Asian Voice

FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE

VOL 40. ISSUE 29

VOICE

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

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Rupee hits all-time low; Sensex recovers

A depreciating rupee that touched its lowest level in 32 months to close at Rs 52.15 to a dollar - just 5 paise away from its alltime low recorded in March 2009 - dragged down the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Sensex by 425 points or 2.6%, to close below the 16,000 mark, the second time in less than seven weeks.

At 2.24 pm on Tuesday the rupee was at 52.31 per dollar, after touching f 52.73, and 0.8 per cent weaker than its previous close of 52.1550/1650.

The rupee has fallen by

15% in the past three months, hurting those who send their children abroad to study or take a vacation on foreign shores.

And while this fall will hurt India's huge oil import bill - the main reason why companies raised petrol prices on November 9 -

those remitting money stand to gain. It seems the stock market and currency markets are feeding one another in this downward dive.

While currency market traders say lack of foreign inflows and exit of foreign institutional investors (FIIs) led to the rupee's decline - in the past two months, FIIs withdrew $2 billion from the market stock market traders claim that a falling rupee has reduced the returns that investors could have got from the stock markets and are thus exiting India.

Continued on page 26

26th November to 2nd December 2011

Turbulence hits other private airlines too After Kingfisher, which is facing financial crunch, now the Jet Airways has expressed the need to raise funds in order to pay off its debt.

According to Jet Airways, the depreciation in rupee has impacted debt levels for the company.

The current debt in books for Jet Airways stands at Rs 140 billion.

According to Jet Airways, the depreciation in rupee has impacted debt levels for the company.

Jet Airways has, however, said that their debt would come down

by Rs 15 billion in the

next six months.

Jet Airways topped the list with a loss of Rs. 7.13 billion , followed by Kingfisher Airlines (Rs. 4.68 billion), SpiceJet (Rs. 2.40 billion) and JetLite (Rs. 1 billion).

Continued on page 26

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UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

one to one Keith Vaz MP with

Rajita Sharma Rajita Sharma, a partner at Finers Stephens Innocent, specialises in all areas of intellectual property law, with extensive experience of complex litigation and commercial transactions. She represents companies and individuals, in the life sciences, consumer and luxury goods, and shipping sectors. Being qualified in England and India, she provides cross border advice and has managed multi-jurisdictional matters in various countries including the USA, Australia and India.

Her litigation practice includes matters of infringement, validity and oppositions in the areas of biotechnology, medical equipment, drug formulations, consumer products, multi hull ships and software. She has worked on HIV and cancer drugs, proteins, immunology and antiviral therapies. She also advises on IP aspects of corporate transactions and commercial arrangements, technology transfer, collaborations, sponsorship and licences. She assists businesses to devise strategies for the procurement, exploitation and enforcement of IP rights and IP asset management.

She is recommended in the Legal 500.

1.What inspired you to begin your career in your chosen field?

Initially it was a process of elimination rather than an event or moment of inspiration. I grew up in Mumbai, India. My parents wanted me to study medicine, I did not and as a way of avoiding that and marriage, chose to study law.

In India, in the early 1990s, practice of law was not the most attractive career choice. After a year of travel in North America and Mexico, I got married and settled to be a house wife/ mother with no ambitions at all. I moved to the UK 1989 and had an opportunity to do a pupillage in the Chambers of Sir Robin Jacob (now a retired CA judge) which

is a leading intellectual property law set.

His Honour Michael Fysh QC (retired Patents County Court judge)mentored and taught me. The manner in which he did this and the quality of work that he introduced me to inspired me to make law a career. It excited me that I was suited to law, especially intellectual property law.

2.What are your proudest achievements?

Numerous small ones.

Professionally, being called to the bar on the basis of my Indian qualifications; becoming a partner in a major law firm in 2001, a rare thing then for an Asian woman; successfully representing Mother Teresa in a copyright matter and

successfully defending a £64 million claim through mediation.

On a personal level, completing the trek to the Himalayan Base Camp and spending four months on a fishing boat boat in Alaska and Yukon.

Above all, my daughter who has grasped all the wonderful opportunities in this country and its education system and now is training to be a surgeon.

3. Please tell us about your cutrrent position?

I am a partner in the firm Finers Stephens Innocent in London. My area of practice is intellectual property law which covers intangible rights such as inventions, patents, brands, design rights and copyrights.

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

The obstacles have been largely advantages as well.

Undoubtedly I have met with sex, race and single mother issues. On occasions I have lost work because the client did not feel confident with a woman or have missed out on opportunities because I was not “one of the boys”.

However, most of the time being who I am has been a huge advantage. I have stood out and been able to attract the best work and the best clients who have stayed with me year after year. The only criteria has been the quality of my work, focus and hard work. I have succeeded wholly on merits.

Apart from that, any obstacles have been my own preconceived notions and limitations. When I chose to practice law in the UK, I was advised that

coming from India and as an Indian qualified lawyer and a woman at that, there was no way that I would be able to find a job in any major law firm. I believed that and considered alternatives. But then I reconsidered and decided that I would do nothing other than practice law. Once I was determined, everything fell into place.

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

Again it has not been just a single person, Michael Fysh QC, my first pupil master. He has a great love for India and all things Indian. Mary Vitoria QC, a leading IP barrister and author. She is a great role model of how a woman and femininity can be extremely successful in man’s world. The late Sir Hugh Laddie (a CA judge) who had the ability to explain the most complex issues in a simple language which is the most important attribute of a good lawyer.

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

15.It has to be the variety of my work and the freedom to develop my practice in the direction I desire. As a practitioner of intellectual property law on any single day, I could be looking at a drug formulation, the insides of a catamaran, advising on branding strategies or reviewing complex technology in order to advise the client whether they should invest millions into it. I could be preparing for a litigation, negotiating settlements or arguing over a minute point of contract. My work is also international with a focus on the USA and India, which adds to the

HH Brahmrishi Shree Kumar Swamiji honoured at the Houses of Parliament The Houses of Parliament in UK, played host to one of India’s greatest spiritual leaders, as His Holiness Brahmrishi Shree Kumar Swamiji, was honoured by politicians, campaigners and his peers in recognition of his outstanding contribution, dedication and service in improving human welfare across the World, through his message of interfaith harmony, equality and brotherhood for people of all faiths.

The reception, which included over 180 invited dignitaries, was hosted by the Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, Labour MP for East Ham and organised and compared by Sanjay Jagatia and Muna Chauhan. Special guests who all paid tribute to His Holiness with personal messages of wel-

HH Brahmrishi Shree Kumar Swamiji addressing the audience

come included: Barry Gardiner MP; Steven Pound MP; Gareth Thomas MP; Bob Blackman MP, Alok Sharma MP; Lord Bilimoria; Lord Tarsem King of West Bromwich; Virendra Sharma MP and Navin Shah from the London Assembly, together with representatives from different faith

Vegetarians Society in recognition of His Holiness' vegetarian lifestyle and compassion towards all living beings and "The Humanitarian Award" to both Gurudevji and Gurumaa by the Asian Welfare Association, which is presented to one individual each year for their outstanding contribution to social welfare and Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP being a role model to who hosted the event others.

On receiving his organisations. awards and citations His During the reception, Holiness said: “This His Holiness was prehonor is not just for me, sented with citations and but for the whole world Awards from various and the ancient tradition organisations for the of the East. More than Humanitarian work that that, this honour is for all he is doing, including: the faithful believers of The highly acclaimed all the World religions "Ambassador of Peace such as Hinduism, Islam, Award" by the Universal Sikhism, Christianity, Peace Federation, "The Buddhism, Jainism, and Mahaveer Award" by The Zoroastrianism. This hisYoung Indian

torical honour is not for a single person but for all the Nations and their various cultures. This honour in fact is an honour for the entire humanity. This felicitation has once more brought the greatness and humility of Great Britain before the whole World."

Commenting on the event and his meeting with His Holiness, Stephen Timms MP commented: “Faith organisations across the country are making a positive contribution in communities across the UK, and I welcome the opportunity this event presents to bring them together. I am glad to have been able to help to sponsor it. It has been a pleasure to meet with His Holiness and learn more about the valuable impact of his humanitarian work.”

variety and diveristy.

7.And the worst?

Typical of every lawyer, it has to administrative tasks, managing papers, time sheets and organisation.

8. What are your long term goals?

To build a premium cross border practice across UK and India. And to find an academic role.

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

If I could, I would rewind and erase the Iraq war and the mess in Afghanistan. On a more practical level, I would provide more facilities and benefits to working mothers including flexible working hours. In the area of law I would convince the Indian government to allow foreign law firms to set up offices in India and to change the way the Indian Patent offices and Courts are currently interpreting the patent law mainly against the innovative pharmaceutical companies.

10.

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

Oh so many, Winston Churchill for the witty conversations ; Robert Frost for poetry ; Napoleon Bonaparte, to discuss the veracity of his collaboration with Tipu Sultan against the East India Company; Akbar, the Mughal Emperor, to hear the story of his life and for discourses on multi religion societies, spiritualism and Sufism; Elvis Presley and Edith Piaf for the music and although he is still alive, Mehdi Hassan, the great urdu gazal singer.

People ■ KPMGs Diwali Party, established over 8 years ago, has now become a Festival of Asian culture and tradition. Hosted by its Senior Partner John Griffith Jones it was organised by the outstanding Nina Amin. An “A” list crowd included Yogi Mehta, Rami Ranger MBE, CB Patel, GP Hinduja, Ranjit Mathrani, Shashi Vekaria, and many more.

■

Two Queens met at Buckingham Palace this week. The Queen of England presented the Queen of Curry Namita Panjabi with her MBE. Who knows if they exchanged tips on cooking.

■ Beware of the deadly combination of Lord Kamlesh Patel and Lord Gulam Noon. Both spoke on the NHS and the vote was won by 12.

Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

COMMENT

Immigration bugbear refuses to go away Britain is mired in economic crisis and social uncertainty. The eurozone turmoil, brought about by financial meltdown and mounting debt in Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Ireland, have placed before the UK multiple challenges, foremost of which is how to get the economy moving, arresting unemployment, increasing trade and inwards investment, even as the government's public spending is drastically reduced. The Conservative leadership has made a fetish of the free market, its behaviour and concerns, but when it comes to immigration there appears to be a willing suspension of disbelief on enlightened solutions in favour of rigidly enforced exclusivist nostrums. Ministers appear not to have fully awoken to the reality that capital and labour move across national borders in obedience to market rules and needs.

In the volatile situation that affects much of our world undesirable elements are best kept out of Britain, but those with the desired skills and knowledge that could be of significant benefit to the country ought surely to be welcomed. It is the work of the UK Border Agency to sift gold from dross, something better achieved when immigration rules are flexible and imaginative and governed by common sense.

A group of distinguished economists have taken issue with Home Office policy on economic migrants from outside the EU seeking entry into the UK. Their stay in the country will be limited to five years. After this, those who did not meet the salary threshold would have their visas revoked. Why this timeline? This baffling logic is predicated on the

seemingly unshakeable belief that five years will be the limit of their usefulness. Beyond that magic number the presence of these migrants in the UK will be subject to the iron law of diminishing returns.

The recommended panacea would discourage entry in the first place. Great Britain would then become a bubble of diminished vision and recalcitrant conceit. It would become an insignificant stakeholder in the knowledge and innovation industries.

Some of the economists expressing their misgivings on the likely consequences of the government's immigration policy were born abroad, and are thus not of native of stock. They include Nobel laureate Chris Pisarides, who teaches at the London School of Economics, and the Cambridge academic Professor Sir Partha Dasgupta. In a letter to the Financial Times they write: “Had such a policy been in place when some of the signatories to this letter were considering coming to this country, they might have chosen not to come at all, or would not have been allowed to remain.”

Professor CNR Rao FRS, a world famous chemist resident in New Delhi, was invited not so long ago to spend time at Cambridge University interacting with staff and students, but faced with THE UK Border Agency's 50 page questionnaire, he refused the invitation. Yet there was a time when he was a frequent visiting fellow at leading British universities, when the rules of UK entry were less onerous. It doesn't bode well for the country's future prospects when the best intellects of other countries prefer not to come here. Will we be better off as Little England rather than a Great Britain?

China and India speak with single voice Sino-Indian relations have been fraught these past decades, occasionally reaching boiling point, whether over India's presence in the South China Sea (to which Beijing lays claim) as Vietnam's partner in oil exploration, or as contestant to disputed borders along the Himalayas. Their diplomatic exchanges are noticeable for their sharpness of tone.

Recently, however, they surprised themselves, and possibly the world beyond, by issuing a joint statement on the eurozone economic crisis and its possible negative implications for the emerging markets of China and India and their BRIC partners Russia and Brazil. Which is one indication of the seriousness of the affliction that has crippled Europe.

However, deep their differences on most other issues, China and India have come together for once because each realises its stake in the economies of Europe and North America. Weaknesses there, let alone debt defaults and financial collapse, will take an inevitable toll of the Chinese and Indian economies as well. Both societies are transformative and unnecessary hurdles may well impede their progress and, indeed, even derail it.

Their joint statement, issued in the wake of the G20 summit at Cannes, reflected sharp disappointment with the proceedings there, the mindless chatter, the endless photo call opportunities as the great and good of the developed world went about their work as celebrities to the manner born. President Sarkozy of France and Chancellor Merkel of Germany were centre-stage with America's President Obama confabulations ended in stalemate. The crises of the Western economies keeps belching smoke and fire with little sign thus far that the endgame is in sight. The risk of a financial crisis in the UK is at its greatest since the collapse of the Lehman Brothers in 2008, according to a Bank of England Survey; US growth has been revised down for the third quarter, while a US Congressional com-

mittee of Democrat and Republican legislators has failed to reach a deal to reduce the national debt, which has reached an astronomical $15 trillion.

Which is where China and India stepped in as the two fastest-growing of the world's largest economies: they berated Western leaders for their lack of political will in the face a seminal economic crisis. Do something, said the Chinese and Indian statement, for the time for fiddling was long past.

Whether the appeal for all its peremptory tone has the desired effect only time will show.

Meanwhile, many in China and India will meditate on this show of unity. It was seeded in pragmatism, the realisation among both sets of leaders that they shared areas of concern vital to the well-being of both countries. War was scarcely an option for either nation, particularly in an age when the weapons of mass destruction are available to their militaries. Time to turn swords into ploughshares.

This is best done through practical steps of economic cooperation, wherever and whenever possible, and then moving up the ladder step by step.

Rhetorical bombast on ancient civilisational ties are empty of intellectual and moral content and serve only to disappoint and irritate when the inebriation has worn off. Truth is that China and India are divided by profound differences of language, culture and history. Their peoples have little genuine knowledge or understanding of each other. China for much of its history has been closed to most of the outside world, hence the Chinese concept of China as the Middle Kingdom surrounded by tributary states.

Autistic mindsets take time to change, but given the march of history change is inevitable as war is not.

Jaw-jaw is preferable to war-war, as Churchill once said, and no-one was so qualified to speak on the subject than he. China and India must agree the rules of their co-existence and abide by them. They have much to gain.

Grooming for sex carries on as police fail parents A disturbing front-page report in the Times (which first broke this story) reveals that “a catalogue of failures by police and care agencies to protect teenage girls from being raped and sold for sex is forcing the Government to pursue abusers.

It is shortly to publish a National Action Plan on child sexual exploitation.

The reporter Andrew Norfolk is to be congratulated for his insightful reporting as he continues relentlessly to expose the evil with harrowing cases from different parts of the country. One may ask if the liberal inquisition with its politically correct pap talk is impeding the investigative process. Mr Norfolk broad-brushes the guilty as

“groups of Asians, usually of Pakistani heritage, a pattern of abuse identified in West Yorkshire - but never officially acknowledged - since the late1990s.”

This significant caveat excludes Indians, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans, Bhutanese and Nepalese, as guilt is overwhelmingly confined to males of Pakistani extraction. When one is constrained from speaking the whole truth the depth of the crime and aspects of social practice which give rise to it will continue to elude the public's understanding of the problem. Being economical with the truth doesn't help the victims, it emboldens the abusers.

www.abplgroup.com

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Thought for the Week “We shrink from change; yet is there anything that can come into being without it? What does nature hold dearer or more proper to herself? …..Could you be nourished if the food suffered no change?

From “Meditations” by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180)

Barry Gardiner MP Chair of Labour Friends of India

Dow Chemical cannot be allowed to ruin the Olympic legacy Last week I took part in the launch of a new campaign at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford. A cross-party coalition of MPs, survivors of the Bhopal disaster and Indian Olympians came together to urge the London 2012 organisers (LOCOG) to review their decision to award Dow Chemical Company the contract to build the decorative wrapping on the Olympic Stadium.

We believe Dow’s appalling human rights record in regards to the victims of the 1984 Bhopal gas disaster puts the Olympic legacy at risk.

As readers will know, Dow owns Union Carbide Corporation, which was responsible for the 1984 gas leak in Bhopal. Half a million people were exposed to the gas and 25,000 have died to date as a result of their exposure. More than 120,000 people still suffer from ailments caused by the accident and the subsequent pollution at the plant site.

Health and human rights groups in Bhopal continue to report high

rates of congenital deformities and cancers among families who are forced to use contaminated groundwater sources.

Dow bought UCC in 2001. It denies responsibility for UCC’s Bhopal liabilities and claims the 1991 settlement was final. This settlement gave victims an average payout of only $630, and many received nothing.

I say all this is an Olympic fanatic and someone who is very excited about London 2012. Indeed my father represented Great Britain in the 1936 Olympics.

But in no sense does Dow meet the high ‘environmental, social and ethical’ standards demanded by the Olympics and LOCOG must think again to protect the Olympic legacy for Britain.

Our ultimate goal is to see Dow live up to its responsibilities and pay victims the compensation they deserve, but we must ensure in the meantime that the London Olympics do not add insult to injury.

Elleven wins Private Dentistry Awards Practice of the Year 2011 Set in the heart of London’s prestigious Harley Street district, e11even is a dynamic international practice experienced in fitting a modern range of cosmetic, implant and orthodontic appliances to provide straight teeth and beautiful smiles.

Patients include: Emma Watson (Hermione - Harry Potter), James Caan (Dragons Den), Jessica Knappett (The Inbetweeners) and the England Cricket Team.

Clinical Director Sameer Patel was also

LtoR: Anthony Lam, Clinical Lead for Suresmile, Shivani Patel, Consultant Orthodontist, Sameer Patel, Clinical Director

recomended as one of the countries top cosmetic dentists by the Expert Beauty Magazine 2011.

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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Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

In brief

Email: majithia.meera@gmail.com

Leicester Voice

By Meera Majithia

Historical Sikh maps discovered in Ireland An award-winning writer from Leicester has become the proud owner of a collection of rare maps, which are over 160 years old.

British born writer Bobby Singh Bansal whose maiden publication; ‘The Lion’s Firanghis: Europeans at the Court of Lahore’, which won him six international awards, stumbled across the maps when he was conducting research for his next book.

The maps formerly belonged to 1st Viscount Hugh Gough who was commander-in-chief of the British army in India during the Anglo-Sikh wars that flared up in Punjab during the regency of Maharajah Duleep Singh in the winter of 1845.

The writer who was on a visit to Ireland stated that when he was initially shown the maps he was completely overwhelmed with excitement at their existence and historical significance, which had been lying undetected in the attic of an Irish castle for over 100 years.

After further examination he realized that the rare maps were in a very frail condition and

his services to the nation.

The maps remained within the Gough family in Ireland and Scotland but for reasons unknown were abandoned in one of the Gough estates in Galway until now.

Though historical Sikh artefacts are generating a huge interest, Bobby said: “I have no intention of selling them irrespective of their monetary value. I feel immensely privileged Leicester writer Bobby Singh Bansal with the historical maps that I actually own a piece of Sikh history especially required urgent restoramately martyred for his from the era of the mighty tion. bravery against the ‘Lahore Durbar’.

Bobby states “It was a invaders of the Sikh “We need to preserve matter of being at the right Kingdom. and conserve our heritage place at the right time I Other maps include for posterity and this will guess, in this case being in the Battle of Mudki, be adhered to with the Battle of Maharajpore Ireland. But it’s taken so maps being retained in my (1843) and the Battle of much endeavour, negotiapersonal collection for Chillianwalah fought tions and patience at possible display in a Sikh under the leadership of procuring them.” museum for all to share Rajah Shere Singh One of the maps depict my sentiments.”

Attariwala where the ferothe Battle of Sobraon Bobby is currently cious Khalsa army won a which was fought on working on his next book: decisive victory over the February 10th 1846, ‘British Colonial British belligerents in between General Hugh Administrators of the 1849.

Gough with 10,000 troops East India Company’ and These maps were part of the East India Company will soon be visiting of the original personal and the mighty Khalsa Afghanistan to commence battle plans of General Army of the ‘Lahore work on a forthcoming Hugh Gough who after Durbar’ with 20,000 television documentary troops under the comthe war retired to a quaint about the plight of the mand of the durbar’s most life in Dublin with a gensurviving Hindu and Sikh loyal General Sham Singh erous pension from the families in Kabul.

Attariwala who was ultiBritish government for

University wins Green Gown award Loughborough University is celebrating after picking up a prestigious honour at this year’s national Green Gown Awards.

At a ceremony in London on 3 November, Loughborough beat seven other shortlisted universities to win the Promoting Positive Behaviour award, which recognises innovative approaches to promoting changes in behaviour within an institution or through an institution’s activities.

Administered by the E n v i r o n m e n t a l Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC), the Green Gown Awards, now in their seventh year, recognise exceptional initiatives that are

Loughborough University’s sustainability team receive their Green Gown Award, pictured with Channel 4’s news anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Leanne Denby, Director of Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability

being taken by universities and colleges across the UK to become more environmental and sustainable.

The award was given to the University for its effective implementation

of the campaign, ‘It’s Better Off to be Sustainable’. Started two years ago as an energy saving programme, the outstandingly successful campaign has expanded to

include all areas of sustainability focusing on a wide range of areas including energy, travel and transport, biodiversity, waste and recycling.

Jo Hasbury, the University’s Sustainability Manager, said: “To be recognised as a sector leader for behavioural change shows that staff at Loughborough University are prepared to consider sustainability at home and at work when making everyday decisions about their environment.

The team have worked hard to support staff embedding sustainability across the University and look forward to continuing this with the recent launch of Green Impact.”

Promoting multiculturalism in the city Celebrate Inter Faith Week with a series of activities taking place in Leicester.

From Sunday, 20th November to Saturday, 26th November, exhibitions, talks, films and photos will all be taking place to showcase the city’s diverse faiths. There will be an exhibition on Leicester’s faith communities in the east mall of Highcross Leicester, which will run daily.

For the first time, a faith films festival will take place at Phoenix Square, featuring films including Little Buddha, A Serious Man, Life in a Day, My Name is Khan and Lourdes. The Leicester People’s Photographic Gallery, housed in the former library in Belvoir Street, will feature an exhibition of images showcasing holy places and sacred sites chosen by the Council of Faiths. Throughout the week there will also be talks shedding light on different faiths, including Baha’ism, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Humanism, Jainism, Judaism, Islam, Paganism and Sikhism.

Leicester assistant city mayor responsible for health and community involvement, Cllr Manjula Sood, also chairs the Council of Faiths. She said: “Leicester has a diverse range of faiths, and this is a wonderful opportunity for people to find out more about this fascinating subject. Learning more about the beliefs of others is a key part of increasing understanding between people of all faiths, which in turn benefits relationships in communities across the city.

I am delighted that this event is taking place in Leicester, marking the Council of Faiths’ 25th anniversary and celebrating all the good work which has been done.” The event is being run by Leicester Council of Faiths, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

Further information on Inter Faith Week events is available from the Council of Faiths offices at Pilgrim House, Bishop Street, Leicester, on 0116 254 6868.

Domestic violence consultation

People across the city are being asked for their views on the future of domestic violence services paid for by the city council.

A consultation process is running from 11th November, 2011, to 3rd February, 2012, giving people the chance to have their say on proposals to change the services the council funds.

Leicester City Council is looking at how to make improvements to its services and fill gaps identified in a recent review of domestic violence services, at the same time as ensuring it can make the best use of resources.

Currently the city council offers three refuges, domestic violence outreach work, specialist support for people at most risk and a helpline which receives nearly 1,500 calls a year.

Leicester assistant city mayor responsible for neighbourhood services, Cllr Sarah Russell, said: “We want to hear people’s opinions to help us shape the future of domestic violence services, to ensure we are best meeting the needs of people across the city and can help put an end to domestic violence.” You can participate online at www.leicester.gov.uk/dvconsultation

Missing man found safe

A 25-year-old man who was reported missing from the Leicester General Hospital, has been found safe and well.

Mr Ahmed Ali Alotaibi was last seen leaving the hospital at around 10.52am on Friday 11th November 11.

Leicester police are thanking the public, the media and all agencies who assisted in their enquiries to trace Mr Alotaibi who was found in the city on Saturday, 12th November.

Volunteers needed for Olympic stage show The hunt is on for over a hundred locals to take part in a spectacular outdoor stage show in Loughborough, to coincide with the 2012 Olympic Games.

The Games Time show, which is inspired by the Olympic and Paralympic Games, gives volunteers the chance to work with professional dancers and choreog-

raphers, costume makers and set designers as well as seeing how a large outdoor show it put together.

There will be music, video, fireworks and dance all on one big stage on 9th June 2012. The show made its debut in Skegness in July in front of more than 10,000 people and after Loughborough will be performed in Northampton and

Derby. Volunteers over the age of 13 are being sought across Leicestershire for Games Times, which is being put together by Deda Producing in conjunction with Charnwood Borough Council, Leicestershire County Council, Charnwood Arts and The Spark Festival.

Cllr Paul Harley, Charnwood Borough

Council’s Cabinet member for Leisure and Culture, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be welcoming Games Time to Loughborough.

“To be chosen to host such a spectacular event to promote the Olympics is an honour for the borough and I’m sure will be such a fantastic spectacle for residents to enjoy.”

Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

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UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

Celebrating success of Sikh community

By Spriha Srivastava

Parichay – the music artist

L to R: Dr. Rami Ranger MBE, Chairman of the British Sikh Association, Dr. Amarjit Singh Chandiok, Additional Solicitor General of India, Dr Sukhbir Kapoor OBE, Vice Chancellor of the World Sikh University, Mr Amarjit Singh Dassan, President of the British Sikh Association

Disregarding discriminamankind. The founder, The British Sikh tion and racial inequality Guru Nanak travelled the Association celebrated its the Sikh men and women length and breadth of annual gala event recogIndia and beyond, in in the UK have climbed nising the success of the search of truth and to disthe success ladder owing Sikh community in the cover the true meaning of their achievements to the United Kingdom and life. He even travelled to teachings of the religion.

India on 14th November.

Mecca the holy place for Dr Ranger said the The event honoured disMuslims in his quest to event recognises and hontinguished dignitaries find answers. During his ours such Sikhs, “who from the field of arts, politravels, he met many holy have lived up to the ideals tics, banking and law for and wise men which led of our Gurus and have their invaluable contribuhim to the conclusion that brought honour and pride tion to the society while to our community and keeping their religious no one religion could have country India.” identity as a Sikh intact. a monopoly on truth.”

“Every year we The British celebrate the vision Sikh Association of Sikh Gurus by presented the Sikh recognising the Jewel Award, 2011 achievements of men to artist and women who folHarcharamjit low their teachings,” Singh Rapal, High said organiser of the Sheriff of event, entrepreneur Leicestershire Dr. Rami Ranger. He County Council Resham Singh added that after the Sandhu, MBE BL, 9/11 terror attacks and Lord Indrajeet Sikhs with their turSingh of baned headgear had Wimbledon, CBE, come under the OBE for their conscanner and many Mrs Kamel Hothi with Dr Sukhbir S. Kapoor started thinking them OBE, Vice Chancellor of the World Sikh tribution to Punjabi music, building as terrorists. “It has University inter-racial communow become even nity and for being the first He continued: “After more important to host turbaned Parliamentarian 9/11 it has become even these high profile events in the UK respectively. more important to host to enlighten the public these high profile events about the Sikh faith.”

“I get recognised for to enlighten the public The annual event held being the first Sikh to about the Sikh faith, as at the Radison hotel was enter the British attended by around 500 many still think, Sikhs are Parliament wearing my guests many of whom relics of the past. turban. It is not me but were non-Sikhs and had Regrettably, Sikhs are facthe teachings of my come to lend their support ing hardships at many airGurus which are being to the Sikh community in ports due to their turbans. honoured and recogAs a result, we need to the UK. Noted amongst nised,” said Lord Singh educate people as to why them was Member of adding that he hopes the Sikhs wore turbans in the Parliament Stephen British Sikh community first place. They wore turPound for Ealing North, will find its rightful place bans not to oppress anyCommissioner of Police of in the society here. one or to commit terrorist the Metropolis Bernard Resham Singh acts against anyone.

Hogan Howe and Sandhu who is also the Instead, turban was worn Brigadier Andrew first turbaned man to be to liberate those who were Williams who were thankgiven the title of Higher being oppressed and terful for the Sikh communiSheriff appealed that rorised in the name of ty’s role in the UK. people should move away “The community their religion. In two great from racial discriminastands and preaches wars 84,000 turbaned tion and follow the teachcourage, integrity, honour Sikhs sacrificed their lives ings of Sikhism to treat and respect. We need to and many more were all with equality. “I reprefollow these values and injured fighting shoulder sent Guru Gobind encourage more people to shoulder with the Brits Singhji’s teachings with from the community to more than any other comthis turban. We should join our services and supmunity in comparison to stop discriminating peotheir numbers and help port us in building a better ple on the basis of their changed the course of our community,” said Howe. religion, colour or caste. history. The Sikh regiment The Sikh community We all should consider was the most decorated in the UK forms a large and think of ourselves as regiment in the entire percentage of the IndianBritish first and treat British Empire and until Asian population. Many everyone accordingly.” today, the Sikh Regiment of them have successfully The World Sikh is the most decorated regcarved a niche for themUniversity, London also iment in the Indian selves in the field of arts, conferred Doctorate honpolitics, law, banking, Army.” ours upon Kamel Hothi, education and public Speaking about unity, Asian Markets Director health while keeping their Dr Ranger added: “Above at Lloyds TSB for her religious identity and all, Sikhs believe in the contributions on drafting roots firmly intact. universal brotherhood of

With more than a decade in the global music industry, Parichay, a critically acclaimed music artist who is captivating audiences across geographies, is fast becoming a recognized name in the international scene, with his pioneering fusion style of mixing Hip-Hop, Rock, Reggae with South Asian and Hindi Classical influences. One of the major producers of Desi Urban music in Canada, Parichay believes in creating a sound unique to today’s generation which all can connect to.

As a ‘triple-threat’ artist, Singer/ Producer/ Songwriter, Parichay’s earlier released single ‘Tum Habibi’ featuring DTP Rapper Joe Louis had already created a sensation in the UK Music charts and his track ‘Tum Habibi’ was featured at the No 1 postion for three consecutive weeks and Top 20 for over 20. He’s a young and fresh bhangra artist with an international fan base already locked in place.

Parichay’s musical journey began at the age of 12, as a winner of the most popular Bollywood music show - ‘Antakshari’ - aired on Zee TV. Ever since then, Parichay has gone onto perform and headline at over 300 live shows and festivals worldwide, including several high-profile events such as the, Miss IndiaEven though summer is slowly getting out of sight, one still needs that much needed break sometimes from work, routine etc. Well I definitely needed that break over the weekend and so after doing a lot of research I decided to go to High Wycombe. The pictures of this place looked lovely and it seemed like a perfect setting – a quiet and friendly village.

The next challenge was finding a place to stay and after looking at a number of bed & breakfasts and expensive hotel properties, I came across Clovers bed & Breakfast run by a mid-

Parichay

Canada Beauty Pageant, desiFEST Toronto/ Vancouver and UK Asian Music Awards to name a few. Recently named ‘Artist of the Month’ on Worldspace Satellite Radio and having been featured and interviewed on India’s top Radio Stations ‘Mirchi 98.3FM’ and ‘FEVER 104 FM’ as well as the hugely popular Friction show on BBC Radio in the UK, Parichay’s ‘No Boundaries’ entered the charts at India’s biggest music store chain, ‘Rhythm House’ at Number 7 as well.

Parichay then went on to collaborate with RDB on the House Mix of the title song of the Bollywood blockbuster hit, ‘Yamla Pagla Deewana’, featuring the Deol acting dynasty of Bollywood – Dharmendra, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol. He performed this single live at the highly prestigious IIFA Rocks event as part of the IIFA Awards in

Need a holiday?

dle-aged lady called Fran who was extremely welcoming and very friendly.

With 60 pounds a night for a double room and 35 pounds a night for a single room, the weekend break seemed even more exciting.

Fran has been running this Bed &

Toronto in June this year.

Parichay’s smooth vocals have quite simply created a magical effect on this club track currently hit, championing the clubs and radio airwaves across the world.

Parichay has had an amazingly successful 2011, with one of the highest viewed MySpace and YouTube profiles amongst Independent South Asian artists in Canada, and the huge success of the tracks ‘Queen of Spades’, ‘Deewana Tera’, ‘Kasam Se’ and ‘Tum Habibi’, which have reached top spots on several charts in the UK and North America such as Sabrang 94.7FM Radio (Calgary), Red FM 93.1 (Vancouver) and BBC Radio (UK).

Having featured on RDB’s forthcoming album ‘Worldwide’ as well as on several soonto-be-released Bollywood projects, there is no doubt that this collaboration is set to leave a mark in the industry for years to come. Parichay continues to produce records for Asian artists as well as mainstream acts such as the single ‘Fly Away’ for Toronto/ DC rapper, Hennesseyy. All in all, this Canadian, desi-urban artist is here to stay and bring the music industry a breath of fresh air with his recently released sophomore album ‘All New Everything’.

Breakfast for almost 2 years now and before this was running the Glory Farm Cottage at Winchmore Hill which was highly recommended. Her property at High Wycombe is exceptionally clean and cosy. The stay also includes a sumptuous breakfast.

Having spent two days in the village, taking walks across the lush green fields and spending some relaxed time in Fran’s lovely and cosy house, I felt extremely rejuvenated. And for anyone who needs a relaxed weekend away from the daily grind, this is highly recommended.

Let us know what you think.

Email Spriha at spriha@abplgroup.com strategies and helping fund the achievements of the Asian community, Tarlochen Singh and Additional Solicitor General of India Amarjit Singh Chandiok.

The highlight of the evening was the spectacular drum performance

by the Mercian Regiment Corps of Drums which usually reserves its routine for the army events.

“It is for the first time that our band has been invited by the British Sikh Association and we are honoured to perform here,” said band director

Lt.Col Dugie Bridges MBE. Among the guests were Rt. Hon. Keith Vaz MP, Ms Valerie Vaz MP, Mr Virendra Sharma, senior officers of the Indian High Commission, CB Patel and others.

Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

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Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

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No money, can’t fly any further, passengers told Within just weeks of its low-profile launch, Comtel Air has collapsed. The airline made national headlines last week after miserably letting down around 200 passengers who were on their way back to the UK from Amritsar, India. Fortunately, the Civil Aviation Authority stepped in and negotiated special airfares to bring them back.

Skyjet, which sold tickets for Comtel flights between Birmingham and India ceased trading last Thursday. It has now filed for bankruptcy.

The drama began after the 180 passengers were “held to ransom” on the runway during a refuelling stop in Vienna and forced to hand over £20,000 in cash before their journey could continue.

Austrian police were called to the aircraft during the six-hour stand-off, which ended when passengers were escorted to cashpoint machines that ran out of money. The whip-round included euros and pounds that were borrowed as many of

Stranded: Blind pensioner Gurhej Kaur was among the 180 unfortunate passengers

the elderly and young passengers did not have any money. The passengers were told that they and their luggage would be removed from the plane if they did not pay up.

Gurhej Kaur, a blind 80-

year-old from Handsworth Wood, was among passengers who spent more than 15 hours on the plane while her medication was in the hold. Satbarg Nijjar was collecting his wife Gurdab Kaur. The 60-year-old from Coventry said: “They have been told that they have not paid landing fees or taxes and the company is in financial trouble.”

Comtel Air had started operating from Birmingham Airport on October 1. Interestingly, there had been no official announcement of the launch and, at the time, Asian Voice had raised doubts with Birmingham Airport. But a senior official said: “Comtel Air came in out of the blue – a switch from Stansted but looks like it is working. It has effectively replaced Mahan Air as a key provider to India.”

This is not the first time a Birmingham-India route airline has gone under. In April 2009, Akal Air had launched a twiceweekly flight to Amritsar from Birmingham. Its then over-the-moon managing director Daljit Singh Birring had widely dished out Indian sweets to celebrate the launch. A brochure especially for passengers on the inaugural flight was printed, but the editorial contributors were fooled and not paid a penny. Funnily enough, Akal Air quickly disappeared into thin air.

Customers, who booked ATOL-protected trips with Skyjet will be financially protected and should make a claim for a refund through the CAA. Customers are advised to speak to their travel agent about making a claim under the ATOL Scheme.

To find out more visit www.atol.org.uk

Recognition of Family Values in Enterprise Three cheers to Nottingham’s Asiana Limited, one of the UK’s leading importers and distributors of Oriental foods and beverages, which won the Business Innovation category in the Midlands Family Business Awards. The firm picked up the trophy at a prestigious dinner at Birmingham’s Town Hall last Thursday, attended by over 300 guests. Other winners across ten categories included: Hussein Lalani, of 99p Stores who won ‘Fastest Growing Family Business’ title; Service Excellence, WB Power Services; I n t e r n a t i o n a l

marks for modesty and satisfaction to David and Keven of T. Nutt & Sons, a leading carpets and flooring retailer from Derbyshire, who came runner-up in the Best Small Family Business c a t e g o r y .

Left to right: Kerry Cox (PwC), Sandy Commiserations Lathia (Asiana) and Annabel Prow to Jason Wouhra of multi-award-win(Wilsons) ning East End Development, HJ Sock Foods, who lost the Group; Leading Adviser ‘Midlands Family to family businesses, Business of Year’ to Baldwins Accountants; Nottinghamshire-based Commitment to the Herbert Baggaley Community, Progressive Construction Limited.

As Educational Tools. Full the award was being

announced, Mr Wouhra, sat adjacent to me, shuffled and straightened his tie, assumingly in the hope that he might be called up on stage. Credit to junior Wouhra for his hope, though his confidence failed him, unfortunately, on this occasion.

Now in their second year, the Awards are run by The Wilson Organisation and are a not-for-profit venture, with all proceeds going to charities supporting young enterprise and young people – The Children’s Society and The Willow Foundation.

To find out more visit w w w. f a m i l y b u s i n e s sawards.co.uk

Council workers receive awards Congratulations to Harpal Singh Sohal and his colleagues, pictured, from Birmingham City Council’s Visual Impairment Team who scooped the ‘people’s choice for services to the community’ award.

The gong was one of ten presented across ten award categories as part of the annual Chamberlain Awards, named after Joseph Chamberlain, one of Birmingham’s most famous civic leaders.

Held at the ICC, the glittering ceremony brought together around 500 guests. The Awards, which are designed to reward local authority workers who go the

extra mile, aim to help raise performance, increase morale and share best practice. Now in their seventh year, the awards were introduced by the council’s tireless Equalities tsar, Councillor Alan Rudge, who himself goes the extra mile to engage with, and to better

understand people from diverse communities. But praising Councillor Rudge in front of the council leader, M i k e Whitby, was not a good idea. ‘You mustn’t forget Alan’s portfolio is only a fraction of mine and these

awards happen only with my permission’. Whoops!

Mike’s a remarkable, charismatic leader. But he’s far too busy wining and dining with the rich and famous, and given the opportunity brags about it too, whilst Councillor Rudge enjoys curries in the homes of local citizens. The black-tie event was brilliantly hosted by British actor Chris Barrie, best known for his role as Arnold Rimmer in the sitcom Red Dwarf.

Temple extension The Shri Balaji Temple in Tividale has submitted an application to extend both the north and south shrines to give them more space. The application is currently with Sandwell Council.

News in Brief Action on voter fraud Six years on, something seems to be happening about Birmingham’s electoral fraud culture. Deputy Premier Nick Clegg has vowed to press ahead to stamp out electoral fraud – despite criticism from MPs. In 2005, postmen were intimated into handing over sacks of postal votes, ballot papers were changed once votes had been cast and police discovered six men in a warehouse with 274 unsealed postal votes.

Doting dad murdered The heartbroken widow of a Birmingham delivery driver told how he was murdered because of the “greed” of criminals who took just a few mobile phones. Father-of-two Ali Jawaid, 43, pictured, from Ward End, had been making a delivery in Wyken, Coventry, at about 6.30pm on Nov 9 when he was attacked. He was beaten over the head with a metal bar during an armed robbery. He died in hospital six days later. Maryam Jawaid said: “Our sixyear-old son keeps asking for his daddy. He wakes in the night crying and asking when he will come back.”

Two men, both aged 25, who were arrested in connection with the murder, have been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Media job losses Trinity Mirror, one of the UK’s largest newspaper publishers, has announced 66 job losses in the Midlands and the immediate closure of three local newspapers. There will be more redundancies at the Birmingham Post and Mail, a weekly and daily, respectively, which may merge, rumours suggest.

Rise and raise A Midland paramedic has raised £1,105 for Hope House Children’s Hospice by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Nigel Davies, pictured, aged 45, from Shrewsbury, climbed the 19,350ft summit of Africa’s highest peak as part of his selffunded summer holiday.

Leader in PR Well done to Priya Shah who has been crowned one of the “best, brightest and most inspirational” in the PR industry. Priya, 28, works as head of media affairs at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

She is the only PR professional from an ethnic minority background, of a total 29, listed by PR Week, the industry magazine.

Bank boss jailed A “greedy” bank manager has been jailed for five years for helping to plunder £1.3 million from the accounts of elderly customers. Karl Edwards, 44, from Worcester, was one of two “insiders” at Barclays Bank on Hagley Road, Birmingham, which was targeted to fund an extravagant lifestyle.

Drink and drive A survey has found that 36% of people in the West Midlands know of people who drink drive. The poll was carried out by LV car insurance.

Internet banking Only a quarter of people aged over 55 have online banking to manage their money, according to new research by PayYourway.org.uk. This compares with two-thirds of the UK population who use internet banking rather than going into a branch.

Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

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YOUR VOICE

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Match fixing It is outrageous on the part of the Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) to refuse Sports minister Ajay Maken’s call for a probe into match fixing claim made by former Indian cricketer Vinod Kambli. In the wake of jailing three Pakistani cricket players to prison in U.K the former cricketer recently said that the 1996 World Cup semi-final match, which India lost was fixed.

The sports minister is loggerheads with the BCCI for its effect to bring BCCI under the Sports Ministry , said the claims for match fixing should be properly investigated and he also said that his ministry will conduct its own investigation.

The reason why BCCI is not interested in the investigation is that the Mohammad Azharuddin who was the captain of the team that lost the semifinal is the congress Party’s member of the Parliament. Azharuddin has rubbished the Kambli’s lack of credibility.

On the other hand it was Azharuddin who was caught match fixing against South Africa along with South Africa’s captain Cronje. Azharuddin was banned for life for playing cricket for India.

The BCCI is run by politicians from UPA government who are corrupt. Union Minster of Agriculture Sharad Pawar is the President of the International Cricket Board of Control( ICC) and a senior Board official is a congress MP Rajiv Shukla. Both the politicians claim that allegations are baseless and there is no need for investigation.

The truth of the matter is that Azharuddin got away from prison sentence for match fixing claiming that he was victimised being a Muslim. He was nominated by the congress party knowing he is very corrupt and the party does not want any investigation. The congress party has become a party of criminals and cheats and hence there is a need for Lokpal bill.

Mr. Azharuddin should be suspended from his MP’s post and full investigation should be carried out. If he is found guilty he should be sent to prison like other Indian politicians.

Arun Vaidyanathan By email

Congratulations to the Bachchans Young and old fans of the Bachchan family must congratulate Abhishek and Aishvarya Bachchan on birth of their baby girl. One more member is added to Bollywood’s acting and producing dynasty. We ruminate about yesteryears, cine romantic-teaming of Amitabh and Jaya Bhaduri, a la Abhshek and Aishvarya Rai of today.

The arrival of the little bundle of joy, has ended media hype to expanding girth of mother, every twitch, flutter, speculation about sex and time of birth. The mother wisely dropped out for few months from media spotlight to avert evil eye-NAZAR-on new arrival.

The little baby, born in cine royalty,

Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

Ignorent American politicians

Gandhi’s second assassination

Americans are one of the most ignorant people in the world. Even their presidents so often do not know where countries like Albania, Laos and Cambodia are located, in Asia or Europe. So the ignorance of the Kentucky Senator David Williams who criticised Governor Steve Beshear for participating in Hindu ritual of “Bhoomi Poojan” as idolatry is understandable if not acceptable. This has upset American Hindus but they should take it with a pinch of salt!

His remarks that as a true Christian, he would not actively participate in Hindu, Jewish or Muslim prayers and that Lord Jesus Christ is the only saviour is more insulting to Christianity than to Hinduism.

Hindus, as one of the most enlightened community in the West, approve and appreciate the benevolence nature of Christianity that first attracted Hindus to the shores of Europe and America where Christian values prevail.

According to Vedic Path Hindus follow, the true meaning of “Bhoomi Poojan” is to honour and revere the Bhoomi, (land, country) you live on, that gives and sustains life and to nurture is “Poojan”. When this land is attacked, physically, intellectually or culturally, it is our duty to defend it, not to let it fall, be victim to subversion and “Bhoomi Poojan” is the ceremony to remind you of your duty and obligation to your country, motherland, the country of Karma, Dharma and Kartavia.

Hinduism is more than a mere religion. It is a dharma, a way, the art of living. It has nothing to do with shallow doctrines and narrow minded dogmas that inhibit most religions. It is an ocean of knowledge, gathered from every other religion, culture and civilization that has enriched Hinduism enormously and made Hindus, Sikhs, Jains progressive, prosperous and peaceful citizens of the West.

I agree with the sentiments expressed

by Baroness Flather (AV 19 November 2011) when she says that everybody seems to be so proud of India today as being a booming economy that little regard is paid to the fact that ‘it is as poor as it is when the rich now are rich beyond normal comprehension.’

Had Gandhi been present today he would have been utterly dismayed to witness that this enormous growth is at the expense of the rich exploiting the poor and getting richer. He was the ordinary people’s man. Although he was not totally against industrialisation, he objected to a vast scale industrialisation that impinged on the equality of its people in terms of wealth, social welfare and education. He mobilised the poor to achieve independence. And now what we see are this very people being downtrodden by the rich. I call this the second assassination of Gandhi.

Unfortunately for the poor, it is the frog’s story. The frog sees the whole world as confined to the limitation of its pond. It is happy there. The rich know this, and the government, too. Why disturb this peaceful ‘poor- are –happy- asthey- are’ scenario? As long as the poor can look after themselves, the rich are happy and so is the government which then proudly projects this image of India as a wealthier and superior nation. We may as well strip Gandhi’s picture on the rupee notes and replace it with a billionaires’ picture rather than pretend he ever existed!

What about the middle class who are neither poor nor rich? I lay the blame squarely on the government for making their minds corrupt. As a real example, a white British national who had lived, as a typical Indian, in a small farming village in Rajasthan for several years was refused permission by a Deputy Commissioner to install a much needed water pump unless he paid him an upfront bribe of several thousand pounds. When the Deputy Commissioner was asked what he would do if the pump was installed without permission, the Commissioner said it would be dismantled. Here was an example of a typical middle class government official who is dreaming of quickly becoming wealthy by depriving the common villagers. This was not a question of conscience, but of a man exploiting his position against the backdrop of a booming economy with an implied acquiescence of a government which turns a blind eye.

There are many such examples all over India. The genuine voluntary charity workers, more often bereft of any financial assistance from the wealthy or even from the government, are made to look like fools.

I am not at all proud of the tall modern buildings sprouting up everywhere in the cities of India. Whenever I visit India, I am content staying in my village in Gujarat where I can see ordinary people tilling their lands and earning their living honestly. I am at peace with them – and that is my India.

Bhupendra M Gandhi BY email is endowed with genes from thespian parents and grand parents, with genetic poetic legacy from Harivanshrai Bachachan. Add to this constant film atmosphere, make believe tinsel world, celluloid aura and environment.

Traditionally fans and film world adhere to nostalgia generated by Amitabh, and hero worship to transfer adoration their children who enter celluloid world.

These factors indicate, that baby is dentined to silver screen career, may surpass parents and grandparents.

This is speculation, as we cannot delve into labyrinthine maze of fate and destiny. Yet we all hope, trust and pray that baby nurtured in opulence, abundant love and adulation will be role model to fans of her generation.

Ramesh Jhalla By email

Uttambhai D Mistry Bolton

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

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

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

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

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

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Mitzavh Day is one of the most important dates in the community harmony. It is a Hebrew word for a Good Deed and widely celebrated amongst the Jewish community. It has now become multi faith, multi cultural, multi nationality event taken to heart by the Asian, ethnic communities. This year it was celebrated on 20th November with the distribution of food, drinks and charity work.

It has become such a massive event over the years that some 30,000 volunteers participated to aid well over 800 special projects and that included maintenance and redecoration work in private homes occupied by the sick, disable and old people who are too fragile to help themselves. What cause deserves our support than helping the fragile and venerable people living amongst our midst?

This year’s theme was to give away your lunch, go without food if appropriate and donate the sum for the good cause, either on personal level or by business organizations. This is one of the few occasions when members of all faiths, culture and background come together in peace and harmony to serve our community, create happy atmosphere and bring us close so that we can live in peace, prosperity and harmony. This is indeed a great achievement in these troubled times when faith, friendship and understanding is in short supply, overtaken by personal ambitions and religious fanaticism.

Great credit goes to Laura Marks, the founder of Mitzvah Day in this country who has worked hard over number of years to make it a success. Let us hope that other faiths and communities celebrate their special days in a similar tradition and let us give our full and undivided support to this special day, irrespective of our indulgence or allegiance to the politically troubled waters of the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East.

Kumudini Valambia By email

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Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

Jail for bribery case court clerk

Cllr Sachin Rajput Conservative Greater London Assembly Candidate For Brent & Harrow

Increasing police presence Shocking news only days ago of four police officers in Kingsbury, London having received knife-wound injuries on attending to reports of an incident should remind us all of the bravery of front-line police officers throughout this country in trying to make our streets safer.

As to what actually happened on this occasion or how specifically it did and who indeed was responsible and to what extent, are matters for a Court and not ones which I concern myself with here as it would not be proper to speculate.

But where reports have suggested that three police officers had received stabbing injuries and a fourth a slashing injury one can only imagine the wideranging confrontations our officers face every day. I have previously written in Asian Voice about the fact that we have far more visual policing in London now with Mayor Boris Johnson having redirected many desk-bound officers to front line duties and through single patrols and a recruitment drive both in actual full-time policing numbers and with volunteer special constables. The Mayor must be commended for his recognition of increasing police presence and reducing the fear of crime for the general public.

From an officer’s point of view, they will always find themselves in situations where they are confronted with situations where there is a risk to them simply because of the nature of

their job.

So what attracts people to apply to join the police service in England? The hours can be very long and unsociable with significant time away from family and friends. You may be subjected to violence, or have to stand outside in adverse weather conditions for hours on end directing traffic, or have to maintain professionalism whilst informing loved ones that a family member has been killed for example. Speaking to many serving officers it is usually apparent that most people join the service because they want to make their area a better place to live.

For some it is a sense of pride in belonging to a group of people with a common purpose of enriching society.

Others like the rank and file structure or uniform.

Some people like the prospect of having an ‘ordinary’ civilian job and volunteering as a special constable to give something back to the community by supporting regular officers. My mother is a prime example of someone known to me who falls into the latter category having served as a special constable in the 1970’s with the Metropolitan Police Service. I can not be sure if she was the first, but she certainly would have been one of the first female officers of Indian origin to join the service.

Interestingly, I attended the British Sikh Association Annual Dinner earlier this month where the Sikh community were praised by Conservative

11

Tony Baldry MP for their community cohesion and for having stood shoulder to shoulder during the two Great Wars fighting alongside this country.

It was a pleasure to see a diverse range of people at the event organised by Dr. Rami Ranger MBE on behalf of the Association and to address the audience on the value I place on the Sikh community’s enrichment of this country particularly in commerce and through limited dependence on the State. One of the most inspirational speeches of the night was in fact from Metropolitan Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe QPM, who delivered his vision for Londonpolicing with more humility, dignity and transparency stating much could be learnt from the Sikh community and more emphasis should be placed on recruiting further from the diverse communities in the country. So whilst we congratulate the police on their continuous bravery and on the hard work that they do for us in sometimes dangerous circumstances, we should also welcome the words of encouragement for a better London from the Commissioner of Police in partnership with Mayor of London Boris Johnson and wholeheartedly encourage more readers of Asian Voice and their families, representing the wider Asian communities, to consider a rewarding career as a police officer

A clerk who worked at an east London court has made legal history as he became the first person to be jailed under new bribery legislation.

Munir Patel, 22, pictured, used his privileged access to the court system to help more than 50 offenders avoid prosecution in exchange for sums of up to £500, Southwark Crown Court was told. He was handed a three-year prison term for bribery and ordered to serve six years concurrently for misconduct in a public office.

Patel remained impassive as Judge Alistair McCreath told him: “It hardly needs saying that these were very serious

offences.

“They involved a very substantial breach of trust.

Your position as a court clerk had at its heart a duty to public confidence in it. A justice system in which officials are prepared to take bribes in order to allow offenders to escape the proper consequences of their offending

is inherently corrupt and is one which deserves no public respect and which will attract none.

“The public would expect, and rightly expect, the courts to take strong action to protect and defend the integrity of the justice system.”

Police believe Patel helped at least 53 individuals evade prosecution for driving offences by tampering with the system so their cases would effectively be dropped.

Jailing Patel, of Green Lane, Dagenham, east London, the judge said there were “no sentencing guidelines” with which to work, given that the case was the first of its kind under the new legislation.

Terror suspects ‘die’ in drone strike The Foreign Office is investigating reports that two UK terror suspects died in a US drone strike in Pakistan. Ibrahim Adam, 24, pictured and Mohammed Azmir, 37, both from east London, are said to have been killed in Waziristan on the Afghanistan border.

Mr Adam’s father confirmed his son had been killed by a US unmanned aircraft. A Foreign Office spokesman could not confirm the deaths but said: “We are aware of reports and are looking into them further.”

Mr Adam, from Barkingside, had been on the run from the UK authorities since absconding from a control order in May 2007. His brother, Anthony Garcia, was jailed for life in April 2007 for his part in a fertiliser bomb plot in the UK. Mr Adam was made subject to a control order after being stopped on the way to Syria.

British authorities said he was planning to travel to Iraq or Afghanistan for jihadist training or to fight Western forces.

Azmir’s brother, Abdul

Jabbar, 32, was killed in an earlier American drone attack in Pakistan in September last year.

An Azmir family friend, who did not want to be named, said: “They have taken it very badly.

This is the second son who has been killed in a drone strike.”

Commercial Property Auction Thursday 8th December 2011 On behalf of Scottish & Newcastle Pub Company, Co-Operative Estates, Telereal Trillium, Northamptonshire County Council, Orbit Property Management Limited, BNP Paribas Real Estate, Joint LPA Receivers and The Administrators amongst others.

44 lots to be offered, including: Wilmslow SK9 1DU 11 Grove Street Let to Barnados.

Rent £22,500.00

PUBLIC HOUSE INVESTMENTS

Wembley HA9 6AA

The Crisis of Indian Democracy

The Bear Public House, 397a High Road Gala Bingo, Tong Street, Bradford

FREEHOLD LEISURE INVESTMENT

Bradford BD4 9RD Gala Bingo, Tong Street Let to Gala Leisure until 2030 with 2.5% annual increases.

Rent £206,650.00 p.a.x

RETAIL & RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT

Hayes UB4 0RX 718-720 Uxbridge Road Shop let to Done Brothers (Cash Betting) Ltd until 2022 with three bed maisonette let on an AST. Rent £42,500.00 p.a.x

RETAIL INVESTMENTS

Southampton SO14 7DQ 12/16 Above Bar Street Pedestrianised town centre location, majority let to JD Sports Fashion plc Rent £157,500.00 (Gross)

Professor Lord Bikhu Parekh delivered the annual Nehru Memorial Lecture at Chatham House in London on Monday 21st November before an invited audience which included a large number of eminent dignitaries including the acting High Commissioner Mr Rajesh Prasad. Professor Parekh's insightful lecture will be covered in our forthcoming issues of Asian voice and Gujarat Samachar.

In the above Pic (from L- R): Mr Abdallah Homouda ( Writer and Journalist), CB Patel, Prof Lord Bikhu Parekh, Lady Mohini Noon, Lord Ghulam Noon and Dr Nigel Chancellor DL (Director fo Jawarharlal Nehru Memorial trust), Dr Jagdish Dave is seen in the second row. Field Marshal Sir John Chapple, GCB CBE moved the voted of thanks.

Selkirk TD7 4JX 115/117 High Street

Let to Barracuda Pub Company Ltd until 2030, within walking distance of Wembley Stadium Rent £94,000.00

Oldbury B69 4LU The Bridge PH, 91 Station Road Canal Side position, potential for Residential Conversion (Subject to Consents) Vacant Possession

FREEHOLD OFFICE BUILDING WITH POTENTIAL

Pontefract WF8 1RG Enterprise House, 22-25 Horsefair 1,286 sq m (13,847 sq ft) with active management potential. Majority vacant.

Rent £14,505.00

INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT

Grays RM17 6BG Depot and Yard, Curzon Drive 291 sq m (3,135 sq ft) on site of 0.38 acres Rent £48,465 p.a.x

Let to Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Limited until 2024 Rent £50,000.00

OFFICE INVESTMENT

Romford RM1 3ER

Unit 9, St Michaels Court, Victoria Road

30-36 Market Place

West Bromwich B70 8ET

Let to Argos adjacent to the major Liberty Shopping Centre.

Rent £271,400.00

Self contained office terrace, let to National Schizophrenia Fellowship Rent £42,000.00

John Mehtab: +44 (0)20 7034 4855

www.acuitus.co.uk

12

MEDIA WATCH

Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

Scrutator’s in a significant breakthrough in indigenous technologies, Agni iV, india's 3000 plus kilometre surface-to-surface ballistic missile was successfully test-fired from a mobile launcher (a special designed truck, as it happens) on Wheeler island in the Bay of Bengal on november 14. Dr V.K.Saraswat, Scientific Adviser to india's Defence Minister and Director general of Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), which designed the missile and conducted its launch, described the exercise as a “stupendous success.” Agni iV's range covers the gap between Agni ii and Agni iii and, like them, can carry a nuclear warhead. Dr Tessy Thomas, Project Director of Agni iV, said DRDO had produced and proven many new states-of-the-art technologies in the missile system such as the composite rocket motors and the laser ring gyrobased inertial navigation system that guaranteed high accuracy. A DRDO statement said “the high performance onboard computer with distributed avionic architecture and a full digital Dr Tessy Thomas

things. For example, GE's John F. Welch Technology Center (in India) has developed a string of technological marvels.....

Similarly, Intel's R&D center in Bangaluru is its largest unit outside the United States, having recently overtaken the much older Israeli unit. ....the [Bangaluru] center delivered the world's first terra-scale experimental chip capable of one trillion operations per second.,” The BBC World Service reported the launch of this chip somewhere in California but forgot to mention the role of the company's unit.

Bangaluru Economical with the truth, you might say. Put it down to temporary amnesia. Atlantic again: “....confidence in the capabilities of India's talent pool has increased.

When we look to Microsoft, Bill Gates has noted: 'Microsoft's India center has exceeded in terms of how quickly it became a contributor to the company's R&D network'. This example, among others, indicates India has become an unavoidable destination for R&D and innovation centers.”

Pitroda plan LtoR: Avinash Chander, V.K.Saraswat Tessy Thomas at a press conference following the Agni IV test

guided the missile to its target.” Composite material reduced the weight of Agni iV. Dr Saraswat said the intercontinental Agni V [with a range 5,000 plus kilometre range], presently under integration, would be ready to test by February next year. Only America, Russia and China have intercontinental missile capability as of now.

Dr Saraswat concluded: “Today, we have a missile [Agni iV] which is lighter in weight,....manoeuvrable and unmatched.”

He attacked the technology denial regimes [imposed by the US and its allies] that had worked against the development of these systems,” but these difficulties were eventually surmounted by DRDO. “india has come of age and developed world-class technologies, said Dr Saraswat.” (The Hindu, Times of india et al november 15).

Agni iV represents surely a triumph of indian organisation and scientific and engineering skills. Significant also are the 200 women scientists in DRDO. Self-reliance, which is not to be confused with autarky, has justified itself. it is the continuing story of india's development.

UK engineering award The UK has announced an international engineering award named after Queen Elizabeth II. It is to be awarded every two years and, it is hoped, will acquire the prestige of the Nobel prize. BBC Television recalled the great eras of British engineering beginning with such hallowed names as the Victorian Isambard Kingdom Brunel to Logie Baird in the 1920s and the inventors of the jet plane and hovercraft etc The commentator lamented the relative dearth of engineering achievement in our time and the reluctance of young people to enroll in engineering courses at university.

The Times and Financial Times reported recently that India was running short of engi-

neering skills and that this could affect the country's future growth prospects. But before these lean years darkened the land, would it not have served the interests of balance to highlight the high levels of Indian engineering enrollment today.

American wisdom To acquire such knowledge, we must turn to the US Atlantic online, part of the Atlantic Group which includes Atlantic Monthly. The Atlantic online report entitled “India: The world's Secret Silicon Valley”, says: “”In more than 600 captive research and development (R&D) centers across India today, corporations are designing and building amazing new

However commendable India's progress, there is no room for complacency or conceit. The country has to remain ahead of the game, which the weaknesses and inadequacies of its higher educational system is far from guaranteeing. Sam Pitroda, Adviser to the (Indian) Prime Minister on Public Information and Innovations, has said it was vital that the early passage through parliament of key bills relating to higher education takes place. “Higher education reforms are essential if the nation is to meet the serious challenges of the skill shortage that will impede the growth of the economy to its projected 810 per cent target.”

Apropos of the National Knowledge Network, Mr Pitroda said the project would be ready in about nine months and would require $5 billion to implement.

The network is to rest on a multi-gigabit pan-India system that would deliver unified highspeed knowledge to knowledgerelated institutions throughout the country.

The network will facilitate co -sharing information such as classroom lectures, presentations and handouts. This will be a platform for delivering effective distance education for interactive students and teachers (The Hindu November 12).

nuclear ties with Russia “India has reaffirmed to Russia its firm commitment to continue and expand bilateral in cooperation in nuclear energy notwithstanding the stalled commissioning of the Kundankulam nuclear

Agni iV plant,” wrote the Hindu's Russian Correspondent Vladimir Radyuhin (November 11). He visiting Indian quoted Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma as saying that the agitation outside the plant was an internal matter that was being urgently addressed in all seriousness. “The Russian leadership is full assured of India's abiding commitment to take forward our cooperation in peaceful nuclear energy.

During his three-day visit to Moscow Mr Sharma discussed the Kundankulam issue “in the larger context of our partnership” with Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov and and Trade Minister Viktor Khristenko. “There is a very firm commitment on both sides to strengthen our cooperation” in the civilian nuclear sector, Mr Sharma told reporters in the Russian capital.

With Russia about to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Minister Sharma and Mr Ivanov co-chaired the Fifth Indo-Russian Forum on Trade and Innovation, which focussed on infrastructure, innovation and the commercialization of technologies. Indian pharmaceutical companies would be setting up production facilities in Russia to manufacture dozens of generic drugs under an overall Russian plan to develop its pharma industry.

Transport and heavy industry fell under this remit.

India's state-owned NMDC and Russia's biggest steel maker Severstalhave signed an Implementation Protocol for a joint venture steel plant in Karnataka which would produce 3 million tonne of finished steel annually.

india-Russia ties deepen The Hindu (November 18) reported the presence in Moscow of India's Foreign Minister S.M.Krishna for a meeting of the India-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission (IRIGC) on trade, economic, technological, scientific and cultural cooperation.

The two sides have decided to launch a Joint Public-Private Investment fund that will invest in both countries. The two governments will also set up a Joint Study Group to prepare a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement with the Customs Union involving Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus. A new Working Group on Modernisation will deal with the integration of technological levels. It was also revealed that an Indo-Russian Science and Technological Centre will be inaugurated in Moscow during the forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for the annual bilateral IndoRussian summit. A similar centre will later be opened in New Delhi.

“Russia has fantastic technologies, the challenge is to commercialise them,” remarked an Indian official. The Science and Technology Centres will be the places where businessmen can shop for new technologies..”

Foreign hand detected V. Narayanasamy, Minister of State in the (Indian) Prime Minister's Office said the antiKundakulam Nuclear Power Project agitation was being funded by foreign agencies. .”We've already started an investigation to unmask the foreign agencies actually funding the ongoing agitation even after the nuclear reactors' safety has been ensured by installing state-ofthe-art-safety features.” he told reporters in New Delhi. (The Hindu November 12) The Minister remarked scathingly that the agitation was continuing even as a distinguished scientist and former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam had issued a detailed certification, following personal inspection, of the plant's safety features were the most secure in the world. Mr Naryanasamy charged that agitators with little education sought to derail the commissioning of the plant. He pointed to the critical role assigned to nuclear power in the fulfillment of India's growing energy needs. To fall behind in this sector would cripple India's economic growth prospects. The rabble, led by a cabal of Catholic priests, must learn their propre place in the scheme of things.

They cannot hold the country to ransom.

Australia to export uranium to india The Daily Telegraph (November 16) carried a report by Jonathan Pearlman which said the Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard was seeking to overturn her country's ban on uranium sales in “a move that will further boost Australia' s mining boom and help the emerging Asian powerhouse meet its fuel needs.” India would be an exception since it wasn't a signatory to the Nuclear NonProliferation Treaty. However, the ban on Australian uranium sales to Pakistan and Israel would be maintained, she said.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

Political Sketchbook Alpesh Patel’s

India, UN and Destiny heritage. This is not overreach, it is simI write to you from India. This week sevply a case of, ‘if they do not do it, who eral countries approached the UN on the will’? India wont, clearly. India will let issue of violence in Syria. This past week civilians die. Then again Indian lives are Saif Gaddaffi was captured. This past cheap anyway, look at the slums in week it was announced Clinton will visit Mumbai of this $1trillion economy whose Burma. I also this past week was privisons build skyscrapers to reach the gods leged to speak to the National Hindu above them, but not the humanity Students Forum, and for the Friends of around them. the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies in Leicester and at the Loomba Trust.

India would not stand against Burma Below is a flavour of what I said at each.

– in its own back garden. India would not stand against China over the Dalai The United Nations Security Council Lama – where was the Indian message has five permanent members, with the that Buddhism was the born in India and power of veto over UN resolutions.

India has housed the world’s persecuted Those countries are UK, US, France, for two millennia since the Jews led by China and Russia. By rotation, India is St Thomas. That is India’s heritage. If presently a member of the UN Security you wanna come around looking for Council, albeit a non-permanent memtrouble in attacking it, you will get some ber. trouble.

But when the world’s largest democSo it was Samuel Johnson said, racy does not stand up and vote in favour of a no-fly zone over Libya to pro‘Courage is reckoned the greatest of all tect innocent civilian lives, you know virtues; because, unless a man has that virtue, he has no security for preserving India is not mature enough to have a any other.’ Add Ambrose Redmoon, permanent seat on the Security Council.

‘Courage is not the absence of fear, but India lacks a sense of its own responsirather the judgement that something bilities on the world stage. Whilst doubtelse is more important than fear’. less politicians in India are more busy And so it is India betrayed its herwith the economy, Anna Hazare, corrupitage this past week, and Britain lived up tion and the rewards that brings, they to its. Say as you wish about British lack the maturity to understand why politicians – but they are giants comBritain stands up to be counted.

Anyway you may say it is all to do pared to Indian ones. There was a time when Indian politicians could stand up to with oil. Well, it is difficult to justify a Churchill – just ask Gandhiji, Sardar armed conflict to Britons if neither Patel, Nehru, Jinnah. Or ask the 5 million national security or closely tied to that, Commonwealth soldiers fighting in economic security, is not at risk. So that Western wars – cleaning up the West’s is not a problem. In fact, whatever it mess in the past. Not so now. Now the takes to undertake humanitarian relief is Indian politician betrays the brave good. Even if you think it hypocritical – Indian soldier by preventing him standso what - one life saved is worth a miling up to a Gadhafi. lion hypocrisies.

So the next time someone shows you So why is Britain involved? Cameron and Hague have the energy of a new a chart of how India will be the third largest economy in the world in 30 years administration – add Clegg to that – and – say a prayer for the rest of the world. in fact credit to the Leader of the Opposition too. They made clear their heritage, values dictate their involvement. )/ * +$ &,$ % & Values. Not something you hear about nowa.#$ # $+ ( *, '! * & '%! days. Say what you '.+ - $% % !'* + % want about Britain being a post-Imperial ' ,$'& * ++$ & * # & $" *# spent power – but they have a sense of responsibility.

00Do not be sur'&, , , $%+ prised of in International Relations our morals are derived closely from our personal affairs. So consider that Britain has a sense of its history and

Fight at funeral A trainee solicitor and chartered architect from Moseley in Birmingham are facing jail after viciously attacking a mourner at a funeral.

Aatif Mohammed Riaz, 30, and Nadim Riaz, 37, slapped their male victim across the face, causing him to fall over, then repeatedly kicked him as he lay defenceless on the ground. The male victim, who was walking out of Birmingham Central Mosque, suffered a broken nose, cuts and bruises. The defendants will be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on December 2.

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13

Muslims ‘are more patriotic than most British people’ British Muslims feel a greater sense of national pride than the average UK citizen, according to the results of a new poll.

While 79 per cent of the Britons quizzed said they agreed with the statement ‘I am proud to be a British citizen’, the figure rose to 83 per cent among Muslims.

And Muslim Britons were also found to be significantly more optimistic than most with just 31 per cent agreeing with the notion that Britain’s best days are in the past compared to an average of 45 per cent.

The figures are, to some extent, understood to reflect a reaction to the hostility and distrust felt by many British Muslims in the post 9/11 world.

There is also the belief that Muslims are more able to appreciate the

Amir Khan

political freedoms UK citizens enjoy as they can trace their family roots to far more oppressive and non-democratic regimes.

British-Pakistani boxer Amir Khan, one of the most prominent flag wavers among the nation’s Muslim population, often speaks in interviews about his sense of national pride.

The poll of 2000 people, taken by the think tank Demos, was designed

to find what symbolises the best of Britain.

The report found: ‘This optimism in British Muslims is significant as - combined with their high score for pride in being British - it runs counter to a prevailing narrative about Muslim dissatisfaction with and in the UK.’ Around half of people questioned for the survey said they believed Britain benefited from being a multicultural country.

Tariq Modood, director of the Centre For Study of Ethnicity and Citizenship told the Sunday Times: ‘They [Muslims] can... say to people, “We are British and you’ve got us wrong”. Or they can say, “You don’t think we’re really British?, Fine, we’re not.” Only a very small minority do this.’

‘Heroic’ dad in court Tariq Jahan, the father of Haroon Jahan, one of three Muslim lads killed during the August riots, has appeared in court. Mr Jahan, 45, pictured, briefly appeared before Birmingham Magistrates on Monday this week following an alleged road rage inci-

dent. Mr Jahan, of Winson Green, is accused of unlawfully wounding Sajjad Ali. He was committed to appear again at the crown court on January 13 and was allowed unconditional bail. The charge relates to an incident on July 6 this year in Factory Road, Handsworth.

UK

14

Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

India Connect Kilimanjaro charity honeymoon trek How do I apply for a visa to India?

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

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

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

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

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

Where do I apply for a visa to India?

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

Complete information on the documents required and the subsequent fees which will be charged can be found under the section ‘All About Your Visa’ on the homepage of our website http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk. Under each category information is broken down into four tabs at the top of the page titled: Visa Fees, Document Checklist, Application Form, Photo Specifications and FAQ.

For more information regarding any quires about Indian Visa please contact by email or post: Email: info.inuk@vfshelpline.com Customer Relations Department.

India Visa Application Center, 60-62 Wilton Road, London SW1V 1DE

India Connect - your questions answered on India visas” a service offered by

Newly weds Stuart Jackson (33) and s(31), of Duke Street, Fletton, Peterborough, have pledged to climb Africa’s highest mountain as part of their honeymoon - and in the process raise invaluable funds for deprived children.

They are looking to raise at least £1,000 for Save The Children through their journey to the so-called “roof of Africa” and at the same time make good on their life-long commitment to each other.

Stuart said: “What better way to start married life than to take on one of the biggest challenges you can possibly do. After that everything will be easy.”

The couple, who met through their jobs working for travel giant Thomas Cook, started the climb on September 24 following their wedding in Ibiza on September 17.

As part of their preparations the couple have, twice a week, been climbing up and down their staircase at home 30 times in a row.

Thomas Cook employees Sonia Dalsania and Stuart Jackson set to climb Mt Kilamanjaro for save The Children charity whilst on honeymoon later this year

After starting racing up and down the stairs in January, they believe they will have scaled a height

equivalent to going up and down the 5,895-metre Mount Kilimanjaro by the time they start the climb.

Their training has also involved climbing up and down Wales’ highest peak, Snowdon twice as well as cycling to work and going to the gym.

Stuart said: “Around here we are a little bit short of mountains.”

Sonia, a former Orton Longueville Secondary School pupil, said: “I can’t wait to do it now. We have been building up to it for quite some time.

Planning started in August last year.”

The couple’s chosen cause, Save the Children, is particularly close to the heart of Stuart, who has volunteered for the charity.

He spent six months in Honduras and El Salvador in Central America in 2004 helping the charity with its a construction project building schools and homes in the area.

He said: “They’re helping people that have nobody else helping them.”

To sponsor the couple visit www.justgiving.com/ Sonia-Dalsania

Tie UK: Fostering Entrepreneurship To recognise and honour the contribution of businessmen and women in the field of commerce, the Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) UK, a unique non profit organisation dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship will hold its first awards in December.

The awards will celebrate the achievements and the difference made by the business community in trade and social welfare.

The annual TiE UK awards to be held on December 6 at the Millenium Mayfair will be given in five categories for outstanding entrepreneur of the year award, most innovative social enterprise award, most impactful contribution to early stage businesses, extraordinary contribution to TiE UK, entrepreneur of the year. It will recognise the contribution of successful entrepreneurs in the UK, charter members, sponsors and role models.

Sanjeev B A h u j a , President TiE UK. The non profit organisation is one of the 57 chapters established in 14 countries and five continents with over 28,000 members.

The organisation aims to foster entrep re n e u r s h i p while making it the engine for sustainable economic Dr Sanjeev B Ahuja growth.

Although established “There are number of since the last 11 years, it men and women who are is for the first time that doing great work in the the organisation will be field of business by setholding the awards. “Not ting up innovative promany people outside the ductions and ideas. We business community want to honour the conknow about us. The tribution of such people awards is a way to make and provide an inspirapeople aware of TiE UK tion for budding entrepreand its work,” said Dr neurs through their suc-

cess stories,” he said.

Noted and renowned names from the industry including CEO Hamilton Bradshaw James Caan, Chairman Cobra Beer Lord Karan Bilimoria, Nick O’Donohoe, Dr Rami Ranger and Pinky Lilani of Spice Magic are expected to attend the awards. While discussions will focus on the current economic crisis in Europe, the government’s efforts to tackle the fiscal defecits, unemployment, the awards will also provide a platform to entrepreneurs for networking and establishing some business deals.

In the last three years TiE UK helped 200 entrepreneurs with their business ideas. These entrepreneurs have come from across different backgrounds and age groups with the youngest being a 14 year old school student who wanted to establish an online tutorial classes.

ICAI (UK): Bringing Professionals Together UK (London) Chapter of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India is organising its Second Annual event on 25 November, 2011 at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, London W14 9HE and is likely to be attended by more than 250 people including members, guests from business houses, financial institutes and senior functionaries from accountancy profession. This year’s Annual Event is sponsored by State Bank of

India, UK and event partners are The Association of Corporate Treasurers, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, and HDFC Bank, UK. This is the second such annual event of the chapter after the success of last year’s event which brings together members of the Institute of chartered accountants of India in the UK, their family and friends. The event promises to be a fun filled evening with Indian

Classical and Bollywood music & Dance performance, a raffle with exciting prizes (Amazon Kindle, digital camera), appetizing food and plenty of opportunity for networking. To cover the cost of the event, the chapter is charging only ￡10 per person.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), one of the largest accounting bodies in the whole world, is recognized globally for its contribution in the fields

of education, professional development, maintenance of high accounting, auditing and ethical standards.

UK (London) Chapter of ICAI is one of the largest and most active chapters of the 21 overseas chapters of ICAI and has more than 600 registered members.

The Chapter was formed 10 years ago with the mission of promoting the Indian Chartered Accountancy Profession in UK.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

15

f ashionista

by Debasree Ghosh For more stories visit www.scribbledesk.com

Short Story by Neha Garg

The Perfect Wedding (part 4) The story so far: June is getting married but is really scared because everything is going perfectly. She believes in as much hurt as there are smiles and is scared that if everything goes so well, her marriage will fail.

Everything she has done to try and sabotage the wedding - hide her wedding dress, cancel Mark’s limo, hide the wedding rings – has failed. The next scene is from the party after the wedding.

Continuation ‘June… June…. JUNE.’ Startled, June was shaken out of her reverie. She was in the chapel gardens where a white marquee had been erected for the occasion. Right in the middle of it, was the dance floor with white tables and chairs set all around it. The marquee was decorated with lilies, tulips and roses as were all the tables. With the sun shining through the windows, everything looked heavenly. June looked up at Mark who was peering at her with a worried expression on his face.

‘Are you all right sweetheart ?’

‘Yes. Yes, I am fine. I am sorry. What was it that you were asking me ?’, said June.

‘Well, I have been asking you to dance with me for about half an hour.’, grinned Mark.

June looked up at Mark with a sense of triumph. Their first dance as a newly wed couple. Her mother had always told her the story of how she had had very slippery shoes and had not been able to dance at her own wedding. June knew how dissapointed her mother had always been and how she always said that it was really unlucky not to have that first dance. June had always pooh-poohed the notion as she knew how happy her parents were together. But here was a ready made excuse. A tiny little thing as small as not having the first dance with Mark will be enough to make this wedding what she wanted it to be. More Human.

So June explained to Mark how her shoes were too slippery and the heels to high for her to dance.

‘Not a problem June. Wear mine, we

are the same size and my heels are not as high as yours’, came Sophie’s voice.

June looked around at her with exasperation. Damn Sophie. Why did she always have to be around to save the day ?

Feeling defeated, June took Sophie’s shoes from her and stood up to go dance. It was a slow dance to a Beachboys song. One of her favorites.

Mark held her close as they danced. She quite enjoyed herself too but was so busy with her own thoughts that she hardly even noticed!

Suddenly there was a lot of commotion. June looked around and saw a few of the guests gathered around 2 teenage boys. She looked up at Mark, who smiled and said, ‘I think you are going to enjoy this my darling.’

June’s eyes began to sparkle. She gave Mark a quick kiss and went to see who the gate-crashers were.

‘Thank you Mark. With everything else that I needed to do, I don’t think I could have managed to keep an eye on her any longer.’ said Sophie with a smile as she drew level with him, all the while watching June walk towards the source of the commotion with, what could only be, a skip in her step.

Mark grinned. ‘It wasn’t easy to get those two kids to agree to gate crash a wedding. When I told them that they had to keep my involvment in this a secret, they got scared. But I managed to talk them out of it. She has been trying so hard after all. I just had to let June have her perfect wedding.’

Vaz asks Transport Minister to intervene in Air Piracy Keith Vaz MP for Leicester East has written to the Rt Hon Justine Greening, Secretary of State for Transport, to seek her intervention in the ongoing fiasco involving Comtel Air. Several of his constituents along with tens of passengers from around the Midlands have found themselves stranded in Airports in Amritsar, India and Vienna, Austria with the airline, for which they have valid tickets, refusing to continue towards their destination without further payment.

Comtel Air introduced cheap flights from Birmingham to Amritsar in the Punjab, via Vienna, last month. The events of this week however have seen this same airline demand further payment from already paying customers to support its tax,

Keith Vaz MP

landing and fuel fees. Any passenger refusing to pay was told their baggage would be removed from the aircraft leaving many without the means to get home.

The most recent incident involving a flight from Amritsar to Birmingham scheduled for the 17th November has left 220 passengers waiting in the departure

lounge for a flight that is grounded until it receives around £27,000 or £124 from each passenger. This following a similar incident on 15th November where a plane carrying 170 people to Birmingham was grounded at Vienna airport for six hours until the passengers raised £24,000. In this case the aircraft was held on the tarmac while those on board were taken to cash machines to raise the necessary funds.

Kieth Vaz Said, “it is outrageous that consumers who in good faith purchase tickets are left stranded for days and then asked to pay additional money these actions can only be said to amount to air piracy. I have asked the Transport Minister to intervene immediately to help these British citizens”

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

The Good, The Bad and The Polonecks The humble jumper always comes into its own in November. All of a sudden, it’s too cold and soggy for just a cardigan, lady-like as they are, or even a coat worn alone. And every year, the simple pullover comes into our lives with a surprisingly varied range of shapes and

colours. A particular style of jumper can often define a winter and affinity to a certain style is more often than not, a sign of growing up, growing old or the growing need of a mirror. Like a couple years back, my fool-in-fashion self bought a fringed poncho, in tune with the Navajo theme so in vogue that year. I don’t know where it is now. Last week, I bought my first, proper expensive, hundred percent cashmere v-neck and what a revelation! I don’t think I will ever go back to 70% cotton 30% wool again.

This year I am noticing that a lot of styles that may have been relegated to the world of uncool in the past, have come back with a vengeance. For instance, the number of times I’m finding myself talking to a person in a patterned jumper is inordinately large; especially the Fair Isle striped ones.

Everywhere I go...from office (which is in a very officy area where the groomed go to earn their pinstripes), to my local Tesco, to a ‘We-don’tcare-it’s-winter-barbeque’ I went to last week, at least one person in every frame is wearing something with a snowflake on it, yes even men! While I have never actually worn them after the age of twelve, I’m actually hoping that someone will be kind enough to gift me one reindeer-ed knit this year.

They look cosy, are a serious nod to the simple joys of life and invariably make everyone look happy.

As much as I am a big fan of clothing items actually serving their purpose i.e. covering up and keeping the elements at bay (take note, makers of bipolar things like peep-toe knee-high boots), there is one jumper I will never be on board with and that is the turtlenecks. Shockingly, every store in town has stocked up on these unflattering monstrosi-

ties up to their gills. Chic high-street places like Zara and Uniqlo and online boutiques like mywardrobe. Com and Asos alike are reporting a shocking boost in customer demand for their woolly-necked offerings.

This is bad – because polo-necks (or turtlenecks or roll-necks) are bad. Nothing good or sexy has ever happened to someone wearing a polo-neck, unless they are German, gay and impossibly good-looking.

One pretty much has to have the perfect neckthigh ratio to pull off one of these. If you are flatchested, it will make you look pre-pubescent. If you are buxom, it will make you like a drum.

Wear them with a skirt and you will look like a middle-aged typist in the 70s; wear them with dark jeans or black trousers that most people are so fond of and you risk looking like a burglar. Just buy a scarf, people!

Diwali at the Palace a huge success The Watford Palace Theatre welcomed over 550 people through its doors on Sunday 13 October for a joyous Diwali celebration. The evening began with a procession down Watford High Street, led by musicians from the Hare Krishna Temple and involving children from the local community, dressed in Diwali regalia.

The evening then continued at the Theatre with a sell-out performance of the Hindu Epic Ramayan, performed by the Bhaktivedanta Manor Players, followed by a delicious prasad feast.

Special guests in attendance included the Temple President Shrutidharma Das, MP for Watford Mr Richard Harrington, the Mayor of Watford Cllr Dorothy Thornhill, and Mayor of Harrow Cllr

Bhaktivedanta Manor Players performing The Ramayana

Mrinal Choudhury. The event concluded a range a of Diwali activities, facilitated by the Theatre and members of the Diwali Steering Group. Over 350 pupils from local schools experienced Diwali storytelling and workshops, including traditional dress up and mask decorating, rangoli and diva making.

The Theatre also displayed an exhibition,

telling the story of Diwali, designed by members of the Hindu community. The Diwali at the Palace celebration was a truly collaborative event. The celebration was made possible by the hard work of a steering group, made up of people from the local community, the Bhaktivedanta Manor and representatives from the Theatre.

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BollyWooD

Asian Voice Saturday 26th November 2011

Sonam Kapoor going South for Ghajini director

Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor will be starring opposite Vijay in a Tamil flick by A R Murugadoss.

Sonam has jumped on to the bandwagon of Bollywood actors who have dabbled in films down South.

After reading through scripts, the actress has finally decided to star in “Ghajini” director

Murugadoss's action adventure, “Maalai Nerathu Mazhaithuli.” She will be romancing South star Vijay in this Tamil film.

That's not all. Apparently, while, Akshay Kumar is set to star as the lead in the Bollywood version of the film, it is quite likely that Sonam will play the female lead in both the versions.

Rajini may refuse SRK’s BMW car

Shah Rukh Khan, who had planned to bestow Rajinikanth with a BMW car for doing a cameo in “Ra.One,” might be disappointed to hear that the Tamil superstar may not accept his gift. The “Endhiran” star, who is known for his simplicity, agreed to do the cameo on a friendly gesture and not to make something out of it. Reports say that Shah

Rukh has booked some of the high end BMW series.

The Bollywood actor wants to thank those, who made “Ra.One” special, and has planned to gift a swanky car each for actor Arjun Rampal, director Anubhav Sinha and Rajinikanth. However, the Tamil superstar, who still prefers his old car for travelling in Chennai, may reject his gift.

Hindi film ‘Delhi Belly’ in Tamil

Amir Khan is always interested in producing different genre of films in Hindi. The Hindi film “Delhi Belly” is a full length comedy film produced by Amir Khan.

There was a good response for this film among the audience. Since UTV has the distribution rights of

the film, they also have the Tamil and Telugu remake rights. Hence they will be making this film in Tamil.

Kannan will be directing this film. Kannan had earlier directed the film “Kandein Kadhalai” which was the remake of the Hindi film “Jab We Met.”

Katrina Kaif is all set to gyrate in a new item number in “Agneepath” and the song, in sync with Bollywood's of-late slant on flippant lyrics, is called Chikni Chameli. For the record, Chikni Chameli will be shot on Katrina and Sanjay Dutt who reprises Danny Denzongpa's character Kancha Cheena from the original Agneepath of 1992. The remake stars Hrithik Roshan in Amitabh Bachchan's role.

No one is interested in cast credit details right now. What everyone wants to know is, will cool Kat get naughtier to beat the oomph frenzy she set off with Sheila ki jawaani in “Tees Maar Khan”? It was obvious that item song had to come up with a naughty catchword to top all competition.

So, simply calling a new item girl Chameli won't do. The operative word, chikni, was needed to add the right raunchy effect.

"Katrina Kaif is doing a full on item song in Agneepath ... its a total swinging number called Chikni Chameli ... we shoot it in a week," an ecstatic Karan Johar, producer of “Agneepath,” tweeted.

Karan's joy is understandable. Any dance that lets Katrina portray a little more sexuality than Sheila (and perhaps don a little less clothes) will be big news, which in turn means bigger hype for the film.

Ranveer replaces Aamir in ‘Bombay Velvet’

Ranveer in, Aamir out, buzz is that the actor has replaced Mr Perfectionist in the first project of Anurag Kashyap's trilogy. After almost three years of waiting to get a nod from Aamir Khan, Anurag Kashyap has passed on his pet project “Bombay Velvet” to Ranveer Singh.

Interestingly, for Ranveer, the two projects that he has recently bagged, takes him back in time. While Vikramaditya Motwane's film that will also star Sonakshi Sinha is set in the 1950s, Kashyap's “Bombay Velvet” will feature the 1960s.

While Kashyap is the co-producer on the film directed by Motwane (along with Madhu Mantena and Vikas Behl), he will direct Ranveer in the latter. A source said that “Bombay Velvet” would give the actor a chance to step into the shoes of a real-life character for the first time.

The role apparently will require a substantial amount of time to prepare for.“Bombay Velvet” will only start in June 2012. That's how much time Ranveer needs to prepare for his character. Stepping into Aamir Khan's territory is a huge responsibility for Ranveer. He is certainly not taking it lightly.

'Chikni' Katrina's item song to be in hit list After “Ra One,” Shah Rukh Khan will come up with another super hit, and this time it is his elusive avatar in “Don 2” releasing in cinemas worldwide on 21st December 2011. The buzz continues to build across international territories in anticipation of ‘‘Don 2’’, Indian cinema’s most awaited sequel, which is set to dominate box offices globally. ‘‘Don 2’’ combines two of the biggest new trends in Indian cinema – 3D visual effects to bring audiences closer to the action and the rise in Bollywood hit film sequels. Audiences will be gripped by the most cutting edge stunt sequences in Bollywood, as they jump out of cinema screens in spectacular 3D and 2D experiences!

Farhan Akhtar sets a whole new benchmark in Indian filmmaking, combining, state-of-the art technology, high tech action sequences and the most gripping and stylish narrative to steal out of Indian cinema in recent years. Teasing audiences with a taste of what is to come and building on the suspense and expectations among cinemagoers the world over, this month celebrates the launch of its new film poster, song promo by music trio Shankar Ehsan Loy and trailer. Fans of Shah Rukh are already spellbound by the megastar’s menacing new look in the film. The film also stars Priyanka Chopra and Boman Irani.

Farhan launched an innovative marketing stunt to continue spreading the hypnotic charms of ‘Don’ worldwide with a series of 11 witty, tongue-in-cheek quotes by the Don himself. Each week he will take some don-ism to audiences, continuing to draw them into the forthcoming release of the most anticipated Indian film sequel ever!

I can't live a day without my wife: Akshay Akshay Kumar says his personal life is very happy. Tina (Twinkle) is my greatest success! You can take away my films, my awards, my career, and I would survive, but I couldn't live a day without my wife and son.

Tina has made me a home; one I can run to any minute. I want to share the rest of my life with her.

Shah Rukh’s ‘Don 2’ will be in 3D

Voracious social networker Amitabh Bachchan has added his first post after the birth of his new granddaughter, to his blog.

In the post, Mr Bachchan describes the first-born of son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya. "Occasionally she opens her large and what looks now to be eyes of the lighter hue, which those that have dealt with similar, know shall change with time," says Mr Bachchan.

Aishwarya's own light eyes have been a noted feature of her beauty. Her mother Vrinda Rai has light eyes too.

An emotional Mr Bachchan goes on to recall a similar moment in his own life, when he placed newborn Abhishek in the arms of his own father, renowned poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan. "As I look down upon her I bring myself back to the visual when I had placed her Father in just condition into my Father's hands, to be heralded into our home,' he says.

Mr Bachchan mentions the "exceptional strength and courage" of new mom Aishwarya during a tiring day of "great joy and combined happiness." There is great discussion in the family on whom the yet-unnamed baby resembles, Big B reveals. Invoking the blessings of his own parents, Big B signs off quoting one of the over 1,000 congratulatory text messages received by him.

“Heroine” will be a landmark in Kareena’s career,” says Madhur Bhandarkar whose ambitious project ‘Heroine’ is back on track with Kareena Kapoor stepping into the shoes of actress Aishwarya Rai as the lead actress and the filmmaker says the movie will be a landmark movie in Bebo’s career. "She (Kareena) is a great star. We have always talked about working together and even discussed a lot of films but nothing materialized. But ‘Heroine’ is a great script and a great story. I am sure it will be a landmark cinema in Kareena`s career," said Bhandarkar. "Right now, the film is on track and shooting will start November end and we will finish by March-April,” he added.

Neha Dhupia slaps Vinay Pathak Bollywood actress Neha Dhupia slapped costar Vinay Pathak as many as 15 times and you can't blame the actress for that. Pathak asked for it, quite literally! Well it so happened that while shooting for their upcoming film “Pappu Can't Dance Saala,” Neha Dhupia was supposed to slap Vinay Pathak but she was just mocking the scene. "I was trying not to hit him hard but director Saurabh Shukla kept on telling me that the intensity in the scene is missing," revealed Neha. So she was actually asked to slap Vinay hard. "But I still couldn't bring myself to slap him hard". Finally it seems like the man at the receiving end got irritated. "After several retakes, Vinay Pathak got somewhat annoyed and said “Your 15 mild slaps is more painful than one tight slap. So please slap me hard for once and get over with it.”

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I'm in love with Genelia: Riteish Deshmukh Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh for the first time admits to his relationship with Genelia D'Souza and their marriage plans early next year. Riteish and Genelia met on the sets of their first film, “Tujhe Meri Kasam” (2003), and fell in love. Eight years later, the actor confesses his feelings for the first time and confirms their wedding plans in 2012. In a world where one's relationship status changes as often as the weather, it is heartening to see a couple that has lasted beyond the seven-year-itch.

Hrithik Roshan’s Twitter followers crosses million mark

Bollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan has crossed one million followers on microblogging site Twitter. With 1,005,487 followers, Hrithik has joined the league of Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Priyanka Chopra and Amitabh Bachchan who enjoy more than a million followers on Twitter. While Amitabh has 14,90,019 followers, Priyanka Chopra has 16,25,136 followers. Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan have 13,66,079 followers and 12,32,545 followers respectively.

Pakistan's moral brigade guns for Veena again Some elements of Pakistan's moral brigade are once again gunning for actress Veena Malik - this time for cheapening the institution of marriage on an Indian reality show.

Malik, who faced flak for featuring on popular Indian reality show "Bigg Boss 4" earlier this year, has now signed a contract to marry on another Indian reality show, "Swayamvar 4". "If she (Malik) wants to make a mockery of herself, she can. We could use some comic relief in this day and age. But she is sending a message to viewers when she plays wheel-of-husband on a reality game show like Swayamvar - cheapening the institution of marriage. It dwindles a sacred relationship to a thirst for glamour, riches, and the spotlight," wrote Alina D on The Express Tribune newspaper's blog.

'New Bollywood’ impresses Madhuri

Bachchan granddaughter has Ash's eyes

‘Heroine’ will be a landmark in Kareena’s career

Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

Next year is only for action: John Abraham Actor John Abraham, after sporting a muscular body for Nishikanth Kamat’s “Force,” admits he isn’t fit for action films as yet. “Force was 70 per cent of John Abraham in terms of fitness and I will reach my 100 per cent in the next four years,” he says. “I’m far from my extreme fitness level but I will get there. I can offer a better and fitter John every year to the audience.” After two comedies, “Housefull 2” and “Desi Boyz,” John will be seen in two action-packed movies next year, “Race 2” and “Shootout At Wadala.” “Next year is only for action,” he beams, adding that he’s keen on doing some intelligent action a la the James Bond series.

Madhuri Dixit, the dhak dhak girl of Bollywood, was all praises at the new and organised ways of the film industry.

In an interview, Madhuri said, "During our time, as soon as the producer would get the money from somewhere, he would tell us, kal shooting hai and everybody would start sorting out their dates. Even on the sets, the writer would stand in a corner writing dialogues and would ask for five minutes extra time if he could not come up with anything. Everything is so organised and streamlined now."

Move Priyanka, there's another girl with Shahid Kapoor!

All this while, film buffs were led to believe that in Kunal Kohli's tentatively titled “Teri Meri Kahani,” the only leading lady that Shahid Kapoor had for himself was his 'Kaminey' co-star Priyanka Chopra. Well, that is far from true as reports say that there is another girl who is finding Shahid's good attention as well. She is Neha Sharma, the petite young woman, who had debuted opposite Emraan Hashmi in 'Crook' last year. It was meant to be a hush-hush development but is now out in open. Though it is pretty apparent that 'Teri Meri Kahani' is set in different eras, the fact also remains that the film is not just centred entirely on Shahid-Priyanka romance in each of the episodes.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

The UK / Switzerland Tax Agreement Dear Financial Voice Reader, Contrary to what you might think – I turn down a lot of media requests. Nevertheless as I write to you, with the Euro crisis in full swing in one week alone I have done 3 BBC TV broadcasts, one for Sky News (Jeff Randall) and one for Reuters TV. Why? Well I think I have a slightly different but important perspective. Let me tell you: The Europeans will as far as I can tell end up printing notes. Is that a problem? Well the Euro will fall. In the old days currency crisis resulted in devaluations and all became well again.

You see the politicians are asking us to trust them.

That won’t work. We never trust them. And the politicians are asking the traders not to make money from weakness. Well, you may as well ask foxes to look after chickens as well whilst you are at it.

After all, as I said before no one trusts the Italians to repay even if they are offering 7% - especially if they are offering 7% on their government loans. The less you trust them, the more interest you demand, the more interest you demand, the less likely you are to trust them to repay the loan.

And it’s not nationalism. You don’t trust the Spanish either. So how do you build trust? You take it out of their hands and say – don’t worry – the European Central Bank will repay by printing money if need be.

Inflation is not a problem. So what is? The currency devaluing. But it should. It needs to. And that is what the Chinese are waiting for. They know from the investments during the credit crisis that you can’t just give the money to the others who ask for it. You wait. You wait until proper distress because then you get a distressed bargain.

And the Chinese will do to the Europeans what the Europeans have done to the Chinese over the past 300 years. The Chinese after all we know have long memories. We may from Europe have drugged then with the addiction of Opium and taken their wealth as a result.

They will drug is with indebtedness and take our European wealth.

After all, how else do you see this playing out? Why suddenly will be loan the Italians, then the French, then the Spanish, then the Portuguese money – when we don’t trust them to be able to repay.

So a good old fashion currency devaluation sooner or later is on the cards. Anyway, in the 70s we used to have them almost weekly. Back then the problem was inflation was high. Now it is not. So we can afford to devalue. And exports will increase and we will import less from China – just as well.

Alpesh Patel (alpesh.patel@tradermind.com)

Tata Motors rolls out revamped Nano Tata Motors released an upgraded Nano model, the company said, as it looks to improve on well belowestimate sales of a product touted as the world's cheapest car.

Tata has sold around 130,000 Nanos since the car was launched in April 2009.

The four-seater car costs as little as 140,000 rupees ($2,730), and was launched in a blaze of publicity in price-sensitive India.

Sales have underperformed expectations, as rising input costs forced the firm to increase the

car's price, and a land dispute at the model's West Bengal factory forced Tata to move production to Gujarat.

In November, Tata offered Nano owners the option to install safety protection in their vehicles after local media reported that seven cars had caught fire. The carmaker said it was not a recall as the fires were specific to the units.

The new Nano boasts increased fuel efficiency, a more powerful engine and new interiors, the company said in a statement.

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After much deliberation the UK and Swiss governments have finally signed the Tax Treaty on the 6 October. The Treaty is expected to come into effect from January 2013 after being scrutinised by Parliament and ratification by the Switzerland government.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) rightly or wrongly believes that between 80-85% of Swiss bank accounts held by UK residents are linked to unreported taxation liabilities. HMRC is expecting to receive 500m Swiss Francs when the agreement come into effect in 2013. This represents a one of deduction of 19% to 34% to settle “past tax liabilities”, the deduction being taken from UK resident account owners who have not paid any taxes.

Also of more importance to the UK tax authorities is the ability to receive information regarding investments held by named UK residents for potentially a ten year period.

The Treaty will apply to holders of Swiss accounts with an address in the UK. In addition, where the account belongs to a UK passport holder they will be treated as UK resident, unless a

certificate of tax residence issued by another country is provided.

HMRC is understood to have obtained information relating to around 7,000 UK situated persons holding accounts with HSBC Switzerland, the accounts holding in the region of £13 billion.

Enquiry notices (COP 9) have already been dropping through the letter box of a number of UK based Swiss account holders and a further 3,000 individuals are expected to receive COP 9 notices in the next few weeks.

The notices will notify the recipient that HMRC suspects the individual of serious tax fraud and will invite the recipient to attend a meeting with HMRC to discuss the situation!

Individuals who are Non-UK domiciled will also be caught by the new agreement, unless they can prove, by certification from a lawyer or tax agent that they have claimed the remittance basis of taxation for the year in question, and given notice of opt-out. Great care needs to be exercised before an opt-out is made, as any tax that is subsequently found to be due in relation to remittances

to the UK by a non UK domiciliary, could result in penalty of up to 200%, and even possibly a jail sentence.

The new Treaty provides for a tax deduction to be applied in respect of any banking assets e.g. cash balances, most investments (stocks, shares, precious metals, options, forward contracts, etc).

The deduction mentioned previously of 19% to 34% will be based on the capital held at 31 December 2010. The actual rate will be based on a complex formula to be determined later. The payment will represent settlement of prior years’ tax, interest and penalties in respect of the assets concerned and the tax withheld by the Swiss authorities will be paid to HMRC without identification of the account holders.

After the one-off deduction an annual withholding taxes will be deducted from Swiss accounts at specified rates namely: 48% on interest, 40% on dividends, and 27% on capital gains.

Once again these payments will be made without disclosure of from which specific taxpayer

Hirji Patel the payment arose from.

The options therefore facing the UK based Swiss bank account holder will be to decide whether to disclose the account and face the inevitable investigation or suffer the withholding tax which will seriously deplete the account holder’s asset base quite rapidly. There is a middle of the road option being to disclose and get this covered by one of the disclosure facilities that are/is around when the decision is made, but time is of the essence which ever route is taken.

Hirji Patel is a Senior Tax Manager at John Cumming Ross Limited, Chartered Certified Accountants and can be contacted on 020 8864 6689 or e-mail hirji.patel@jcp.uk.com

Deloitte’s diversity month ends with Diwali celebrations England international cricketer, Ravi Bopara, led Diwali festivities at Deloitte this week, as the firm’s month long diversity celebrations came to a close. Ravi was joined in the evening by Deloitte employees, clients and business leaders.

The evening featured Deloitte’s Chairman David Cruickshank, Hindu Network leader, Rohit Sagar and kicked off with a panel debate chaired by the Hindu network sponsoring partner, Deepak Haria with Ravi Bopara and several influential Hindu business leaders.

They discussed how diversity can be beneficial in the workplace, and how their approach to diversity has supported their successful careers.

Rohit Sagar, Lead for

Rohit Sagar (Hindu Network Lead), Pooja Shenoy, Deepak Haria, Frank Ilett, Ravi Bopara, Min Bhogaita, Preet Majithia and Sagan Dhallu.

the Deloitte Hindu Network, said: “Diversity is about strength in variety, so it was very encouraging to see such a broad range of employees attend the Diwali celebrations.

Deloitte is a people firm and our collaborative way of working, coupled with

our diverse talent and passion to better serve our clients, makes it a truly distinct and a great place to work.”

Atul Pathak, Managing Director of Appt Corporation Ltd, said: “Like Deloitte, diversity and inclusion are central to

the operation of my business. It is the collective diversity of my 1,500 employees that enables me to provide the best level of customer care at my restaurants, which are also located in some of the most diverse areas in the capital.

I commend Deloitte’s Hindu Network for hosting an event to share positive experiences of culture and diversity in business and to celebrate Diwali.”

After the panel debate, guests were encouraged to celebrate Diwali into the evening with traditional Indian dancing and then the Mela, which included Indian massages, food and drink. An auction raised over £2,000 for Deloitte’s charity partners with cricket equipment signed

by Ravi Bopara attracting some of the highest bids.

China to develop $5bn township in Gujarat Companies from China have shown interest in developing a $5 billion township in Gujarat. The township will be on the lines of Dubai Chinatown, claimed to be the world’s largest China town outside China.

At least 30 Chinese companies showed interest to invest in the township during chief minister Narendra Modi’s goodwill visit to China last week along with a 20-member delegation.

Jagat Shah, chairman, India China Economic &

Cultural Council-Gujarat chapter, who was part of the delegation, said, “The Chinese have agreed in principle to build a township, which will create the desired ecosystem and promote business between Gujarat and China. The developers who are building the Dubai Chinatown on 800 hectares of land will be building the township here.”

The township project involves the construction of residential apartments built like traditional houses in China, schools teach-

ing Mandarin and other Chinese languages, restaurants, hotels, entertainment facilities and a Buddha temple among other things.

A delegation will visit Gujarat next month to finalise the land and discuss further details.

Companies like Metrorail, which have expressed interest in developing the metro between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, may set up their base in the Chinese township, Shah said.

“The Chinese always

travel in a crowd, be it for business or tourism.

Besides, the Chinese always think big and are not interested in small projects. Both these things will act as an advantage for Gujarat. While all the funding will come from China, we may explore the possibility of a joint venture with Indian companies for the township,” Shah said.

Even the Japanese are planning to develop a Rs 50 billion eco-township project at Dahej.

FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

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The 7 Step Plan To Successful Property Investing

Suresh Vagjiani Managing Director Sow & Reap A Property Investment & Financing company.

I’m in Delhi today staying at the Taj Mahal Hotel preparing for our seminar later on this evening, pitching to Indians what a great investment the central London property market is. An unheard of attempt not so long ago. But now most of the wealth exists here.

This morning I happened to be sitting next to Peter Mandelson at breakfast, you know the chap, the war criminal and the former trade secretary…

When I later done some research I discovered he had done rather well by selling his home in Regents park last month for £3m. This was bought for £2.4m in 2006. According to documents, the property was bought by Lord Browne-Wilkinson, 81, a former senior Law Lord and former head of the Privy Council.

That ’s a gain of £120,000 per annu m. And bear in min d t his was pe rhaps the wo rst t ime to purchase property, near the top of the mark et and pe rhaps the wo rst time to sell, as we’ re curren tly in a buye rs’ mark et. T his shows the resilience o f the ce ntral Lo ndon mark et.

This week I thought I would recap on some of the points you should be aware of when purchasing properties, so perhaps one day you can make gains like Peter did. You will have the added advantage of striking in a buyers’ market – if you move quickly -and not a sellers’ one.

And you don’t need £2.4m to start you off.

1. There’s no Local in Location As Indians we like to invest in property no doubt. But generally the trend is to invest where we know, so this means around where we live and also with the view that at least one of our offspring will marry in the community and will end up living around us. And of course there’s the satisfaction of seeing the property daily and doing the maintenance works ourselves.

This is not a pure investment and if it is not done with a singular aim it will not yield the best results. Treat the investment as a strict investment. The question when investing is where will I get the strongest growth in the shortest possible time period?

The amount of money you will save by doing works yourself is nothing compared to the gains you will make by investing in a premier location. Look at Peter’s example! One also forgets property, especially in Central locations, is very liquid. These days you may get more money by putting it in auction and an assured sale.

2. Look for odd properties in auctions Time to time you will find properties which look odd in the auction catalogue. For example all the properties are in London and then there is the odd one in Essex. Chances are no will be there to bid for this lot.

More so if it’s with one of the smaller auctioneers.

3. Offer low The worst thing is when a property is priced at say £150,000 and you offer £145,000 and then the agent comes back and says yes it’s been accepted .....D’oh!! Unless you’re Phil and Kirstie on Location, Location… you’re not going to get too excited. The first thing you would think is crap why didn’t I offer lower!

Remember you can always go up in what you o ffer but yo u c ann ot go down. And if it’ s an in ve st me nt so me times it’s be tter t o sit back and wait patient ly.

At times the original low bidders are being called again after failed transactions by the higher bidders.

4. Remortgage your home When purchasing BTL property many are under the illusion they should not refinance their residential home to purchase BTL property, as by doing so they will be putting their main home under risk should things go wrong. This is an illusion. Your home is already at risk whichever property you attach the mortgage too. By raising the finance on your home you achieve two things: One is the finance is a lot cheaper currently, about half of that for BTL. Secondly you can offset the interest element of the whole purchase price against the rental income, so it is more tax efficient to do it this way.

5. Have a Strategy Nothing worse than buying a great income yielding property in a central location and discovering you have to give 50% to the government as you are a high rate tax payer ......again D’oh!

Better to sort this out in advance. You can either buy in someone else’s name or purchase properties for capital gain only. Currently you have an exemption of around £10k per person per tax year. Most people don’t make use of this valuable exemption. This does not mean you’re sacrificing the income! This means you are transforming the income to a capital gain. The properties which generate income are very different to those which will go up aggressively in value. If you wish to go heavily into the property market it is better to sort a solution out in advance rather than reacting to it when you have a gain or when you’re old and it suddenly dawns on you that you have to pay 40% to the government when your estate passes on. Better to prepare than react.

6. Remember the value of Time Many sellers are stuck on the price and are as stubborn as mules.

They will not negotiate or compromise. They are not desperate so you cannot even play the waiting game. In this scenario you have another commodity to play with which they forget, which is time. You can say..... ‘ok you win I give up I will give you your price, but I need 6 months to exchange’. This will give you the option of putting 10% down now and reselling the property on, this is especially good in a rising market. If you’re selling the property on for even 5% more than you paid you will have made 50% on your investment. You will have avoided all the completion expenses such as stamp duty. This is a bit like spread betting with property.

7. Remember you never have to sell Some investors are under the illusion that when they purchase property they will have to sell to release the gains made. Not the case, many investors never sell. I have met a few who state quite rightly if they sell they lose out on the purchasing and selling costs.

Wealth in the fo rm of cash is dang erou s as it is un der the dan ger o f d epreciating in this form.

You can release your gain by refinancing your portfolio and you never have to sell the portfolio, it can be passed down through the generations.

So here’s my 7 step plan. I had more but for some reason every plan and book talks about 7 steps, so in the interest of conformity I kept to 7.

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20

financial Voice

Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

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

The Art of Prioritising

maria@abplgroup.com

Maria Fernandes

Taking a machete to the family route Some time ago the Government announced that its intention to reduce numbers in all areas including the family route. Despite clear evidence that the UK has an aging population and therefore it is necessary to have an injection of younger workers who can provide taxes to support them the Government have been pressing for change in all areas.

Interestingly, although the perception is that numbers in this category have been rising in actual fact statistics re-produced by the Migration A d v i s o r y Committee(MAC) in their recent report indicate that the numbers of those seeking entry under this route have been steadily dropping over the last few years.

The family route is the last bastion in the process.

Introducing stringent English language requirements has certainly had an effect in reducing numbers temporarily. Now the MAC have reported on the task set by Government They were specifically asked to determine the minimum threshold to ensure that the sponsor can support

There is a tacit acknowledgment that migration issues cannot be determined solely in economic terms and it also flags up the fact that the consideration of these issues did not consider the impact of Article 8 rights.

Until now the Government have dealt with students, work permits and investors. The family route however is a very emotive issue.

Families cannot be defined purely by economic indicators. If the measures that are introduced cause an imbalance applicants will take their cases to the Courts for redress. In recent times Governments have sought to take populist measures which have a short term impact but long term consequences.

The machete will be aimed at the family next.

It remains to be seen how bad the injury will be.

Maria Fernandes has been in practice exclusively in immigration for the past 25 years.

Fernandes Vaz is based at 87 Wembley Hill Road Wembley in Wembley and can be contacted by telephone on 02087330123, by email on info@fernandesvaz.com.

their family without them becoming a burden on the State. In reaching their conclusions they the system operated in other countries was compared.

The surprising conclusion is that most countries do not have a specific minimum threshold and that the yardstick used is the minimum wage or their benefits scale. In the US for example the minimum figure starts at ￡11400 per annum. In Demark and Australia the Sponsor are required to sign a bond which enables the Government to recoup any sums paid in benefits.

MAC have now reported to Government.

It would be very unusual for the Government not to accept the recommendations of this Committee. It has concluded that the minimum threshold that a Sponsor must earn should be between ￡18600 and ￡ 25700. In setting these figures MAC acknowledges the overall success in adopting these measures as it will have the effect of disqualifying around two thirds of all applicants. The decision that is reached is made purely in economic terms.

KPMG celebrates with Asian festival dinner More than 250 guests from the Asian community joined KPMG staff last week to celebrate the Asian festivals of Eid and Diwali at a special event held at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel in London.

The annual KPMG Asian festival dinner was attended by some of the most prominent members from the Asian business community, including Sir Gulam Noon and the Hindujas, along with key political figures such as Keith Vaz and Baroness Verma and many senior staff from the firm, including Senior Partner for KPMG in the UK, John Griffith-Jones.

“The festival dinner has become an important event in the KPMG calendar and is very popular both internally and with clients and contacts,” said Nina Amin,

Meera Syal, Nina Amin and Ruby McGregor Smith

has sponsored this event for the last eight years, welcomed the guests on the night with an update on activity at KPMG, including our innovative graduate scheme and school leavers programme.

In her opening speech, Nina commented on the uncertain times in which we live and delivered positive messages around how KPMG is using this change as an opportunity to focus on new markets and work in new ways.

London tax partner, who organises the annual event.

“It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening which allowed us to take some time out to celebrate this important time in the Asian calendar and to catch up with clients and business contacts.”

There was a rare special appearance from actress Meera Syal, who poked fun at accountants but also talked about how she uses her family and friends for material for her humour.

John Griffith-Jones, who

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Knowing what to do and more importantly what not to do is one of the most essential skills required by a leader. I use the word skill because while many consider it as just a decision making process, the fact is that some are better at making such decisions than others. Prioritising is essential. One of the most common methods used to prioritise tasks is called the 123 method. It is simply making a list of tasks that you need to do and then assigning a letter to each one in order of importance (must do) and deadlines (do now) with the most time critical and important (must do now) being given a number 1.

Then just focus on achieving the number 1 tasks and then the number 2 tasks and if there is time do the number 3 tasks.

As with all systems there is however, a pitfall.

Assigning numbers to tasks can often lead to us seeing the tasks as just that

– a number that needs to be ticked off the list. In something that is becoming symptomatic of our society, numbers are becoming the defining factor in everything. Many leaders are themselves governed by numbers. Profit margins, share prices, dividends – these are the numbers which determine whether many leaders are successful or fired (unless of course you work in the banking industry).

This fixation with numbers often results in many leaders treating people as nothing more than numbers and that too as the number 3 is their list of priorities.

During the struggle of Indian independence, there was an incident in which several policemen were killed by protestors.

Gandhiji immediately called for the campaign to be suspended. One of his aides said that they could not stop a national campaign just because a few policemen were killed.

By Amit Patel

Gandhiji’s reply was as emphatic as it was true, he said, ‘Tell that to the families of the policemen who were murdered’.

Seeing people as people is one of the greatest qualities a leader can imbibe and maintain.

Once, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj was replying a letter from a devotee asking for advice on a seemingly insignificant matter. It was past midnight and there was still a large pile of letters to get through.

He was asked why he was bothering to reply to the letter especially as it wasn’t regarding a ‘serious’ issue. His reply was a lesson to all of us in the art of prioritising. He said, ‘Even though the issue seems trivial to us, it is important to the writer otherwise they wouldn’t have written to me. And if it is important to them, it is important for me.’

Northern Rock Plc sold to Virgin

Finally, Northern Rock Plc has been sold to Virgin.

Virgin has won the latest bids for Northern Rock, four years after the bank was nationalised and the government ordered to find a suitable buyer.

Regarding the sale to Virgin, Chris Hulme, Chairman of the Northern Rock Shareholders Action Group said: “Whilst the former shareholders have no monetary interest on the sale itself, it’s a bitter pill to swallow that their Bank has been sold to the same bidder who was there in 2008 to prevent the debacle of nationalisation in the first place.” He adds: “Despite its argument to the contrary, the government has made significant sums of money [profit, fees and punitive interest] out of its ownership of Northern Rock and has done so to the detriment of the shareholders who rightfully owned it and have still not seen the fair independently assessed compensation they are entitled to.”

Dennis Grainger, lead Plaintiff in the legal case against the government

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holders' case (against no compensation being paid) is currently with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) awaiting a hearing. Shareholders are confident that the ECHR will rule that the Government behaved unfairly in the arrangements for compensation.

commented: "Whilst the small shareholders would of course recognise that a sale of Northern Rock away from government hands is in the best interest of the taxpayer (and possibly the company itself) it has to be remembered that this company was seized from its 160,000 shareholders by HMG for no actual payment. Many of these shareholders were pensioners leaving their shares for their children or grandchildren.”

In February 2008, Northern Rock was a commercially viable business, the bids from Virgin at the time demonstrating such value and viability yet the government tried to maintain its view that it was in administration, defunct and bankrupt at the time it decided to expropriate the shares from the shareholder owners of the business.

Chris Hulme comments: “We now see the government taking the proceeds of assets they should never have seized in the first place and still haven’t paid the original owners for.”

That is why the share-

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For further information: Chris Hulme 0161 434 6016 / 07775 794 291 / northernrock@uksa.org.u k (Chairman of the UKSA Northern Rock Shareholders Action Group) The issue of being in receipt of financial help is crucial. The loans could never have been called in as this would have sent Granite, the special-purpose financing vehicle set up to allow Northern Rock to sell off large parts of its mortgage book to bondholders, into a tailspin. The obverse to the argument is therefore worth looking at: the government would have suffered huge consequences had it pulled its loans. If it is true for Northern Rock it is true for RBS and Lloyds too.

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FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

21

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

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

Turbulent Times As you may all know, the markets are in turmoil at the moment with no signs of improvement.

This week the main focus will be on the UK and the US as results of their monetary policy meeting are released. This is due to come in as expected but we may experience volatility in the markets if further talks of stimulus are discussed.

The UK has hit a one month low against the JPY and the USD as it was the worst performer across the board due to risk aversion.

The inflation report last week indicated that further stimulus from the bank of England could be at the top of the agenda early next year. It is expected that more insight into the timing, nature and size will be announced when the minutes are released this week.

Furthermore, the interest rates are expected to stay at historic lows of 0.5% but the results of the votes could have an impact on the markets.

Focus is currently heavily on the UK at the moment especially after the poor UK house price and retail price figures were released, which again showed that there is a long way to go before the economy recovers. Rightmove released data

showing that the UK house prices fell by the highest pace in almost 3 years. Although the price levels have been pretty aligned, the main reason for this comes due to the lack of banks lending at these difficult times, with record low lending volumes confirming this.

UK shops have also had the lowest sales figures from this time last year and the odd retail sale increases recently may have been due to heavy discounting from retailers to boost sales. Major stores this week have also slashed their prices by 50% to bring in the competition for Christmas, which is expected to boost sales by billions of pounds.

Europe is far from any resolution as the IMF announced that they will support the EFSF, which again caused cracks to re-appear resulting in traders to be more cautious and risk averse.

Eurozone still does not have anything concrete on the books to resolve this ever growing crisis.

Despite a new Prime Minster in Italy and Greece and despite a general election being won by the peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s party with the public still waiting to vote, all this good news was short lived in the market as concerns

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 22nd November 2011 @ 1pm GBP - INR = 81.69 USD - INR = 52.20 EUR - INR = 70.71 GBP - USD = 1.56 GBP - EUR = 1.16 EUR - USD = 1.35 GBP - AED = 5.75 GBP - CAD = 1.62 GBP - NZD = 2.09

about how they will reduce the massive deficit weighed on the markets. Is Eurozone going to fail either way as the deficit is too big and difficult to conquer? If a solution is possible, then how long will it take and has the global recovery been pushed back a good few years.

On the currency side of things, the markets have been pretty range bound as traders are very cautious about where the rates will take them. There is no sign or any avenue for a resolution of the crisis from the Eurozone, in the US and UK,

growth is virtually non existant, and with Asian growth also slowing slightly, it seems that investors are awaiting an outcome. The only strength therefore has been seen in the USD and the JPY due to risk aversion.

The way things are looking there is still a very long way to go until we see some light at the end of the tunnel. More needs to be done by the ECB, further stimulus may be needed for the UK and US to stimulate growth and help the global economy.

GBP - AUD = 1.58 GBP - ZAR = 13.06 GBP - HUF = 352.70

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

22

PakisTan-BangladesH-sri lanka

Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

Gilani says MFN decision on India not yet taken IN Focus Islamabad: Pakistan has once again sent out confusing signals on granting MFN status to India, with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani telling lawmakers that a decision is “yet to be taken” on the issue for which bilateral negotiations would be held.

Responding to points raised by lawmakers in the National Assembly or lower house of Parliament, Mr Gilani said the people and Parliament would be taken into confidence on the issue of giving MFN status to India.

“The Cabinet unanimously gave permission to the commerce ministry

Pakistan teen nominated for international peace award

Yousuf Raza Gilani

that they should go and negotiate with India (on normalising trade relations),” he said.

Noting that the commerce secretaries of the two countries had met in New Delhi, he said that a

decision is yet to be made on the MFN issue. “Let the results come and we’ll appraise the whole country and take the Parliament into confidence. How can we take them into confidence prior to any decision? This decision is yet to be taken.”

Pakistan's information minister Firdous Awan had recently announced at a news conference that the Cabinet had unanimously approved the granting of MFN status to India.

Mr Gilani and other leaders subsequently clarified that the Cabinet had approved the normalisation of trade relations with

India, and this process would eventually lead to the granting of MFN status.

During the commerce secretary-level talks in Delhi last week, Pakistan had agreed to open its market for over 7,000 items from India in the next three months and promised to grant New Delhi the crucial MFN status by 2012 end.

Pakistan had also sent out positive signals on the MFN issue during Mr Gilani’s talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the November 10-11 SAARC Summit in Maldives.

Pak Taliban declare nationwide cease-fire

Peshawar: The Pakistani Taliban has declared a cease-fire to encourage nascent peace talks with the government, a senior commanders said, a move that appears to show the deadly group's willingness to strike a deal with state.

The commander said the cease-fire has been in effect for the past month and was valid throughout the country.

"We are not attacking the Pakistan army and government installations because of the peace process," he said on Monday. The commander is close to Hakimullah Mehsud, the leader of the Taliban. His statement adds credence to recent announcements by anonymous Taliban and intelligence officials that government intermediaries

recently met Taliban commanders to talk about a possible peace deal. The government has not officially commented, and on Tuesday the Pakistani army denied it was involved in any talks.

The Pakistan Taliban, an umbrella grouping of militants allied with alQaida and based in the northwest close to the Afghan border, has been behind many of the scores of bloody suicide attacks around Pakistan over the last 4 1/2 years. At least 35,000 people have been killed in the bloodshed.

The United States wants Pakistan to keep the pressure on insurgents and would likely be concerned about any effort to strike a deal. Many of its fiercest foes in Afghanistan, as well as al-Qaida operatives

from around the world, live alongside the Pakistan Taliban in North Waziristan.

Much remains unclear about the nature of the talks and their potential.

Both the army and the militants have engaged in misinformation before.

Some reports have said any deal would only cover one region in the northwest, South Waziristan, but could be extended.

The Pakistan Taliban is believed to be divided.

Many of its leaders and foot soldiers have been killed in U.S. drone attacks and Pakistani army offensives over the last few years. Some faction and allied groups are still committed to war against the state, and there been several insurgent attacks over the last month.

Islamabad: A brave girl from Pakistan, who as an 11-year-old wrote about the Taliban banning girls' schools in the picturesque Swat Valley and missing watching her favourite Indian serial 'Raja Ki Ayegi Baraat', has been nominated for the International Children's Peace Prize.

Malala Yousufzai, now 13, was a victim of the ban imposed by the Taliban on education for girls in the troubled Swat Valley over two years ago. She wrote about her pain and anguish in a diary for BBC Urdu online.

Yousufzai, a Class 8 student, beat 93 contestants from 42 countries to be nominated for the International Children's Peace Prize 2011. The prize is due to be announced today and if she wins, she will be given the award by Nobel Peace Laureate Desmond Tutu.

"I am very happy to be nominated along with four other brave girls. I am particularly inspired by Michaela who, despite her physical disability, fights for the rights of children with disabilities," Yousufzai told the media.

Asked why she started her campaign for girls' rights, Yousufzai said the violence in Swat had "a huge impact" on her mind.

Dhaka: Bangladesh has demanded a formal apology from Pakistan for the atrocities carried out by its troops during the 1971 liberation war. The demand came as the new Pakistani envoy called on foreign minister Dipu Moni in Dhaka. "The foreign minister sought Pakistan's understanding and recognition of Bangladesh's position on resolving the outstanding issues including an expression of for-

mal apology from Pakistan for the genocide and atrocities committed by the Pakistani military in 1971," said a foreign office spokesman on Monday.

He said Moni also asked new Pakistani High Commissioner Afrasiab Mehdi Hashmi to settle the issues of division of assets and war reparations saying, "early resolution of the outstanding issues would enable the existing friendly relations between

Bangladesh and Pakistan to make a great leap forward and create a wider space for cooperation".

A foreign office statement, earlier said Moni, however, conveyed her sympathies for the flood victims in Pakistan while she appreciated Afrasiab' s point that an enhanced level of people-to-people contact could go a long way towards promoting better understanding among the two peoples.

Islamabad: Pakistan's ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani has stuck to his stance that he had nothing to do with the controversial secret memorandum sent to former US military chief Admiral Mike Mullen to prevent a possible military coup.

Haqqani conveyed his position to President Asif Ali Zardari during two informal meetings held at the presidency, the Dawn quoted sources close to the President as saying. There was no official word about the reported meetings.

Before the meetings, it was expected that Haqqani might resign as

he had already said that he could quit if ordered to do so by Zardari.

Haqqani's primary defence was that the memo was unsigned and unverified.

Sources told that Haqqani was asked not to tender his resignation and to face the situation with the assertion that he was not involved in the matter.

Zardari is believed to be of the view that Haqqani could not have got involved in such an anti-state affair. The president is expected to order an inquiry into the controversy to ascertain who had written the memo and at

whose behest.

Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz has claimed that he drafted the memo on Haqqani's instructions and delivered it through an intermediary to Mullen.

Haqqani has denied these claims. Mullen has confirmed that he received the memo but said he took no action on it.

In yet another twist, former US National Security Advisor James Jones has said he was the intermediary who delivered the memo to Mullen for Ijaz.

However, Jones said

he was neither a serving government official or associated with the Obama administration in any way when he delivered the memo to Mullen.

Ijaz has confirmed that he recently met the ISI chief in London to hand over evidence related to the memo. Meanwhile, Haqqani has said he was prepared to face an inquiry to prove that Ijaz's claims are false. Haqqani believes Ijaz is blaming him to create a crisis in Pakistan. He said all the technical proof was fabricated and he was ready for a probe led by a Supreme Court judge.

Bangladesh asks Pakistan to apologise for 1971 atrocities

Pak envoy Haqqani denies links to secret memo

35 militants killed in Pak army operations

Islamabad: At least 35 militants have been killed and several more injured in air strikes and clashes with Pakistani troops in the Kurram and Orakzai tribal regions in the country's northwest. Security forces launched an operation against militants in parts of Kurram and Orakzai Agencies after rebels attacked several security check points. Troops backed by gunship helicopters targeted militant positions and hideouts at several places along the border with Afghanistan, the officials said. The militants were killed in air strikes and clashes last week. Twenty-five militants were killed in Kurram Agency and 10 in Orakzai Agency.

India funds railway line in Sri Lanka Colombo: India is funding a $150 million railway line to connect for the first time in decades the former war-torn north of Sri Lanka with the country's south.

An agreement for the restoration of the PallaiKankesanthurai railway line in the Northern Province was signed between Sri Lanka and India, a statement from the transport ministry said. The project is likely to be completed in 2013, said the ministry. The length of the railway line is approximately 56 km, reported Xinhua. This project would be funded as a part of an $800 million credit line extended by the Indian government at concessional rates with a repayment period of 20 years. Another railway project in southern Sri Lanka is also being funded under an additional line of credit of $167.4 million provided by the Indian government.

Pak bans 'obscene' words on cell phone texts Islamabad: Pakistan's telecommunications authority sent a letter ordering cell phone companies to block text messages containing what it perceives to be obscenities.

It also sent a list of more than 1,500 English and Urdu words that were to be blocked. The order was part of the regulator's attempt to block spam messages, said Rahman. Many of the words to be blocked were sexually explicit terms or swear words, it also included relatively mild terms like fart and idiot. The reasons for blocking some words, including Jesus Christ, headlights and tampon, were less clear, raising questions about religious freedom and practicality.

Lanka war hero gets 3 more year jail term Colombo: Sri Lanka's former army chief was sentenced to three more years in prison for reportedly implicating the defense secretary in war crimes at the end of the country's civil war. Two judges of a three-member high court bench ruled that Sarath Fonseka's reported comments to a newspaper breached an emergency law. He claimed at his trial he was misquoted. Fonseka rejected the verdict as unjust but said he was not surprised because Sri Lankan authorities did not want him active in politics. Attorney Nalin Ladduwahetty said Fonseka would appeal the sentence.

Don't recruit kids: Malik tells Taliban Islamabad: Help children in their education instead of preparing them for suicide attacks, Pakistani interior minister Rehman Malik has advised the Taliban. He urged the insurgents to give up violence and play a positive role in the country's development. He was speaking at an inaugural ceremony of a passport office in Islamgarh town of Mirpur district. He said: "We want the youth of Pakistan to carry a book and pen instead of suicide jackets." The Prime Minister of Pakistancontrolled Kashmir, Abdul Majeed, also attended the function.

Eleven held for killing of Hindu doctors in Pakistan

Islamabad: Eleven people have been nabbed for the killing of three Hindu doctors, who were brothers, in Pakistan's Sindh province, interior minister Rehman Malik said. Ajeet Kumar, Naresh Kumar and Ashok Kumar were gunned down in Shikarpur district on Nov 7. Malik told the National Assembly that the culprits involved in the killing would be arrested soon. He said the 11 accused had already been apprehended.

According to the minister, the murder of the Hindu doctors was not target killing but the result of personal enmity between two rival groups. According to an estimate, Hindus form about five per cent of the country's population of 180 million.

Nawaz Sharif tells Kayani to stop meddling in politics Islamabad: As controversy thickened over a secret memorandum purportedly seeking US help against a possible coup, former Pakistan premier Nawaz Sharif has asked army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani to take immediate action to end any meddling in politics by military. Sharif, who heads the main opposition PML-N , told reporters that former military rulers like Pervez Musharraf too should be held accountable for their actions.

worlD

Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

In foCuS

Death toll from Thailand's floods tops 600 Bangkok: The death toll from Thailand's worst flooding in more than half a century has passed 600. The floods began in late July, fed by heavy monsoon rains and a series of tropical storms. The floodwaters swamped entire towns as they moved south through the country's central heartland to Bangkok and the Gulf of Thailand.

More than two-thirds of the country's 77 provinces have been flooded during the four-month-long crisis. The government said that the death toll has reached 602, the majority from drowning. The situation has improved dramatically in recent days and cleanup has begun in many areas, though some areas are still under water.

The government said 17 provinces remained flooded.

Immigration fraud: Indian ‘guru’ held guilty New York: An Indian spiritual guru has been found guilty by a federal jury of selling religious worker visas to Indians for over $30,000 each to enable them to enter US fraudulently. Sagarsen Haldar (31) also known as Gopal Hari Das, identified himself as the president of a Hindu temple Gaudiya Vaisnava Society in Milwaukee.

A federal jury in the eastern district of Wisconsin found Haldar guilty of conspiring to commit immigration fraud. Haldar conspired to sponsor more than two dozen Indian nationals to enter the US under the R-1 visas.

India's Narinder Singh elected to International Law Commission United Nations: The UN General Assembly has reelected Narinder Singh of India as a member of the International Law Commission (ILC) for a five-year term beginning Jan 1, 2012. The other candidates elected from the Asia-Pacific Group belong to Japan, China, Jordan, Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Qatar, and Thailand. Singh has been a member of the ILC since 2007 and has contributed extensively to its work. He is currently the legal adviser and head of the Legal & Treaties Division of the ministry of external affairs, a position he has held since 2003.

Over 70 killed in Syria's bloodiest day Damascus: More than 70 people died in one of the bloodiest days of Syria's eight-month uprising, activists said, as president Bashar al-Assad's loyalists reacted angrily to growing isolation. Around 100 of his supporters stormed the Jordanian embassy in Damascus the latest regional mission to be targeted since the Arab League voted to impose sanctions - after Jordan's King Abdullah II became the first Arab leader to publicly call for Assad to quit. Buoyed by the fast-growing diplomatic pressure, Syria's opposition stepped up its contacts with the regime's remaining bulwarks, holding talks in Moscow, which last month joined Beijing in vetoing a United Nations Security Council resolution that would have threatened "targeted measures".

Protesters storm Kuwait Parliament Kuwait: Kuwaiti leaders held crisis talks after protesters demanding the resignation of the premier, a key member of the ruling Al-Sabah family, stormed parliament in an escalation of tension. Local media said the council of ministers began an emergency meeting chaired by Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who holds extensive powers to dissolve parliament and sack the cabinet. In Kuwait, the ruler occasionally chairs cabinet meetings.

Parliament also called off a scheduled session after the protesters' action left some damage in the sea-side building, according to parliament officials. The demonstrators were accompanied by a number of opposition lawmakers who have been campaigning for the removal of PM Sheikh Nasser Mohammad al-Ahmad Al-Sabah for the past several years.

Egypt Cabinet offers to resign but protests go on Cairo: Egypt's civilian Cabinet has offered to resign after three days of violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces in Tahrir Square, but the action failed to satisfy protesters deeply frustrated with the new military rulers. The health ministry and a doctor at an improvised field hospital on the square said on Monday that at least 33 people have been killed and 1,750 wounded in the latest violence as activists sought to fill the streets for a "second revolution" to force out the generals who have failed to stabilize the country, salvage the economy or bring democracy. Throughout the day, young protesters demanding the military hand over power to a civilian government fought with blackclad police, hurling stones and firebombs and throwing back the tear gas canisters being fired by police into the square, which was the epicenter of the movement that ousted authoritarian leader Hosni Mubarak. By midnight, tens of thousands of protesters were in the huge downtown square. The clashes have deepened the disarray among Egypt's political ranks, with the powerful Muslim Brotherhood balking at joining in the demonstrations, fearing that turmoil will disrupt elections next week that the Islamists expect to dominate.

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Beijing warns Delhi on South China Sea New Delhi: China on Monday said "outside forces" and "foreign companies" should not be involved in the South China Sea dispute.

In a direct warning to India, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said, "We don't hope to see outside forces involved in the South China Sea dispute and do not want to see foreign companies engage in activities that will undermine China's sovereignty and interest."

This was in response to a question on the discussions between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao on the sidelines of the East Asia summit in Bali last week.

Meanwhile, South China Sea will feature prominently in a new dialogue between India and

Australia starting on Tuesday. The bilateral dialogue on East Asia will include exchanges on maritime security and North Korea as well.

The Indian side will be led by Gautam Bambawale, joint secretary in MEA, and Peter Rowe, senior diplomat in the Australian foreign ministry. With the uranium issue out of the way, India will also play host to Australian foreign minister Stephen Smith in early December, as bilateral ties

move into higher gear.

China's assertion of sovereignty over the South China Sea has sent all other affected countries pushing back by turning the issue into an international maritime problem.

This was not on the Chinese agenda, because China wants to negotiate bilaterally with countries like Philippines and Vietnam. With India marking a prominent presence in the South China Sea, Beijing is deeply unhappy.

Describing the Singh-

Wen meeting, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said the discussion centred on bilateral issues. "The Chinese side expressed willingness to work with the Indian side to pursue the path of friendship and cooperation and push forward bilateral relations on business cooperation. The two sides enjoy cooperation potential and we hope to continue to create favourable conditions for free flow of commodities, technology, finance, services and encourage enterprises from both sides to invest to the benefit of both people."

On India's part, Mr Singh has said India's presence is "purely commercial". But India is concerned about China's growing presence in PoK, a concern openly acknowledged by the Army brass.

Manmohan, Obama pitch for strengthening bilateral ties

Bali: Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh met United States President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the 19th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit at Bali, Indonesia, where both pitched for strengthening bilateral strategic ties and for enhanced cooperation at multilateral forums.

Recalling President Obama's historic visit to India in November last year, Dr Singh said: "I recall the immense pleasure in your historic visit to our country at the same time last year. And during the last one-year, we have been in progress in every

direction, strategic or bilateral cooperation, in the field of economy, investment, trade, in field of higher education, in field of clean energy and strategic and defence relations."

"I am very happy to report to you that today there are no irritants whatsoever in our working

together in multiplicity of areas both bilaterally and on global issues," he added.

Dr Singh further said that strategic ties between the two nations have improved in the last one year.

"It is a privilege for India to count you and your appreciation as deeply interested in ensuring that India makes a success of its historic journey to have the social and economic transformation carried out in the frame of democratic society, committed to the rule of law.

Mr President in the last one year, we have strengthened in many ways the path that you set out in your historic visit

and whether it is in civil nuclear cooperation, whether it is in Nigerian relief, disaster management, maritime security," said Dr Singh.

"All these are issues, which unite us in our quest for a world free from the fear of exploitation," he added. President Obama in his opening remarks said the bonds between the two countries are not just at the leadership level, but also at personal levels. "We continue to make progress on a wide range of issues.

The bonds between our two countries are not just at the leadership level, but also at personal levels."

President Obama said.

Famous Gazal singer Adam Tankarvi felicitated

Famous Gazal singer and prestigious Kalapi award winner Adam Tankarvi was felicitated at a special function held at Leicester on 13 November 2011.

The function was organized by the joint efforts of UK’s social and literary organizations with Praful Amin, Janab Abdul Karim Gheewala, Janab Ahmed Gul and Usuf Sidat as main organizers.

The chief guest of this grand function was Lord Navneet Dholakia and Munaf Jina chaired it.

Other dignitaries who attended the function were Dr Balwant Jani, head of the Gujarati literature of Saurashtra University, and his wife Dr Urmila Jani, C B Patel, Editor/Publisher of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, Mohommad Munshi, wellknown donor, Vipul Kalyani, Dr Jagdish Dave, Chandubhai Madani, Kavi Pankaj Vora, Mahek Tankarvi, Imtiaz Patel, Leicester M P John Ashworth etc.

Mr C B Patel enthralled the audience with his impressive speech, as his speech always leaves the people

Adam Tankarvi (left) with Lord Navneet Dholakia & Janab Ahmed Gul

with a message. He pointed to the full-packed audience that consisted of people of different communities. He said such gettogether unites people.

“The common factor ‘Gujarati’ and its language bind us together.” Janab Mahommad Munsi gave an interesting information regarding Munshi educational Sankul that was started with Adambhai’s instruction. Mr Vipul Kalyani spoke about the Adam’s poems that give voice to silent sufferers.

Bhadraben Vadgama said Adam’s work stands as an inspiration to the youth for preserving our language and literature.

Tankaria resident Iqbal

Dhoriwala highlighted the literary activities of Bharuch district of Gujarat. He said, “One must relate to different personalities who has made it big in various fields, cherish their contribution and try to learn from them. This can guide us to the path of progress.”

Poetess Bharati Pankaj described the personality of Adam and his oneness with Kavi Shri Pankaj Vora.

Poet Pancham Shukla highlighted the poetic skills of Adam and referred his gazals as a major contribution to the growth of Gujarati literature. Kavi Mehr Tankarvi sang one of Adam’s gazals which was Morari Bapu’s

favourite.

Mr Praful Amin referred Adam as a smooth operator of the Mushaira and said, “it goes without saying that audience will be mesmerized by Adam’s mushaira.”

Chief guest Lord Dholakia said, “Literature preserves our heritage and culture.” Munaf Jina said, “The best part of such gathering is that people of different caste and communities can come together and grow united. The whole program was well organized by Abdul Karim Gheewala with co-operation of seven organizations of UK and Madni high school which offered the venue for the event. Tasty lunch was favour of Iqbal Ghoriwala.

Dayabhai Prajapati, Bedar Lajpuri and Usuf Sidate made all the arrangements for the function.

A large number of people from Leicester, London, Cardiff, Coventry Batli, Duseberry, Bolton and Blackburn attended the function.

Adam Tankarvi said, “Every person who attended the function is good as my award.”

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Proposed Lokpal an 'empty tin box with no powers’: Team Anna Accusing the government of reducing the proposed Lokpal to an "empty tin box with no powers", Team Anna on Monday said they were surprised at the move to exclude Citizen's Charter and lower bureaucracy from the ambit of the ombudsman, contrary to a Parliament resolution.

"The government proposes to remove CBI, judiciary, citizen charter, whistle blower protection, Group C and Group D employees and CBI from Lokpal jurisdiction.

Wouldn't that reduce Lokpal to an empty tin box with no powers and functions?" a Team Anna statement said.

The statement said Anna Hazare suspended his fast in August on the basis of a resolution passed by Parliament which was termed as 'Sense of House' by some people but was referred to as a 'resolution' by Prime Minister Manmohan

Singh in his letter to the Gandhian.

"This resolution clearly stated that three issues would be addressed through the Lokpal Bill namely Lokayuktas in states would be created through the same bill and lower bureaucracy and citizens charter would be included in the Lokpal Bill.

"However we are surprised that contrary to that resolution, the government proposes to exclude citizen charter and lower bureaucracy from Lokpal's jurisdiction and bring a weak and ineffective bill to deal with citizens grievances," it said noting that the reports filtering out of Standing Committee discussions were a cause of concern.

Demanding inclusion of Group C and D employees under the ambit of Lokpal, Team Anna said they strongly oppose the move to exclude the lower

bureaucracy.

"Would this mean that they could indulge in corruption and they would not be investigated by any agency? Aren't we giving them a license to indulge in corruption? A common man has to deal with Group C and Group D employees on a daily basis.

Lakhs of people who participated in this anti-corruption movement wanted a solution to this day to day corruption," they said.

On the issue of keeping CBI out of Lokpal's control, Team Anna said the Standing Committee proposal on the agency would reduce Lokpal to merely a post office - receive complaints, forward it to CBI, receive CBI's report and present it before the court.

They also demanded that criminal investigation of judges, which has been left out of Judicial Accountability Bill, should now be included in the Lokpal Bill.

Maya gets 'split UP resolution' passed without debate Amidst din, the Uttar Pradesh Assembly on Monday passed a controversial resolution on splitting the state into four parts by voice vote minutes after which the lower house was adjourned sine die.

Chief minister Mayawati, who had announced the proposal recently to split the state into Purvanchal, Paschim Pradesh, Bundelkhand and Awadh Pradesh, presented the resolution saying that it was being forwarded to the Centre.

As soon as the proposal was passed by voice vote amidst noisy scenes, Speaker Rajbhar adjourned the House sine-die.

The Opposition, which wanted to bring no confidence motion against the state government, criti-

Mayawati

cised the move to pass the resolution by voice vote and then adjourning the Assembly.

Alleging that BSP government ignored Baba Saheb's (Bhim Rao Ambedkar) Constitution and adjourned the House sine-die, Leader of Opposition Shivpal Singh

Yadav told reporters that "The government should have discussed the noconfidence motion and go for voting". He also accused the Speaker of acting as a BSP member.

About state's reorganisation, SP said that people of the state were against splitting the state.

CLP leader Pramod Tiwari said his party favoured constitution of state reorganisation commission before taking the decision to split the state so that resources division and other issues could be considered.

In the House of 403, BSP had 220 members (after six of its members have been disqualified recently), SP had 89, BJP 48, Cong 20, RLD 10, independent 9, RSP one.

Maharashtra has spent `160mn on Ajmal Amir Kasab so far Ajmal Amir Kasab, the Pakistani gunman who unleashed terror in Mumbai along with his nine associates, is still bleeding state coffers three years after he killed more than 100 people on November 26, 2008.

The state home department has since spent `160.17 million on accommodating the terrorist at the Arthur Road jail, including constructing a special cell, deploying forces from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and on his safety, food and medical treatment.

The expenditure does not include legal fees paid to the special public prosecutor and his team. The state is taking a stock of Kasab's expenses in the

wake of the third anniversary of the 26/11 attacks.

"So far, there are no changes in the way we are going to treat him in the future. We continue to spend on Kasab since his security is a prime concern. To ensure adequate healthcare, we incurred a treatment cost of `26,953 since 2008," said an official from the state home department.

53 million spent on Kasab's special cell Ten terrorists had attacked various locations in the city on 26/11, killing more than 100 people and injuring several more. While Kasab was caught alive, the others were gunned down by the police. After the trial in a

special court, sessions court judge M L Tahilyani sentenced Kasab to death.

The order was upheld by the high court on February 21, 2011. Since then, the state has been ensuring that in the process of giving him a fair trial, Kasab gets food, accommodation and adequate medical facility.

So far, `52.9 million has been spent on setting up a special cell for Kasab.

The expenditure on the deployment of ITBP has been `108.7 million; `27,520 has been spent on food and `26,953 on medicines. "The cost of food has been steadily rising but we are able to keep it roughly about `25 per day," said the official.

In divine light

By Rajen Vakil

Chyavana and Sukanya (Part 3) Chyavana regains his youth In the previous article we saw how Ashwinikumars, the twin devas, asked Sukanya to bring her husband to them and promised to make him young again. The agreement being that after they gave him his youth and vision, all three of them would stand in front of her and she would have to choose one of them as her husband. Sukanya did not realize what she was getting into; the idea that her old husband could become young again was alluring and she ran to tell her husband, Rishi Chyavana, of the offer.

Chyavana heard what his wife had to say and agreed to take the offer of the Ashwinikumars. They told the rishi to go into the lake. The Ashwinikumars also followed him into the water. The three of them then dived deep in the water and remained there for some time. They came out of the water as three young and very handsome men, but with exactly the same looks.

They wore the same clothes and jewels and had the same pleasing and attractive personality.

All of them sang out in one voice, “O beautiful one, out of the three of us choose your husband, either choose the one you are attracted to or the one you love.”

Sukanya realised that the Ashwinikumars had tricked her; they had underestimated the power of Sukanya’s austerity and

one-pointedness.

She closed her eyes and meditated upon her husband.

She was clearly able to see and choose him out of the three youths. The twin gods were surprised to see that Sukanya’s perception could penetrate beyond the manifest world of form.

The rishi Chyavana was overjoyed at attaining the power and vigour of youth. He had married a very young and beautiful princess but because of his old age, was incapable of enjoying the joys of youthfulness. He told the two Ashwinikumars “You have given this old man his youth again. I have such a beautiful wife, and for this I am thankful. For me, you are the greatest of gods, even greater than your Lord Indra.”

The Ashwinikumars were pleased to hear this and

returned to the heavens.

When Sukanya’s father, King Sharayati, heard that the rishi had been graced with young age, he too was very happy. With all his queens, his ministers, and his army, he came to the forest to pay his respects to the rishi. When they had all gathered around, the rishi said “O king I will do a grand yagna for your welfare, please make all the necessary arrangements.” The king prepared a grand setting for the yagna.

On the auspicious day, the rishi asked the king to start the yagna and the Brahmins began reciting the verses. All the gods, including Lord Indra, attended the yagna and many mysterious events took place.

More about it next week.

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

Narendra Modi announces `2.81bn package for Porbandar

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi announced a development package of `2.81 billion for Porbandar district on the occasion of his Sadbhavana fast in Porbandar. However, the Congress was quick to point out that the source of this money was central government funds.

Modi’s package will fund a flyover in Porbandar, drinking water projects in the district, road development between Porbandar and Advana on the coastal high way, developmental projects for Vadi area in Porbandar district, among others.

However, Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia, who hails from Porbandar, said that many of these development projects are already underway with funds provided by the Central government.

The Sadbhavna fast became a show of strength between the BJP and the

Congress, which had organized a parallel Satkarma fast. Porbandar is a Congress stronghold and it is represented in the assembly by the party's state unit chief Modhvadiya. The local MP, farmers' leader Vitthal Radadiya, is considered to be one of the few big Congress leaders in Saurashtra.

Hinting at suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt’ case where his name cropped up, Modhwadia said, “If the state government wants to arrest me, here I am.’’ Radadia said that state government is anti-farmer and has not been giving enough prices for farmers’ crops. “The minimum support price of

various crop are set by government below the market prices,’’ Radadia said.

Several Congress leaders from Porbanadar, Junagadh and Jamnagar were present at the Satkarma fast.

Meanwhile, 20 Congress party workers were detained by the police in Porbandar while protesting against Modi’s fast.

Congress leaders said that BJP leaders with criminal records welcomed Modi with posters across the city and even shared the dais with him. They put up posters of such BJP leaders and listed the offences registered against them. “The police prevented us from putting up the posters,’’ said a Congress worker detained by the police. Earlier, as part of his Sadbhavna Mission, Modi has held day-long fasts in Ahmedabad, Dwarka, Navsari, Patan, Bodeli (in Vadodara) and Bhachau (Kutch).

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Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

In focUs Anna Hazare’s wax statue unveiled

Capturing that silent defiance, a wax statue of Anna Hazare was unveiled at Varsoli village, around 110 km from Mumbai. The statue, Anna Hazare’s commissioned by wax statue the Celebrity Wax Museum, was unveiled on November 19 to coincide with the death anniversary of anti-graft campaigner's mother Laxmibai. Before the unveiling, the statue was taken to Ralegan Siddhi in adjoining Ahmednagar district to be shown to Hazare (74), who smilingly looked at the statue and touched it several times out of curiosity, says Sunil Kandalloor, the artist who created it.

4 Congress leaders booked for thrashing anti-Rahul protesters Four Congress leaders, including two union ministers, were booked on charges of assaulting Samajwadi Party activists in Uttar Pradesh's Allahabad district during party general secretary Rahul Gandhi's rally, police said. A case against union ministers R.P.N. Singh and Jitin Prasad, and state legislators Pramod Tiwari and Naseeb Pathan, was lodged at the Jhunsi police station.

All the four had roughed up a handful of SP workers who broke through the security cordon of Gandhi, who was holding a rally in Phulpur area. The case against the four has been registered under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code.

A gold ring from Rajkot for Ash’s baby The media is abuzz with tidbits about the latest addition to the Bachchan family. Here's another - A gold ring for the newborn baby of Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan is going to be made in Rajkot, according to sources. Pankaj Kansara says, "We have received an order from RKR Creations, a jewellery firm. We have been asked to deliver the ring within a week." RKR is going to send a stone, most probably the birth stone of the baby girl, to be studded in the ring. Once we receive the stone we will start designing the ring," says Pradip Kansara.

Indira Gandhi peace prize for Ela Bhatt Elaben Bhatt, the founder of Self Employed Women’s Association’s (Sewa) in Ahmedabad, has been selected for the prestigious Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2011 for her lifetime achievements in empowering women through grassroots entrepreneurship. Elaben was selected for the award constituted by Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust by an international jury headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. “After global recognition, I feel overwhelmed to be recognized by my own country, my own people. It is an honour not only for me, but also for my Sewa sisters,” she said.

India, Bangladesh to execute mutual legal assistance treaty India and Bangladesh will operationalise a mutual legal assistance treaty between the two countries as home secretary-level talks concluded. India and Bangladesh would transfer each-other's sentenced prisoners under the mutual legal assistance treaty so that the convicts could complete their rest of the jail-term in the prisons of their own country. The two neighbours agreed that the extradition treaty, under consideration by both the governments, might be finalized at an early date. After home secretary-level talks, Bangladesh said that the country would not allow anti-India activities from its soil. India extended the same promise

Shahrukh Khan honoured by UNESCO Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan bagged a special award for his kindness at the 20th UNESCO Awards in Germany on November 10. The King Khan became the first Indian to be honoured with this award. And along with the award, he came back with many fond memories of his interaction with Jet Li for his 14-year-old son Aryan, who is a huge fan of the Hollywood action hero.

According to the sources, "SRK was asked to be a part of the event in March this year by the Director General of UNESCO. Special UNESCO ambassador Mrs. Ohoven sent him the invite as well.

15 dead, 34 injured in Delhi fire At least 15 people were killed and more than 34 injured in a fire at a congregation of eunuchs at a community park in east Delhi, fire brigade officials said. However, Delhi health minister A.K. Walia, who visited the injured in hospital, put the number of dead at 12, while police said 10 people were killed. Walia, who visited the Guru Tegh Bahadur hospital where most of the injured were taken, announced compensation for the victims but did not specify the amount. The minister also ordered a thorough probe into the incident.

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His 'yatra' over, Advani calls for UPA's ouster Ending a 40-day 'yatra' that many said was aimed at projecting himself as prime ministerial candidate, BJP star L.K. Advani called for the ouster of the UPA government.

Showing no visible sign of fatigue at the end of the whirlwind tour, Advani was at his oratorial best as he blamed the Congress-led government for mounting corruption and unchecked rising prices of food items.

Enthused by a large crowd of mainly Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers thronging the Ramlila Maidan, Advani's favourite target was Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The former deputy prime minister said the government 'was down in the dumps' and it had failed to check corruption due to lack of political will and not due to lack of laws.

He called for a mass struggle till India wins the war over corruption.

If public awareness and mass pressure fails to end corruption, then the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government will have to go, he thundered

in Hindi, triggering a huge round of clapping.

Party flags dotted the venue, with the crowds steadily chanting anti-UPA slogans. Also present on the occasion were Janata Dal-United leader Sharad Yadav and AIADMK's M. Thambidurai.

Advani refrained from speaking about Congress president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and her son and Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi.

He did refer to yoga guru Baba Ramdev, who had fasted at the same venue, but made no mention about anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare, whose fast also at the Ramlila Maidan attracted

tens of thousands.

He spoke about opposition unity and declared that NDA MPs will give an undertaking to their presiding officers that they do not have illegal bank account abroad.

Advani's Jan Chetna Yatra, his sixth since 1990, began Oct 11 and took him to 22 states and five union territories.

Opinion was clearly divided on its utility to the BJP -- and Advani himself.

Most analysts felt it had failed to create the enthusiasm the BJP may have desired.

But by the time he rolled into Delhi, at least two senior leaders -Jaswant Singh and

NDA MPs in ‘no illegal assets’ drive

In a move to build pressure on the Manmohan Singh government, LK Advani announced that all 215 National Democratic Alliance MPs will submit a declaration that they have no illegal assets in foreign bank accounts during the winter session beginning.

Addressing a rally in Delhi at the end of his 38day Jan Chetna Yatra, Advani said the government's response to " black money" stashed abroad was not convincing and warned that although his yatra had concluded, the political campaign against corruption would go on.

BJP's veteran "yatri" said, "Within one week of the start of the Parliament session, all NDA MPs will give a declaration that

they do not possess any bank account or illegal wealth abroad."

Speaking at the Ramlila grounds, Advani said the declaration to be signed by NDA MPs will read, "I solemnly declare that I do not have directly or indirectly any bank account or asset illegally held outside India."Among those present were Nitin Gadkari, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley, Rajnath Singh, M Venkaiah Naidu, Ananth Kumar, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Sharad Yadav, Shiv Sena's Ananth Geete, NDA's new member Ramdas Athavale of RPI and AIADMK leader J Jayalalitha's representative M Thambidurai.

Swaraj reminded the crowd that NDA was ready to claim the political

space occupied by Anna Hazare, saying, "In a democracy, issues can be raised by non-political entities but if people lose faith in political parties or politicians, then it is dangerous for democracy."

Jaitley said the Congress was facing a crisis of credible leadership.

With BJP parading former MPs granted bail in the cash-for-vote scam along with former Advani aide Sudheendra Kulkarni, Gadkari askedSonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh to apologise to the nation for filing false cases against them and imprisoning them. "The court has said that there is no evidence against them," declared Gadkari echoing Swaraj and Advani.

Rajnath Singh -- had declared that Advani was the BJP's best bet to be India's prime minister.

That, however, only exposed the fissures within the BJP., None of the other speakers including Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley took up the theme.

Although Advani's main theme across the country was corruption, he was embarrassed when former BJP chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa was taken into custody for corruption just when the yatra entered Karnataka.

Advani was projected by the BJP as prime ministerial materials during the 2009 Lok Sabha battle, which the Congress-led coalition won.

Sushma Swaraj, who heads the opposition ranks in the Lok Sabha, hit out at the government Sunday for failing to curb price rise and corruption.

Her Rajya Sabha counterpart Jaitley said the government faced a leadership crisis and had lost credibility.

BJP president Nitin Gadkari asked Sonia Gandhi to apologize for the arrest of BJP MPs who had exposed the the cashfor-vote sca in parliament in 2008.

14 senior citizens find live-in partners at matchmaking meet Seven pairs of elderly men and women agreed to enter into a live-in relationship at a unique match-making meet. Over 300 men and some 70 women from across the country had gathered in the Ahmedabad meet. The participants' ages ranged between 50 to 83 years.

They had come from as far as Assam and Delhi. Vina Mulya Amulya Seva (VMAS), the charitable trust which had organised this 'Senior Citizen Live-in Relationship Samellan', had laid down strict rules to ensure that the platform was not used to exploit vulnerable women. "Seven couples who met at this alliance meet have decided to enter into a live-in relationship.

India to enter super-exclusive ICBM club

The countdown has begun. India will gatecrash within three months into the super-exclusive ICBM (inter-continental ballistic missile) club, largely the preserve of countries like the US, Russia and China that brandish long-range strategic missiles with strike ranges well beyond 5,500-km.

But it will become a full-fledged member of the club only when its most ambitious nuclear-capable Agni-V ballistic missile, which will be able to target even northern China if required, becomes fullyoperational in 2014.

All gung-ho a day after the successful test of the new-generation 3,500-km

Agni-IV missile, senior defence scientists declared Agni-V, with a strike range of over 5,000-km, would be test-fired within the December-February timeframe.

“The three-stage AgniV is undergoing integration at the moment…it’s on schedule,’’ said DRDO chief V K Saraswat, adding that both Agni-IV and Agni-V were comparable to the best missiles in their class.

Agni programme director Avinash Chander added his team was “confident” of offering the 17.5metre tall Agni-V for induction to the armed forces by 2014. The muchlighter two-stage Agni-IV

will be operational by 2013 after two to four more “repeatable’’ tests.

“Our aim is to take just two to three years from the first test to the induction phase,’’ he said. Once deployed, the 20-tonne Agni-IV and 50-tonne Agni-V will add the muchneeded muscle to India’s nuclear deterrence posture against China, which has a huge nuclear and missile arsenal like the 11,200-km Dong Feng-31A ICBM capable of hitting any Indian city.

With higher accuracy, fast-reaction capability and road mobility, Agni-IV and Agni-V will give India the required operational flexibility against China

since they will be capable of being stored and swiftly transported. If launched from the north-east, for instance, they would be able to hit highvalue targets deep inside China.

“We are not looking at how many missiles China or Pakistan has. With a ‘no first-use’ nuclear weapons policy, we only want a sufficient number of missiles to defend the country in the event of a crisis. Ours is a defensive-mode strategy, even if others have offensive postures,’’ said Saraswat.

An ‘Agni Putri’ was behind this missile Behind this successful missile is a woman. Tessy Thomas can now take a bow as the “Agni Putri”.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

Modi distributes 6,598 awards to village panchayats In focus

AV Correspondent

Elections in Gujarat may still be a year away, but chief minister Narendra Modi seems to have already gone into a electoral mode.

Even as his Sadhbhavna mission continues he distributed 6,598 awards to various village panchayats as a part of golden jubilee celebration of the state.

The state machinery ensured representation from villages all over the state to the event held at the Mahatma Mandir in state capital, Gandhinagar.

With the panchayat elections scheduled in

December high on his mind, Modi made a slew of announcements to woo the rural voters. He announced that the incentive for the Samras village will be enhanced to Rs 300,000 for villages under 5,000 population and that for ‘mahila samras gam’ will be Rs 500,000.

Samras village is a pet scheme of the Gujarat government, whereby the village panchayats are elected through consensus and without election. The villages winning the ‘samras gam’ prize second time will get 25 per cent additional grant and the ones

becoming the ‘samras gam’ prize for the third time will get another 25 per grant (in addition to the normal 100 per cent and 25 per cent grant received earlier.)

The ‘samras gam’ having school up to seventh standard will get priority to upgrade the school up to eighth standard, Modi added. Modi said that when he took reins of the state in October 2001, he had introduced ‘samras gam’ scheme for unanimous election, getting incentive of Rs 100,000 each. About 40 per cent sarapanches are female.

The awards were given for various competitions such as ‘Best Village Panchayat Competition’, ‘Swarnim Gram Puraskar Competition’ and ‘Clean Village – Healthy Village’ which were held earlier on account of Golden Jubilee year of the State. Prizes were given to the winner village panchayats on taluka, district and state levels. On the occasion, keeping in mind the forthcoming assembly elections, the government also distributed sets of 31 booklets detailing the achievements of various departments of the state government.

Gandhi’s South Africa house is now a museum

A house in the leafy suburb of Orchards in Johannesburg, where Mahatma Gandhi once resided, is now a unique hotel that doubles up as a museum on the life of the leader who left a legacy in both countries of South Africa and India.

‘Satyagraha House’ was officially opened on Tuesday by Jean Francois Rial, chief executive of French travel company Voyageurs du Monde, which bought the house two years ago.

With assistance from local historians, the company has re-created the

authentic Edwardian home and developed an on-site museum complete with Gandhi memorabilia and period pieces from India that reflect the development of the Mahatma’s anti-colonial and anti-racism philosophy and his commitment to non-violence.

“Gandhi’s concept of

passive resistance became known as Satyagraha, hence the name chosen for this new tourism destination for those who wish to learn more about Gandhi’s South African experience,” Rial said.

Eric Itzkin, deputy director of Immovable Heritage at Johannesburg, said, “We believe the site will attract both South African and international visitors and will resonate particularly with those with an abiding interest in the struggle to combat

racism and ultimately apartheid.

“The house tells its own compelling story, but can also be integrated into a wider visitor experience by combining visits to Soweto, Constitution Hill and Johannesburg’s Old Fort Prison, a jail where Gandhi and Nelson Mandela were both held.”

The Orchards house built in 1907 is revered as the place where the future Mahatma conceptualized and evolved his philosophy of passive resistance — the pacifist method of protest that he employed in India.

director, India Infoline.

"The sentiment is certainly bearish and I would advise investors to wait for sometime before investing.

There also needs to be greater clarity on events from the US and Europe."

Companies are bracing themselves to bear the brunt of the depreciating rupee.

The rupee skidded to an all-time low on Tuesday as oil refiners and other companies scrambled to buy dollars, with the currency looking increasingly vulnerable to a swelling current account deficit.

Exposure to short-term portfolio flows, a rising oil import bill and slowing export growth have heightened the risk on the rupee and the outlook remains bearish.

There is also the increasing likelihood that the US super committee will fail to reach a deal on debt restructuring, which could trigger another major round of selling in emerging market and risky assets.

Reacting to the sharp rupee depreciation, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee said that the Reserve Bank of India's intervention in the forex market will not help in limiting the fall. He said that exit of foreign institutional investors from Indian equities and global uncertainty led to such a sharp fall.

However, the Bombay Stock Exchange's Sensex was on a firm foot after a sharp correction in the past

few sessions as value-buying emerged in largecap stocks near crucial support levels. The market is likely to extend intra-day gains as the European peers have also opened in the green.

At 1.30 pm on Tuesday; the Sensex was at 16,178.86, up 232.76 points or 1.46 per cent.

The 30-share index touched intraday low of 15,970.11 and high of 16,192.34 The National Stock Exchange's Nifty was at 4,838.90, up 60.55 points or 1.27 per cent. The broader index touched a high of 4,846.80 and low of 4,782.55 in trade so far.

BSE Midcap Index was up 0.26 per cent and BSE Smallcap Index edged 0.14 per cent higher.

Rupee hits all-time low; Sensex recovers

Continued from page 1 Both are looking at the government for succour.

"Most people are waiting for some policy intervention that could trigger some upward movement in the rupee - for instance FDI in retail or aviation sectors," a foreign currency trader said.

The Sensex that closed at 15,946 also fell because of tensions in global markets that were reacting to a potential lowering of credit rating of France, one of the larger and stronger economies that along with Germany is expected to fix the Eurozone crisis.

"There is a possibility of another 5-6% depreciation before the rupee stabilises," said Nirmal Jain, managing

Turbulence hits other private airlines too Continued from page 1 This comes amidst the financial crisis being faced

by Kingfisher Airlines. The Vijay Mallya-owned airline has sought help from the government in securing funds. Kingfisher reported a net loss of Rs 4.68 billion for the second quarter ended September 30. It has a debt of over Rs 60 billion. Collectively, the five leading domestic airlines—Jet Airways (India) Ltd and its unit JetLite (India) Ltd, Kingfisher Airlines Ltd, state-owned Air India Ltd and SpiceJet Ltd - are weighed down by Rs. 84.05 billion of liabilities. That includes bank

loans as well as money owed to jet fuel vendors and airport operators, among others, according to the airlines’ financial statements and analysts.

However, they have maintained that the help that they want is not a bailout on the tax payers’ money. Kingfisher Airlines may not be the lone case to suffer flight cancellations arising out of high debt.

In fact, if the estimate of an industry body is anything to go by, a series of private airlines may follow suit leading to a slew of flight cancellations, inconveniencing passengers.

High fuel costs and

fierce price wars have already pushed airline companies to huge losses with aviation turbine fuel accounting for over onethird of operating costs as it is heavily taxed, said the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India.

“Airlines could suffer losses of about Rs. 15 billion in the current financial year with Air India alone likely to account for more than half of it,” said Assocham secretary general D.S. Rawat. State-run Air India has a total debt of Rs. 48 billion.

As the key infrastructure sector expands to keep up with booming pas-

senger and cargo traffic, investments of Rs. 1,500 billion will be required in the next 15 years. In fact, there has been a 19 per cent growth in passenger traffic this year. However, rising crude oil prices, depreciating rupee and cut-throat competition have eroded airlines’ ability to raise fares.

This has pushed major private and governmentowned airlines like Air India, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines and SpiceJet into debt turbulence. Airlines need fresh funds and there will be a question mark on their survival if they are unable to raise them, he added.

12 cities to get Metro rail soon

Commuters in cities that have population of more than 20,00,000 can look forward to more comfortable and safer rides, if state governments are willing to opt for modern Metro network for intra-city travel. The urban development ministry of government of India has decided to consider the proposal for Metro in Tier II cities like Lucknow, Kanpur, Patna, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat, Indore, Nagpur, Kochi, Coimbatore and Kozhikode. The Metro fever is catching up in smaller cities, thanks largely to the success of Delhi Metro.

Cities like Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Bhopal are making a case for Metro, even though they don't qualify because of the population cut-off. Jaipur is likely to be the first Tier-II city to get the swanky mode of transportation as the state government has agreed to bear Rs 12.50 billion for the 9.25-km stretch under Stage I. However, the Rajasthan government has sought Centre's approval for viability gap funding for stage II a 25.91-km stretch between Ambabari to Sitapura via SMS hospital - that is estimated to cost `77 billion.

BLP leaders walk out of Tihar jail Sudheendra Kulkarni, ex-advisor to former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, and two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) former MPs, who were accused in the 2008 cash-for-votes scam, walked out of Tihar jail. Kulkarni and former MPs Faggan Singh Kulaste and Mahabir Singh Bhagora were granted bail by the Delhi high court on the grounds that there was no evidence to support their involvement in the illegal gratification that rocked parliament ahead of a trust vote. As the three came out of the high-security jail, a large number of BJP supporters chanted slogans and garlanded them.

Proposal to set up World Trade Centre in Bhubaneswar

The World Trade Centre Association has proposed to set up a World Trade Centre at Bhubaneswar for promotion of international trade and investment in Odisha. The proposal was presented at a high-level meeting here in which WTC Advisor Jayant Ghate and his colleagues were present. The WTC has 323 centres in 95 countries. It has nearly one million business associates that account for more than one-third of world trade, he said. The WTC aims at an effective combination of infrastructure and services to promote and develop international trade in Odisha, which has a legacy of maritime international trade.

15 awarded death for Mathura honour killing A Mathura sessions court awarded death penalty to 15 people and life sentence to 20 for an honour killing that took place 20 years ago. Those convicted are members of a village panchayat, most of them over 60, while the then village pradhan is 95. This is among the largest number of death sentences given at one go in India’s history, even above the sentencing of 11 people to death in March for the Godhra train fire of 2002 that had killed 59 people. On March 25, 1991, the Mehrana village panchayat ordered the public hanging of local Jat girl Roshni, Vijendra Jatav of the same village whom she had eloped with, and their friend Ramkishan for helping them. The couple ran away on March 21 and returned three days later. After a hearing the case that lasted all day and night, the panchayat ordered the couple’s family members to hang the trio.

Tamil Nadu announces 10% reservation for destitute women Tamil Nadu government announced 10% reservation for destitute women in recruitment to certain posts in the state police and fire departments. "Chief minister J Jayalalithaa has directed for 10% reservation for destitute women for the posts of grade II constable, grade II prison warden and fire and rescue services," a state government release said. Though there was reservation for destitute women in other government departments in the Rs 2,400 grade pay, no such provision existed in these departments, prompting the chief minister to announce reservation, the release said.

Sukhram gets five years in jail Former telecom minister of India Sukhram, convicted for taking Rs 300,000 as bribe to give a lucrative contract to a private firm in 1996, was sentenced to five years in jail by a Delhi court. He pleaded for leniency in court on grounds of his old age while the CBI called him a habitual offender and sought maximum punishment for him. The 86-year-old former minister was held guilty for misusing his official position during his tenure as telecom minister in P V Narasimha Rao's cabinet in giving a contract worth Rs 300 million to a private company, Haryana Telecom Limited (HTL), to supply 350,000 Conductor Kilometers (LCKM) of Polythene Insulated Jelly Filled (PIJF) cables to the telecom department. Sukhram was held guilty under various provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code.

INDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

27

The Indira Gandhi the world will never know

By Shahnaz Husain

All my life I will love and treasure the Indira Gandhi I knew as a very special person – the woman of steel, with the power of an emperor and a heart of gold. Memories come racing back at lightning speed. It was at Teen Murti Bhavan where Indira Gandhi spent 16 years of her life as hostess to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. It was here that I met her for the first time when my father, Chief Justice N.U. Beg and I were the guests of Pandit Nehru. The day we were leaving, I saw Indira Gandhi – a vision in a white sari, with an orange border.

Over the years, I saw her off and on, when she could make the time. I always got the very distinct impression that she was extremely fond of her grandchildren and has a very special place in her heart for them. At the ID MILAN dinner at Ashoka Hotel, I told her, “Do you know a recent London paper says you are the only nappy-changing Prime Minister in the world?”

“Well I am proud I am”, she said. In fact, the newspaper interview quoted Mrs. Gandhi as saying that being a grandmother was the most natural thing and the fact that she was also the Prime Minister did not alter the relationship.

I often asked her opinion on various issues.

Once I asked her, “Have you read the Femina? It says, ‘does Indira Gandhi like women?’ In answer, she said “I have worked hard at improving the lot of Indian women, but what does the article say”?

I told her it was not an interview, but an opinion and asked her, “Why do you not give a proper interview? The editor says it’s impossible to speak to

women could make good mothers too, provided they organized their time well and received support from their families.

There have been descriptions of Indira Gandhi in power, out of power, then in power – forever. No one ever knew her the way she really was!

Once I told her, “Mrs.Gandhi, you are such a gentle person, so caring and gracious, but no one will ever know you the way you really are”. She smiled and said, “The ones that want to know will find out for themselves”.

She had formally accepted to be chief guest at my daughter’s wedding, but there was a call from Willingdon Crescent to say that she may not make it from jail. Luckily there was a flaw in her arrest orders and she suddenly did make it. I will never forget her fabulous electrifying arrival. She was out of power in those days, but the moment the car arrived and she got down, the crowds did nothing but gape at her. She stayed for nearly two hours. She whispered in my ears, “If I had not come then you would have felt disappointed.” Indira Gandhi had a charisma so specific that she attracted attention constantly, more out of power, only on the basis of personal magnetism – an extraordinarily attractive and a very spiritually beautiful human being. I remember the moment of her arrival, like silent thunder. The crowd parted awe struck in muffled silence and she walked in very confident, very secure, very feminine and very much her charismatic self. She wore a maroon sari with a gold border and looked like a million dollars.

During one meeting I told her I would have tea and have a capsule of medicine with it. Much later

you?” She thought for a second and said, “You go ahead and do an interview.” She was not one to procrastinate. Within 24 hours, I had two excellent interviews – one on her personal charisma, on working women making good mothers, on sati and the other on a whole gamut of socio-political questions. Her answers were crisp and to the point.

On working women, she was of the opinion that working

she remarked, “You had the tea but you did not have your tablet”! She ordered tea again. When my father died in November 1983 of a massive heart attack – I wrote to her, “the man I worshipped is no more”. In between her impossible schedule, she wrote back, “You must resign yourself to the Will of God.” During the CHOGM conference in New Delhi in November 1983, Mrs Gandhi asked me to have a

Poem on Indira Gandhi Light up the candles in the sky, As God and Angels celebrate the day, Twinkling stars will illumine the universe All along the Milky Way. 19th November was a Day of Rejoicing Indira Gandhi would have been 94 today, But Destiny willed otherwise And in heaven she will celebrate the day.

The Gods will rejoice as they sing “Happy Birthday”, While glorious memories prevail on earth, Oh God! Please let her be reincarnated As Indira Gandhi in rebirth.

Heaven! Celebrate a million birthdays, Precious Indira, we know your worth, We know God loves her the way we do And treasures her the way we did on earth.

– By Shahnaz Husain one to one meeting at Hotel Ashoka with the wives of 40 Heads of State, for personal consultations and also to speak about the power of Ayurveda vs the dangers of chemicals. It was followed by a family luncheon. Unfortunately, the same morning my father passed away after a massive heart attack. I wrote to Mrs Gandhi, there is no

laughed and said, in that case, it is a good idea that you go and educate them!

She told me, “It is your duty to make them aware of our rich heritage.” I followed her instructions, went to London and participated in the Festival of India. I arranged Khurja pottery and clay jars for my products, with small hand painted roses. I promoted the concept of

way that I can make it to the meeting. I wrote in agony, “The man I worshipped is no more.” She wrote back, “You must come; I also worshipped my father, and I look forward to seeing you personally at the luncheon. I have already told them so much about you and they are anxiously looking forward to meeting you.” In spite of my tragedy, for me it was an order, not an instruction. I was there at the Ashoka Hotel in a black dress, wearing dark glasses, covering my swollen, agonized, blood shot eyes, and had a one to one personal consultation with wives of Heads of State and also spoke on Ayurveda and on India leading the world into the next century with plant power. Till I left the hotel, nobody there knew that I had lost my father that same morning. That was my personal commitment towards Mrs. Gandhi. I had a very special place in her heart.

Mrs. Gandhi always appeared like a woman in a hurry. During the Festival of India at Selfridges, London, she told me to go to London and speak about Ayurveda at the festival. I expressed my doubts that the western world may not be interested, because they do not understand our ancient Ayurveda – the Science of Life. She

Natural products and also our Indian handicrafts, in hand made packaging and clay jars, block printed with gold.

It was an instant success. When Mrs. Gandhi walked in, my counter at Selfridges in London was empty and she asked me, “What happened? Are you not participating?” I told her that we had sold out the products worth GBP 2,700 in two hours before the inauguration, breaking a 40- year record at Selfridges. A Press conference was also arranged by the Indian High Commission in London according to Mrs. Gandhi’s instructions.

Daily Telegraph London had come out with an indepth article on Ayurveda and quoted that “ SHAHNAZ HERBAL HYSTERIA GRIPS COSMETIC WORLD” AND SCREAMING HEADLINES IN DAILY MAIL, LONDON SAID, “SHAHNAZ HUSAIN HERBAL FEVER RAGES. SHAHNAZ HUSAIN STORMS WESTERN COSMETIC BASTION WITH UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS!” Since then I never looked back.

From Selfridges I went to Harrods in London, Galeries Lafayette (Paris), Harrods and Selfridges (London), the Seibu chain in Japan, Bloomingdales (New York) and La

Rinascente in Milan (Italy).

Beautiful memories come flooding back when I think of Mrs. Gandhi and of the times I had visited her at her residence. Once, I remember I went to see her at 12, Willingdon Crescent and she remarked, “What a beautiful green you are wearing”.

It was right in the midst of her election schedule. She seemed to feel colour instinctively. This brings to mind another occasion, when I had gone to see her at her residence. She was wearing a lovely dress. I remarked that the dress material is very beautiful and she told me that it was used as a curtain and now made into a dress! “It was a lovely material and I did not want to waste it,” she said. I also remember seeing her personal attendant, Nathu, when I visited her. He used to look after her and was most attentive.

I remember, once when I had gone to see Mrs. Gandhi during those days when there was some problem with Mr. Morarji Desai. She was looking very tired and exhausted. I told her, “It is best not to think about Mr. Morarji Desai, as it’s bad for beauty!”

On another occasion, I had gone to ask her to write the preface of my book. The time was too short to ask for an appointment. There were crowds waiting to see her.

As she started to leave, she saw me still waiting there.

I went to her and she said, “Why are you standing here? Why did you not come to the house?” I told her, “Every time I come, they check me. I think I look suspicious!” She smiled and said, “Well, I think you look different”.

Then she said, “Come with me to the house and I’ll put your name under the glass on the table.

Bombay say?” I was surprised that she remembered details about my health. I told her that the doctor had advised me to go abroad for a check-up and also to stop talking.

She smiled wryly and said, “I doubt if you can manage that”! I remember once at a function, I was wearing a blouse with a low back. It was chilly. She was at the other end of the room and she sent a shawl through another lady saying, “Tell Shahnaz to cover her back – she’ll catch a cold”.

You would imagine that a lady with her kind of pre-occupation would not remember styles. Once, at a get-together, she gave me one look and remarked.

“This is the third colour you have in the same style”! I had picked up these crochet dresses in Rome and apparently had worn the other two colours earlier. I was amazed at her razor-sharp memory. She was wearing a Baku – a Tibetan dress in lemon and brown and looked beautiful.

Once I received a note from her saying, “Can I have that pink cream that I used. I have either misplaced it, or you forgot to give it to me. I am leaving for electioneering in the South…” I promptly sent her our sandalwood protective cream Shabase. It became a favourite with her. I created Shamoist for her. She said she liked the cream made with lily. I decided to create a natural moisturiser as a replacement. She loved it and used it constantly. When I told her what I had created for her had become an international hot-seller, she laughed and said, “Then you owe me royalty on that”!

A lot of very beautiful memories of Indira Gandhi will die with me, memories of her love and

Whenever you come, ask them to look check there”.

She walked fast from 1.

Akbar Road to 1, Safdardjung Road and I had trouble keeping up with her.

She had the rare quality of handling different national and international issues, a million other problems and still be caring and concerned. Once, she suddenly asked me, “How is your throat?

What did the doctors in

concern, that could fill a book. The print media in India and abroad have written about her political stature and service towards her country, but the real, warm, sensitive, human, considerate and compassionate Indira Gandhi was known only to a few. One who loved India with a burning desire. I am sure the kind of woman she was will never be born again. Not in the next million years!

28

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

Deputy Prime Minster praises the work of the Loomba Foundation The Loomba Foundation held its ‘Educate a Widows Child in India’ Annual Charity Dinner at the Savoy in London on Friday the 18th of November, 2011. It was a truly memorable evening which was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister, Rt. Hon Nick Clegg MP as chief guest. Other guests of honour included the Acting High Commissioner, H.E Rajesh N. Prasad, the First Lady of the Republic

Ondimba and leading entrepreneur’s S.P Hinduja and G.P Hinduja pledged funds for the education of 500 children of widows in India, for the period of five years.

Lord Raj Loomba, Founder and Chairman Trutstee of the Loomba Foundation, announcing these pledges at the event said ‘We are very much indebted to the Hinduja group for their generosity’.

Speaking at the occa-

Nick Clegg speaking

of Gabon, Madam Sylvia Bongo Ondimba, Rt. Hon. Dr. Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and Mrs. Cherie Blair, President of the Loomba Foundation. The Foundations International Ambassadors Kajol and Ajay Devgn supported the charity at the event.

The Loomba Foundation was honoured to receive a generous donation of £50,000 from the First Lady of Gabon, Madam Sylvia Bongo

sion, Cherie Blair, President of the Loomba Foundation, informed guests that the Foundation, which was established in UK in 1997, had so far educated 6,221 children of poor widows in India and supported 27,000 family members.

Many of the students have already completed their studies after receiving scholarship for a period of five years and currently there are 2,150 beneficiaries receiving support in 14 states in India.

Ajay Devgn, Tanisha Mukergee, Kajol Devgn, Lady Loomba, Madam Sylvia Bongo Ondimba, Cherie Blair, Lord Loomba

She continued by saying “The issue of widowhood has remained unidentified and undressed until the recent research study revealed that there are over 245 million widows and 500 million of their children worldwide. We are proud that through our tireless campaign the United Nations declared June 23 as International Widows’ Day last year” said Cherie Blair.

Addressing the gathering, India’s acting High Commissioner H.E Rajesh Prasad said, “Advancement of the weaker sections including widows and their children is one of the top priorities of the Indian Government “.

Rt. Hon. Nick Clegg MP, leader of the Liberal Democrats and Deputy Prime Minister said, “I am delighted to be here with you and my ongoing com-

mitment to education as a way out of poverty is one of the many reasons I support the excellent work of the Loomba Foundation”.

Superstar Bollywood Actress Kajol Devgn said, “The plight of widows is unthinkable and without financial means, it is even more scary. Education is the only way forward”.

Entertainment on the night included a dazzling performance by 100 school children, who performed and danced to the popular tracks such as Jai Ho. The Foundation raised a total of £300, 000 at the event through the generosity of its sponsors and the fundraising actives on the night. In his speech Lord Raj Loomba thanked all the sponsors and guests at the event, giving special thank you Barclays Bank PLC who were the lead sponsors at the event.

Rotary Club of Queensburry KBMD organise Professional Business Forum raised £11,000 for charities

Preet Sandhu nominated at Scottish Asian Business Awards Preet Sandhu, founder of Glasgow-headquartered residential letting and property management company Happy Lets, has been nominated as Businesswoman of the Year at the Scottish Asian Business Awards.

The nomination caps a significant year of expansion for the firm, which recently acquired Surehome Property, a former competitor for an undisclosed sum.

Commenting on her nomination, Ms Sandhu said: “I’m very happy to be short-listed for this prestigious award, which recognises the tremendous progress our firm has made over the course of this year. Happy Lets continues to be growth orientated and we are very much focused on expanding further throughout 2012.”

Preet, together with husband Bobby, won the Scottish Young Entrepreneurs’ Award two years ago, and together they now manage a property portfolio worth over £90 million.

Previously operating under the Harlequin brand, the firm was founded six years ago when property entrepreneur Bobby, 29, married business management graduate Preet, daughter of Glasgow Curry King, Secret Millionaire Charan Gill MBE, and added the management of Charan’s various property investments to Bobby’s burgeoning empire.

The winner of the Scottish Asian Business Awards’ Businesswoman

Preet Sandhu

of the Year will be announced at a special ceremony on the 23rd November at The Thistle Hotel, Glasgow. The Scottish Asian Business Awards have been celebrated annually since 2006 – honouring the determination, hard work and personal achievements of the Scottish Asian businessmen and women at the forefront of their industries. Each year the competition has become more intense as the event itself has grown into a highly respected outlet where the best and brightest are honoured.

The aim of the Scottish Asian Business Awards is to highlight the talent and achievements of Scottish Asian entrepreneurs who are pioneers in their respective industries. They seek to capture the multicultural spirit of Scotland and, since their inception in 2006, have become highly regarded and instrumental in maintaining social and professional relationships between different cultures.

Community Achievers Acknowledged at a Gala Event Some of the guests who attended the event

The Rotary Club of Queensbury held a Dinner & Dance on Saturday 12th November in aid of the North London Hospice, Akshaya Patra Foundation and other Rotary supported charities. It started at 7.30pm and as the guests were having too much fun, ended at 1.30am. The night was fantastic and they managed to exceed

all expectations and raised £11,000.

They had Raffles, Auctions and performances throughout the night as well as a 3 course Indian meal. The top prize in the raffle was a 1 week stay at Baan Rim Taan in Koh Samui, Thailand. The top Auction’s were a signed Manchester United shirt and a cricket bat signed by the Indian cricket team.

Tory peer, Lord Bagri, sells his London house for £100m A former Conservative peer who gave up his seat in the House of Lords to keep his non-domicile tax status is set to pocket up to £100m from the sale of a mansion in London.

The seller is Lord

Bagri, 81, who bought a 150-year lease on the property from the Crown Estate for £5.9m in 1994 and has spent 12 years and millions of pounds renovating it.

Bagri, pictured, who

LtoR: Rashmita Talpara, Sapna Patel, Padmini Vaghjiani, Ramesh Hirani, Dhiresh Patel, Bhavesh Bhudia, Neelam Patel, Neha Thakker, K K Patel , Saira Mirza, Robert Steel, Premjibhai Patel, Bipin Thakker and Kishore Parmar

KBMD, chartered Certified accountants and registered auditors, based in Kenton, organised a seminar, which was attended by approximately 75 delegates. The topics covered were Estate Tax Planning and protection, Will Planning and How to avoid tax Enquiries. The speakers at the seminar were: Robert Steel, KK Patel, Saira Mirza and Bipin Thakkar. This was began his working life as a 15-year-old apprentice metal trader in Calcutta, rose to become chairman of the London Metal Exchange (LME). The house sale is his second windfall in as many months.

followed by delicious dinner.

Due to public demand, KBMD are to hold more Forums next year on topical issues like, the budget and how it affects the common person and the businesses, insolvency and IVA, how to survive the recession etc., The first one will be held soon after the budget, the next in June and September thereafter.

L to R - Mr Rajesh Agrawal, Natasha Mudhar, Dr Rahul Nanda

Some of the most exemplary members of the Asian community from around the world were acknowledged once more at the Asian Who’s Who Awards 2011, which took place on Monday 21st November at Dorch ester Hotel, Park Lane, London. Amongst others the receipent of the Young Entrepreneur

of the Year Award was Founder and Chief Executive of Rational FX, Rajesh Agrawal, International Business Award went to Global Chairman of TOPSGRUP, Dr Diwan Rahul Nanda and International Media Entrepreneur Award was bagged by CEO and MD of Sterling Media, Natasha Mudhar.

HealtH WATCH

Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

Diabetes Charity Silver Star lights up Leicester for World Diabetes Day Diabetes Charity Silver Star has illuminated the headquarters of the Leicester Mercury newspaper in blue, the internationally recognised colour for diabetes. The building joined an impressive list of landmark monuments such as the London Eye, The Taj Mahal in India and Table Mountain in South Africa, which were also lit in blue in celebration of World Diabetes Day on November 14th. Silver Star's campaign was supported by MSD Diabetes.

‘Diabetes Education and Prevention’ was the World Diabetes Day theme for this year and Silver Star’s campaign called on all those responsible for diabetes care to help increase awareness and management of the condition. In aid of this, Silver Star screened over 500 people for diabetes in London, Leicester and Goa (India) to raise awareness of the prevalence of diabetes.

There are currently 2.9 million people with diabetes in the UK, of which 2.6 million have type two diabetes. People of South Asian descent are at greater risk – up to six times more likely to develop diabetes than the white population.

In addition to the screening event, Silver Star hosted a radio programme on Sabras Radio to highlight the importance of the occasion to listeners who may have an increased risk.

The broadcast included appearances from the Rt Hon Keith Vaz, MP, and TV star Nina Wadia, who

Any quest ions writ e to m amta @thinkspalon

By Mamta Saha don.com

Psychologist

How to cope with the death of someone you love - Part 2

plays Zainab Masood on EastEnders. Topics of discussion included the scale of the problem diabetes poses and the importance of prevention and early diagnosis.

Silver Star is monitoring the progress of more than 50 MPs who have agreed to take part in this year’s Health Challenge.

Each MP will wear a pedometer to measure the number of steps they take on a day in parliament.

The health challenge is designed to demonstrate the importance of an active lifestyle in the prevention of type 2 diabetes.

Keith Vaz MP said: “I am delighted that we are able to take part in so many fantastic events. Diabetes affects 208,197 people in the East Midlands alone, and in Leicestershire an estimated 66,000 people are still unaware they have the condition. Figures like this clearly demonstrate the importance of days like World Diabetes Day and we are grateful to the support of our partners which allows events like this to happen.”

Professor Kamlesh

Khunti, Professor of Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine at Leicester University, who was also involved in the Sabras Radio programme, commented: “There are a number of diabetes complications that people are aware of, such as feet & eye problems and heart disease.

However, many people are not aware that we can reduce the risk of these complications with good diabetes management, blood pressure and cholesterol.

South Asians also need to be screened for diabetes early so we can help minimise these complications.”

Silver Star’s campaign is particularly timely as World Diabetes Day falls on the eve of announcements from the DVLA, relating to diabetes and changes in their medical standards that people who hold a UK driving licence for heavy goods vehicles or passenger service vehicles must meet. This further highlights the need to raise awareness of diabetes and what people can do to reduce their risk by seeking advice from their GP.

Eat apples, green peas and beans to reduce big tummy Are you tired of having belly fat? Now, eat two small apples, one cup of green peas and one-half cup of pinto beans and exercise vigorously for 30 minutes, two to four times a week.

According to the researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Centre, vegetables, fruit and beans contain more soluble fibre and will help reduce visceral fat, or belly fat, around the midsection.

They found that for every 10-gram increase in soluble fibre eaten per day, visceral fat was reduced by 3.7 per cent over five years.

In addition, increased moderate activity resulted in a 7.4 per cent decrease in the rate of visceral fat accumulation over the same time period.

“We know that a higher rate of visceral fat is associated with high blood pressure, diabetes and fatty liver disease,” said Kristen Hairston, assistant professor of internal medicine at Wake Forest Baptist and lead

researcher on the study.

“Our study found that making a few simple changes can have a big health impact,” he added.

The researchers examined whether lifestyle factors, such as diet and frequency of exercise, were

associated with a five-year change in abdominal fat of African Americans and Hispanic Americans.

At the beginning of the study, which involved 1,114 people, the participants were given a physical exam, an extensive questionnaire on lifestyle issues, and a CT scan. Five years later, the exact same process was repeated.

The researchers found that increased soluble fibre intake was associated with a decreased rate of accumulated visceral fat, but not subcutaneous fat.

“There is mounting evidence that eating more soluble fibre and increasing exercise reduces visceral or belly fat, although we still don’t know how it works,” said Hairston.

Nobody lives forever and the one certainty in life is death. We know these facts very well, so, why is it so incredibly difficult and painful to cope with the loss of someone we love?

Surely the logic and philosophical concept of death can help us cope with accepting that a loved one is no longer with us? But, its not that easy is it?

Especially when there is a strong presence of the individual through memories, possessions, smells and an aura of energy that serves as a constant reminder of that person despite their absence in our lives. Read on for the second part on this subject to learn some simple yet practical tips that can help you cope constructively to heal the pain that is experienced by loosing somebody you love.

Firstly you may want to think about your strengths on a daily level and regain a sense of mastery in your life.

If you accomplish small tasks on a daily basis you start to get a sense of ‘self’ again and focus on building your confidence after a loss. Even if its cooking, praying, reading or cleaning. Devote time to something that you are good at doing and spend some time everyday investing in this activity.

Something else that you may want to do is devote time to charity.

Being involved in charity enables you to give something

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back and this can gratify you in a way that is bigger than yourself.

Contributing to something or someone encourages you to devote your energies to the external world, which in return helps you to express yourself in a way that you would not be able to do in solitude.

Try to find some meaning beyond life’s circumstances.

This could be trough many different methods.

Connect to nature, spirituality, art, music and creativity. Use these areas to express yourself and your feelings in regards to the one you have lost. For example you may want to use art to draw a picture that describes how you a feeling, or use creativity to create a collage representing happy memories of the one that you lost. You could write a poem that accurately describes what you are going through. It is not about dwelling in your loss. It is about using healthy approaches to work through the heaviness that you are feeling.

These processes will enable you to move forward and gain closure in a way that is positive and enabling rather then negative and self-disabling Lastly, I said it before and I will say it again take care of you and please do not underestimate this.

The heaviness of grief can eat away at your energy and strength and if you

look after your physical and emotional needs you enable yourself to get through this difficult time.

Eat, sleep and live in a healthy way. When you are overwhelmed with sadness you can easily start to neglect your basic needs – this will only make things harder for you. Going for walks, sleeping a good 8 hours and eating balanced healthy meals may not sound like a rocket science formula, but adhering to these common sense disciplines will serve you well when dealing and working through the pain of loosing someone you love. If you are nourished in every possible way you will see, hear and act and think clearly. If you are not, your consciousness will suffer and this will impact your morale and well being as a result.

If you know of anyone who may benefit from reading this article please do share it with him or her.

Additionally, if you like my articles and want to be inspired on a regular basis remember to ‘like’ the Thinkspalondon page on Facebook and register on the website for free articles. For your information - early next year I plan to run another personal development day course.

To qualify for an early bird discount register your interest by emailing me directly on mamta@ thinkspalondon.com. May you live always with peace, harmony and happiness.

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An international team, led by Monash University, has investigated xyloglucan - a plant-based compound derived from the seeds of tamarind tree and found that it plays a major role in repairing damaged nerve cells in lab-

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UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

CB Live is only a Gujarati programme in UK on MATV SKY 793 Shrimati Praveenaben Patel, a well known singer will speak to CB about her Sangeet training and present some Bhajans as well as songs.

Sneh Joshi - 020 8518 5500 Mercury turns retrograde in your ninth house of travel and adventure, slowing down your pace for the next three weeks. Your mental focus could be anywhere other than your normal routine - find a way to break up the monotony. Don't be afraid to take on extra responsibilities as it could lead to better prospects.

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20

Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) is a dynamic business association representing nearly 35000 Asian-predominantly Indian and Gujarati owned hotels. The chairman Hemant Patel, as well as Alkesh Patel, the chairman elect will be speaking to CB along with Mike Patel.

If you do not have a SKY, go to www.tvunetworks.com and watch CB Live on TVU Player Channel 75203

Man charged after policemen stabbed A man has been charged over attacks on four police officers who were stabbed and wounded, police said.

C h r i s t o p h e r Houghton, 32, of Milford Gardens, Wembley appeared in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on The officers were injured outside a butchers in Kingsbury Monday.

Four policemen were sustained head injuries and stabbed on Saturday as a stab wound to the arm. they tried to arrest a man An officer in his 30s who had grabbed a 12in with five years’ service who knife from a butcher’s shop received a stab wound to in Kingsbury, north the leg and a fourth in his London.

20s with eight years’ servHoughton faces three ice who sustained a broken counts of attempted murhand and a broken thumb der of a police officer, two have now been discharged. of attempted grievous bodThe manager of the ily harm on a police officer, halal butchers said he was one of assault causing “shocked” by the attack on actual bodily harm on a the police officers. police officer, one assault Mohammad Qasim, 51, on police and one of affray, owner of Kingsbury Halal Scotland Yard said.

Butchers, has owned the Eyewitnesses told how shop for 24 years. He said: police chased a man down “Everybody including famithe road and in and out of ly, friends and customers shops before he grabbed a have been asking how we knife. All four policemen are after this. Everyone were taken to hospital. On wants to know what hapSunday night two officers pened. We’ve been talking remained in hospital, in with the police about it. serious but stable condiThree out of the four staff tion. were here working that day One is aged in his 20s, and we were busy as all with three years’ service, Saturdays are for us. I was who sustained a stab shocked at what happened wound to the stomach, and it was sad that the while the other is in his 20s police officers got hurt.” with six years’ service who Editor: CB Patel Associate Editor: Rupanjana Dutta Tel: 020 7749 4098 - Email: rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com Senior News Editor: Dhiren Katwa Freelance Correspondent: Rudy Otter Chief of Operations ABPL: Liji George Tel: 020 7749 4013 Email: george@abplgroup.com Chief Financial Officer: Surendra Patel Tel: 020 7749 4093 - Mobile: 07875 229 220 Email: surendra.patel@abplgroup.com Accounts Executive: Akshay Desai Tel: 020 7749 4087 Email:accounts@abplgroup.com Advertising Managers: Alka Shah Tel: 020 7749 4002 - Mobile: 07944 151 893 Email: alka.shah@abplgroup.com Kishor Parmar Tel: 020 7749 4095 - Mobile: 07875 229 088 Email: kishor.parmar@abplgroup.com Media Consultant: Rovin John George - Email: rovin.george@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4097 - Mobile: 07875 229 219 Nihir Shah - Email: nihir.shah@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4089 - Mobile: 07875 229 111 Business Development Managers: Urja Patel - Email: urja.patel@abplgroup.com Design and Layout: Harish Dahya & Ajay Kumar Tel: 020 7749 4086 Email: graphics@abplgroup.com Customer Service: Ragini Nayak Tel: 020 7749 4080 - Email: support@abplgroup.com

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Coming Events l Chinmaya Mission UK is holding a Geeta/Tapovan Jayanti puja incorporating the chanting of the entire 18 chapters of Bhagavad Geeta on Sunday 27th November 2011 Time: 2:30pm to 5:30 pm, Food Prasad: 5:30 pm, Venue: Chinmaya Kirti, 2 Egerton Gardens, Hendon NW4 4BA If you wish to attend anyway, please e mail smita@chinmayauk.org l Navin Shah AM, Assembly Member for Brent in holding an event to officially launch a petition for the campaign against LOCOG’s (The London Organising Committee of Olympic and Paralympic Games) decision to award the Olympic wrap tender to Dow Chemicals Company. The petition is supported by the Brent Indian Association and Barry Gardiner MP for Brent North on Wednesday 23rd November at 11am at The Sattavis Patidar Centre.

Forty Lane, Wembley HA9 9PE. For further information please contact Navin Shah on 07889 795 777.

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TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 It is a particularly dificult time for dealing with financial interests with a longterm basis, such as investments, insurance and pension schemes, legacies and all jointly held resources.

Mercury is in retrograde motion and it’s been nothing if not frustrating for you. With Mars in your 5th house you could have a rocky ride in your romance.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22

Your closest relationships come under scrutiny as Mercury, the planet of communications goes retrograde in your seventh house of marriage and partnerships. There can be a lot of misunderstandings and confused signals. You'll need to listen carefully to what your partner is saying during the next three weeks.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

The next three weeks may bring confusion and misunderstandings at work and troubles with your health as Mercury turns retrograde in your sixth house.

You'll need to pay more attention to detail and double check everything before finalizing important matters.

Close relationships need to be re-assessed.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23 Mercury goes retrograde in your fifth house of romance for the next three weeks. This is a good time reflect and analyze current situations. Pressure begins to build as there will be a lot of demands in your daily work. Some of you will prefer to get away and seek solitude and avoid social events.

As Mercury turns retrograde in your fourth house, you need to watch out for extreme changes in peoples attitude and behaviour at home. Strong emotions may spill out with your loved ones, but it is alright to reveal your fears and insecurities sometimes. It's a cosmically testing time, so try not to tread on each other's toes.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23 Mercury turns retrograde in your third house of communication, making it difficult to express yourself clearly for the next three weeks. Misunderstandings and confusion could waste a lot of your time. This is also a good time to read into the unspoken rather than what is being said to make any sense.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

You may need to take care as Mercury turns retrograde in your second house of finances. This is a good time to re-assess your money matters. In spite of that, all sorts of things could go wrong especially if people owe you money. Have patience as business matters move slowly or get delayed.

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SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 Mercury turns retrograde in your sign for the next three weeks. Normally we expect matters to be dealt with smoothly, but not while the planet Mercury in your sign, is moving backwards. Confusion and frustration reign, so put your plans on hold. Curb your expenditure as you will spend unnecessarily.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20 With Venus embracing your sign, this should be a good time for love and relationships. Unfortunately, Mercury turns retrograde for the next three weeks. Be patient with your loved ones as your communications are likely to be misconstrued. Saturn in your 10th house of work will also prove to be somewhat frustrating.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19

It's a lovely week for a clandestine romantic encounter, as Venus embraces your solar 12th house.

Bear in mind that Mercury turns retrograde in your eleventh house of friends and associates as well. The next three weeks would serve you well if you spend more time listening than speaking.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20 Mercury turns retrograde in your tenth house of career and status, slowing down your progress at work. It is important for you to be steadfast and focused as misunderstandings and confusion reign. Stay as organized as possible while Mercury, the planet of communications does its best to trip you up.

Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

SPort WoRlD

India defeat Canada to lift Kabaddi World Cup

Rahul Dravid breaks into top-10 of ICC rankings

midnight, the stadium remained packed with people who had come to watch the contest.

The tournament had been marred by doping controversy which had continued unabated in the Punjab government-organised Cup, with players from United States, Canada, India and other

Indian batting great Rahul Dravid moved four places to eighth in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings for Test batsmen released on Friday while teammate VVS Laxman gained five places to the 13th spot following their centuries in the second Test against West Indies at Kolkata.

Dravid scored 119 and Laxman hit 176 as the home team cruised to an innings victory over the West Indies at the historic Eden Gardens. Another stalwart of world cricket, West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul (37), slipped in the other direction following his side's defeat. The Guyanese left-hander lost four places to settle for 10th. Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara retained the top spot. Pragyan Ojha is the main mover in the bowlers' rankings as the left-arm slow bowler gained six places to 26th position, the highest ranking of his career to date. South Africa's Dale Steyn continues to be the top-ranked bowler.

Hosts India defeated Canada 59-25 in the final to lift the World Cup in men's kabaddi at Guru Nanak stadium in Ludhiana on Sunday.

Indians maintained their dominance right from the start and were leading 28-13 by half-time over Canadians, who had lost a few players earlier to doping.

Canadians, who had defeated Pakistan in the semifinals in the tournament earlier, struggled to maintain momentum in the second half as Indian raiders took points at will.

With the win, Indians pursed Rs 20 million while the runners-up pocketed Rs 10 million.

Despite the match played under flood lights and continuing close to

nations falling in the dope trap.

National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) had even demanded adequate security for its officials conducting dope tests to avoid any untoward incident.

Australia and USA teams were disqualified as most of their players were found dope positive by NADA. In the women's final played earlier, India thrashed UK 44-17 as the visitors failed to tackle the dominant Indian attacks.

Earlier, a scintillating closing ceremony of the Kabaddi Cup brought to an end the 20 day long sports extravaganza in which 14 countries for men section and 4 countries in women section vied for a total of more than Rs 4 million prize money.

Sachin fever returns to Gayle again ignored for onedayers against India Wankhede Stadium

Sachin Tendulkar returns to his home venue for the final test against the West Indies which began on Tuesday amid the familiar pressure of expectation of hitting another century.

A century at the Wankhede Stadium this time around would be extra special because it would be his 100th international ton, which Tendulkar has been chasing since the World Cup earlier this year.

Tendulkar moved from 97 to 99 centuries during the World Cup in February and March but has been unable to get another three-figure mark since, with a score of 91 against England in the Oval test in the summer coming the closest.

But Tendulkar, who is the highest run-scorer and century-maker in both tests and one-dayers, has dis-

missed the landmark as "just another number."

"When I got my 90th international century, nobody said anything," Tendulkar was quoted as saying.

Sachin to get 100 gold coins from MCA Sachin will be showered with 100 gold coins by the Mumbai Cricket Association if he completes his muchawaited 100th international century during the third and final Test match between India and West Indies at the Wankhede stadium.

"MCA President Vilasrao Deshmukh has decided that the association should give Sachin a 100 gold coins if he completed the 100th international century at his home ground," Nitin Dalal, Joint Secretary of MCA, said.

The Cricket Association of Bengal had promised to give the champion batsman 100 gold coins if he had achieved the unprecedented feat in the second Test at the Eden Gardens, which concluded on November 17, Dalal pointed out.

However, Sachin could not reach the coveted landmark in Kolkata and has the chance to achieve it in his home town in Mumbai.

West Indies have named Trinidadian rookies Jason Mohammed and Sunil Narine in their 15-member team for the five one-day internationals against India, but once again there was no place for Chris Gayle.

Twenty-five-year-old top order batsman Mohammed and 23-year-old spinner Narine were rewarded for their stellar performance in the Regional Super50 tournament, selector Robert Haynes said in a statement.

"In the Super50 Jason showed maturity, guts and fight in the way he batted on some difficult pitches," Haynes said.

"He scored vital runs to pull his team out of difficult situations, scored the most

runs in the tournament and... with the pitches in Guyana not being very different to the pitches in India... it augured well for his selection to the ODI squad.

"Sunil bowled well in Indian conditions in the Champions League for Trinidad and Tobago and then in the Super50 he was exceptional," Haynes said.

"Batsmen have difficulty reading him and we thought that he is deserving of his selection to show his worth against international batsmen."

The Darren Sammy-led squad will take on India in the first one-dayer at Cuttack on November 29, followed by matches in Visakhapatnam (December 2), Ahmedabad (December 5), Indore (December 8) and Chennai (December 11).

Squad: Darren Sammy (Capt.), Adrian Barath, Darren Bravo, Danza Hyatt, Anthony Martin, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Kieran Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels and Lendl Simmons.

Pakistan win one-day series against Sri Lanka Pakistan allrounder Shahid Afridi top scored with 75 and then took 5-35 to earn his team a dramatic 26-run win against Sri Lanka in their fourth one-day international on Sunday, sealing victory in the five-match series.

Afridi's mature strike from 65 balls lifted Pakistan from the peril of 120-7 to a competitive 200 all out off 49.3 overs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Fast bowler Dilhara Fernando led Sri Lanka with 3-26 while legspinners Jeevan Mendis (240) and Seekkuge Prasanna (2-55) also contributed.

Sri Lanka seemed on target with the bat when Kumar Sangakkara (58) and Mahela Jayawardene (55) shared a stand of 102 for the fourth wicket. But Afridi removed both and Sri Lanka tumbled from 155-3 to 174 all out, losing its last seven wickets for 19 runs in 46 balls, as Pakistan took an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series.

The 31-year-old Afridi, in

Shahid Afridi in his signature pose after Pakistan's victory at Sharjah on Sunday.

his 329th one-dayer, ripped apart the tail to bring a swift end to the match and spark wild celebrations among the 10,000-strong, mainly Pakistani crowd.

Sri Lanka's pursuit had been stuttering at 53-3 in the 13th over following early strikes from pacer Aizaz

Cheema (2-48) and Mohammad Hafeez (1-23).

Sangakkara, who moved above Australia's Adam Gilchrist to become the 11th highest run-scorer in onedayers during his knock, was first to fifty, off 95 balls.

When Jayawardene followed him to his half century,

the target as within sight with 46 runs needed from 12.2 overs with seven wickets still in hand.

But Afridi transformed the match in swift fashion.

He provided the key breakthrough when Sangakkara, who hit six fours, was beaten and bowled by a leg-break. Next over, Angelo Mathews fell for a duck as he feathered a leg side catch to the wicket-keeper off Saeed Ajmal at 156-5.

Afridi claimed Mendis cheaply and then landed the killer blow when Jayawardene lofted low to extra cover at 168-7. Sri Lanka's lower order plunged dramatically as Seekkuge Prasanna chipped a return catch to Afridi.

Lasith Malinga soon fell lbw to Ajmal before Afridi sealed the victory with his fifth wicket as Thisara Perera holed out to long-on.

Earlier, Pakistan had been revived by Afridi following early crisis after winning the toss.

31

Manchester United sign five-year-old prodigy Manchester United has signed five-yearold football wonder kid Charlie Jackson, who is being tipping as a future superstar by coaches.

According to reports, United scouts spotted Charlie’s incredible football skills when he was just three, but had to wait until he was old enough to join their development centre.

Charlie now trains with top-rated youngsters almost all a year older than him. Charlie’s parents Andy and Claire said that they could not be happier, even though the family are all fans of Manchester City. “His idols are Joe Hart and Mario Balotelli and at first he was mortified that he was having to train with United, but he seems to be getting over that bit now. He loves it,” Andy said.

Rooney nominated for FIFA's goal of the year Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been shortlisted for FIFA's goal of the year award for his spectacular overhead kick against Manchester City last season. Rooney's goal, which came from a Nani cross against United's fierce rivals in a 2-1 win at Old Trafford, left Joe Hart with no chance as it flew into the top corner. Tottenham's Giovani dos Santos, Barcelona's Lionel Messi and AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic, as well as Santos and Brazil starlet Neymar, have all also been nominated for the prestigious Puskas award.

India rise to second spot in ICC Test rankings

Australia's series-levelling triumph over South Africa in Johannesburg has helped India rise a rung to the second spot in ICC's latest Test rankings. India, currently leading a three-Test home series against the West Indies 2-0, were pushed up the ladder by Australia's thrilling two-wicket win in the Johannesburg Test on Monday. Michael Clarke's men chased a record 310-run target to level the series in a nervewrecking climax that was interrupted by rain.

The 1-1 result pushed South Africa to the third spot with 116 rating points, a point less than India. India were the world number one till they were humiliated 0-4 by England in an away series in July-August. England occupy the top spot with 125 rating points, while Australia are placed fourth with 105 ratings points. Sri Lanka complete the top-five with 99 points followed by Pakistan (98).

32

Asian Voice - Saturday 26th November 2011

Passing of a legend

By Premen Addy

Basil D'Oliveira, South African-born, Englishdomiciled, acquired legendary status the moment he was selected to play Test cricket for his country of adoption. He came to England in 1960 from apartheid South Africa, where his dark skin excluded him from the game at the highest level.

He started off playing for Middleton in the Lancashire League before graduating, in 1964, to the county scene with Worcestershire. It was against the visiting West Indians in the summer of 1966 that D'Oliveira made his debut in the second Test at Lord's. In all, he played 44 Tests for England, with 158 at the Oval in 1968, his Test highest score, and that, too, against Australia.

D'Oliveira's career statistics include 2,484 Test runs (Average 40.06) and 47 Test wickets. His best Test season as a Test allrounder was in 1970-71 Down Under with Ray Ilingworth's victorious Ashes-winning side, of which D'Oliveira was the pivot. He played his final Test match in 1972, by which time he had five centuries to his name.

Basil D'Oliveira's selection for the South African tour of 1968-69 was vetoed by John Vorster, the country's staunch apartheid prime minister. Somewhat reluctantly, the MCC cancelled the visit, making D'Oliveira the toast of all liberal South Africans.

South Africa was hereafter cast outside the pale by cricket playing nations, an international boycott which began the erosion of

the infamous apartheid system, culminating in its collapse in the early 1990s and the subsequent rehabilitation of country's sport and politics. South Africa came in from the

cold, in no small measure because of Basil D'Oliveira. He played his part in apartheid's dissolution, just as Gandhi had done decades earlier by his civil rights challenges in

the courts and through direct mass action on the streets.

South Africa's most famous exile was welcomed home by Nelson Mandela, who movingly acknowledged him as an iconic symbol in the antiapartheid struggle. Like Mandela, D'Oliveira never lost his dignity and calm in the face of adversity. He was a man without bitterness, a model for others to emulate. He ennobled the game loved.

Basil D'Oliveira died in Worcester, aged 80.

South African and Australian cricketers stood in silence to D'Oliveira's memory at the start of the third day of the Second Test at Johannesburg, a thriller which the visitors won by two wickets to level the two-match series one all. The 18 year-old Australian paceman Pat

Cummins was named Man-of-the Match, while Vernon Philander, the debutant South African fast bowler â&#x20AC;&#x201C; like Basil D'Oliveira, a Cape Coloured â&#x20AC;&#x201C; was awarded Man of the Series for his outstanding work with the new ball.

The swings and roundabouts of the series have been a wonderful advertisement for Test cricket. The batting and bowling and catching of both sides made for compulsive viewing.

May there be many more such spectacles. Test cricket has confirmed - if confirmation were needed - its pedigree as the truest test of cricketing skill and character. It has no peer in any format of the game. Rumours of its demise are premature.

Test matches will be played as long as cricket's men and women retain breath in their bodies.

India beat West Indies by an innings in second test, seal series

India clinched the threematch test series against the West Indies after crushing the hapless visitors by an innings and 15 runs in the second match to take an unassailable 2-0 lead last week.

The West Indies put up a strong fightback in their second innings with Darren Bravo (136) slamming a superb century but that turned out to be not enough as Indian bowlers grabbed six wickets in the post-lunch session to wrap up the match on the fourth day at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

The match ended with more than four sessions to spare, just like in the first Test in New Delhi where India beat the visitors by five wickets.

The two sides will now meet in Mumbai for the third Test which begins on November 22.

In contrast to their first innings collapse, West Indies, after being asked to follow on, put up a valiant fight before being bundled out for 463 in 126.3 overs eight minutes before the scheduled tea break.

At one stage, the West Indies were staring at their biggest ever loss against India (an innings and 112 runs) but Bravo weaved two century partnerships with Chanderpaul (108 runs) and Marlon Samuels (132) - to save his side from the dubious record.

Resuming at his overnight score of 38, Bravo put up a superb batting display to notch up his second Test century in less than a month with both coming in second innings. He hit 16 boundaries and four sixes in his innings from 230 balls.

For India, pacer Umesh Yadav was the most successful bowler with three wickets to return with innings figure of 4/80, while the spin duo of Pragyan Ojha (2/104) and R Ashwin (2/137) claimed the remaining wickets. Pacer Ishant Sharma (2/95) had claimed two wickets on Day 3.

Veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, playing with a stiff calf muscle, gave Bravo good company with 47 (94

Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman added 140 for the fourth wicket against West Indies at Kolkata

balls, 6x4).

After Chanderpaul's dismissal, Bravo stitched another substantial partnership with Marlon Samuels who slammed 84 from 111 balls laced with 13 boundaries and one six.

Skipper Darren Sammy then hit a quickfire 32 from 28 balls, studded with one boundary and three sixes, but Yadav claimed two wickets in two balls to bundle out the visitors for 463.

It was for the first time that the West Indies

scored more than 400 when following on, bettering the 1968 record of 391/9 declared against England in Kingston.

After lunch, India persisted with Ishant Sharma and Pragyan Ojha in tandem with the left-arm spinner bowling from the High Court end.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni then brought in off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin from High Court end, a move that yielded 12 runs with Samuels hitting a six

over midwicket after Bravo's elegant boundary in the deep point region.

But the crucial breakthrough for India came in the next over when Ojha was brought on from the pavilion end, a switch of end that finally did the trick for India in the form of Bravo's key wicket.

Bravo edged a straight delivery at slip with Rahul Dravid taking the catch easily for a breakthrough and that opened the floodgates for India.

Maintaining his tidy line and length, Ojha tempted Bravo for an expansive push that got the edge and the wicket.

New batsman Carlton Baugh edged another delivery from Ojha at slip and 38-year-old Dravid, with most catches in Tests, did not make any mistake taking a brilliant low catch diving to his right.

India struck in successive overs to reduce West Indies to 417 for seven with Ashwin claiming the scalp of aggressive looking Samuels.

India grabbed just one wicket in the first session

which was extended by one and a half hours with Yadav removing Chanderpaul as the visitors scored 144 runs from 36 overs. But the home side hit back in second session by taking the remaining six wickets in 28.3 overs to wrap up the match.

It was a tough grind for Indian bowlers in the first session with Bravo and Chanderpaul playing sensible cricket with Ojha and Ashwin opening the bowling in the hope to exploit the early morning dew.

The two left-handed batsmen were at ease against young Indian spinners as they chose to score in occasional boundaries after resuming the day at team total of 195 for three.

Barring one mix up between the two batsmen, there was hardly anything for the Indians in the morning.

There was a confusion between the duo when Bravo came rushing at the non-striking end after playing one to the mid-on even as Chanderpual was unmoved.