course a far larger economy than Greece. Italy is about the economic size of California. Yet, like California it has been on the brink of financial collapse many times. Do we worry about the US economy when California skirts default?

Clearly that both the United States of Europe and the United States of America are a currency and financial union provides more security than we realise in the case of Europe.

Our expectations have been too pessimistic surely about the Eurozone – a currency held in reserve by more central banks than any other after the US dollar – so again a safe bet. So surely over the long term if not a long bet, at least one which cannot fall too far, given its federal US like safety net.

RBI tightens gold import norms again The Reserve Bank of India squeezed gold buyers further, ruling out any credit transactions for imports unless they were intended to make jewellery for export, as it looks to rein in a record current account deficit. The RBI said the restrictions would also apply to imports of gold which do not have a fixed price. "In other words (authorised dealers and banks) are required to ensure that credit in any

form or name is not enabled for import of any form of gold," the bank said.

The central bank added that imports of gold using loans could continue for lending to exporters of jewellery. In its statement, the central bank said imports of gold against both suppliers' credit and buyers' credit would now have to toe the line of 100 per cent cash margins.

These credits facilitate the funding for gold purchases.

Tata, Ambani, Birla among 26 applicants for bank licences

Tata Sons, India's biggest business group, and firms controlled by billionaires Anil Ambani and Kumar Mangalam Birla are among the 26 companies that have applied for a licence to open banks.

Ambani's Reliance Capital has applied for a banking licence along with Japan's biggest life insurer Nippon Life Insurance Co and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. Former Citigroup Inc chief executive Vikram Pandit has teamed up with JM Financial Ltd. Among public sector entities, India Post and IFCI also submitted applications for bank licence while micro

Cyrus Mistry, Anil Ambani and Kumar Mangalam Birla

finance institutions like Bandhan Financial Services, Janalakshmi Financial Services too expressed their intention to set up a bank.

"The Reserve Bank of India in all received 26 applications," the central bank said after the deadline for applying for a bank licence expired on

Monday. The RBI had issued guidelines for 'Licensing of New Banks in the Private Sector' on February 22 and came out with clarifications in the first week of June. It is, however, not yet clear how many new bank licences will be issued.

RBI governor D Subbarao had earlier said

PMO seeks clarification on Jet-Etihad deal

The Prime Minister's Office has sought clarifications from ministries concerned, including Commerce and Industry, on the proposed Rs 20.58 billion Jet-Etihad deal.

The deal, largest foreign investment proposal in the aviation sector, is facing regulatory hurdles with various ministries raising major concerns over the ultimate control of Jet Airways post transaction.

Government sources said the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has sought clarifications on the Jet Airways selling stake to Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways from ministries and departments concerned including Commerce and Industry, Civil Aviation and Corporate Affairs.

However, nature of the clarifications sought could not be immediately ascertained.

The Foreign

The India-China trade deficit increased by 34 per cent to reach $12 billion in the first five months of the year, presenting a bleak picture for Indian exports as bilateral trade continued to decline, denting hopes of achieving a trade volume of $100 billion by 2015.

According to the data released by Chinese customs, the India-China bilateral trade touched USD 26.5 billion till May 2013. The trade deficit for India has widened yearon-year to $12 billion, up by 34 per cent. The trade volume was lowered by

that "our effort will be to make that judgment as transparent as objective as contestable as possible ... I want to say that not everybody who is fit and proper will be given a (bank) licence because we expect the number of eligible applicants will be much larger than what is meaningful number of licences we can give". In its clarification, the RBI had said the entities getting licences to open new banks will be given 18 months to open branches, and promoters would have to transfer their holdings to the nonoperative financial holding company (NOFHC) in a stipulated period.

ONGC Videsh, Oil India acquire stake in Mozambique gas filed

Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), which clears FDI proposals, on June 14 had deferred a decision on the deal citing control and ownership issues.

"It (Jet-Etihad proposal) has been deferred. We need more details on effective control and ownership," economic affairs secretary Arvind Mayaram had said.

Under the proposed transaction, Jet would sell its 24 per cent to Etihad Airways. Concerns have been primarily raised on

the proposed ownership and control structure of the domestic airlines.

Besides, capital market regulator Sebi, fair trade watchdog CCI and Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) have reservations about the deal. Post transaction, Jet Airways promoter Naresh Goyal would directly own 51 per cent in the airline.

The FDI policy for civil aviation, which was revised in September last year, allows foreign airlines and foreign institutional investors to invest up to 49 per cent in an Indian airline. NRIs are already allowed 100 per cent investment.

Recently, Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh raising concerns about the JetEtihad deal.

Government-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation and Oil India Ltd are to jointly buy out 10% stake Videocon Industries has in Mozambique’s Rovuma 1 gas field for nearly $2.5 billion and could pick up another 10% from US major Anadarko Petroleum for an equal amount. The ONGC Videsh Ltd, the overseas arm of ONGC, and OIL signed a definitive agreement with Videocon Mauritius Energy Ltd for the acquisition.

Once the deal concludes in the last quarter of 2013, it would mark OVL’s third big-ticket acquisition in 10 months under D K Sarraf’s stewardship. The acquisition of Videocon’s stake would be the second largest by an Indian energy firm after OVL’s $5 billion deal to buy ConocoPhillips’ 8.4% stake in Kazakhstan’s Kashagan project.

over $2 billion compared to last year.

Bilateral trade fell to about $66.7 billion last year from around $74 billion in 2012. The trade deficit touched about $30 billion last year, causing concerns in India. While the Chinese exports registered marginal increase the bilateral trade numbers are falling.

Exports have declined substantially while imports have risen marginally, officials said’.

Much to the disquiet of India, its main items of exports like cotton, iron

ore and copper have continued their downward slide.

Iron ore declined sharply by 76 per cent to $595.42 million. Cotton and copper declined yearon-year by 40 per cent to $1.39 billion and 24 per cent to $688.53 million respectively.

India's overall share in Chinese exports has dropped to under 1 per cent from 1.33 per cent, the data showed.

Cotton yarn and diamonds are the other two exports that rounded off the top five. Cotton yarn is

the sole bright spot showing a jump of 115 per cent to reach a value of $740 million. Diamonds have increased at a modest 14 per cent to record $562.1 million.

The Chinese exports to India maintained an even keel, rising by 2.7 per cent year-on-year.

The declining trade as well the promise held out by the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in the last month's visit to New Delhi to provide more market access to Indian goods were the focus of discussions between the two countries in the past few weeks.

Naresh Goyal

India's trade deficit with China touches $12 billion

finAnciAl Voice

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 6th July 2013

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The Power of Perception

Suresh Vagjiani Sow & Reap A Property Investment Company

Last week we finally exchanged on a property, 10a Durham Terrace, W2, which we were actually looking to hold and refurbish and not even resell on. The property is a ground floor and lower ground period property. Auctioneers and everyone who sells property in this patch always label this property to be in Notting Hill, but actually it’s not, it’s more Westbourne Grove. Notting Hill is a stone’s throw away but it’s not Notting Hill. But the price of a label is everything; everyone knows the value of labels in the commercial world, the same exists in property. One of the most startling examples of this is when an ex council property in Gilroy House Gloucester Terrace, formerly worth £350,000 sells for £750,000. Why? The building is the same, the occupants are exactly the same… You say it must be the lease which has been extended, nope the same lease. So what changed?

The label! The council are no longer the freeholder, as the leaseholders had purchased the freehold from the council; and so simply by changing the label the properties started selling for three times their value.

We purchased this property for £980,000 in December 2012, the plan was to develop and resell sell it for £1.475m. There was one on the market, no. 7A for the same price, it was a share of freehold and done up nicely.

We were simply going to piggy back of this property on the market, and purchase, get planning, extend the lease, refurbish and resell.

Planning, party wall agreements etc take time, even more so when you’re dealing with the council, who happen to be the freeholders in this case.

Although sometimes this being the case has its benefits, for example when we were extending the lease, which we had a right to do as we had inherited this from the previous owner, we proposed a cheeky sum of £15,000 to extend the lease by another 90 years from its current level of 63 years.

time for the deal to occur as the lease extension had to be finalised.

Whilst this was going on we had another offer where the buyers were happy to purchase with the short lease on the assumption they could inherit our rights to extend the lease at the agreed price; this of course appealed to us more due to the time period this deal could be executed in. This party however had mortgage issues and couldn’t raise the funds on the terms they wanted. We had refused to issue a contract out to them as this would disturb the current buyer, however we did tell them I could supply their lawyer with any information he wanted and when they were ready to do the deal it had to be an attended exchange, whereby they come to our lawyer’s office and exchange.

If our lawyer became aware there was another offer on the table he would be legally obliged to inform the current buyer, something we did not want him to do until we knew this new party were serious about doing the deal.

Too be honest this is not something we like to do or encourage, but this is the nature of the beast and until you have exchanged it’s an open door for anyone else to come in; and conversely we were also not sure the current buyer will buy for sure until the contacts had been exchanged.

We were very doubtful the price of £1.225m could be achieved, not just us but also agents and other contacts told us the same. A dilapidated property should not have fetched this amount, however lack of quality stock forced the prices up and we achieved a high price, simply because we asked for it and would not have sold it otherwise. This is why the market is strong in this location, it comes down to simple supply and demand. The supply is very small and cannot be increased by much, yet the demand for good quality stock in strong locations exists nationally and internationally.

The end resell price we were looking at was circa £1.5m. If we were only getting £275,000 extra by spending another £100k on refurbishments, and waiting for another 6 months, which will cost us possibly another £50k, plus the extra time period taken to complete a sale, it did not make sense for us to hang on; and so the early exit was preferable. This will also allow us to rotate the funds with other deals.

We’re now focusing on larger deal sizes, along with the freedom for investors to invest less money in each deal.

The property market is like a triangle, the range of £300k-£500k is at the bottom where it is difficult to find good solid deals as there exist many buyers at this level, many of whom are cash buyers. As you go further up the amounts get higher and there are naturally less buyers at these levels, and the deal discounts get greater. Therefore it makes sense to clump investors together, who normally will be at the bottom of the triangle, and together achieve a greater discount through greater buying power.

T h e c o u n c i l h a ve a s e t t im e t o re s po n d an d c o u n t e r o f f e r , i f t h e y d o n o t d o t h i s w i t h i n t h e s e t t i m e o u r am o u n t s t an d s ; we h ad a f e e l i n g t h e y w e re l i k e l y t o mi s s t h is b y a d a y, a n d t h e y d i d .

They tried to combat the point by saying they had posted the letter on time – within the period. But this was a weak attempt to cover themselves. A couple of strongly worded letters from our lawyers confirmed our proposal stood and we were prepared to defend our stance.

The council took advice from their lawyers and confirmed the extension would happen at our proposed price.

This was a big saving for us, the agent quoted a price of £100,000 in their estimation, I reckoned it was more like £50,000.

None the less this was a great and unexpected outcome for us.

Whilst we were proceeding with the planning agreements, it made sense to put the property on the market with a small window for someone to come and exchange.

The property was in a terrible state, a dog couldn’t even live in there; surprisingly the former owner did live there.

In order to cover our costs and make a reasonable profit we needed to achieve £1.225m; surprisingly we did. A buyer came along who offered the full market value, so we had a sale agreed. It took some

The Real Deal Hyde Park, London, W2 Purchase Price: £545,000 l A bright one bedroom apartment in the heart of Hyde Park Estate with tremendous views of London skyline. l Excellent buy and hold opportunity l We believe it will be worth £700k after refurbishment. l We have sourced a flat in the same block for £500k and the price rose to £700k in just one and a half years. l Massive capital growth potential in the future l Close to the beautiful open spaces of Hyde Park and shopping amenities.

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Tips of the Week l The internet has limited uses when researching properties. We have done two deals recently where the statistics on the internet did not support our decision;, but our local knowledge did and our clients made money on both deals. l Discounts are not the only means to make money in property, at times you need to see an angle which no one else sees.

UK

20

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 6th July 2013

The First Golden Rule of Good Investing

Maria Fernandes

maria@abplgroup.com

Is Immigration Good or Bad? !

!

week‘s article discussed the futility of the Lbondast scheme. Following

#

The concept of privatisation I don't have a problem with, but it has to be at the right time and carried out in the right way. What we can learn from the previous privatisations and demutualisations was that wider share ownership does not necessarily lead to deeper share ownership and the fostering of private portfolios. The method of flotation certainly did little for the companies themselves, especially as it left them with sometimes shareholder bases of hundreds of thousands, which were both unwieldy and expensive to maintain. Many were in fact delighted to see their shareholder register whittled down to more manageable levels, and a few were even able to actually consider addressing their shareholder base as their own advocate and supporter base.

Companies can make designs to get the shareholder base they need; what they don't need is to have numbers foisted on them just to satisfy political dogma.

In fact companies seem very rarely to make use of their shareholder base as a marketing arm in its own right. At Barclays I remember trying long and hard to get them to appreciate that most of their shareholders were either staff or ex-staff and, very often, customers - that is to say potentially a great advocacy base for the company if properly martialled. But all to no avail.

There are some key issues here. Firstly the economy needs properly functioning utility banks and this needs to be accelerated to help the recovery; pushing Lloyds and RBS back to the market whilst still in recovery seems somewhat odd. Secondly why should we as taxpayers and shareholders (albeit indirectly) not expect to have, not just our money back, but a significant profit as well, and if that will take some years yet, then so be it.

However, the government is missing an opportunity here. With the glorious benefit of fully focused 20:20 hindsight, it would have been far better if we had packaged up, or at least partially done so, the flotation issues into a bundled unit trust fund of state assets which citizens could have applied for. This would have introduced investment to many for the first time, not in the form of small holdings of one off stock issues, but rather a spread of different assets and companies in a range to provide an immediately more diversified investment portfolio or fund. Again with the benefit of history this would have proved a jolly nice 'little earner' for Sid instead of exposing him as an innocent to the vagaries of the stock market, individual holdings and their risks.

So, too late now? Well not necessarily so. In fact the government in its desperation to try and find assets to close the deficit and pay down debt has been scouring the cupboards to see what's left of the 'family silver'. Whilst the Georgian tea set and furniture has already gone, it seems that we might now be down to the teaspoons. However, before you write those off, they certainly have some combined value.

As well as RBS and Lloyds, there is the uranium operator Urenco, the Student Loan Book, something called Plasma Rescources, The Royal Mail, the Met Office and the UK Hydrographic Office. Add to that an interesting portfolio of property from Law Courts to MoD areas and you could have the making of quite a significant FTSE 100 company made up of a compendium of assets and companies.

Now asking investors to buy into this bundle of investments as a fund might be a far more sensible and sound investment especially for the smaller investor. The receipts of course would go back to the government for debt reduction, but maybe here they could also use this as a base point for the UK Sovereign Wealth fund and have a national investment vehicle to invest the proceeds in good projects for the nation's and its citizens' futures?

So in my view here is a great opportunity for the reintroduction of popular capitalism through a responsible structure, and hopefully we can avoid the political dogma of populist capitalism - which would seem to have the whiff of political advantage being taken prior to an election. Surely not!

Have a good week!

Justin

"

"

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$

protests by heads of Governments, the plan might be shelved (again), another mother of U-turns.

This week the Prime Minister was in Pakistan, drumming up business for the UK. What may have been more useful would have been the slackening of the relentless refusals that Pakistani nationals face when making applications of any kind of visa.

Now that many decisions are not appealable, it makes the situation worse and it festers as a problem because there is no outlet.

Even Entrepreneurs, with cash to spend, are treated like criminals.

Real progress means treating people you want to do business with, with respect. Today the Prime Minister was in Kazakhstan, making the case for businesses again, ignoring the human rights abuses that are commonplace there. This is not surprising, especially as human rights does not

have much truck in the UK. There was an interesting article this week about why those in the North are voting for the English Defence League and concluded, by the use of several thousand words, that it was poverty that was driving them against immigrants and towards these parties. An article by a Conservative MP Nadeem Zadhawi argued that there was a need to consider an amnesty as a way of engaging the party with the ethnic minorities. He argued, without much success, that students should be removed from being counted in as immigrants.

Another Conservative MP has now also joined the debate, citing the report of the Organisation for the Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) that immigration adds to economic growth as migrants pay more tax than they consume in public services. The voices in favour of relaxing the immigration stranglehold is growing, not one hastens to add, because of their

altruistic concerns but because this could affect the outcome of the next election.

At least there is some consolation that a sensible decision has been made recently to keep out the two poisonous anti-Islam US bloggers who were planning to come to the UK to stoke up resentments here.

Immigration is a subject that is debated on a daily basis, the benefits, the disadvantages, the rights and the wrongs.

Parties on all sides will need to reach out to immigrant communities as they tend to exercise their vote much more so than the local population. To do so they will need to lay the groundwork, and that needs to begin now.

Maria Fernandes has been in practice exclusively in immigration for the past 28 years. Fernandes Vaz is based at 87 Wembley Hill Road Wembley in Wembley and can be contacted by telephone on 02087330123, by email on info@fernandesvaz.com.

India, Sri Lanka seek to double bilateral trade volume

Officials from Sri Lanka and India held talks on trade, investment and economic cooperation aimed at doubling the bilateral trade volume.

"Recognising that India is Sri Lanka's leading trade partner and that bilateral trade between the two countries has now reached USD 5 billion, it was agreed that the potential which remains to expand bilateral trade further to the tune of USD 10 billion would be exploited in the next 3 years," said a statement issued by the Sri Lankan government.

During the talks held on June 24-25, it was agreed that there was considerable potential to expand bilateral trade, in a balanced manner through optimal utilization of the opportunities available between the two neighbours.

Sri Lanka's secretary to the treasury, P B Jayasundera, said the talks covered entire gamut of economic, trade and development related issues between the two countries. "Review of several elements in the current bilateral trade will be undertaken over the coming months," he said.

Tata Nano car drives into Guinness book

Tata Motors' small car Nano entered the Guinness Book of World Records for driving on a longest journey covering the entire country, the company said. "The expedition was accomplished in 10 days (March 21-30) covering 10,218 km in a Tata Nano from Kanyakumari in southern Tamil Nadu to circumnavigate the country and return to Bangalore," Tata Motors president Ranjit Yadav said at an event.

The car entered the Guinness Book of World Records, breaking the previous record of 8,046 km. The car was driven by city-based motoring enthusiast

Srikarunya Subrahmanyam and his team.

"Tata Nano has put India on the world motoring map by demonstrating its robustness, reliability and frugal engineering. We will encourage motor expeditions to enable customers experience the

brand's value," Yadav said.

India's first Formula One motor racing driver Narain Karthikeyan felicitated Subrahmanyam and the team for the record achievement on the occasion. Karthikeyan also released a book “Atop the World” authored by

Thomas Chacko, a 63year-old Kochi-based motoring enthusiast who accomplished a 78-day long national expedition driving in a Nano across the country in July 2012.

"I have seen a new breed of traveller emerge, one who has a streak of adventure and passion for motoring. I have known people who have driven long distances for the fun of it despite the option of taking a flight or a train being always there. This is the spirit that encourages enthusiasts like Srikarunya and Thomas to overcome challenges of driving long distances," Karthikeyan said.

US immigration bill can hurt India's GDP: JP Morgan The US Immigration Reform Bill that passed a key test vote in the Senate could take away 0.3% to 0.4% of India's GDP in the 2014-15 financial year, says a just released report by brokerage firm JP Morgan.

This, it says, is due to the outplacement clause that would restrict the placement of H1-B workers at client sites. The outplacement clause imposes significant higher filing fees on H1-B dependent employers based on the percentage of non-immigrants employed in the company. These companies currently pay $2,500 for H1-B visa processing and an additional $1,225 for premium processing.

Indian IT exports esti-

mated at $87 billion in 2013-14 is expected to contribute about 4% to the country's GDP and about 7-8% on an incremental basis. The immigration bill, if passed into law, could have a multiplier effect that could impact India's economy via consumption and growth of ancillary sectors like real estate, travel and hospitality, the JP Morgan report says.

"Our estimated adverse impact on India's FY15 GDP (including the downstream multiplier impact) due to the outplacement clause in the immigration bill at 0.3-0.4% is large enough for the government of India to get worried about the immigration bill (as it currently

stands). Even more worrying, perhaps, is the adverse implications this finding has on downstream lowerlevel employment this sector generates," writes Viju K George and Amit Sharma in the report.

The bill will force Indian IT companies to reduce their dependency on H1-B workers, given that it may require them to fork out higher visa fee and salaries to H-1B visa holders over their American peers with similar experience.

"More than 15% of the US workforce is visa holders (H-1B or L1s). If triggered, the employer is deemed to be visa-dependent. Visa holders of India centric firms would not be

able to work onsite; unclear whether this means current and/or future staff," said Gartner analysts Frances Karamouzis and Sandra Notardonato in a recent report titled “Impact of visa legislation on offshore outsourcing.” The JP Morgan report says the impact of outplacement can be offset by factors such as local hiring, increasing the offshore content of work and/or greater automation.

"Reckoning in the direct loss to sector revenues of $2.6 billion and the downstream, multiplier impact, this results in a loss of $6 billion or 0.3% of FY15 India's GDP. The downstream impact on jobs is even more dramatic," says the report.

finAnciAl voice

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 6th July 2013

21

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

Carney to steer UK Economy

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 2nd July 2013 @ 2.30pm GBP - INR = 90.26

Mark Carney has officially become head of the UK's central bank, replacing Sir Mervyn King as governor of the Bank of England. Mark Carney takes office as the first foreign appointment to this position in the Bank’s 319 year history. All eyes will be on Carney as he will try to steer the UK’s economy back to health. What reforms Carney will implement will be watched closely as the Government and the Bank of England endeavour to develop more long term and transparent guidance surrounding interest rates and monetary policy.

Carney takes over with interest rates at an all-time low and with several stimulus programmes in place to revive the economy following the financial crisis. Carney is likely to oversee the central banks exit from these measures.

It looks set to be a very busy week in terms of data this week which includes interest rate decisions for Australia, Europe and the UK (Carney’s first), manufacturing and services data from the UK and Europe and finally the US non-farm payrolls on Friday.

E u r o z o n e unemployment hits new record levels in May, as the recession continued to hurt workers across the region. The unemployment rate rose to 12.1% from 12%. It was driven by increased unemployment rates in countries at the heart of the crisis, including Spain, Italy, and Ireland.

The number of people out of work across the eurozone rose by 67,000, and picked up by 16,000 in the wider European Union. There are now 26.405 million unemployed men and women in the EU27, of whom 19.222 million were in the euro area.

Croatia has become the 28th member of the European Union since Bulgaria and Romania joined in 2007. It is 10 years since it applied. But with one in five unemployed and Croatia's national debt officially classed

Mark Carney

as junk, some Croatians feel joining an economic bloc with its own serious troubles will do little to improve their prospects.

First Deputy Prime Minister, Vesna Pusic explained that it’s important Croatia look at the long term guarantees of political stability and then everything else - the single market too.

United Kingdom’s manufac-

turing enjoyed a decent June, posting its strongest growth in more than two years.

Manufacturing PMI from the UK continued to expand coming in at 52.5 against an expected figure of 51.5. The data showed a rise in new business, with increased orders from within the UK and abroad. Carney’s arrival will inevitably spur some uncertainty for the UK, the pound may well be on the back foot this week and will need the assistance of some positive data to help maintain a level of strength.

The United States economic recovery was far weaker in the first quarter of the year than first thought. The nation's gross domestic product (GDP), the broadest measure of all goods and services produced in the economy, grew at a 1.8% annual rate from January through March. The figure was revised down from 2.4% as consumer spending and business investment were revised sharply downward. Another area of meaningful weakness is imports; imports were originally reported as growing by 5.4% but now show a contraction of 0.4%.

USD - INR = 59.60 EUR - INR = 77.49 GBP - USD = 1.51 GBP - EUR = 1.16 EUR - USD = 1.30 GBP - AED = 5.56 GBP - CAD = 1.60 GBP - NZD = 1.95 GBP - AUD = 1.65 GBP - ZAR = 15.00 GBP - HUF = 341.53

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

world

In Focus Bangladesh to deport jailed Ulfa leader Anup Chetia to India Dhaka: Bangladesh is likely to deport jailed Ulfa leader Anup Chetia to India as he sought his repatriation along with two other detained members of the outfit after languishing 16 years in jail. Despite the expiry of his term, Chetia was in jail under a 2003 HC directive asking authorities to keep him in safe custody until a decision was taken on his asylum plea. Chetia has expressed his willingness to return to India and we have forwarded his petition to our home ministry for consideration".

Sri Lanka releases former LTTE women's wing leader

Colombo: Sri Lanka has released the former head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's women political wing after undergoing a one-year rehabilitation programme.

Subramaniam Sivathai alias Thamalini was handed over to her parents at the Poonthottam Rehabilitation Centre in Vavuniya. Thamalini from Kilinochchi had joined the LTTE in 1991 and became the head of LTTE women's Wing. She was arrested by Sri Lankan army in May 2009 at an Army welfare centre for refugees and taken to Colombo for investigations.

Sri Lankan army seeks officers' training in Pakistan

Colombo: The Sri Lankan army has sought more training opportunities for its officers in Pakistan, in addition to the ongoing training programmes. The matter was discussed as visiting Pakistan army chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani met his Sri Lankan counterpart General Jagath Jayasuriya. Discussions between both the army chiefs centred largely on military related matters of mutual interest, training and possibilities to further enhance bond of goodwill and cooperation.

Teen Pak girls shot dead for dancing in rain

London: Two teenaged sisters were reportedly shot dead after they were seen dancing in the rain in Pakistan. Noor Basra, 15, and Noor Sheza, 16, were killed by five gunmen after their clip dancing around caused outrage in their ultra-conservative town.

According to the report, their mother Noshehra was also shot. Police suspect that the murders were ordered by the sisters' step-brother to restore the family's 'honour'.

The sisters were filmed six months ago break-dancing after it started raining heavily.

The girls were seen running around with two younger children outside their house in their village in the deprived northern region of Gilgit. The stepbrother Khutore and the gunmen are all thought to be on the run.

Malaysia deports Sikh militant to India

Kuala lumpur: An Indian national, believed to be part of an international Sikh militant group, has been deported by Malaysian authorities to India which sought his extradition to face trial. Satpal Singh Raghvir Singh, 41, was arrested in the suburb of Cheras for immigration offences on January 4 and deported to India. He had been supplying the group with fake travel documents and using our country as a transit point for the group's activities.

Satpal had forged documents for several BKI members who were involved in a series of bombings in India in 2006.

Rudd sworn in as Australian PM after overthrowing Gillard Canberra: Kevin Rudd was sworn in as Australian prime minister for the second time, a day after toppling Julia Gillard and three months ahead of elections in which opinion polls show the ruling Labor Party faces a devastating defeat. Rudd's return as prime minister follows three years of squabbling within the Labor leadership and as the world's 12th largest economy faces challenges stemming from a slowdown in top trade partner China. Rudd, a Mandarinspeaking former diplomat, has highlighted the difficulties associated with "the end of China's resource boom".

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 6th July 2013

52 killed as Cameron visits Pakistan

Quetta: Bomb attacks killed 52 people in Pakistan on Sunday, officials said, as British Prime Minister David Cameron called for tough action against terrorism during a visit to the capital.

In the two deadliest attacks a suicide bomber killed 19 people at a checkpoint near a Shia Muslim mosque in the southwestern city of Quetta, and a car bombing killed 17 in the northwest.

The combined toll marked the deadliest day for nearly four months. In Quetta, officials said a suicide bomber tried to access a Shia mosque in the congested Hazara town but was intercepted at a checkpoint.

"Nineteen people have been killed and 51 others are injured," said police official Fayaz Sumbal.

While Cameron was holding talks with PM Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad, a car

David Cameron

bomb targeted a security force convoy on the outskirts of Peshawar, killing 17 people.

In the northwestern tribal district of South Waziristan, a roadside bomb killed four people in the main town of Wana, officials said.

In the North Waziristan tribal region, another roadside bomb targeting a security forces convoy killed four security officials.

The militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, which has carried out many attacks against Shiites in recent years, claimed responsibility

for the attacks.

Earlier Cameron flew into Afghanistan to try to reinvigorate stalled peace talks with the Taliban and reassure Afghans that foreign troops will not cut and run next year.

Cameron's visit to British military bases in southern Afghanistan came four days after the Taliban attacked buildings near the presidential palace in Kabul and the Afghan headquarters of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), setting back already shaky attempts to end 12 years of war.

That attack came a week after US and Taliban representatives had attempted to meet in the Qatari capital of Doha, a session that was cancelled amid objections from the Afghan government.

British officials said Cameron was keen to boost political stability ahead of a presidential election next year

which Western diplomats hope will result in the first peaceful transition of power in Afghanistan since 1901.

Britain, whose troops currently number 7,900, is in the process of reducing its forces and removing equipment ahead of the end of the Natoled International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission next year.

"We want a political solution as well as making sure we have a security solution," Cameron told reporters.

"We have come to Afghanistan to stop it being used as a base for terrorist activities. That has been and is successful. What we (now) need to do is build up the Afghan armed forces and at the same time make sure that the politics of Afghanistan enable everyone in Afghanistan to play a role in the future of their country. We are making some progress there," he added.

Egypt on the edge after Morsi Hafiz Saeed asks Pakistan not rebuffs army ultimatum to buy electricity from India Cairo: Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi rebuffed an army ultimatum to force a resolution to the country's political crisis, saying that he had not been consulted and would pursue his own plans for national reconciliation.

But the Islamist leader looked increasingly isolated, with ministers resigning, the liberal opposition refusing to talk to him and the armed forces, backed by millions of protesters in the street, giving him until Wednesday to agree to share power.

Newspapers across the political spectrum saw the army's 48-hour deadline as a turning point. "Last 48 hours of Muslim Brotherhood rule," the opposition daily El Watan declared. "Egypt awaits the army," said the state-owned El Akhbar.

The confrontation has pushed the most populous Arab nation closer to the brink amid a deepening economic crisis two years after the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak, raising concern in Washington, Europe and

neighbouring Israel.

Protesters remained encamped overnight in Cairo's central Tahrir Square and protest leaders called for another mass rally to try to force the president out.

Senior members of Mursi's Muslim Brotherhood used the word "coup" to describe the military ultimatum, backed by a threat that the generals will otherwise impose their own road map for the nation.

16 killed in unrest: Meanwhile, at least 16 people were killed and hundreds injured in violent clashes across Egypt as angry protesters took to streets for the second day on Monday, storming the headquarters of the ruling Muslim Brotherhood and giving an ultimatum to Morsi to quit. In Cairo, thousands of people massed at the iconic Tahrir Square - the epicentre of pro-democracy protests in 2011 - under the banner of Tamarod (Rebellion) Movement which is driving the campaign with a petition of signatures seeking Morsi’s ouster.

Lahore: Pakistan should not buy electricity from India, Jamaat-udDawah chief Hafiz Saeed has told the government, days after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directed his power minister to visit India to address the severe energy crisis facing the country.

"India is producing electricity on Pakistani rivers and offering the same to us to buy. Don't our rulers understand this basic point?"

Saeed, the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, asked while addressing an 'Ummat Conference' at Sheikhupura, some 40 km from here, on Sunday.

Saeed, who is carrying a $10 million bounty on his head declared by the US, has been freely moving and conducting his activities mostly in Punjab, a province of 90 million.

"There is no need to beg India..," Saeed, the former

Hafiz Saeed

head of banned Lashkar-eTaiba, added.

His warning to the Sharif government came in the wake of its proposed plan to buy electricity from India and China to cope with the current energy crisis.

Finance minister Ishaq Dar had said India is ready to sell up to 2,000 MW electricity to Pakistan and "we are seriously pondering to purchase electricity from India."

Sharif had told members of the Pak-India Joint Business Council last week that he had directed Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Water and Power, to visit India and explore potential areas of cooperation between the two countries.

Ugandan president Museveni's son speaks out on succession Kampala: Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni’s son Muhoozi Kainerugaba has for the first time broken his silence on the succession debate, and denied allegations that his rise and key placement in the military command is a ploy to sidestep the law and have him replace his father as president.

“Uganda is not a monarchy where leadership is passed on from father to son.

This so-called (Muhoozi) project is a people’s creation,” the Brigadier said in a statement.

Brig Muhoozi, 39, is a onestar general and commands the 10,000-strong Special Forces Command, considered the engine of the Ugandan army, and responsible for guarding the President plus the country’s most-sensitive

Muhoozi Kainerugaba

assets, including the oil fields.

Capt Kwesiga, an army spokesman, said that he posted the comments on Facebook because of sustained debate on the social media about public perceptions of possible transfer of power from President Museveni to Brigadier Muhoozi - and questions why the First Son was

hesitant to pronounce himself on the matter.

In the statement, Brig Muhoozi appears to question why he was being sucked into the succession debate when he has “not declared that he wants to stand for President.”

“The power to choose how Uganda is governed lies with Ugandans and not a single individual (President Museveni) as some people would want us to believe,” Capt Kwesiga said.

Referring to Brig Muhoozi, Capt Kwesiga said: “He says that Uganda is not a monarchy where leadership is passed on from father to son.

However, he is an Ugandan who qualifies to stand for any elective position of his choice.” The Constitution provides that any Ugandan, who is a citizen by birth, is

not under 35 or above 75 years; and, has completed at least high Advanced-level education or its equivalent is eligible to present themselves for election as President.

But the laws prevent serving military officers from diving into partisan politics, meaning Brig Muhoozi would have to retire from the UPDF if he were to throw his hat in the political ring. Whereas his position in the statement reads ambivalent, it is the closest indication thus far that the Special Forces commander does not rule out the possibility of him giving a shot at the highest political office in the land. “This would require him to retire from the army, offer himself to the electorate who would either vote him in or choose not to,” Capt Kwesiga noted.

world

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 6th July 2013

Obama lauds Mandela's contributions Pretoria: Visiting US President Barack Obama lauded anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela for his outstanding contribution to South Africa, saying he has been a personal inspiration and continues to shine as a beacon of hope.

It was "great" to see what was happening in South Africa, when so many other regions were divided by conflict and disputes, Obama was quoted as saying after talks with his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma.

Obama wished a quick recovery for the 94-yearold Mandela, who has been in hospital for a recurring lung infection. Stating that Mandela has been a personal inspiration to him, Obama said: "Our thoughts are with Nelson Mandela and his family, and all of South Africa."

In a televised press conference with Obama, Zuma said the govern-

Barack Obama (2nd L) and First Lady Michelle Obama (L) pose with South African President Jacob Zuma (2nd R) and his wife Thobeka Zuma.

ment hopes that Mandela would be out of hospital soon. Obama said the outpouring of love for Mandela has showed what he meant to South Africans and the world.

Earlier, Obama held talks with Zuma on a wide range of issues, including trade, investment opportunities, the US commitment to Africa and democracy

in Africa.

"Our talks have taken place against the background of the ill health of our beloved former president Nelson Mandela, the founding president of our democracy who is much loved by our people and the world," Zuma said.

Zuma said Obama and Mandela are also bound by history, as the first black

presidents of their respective countries.

Obama meets Mandela family: Earlier, Obama met Mandela’s family and relatives and delivered a message of support instead of directly visiting the former president at the hospital.

The meeting took place at the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory in Johannesburg. Obama told reporters afterwards that he also spoke by telephone with Mandela's wife Graca Machel, who remained by her husband's side in the hospital in Pretoria.

Mandela still 'critical: Johannesburg: Ailing antiapartheid leader and former South African President Nelson Mandela remained in hospital in a "critical but stable" condition, the government said. Mandela has been on life support system in a Pretoria hospital for more than three weeks receiving treatment for a recurring lung infection.

Narendra Pathak re-appointed to human relations panel

California: Narendra Pathak of Sunnyvale, California, was re-appointed for the second time to the Council on Human Relations Commission by the Santa Clara County, Board of Supervisors. He was sworn into office on June 27, 2013 for a term that expires on June 30, 2017.

A native of Karamsad, Gujarat State, Narendra Pathak holds a B.A. in Economics and Law Degrees in Labor Laws and Criminal Laws. He will advise on exiting and potential programs and polices and will advise outside groups about community development, human

rights and other issues.

The 15 Commissioners, Human Relations Commission acts as an advisory body to the County, Board Of Supervisors on justice, social issues, peace building, immigration issues, human rights, criminal justice system, Jail Observer Program, death penalty system, Immigrant Relations and Integration Services, hate crime and hate incidents, youth task force, civil rights issues, and on ways to counter discrimination by age, disability, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual harassment and other things on existing

Now, Tanzania to review tax waivers

Indian-Americans with one last name targeted in scam

Dodoma: Tanzania has laid down a raft of measures to cut tax exemptions, which have been rising steadily in recent years. In his 2013/2014 budget speech, finance and economic affairs minister William Mgimwa told parliament that among measures aimed at cutting tax exemptions is the abolition of VAT on tourist services.

“The Tanzania Investment Act will also be reviewed with a view of retaining only a few tax exemptions that will stimulate strategic investments,” said Mgimwa. The Tanzania Revenue Authority CommissionerGeneral Harry Kitilya said tax exemptions were currently equivalent to about 2.9 per cent of the country’s GDP. The tax waivers rose to Tsh 680.7 billion ($ 436,325,600) in the 2009/2010 financial year from Tsh 335.6 billion ($ 215,162,800) the previous year, and Tsh 1,016 billion ($ 651.5 million) in the 2010/2011 financial year.

California: If you have a certain last name, listenup. Thieves, posing as IRS agents are calling with a threat: either pay up or get arrested. ABC7 News spoke with one East Bay couple who got a call to pay $16,000 just because they had the last name Patel.

But since this con game started, alerts like these are going out to Indian families all over America.

"They're going to take your passport, your citizenship, everything and you can go to jail for 17 months," said one man who doesn't want to be identified. He agreed to share his story to warn others about a very costly con.

He said, "$16,000 I lost."

It began with a phone call from this number: 1848-480-6577 from Toms River, NJ. A person claiming to be from the IRS told the victim that he and his wife failed to pay enough taxes. When the victim said he didn't understand, another man who spoke his native language - Gujarati got on the phone.

and potential state, federal programs, policies, community development programs, International Human rights, other issues and Coordinating with the United States Human Relations Commission.

Pathak has been active in the Santa Clara County's Commissioner, Council on Equal E m p l o y m e n t Opportunities, and City Of Sunnyvale as Board of Library Trustees, Library Commission and also Santa Clara County's Commissioner, Human Relation Commission.

His community activities include as Board of Trustees, Devotional

He demanded the victim rush to Rite Aid and 7Eleven to buy Green Dot MoneyPack cards - they're re-loadable debit cards.

The victim bought 30 of them and gave the Gujarati man on the phone access to all of them.

"I was so scared, so I don't think anything," the man said. The victim finally reported it to police, but detectives don't have a lot to go on. "The perpetrators in this case probably called 100 people and they got one person to fall for it," said Pleasant Hill Police Lt. Dan Connelly.

It turns out that Gujaratis across America are being targeted in the same swindle.

Now Gujarati advocacy groups are e-mailing out their own warning. They're worried more members will fall for this. "It's a trusting community and that's why when they bring in that guy who speaks Gujarati or an Indian language it trust that becomes more of a factor," said Bobby Patel, a former Patel Association president.

Association of Sitaram, Co-Coordinator of California Gujarat Sister State Association, India Heritage Research Foundation, Bay Area Gujarati Samaj, India Cultural Association of Bay Area and Brahamin Samaj of USA. Pathak has served as Treasurer, Charitable Care Foundation.

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HLH saves life of children Vaishali was 22 years and from Gujarat. She had been born with a heart problem and her parents had been told that not much could be done for her. Vaishali was referred by the Satya Sai organisation to a hospital in Rajkot, where they offered Vaishali an operation.

On the day of surgery Vaishali was taken to the operating theatre and the surgeon felt that nothing he could do will cure her. Luckily for Vaishali, a senior member of the Satya Sai Organisation had worked with a charity before and thought that they may be able to help Vaishali. HEALING LITTLE HEARTS (HLH), a UK based charity that sends teams of doctors and nurses every 6 weeks to the HOLY FAMILY HOSPITAL in MUMBAI to perform heart surgery on patients who are born with heart problems.

A HLH surgeon Mr Premsundar carried out an operation on Vaishali’s heart in February 2013. He was able to correct her heart problem and gave her a clean bill of health to lead a normal life. Vaishali is among 60,000 children born with heart problems in India every year.

HLH also operated on Mr AR Rahman's daughter in May 2010 and was featured by the BBC in November 2011. In November 2102 the Nargis Dutt Charity Trust launched a collaboration with HLH to operate on these desperately ill and desperately poor children. HLH has been operating since 2007 and has operated on nearly 300 children so far. But it is only a drop in the ocean with many thousands more lives to save with your help.

19 firefighters die battling US fire Yarnell: Hot winds blew a US wildfire out of control, killing 19 elite firefighters in the country's deadliest wildfire involving firefighters for at least 30 years. The specially trained "hotshot" firefighters were forced to deploy their fire shelters, tent-like structures meant to shield them from flames and heat, when they were caught near an Arizona town.

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South NRI man goes on stabbing spree in Hyderabad Suspecting his wife's fidelity, a Dubai-based non-resident Indian (NRI) went on a stabbing spree at Ali Nagar in Shaheen Nagar, killing his brother-in-law and mother-in-law on the spot. Later, he turned his ire on his wife, who tried to flee from the spot, but he chased her on the road and stabbed her repeatedly. Though she survived the attack, she is battling for life. Shaheen Begum and Ahmed had got married 15 years ago and have two children.

Veteran actor 'Baddi Bangaramma' dead

The Kannada film industry has lost yet another luminary. Barely two days after the death of veteran screenplay writer, director and actor, Kunigal Nagabhushan, character-actor UmaShivakumar passed away..

She was 71 and survived by her husband, son and daughter. She was suffering from diabetic complications compounded by agerelated problems. She made her debut with the award-winning Vamshavriksha in 1972.

She acted in over 150 films.

Vaiko vows stir against training for Sri Lankan officers Political parties and Tamil outfits will stage protests if the Centre continues to impart training to officials of the Sri Lankan defence forces at Defence Services Staff College at Wellington in the Nilgiris, said Vaiko, general secretary of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK). He was addressing a meeting by political parties and outfits to condemn the Union government for accommodating two Sri Lankan military officers.

58 members of 'Tamil Nadu Thevar Peravai' arrested

Over 50 members of the 'Tamil Nadu Thevar Peravai' were arrested for attempting to picket the Madurai airport. They were demanding that the airport be named after freedom fighter Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar. Peravai works for the cause of the Thevar (Hindu) community.

Punjab Woman gang-raped in three moving vehicles The Haryana police have booked 5 youth for allegedly raping a married woman in 3 moving vehicles near Narwana town. Woman had gone to the bus stand to go to her parents. At that time, Ramesh offered her a lift till Narwana & then she can take another vehicle to reach her destination. Ramesh called his two friends and they raped her in the moving car. They left her at Narwana bus stand. Then Manish and Surender, gave her lift in a jeep and they also took turns to rape her & throw her near a canal.

www.abplgroup.com - asian Voice 6th July 2013

DMK, PMK leaders join Jayalalithaa's party

Former DMK deputy general secretary Parithi Elamvazhuthi and former PMK general secretary E Ponnusamy joined the AIADMK while expressing admiration for J Jayalalithaa's governance. Both dalit leaders called on Jaya at her residence here on Friday and joined the AIADMK. "There is no democracy in the DMK now. No party functionary can survive there if they have differences with Stalin," said Parithi, once a close aide of DMK's heirapparent and bitter critic of Jaya. After meeting Jaya, he told TOI, "I admire Amma's courage, energy and leadership. Though I have criticized Amma in the past, she did not mind all those things and

Election of 12 new MLAs under challenge Election petitions have been filed before the Karnataka high court challenging the election of 12 MLAs, including three ministers in the Siddaramaiah cabinet.

These petitions have been filed before last Saturday to meet the requirement of law which stipulates that any election petition has to be filed within 45 days of the declaration of the result.

V Nagaraj, a former corporator of BBMP and a defeated candidate has challenged the election of Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dinesh R Gundu Rao from Gandhinagar constituency in Bangalore city. PWD minister H C Mahadevappa's election from T Narasipur constituency has been challenged by M C Madhusudhan and Social Welfare Minister H

Border Security Force (BSF) seized arms and ammunition as well as two Pakistani cellphone SIM cards on the India-Pakistan border in Punjab. The BSF seized six pistols, six pistol magazines, 39 live rounds and two Pakistani SIM cards at the outpost of Joginder in Ferozepur Sector. On the intervening night of June 28-29, BSF troops noticed the movement of two people near the border. In the morning, searches led to the recovery of arms and ammunition near a river bank.

The moniker of godmother of drug trade in Chandigarh will probably be apt for a woman facing half a dozen drug peddling cases, 24 theft charges and various other criminal offences registered against her at different police stations of the city in the last 14 years. On International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the law caught up with 42-year-old Bala, but her arrest after 260-gram of smack was recovered from her near housing board colony.

Longing for yet another son, a 30-year-old woman - a mother of three girls and a boy - allegedly buried her three-month-old daughter in Syed Chhapra village in Chandigarh. The infant, Asma, was rescued by other family members.

The accused, Ajmeri Khatun,

Drug queen in police net

Anjaneya's election from Holalkere constituency in Chitradurga district has been challenged by his close rival M Chandrappa.

Social activist T J Abraham has challenged election of Ashok Kheny, MD of NICE company from Bidar(rural) constituency.

Others whose elections has been challenged are- former minister M P Narendra Swamy (Malavalli), G Manjunath (Mulbagal), Bhima Nayak (Hagaribommanahalli), Anil Lad (Bellary city), Dattatreya C Patil Revoor(Gulbarga-south), J H Srinivas (Tarikere), Bhusanur Ramesh (Sindagi), Poorya Nayak (Shimoga Rural). All these petitions are likely to come up for hearing shortly.

Honey Singh says he is not married Rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh has hit the headlines yet again with a fresh controversy. This time, his marital status is the news maker. The singer, who reportedly got married in 2011, shocked the entertainment industry and his fans when he claimed to be “never married”. Honey Singh has been widely known as a “married man” in the glamour world.

The 29-year-old even went on to deny the reports of his marriage and the photographs of his wedding ceremony which are widely circulated on the internet, passing them off as “pictures from a shoot” that he claims to have done some time back.

However, the rapper’s claims of being single are

BSF seize arms, Pakistani cellphone SIM cards in Punjab

accepted me with an open heart. My toil for the DMK has gone waste as the party is now centered on a family, throwing Anna's (DMK founder C N Annadurai) ideals to the wind."

Parithi, who was a minister in the previous DMK government, said, "I will expose the double stands of the DMK, the family politics and the opportunism. I have taken an oath to tear apart

refuted by Delhi-based photographer Vinod Kumar who claims to have been present at Singh’s wedding. He even produced pictures from the wedding ceremony solemnized according to Sikh rituals in January 2011 at a farmhouse on the outskirts of the national capital. According to Kumar, the singer wed Delhi girl Shalini Talwar at Sarojini Nagar Gurdwara amid family and friends.

their mask and expose their real face." He had singlehandedly taken on the AIADMK in the assembly between 1991 and 1996 as he was the only DMK candidate, besides Karunanidhi, to have won the 1991 assembly election. Karunanidhi, who resigned later, never attended the assembly session during the period.

AIADMK seniors said the party was likely to use Parithi as one of the main campaigners against rival DMK during the Lok Sabha elections.

There are few leaders in the AIADMK, besides Jaya, who can draw crowds at public meetings. Six months ago, when MDMK's Nanjil Sampath joined the AIADMK, Jaya appointed

him as deputy propaganda secretary.

Parithi was also the deputy speaker of the assembly during the 1996-2001 tenure of the DMK and he became minister for information and urban development in 2006. Parithi lost the 2011 assembly elections as a DMK candidate by 202 votes. He had been sidelined for the last two years and resigned from his party post in 2011.

Parithi was arrested a couple of times during the previous AIADMK governments.

Parithi alleged that Stalin functioned more like a factional leader. "I am the first person to leave the party because of Stalin's dominance. Many more will follow," he said.

Madras HC upholds Centre's ban on LTTE The three-year old ban order on the LTTE has been upheld by the Madras high court, which said there was every justification for the May 14, 2010 ban order by the Centre and a subsequent tribunal order upholding it.

A division bench comprising Justice Elipe Dharma Rao and Justice, M Venugopal, dismissing the petitions by the MDMK leader Vaiko and the Tamilar Desiya Iyakkam leader Pazha Nedumaran, said: "Though the object for which the LTTE had been floated was highly laudable, with the passage of time, it has taken ugly path, leading to many heinous rimes in our land also. Voluminous materials containing highly sensitive information have been produced before us by the Centre to show the involvement of the

organization in various crimes in India, including the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, wherein the top brass leaders of the LTTE were the accused...All these materials were available with the government while issuing the notification and were duly submitted before the tribunal during inquiry."

Invoking the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the Centre had declared the LTTE as a banned organization on May 14, 2010. As required under the Act, the matter came up before a statutory committee for adjudicating whether or not there is sufficient cause for declaring the LTTE as a banned outfit. After dismissing pleas by Vaiko and Nedumaran on the tribunal had said they lacked locus standi to question the ban order.

Punjab girl to represent India at Google Science Fair A 15-year-old girl from Punjab has become the only Indian student to make it to the finals of the Google Science Fair, 2013. Shrishti Asthana, a Class 11 student from Millenium School, Mohali, had presented a project on a solar power-assisted green technique for degradation of detergents and was chosen from among thousands of participants from 120 countries.

"The inspiration for the project came when Shrishti went on a field trip to Ludhiana and was disturbed by the dire state of the disposal technique of industrial waste... She began her journey to find a green solution to turn waste detergent water from industries into an eco-

friendly alternative," the statement said.

According to Google, Asthana would be competing with 14 other finalists from around the world who would be taken to the Google headquarters in the US Sep 23 to submit their projects to a panel of international scientists. The winner will receive a 10-day trip to Galapagos Islands with National Geographic expeditions, $50,000 in scholarship funding and other prizes.

The Google Science Fair is an online science competition started in 2011. It is open to students of 13-18 years of age, who formulate hypothesis, perform experiments, and present results to a panel of experts.

Craving for son, woman buries infant daughter has been arrested and sent to judicial custody. Her husband Karam Ilahi was not at home when the incident took place. Ilahi's four brothers and other family members, who were present in the house, pulled the girl out alive.

Investigating officer (IO)

Kanwar Pal told that the woman, during questioning, revealed that she was upset over the delivery of a baby girl as she wanted another boy. According to police, Ajmeri buried the infant by digging a pit in her room.

"Just as she had done that, two women members of the

family came to her room inquiring about Asma. They chanced upon the dug portion in her room. Ajmeri told them that she had buried Asma as she had died. The women got suspicious and informed their kin," said the Investigating officer (IO).

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 6th July 2013

In Focus 10-year-old locked, raped in a Indore flat for a week

A 10-year-old girl was locked in a flat in Ramkamal Residency township in Aerodrome area of Indore and raped repeatedly for at least a week allegedly by a goon-turned-property dealer with the help of a female aide. Police got the information from the Childline about the girl being locked and raped. Two accused are Sunil Karosiya (45) and his female aide Pinky alias Sarita (25). Girl informed that she was raped by Sunil with Pinky's help in the flat. The flat where Pinky stays is supposedly owned by Sunil only.

Jiah Khan suicide case: Actor Suraj Pancholi gets bail

The Bombay high court granted bail to Suraj Pancholi, son of actor Aditya Pancholi, while observing that he cannot be held solely responsible for the "impulsive" act of suicide committed by actress Jiah Khan. "No doubt that it was an unfortunate incident that a young girl has committed suicide. She (Jiah) must have been impulsive and he (Suraj) cannot be held solely responsible for it," Justice Sadhna Jadhav said.

Suraj, 22, arrested on June 10, has been granted bail on a surety of Rs 50,000.

Kanimozhi, D Raja elected to RS from Tamil Nadu

DMK's Kanimozhi, CPI's D Raja and four AIADMK candidates were declared elected to the Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu. The four victorious AIADMK candidates are KR Arjunan, R Lakshmanan, V Maitreyan and T Rathnavelu. Maitreyan, Raja and Kanimozhi were re-contesting their seats.

DMDK's A R Elangovan lost the election, with just 22 votes as against the 34 needed to be elected. While the party has 29 legislators, seven had turned rebel and did not vote for the party nominee.

Attack on Abu Salem in jail: 4 cops suspended

A day after gangster Abu Salem was shot at in Taloja jail, four security personnel were suspended pending a high-level probe even as his lawyers are planning to move Portuguese authorities for his repatriation.

An attempt to murder case was also registered against his assailant Devendra Jagtap alias JD. Jagtap had allegedly fired two rounds with a country-made revolver.

On the 27th of June 2013 Lord Loomba initiated a debate in the House of Lords regarding the challenges faced by women across the globe. The debate lasted for two and a half hours and members of all parties participated in it. Lord Loomba highlighted the injustices women face since they do 60% of the work, yet own only 1% of the property compared to men in the world. He

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Rain fury coming to Uttarakhand again, missing figure may cross 11,000 Another furious spell of rains is expected to hit the hills of Uttarakhand later this week.

According to a Met office warning, conditions very similar to the one that caused the June 16-17 deluge in the state are expected to develop from Thursday onwards. The “very heavy” rains are likely to add to the misery of the battered hill state, which is still grappling with the crippling aftermath of the mid-June devastation. The warning comes even as Uttarakhand on Monday increased the number of people missing to 7,893, up from 4,649 last week. But a UN agency estimated the figure could cross 11,000.

The Met office has predicted that rains, from 70-130 mm a day, will be concentrated over the hills of Uttarakhand from July 4-7.

While this volume is lower than the over 300 mm of rains that fell on June 16-17, it is expected to make the already swollen rivers very threatening.

While the rains this time are expected to be of lesser intensity, “the chances of cloudbursts cannot be ruled out in Uttarakhand,” an RMC official said. In a relief of sorts, the battered Char Dham region is likely to receive comparatively less rain, an official said. “South Uttarakhand may get more rain,” he said.

Number of missing climbs to 7,893: The Uttarakhand government put the number of people missing at 7,893, up from 4,649 late last week, even as a United Nations agency estimated that this figure could be more

Relief materials being distributed to locals at Saudi village in flash flood-hit Kedar valley, Uttarakhand.

than 11,000.

Giving the number of FIRs lodged in major towns, the government said around 3,500 reports were filed in Rudraprayag; 2,780 in Rishikesh; and 1,289 in Dehradun. Haridwar has FIRs for 285 missing.

“The NDRF has rescued 8,634 people from Kedarnath so far, taking the overall evacuation to 1,08,253 people,” said M Shashidhar Reddy, vice chairman of NDMA. “According to the quantum of FIRs filed, the number of missing stands at 3,500-3,700 but a report prepared by a UN agency along with some NGOs pegs the figure in excess of 11,000,” Reddy said.

The largest number of deaths have taken place in Kedarnath and Ram Bada while the number of injured has risen to 3,119 compared to the figure of 436 on Saturday, Reddy said.

“Although excavators in special Mi-26 helicopters could not be taken due to bad

also added that 80% of politicians worldwide are men even now when women’s representation is at a record high. He highlighted that in the British parliament 422 women are missing when compared to men.

In his speech, Lord Loomba said that girls are not receiving education as much as their brothers are. They suffer from physical and sexual abuse, Lord Loomba highlighted that his own organisation, The Loomba Foundation is funding UN Women projects in India, Malawi and Guatemala to end violence against widows and their children to support them economically, politically and socially.

Most of the speakers also highlighted the problems that women and girls are facing

weather, about 385 heavy machines and bulldozers are in operation cutting through the debris,” Reddy said.

Additional secretary and in-charge of missing persons cell, Ajaya Pradyog, said DMs of each district have been asked to send districtwise figures of missing persons in two days.

Reddy said that with various agencies at work in Uttarakhand, he had “heard that different information were being disseminated from time to time leading to contradictory figures” and this should be looked into.

He said the total number of affected villages has risen from 2,000 to above 4,000.

Four unmanned aerial vehicle (Netra) have also been deployed for low-lying areas inaccessible for helicopters.

120 Gujarati pilgrims still missing: A fortnight after disaster struck Uttarakhand, there is no trace of 120 persons from Gujarat, who have been declared missing by the

around the world especially in conflict torn countries. In his closing remarks, he quoted the words of the world famous activist Martin Luther King, ‘In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.’ He concluded saying, ‘Recognising the challenges facing women worldwide is a huge task, but recognising that women’s equality is something we all need to aim towards is an easy

state government. State relief commissioner Punamchand Parmar who is leading the team of officials from Gujarat in Uttarakhand charged with bringing rescued Gujaratis back to state said, “As of July 1, a total of 120 persons are missing from Gujarat. Of these, 52 are male and 68 female. These include 41 couples.”

Of the missing persons, 40 are from Ahmedabad, 32 from Kheda, 25 from Surat, seven from Vadodara, six from Narmada, four from Anand and two each from Sabarkantha, Rajkot and Bhavnagar. Thirty of these including, 14 men are over 60 years old.

Exact death toll will never be known: The exact number of people who perished in the floods will never be known, Uttarakhand chief minister Vijay Bahuguna said as estimates of casualties fluctuated from hundreds to several thousand.

"We will never know the exact number of the dead and the number of people buried or washed away," Bahuguna said in an interview. The chief minister rejected assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal's claim that the death toll could cross 10,000.

"There are 500-600 bodies which are visible, not just in Kedarnath area but in the entire state," Bahuguna said.

"The bodies which were lying on the streets have been taken for cremation. Bodies which are in Rambada no one can reach them, but what do we do to them so the environment is not polluted.

Some chemicals and powder have to be used," he added.

one, and we as legislatures and champions of human rights should work toward it.’

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www.abplgroup.com - asian Voice 6th July 2013

India turns down Edward Snowden’s asylum request India has turned down US whistleblower Edward Snowden’s request to grant political asylum here.

"Following careful examination, we have concluded that we see no reason to accede to Snowden's request," MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said.

Earlier, Snowden, currently sheltered in the transit zone of Moscow airport, has sought asylum in 20 countries, including India.

These asylum requests have been filed by Sarah Harrison, legal advisor of WikiLeaks in the matter of Snowden, the whistleblower website said, adding that the first two requests were made to Ecuador, followed by Iceland.

"On 30th June 2013, WikiLeaks' legal advisor in the Edward Snowden matter, Sarah Harrison, submitted by hand a number of requests for asylum and

asylum assistance on behalf of Edward J Snowden," Wikileaks said in a statement.

"The requests were delivered to an official at the Russian consulate at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow late in the evening," it said, adding the documents outline the risks of persecution Snowden faces in the US and have started to be delivered by the Russian consulate to the relevant embassies in Moscow.

The requests were made to a number of coun-

tries including Austria, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Cuba, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Ireland, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Poland, Spain, Swiss Confederation, Venezuela.

The Obama administration has warned countries not to give asylum to Snowden arguing that he is wanted in the US on charges of espionage and leaking classified information.

The US said Snowden, whose passport has been revoked, would be given a fair trial and enjoys all the rights of an American citizen.

"We're prepared to issue one-entry travel documents. He's still a US citizen. He still enjoys the rights of his US citizenship, which include the right to a free and fair trial for the crimes he's been accused of," State Department

spokesperson Patrick Ventrell told reporters.

"He (Snowden) enjoys the rights and responsibilities of any US citizen, including the right to a free and fair trial under our Constitution," he said, adding that "He has a country to return to, which is the United States of America."

Snowden worked for the NSA before he fled to Hong Kong last month with laptops full of confidential information. He is believed to be currently holed up in the Moscow airport's transit zone since his arrival from Hong Kong on June 23.

He is wanted in the US on the charges of espionage and leaking classified documents. Documents leaked by him last month exposed a systematic and large-scale surveillance of phone and internet communications by the NSA around the world.

Narendra Modi endorses direct flight campaign Continued from page 1 strategist was accompanied by popular Bollywood star Paresh Raval.

Modi, who has been a long time supporter of the campaign said, "I am concerned that despite the legitimate concerns of UK based Gujaratis this issue has yet to be resolved by the Central Government.

Direct flights, I am sure will strengthen the bond between the UK and India." He added, "I congratulate the continuing efforts of readers of Asian Voice/Gujarat Samachar and its editor CB Patel. I will forward this petition to the Government of India and request them to find a solution".

Ladwa said, "We have been fighting this campaign for several years. If there can be direct flights between the UK and other Indian cities, why not to Gujarat?

Why are Gujaratis and those who wish to do business with Gujarat being discriminated against?"

Paresh Raval added, "I have many friends and fans in the UK. I can understand their desire to have better connectivity with their home state. I fully support this campaign."

The campaign received a significant boost following the endorsement by Modi with several senior UK and Indian business people also voicing their support. "We continue to look at opportunities in the UK. However, to encourage further trade between the UK and Gujarat, direct flights are now essential," said Nirav Shah, CEO of Jayatma Informatics.

“Ahmedabad is the birthplace and capital of India's pharmaceutical industry. I have already travelled three times to Gujarat this year for business and to discuss vital antibiotic resistance

research with leading medical professionals in the state. Direct non-stop flights would be a boon for the growing number of frequent travellers to Gujarat like me," said Professor Sir Anthony Coates, one of the world's leading microbiologists and founder of drug research company Helperby Therapeutics.

Young entrepreneurs, Priten and Heena Pithadia, last year relocated to Ahmedabad from London to set up a niche curtains and blind business in Ahmedabad. "Direct flights would be an essential life line for our business and also for family," said Priten.

Heena added, "I have two very young daughters. Last year I had to travel to London via Mumbai. It was a nightmare changing flights and airport terminals in the middle of the night. I support the Asian Voice campaign."

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar organised Petition in support of direct flight: Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar had carried a series of campaign and petition to facilitate direct flights between London and Ahmedabad.

The petition was signed by 9,000+ people and had generated much interest amongst the entire Gujarati community. The list of petitioners includes several prominent politicians, business people and community members.

More and more people are joining the campaign of demanding direct flight from London to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad in order to get a permanent, easy connection with people and places of Gujarat.

Direct flight will create win-win situation for both the countries: In absence of such a facility, travellers have to spend at least 4 to 5 hours, which at times go up to 10 to 12

hours at some other airport in India or in some other country, which is a huge waste of time. Lack of such a flight is also a huge problem for female passengers, particularly pregnant women, the aged people as well as children.

Even for businessmen and executives, the waste of time in transit or stopover is huge. Of late, the trade ties between UK and India (and Gujarat in particular) are on the upswing, with increasing investments from India into Britain and the vice versa. This generates a huge demand in travel between the two countries. Even for the comprehensive development of Gujarat, such a direct flight between the two cities is very much a necessity. C B Patel, the Editor/Publisher of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, added that UK has a population of more than 700,000 Gujaratis amongst 1.8 million people of Indian origin. Travel between the two countries for various reasons is increasing steadily. The number of students from Gujarat, coming to UK for higher studies has also witnessed a sudden spurt.

All these are reasons more than enough for restoration of Ahmedabad – London flights.

Once it was started and later cancelled: Vishwa Gujarati Samaj President Krishnakant Vakharia also had voiced the demand for such a flight. It may be pertinent to mention here that following a very intensive campaign by Gujaratis in UK, led by Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice, the erstwhile NDA government had decided to give a direct flight between Ahmedabad and London. Air India started with three flights a week and that was extended to five flights later on. But suddenly the UPA came

into power and Air India decided to cancel all the Ahmedabad – London direct flights for reasons best known to them. A memorandum was also submitted to the concerned authorities then.

Details were furnished to refute the claims of Air India that there was not enough traffic on the London – Ahmedabad sector. The memorandum had also the questioned the fact that, if Air India’s claims are to be believed, then how come the airline in the first place increased the frequency of the flights from three to five per week. Further, Air India had also claimed that jumbo size planes have problems at Ahmedabad, as the air-port is not OK for landing or take off for huge aircraft. Air India needs to explain it to themselves and to the travelling fraternity that if jumbo planes of other airlines can arrive and depart at Ahmedabad, the fault definitely lies with the AI and not the airport. Those days, when Air India did fly the London – Ahmedabad sector, the airline had been arbitrarily charging £50 more than the fares for London –Mumbai or London –Delhi, even though the distance between London– Ahmedabad is shorter than the other two destinations. Competitive fares are a key to securing better traffic and everybody in a competitive market understands that well. Following the strong representations from all the quarters, Praful Patel, former aviation minister, gave the assurance to initiate the process for resuming the flights. Technocrat and advisor to Indian Prime Minister, Sam Pitroda, minister of state for energy in the union government Bharatsinh Solanki, minister of Drinking Water & Sanitation.

India-born business honcho launches bank in London

Continued from page 1

B K Modi, founder-chairman of Spice Global said.

Modi has also launched the 'Global Citizen Forum' in London. The forum was launched in Singapore in February this year and has already held events in India, China, Malaysia and Dubai.

Eminent speakers from various walks and disciplines in the UK attended event in London. "A key sub-theme of the conference in London was the contribution of the Commonwealth in creating a unified global communication structure through the English language," Modi said.

Modi is the global Chairman of Spice Global, an Indian conglomerate

headquartered in Singapore.

He is also the founder member of Asia Business Council and chairman of Asia Crime Prevention Foundation’s India chapter.

He was appointed by the United Nation as coordinator for the Indian sub-continent for the Millennium World Peace Summit. Modi became a citizen of Singapore in the year 2012 and ranks 23rd in the Forbes list of Singapore’s richest.

Modi was born in a small town in India to Rai Bahadur Gujar Mal Modi.

Modi is a chemical engineer from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and an MBA from the University of South California.

Modi began his career in Modi Steel, one of the prime units of his family business, Modi Industries.

Stoma World Kenya

Vinod and Mayura, Paresh and Shilpa are climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for Stoma World Kenya.

Stoma World Kenya was formed in August 2010 and is affiliated to Kenya Cancer Association. It promotes the well being of people who have had, or will have a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy operation after cancer and impresses upon living with a stoma that they can still live lives to its full potential and accomplish the impossible. Vinod and Mayura have raised funds for various charities in the UK by running Marathons. Now they are taking up a new challenge by trekking up Mt Kilimanjaro. If you feel the cause is worthwhile, kindly make a donation. Please make the cheque available to Mrs Mayura Patel, 401 Carterhatch Lane, Forty Hill, Enfield, Middlesex EN1 4AN. Contact: 020 8373 0727

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uk / india

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 6th July 2013

27

Dreaming big and achieving it is the success mantra of J B Mody

Time to show a true leadership T on same-sex marriage bill

By Mayuri Dave

Niranjan Kamatkar & Subodh Rathod Niranjan Kamatkar is multimedia artist, filmmaker and Artistic Director of Wise Thoughts. Subodh Rathod is an accomplished performing artiste and now a Policy and Administration Director of London based charity Wise Thoughts.

Both writers are members of City Hindus Network, a non-profit-organisation created to promote networking, education and charity amongst Hindu professionals in London.

As the same-sex marriage bill passes through parliament, many members of the UK Hindu community are currently reflecting on their attitudes towards homosexuality, bisexuality and transgender relationships within the Hindu community; including same-sex marriages.

A Hindu marriage is supposed to fulfil three aspects: Prajaa, Dharma, and Rati. Prajaa is the procreation of family through offspring. Dharma is defined by responsibilities, obligations and contributions to society. And Rati justifies mutual satisfaction in the marital love life. ‘Dharma Shastras’, the books which define these aspects, are not necessarily religiously binding within Hinduism as compared to some other faiths; and the knowledge is mostly followed through oral, geographic and seemingly flexible traditions.

Therefore the age-old debate is - how does homosexuality fit into the above; and secondly how acceptable is homosexuality within the UK Hindu

community?

There is an evident need amongst the 800k+ community to be aware of and have a visible position on contemporary issues such as these. Yet the community seems divided in their views on this topic.

Followers of the faith are generally a progressive force on the political scene when it comes to lawmaking process and guarding human rights; however have not been able to act in the same when it comes to the recognition of samesex relationships despite homosexuality presenting itself through history.

Research on Hindu gay identity highlights the following case: Ramanujan Mathematical Genius Award winner Shakuntala Devi reported to have interviewed Srinivasa Raghavachariar, head priest of the Srirangam temple for her book The World of Homosexuals (1977). It is recorded that Raghavachariar had said (as if to justify same-sex attractions) that same-sex partners must have been cross-sex partners in a former life. He adds, ‘Sex (gender) may change, but the soul retains its attachments; hence love impels them toward one another’.

A Shaiva priest, who had reportedly performed the (Hindu) marriage ceremony for two women, had said to author and scholar Ruth Vanita (in 2002), “Marriage is a union of spirits. And the spirit is not male or female”.

It is worthwhile to remind us of the irrefutable logic.

On another contemporary point, the United

Nations Universal Declaration Of Human Rights refers to Article 16 (1): “Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and pro-create a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.”

It is apt to highlight the use of progressive language of the article and that it neither ignores specific limitations due to religion, nor states the position in a generic way.

What seems to be lacking in 2013 is a prominent and proud group of Hindu leaders who proactively support the same –sex marriage bill. Opting out of the act is a wider choice offered to the faith communities in the UK. It is their choice to exercise if they wish to.

A recent BBC Asian Network report reported on 22 LGBT cases of forced marriages in 2012 of which many went unreported. One of the reasons can be attributed to the apathy of community members for not taking proactive ownership of issues or having open and balanced discussions to avoid such issues from arising in the first place.

It is time to show true leadership on the ‘Dharma’ front in the Hindu political and business community.

Particularly younger business leaders, who identify themselves as Hindus, can show the way forward by supporting and sponsoring vital social justice issues, such as homosexuality, that are important to the future of the community members in the UK.

India ends animal testing for cosmetics

After an extensive PETA India campaign – which included appeals from highprofile politicians and multi-national retailers such as LUSH and The Body Shop as well as lengthy discussions with PETA India's scientists – the Drug Controller General of India said that testing cosmetics and their ingredients on animals will not be permitted in India. This decision comes on the heels of recently enacted bans on cosmetics testing on animals in the European Union and Israel.

"The end to cruel and unreliable cosmetics tests on animals in India is a

victory for animals and science – and the ban's compliance with international standards will improve trade avenues for our country", says PETA India's science policy adviser, Dr Chaitanya Koduri, who has a seat on India's Cosmetics Sectional Committee and met privately with the country's Drug Controller General earlier this week

to discuss the ban.

"PETA India looks forward to working with the government on the next step: a ban on testing household cleaners and similar products in India."

During cosmetics tests, harsh chemicals are dripped into rabbits' eyes, smeared onto animals' abraded skin or forced down their throats.

More than 1,200 companies around the world – including LUSH and The Body Shop as well as Urban Decay, Paul Mitchell and Tom's of Maine – have joined PETA US' list of companies that use only modern and reliable non-animal tests for their products.

he 84-year-old Jyotindra B Mody, the chairman and managing director of one of India’s fastest growing pharmaceutical companies, J B Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Limited (JBCPL), is a well known figure in Indian pharmaceutical industry.

JBCPL appeared in the Forbes list of best companies under $ 1 billion in Asia Pacific region.

The success story of J B Mody, as he is popularly known, is an inspiring one for those who want to make it big in business and industry. Follower of Gandhian philosophy and patriarch of JBCPL is fit enough at this age to run nearly Rs 1,000 crore JB Mody group.

After his father passed away in 1947, at the young age of 19 Mody had to quit his studies to take care of his family, especially his two younger brothers and three sisters. After completing his inter-science in 1948 from Rajkot’s Dharmendrasinhji College, he shifted to Mumbai.

However, it was not easy and he had to face the hardships of big city life. Mumbai is called a city of dreams, but there are challenges at every step to reach one's goal. Young Mody started working as a trainee in an import-export business for almost 10 months. Later on he started working as a medical representative for Kalin Products, a company manufacturing surgical goods.

He used to earn only four rupees per day.

The entrepreneur in Mody thought that instead of serving other companies, he should start his own business. This was the time when his marketing skills were gradually evolving.

During this phase, he worked for two different pharmaceutical companies called Chemo Pharma and Fabil

Corporation (now called FBC). The pharma industry in India was still in its infancy during those days.

Finally in 1950 he laid the foundation of Unique Pharmaceutical Laboratory (UPL) which was the harbinger of JB Chemicals.

Mody knew that starting a company is easy but establishing its name in the industry was challenge. Initially he used to import medicines from Italy. As the business stabilized he focused on manufacturing and plunged into formulations and bulk drug making. By 1957 his younger brothers Dinesh Mody and Shirish Mody joined him, which helped to grow business further.

As time passed he became well experienced in marketing, distribution, manufacturing and promotional activities. Though the company went public in 1986, a series of development started taking place from 1983 as Mody and his brothers rearranged all their firms in view of upcoming IPO. Many of their businesses came under one company J B Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Limited (JBCPL). J B Chemicals was set up for expansion and growth but its major activities and exports still take place in the name of UPL. In his journey of around five decades in the pharmaceutical industry he was associated with many organizations. Mody is founding member of apex pharma industry body, Indian Drug Manufacturers

Association (IDMA) and was its president from 1981 to 1983. He served as chairman of Chemical Export Promotion Council (CHEMEXCIL), a government of India organization.

He was a member of the National Development Council for Drugs and Pharmaceuticals. He was a member of working group for Industrial Approvals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. He was also associated with Import Export Committee, 7th Five year Plan.

At Rajkot, his hometown, Mody has set up a pharmacy college under his father’s name. He also started hospital in Bharuch town in central Gujarat.

“God has fulfilled all my dreams. But the last one that I wish for is to work till the end of this life,” said Mody. He says whatever knowledge and experience you have, try to implement that. “Sincerity and hard work is the key to success.” This one piece of advice he gives to budding professionals.

JBCPL Group: JBCPL group has manufacturing plants at Belapur in Maharashtra, Panoli and Ankleshwar in Gujarat and at Daman. The group manufactures basic chemicals, pharmaceuticals formulations, herbal products and active pharmaceutical ingredients. JBCPL, a listed company of the group, is listed on the National and Bombay Stock Exchanges.

Internationally, it is known as Unique Pharmaceutical Laboratories. JBCPL products are being exported to US, Europe, Australia, Russia, Ukraine, CIS countries, South Africa and many Asian, Middle East and African countries. It enjoys a strong presence in the cardiovascular, antiinfective, anti-ulcer, NSAID and dental therapeutic segments in India and exports to more than 30 countries.

7 Indian restaurants in Asia's 50 best Seven Indian restaurants figure in Asia's 50 best restaurants – a list created

by The World's 50 Best Restaurants Academy, an influential group of over 900 international leaders in the restaurant industry, each selected for their expert opinion of the international restaurant scene. The Academy comprises 26 separate regions around the world. There is no pre-determined checklist of criteria; for example an interesting experience in a simple establishment, where exceptional innovation was discovered, could be judged better than a more opulent meal from a widely feted restaurant team. The results are a simple computation of votes. Following are the list of Indian restaurants.

Dum Pukht - New

Delhi: Clay pot cooking taken to new heights.

Dum Pukht has also won The S. Pellegrino Best Restaurant in India.

Wasabi by Morimoto – Mumbai: India's premier Japanese restaurant.

Bukhara - New Delhi: Traditional feasting dishes at legendary New Delhi destination.

Indigo – Mumbai:

Mediterranean-Indian fusion in a glamorous setting.

Varq - New Delhi: Brilliantly executed street food in a fine-dining setting.

Indian Accent - New Delhi: Creative and ambitious modern Indian food.

Karavalli – Bangalore: Strictly regional cooking from India's south-west.

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travel & women

www.abplgroup.com - asian voice 6th July 2013

Purvi Apurva Shah you want to really enjoy monsoon in then the Backwaters of Alleppy IinfIndia Kerala is a place to visit. There is cer-

tain energy as you drive into the picturesque city of Alleppy complete with canals, backwaters, beaches and lagoons, it is a 'feeling of being one with nature' that comes to you. Situated at a distance of 62 km south of Kochi, Alleppy is a popular tourist destination during the monsoon season. The backwaters of Aleppy connects Kumarakom and Kochi in the north and is the main centre for the Nehru Trophy Boat Race where you find 50 people seated in the boat rowing hard to win the race.

villagers washing clothes, and enjoying a peaceful coexistence living in the small houses. The houseboats cannot go through the narrow canals. There is a vast area of paddy fields that makes a green cover besides the lake. So much so, that the coconut trees on either side, the green paddy fields make the water also look green! As you make your journey slowly, it is a sight to watch so many houseboats cruising through the waters, people happily enjoying a dish of onion vadas with coffee and a variety of birds enjoying their flight over the sea.

Another important sight and pleasure hobby here is fishing. Just anybody is

St Thomas Church an architectural beauty AV Correspondent hough not located in the map of Gujarat, this T is a church that is revered

But the most important thing that strikes you about the backwaters here is the serene, calm environment with the monsoon water slowly coming down on the lake. There are many resorts situated on the backwaters of Alleppy and Kumarakom in Kerala but the Lake Palace Resort situated on the banks of the Vembanadu lake is worth visiting for its food and luxurious cottages. Each cottage is just 5 steps away from the lake and as raindrops come falling, you find just a boat or two with fishermen dressed in their umbrella caps trying to spread their nets as far as possible. It is quite a contrasting view of life as you find fishermen on one hand trying to find their

Boat Race

daily bread hunting for fish in the monsoon rains and on the other hand you have the high flying tourists enjoying a walk under the almond trees by the lake or indulging in a lavish brunch early morning.

A ride into the interiors of Alleppy in the shikara is something that you should not miss. Clearly called the Venice of the East, the shikara takes you through the narrow canals where you find small villages situated on the banks of the lake.

While it is a beautiful experience for the tourists, on the other hand you find the

happy waiting for a fish to get onto the hook as they wait eagerly on the banks of the lake. Catching fish is like an all time favourite here and one should not miss the Karimeen Fry. It is made spicy and tasty in Kerala style. Just be careful if you don't know how to eat fish with the bones. Other worth sampling delicacies could be Elai Ara, (idli sandwich filled with cardamom, saffron and dry fruits), Puttu, and the Kerala fish curry.

The place is called backwaters because the lake water is actually fresh river water that comes down from the river and is then used for the paddy fields whenever the need be, and later the lake water as it goes ahead, merges with the ocean in Kochi.

If you really like chasing the monsoon season, then backwaters in Kerala is the place to be.

The people are definitely polite and helpful and the 'date' with monsoon season lives up its best as you see water, clouds, fog and the lake merge together.

How to Reach Alleppy by Air: The nearest airport to Alleppy is the Kochi Airport which is located 54 km away from Alleppy. Another important airport near Alleppy is Trivandrum Airport which is at a distance of 154 km.

How to Reach Alleppy by Rail: Alleppy is connected to the major cities of Kerala like Cochin, Kottayam, Changanassery and Chengannur. There are ferry services to Alleppy where you can enjoy the scenic beauty of the backwaters.

not only by the residents of Diu but visitors who have been in the vicinity do not miss out on paying a visit to this architectural beauty.

Adjoining to Gujarat state it has never been treated as a separate identity though it is a union territory.

Filmed in several Bollywood blockbusters, it has now assumed more of a tourism identity than religious. Diu is not only renowned for its exotic beaches, but even the holy places in Diu are worth a visit. These places are architectural wonders that would enthrall the tourists for sure. Among the various holy places in Diu, the Spinach pakoras are delicious as a snack.

Spinach pakoras can be served many different ways and they always taste great. One of my favorite ways to serve these pakoras is papdi chaat.

Recipe makes about 30 pieces Ingredients: For Batter ½ cup gram flour (basen) 1 tablespoon corn starch (arrow root powder) ½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera) 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/8 teaspoon asafetida (hing) About 3/4 cup water Also need About 30 fresh spinach leaves Oil to fry Method: Mix all the dry ingredients together: besan, corn starch, black pepper, cumin seeds, asafetida, and salt. Corn starch adds to the crispness. Add the water slowly to make a smooth batter (batter should be thin consistency).

Heat the oil in a frying pan on medium high heat.

The frying pan should

one that catches the attention of many tourists is the St Thomas Church in Diu. This church is a rare instance of the sublimity of art that really catches the attention of every art connoisseur. So, this tourist attraction should not be missed out at any cost.

St Thomas Church in Diu is an old church.

However, no official documents are found till date to establish its true origin. A huge edifice in gothic architecture was built in 1598. A lot of people including the tourists come to this place and make donations also. The peaceful and amiable ambience of this church completely overwhelms the tourists and offers them an unmatched blissful experience.

St Thomas Church is

now transformed into a museum. It houses various items that consist of wonderful kitsch Catholic wood carving. A majority of these are generally taken from the abandoned churches, located around the island. One of the most striking of these is a lifesize carving of Christ in the Sepulchre.

St Thomas Church is located on a high ground in the market area of the fort. It has Baroque facade with faded paintings from the Portuguese period. It is a whitewashed structure, which is a not functional church now. The church is well lighted in the evenings and approached through a garden with a series of fountains. Mass is held here, once a year, on 1st November.

Spinach pakoras

have at least 1 ½ inch of oil. To check if the oil is ready, put one drop of batter in oil. The batter should come up but not change color right away.

Dip the spinach leaf into the batter one at a time, making sure it is covered by the batter completely; wipe it from side of the batter bowl making sure batter is evenly spread over spinach. Then, slowly drop in the slices into the frying pan.

Fry the pakoras in small batches. The pakoras will take about 2 to 3 minutes to cook.

Turn them occasionally. Fry the pakoras until both sides are goldenbrown.

The crispy, delicious pakoras are now ready to serve.

They can be stored for several days in air tight container.

Tips: If oil is too hot pakoras will not be crispy; if oil is not hot enough, pakoras will be greasy.

Serving Suggestions: Spinach pakoras can be served as chips with your choice of dipping sauce.

Spinach crisp can also be served as papdi chaat.

www.abplgroup.com - asian Voice 6th July 2013

CALCIUM + Magnesium + Vit. D3

eople are failing to understand the underP lying nuances of the most

important staple of our diet. It is true that some kinds of carbs promote good health while others increase the chances of obesity and various lifestyle diseases like diabetes and heart ailments.

However, it would be wrong to take for granted that all carbs are bad. It's like the foolish yet common assumption that all "fat" is bad.

By blacklisting most carbs, a lot of essential vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and more importantly, fi bre come from good carbs like beans, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. So, to harness the power of carbs, which is essential for the body to perform many of its daily func-

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tions, start with our carbs guide right here.

Even carbs have breakdowns: It's true. The best way to differentiate good carbs from bad carbs is to break them down. Even your digestive system does the same-it tries to break carbohydrates down to tiny single sugar molecules so that they can cross over into your bloodstream. At the same time, it turns digestible carbohydrates into glucose (blood sugar), which fuels your cells.

You will find carbs in everyday foods like milk, bread, fizzy drinks, biscuits and noodles. Carbs also come in many forms like starches, sugars and fibres.

First, let us categorise carbs into simple and complex. Fruit sugar (fructose), corn or grape sugar (glucose) and table sugar (sucrose) fall in the simple

Why coconut oil is the best vegetable oil ealth is wealth.

Additionally, having a H healthy body can make peo-

ple have fewer worries and be happy in life. If you are somebody who thinks the same way, you should beware of cooking oils with canola, sunflower, safflower, soy, or corn as a base.

Don't believe it when people say that these cooking oils are good for your health. On the contrary, as soon as these oils are heated, their antioxidants quickly turn into harmful toxins. The safest alternative is virgin coconut oil, a kind of oil that is now recommended by health experts.

What is virgin coconut

oil and what are its benefits?

In previous years, coconut oil was regarded to be dangerous, but now, this oil extracted from matured coconut fruits are hailed by health experts here and abroad. Primarily, experts are saying that this oil does not have the capacity to react with heat and produce harmful chemicals.

Said in another way, this oil does not undergo oxidation damage.

Coconut oil has MCFAs (or mediumchained fatty acids) which are usually in a form that can be easily absorbed and digested by the human body. On the other hand,

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category while complex carbs include everything that are made of three or more linked sugars like whole grains, legumes and fruits.

And then comes fibre Your digestive system cannot break down fibre into sugar molecules so it passes through your body undigested. There are two kinds of fibres: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fibre attaches itself to the fatty residues in your intestines and lugs them out as waste, thus lowering your cholesterol levels.

Insoluble fi bre, on the other hand, enhances regularity of bowel movements and helps reduce constipation by pushing food through your intestinal tracts.

Carbs Keep You Alive: Though it literally means ‘island' in Latin, you long-chained fatty acids coming from vegetable oils (such as those mentioned above) have larger molecules, which is why they cause more toxicity in the body. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, a substance that is converted to monolaurin. Monolaurin has powerful antiprotozoal, antiviral and antibacterial properties.

Choosing high-grade virgin coconut oil Remember, there are different ways of preparing virgin coconut oil so check that out before purchasing. Most of what is available in the market are made from dried coconut meat or copra. Coconut oil from copra is cheap, but it can be unsanitary and unfit for consumption.

Furthermore, some manufacturers of copra coconut oil use dangerous preparation processes such as refining, bleaching and deodorizing.

These processes actually diminish the nutrient content of the coconut meat.

Look for coconut oil products that have gone through the most natural manufacturing processes.

Choose coconut oils that are sourced directly from fresh coconut fruits and processed using refrigeration. Cooling coconut meat does not require the use of additives, preservatives and other harmful manufacturing chemicals.

29

shouldn't be isolated from the good vibes that insulin sends screaming through your body every moment.

A hormone that is generated in the pancreas, insulin is important for the metabolism and utilisation of ingested nutrients in your body, especially glucose.

A busy lifestyle, obesity and a diet rich in processed carbs can quickly trigger insulin resistance. The events that follow might prove devastating.

Data from the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study reveals that staying away from processed grains and consuming more whole grains can drastically improve your insulin sensitivity, thus giving you a fighting chance against various life-threatening ailments like type 2 diabetes, heart diseases and atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries due to cholesterol build-up).

Research has showed that it also helps prevent premature death from noncardiac causes. So, carbs have a life after all, eh?

Use your common sense, instead. Cut down on processed foods. Pack in more whole grains, vegetables and fruits into your diet. Control your sugar intake. And spread the good word about good carbs.

Late bedtimes and less sleep can add extra pounds

new study has claimed that healthy adults A with late bedtimes and

chronic sleep restriction are more susceptible to weight gain due to the increased consumption of calories during the late hours.

In the largest, most diverse healthy sample studied to date under controlled laboratory conditions, results show that sleep-restricted subjects who spent only four hours in bed from 4 am to 8 am for five consecutive nights gained more weight than control subjects who were in bed for 10 hours each night from 10 pm to 8 am.

The study found an overall increase in caloric intake during sleep restriction, which was due to an increase in the number of meals consumed during the late-night period of additional wakefulness.

Furthermore, the proportion of calories consumed from fat was higher during late-night hours than at other times of day.

To Our Readers We are publishing these items in good faith, kindly consult your Doctor before you try to implement it. We do not hold any responsibility for its efficacy...

HEALTH HEAL LTH & VIT VITALITY TALITY ALITY TY TTablets ablets

Old cosmetics can harm your skin very cosmetic product comes with an expiraE tion date and using them

beyond that is an open invitation to some serious skin and eye infections.

Dr Kiran Lohia, MD, sheds light on this issue which many women fail to take into account.

Using cosmetics beyond their expiry date is dangerous – here’s why!

Why shouldn’t one use cosmetics beyond their expiry date? What are the dangers?

Beauty products have an expiry date. Expiry dates are there to help protect you from the side effects of using old products. Once an item is past its expiry date, the preservative can stop working, giving you the risk of infections. Also, some actives can actually become stronger, possibly causing skin irritation.

Some ingredients can degenerate, putting your skin at risk of rashes and other skin problems.

Can there be any serious skin or eye problems due to expired cosmetics?

Serious skin problems that can occur include allergic rashes, irritations, boils and infection. Eye infections are another possible issue, so eye related products need to be carefully maintained and thrown out after 1 year.

In India, the expiry dates aren’t always mentioned on small quantity products like eyeliners, mascaras, etc. So when should one discard them?

The typical shelf life of any make-up is two years, while the shelf life of eye make-up is one year. Eye

make-up should be thrown out more often because of the risk of eye infections. The skin is a much better barrier than the eye is, putting the eye at more risk for possible side effects from expired products.

Here is a list of commonly used cosmetics and their approximate expiry dates: • Liquid foundation and loose powder – 2 years • Mascara – 1 year • Eyeliner (liquid) and eye shadow (cream and powder), pencil eyeliners – 1 year • Lipstick, lip glosses and lipliner – 2 years • Nail paints – 2-3 years • Hair products – 2 years • Sunscreen – 2 years • Fragrances – 2 years • Face creams and body lotions – 2-3 years Is there any way to increase the shelf life of cosmetics?

All products are sensitive to heat, and should always be kept in a temperature-controlled environment. Heat accelerates the degeneration process, reducing the shelf life of your skin care or make-up items.

Light exposure affects vitamin A derivatives such as retinol, vitamin C and most oils, causing oxidative damage. This makes the ingredients ultimately inactive. So, keep your skin care and make-up in a dark and cool room to prevent these possible problems.Thus, storing in a fridge where it is cool and dark will help preserve your products, allowing you to keep them for a longer time.

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UK

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Bhopal Gas Disaster The Struggle Continues Continued from page 3 as the community in London, to see what role we can play to provide the much needed help on the ground in Bhopal to those children born with birth defects and the individuals and families still suffering from the contaminated water. This has been at the back of my mind for a considerable amount of time and the visit of Safreen and Sathyu gave me perfect opportunity to start looking at establishing some form of a ‘local’ structure here to explore how and what kind of resources we can provide.

With this in mind and also to introduce our visiting friends to some of community representatives living in Brent and Harrow an

informal gathering was organised in Harrow.

Albeit a very short notice a good number of community representatives met in Harrow to know first hand from Safreen and Sathyu the current situation in Bhopal and exchange ideas. December 2014 will mark 30 years of the Bhopal tragedy and with this in mind I am looking at founding a group to establish a strategy for a programme of activities in Bhopal next year to strengthen the support network for the victims and in the long term play an active role to help to resolve the tragedy. The meeting in Harrow has come up with a good number of ideas which will be followed up. Watch this space!

Is Britain still hostile towards Asians and Blacks?

Continued from page 8 First we must acknowledge that racism is a long term fight and has to be conducted on many different levels.

The 'wishy-washy' attitude of our state apparatus, especially as we witness police being used as a tool to dig dirt on a victim's family (referring to Stephen Lawrence case again), does not help.

When we think of Stephen Lawrence, we also think of Lakhvinder Reel from Kingston, Anuj Bidve from Lancaster and many such names, who perhaps have never appeared on the front page of a national daily.

There is no hope in attempting to dilute antiracism into anti-austerity struggles.

Racism does not simply come out as a displaced form of despair over deprivation or insecurity. It is developed and popularised by profound political crisis, breakdown of authorities, crises of overproduction, financial collapses and many such reasons. But to understand the relationship between racism, economic crisis and emerging political subjectivities requires a deeper analysis- and a more rapid action by the political leaders and their instruments of peace and justice.

Tax payers furious at MP's suggestions An amnesty for more than 500,000 illegal immigrants must be considered by PM David Cameron to win over ethnic minority voters, a prominent Tory MP has warned.

Nadhim Zahawi, said that the reluctance of nonwhite voters to vote Tory at the previous election “should send loud alarm bells ringing in Downing Street”. He added that the “electoral penalty” faced by the party would become ever greater unless it became “Thatcher-like in our willingness to think brave and think big”.

In an intervention designed to reopen the debate over Britain’s borders, Mr Zahawi said that only 16 per cent of ethnic minority voters backed the Tories at the election. He said that a “seismic shift in policy” was needed.

Mr Zahawi, cofounder of the pollsters

YouGov, made the case for an amnesty in an article for a new campaign group focused on winning Tory votes in the North, ethnic minority communities and cities. The group, officially launched next month, has been given the working title “Right Revival”.

However concerns mount that an amnesty would put further pressure on public funds and could be allayed by limiting illegal immigrants’ access to benefits. He added that the amnesty should accompany tougher enforcement action against businesses employing illegal workers, to deal with the risk of “rewarding criminal behaviour”.

While supported by Boris Johnson, the London Mayor, an amnesty is fiercely opposed by the Prime Minister.

Coming Events l Sunday 7 July at 5.45pm Jain Samaj Manchester Arhat Touch Presentation. Tel: 0161 491 3552 l 6 and 7 July Dhwarikadhish / Ranchhodrai 3-7 pm Cow Protection and Patotsav Vishnu yagna 9am-12.15 pm Orphan Charity Shree Krishna Temple Shree Gujarati Hindu Satsang Mandal, Coventry CV1 4FB Contact: 07949024919 l Saturday 20-Sunday 28 July, Ghanshyam Mahotsav-Silver Jubilee 21st July Nagar Yatra, 2pm by Shree Swaminarayan Temple Willesden.

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TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 Whether you’re single or attached you’ll have to go through a lot, as deep psychological transformations are taking place in all types of relationships. Don’t be afraid to experiment, trust your hunches, go with your gut feeling. Solutions to minor problems should be considered very carefully.

A progressive time ahead regarding money and the material world, and the keyword is increase.

Personal charm and confidence is on the increase, so get involved in high level talks. During this phase, choose your words carefully as you can upset people around you. Some of you will be tempted to have extra marital affairs!

GEMINI May 22 - June 22

Jupiter, the planet of abundance, is transiting your Solar 1st house. You have plenty of romantic options. Communications are still garbled be careful in important meetings. At work you will experience a relaxed atmosphere and this will help you to get on with everyone around you.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

You may find yourself hard at work behind the scenes, although that may not be apparent to others. You may find yourself caught up in a whirlwind of activity, with opportunities to advance on both the inner and outer level. There’s a sparkle to your social life and much enjoyment from being in touch with other people.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23

You could work with someone on a project that calls for clear communication and a high degree of cooperation. You may also find yourself thinking deeply about what it is you really want to do, and who you really want to be with. The decisions you make now will be important for the path you take.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

As social life is likely to gather a pleasant momentum throughout this week, this is bound to present a better prospect, not only for striking up new friendships but also romantic encounters. This is going to be one of those times when insignificant events give rise to unexpected developments especially regarding work and health.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

You have been going through major changes in your relationships. Your ideas about love and partnership are changing daily. As with most things, your health waxes and wanes. You might even find the energy to keep up with your projected gym schedule. Try to make time for relaxation.

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At home, be at your diplomatic best and try not to tread on anyone's toes. Passions will run from hot to cold, and relationships may suffer. Even the most strong-willed Arians will be more open to compromise to keep the peace. Plan your spending and set sensible budgets. All things considered, your health should be robust.

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20

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You will feel confident as the week begins. The cosmic energies are decidedly invigorating at the moment. If you are taking a holiday, so much the better ! Not only do you have Venus putting a favourable emphasis on travel but, with Mars you can be sure of deriving the utmost pleasure from adventures and excursions.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21

The pattern of significant relationships in your life will continue to favour you. It seems that a great deal of mutual benefit will accrue because of various interactions. This is an excellent time for dealing with long-term money matters. You also stand to benefit through a bonus, rebate or perhaps a lucky windfall.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20

This week should see you at the peak of your creative powers and at the height of a romance. It’s an exciting, expansive time, when you should find it easier to be who you are and do what you want : you may be surprised by just how far you can go.

This is a good time to embrace changes you might not even consider at other times.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19

The accent’s very much on relationships.

The opening up of a more diverse social life is a point in favour of romantic attachments, if this is what you want. You will achieve a lot more, especially when you're motivated by your own desires.

The general pattern of things continues on a progressive and buoyant theme.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

Sport World

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31

Brazil beat Spain 3-0 to win Confederations Cup Alastair Cook is over 8,000 runs behind Sachin Tendulkar in Test cricket but Kevin Pietersen believes his England captain is on target to challenge the veteran Indian's numbers and break every record that has been set.

"For me he's the right man to lead England, he's doing a great job for us and he will continue to get better and better and break every record anyone's ever set, certainly in the English game.

He's on target to go for Tendulkar's numbers, if you look at the numbers and look at his age," Pietersen was quoted as saying in an interview.

The 28-year-old Cook is 8,313 runs behind the 40-year-old Tendulkar in the overall standings with the Indian's 15,837 Test runs being over 2,000 more than nearest rival Ricky Ponting, who has retired.

Pietersen lavished praise on Cook for his consistent scoring. "His first series was against India away and we beat India. He's done exceptionally well, his cricket just keeps getting better and better," he said.

Pietersen also hailed rising batsman Joe Root, who made his debut against India last year.

"I never knew of him, I never heard

of him, because when you're on the scene and young players come you just don't. But I knew that he was going to be good when he walked out to bat in Nagpur in his first Test match," he said.

Alastair Cook & Sachin Tendulkar

"I was batting and... we just didn't want to let India back into it at all and he walked out and - just his face walking towards me for 20 metres - I thought this kid's going to be a flipping superstar.

"It was just the confidence that he walked out to bat with in his debut Test match in India, two spinners bowling, from each end, we'd just lost a wicket or a couple of wickets and he walked out with a smile on his face, and went 'All right lad, you ok, you're playing

well there'," he recalled.

Pietersen backed the youngster, who recently hit the headlines for getting into a bar-room scuffle with Australian David Warner during the Champions Trophy.

"He knew the media were going to be on him all day and he'd had a haircut - he looked sharp! I think he knows how to deal with it," Pietersen said.

"I saw him that day and he couldn't believe what was being made of it, but welcome to English cricket and welcome to how the media works."

Asked about his own volatile relationship with the British media due to controversies, Pietersen said, "I've been burnt too many times and it's just a case of me now concentrating on my cricket and playing my cricket as best I can because that whole situation hurt my family too much. I get it all day every day."

"Somebody asked me, “Can you take some constructive criticism? I said, 'Excuse me? You're talking to somebody who has it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. So it doesn't affect me, it's water off a duck's back now. I have absolutely no interest in it but it hurt my family and my best mates."

Punjab's Gurinder Sandhu may Former Pak captain Salman Butt power Australian pace attack admits to spot-fixing, apologises The floundering Australian cricket team is apparently adding some Punjabi 'tadka' to boost its fortunes in the upcoming Ashes series.

Gurinder Sandhu, a 20year-old pacer who has his roots in Chandigarh, is among the six most promising Australian fast bowlers undergoing training at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai.

Gurinder, who was born in Australia to Punjabi parents, is being trained under former Aussie quicks like Craig McDermott and Glenn McGrath.

The tall and well-built Gurinder's rise up in the ranks in New South Wales has been rapid. This year he was awarded the Steve Waugh Medal - given to the state's best domestic player following an impressive debut season in first-class cricket which saw him grab

14 wickets in just two games and 18 List A wickets in just six games. A call-up to the Australia 'A' team, which tours South Africa in JulyAugust just before the Ashes, has followed his good showing in domestic cricket.

Gurinder was also the first player of Indian origin to represent Australia at the under-19 level. "I started just like any other kid in the backyard but it was a pretty quick rise after playing in the under-19 World Cup with Shield games and oneday games for my state," said Gurinder.

Former Pakistan cricket captain Salman Butt has for the first time publicly admitted to and apologised for spotfixing, two years after he was found guilty of the offence.

Butt, along with fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer, was banned from the sport by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2011 after being found guilty of deliberately contriving no-balls in return for money during the Lord's Test against England the previous year.

The trio and their agent Mazhar Majeed were also jailed by an English court in 2011. The players were released last year.

"I apologise to the nation and all the fans who have been hurt by the spot-fixing case," Butt told a press con-

ference in the eastern city of Lahore in his first public apology for the offence.

Butt received a 10-year ban, with five years suspended, for his role in the scam. Asif was barred for seven years, with two suspended, while Aamer got five years.

In April, Butt and Asif lost their appeals to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport, and the ICC urged the players to accept their guilt and start rehabilitation. Aamer had not appealed after pleading guilty before the UK court in 2011. "I admit the ICC tribunal decision and warn the future players to avoid the pitfalls of corruption because this is bad for the country and for the fans," Butt, 28, said.

Brazil, a five-time world champion, beat the reigning world and European champions and ended Spain's 29-game, three-year winning streak in competitive matches. Fred put Brazil ahead in the second minute, Neymar doubled the lead in the 44th with his fourth goal of the tournament and Fred added his fifth in the 47th.

Brazil, who won their third straight Confederations Cup, have not lost a competitive home match since 1975. Spain, who have not lost a competitive game since its 2010 World Cup opener against Switzerland, had a miserable night. Sergio Ramos sent a penalty kick wide in the 55th and defender Gerard Pique was ejected

by Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers with a straight red card for fouling Neymar in the 68th.

Suresh Kalmadi loses Asian Athletics Association election

Former Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi was on Monday ousted as President of the Asian Athletics Association (AAA), losing the re-election bid to Qatar's Dahlan Jumaan AlHamad. Kalmadi, who is currently out on bail after serving 10 months in jail over alleged misappropriations during the 2010 Commonwealth Games, lost 18-20 while seeking re-election to a post he has held for 13 years. Of a total of 45 votes (Athletics associations of member nations), 18 votes went to Kalmadi, while his Qatari opponent received 20 votes and 7 were declared invalid in the voting held in Pune.

Kalmadi was first elected to the position in 2000 and was re-elected for a third time in 2009.

Incidentally, this was the only sports body post that Kalmadi held.

Saina Nehwal regains third spot in world rankings

Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal gained a place to be World No.3 in women's singles in the latest Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings.

Apart from Saina, two other Indian shuttlers figure in the top 50. While P.V. Sindhu remains at 12, Nagpur girl Arundhati Pantawane broke into the top-50 for the first time as she made a remarkable jump of 10 places to be ranked 49th.

In the men's singles, Parupalli Kashyap remained India's top-ranked men's player despite dropping two places to be 13th. After a string of good performances, R.M.V. Gurusaidutt moved up a place to reach career-best No.22 while Mumbai's Ajay Jayaram also jumped a place to be 24. Madhya Pradesh's Sourabh Verma retains 37 while Andhra boy B. Sai Praneeth jumped five places to a career-best 40th. Thailand Open winner Kidambi Srikanth also moved up a place to a be at career-high 41. However, Mumbai's Anand Pawar dropped five places to 43.

I may be down but not out, proclaims Federer

Roger Federer's astonishing defeat to a Ukrainian journeyman in the second round at Wimbledon marked the arrival of a new world order in tennis but for the Swiss master this was definitely not the end of an era.

When the new ATP standings are released on July 8, they will show that the holder of a record 17 grand slam titles has slipped to fifth in the world after he failed to defend the 2000 points he amassed by hoisting the Challenge Cup last July. It will be his lowest ranking since June 2003. While fans and pundits alike were busy speculating if this was the beginning of the end for the greatest man to have ever wielded a tennis racket, Federer pooh-poohed the notion.

"You don't panic at this point, that's clear. Just go back to work

and come back stronger really," said Federer after he failed to reach the second week of Wimbledon for the first time since 2002 following his four-set defeat by Sergiy Stakhovsky.

"It's normal that after all of a sudden losing early after being in the quarters 36 times (in a row), people feel it's different," he added. "(But) I have more options now than I did have one year ago when I was running around trying to chase down every possible tournament and every point to get back to world No. 1.

"Maybe that, and the Olympics last year, took its toll.

But overall I think I've been playing actually not so bad."

The problem is that for Federer, who said himself a few years ago that he had 'created a

monster' by winning so much, a second-round defeat on a court he has ruled for a decade is not only bad, it is off the Richter scale.

After all, this is the man who has won 67 times at Wimbledon, 122 matches on grass, 257 at the four majors and 905 matches in his career.

Future plans: Twelve months

ago he was the toast of southwest London after winning a record-equalling seventh title and climbing back to the top of the world rankings. Nowhere is he loved more than at Wimbledon, where he epitomises everything the club represents grace, elegance and charm.

So much so that a new book 'Wimbledon - The Official History' has dedicated 75 of its hefty 552 pages to waxing lyrical about the great man's records and achievements.

No doubt when the next edition comes out, Federer's 2013 showing will be glossed over but it will definitely not be the last entry. Of that he is certain.

"I still have plans to play for many more years to come," the 31-year-old said defiantly.

"I'm healthy again, which is a

good thing. So I'm looking forward to playing hopefully injuryfree for the rest of the season."

By his own lofty standards 2013 has been underwhelming.

He has won only one title - a lowkey grasscourt event in Halle just before Wimbledon - and his grand slam performances have so far added up to a semi-final in Melbourne, a quarter-final appearance at the French and now a second-round humbling.

Checking out of Wimbledon in the first week does not sit easily with Federer and before he walked out of the All England Club gates on Wednesday he was already plotting his 2014 comeback. "Looking forward to next year, that I can do better next year. Usually I do turnarounds pretty good. I'm looking forward to what's to come," he said.

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 6th July 2013

Injured Dhoni to miss remaining tri-nation ODI series, Kohli to lead

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West Indies scrambled to a one-wicket victory with 14 balls to spare over India in the second match of the Celkon Mobile Cup TriNation One-Day International Series at Sabina Park on Sunday.

Birthday boy Kemar Roach and last man Tino Best ensured the West Indies did not complete their own destruction, turning in match saving performances. The home side had to reply to the World Cup and Champions Trophy holders' total of 229 for seven.

They tottered from the comfort of 142 for three in the 28th over via a rash of irresponsible shots, even with Johnson Charles battling to hold the innings together.

However, the opening batsman joined the apparent suicide pact: he was eighth out for 97 and when Sunil Narine also gifted his wicket at 220 for nine.

It was left to the Barbadian fast bowling pair of Roach - on his 25th birthday - and Best to see the West Indies home amid in a nail-biting finish.

India was deprived of the calming influence of Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the field after the captain was hobbled while batting by a suspected right hamstring strain.

But, under the supervision of Virat Kohli, the visitors refused to give up, even when Charles and Darren Bravo (55) appeared to be tilting the balance decisively the home team's way.

Their fourth-wicket partnership of 116 lifted the Caribbean side from the early discomfort of 26 for three. Umesh Yadav, who removed the dangerous Chris Gayle and Devon Smith in his opening burst, added the important wicket of Charles to keep his team's hopes alive in the match. He finished with the best figures of three for 43.

West Indies were themselves without their regular captain throughout the match. With Dwayne

Tino Best and Kemar Roach celebrate West Indies' victory

Bravo was sidelined with a groin strain, it was Kieron Pollard took the reins of leadership.

Ravi Rampaul also missed out with a twisted ankle, but as it turned out his replacement Best played a key role in the victory. He claimed the wickets of Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja near the end of the Indian innings before returning to ensure his team scraped over the line to consolidate their position at the top of the three-team standings.

They now have two wins in two matches and head to Trinidad for repeat clashes with India and Sri Lanka before the final on July 11.

"At the end, we got over the line and that's what matters," said a relieved Pollard in the immediate aftermath of victory. "In the recent past, West Indies teams would have capitulated completely, so it shows we have a bit of fight and character in this side."

Opening batsman Rohit Sharma had topscored for India with 60 and featured in a 58-run fifth-wicket partnership with the experienced lefthander Suresh Raina.

Raina's knock of 44 was the next best effort among a batting line-up that generally struggled to come to terms with the two-paced nature of the pitch earlier in the day.

It was the same experience for Sri Lanka on the way to their six-wicket

defeat at the hands of the West Indies in the tournament's opening fixture on Friday at the same venue.

"It was a completely different wicket in the morning session," Kohli said after the match.

"It was two-paced and turning when we batted, but we saw none of that in the afternoon, but I think the bowlers, the way they fought, and the fielders, it was commendable."

Roach and former captain Darren Sammy had identical bowling figures of two for 41.

Best also claimed two victims in his final spell after being expensive and wayward in his earlier effort with the new white ball.

Unusually, spinner Narine proved the most expensive, conceding 56 runs off ten wicketless overs, including 17 off the last over of the innings.

Gayle steers West Indies to victory over Sri Lanka: Earlier, Chris Gayle notched his first one-day hundred against Sri Lanka as he led West Indies to a crushing sixwicket victory with more than 12 overs to spare in the opening match of the three-nation international series at Sabina Park on Friday.

Replying to the visitors' modest total of 208 all out off 48.3 overs, the hardhitting opening batsman delighted his fellow Jamaicans with another dominant effort on the way to his 21st ODI cen-

tury. His 109 came off 100 deliveries and was embellished with seven sixes and nine fours. That pushed his team on to 209 for four off 37.5 overs and they earned a bonus point as well for reaching their target before the conclusion of the 40th over.

That extra point is likely to be significant in the latter stages of the competition, especially with World Cup-holders and recent Champions Trophy winners India.

Any anxiety that home fans may have had about the target facing them were erased by the confidence of Gayle's start. The former captain dominated an opening partnership of 115 by the 21st over with Johnson Charles, who rode his luck for a supporting but struggling 29 before he fell off the bowling of left-arm spinner Rangana Herath.

Ajantha Mendis eventually accounted for Gayle via a miscued swing to leg, but the clever slow bowler, making a return to the Sri Lankan side, did not materialise as the threat his teammates would have hoped.

Darren Bravo was run out near the end for 27 and Kieron Pollard was unlucky to be adjudged lbw to Nuwan Kulasekara, but by then the match was over as a contest and Marlon Samuels, with skipper Dwayne Bravo at the other end, ensured that victory was complete.

Ambati Rayudu will join the Indian squad for the remainder of the Celkon Mobile tri-series in the West Indies after Mahendra Singh Dhoni was ruled out because of a hamstring injury.

Dhoni suffered the injury while batting in the game against West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica on Sunday (June 30). He received treatment when batting on 20 in the 43rd over and though he went on to score a 35-ball 27, Dhoni didn't come out when India fielded.

In Dhoni's absence, Dinesh Karthik kept wickets and Virat Kohli led the team, which he will now continue to do for the rest of the tournament.

"Rayudu will join the team at the earliest," said a Board of Control for Cricket in India statement, and is expected to join the squad in Port of Spain for India's last two league games and, if they qualify, the final.

Rayudu, who was earlier named in the Twenty20 International squad for India's series against England at home in December last year, made his first-class debut in the 2001-02 season and was the captain of India at the Under-19 World Cup in 2004.

India had earlier named an unchanged squad for the tri-series from the one that took part in the victorious Champions Trophy campaign last month. Since then, however, Mohammad Shami has replaced Irfan Pathan after Pathan also pulled out because of a hamstring injury.

Ravi Bopara hits back at Bob Willis in ball-tampering row

Ravi Bopara had his say on the ball-tampering allegations directed at England by former Test captain Bob Willis during the Champions Trophy. Willis claimed, in his guise as a broadcast pundit, that umpire Aleem Dar was “on England’s case” and knew that an unnamed player was scratching the ball. His comments came after Dar and fellow onfield umpire Billy Bowden initiated a change of ball during England’s group-stage defeat

by Sri Lanka at the Oval.

England coach Ashley Giles subsequently issued a firm denial of anything untoward, and the International Cricket Council made it clear there was no reason from anything in the umpires’ report to conduct any further investigation or issue a statement.

Bopara said: “It was annoying, sad and depressing – especially in the middle of a global competition. We were doing well in that tournament, and I felt it was unacceptable to make that sort of noise. When England are doing well, why does something negative have to come from it? Why not just get on the wave with England and enjoy it?”

Bopara, often tasked with the job of looking after the ball for both his county and his country, added: “We’ve learned over the last 12-18 months that we need to look after the white ball as well as we do the red ball. We discussed as a team how we were going to shine it. You have to look after them to make them ‘talk’. “You want that seam to be standing up as long as possible; you want one side to be very smooth, which helps with lateral movement. If you can make the red ball swing, you should be able to do the same with the white one.”

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