Asian City Issue 8 by Thufayel Ahmed

AsianCity BRITAIN’S BEST ASIAN NEWSPAPER

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Issue 8 • October 11 - October 24, 2012

Kareena: true heroine

SUPERSTAR TALKS ABOUT SAIF, ARJUN & MORE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

PASSPORT TOSHAME

PAGE 18 & 19

Priest stops ‘Hindu yoga’ A STRICT Catholic priest has outlawed yoga classes in his church hall, calling it ‘too Hindu’. Instructor Cori Withell said the classes she booked for yoga and pilates at St Edmund’s Church building in Southampton were cancelled just 10 days before they were due to start. She was told by the church’s booking secretary that it was because yoga is a Hindu religious activity. Father John Chandler from the church said that the hall has to be used for Catholic activities and he banned it because it was advertised as “spiritual yoga”. The ban is not Catholic Church policy and decisions are left to the discretion of individual priests. Some Catholic retreats use yoga for relaxation. Ms Withell, 37, from nearby Eastleigh, said the church accepted the booking two months ago and she paid £180. She was called later and told that yoga was from another religion so she could not have the hall. A separate pilates class she had booked was also cancelled.

Pakistani High Commissioner’s mistake aids illegal immigrant

A MAN granted a passport by Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Britain was on the run from the Border Agency.

•PROBE High Commissioner Hasan launched investigation

another after “losing” it. His application was backed by Mr Hussain, who brought it to the attention of Mr Hasan. He then personally wrote on the illegal immigrant’s renewal It is not known why Tanveer Awan application: “Pls issue one year passport was in the UK when his wife and son live urgently.” in Pakistan. His disappearance is an embarrassment to High Commissioner Fake Wajid Shamsul Hasan. The High Commissioner said a Mr Hasan’s friend Shafqat Hussain assisted Mr Awan to process his renewal mistake had been made approving the passport without stringent checks. application. He said he signed the passport renewal Both he and the High Commissioner are now urging Mr Awan to hand himself form not knowing Mr Awan was an illegal immigrant and denies any in to British authorities. The search for Mr Awan follows The wrongdoing. He launched an investigation to find Sun newspaper’s exposé of a criminal gang in Pakistan which gave potential why nothing was done when it was terrorists documents allowing them to proven Mr Awan’s first passport was fake. Mr Hasan said: “It is mandatory for me sneak into Britain. Mr Awan was living in Woking, to issue a passport to any Pakistani Surrey, after being issued with a fake national whether legal or illegal as that passport by previous senior Pakistani passport gives him an opportunity to go officials in London. He applied for to Pakistan.”

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Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

•CLOSE FAMILY Asha Bhosle and daughter Varsha

Asha’s daughter ends life

LEGENDARY singer Asha Bhosle’s daughter Varsha who was suffering from depression, committed suicide on Monday 8 Oct. A singer and columnist, Varsha, 56, shot herself in the temple with a pistol of Belgian make at her residence in ‘Prabhu Kunj’ apartments on posh Peddar Road in South Mumbai. She has not left behind any suicide note, Additional Commissioner of Police (South) Krishna Prakash said, adding police are trying to find out in whose name the pistol was registered. She was alone in the house at the time of the incident, police said. Prakash said Varsha’s maid servant Deepali Mane knocked on the door of Bhosle’s house around 10 am but no one answered. Worried, she contacted Asha Bhosle’s driver who told her that Varsha might be sleeping. After some time the maid went to the flat again but nobody opened the door. The driver then entered the flat through Asha’s elder sister Lata Mangeshkar’s adjacent flat and found Varsha lying in a pool of blood on a sofa. Police were called in and Varsha was taken to a nearby hospital where she was declared dead. Varsha had married a sports writer and public relations professional but the couple divorced in 1998, sources close to the family said. Prakash said police had learnt that Varsha wanted to start an orphanage with famous fashion photographer Gautam Rajadakshya, who passed away last year. Varsha, who was said to be very close to Rajadhyaksha, was distraught after his death and was under medication for depression.

Golden Temple Revenge? 9 arrested after Sikh massacre general is attacked in London NINE people have been arrested over the attempted murder of an Indian general who was visiting London.

Lt-Gen Kuldeep Singh Brar, 78, was stabbed by four men in Old Quebec Street, near Oxford Street, on September 30. The woman and eight men were being questioned at different London police stations. Three other men who were arrested a few days earlier remain in police custody. The nine who have been bailed are to return to police stations in November, pending further inquiries. Following the attack, Mr Brar was taken to hospital with a neck wound and has since been discharged. He led the 1984 raid on Sikhism’s holiest shrine, which saw hundreds die when troops flushed Sikh separatists out of the Golden Temple in Amritsar in Punjab state. He is thought still to be a target for militant Sikhs, but the identity of his attackers is unclear. Lt. Gen. Brar said he was attacked as he and his wife walked back to their hotel from a restaurant.

•ATTACK Golden Temple in Amritsar “Suddenly four bearded tough men, Sikhs wearing black jackets and black clothes, pounced on me. One of them pushed my wife to the side, she fell down and started screaming for help,” Lt. Gen. Brar, speaking with bandages on his face, neck and arms, told TV interviewers. “Three of them charged at me, one pulled a ‘kirpan’, a dagger or a knife — can’t remember exactly what it was now — at that time there was a scuffle, and he tried to assassinate me and he slashed my neck with the knife. But many Sikh websites and blogs have been claiming the incident as a fabrication and accuse Brar of exaggerating the attack to discredit Sikhs to the western world.

•FENDED OFF ATTACKERS Lt-Gen Kuldeep Singh

•JAILED Mohammed Arif

Man had gun next to baby

A MAN has been jailed for six years after police discovered his loaded gun next to a sleeping baby. Mohammed Arif was convicted of possessing a firearm at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday following the discovery in May. West Midlands Police said they were called to a house in Birmingham in the early hours of the morning following reports of a domestic dispute between a man and a woman. When they arrived, police found the couple arguing close to the house with the baby alone inside. They found an antique Russian Smith and Wesson 44 revolver wrapped in a blanket in the child’s cot near where he was sleeping on a bed. The gun was loaded and fully operational. Alongside it officers also found a machete.

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

AUTHOR MAKES A BOOBY...

Salman quits fags ‘n’ booze WILDMAN Salman Khan has given up smoking and drinking after a recent health scare that left him with crippling headaches. Bollywood’s baddest actor has also taken up long-distance walking in a bid to stay in shape following the scary episode. A source said, “Salman has been trying out different ways of keeping fit. If he is not in prime shape, it may affect his general health.” The actor walks all the way to Satara from his hotel room, where he is shooting for the sequel of Dabangg. That’s a round trip of 30 kilometres a day. Salman recently travelled to the US where he had medical treatment and is now back shooting for TV and movie roles.

•CONTROVERSY JK Rowling says she is interested in Sikh culture

•ON THE MARCH Imran Khan

Imran Khan claims victory C R I C K ETE R-turnedpolitician Imran Khan has claimed victory at the end of his march against US drone strikes, despite failing to reach his intended destination in Pakistan’s tribal areas. Mr Khan defied warnings to lead thousands of supporters beyond Tank, just before the semi-autonomous area that is the refuge of heavily armed Taliban and al-Qaeda militants. He had planned to reach Kotkai in South Waziristan, notorious as a place where the Taliban used to train suicide bombers, but turned back after the army warned it was unsafe to stay in the area after nightfall. More than 20,000 people thronged the streets of Tank for the final rally, according to police, and well-wishers lined the streets of villages along the route from Islamabad.

E Z O O B R A B I N I M D E R S E M I T R O F N A B

X-Factor bosses act after naked session X-FACTOR stars Times Red were hit with a booze ban after bosses ordered costly mini bars to be taken out of their five-star hotel rooms. A bottled beer from the fridge at their posh London hotel cost £7, while a bottle of wine cost £45. The move came after singer Staz Nazir ended up naked in a corridor after a session. But tough bosses won’t need to worry about their behaviour again after the group were voted off the show at the weekend. The band had just scraped through to the live rounds after getting a wild card lifeline. Their luck finally ran out when they failed to make it through the first round. But Staz won’t be giving up his quest for fame just yet. He tweeted: “We are not giving up It is hard work and persistence that is

•SMOOTH OPERATORS But Times Red are having a wild time with X-Factor failure’s biggest fear. Long way to go yet.’ The 21-year-old hunk has already had a taste of the limelight after winning Asiana Magazine’s ‘Celebrity Bachelor of the Year 2011,

where he performed live with his band, then called Vice. Check out Staz as he tries his luck on a Blind Date with stunning TV presenter Hiral Mei - visit www.asiana.tv

JK Rowling condemned over Sikh girl character

JK ROWLING may wish she had stuck to writing Harry Potter books. The author’s first adult novel has already caused controversy with its attacks on the hypocrisy of Middle England.

Her new book, The Casual Vacancy, has also angered religious leaders in India because of its portrayal of a Sikh girl as ‘mustachioed, yet large-mammaried.’ The book, about social tensions in a small village in South West England, features a Sikh family, including female student Sukhvinder. One of the characters, Fats, describes Sukhvinder, his classmate, as ‘mustachioed, yet large-mammaried’, adding that ‘scientists remain baffled by the contradictions of the hairy man-woman’. Sikh believers are forbidden from shaving or trimming their hair, and the passage was condemned by India’s Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which manages places of worship in India. Sikh leaders are now closely scrutinising the novel with a view to having the offending passages removed from Indian editions. SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar described Miss Rowling’s choice of words as ‘a slur on the Sikh community’, adding: ‘Even if the author had chosen to describe the female Sikh character’s physical traits, there was no need for her to use provocative language, questioning her gender. This is condemnable.’ He added: ‘If anything is written against the Sikh maryada (dignity), we will write to [India’s] prime minister Manmohan Singh and urge him to take up the matter with the government in the UK for action against Rowling. ‘Nobody can injure our religious sentiments. If something has been written against the Sikh faith, I condemn it vehemently and strongly.’ Miss Rowling, 47, claimed at the launch of the book that she had done a ‘vast amount of research’ on Sikhism. She revealed that she was in her mid-20s when a Sikh woman sparked her interest in the religion. Miss Rowling said she was particularly struck by the egalitarian principles of the religion, and wove in a Sikh family as the only non-white family in the book.

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

•AWARD Saleha with Jon Snow

Campaigner wins award A SCHOOLGIRL has been rewarded for her campaign against human trafficking. Saleha Akhtar, from Croydon, won the Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK) Shout Out! award, after using her position in Croydon Youth Council to raise awareness of human trafficking among young people in the borough. The 14-year-old was shocked to discover the levels of sexual exploitation in Croydon and wanted to increase the understanding of human trafficking as an international issue, and to ensure young people know how to report the crime. Saleha was nominated for the award by her youth worker, and was presented with a certificate at an awards ceremony hosted by Channel Four newsreader Jon Snow.

NOTHING TO DECLARE! Vaz brushes off Tory MP’s call to dig up 10-year-old inquiry

LABOUR MP Keith Vaz said large payments into his bank account were “not suspicious in any way” and insisted he was relaxed about Tory calls for a sleaze inquiry into claims about his finances.

not have occurred 10 years ago” but had not been shown the documents. “These matters relate to two Parliamentary inquiries which began in 1999 and concluded in 2003. My finances were discussed by every newspaper in the country for a period of three years and were the subject of extensive examination. I have had no outside interests. “The Telegraph claim that the unnamed police officer states that the payments into my account were suspicious. They were not suspicious in any way. “They relate to the sale of a family home in London, the purchase of a new family home and a drawdown of equity from my bank. When you sell a house and you buy a new house it is normal practice for the money to be paid into your account and the money then paid out.”

Mr Vaz, the chair of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, issued a statement after the Daily Telegraph reported that a decade-old Scotland Yard inquiry found funds it believed to be “of a suspicious nature”. It said a total of around £500,000 was identified by the investigation. Tory MP Andrew Bridgen called for the documents to be passed to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards John Lyon, telling the BBC the former minister should quit his committee role if an inquiry was opened. But Mr Vaz, who was quizzed about the report when he appeared at a Labour Party conference event in Manchester, said the sums related to property sales and were entirely legitimate. And asked about the calls for an inquiry, he told the Press Association: “I am not worried. I always look forward to Mr Bridgen’s letters.” In a statement on his website, the MP said he had been contacted by the newspaper about an investigation “which may or may •INQUIRY Tory MP Andrew Bridgen

SEX MONSTERS LOCKED UP

EIGHT men have been men jailed for more than 40 years for preying on underage teenagers. The men had picked up girls, aged between 13 and 15, from care homes and the streets before sleeping with them in exchange for as little as £5. They were also offered cigarettes, drugs, mobile phones and treats – including a child’s toy and rides on a farmer’s tractor. But at Derby Crown Court, Ijaz Ahmed, 35, was jailed with seven other men for a series of sex offences.

The men, who acted individually and did not know each other, received sentences ranging from four years to seven years after preying on the girls in Normanton and Pear Tree in Derbyshire. The girls, who were 15, were believed to have been part of a bigger group of youngsters being picked up from the streets for sex in 2009 and 2010. The men were all snared by officers under Operation Kern, which targeted those seeking the services of •JAILED Ijaz Ahmed children for sex.

THOUSAND GANDHI GANG A THOUSAND Indian students celebrate after breaking the world record for the most people dressing up as Mahatma Gandhi lookalikes. The tribute in Ahmedabad on the 143rd anniversary of the great leader’s birth was confirmed as the biggest ever by Guinness World Records. Gandhi was the leader of Indian nationalism. He promoted non-violent civil disobedience against British rule, and started his work as an ex-pat in South Africa fighting for rights of the Indian Community there. He was assassinated on January 30, 1948 in Delhi by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist who felt Gandhi was too sympathetic towards Muslims.

•TATTOO Ajay Devgan’s Shiva

Ajay Devgun upset Sikhs ACTOR-producer Ajay Devgan is in legal trouble after being accused in court of defaming the Sikh community in his new film Son of Sardar. Ravinder Singh, a member of a Sikh organisation ‘Sikhi Sidak’, filed a complaint seeking action against the filmmaker and the actor. The film’s trailer shows Ajay as a Sikh but with Lord Shiva tattooed on his chest. “Since Sikhs are forbidden by their gurus from worshipping idols and deities, the projection of a Sikh being a worshipper of Lord Shiva has deeply hurt the religious feelings of the Sikh community,” said Mr Singh’s lawyer. The complainant also said: “In the official trailer of the film, Sikhs have been maligned and defamed by the dialogues spoken by Ajay Devgan.”

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

Asian soccer ace on bribe charge

Michael Chopra accused of horse bet corruption BRITAIN’S only Asian football star Michael Chopra has been charged with race-fixing by the British Horseracing Authority.

fraudulent practice’ following an investigation into suspicious betting activity that focused on nine races between November 1 2010 and March 31, 2011. He is alleged to have conspired The Ispwich striker and former with Nottingham Forest midfielder England Under 21 man, is James Coppinger, 31, and former charged with offering bribes to Manchester United and England jockey Andrew Heffernan, and Under 21 international Mark ‘conspiring to commit a corrupt or Wilson, 33..

•JOCKEY Andrew Heffernan

problems and on 28 August 2008 it was announced that he had checked into a rehab clinic. He was re-admitted to the same clinic for three weeks in October 2011. On 14 December 2011 it was announced that Ipswich Town had given Chopra £250,000 to help pay off his gambling debts. Chopra has previously claimed to have lost £1million gambling. Speaking in November 2011, he Inside info said: ‘Your first bet’s your worst bet. As the years have come along The footballers, along with all and I’ve earned more money I’ve the other individuals, are charged started to gamble more. with placing bets and/or causing ‘I was gambling up to £20,000 a one or more other Betting day at times. As soon as I’d step Exchange account holders to place over the white line I would focus bets on horses Heffernan rode after on football – but as soon as I got to receiving inside information the dressing room I would check directly or indirectly from the my phone to see if I’d won. jockey. ‘As a gambler you want to be Chopra, who recently won the playing to get the appearance Asiana Footballer of the Year money. I was playing through award, has a history of gambling injury to cover a debt.’

•ACCUSED Betting charges may affect Michael Chopra’s career with Ipswich

FROM ONLY

£P4ER0

RT!

ADVE

•WANTED Mohammed Islam

POLICE HUNT SEX SUSPECT

A SUSPECTED serial sex attacker is being hunted by detectives over a string of assaults on lone women in Southampton. Mohammed Islam, 22, was arrested in March and questioned on suspicion of at least four sex attacks. But he failed to answer bail in May and has not been seen at his home in Milford on Sea since. Police say Mr Islam, who was granted a student visa to study at Opal College in London, may be in the capital. Mr Islam, who never attended the college, was staying in a property above an Indian restaurant in Milford on Sea where he worked for five months. He is known to have worked in a number of Indian restaurants in Southampton and the New Forest. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Hampshire Police.

•ATTACKED Javid Lal was with his mother, Malikah

SICK STRANGER STUBBED OUT CIG ON BOY’S HEAD

A THREE-year-old boy was left with a burn on his head after a complete stranger stubbed a cigarette out on him. Javid Lal was with his mother, Malikah, when the incident occurred in Hyson Green, Nottingham. He was left with a mark on his head for two days following the random attack. The youngster had been walking on the pavement with his mother when a man walked past them and then turned around, appearing to aim his lit cigarette for the top of the child’s head. Miss Lal said: ‘It was absolutely horrifying. I’m so angry and upset. It breaks my heart someone could do this to any child, never mind my son.’ The 30-year-old said she was too shocked to go after the man and instead comforted her son. She added: ‘I am feeling disappointed with myself, because I’ve always thought if someone went for my children, I would go for them. ‘I feel kind of responsible, as if I’ve let my baby boy down. I was mortified and was nearly physically sick. I couldn’t stop crying. ‘I grabbed my son, because the man didn’t run off. I picked him up and was just holding him and telling him I was sorry.’ A police probe continues.

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Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

AsianCity LETTERS www.asiancity.co.uk

COMMENT

BRITAIN’S BEST ASIAN NEWSPAPER

Casual racism?

THE furor surrounding JK Rowling’s depiction of a hairy Sikh girl in her new novel Casual Vacancy does little to promote our mission to be portrayed as individuals rather than stereotypes. Just as in her Harry Potter novels, Rowling had penned the characters of Padma and Parvati as wizards who happened to be Asians, she’s merely extended the same artistic license to the character of Sukhvinder in Casual Vacancy. So she has a problem with facial hair. Don’t a lot of Asian women? Of course the majority don’t, but that’s the whole point of stereotypes – if you focus on what the majority do, you end up with Asians cast as doctors and shopkeepers. If we went the other way and went for a character that didn’t have any Asian attributes whatsoever, then people would complain the author does not understand what it takes to be Asian. We have to decide: do we want to see more individuals, who share traits we can recognise and relate to, or do we want to stick to the Citizen Khan trend of painting us all as one-dimensional caricatures?

Loving it or hating every minute of it, this is your platform to express yourself to thousands of fellow Asian City-zens in the same boat as you. Tell us your points of view or simply vent your spleen, don’t hold back... we’re here to share your joy and pain

JINN - BELIEVE IT OR NOT LAST week Asian City covered a lot of news on 'JINN'. And I'm so glad it did. Because it's a subject that doesn't get mentioned much in our community. Yet it's something that everyone knows about and deep down every Asian believes in. I know a lot of families in the UK who totally believe in jinn. These families even go back to their homelands to 'treat' their jinn-infected family members. Our people seem really backward when it comes to these things. They blame things on evil spirits and black magic and then try to pay so-called healers to get rid of them. Our community needs to be educated, especially the older generation. Some even blame jinn if their kids don't agree to an arrange marriage. Shelina Begum, Bristol

What a curry on SURPRISE, surprise! The £1.75m wasted on creating Curry Colleges to make up for all the workers who won’t be able to come over because of the new visa restrictions has proved a flop. It debunks the idea that restaurant owners were only hiring staff from across the oceans to sneak relatives in. The fact is: the best Indian chefs in the UK earned their stripes back in the sub-continent. At a time when the India restaurant is ailing, we need fresh blood now more than ever. Otherwise we’ll all be left with the same old bad taste in our mouth.

Run, Fauja, Run AT 101, Fauja Singh should be barely able to walk, let alone manage a 5k run in just over half an hour without breaking into a sweat. How does the oldest marathon runner in the world keep going such great lengths? His secret: avoiding stress. Next time you think you’re too old to do something, think of Fauja Singh. But if you try and don’t succeed, remember – don’t stress over it!

Email: letters@asiancity.co.uk

EVERYBODY is talking about JINN. Good. It's about time people woke up and realised the power of magic. Us Asians, whether Hindu, Muslim or Christian always believed in other forms of spirits - be it angles or spirits, we believe these things exist. That's why we pray to a higher being - and are afraid of the Satan. Some people find it funny, yet everybody believes in

Well done Windies

PUBLISHER Thufayel Ahmed

Congratulations to the Windies for winning the World T20. As a Sri Lankan, I was disappointed to see my team lose the final on home turf. However, what was heartening was to see India and Pakistan play a game of dramatic importance and not be overshadowed by politics. It’s about time that the two countries could approach a game without the added tension of politicians going at each others’ throats in the background! Hasith Wickramsinghe

Pointless march

I see Imran Khan led a march about drone attacks. What’s the point of doing it in Pakistan? Everyone’s against drone attacks there! I read somewhere that they kill 39 innocent civilians for every ‘militant’ they target. Instead of preaching to the converted, more should be done to stop these attacks taking place on Pakistani soil. Whoever heard of an ally being bombed by their own? It makes no sense. Pakistan should not have to put up with this any more. H Quereshi

End sectarian violence

I was sad to see Chittagong going up in flames because of an alleged insult to Islam by a Buddhist. Just because the Burmese authorities allow the Muslim Rohingya to be massacred by Buddhists does not mean we Bengalis should allow sectarian violence to take place in Bangladesh. We have a proud history of not succumbing to religious extremists. Long may this secular tradition continue. Arif Miah

Flop of the Pops

Will you please stop with all this X Factor nonsense? It’s bad enough you cover it at all, but to highlight the fact that the Asian hopefuls are all flops makes it even worse. It’s really cringy. Leave the X factor discussions to the mainstream red top papers and gossip mags. Rizwan Latif

JINN! There’s good jinn and bad jinn. Good jinn protect us, save us and help us in this world, whist bad jinn cause us grief and unhappiness. Perhaps the media should show a happy story where a jinn has done some good in this world. Remember, everyone who has had a bit of luck in this world probably got it from a good jinn. Rahel Ahmed, Whitechapel

GUEST EDITOR Nishath Choudhury ART DIRECTOR Virchand Pindoria ENTERTAINMENTS EDITOR Sohail Anjum MARKETING MANAGER Shuhed Miah

Extradition disgrace

I was disappointed to see that Babar Ahmed lost his appeal and has been extradited to the US. Babar Ahmed was a British citizen who has never committed any crime in the US. So why has he been extradited? He’d been locked away without trial for over eight years. What a disgrace! The war against Muslims continues apace. Muslims will always be guilty even when they’re not. The story about Abu Hamza being extradited was everywhere. Extradite him, fine. He’s a monster. But, no one has been able to answer what Babar Ahmed has done illegal in the USA! Ali Shah

Don’t give it back

So the Indians want the Kohinoor diamond back do they? well, it if that's the case, why don't the Egyptians want their mummies back? There's millions of stuff the British Empire have plundered from the world, if they start giving them back in some 'proceeds of crime' case, then there'd be nothing left in this country. Maybe that's why the UK gives out so much foreign aid to poor countries? Shiplu, Bow

EID HOLIDAYS!

Thank god this year both our EID celebrations are happening in the half term holidays. No excuses to miss school! Mrs Ahmed Teacher East London

E: (first name)@asiancity.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS Aliyah Ahmed, Azeem Hussain, Shima Shastry, Hannah Ahmed, Momtaz Begum-Hossain, Jaz Kaur, Ariana Jamila Ayesha Ahmed, Avni Pindoria, Poonam Patel, Lisa Sage, Mandy Jandoo, Jerin Rahat, Adam Ahmed, Asya Ahmed, Faizah Faheem, Rafia Rahman, Tanvir Ahmed, Paul Williams, Ibrahim Ahmed, Amanda Harrison, Mike Singh DISTRIBUTION Qalbi Ali: 07947 279 926 Newstrade: Postscriptum Ltd Non-newstrade: Surma Media PRINTED BY Mortons ASIAN CITY MEDIA LTD Unit 103, Greatorex Business Centre 8-10 Greatorex Street, London E1 5NF T: 0207 247 3537 E: info@asiancity.co.uk W: www.asiancity.co.uk

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BIG BOSS KHAN!

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

Champ launches promotional company and signs little bro’ AMIR Khan has launched his new promotional company with his brother Haroon the first signing.

The younger Khan is looking to follow in his sibling’s footsteps in the professional ranks after a decent amateur career that was capped with a bronze medal in the flyweight division at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. He will get to do so under his brother’s Super Fight Promotions banner, which boasts long-time promoter Dennis Hobson as a partner. ‘I’ve always wanted to turn professional and to do so under

•SIGNED UP Haroon Khan

Little appetite for curry jobs A SCHEME to encourage home-grown Asian chefs has managed to attract just 16 people out of a possible 70 places. The ‘curry colleges’ were created in May to plug the gap left by tougher immigration rules, which mean many restaurants can no longer recruit from overseas. The Hospitality Guild developed five ‘centres of excellence’ across England, offering training to young unemployed people in Asian cookery. One of them was at Leeds City College, which has attracted no recruits whatsoever.

Super Fight Promotions was an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down,’ said Haroon. ‘I have big ambitions but will take things a step at a time and I know I’ve got the best team behind me, who have that experience, to help guide my career to the very top.’ The announcement comes just days after former IBF and WBA light-welterweight champion Khan revealed Virgil Hunter would be his new trainer, with his next bout against the undefeated Carlos Molina in December.

•SHOPPING SPREE Freida Pinto browses knitwear

SLUMDOG STARS SPLASHING OUT!

Professional ‘I’m delighted that Haroon is the first fighter to sign for Super Fight Promotions. He’s got a lot of talent and I know he can achieve a lot in the professional game,’ said the elder Khan. ‘His amateur record will serve him well and I have no doubts that his decision to turn professional will prove to be a very fruitful one. ‘Super Fight Promotions is a company which is going to make big waves in boxing as we actively seek to sign the very best young talent around.’

•NEW ROLE But Amir Khan won’t give up the ring

MORE FOR MITTAL MILLIONS of pounds of British taxpayers’ cash is to help expand an oil plant part-owned by the UK’s richest man. The firm linked to billionaire steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal has been offered aid budget cash. A World Bank fund plans to offer a £295million loan — £15million of which will proportionally come from Britain — towards expanding a refinery in India. The 62-year-old’s Mittal Energy Investments holds a 49 per cent stake in the project, as does a state-run firm. Mr Mittal’s family is worth £12.7billion. The refinery is one of dozens of projects bankrolled by the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation. The UK has given the IFC

£650m, or 5.1 per cent of its capital. News of the proposed refinery loan comes just days after David Cameron pledged to press ahead with plans to increase Britain’s aid spending to £12billion a year, 0.7 per cent of national income. The PM is under pressure to rethink spending aid being channelled into fast-growing economies such as India, China and Russia. There is no suggestion that Mr Mittal or the companies have done anything improper. A spokesman for the International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank, said: “The IFC invests in financially viable companies that spur economic growth. The IFC reinvests its earnings into projects in developing countries.” •MONEY MAGNET Lakshmi Mittal

THEY’RE often seen treading the red carpet in a number of glamorous get-ups. So it’s no wonder Freida Pinto has developed a keen interest in shopping. And it appears she enjoys the pastime so much she’s even started buying up outfits for boyfriend Dev Patel. The actress took to AllSaints in London to treat herself to a number of outfits. But she also couldn’t resist acting as a stylist for Patel, who she started dating after meeting on the set of their 2008 break out movie Slumdog Millionaire. Freida was spotted taking her time at the trendy shop, where she spent a lot of her time eyeing up the male clothing section. While she left with a bag full of clothes for herself after searching the racks for dresses and coats, she soon turned her attention to getting a treat for her partner. And he must have been pleased with the goods as he returned to AllSaints following the gifts to bag himself some more garments himself. Judging by the smile on his face he was one happy customer.

•HAPPY SHOPPER Dev Patel at the trendy AllSaints store

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Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

ZAYN GIRL’S HEARTACHE... •JAILED Banaras Hussain

•ILLEGAL Border Agency officials found the men working at Patti Raj restaurant

Dealer’s third time unlucky

FOUR men from Bangladesh were found working illegally in one of Swansea’s most high-profile Indian restaurants, the UK Border Agency has said. When officers from the agency swooped on the Patti Raj, near St Helen’s rugby and cricket ground, they were said to have found three men — a 23-year-old waiter and two kitchen workers aged 27 and 31 — had over-stayed their visas, and a 40-year-old kitchen worker who was working illegally. The 23-year-old was arrested and is being held in immigration detention awaiting his removal from Britain, while the other three men have been ordered to report weekly to a Swansea police station while the authorities arrange emergency travel documents allowing them to be removed from

A DRUG dealer has been jailed for five years and seven months. Banaras Hussain, 31, who had a £13,000 drug debt from his own addiction, acted as a courier between those higher up the drugs chain and street sellers, Bradford Crown Court heard. Hussain, a known dealer, was stopped and searched in the Shipley areas of Bradford and found to be in possession of 66 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine. He had been acting as a drugs courier at least seven times a day for two months. He pleaded guilty to possessing heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply and two charges of supplying the drugs. The court heard he had previously served prison sentences on two occasions for drugs offences.

OFFICERS ‘TAKE AWAY’ CURRY HOUSE ILLEGALS the country and sent home. Andrew Hogan, of the UK Border Agency, said bosses who recruited illegal workers were damaging legitimate businesses which “played by the rules”. He said: “We are determined to stamp out the problem of illegal working and abuse of the immigration system. “Employers who take on illegal workers are both fuelling illegal immigration and damaging legitimate businesses who play by the rules. “We are sending a message to people who are in the country illegally — more operations are planned and you will be caught.” Amin Shah, from the Patti, said he was always careful about who he employed, and said the workers had all provided documentation.

POP romeo Zayn Malik is in the spolight again over his crazy love life. Little Mix star Perrie Edwards is said to be “upset” over claims that her One Direction boyfriend cheated on her. Zayn quit Twitter last month after ‘negativity’ surrounding him and the Little Mix star, after a video surfaced online claiming to show the singer hitting on another girl while on tour in the US. Newspapers quoted Zayn as blaming his exit from the social networking website on “all the hate” he was receiving when tweeting. Zayn said: “Don’t worry about me, im fine. I just deleted my account because of all the hate I was getting just by tweeting something simple. “And all the rumours of me smoking weed and cheating. I dont need to read any of that negativity.” A source close to Zayn told the tabloids at the time about Zayn and Perrie’s relationship: “They couldn’t be happier, it’s ridiculous that anyone thinks otherwise.” They added: “When they’re together it’s like excited teenagers getting together for the first time.” But the reports have reportedly caused a long term problem between the teenage couple. “Perrie was so upset when she heard the recording,” a source told Star magazine this week. “She trusts Zayn, but it’s hard to hear your boyfriend flirting with other girls and talking in that way. “She doesn’t want to be one of those girlfriends who always stresses about what her boyfriend is up to. She knows boys will be boys but it was so upsetting.”

•LIGHT MY FIRE Zayn Malik shopping for candles at Ikea. He was later seen heading back to his house in London and Perrie Edwards left early the next morning

aSIaN CITY

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

FROM BOMBAY TO BRICK LANE, DOWN THESE MEAN STREETS SHIHAB SALIM MUST GO

e: shabbs@asiancity.co.uk

YOUNG AND DUMB

The original Gangnam stylista EVERYONE in the whole planet seems to be dancing to the beat of Gangnam Style, as if musical glitz, chintz and over-the-top dancing have all just been invented. If you’re a music producer, here’s your glitter and sequin-curtained window of opportunity to remind the world that Bollywood has been doing the Gangam for years. Knock up a remix of Mithun Chakraborty’s Disco Dancer now! MY faith in love has been restored. Last year, when I was briefly single, I hooked up with my mate Pooja Vedi, hoping she might be up for giving me some sugar. As ever, she gave me nothing, but did give me the juicy gossip that she was secretly dating cricketer Mark Ramprakash. An affair, I imagined. Until they got married last week. Aww. And no, I didn’t get invited to the wedding.

NEPAL GIVES ITS VERDICT

THE Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) last week demanded that cinemas across the country stop showing Bollywood movies for ten days. Members of the splinter group have also torched school buses and smashed computers in a Kathmandu college in the latest sign of tension over Nepal’s lack of progress since the Maoists and the state signed a peace deal to end the war. Jeez, I know the reviews for Jism 2 have been bad, but this is ridiculous...

THE news that the undearly departed presenter Jimmy Saville used to prey on young girls is making us all feel justifiably ill. The word on the street is, back in the day, the old guard at the BBC thought a bit of cradle snatching was all part of the fun and games. In other news, the almost 50 Govinda makes an unwelcome return in new movie Avtar, playing the love interest of the barely 18 Ritu Shivpuri. Throw away the popcorn and get ready to use the carton as a sick bag.

It’s time to abort this dangerous baby debate...

WOMEN. They keep changing their minds – they take ages before they come to a decision, only to change their minds again. What are they like?

exactly renown for understanding women, but you’d at least expect them to take notice of how this sort of decision-making fares in other countries, no? According to a recent study in medical journal The Lancet, This topic has kept men in pubs making abortion difficult to access, or and outside changing rooms in worse, making it illegal, made the shopping centres grumbling for rates of unsafe abortion skyrocket. In generations, but even the most Asia in 2008, 40% of abortions were chauvinistic among us wouldn’t go unsafe. In Europe, where women’s as far as to demand women should reproductive rights have traditionally be forced to make their mind up by been upheld, this rate was just 9%. law. Surely someone should point out to But the proposal by the new the likes of Hunt that women’s rights Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt (now is really not an area in which British there’s a name screaming out to be a politicians should be aping Asia? rhyming slang) to reduce abortion limit from 24 weeks to 12 weeks after Insulting conception takes controlling women to frightening new heights. How a The idea that women take their man (who let’s face it, wants an time deciding on whether or not to award for doing something as basic have a baby is like trying to work out as changing a nappy) dares to think whether heels or flats would go best he knows what’s best when it comes with her churidar is beyond insulting. to a woman deciding whether she’s British Asian women regularly have ready to be a mother or not is abortions, not because they’re fickle, beyond rational thining. but as regular readers of Asian City And really, 12 weeks? I know will know, there are plenty of plenty of women who only notice psychotic men in our community they haven’t had their last period ready to exact revenge upon women until a few weeks have passed. who bring unwanted pregnancies Which means a woman will have to into the equation. make the biggest, most difficult And it’s not single girls either. choice in their life, notwithstanding Cousin marriages are still prevalent the hormone overdrive driving her in this country and we all know how nuts, by next month. that can lead to abnormalities in the I appreciate Tory politicians aren’t foetus. The problem there is – you

can’t detect genetic anomalies until at least three months into the pregnancy. Don’t these politicians bother to talk with doctors? Women are biologically programmed to be mothers, to be creators of life (which is why they don’t tend to prove their worth or point of existence by building bombs), so when a woman cast doubts about wanting a child – it’s ridiculous to assume she doesn’t have her reasons. Back off, give her time to decide. I have two beautiful, healthy children, but if you were to ask me what I think a woman should do with an unplanned pregnancy, I’d say: “why are you asking me? I’m a man. And what the bloody hell has what a woman does with her body got to do with you?” What gets my goat the most about pro-lifers is that for all their demands that a woman must be forced to bring a baby she doesn’t want into the world, they don’t give a monkeys about what happens to the kid once it does arrive. Are they going to help support it? Make sure it’s loved and feels wanted? No. In fact, when that child grows up to be a violent adult (and statistically, most hardcore criminals state their lives took a twisted turn because their mothers did not want them), pro-lifers are the first to demand we bring back hanging…

QUEERYING SEXUALITY THE last time I was in Mumbai, I was pleasantly surprised and subsequently offended to meet many openly gay Indians (offended because none of them made a pass at me). Almost all of the out and proud gays I met were in showbusiness, and when I asked them why they weren’t making gay movies they got annoyed with me, saying they were artists who happenned to be gay, that their sexuality did not define their art, and accused me of being judgemental. Like any straight man, I stormed off and sulked. And now that Channel 4 are showcasing Queer Indian Cinema, I’m feeling quite righteous. Ha! I was right, they were wrong – I thought of Gay Bollywood before them. And it’s not just the gays in India I’m out to trounce. I hope the bouncers in Brighton clubs are watching the movies too. Because, despite being the gay capital of Europe, there simply aren’t any gay Asians to be seen anywhere. Well, actually, near where I live, the only Asians are the trainee doctors at the nearby hospital and the mullet

men that serve up some kind of strange alien gloop masquerading as curry, but that’s a different matter. Fact is, I’ve had many a call to get incensed that I have never been mistaken for a homosexual in this proud gay city. Just the other day, I was refused entry to the legendary gay haunt Revenge. “You’re not queer,” said the bouncer. “Yeah?” I said indignant. “What about this?” I pointed to my earring on my right ear (many years ago when I was a confirmed tryhard twat, back when which ear you wore your ring in signified your sexuality, I intentionally had it done in my right ear just to confuse people). “Still not queer,” he said, dismissively. “Why can’t I be queer?” I demanded, aghast, the chip on my shoulder dripping in chilli sauce. “Is it because I is Asian?” “No mate,” he said. “You look like you buy your clothes in Primark and let’ face it, you’ve never seen the inside of a gym. There isn’t a gay man in town who looks as crap as you do.” Ooh. These gays are soo judgemental.

SO IT took two years for the investigators at the Children’s Commissioner to conclude that child abuse crimes are not confined to Asian areas in northern mill towns. The results of the inquiry, due to be published next month, prompted the chief executive of the Child Exploitation and On-line Protection Centre to point out: “If you paint a picture that this kind of offending is only perpetrated by British Pakistani men, you might reduce victims’ awareness that it may be perpetrated by other people.” Seeing as figures from Greater Manchester Police have revealed that 95 per cent of those on its sex offenders’ register are white, isn’t it bizarre that an extensive inquiry had to be made to prove all northern sex pests weren’t Pakistani men? That there’s a whole bunch of people out there who tell their kids they’re only in danger where there’s a brown man involved? What do you call these people? Ignorant, obviously. Another way to describe them would be “Daily Mail readers”.

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

B’s BABY BLUES! BETI-B GIVES BACHCHANS SLEEPLESS NIGHTS

Famous Bollywood stars with their babies!

IT’S GOOD to know that India’s unofficial Royal Family are just like the rest of us.

DOUBLE JOY! THE power couple of Bollywood, Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna welcome their second baby, a girl, who happily arrived into this world on the 25 September. Twinkle delivered a baby girl at the Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai. Proud father Akshay Kumar said in a statement: “We are blessed with a lovely baby girl who looks just like her mother and grandmother and I have no words to express my happiness – I would like to thank everyone for their blessings and best wishes.” Reportedly, Akshay was in Jaipur, promoting his film ‘Oh My God’, when he heard the news about his wife being admitted to the hospital. He immediately rushed to Mumbai to be with Twinkle during the delivery. According to reports, Twinkle was not well at the start of her pregnancy. However, the delivery was normal and went off well and both mother and daughter are healthy. The couple also have a 10-year-old son Aarav.

As this picture shows, even superstar parents suffer the same sleepless nights with their babies as the rest of us mere mortals. The Bachchans were photographed on one of their many journeys with Beti B, and the lack of sleep is clearly taking its toll. At a press conference his upcoming TV show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati 6’, a proud Amitabh Bachchan revealed quite a lot about his granddaughter. Big B was asked about the kind of knowledge he would like to impart to Aaradhya, he said, “Right now, the only knowledge I want to impart her (Aaradhya) is that she pay a little attention to me and realize that I am her grandfather. So far I have only succeeded to the extent that she has now understood that this bearded man is going to play an important role in her life. So she keeps snatching away at my beard.” Big B added: “Aaradhya hasn’t begun talking yet, but I hope she will make an effort. She is making the effort.” Beti B doesn’t trouble her dadji at night. Amitabh Bachchan said: “So far Aaradhya has been very thoughtful; she hasn’t so far given me the reason to keep awake at night. But yes, she keeps Aishwarya and Abhishek awake till very late at night.” Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, the newly appointed Goodwill Ambassador for UNAIDS, says that being a mother has kept her very busy for the past year and she hasn’t missed being in movies at all.

•KNACKERED Abhishek and Aishwarya look worse for wear with baby Aaradhya Ash said, “Motherhood is “bliss like I have never experienced. Each passing day you feel blessed with such joys.”

Blessings She added: “Children are a blessing from god and motherhood is an experience which is tough to define. It is wonderful, beautiful, glorious. I can’t find the perfect adjective for it.” Having been away from the movies for over two years now, Aishwarya

said she has not had the time to miss her movie career as motherhood has kept her extremely busy. Aishwarya said: “I have not even felt the time. Any mother would know that you have no concept of day or night. Time just flies by, there is so much going on. I want to be with my daughter all the time. That is the choice I have made. It is my personal choice and I love being with her. She is my angel.” Aaradhya Bachchan is now 10 months old.

Hrithik Roshan with Hrehaan and Hridhaan Roshan married Suzanne Khan on 20 December 2000. The couple were blessed with their first son in 2006. He was named Hrehaan. In the 2008, they were blessed yet again with their second son, named Hridhaan. Arjun Rampal with Mahikaa and Myra Arjun Rampal married former Miss India and supermodel Mehr Jesia. They have two daughters Mahikaa, born on 17 January 2002 and Myra, born June 2005. Ajay Devgan with Nysa Ajay married Kajol on 24 February 1999. They have two kids, Nysa, born on the 20 April 2003 and Yug, born on the 13 September 2010. Madhuri Dixit with Arin and Raayan Madhuri married Dr Shriram Madhav Nene, On 17 October 1999. They have two sons, Arin, born in March 2003 and Raayan, born in March 2005.

•JAILED Sami

Smugglers sent to jail

TWO men behind a global people smuggling ring have been jailed for 13 years. Khalilullah Aminullah, of Hayes, and Abdul Mahmood Abdul Sami, of Northolt, tried to smuggle 43 illegal immigrants using counterfeit identity documents. The pair travelled throughout the Middle East and Europe to co-ordinate their criminal network, and recruited associates ‘facilitators’ - who would travel with the migrants, provide them with stolen, forged or false passports as they passed through immigration controls, and the ‘customers’ would then claim asylum at their final destination. They would charge £15,000-£20,000 per person for the service.

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

•VICTIM Cabbie Syed Giliani was traumatised by the attack

Cabbie’s horror attack

STROLL-MODEL!

A CABBIE has been left traumatised after he was beaten by four drunken louts and left lying injured on the road. Syed Gilani has spoken out about the unprovoked robbery which has left him scared to work and forced him to move out of his home in Doncaster. Fellow workers at the town’s Alpha Mini Cabs have also said that they are regularly exposed to threatening behaviour as well as customers who run off without paying. Four men set upon the 28-year-old, when he stopped his taxi because four passengers he picked up from outside Doncaster College refused to stop shouting, swearing and drinking. When asked to get out, the men kicked and punched Mr Gilani and then made off with his sat-nav as well as his cab and house keys. He was left to call the police and paramedics as he lay on the ground. He said: “It was really very scary. I didn’t really know what was going to happen. This is the first time anything this bad has happened. I was taken to hospital and they couldn’t find any fractures but I have really bad pain in my chest and have had trouble breathing since.”

5km is ‘walk in the park’ for 101-year-old marathon man WITH a string of marathons under his belt, 101-year-old Fauja Singh treated his latest run like a walk in the park.

Thousands turned out to watch Mr Singh as he ran the Surrey 5km race in British Columbia, Canada, in just 35 minutes. Londoner Mr Singh, who was born in India in 1911, ‘barely broke a sweat’ according to his family, as the centenarian is used to running far longer distances. Four generations of the Singh family were competing alongside one another in Canada over the weekend, and Mr Singh said he was ‘proud’ to be part of the race. The Ilford resident carried the Olympic torch prior to this summer’s Games, and has been part of an Adidas campaign alongside David Beckham and Muhammad

Ali during his illustrious running career. Surprisingly, he only picked up the sport when in his eighties, and has jogged 10 miles a day since. Mr Singh’s title of ‘world’s oldest marathon runner’ remains unofficial only on a technicality, as he does not have a birth certificate.

Autograph After the race, fans of Mr Singh jostled for his autograph, and one banner simply read: ‘Fauja Rocks!’ Mr Singh’s publicist told CTV News that his goal was to inspire people of all ages to get involved in running or physical activity. Mr Singh, who has run eight marathons, holds the record for the men’s over-90 category after running the Toronto marathon in five hours and 40 minutes in 2003.

He also holds UK records for the 200 metres, 400m, 800m, one mile and 3000m for his age group. In Canada though, Mr Singh was not out to smash a personal best or break a record. He just wanted to enjoy a comparably short race with his family. The marathon man, whose autobiography is titled The Turban Tornado, announced his retirement from longer distance running in April – just before competing in the London marathon. His trainer Harmander Singh said before the race: ‘I believe it’s probably best that this is the last. I don’t think he has anything else to prove.’ Mr Singh says the the secret to staying in shape and being able to conquer his gruelling fitness regime at his age is simple. He eats curry •NO AGE CONCERN Fauja Singh at the ‘easy’ 5km run and drinks a lot of tea.

•IN THE DOCK Artist’s impression of the accused men in court

Nine deny 51 charges

NINE men stood in the dock of the Old Bailey as they denied counts which included child rape, trafficking and organising prostitution. It took 40 minutes for the 51 charges to be read to the men and their not guilty pleas to be recorded. One of the six victims in the charges was said to have been first abused when she was 11 or 12, others when they were 13. Court clerk Kevin Roach had to stop at one point to take a sip of water and by count 36, he sat down to continue reading the lengthy details. The men, all from the Oxford area, were remanded in custody to face an eight-week trial on January 14. The accused included two sets of brothers, Akhtar Dogar, 31, and Anjum Dogar, 30, and Bassam Karrar, 32, and Mohammed Karrar, 37. The others were Kamir Jamil, 26, Zeeshan Ahmed, 26, Assad Hussain, 31, Bilal Ahmed, 25, and Mohammed Hussain, 24. Judge Peter Rook said they would appear at pre-trial hearings in November and December.

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

Man stabbed ‘by mistake’ A MAN who sought revenge on a woman after a raid on his father’s home, accidentally stabbed an innocent man when he tried to catch her. Tamim Anzimi, 27, from Ilford, was spared jail after the judge accepted he was in an emotional state at the time, and felt guilty for not being able to help his father during the burglary. Snaresbrook Crown Court heard how the family man went in search of the female thief the night after his father’s home was broken in to. But when Anzimi finally tracked her down in a town centre street, he found her with Haroon Khan, who knew nothing about the raid. Mr Khan stepped in to protect the woman when Anzimi raised a knife, only for it to slice through his arm instead. The judge sentenced Anzimi to 12 months, suspended for 18 months.

HIT AND RUN DEATH 12yr boy killed by car escaping police A “devastated” family are in mourning after a 12-year-old boy was killed by a hit-and-run driver trying to escape from the police.

•BILAL RAFFEY KHIZAR Killed on his way home

Bilal Raffey Khizar died when he was struck by a red Seat Ibiza as he crossed Rooley Lane, Bradford, next to the Asda superstore at about 7pm on Saturday (6 October). The youngster, a pupil at Bradford Academy, died from his injuries at the crossing in Bierley, shortly after police officers in a marked vehicle had stopped the car in a lay-by on Rooley Lane. As the officers from West Yorkshire Police got out of their vehicle and approached the Ibiza, it sped off, before fatally injuring Bilal, after officers had been in pursuit. The driver of the Ibiza did not stop and also collided with two more vehicles on the Chain Bar roundabout on the M606, before the vehicle was later recovered in Westfield Lane, Wyke. Two people have been arrested by officers,

•JAILED Mohammed Kershid

Duo spent drugs cash •SCENE Friends pay tribute to Bilal while the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has also begun an investigation into the incident. No details have been revealed about those arrested. It is believed Bilal was heading home from a friend’s house on his scooter when he was hit by the Ibiza. Academy chaplain, the Reverend Rob Taylor, said Bilal was a “colourful character” who would be greatly missed. His many friends and relatives paid tribute to a “wonderful child, who was well loved by all who knew him”.

•RACE ROW Raman Bhardwaj

TWO drug dealers serving jail terms totalling 12 years had nothing left to show for their crimes, Bradford Crown Court heard. Mohammed Kershid, doing a nine- year stretch, and his courier, Mohammed Ayaz, jailed for three years and four months, made £16,000 from their wrong-doing. Of that, only £350 was left and that was in the hands of the police, the court was told. Kershid, 40, and Ayaz, 39, were jailed last November for conspiracy to supply heroin. Kershid, branded a “professional” drug dealer by the sentencing judge, was snared in a sting by police officers posing as a gang of criminals. A Proceeds of Crime Application hearing went ahead without Kershid and Ayaz after Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC was told they did not want to attend.

TWITTER THREAT

TELLY sports host Raman Bhardwaj called in cops over a “serious threat” after being caught up in a bitter race row with Glasgow Rangers fans. The STV presenter sparked fury among Ibrox supporters when he questioned their loyalty to former England captain John Terry. Raman, 38, posted a series of tweets after Terry announced his retirement from international football in the wake of accusations he made a racist slur towards Anton Ferdinand. He wrote: “Rangers fans — and only Rangers fans on my timeline — are so quick to defend John Terry. Jeez. I wonder why.” But his comments were met with claims that he was implying Rangers fans are racist. And he was forced to shut down his account. He said: “I’ve decided to come off Twitter whilst a serious threat I received is investigated by police.”

STARS GATHER FOR SRI

SRIDEVI’S comeback film ‘English Vinglish’ turned out to be the biggest premiere of the year so far in Mumbai where the entire film fraternity came to cheer this diva who is appearing on the big screen after 15 years. Sridevi graced the premiere with her family including Boney Kapoor, daughter Jhanvi and Kushi. Sridevi’s 15-year-old daughter Jhanvi said: “I am so proud. She is the coolest mom.” Among other celebrities who came to cheer Sridevi were Tabu, Jaya Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit and Shilpa Shetty

•WANTED Abdul Hamid Khan

Police hunt sex suspect DETECTIVES hunting a sex attacker in Lancashire have released details of a man they want to speak to. Abdul Hamid Khan, 33, has links to Haslingden, Accrington and Blackpool and the Tower Hamlets and Chadwell Heath areas of London. Officers launched an investigation after a 43 year old woman was grabbed from behind and sexually assaulted on Sunday, August 19th. She saw a man acting suspiciously and as she turned her back she was grabbed from behind and sexually assaulted. The man then fled. Detectives now also believe the attack could be linked to an earlier sexual assault on a 65 year old woman. The woman was grabbed by a man and sexually assaulted. Anyone with any information should call Lancashire Police on 101.

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

Rapist posed as cab driver A RAPIST who lured his victim to an empty house after she had got in his car believing he was a minicab driver has been jailed for seven years. A trial heard that after a night out clubbing, Sajjad Afzal had been cruising the streets of central Edinburgh to satisfy his “own sexual gratification”. The 20-year-old victim got into his car in George Street, mistakenly thinking that he was a cab driver. But Afzal, 25, ignored her desperate pleas to be taken home and began to touch her and try to kiss her. He drove her to a friend’s home in Musselburgh, knowing there would be no-one in, and subjected her to a prolonged attack. The case dates back to 2010 and the court heard how Afzal, who denied the charge, had since married and his wife is expecting a child. Jailing him at the High Court in Edinburgh, judge Lord Pentland criticised the amount of time it took to bring Afzal to court as a matter of “serious public concern”. He said Afzal had been convicted of a “horrific” attack.

Justice for abuse boys?

Sexual abuse victims in India launch legal battle for compensation in UK

•STARS Dharmendra and sons

EIGHT teenage boys who allege they were sexually abused by their English headmaster at a school in India are seeking compensation.

if a civil case was proved it would demonstrate Slade’s regime in India was similar to what occurred at the private schools in Wicklewood, Norfolk, and Great Finborough, Suffolk. Lawyers have been instructed to pursue Mr Collins said: “We hope that anyone claims on behalf of the ex pupils of Anglo- who was approached to donate monies to the Kutchi Medium School in Gujarat, where school or assist financially in any way will Derek Slade was headmaster. come forward, as they may be able to provide Slade was jailed for 21 years in 2010 after information which may help the victims of he was found guilty of sexually abusing 12 Derek Slade.” boys in Suffolk. Abuse He became involved in the funding and building of Anglo-Kutchi in 2001. A six-month investigation by journalist Derek Sawyer’s solicitor issued a statement Roger Cook for the BBC’s Inside Out which said Mr Sawyer “had no management programme uncovered the allegations of responsibilities at the school and did not abuse. The boys are claiming compensation employ Mr Slade” and that “he had no from three defendants who they say owed knowledge of any sexual abuse allegations at them a duty of care because they ran the the relevant time, and obviously he utterly school which employed Slade. condemns any such behaviour”. The claim is being made against Derek Mr Osman said: “If these acts are proved Sawyer, former leader of Islington Borough to have taken place, I condemn them Council and former chairman of the London absolutely. Regional Courts Board, Abdul Osman, “I was not responsible for employing Labour Lord Mayor of Leicester, and the Derek Slade nor for protecting children from charity Help a Poor Child, which supported him. the school. “Accordingly, if any proceedings are issued Alan Collins, partner at Pannone Solicitors they will be defended.” •LOCKED UP Headmaster Derek Slade abused schoolchildren which is representing the claimants, said that The case has yet to reach the courts.

LAST FILM FOR YASH? YASH Chopra, who celebrated his 80th birthday, said in a chat with Shahrukh Khan that Jab Tak Hai Jaan will be his last film as a director. The veteran filmmaker said, “My heart says bahut ho gaya abhi. I will not direct any other film after ‘Jab Tak Hain Jaan’. I have got lot of love in all these years. I think now the time has come to pay back. I want to help directors, actors, technicians who I could not help all these years.” “This industry has given me so much. I am very much happy and satisfied with the film. This film has turned out better than my expectation. I don’t want to do anything else. My wife has been complaining a lot. I want to make her happy and enjoy my life,” added Yash Chopra.

Uni man stars with his hero

A MAN who is named after a famous Bollywood star has ended up with a role in a film with his famous namesake! Dharminder Shoker is an Asset Manager at the University of Leicester where a crew of over 100 are located for the shooting of Yamla Pagla Deewana 2. The film features Bollywood legend Dharmendra and his star sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol. Mr Shoker has been making arrangements for the shoot at the University campus, which is being used as a backdrop for the movie. He said: “I first met Sunny Deol and his team a couple of months back. It was very exciting to get to meet such a massive Bollywood film star.’

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‘Curry touts scare public’ CURRY-touting is destroying Brick Lane and is frightening away customers, one of the street’s most prominent restaurant owners claim. Attempts to drum up business on the “curry mile” in east London can often be aggressive with false offers of free drinks and big discounts. But Muquim Ahmed, 57, who owns one of the area’s most successful restaurants, Café Naz, said touting was killing Brick Lane. “If the food and service is good enough, the restaurant does not need aggressive touts. We have all had a difficult time with the rise in

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VAT and low footfall, but touting is really the thing that is destroying the street, people are staying away because it is too annoying,” he said. Four Brick Lane restaurants had their licences suspended for a month last year for touting, but Mr Ahmed — who set up his business in 1996 — said more needed to be done. On a Saturday night, a potential

curry customer was approached 24 times by touts on a 600-yard stretch between Chicksand Street and Buxton Street. Another said the touts made him feel “harassed and uncomfortable”. He said: “It felt like every single restaurant stopped us. We went to Café Naz because there was no one trying to drag us in and I don’t regret it. We loved the food. It was great.”

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Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

WORLD NEWS

•BRAVE: Malik Iqbal

Briton killed before trial POLICE say a British man of Pakistani origin was shot dead after arriving in Pakistan to testify against people suspected of kidnapping him last year. Malik Muhammad Iqbal, 55, was killed by masked men in the city of Rawalpindi near Islamabad. Authorities are investigating a potential link to Iqbal’s 20-day kidnapping ordeal, which ended in him paying ransom. Police officer Mohammad Usman said that two women held in connection with the abduction had their bail pleas rejected the same day he was killed. Iqbal’s nephew, Mohammad Ashfaq, says his uncle came from Bradford, England, to testify despite being threatened. Ashfaq said Iqbal’s body will be returned to Britain, where friends have expressed shock at the case. Kidnapping for ransom is an increasingly common crime in Pakistan.

•EARLY FLOODS homeless

Monsoon hits Pakistan

•DEMANDS The protesters plan to march for a month to reach Delhi

AIRLINE GROUNDED INDIA’S Kingfisher airline has grounded its fleet for a further week after talks with workers protesting against months of unpaid wages failed.

The cash-strapped airline had to suspend flights for three days after some technical staff went on strike. But it said flights would be grounded until 12 October. Meanwhile, the wife of a Kingfisher employee has killed herself, leaving a note blaming financial stress because her husband’s salary had not been paid. Sushmita Chakravorty, 45, wife of Manas Chakravorty, a member of Kingfisher’s ground staff, hanged herself at her home in Delhi’s Mangalpuri area, police said. They said she left a suicide note in which she spoke of worries because her husband had not received his full

•STRUGGLING Vijay Mallya

Flights suspended as airline runs out of money, staff strike

spokesman Prakash Mirpuri expressed “regret” that staff had refused to return to work. “We regret that the illegal strike has still not been withdrawn and normalcy has not been restored in the company, thereby continuing to cripple and paralyse the working of the entire airline,” Mr Mirpuri said. In July, the airline was forced to cancel 40 flights after staff went on strike, again over the airline’s failure to pay months of wages. After the government relaxed •STRIKE Closed ticketing counter investment rules last month salary for several months. The allowing foreign airlines to buy up airline is yet to comment on the to a 49% stake in domestic carriers death. in India, Mr Mallya said discussions were taking place which Collapse could allow overseas operators to invest in the airline. But analysts say that this week’s Kingfisher, owned by Vijay Mallya, has been struggling with a disruption and safety concerns cash shortage and has reported could hurt efforts to win the investment that could save the losses for five years in a row. In a statement, Kingfisher airline from collapse.

MONSOON floods in Pakistan over the last two weeks have killed more than 400 people and affected more than 4.5 million others, the government disaster relief agency has said. In addition, tens of thousands of people have been made homeless by heavy flooding in the provinces of Balochistan and Sindh, officials say. The floods began in early September in the north of the country. Pakistan has suffered devastating floods in the past two years. The worst floods were in 2010, when almost 1,800 people were killed and 21 million people affected. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said that most of those hit by the latest floods flooding are in Sindh province - in the southern part of the country - where 2.8 million have been affected. •VIOLENT Hindus clean a temple after being attacked by a group of Muslims

LANDLESS MARCH

TENS of thousands of landless poor have begun a march to the Indian capital, Delhi, demanding their right to land. The march began in Gwalior City in the central state of Madhya Pradesh, organisers said. The protesters would cover the distance of about 350km (217 miles) to reach Delhi by the end of October, they said. The government sent two ministers in an attempt to persuade the protesters to call off their march but they were unsuccessful. Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh and Commerce Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia met the organisers - a non-governmental organisation called Ekta Parishad - to accept the government’s promise that a draft national land reform policy would be prepared in six months. “Discussion is always a better option than agitation... Go home, we will find the middle path,” the paper quoted Mr Ramesh as telling the protesters. But the protesters, mostly tribespeople and landless labourers, insist that each of them must be given a piece of land.

STARBUCKS and partners Tata will open their first store in India by the end of October in south Mumbai. The delayed opening of the outlet in Horniman Circle will mark the first of many planned by the company in India. The 50-50 joint venture between the US coffee giant and Tata Global Beverages, known as Tata Starbucks, will use locally sourced coffee beans.

MUSLIMS ATTACK TEMPLE

PAKISTAN’S blasphemy laws may be used to punish Muslims suspected of ransacking a Hindu temple, an intriguing twist for a country where harsh laws governing religious insults are primarily used against supposed offenses to Islam, not minority faiths. The blasphemy laws, sections of which carry the death penalty or life imprisonment, have drawn renewed international scrutiny this year after a young Christian girl in Islamabad was alleged to have desecrated the Muslim holy book, the Quran. A Muslim cleric now stands accused of fabricating evidence against the girl, who has been freed on bail and whose mental capacity has been questioned. Police officer Mohammad Hanif said the anti-Hindu attack took place Sept. 21. The government had declared that day a national holiday — a “Day of Love for the Prophet” — and called for peaceful demonstrations against an anti-Islam film made in the U.S. that has sparked protests throughout the Muslim world. Those rallies took a violent turn in Pakistan, and more than 20 people were killed. Hanif said dozens of Muslims led

by a cleric converged on the outskirts of Karachi in a Hindu neighborhood commonly known as Hindu Goth. The protesters attacked the Sri Krishna Ram temple, broke religious statues, tore up a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu scripture, and beat up the temple’s caretaker, Sindha Maharaj. “The attackers broke the statues of (Hindu deities) Radha, Hanuman, Parwati and Krishna, and took away the decorative gold ornaments,” Maharaj said. “They also stormed my home and snatched the gold jewelry of my family, my daughters.”

Outrage Maharaj and other Hindu leaders turned to the police, who registered a case against the cleric and eight other Muslims. But none of the suspects had been found, police said. Officials said the case against the attackers was registered under Section 295-A of the blasphemy laws, which covers the “outraging of religious feelings.” That section of the law can apply to any religion and carries a fine or up to 10 years imprisonment.

Fake Mahal DUBAI will soon be adding another ostentatious building to its skyline as developers announced they plan to build an exact replica of India’s famed Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The project, called “Taj Arabia,” will include a 300-room five star hotel, apartments, restaurants and shops, according to the development company Link Global. The price tag for the development is more than $350 million, according to the company’s web site.

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

WORLD NEWS

BUDDHIST VILLAGES BURN Muslim anger over picture

MUSLIM protesters have attacked Buddhist villages in Bangladesh, after an image said to show a burnt Koran was posted on social network site Facebook.

•WRECK Carnage on road

Bus crash kills family

Witnesses said angry crowds set fire to homes and temples in the Cox’s Bazar district, forcing families to flee. A curfew has been imposed and security forces are patrolling the streets. The man accused of posting the image is in protective custody. Police say he was tagged in the photo but did not post it himself. Buddhists in the area, in southeast Bangladesh, said their possessions were stolen before their homes were destroyed. “Before they set fire to my home, they looted everything,” said resident Sumoto Barua. “They took our possessions, then they torched the house. I am now living under open sky.” The violence erupted on

AT LEAST 13 people, including 12 members of one family, were killed as a bus and a microbus the victims were travelling in collided head-on on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway in northeastern Bangladesh, officials and reports said. “The bus rammed the microbus killing the victims instantly near Sylhet city, three of them are children and six are women,” a police officer of the local police station told Gulf News after he was reached by phone. He said about 30 passengers of the bus were also injured as they were travelling to a shrine in Sylhet from southeastern Lakkhipur district while the members of the extended family were returning to their home from Dhaka. The reports said the 13th victim was the microbus driver.

•FACILITIES Now compulsory

No bog standards INDIA’S Supreme Court has given the central and state governments six months to ensure that all schools have proper toilets and drinking water. The court also said the governments must implement its previous directions to provide the basic infrastructure. Last year the court ordered that toilets, especially for girls, should be built in all educational facilities. A bench headed by Justice KS Radhakrishnan said that a lack of such basic facilities was a violation of the right to free and compulsory education guaranteed in the Indian constitution. A study by the Right to Education Forum, said 95% of schools across India do not comply with their infrastructure standards. It showed that while one in 10 schools lack drinking water facilities, 40% lack a functional common toilet. Another 40% lack a separate toilet for girls.

MONKS RESPOND IN SL

PROTESTERS threw stones at the Bangladeshi embassy in Sri Lanka on Thursday as saffron-robed monks demonstrated against Muslim mob attacks on Buddhist temples in Bangladesh. A crowd of about 500 monks and supporters marched to the Bangladesh High Commission (embassy) and handed over a petition condemning Sunday’s attacks against Buddhist temples in the coastal region of Cox’s Bazaar, witnesses said. Windows of the mission were smashed before police moved in to disperse the protest, which blocked several road junctions in the capital Colombo. One man was arrested for criminal damage, police spokesman Ajith Rohana said, adding that monks were not involved in the attack.

DEATH FOR CASTE KILLERS

FIVE members of a family in the Indian capital, Delhi, have been sentenced to death for the brutal murder of a young couple in 2010. Yogesh and Asha were tortured and electrocuted by members of Asha’s family who objected to the union on caste grounds. Asha’s parents, her uncle, aunt and a cousin were convicted on Monday. Last year the Supreme Court said honour killings should get the death penalty. Most parents in India still prefer arranged marriages within their own caste and relationships outside of caste are frowned upon. The couple were taken by Asha’s

•MURDER SCENE Asha’s uncle’s home parents to her uncle’s house where the torture and killings took place. Asha’s family was opposed to the couple’s plans to get married because Yogesh belonged to a lower caste. All five accused were convicted on Monday for “murder and voluntarily causing hurt”.

•DEVASTATION Bangladesh’s Home Minister visits a burned temple Saturday and continued into the early hours of Sunday. Hundreds of protesters are said to have rampaged through Buddhist neighbourhoods, smashing statues, burning down monasteries and attacking houses. The violence spread to the outskirts of the port city of Chittagong, where a Hindu temple was also attacked. Bangladeshi Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir visited the scene and described the violence as “premeditated and deliberate acts of communal violence against a minority”.

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

Hot in the City YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO ASIAN ENTERTAINMENT

e: sohail@asiancity.co.uk

NEWKIDSON THE BLOCK Karan Johar’s new starlets

Bhatt plays Bhatt

KARAN Johar was in London town last week to promote his forthcoming movie, Student Of The Year. Accompanying the director were his three new leads Alia Bhatt (daughter of director Mahesh Bhatt), Varun Dhawan (son of director David Dhawan) and former model turned actor Sidharth Malhotra.

The Bollywood newcomers interacted with UK fans and signed autographs during a promotional visit to a local cinema. Karan told the crowd “They are the stars of tomorrow, please give them love”. Student Of The Year revolves around three high school students and

RUMOURS doing the rounds are that there could soon be a remake of the Bollywood flick, Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin, and to reprise the role of Pooja Bhatt’s character will be non-other than stepsister, Alia Bhatt. Imran Khan has been approached for the character originally played by his uncle, Aamir Khan. And if rumours are to be believed then actress turned filmmaker, Pooja Bhatt will announce the project on her father Mahesh Bhatt’s 64th Birthday. Watch this space …

how their equation changes when they compete for the title ‘Student of the Year’ and is promising to be Karan’s most glamorous film ever. Student Of The Year will be released in cinemas on the 19th October.

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Arjun Rampal gets political BOLLYWOOD Hunk, Arjun Rampal along with Abhay Deol and director Prakash Jha will be in London this week to attend the red carpet premiere of Jha’s latest political thriller, Chakravyuh at the 56th BFI London Film Festival. Starring alongside Arjun Rampal and Abhay Deol are Manoj Bajpayee, Esha Gupta and Om Puri in a political thriller. The film is said to be a social commentary on

the issue of Naxalites. Prakash Jhas returns to the festival for the second time after a hiatus of fifteen years. His film Mrityudand opened the festival in 1997. “It’s a prestigious festival which provides good exposure for the film. But it is not opening the festival. It has been invited for a world premiere.” Stated Jha. Chakravayuh is set to release in cinemas 24th October.

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

JUSTICE FOR RIZ

ON THE HOT SEAT: AMIT DHUT When men are upset, why do they go and get wasted with their friends instead of opening up to their girlfriends or wives? Sometimes the hardest thing to do is talk about things that are a problem. Some guys probably find it hard to ‘let their guard down’ and stop being macho. It’s a defense thing I guess. Why do men never listen? Men do listen, we could say that about women. I think it comes down to the fact that some people will always think they are right, and their way of doing things is. Why do men leave their mouldy socks festering on the floor? Sometimes we don’t mind a bit of dirty laundry, maybe its a caveman thing.. But two days max, definitely not to that mouldy extent!! Why don’t men bother to groom themselves while women have to tart themselves up? I don’t know how to answer that as I keep myself groomed. Some people are just content without all that, each to their own. Not every girl wears loads of make up. What irritates you about women the most? The constant need to compete with and impress their friends, even when they say they are not. Why do blokes never call

THE Reluctant Fundamentalist star, Riz Ahmed will be seen starring alongside The Sopranos star James Gandolfini in the BBC series remake of Criminal Justice. Riz Ahmed has recently been creating waves on the international film scene with an award-winning performance in Michael Winterbottom’s Trishna alongside Frieda Pinto and Mira Nair’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist with Kate Hudson. The story revolves around man who takes his father’s cab for a drive and picks up a party girl who takes him to her apartment for a drunken and drug-filled night out. When he wakes up in the morning, he finds the girl stabbed to death and, though he can’t remember committing the crime, he is soon charged with it. Enter Jack Stone who appoints himself as the cab driver’s attorney when he finds him in a holding cell. Ahmed will play the Americanborn Pakistani cab driver whilst Gandolfini will plays Jack Stone, the jailhouse lawyer. We hope this gets past the pilot.

IMRAN GOES TO INDIA AFTER Ali Zafar, It’s the turn of Pakistani hunk Imran Abbas to cross the border into neighbouring India to kick off his Bollywood film career. Abbas originally was all set to star opposite Akshay Kumar in Naam Hai Boss but had to part ways from the project. “Since the film was delayed and I had offers on hand, both Akshay and me decided to part ways amicably.” However, Imran is set to return to India this month. We will keep you updated.

Fashion judge Manish KAREENA Kapoor, Kajol, Katrina Kaif and many more have him on speed dial to ensure they look hot for any red carpet occasion. That’s right, Bollywood’s hottest designer, Manish Malhotra will be in London next month to judge this years’ International Asian Fashion Awards. The multi award-winning fashion designer, will be accompanied by Pakistan’s prince of couture, Hassan Sheheryar Yasin (HSY) on the judging panel. Manish said, “I am pleased to be a part of the judging panel for this years International Asian Fashion Awards. I consider it a wonderful platform for young and existing talent to be acknowledged and an opportunity for me be a part of the movement that drives innovation and design”.

CELEBRITY! TURN TO PAGE 23

when they say they are going to? Some guys don’t want to be seen to be ‘under the thumb’, and some guys wait for the girl to call to test them ;) When women ask you what you’re thinking and you say ‘nothing’ … is it true? Of course it is, as it is likewise! ‘Nothing’ is used to deflect or cover something- all humans do this. Men enjoy sport because secretly they like the idea of playing with each other. Discuss … I think men like sport as its competition, its physical and there are teams involved. It’s also an excuse to get together with the guys and have a few drinks etc. However from what

we’ve just seen at the 2012 Olympic’s, women are just as involved as the guys ;) Is it possible for a man to be faithful? Of course it is. I think we really need to get away from this stigma that only men are unfaithful. Its 2012 and the women are just as bad, even the ‘undercovers’ If you were married and your dream girl offered you a onenight stand, could you resist? That is a tough question. It’s one of those ‘sods law’ scenarios. If you did, you’d feel terrible forever. If you didn’t, you’d still be kicking yourself when you’re 75! LOL Can I pass please?? :) Who should make the first move? I don’t think the man always has to make the first move, whatever happened to ‘Girl power?’ Seriously, I think things should just happen. We all tend to pre-plan and have a set-out way of how things should be. Life is too short for that - If you like someone, tell them. Simple. (unless they are already married LOL) Should women rule the world? I think the truth is, it will always be a man’s world. That’s nature for you. However women are becoming more equal everyday in all aspects of life across the world- politics, business, sport, entertainment etc :)

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

BOLLYWOOD

ADDICTION TO HEROINE Kareena Kapoor speaks to Asian City’s Sunny Malik

KAREENA Kapoor is without a doubt, Bollywood’s number one Heroine at the moment. She stars in Madhur Bhandarkar’s, Heroine, which depicts the life of an actress and looks behindthe-scenes of the Indian film industry. Kareena spoke to Asian City Bollywood reporter Sunny Malik about the film, her role and much more.

Hashmi in a rush EMRAAN Hashmi’s next movie is promising to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, when it releases this month. In RUSH, Emraan plays a morally correct investigative journalist with a top news channel who plunges into a vortex of violence in a deadly game of cat and mouse by those he trusted. “Sam (played by Emraan) is morally strong with no shades of grey and is always ready to take a stand. He’s someone people look up too” states creative director, Priyanka Thankran. The music of RUSH has been composed by non other than Pritam who is renown for his track-record of hit songs. The music is sure to be the biggest highlight in the film.

What excited you about Heroine the most? I have always wanted to be a heroine and was really happy that Madhur finally made a film on this subject. It was an honour to have gotten the opportunity to work with him. I always had a secret desire to work with Madhur, as he makes films that portray reality. To make a film that portrays reality, gripping and entertaining at the same time are very difficult to make. Most films turn out to be preachy however I believe Madhur did a nice job of keeping the story in control and made it a lot more gripping. Mahi Arora is a superstar actress, in the film. Can you relate to her at all being a superstar yourself or are you complete opposites? She is completely what I am not. Mahi is moody, over-emotional, and slightly imbalanced whereas I am very calm and composed. We are completely two different people. Mahi is more bold and aggressive and slightly grey. Whereas with me, it’s either black or white. There was controversy surrounding the film, was this cooked up by PR or was someone actually trying to sabotage the film? Everything is available online these days, with so many news channels, newspapers, that is what our film is about. Actors in today’s day and age don’t move without PR. Everything in the media is built by the PR machinery. There are so many things moving for a movie. Nowadays there will be an entire PR department, whereas earlier there was never anything of the sort. Sometimes, yes, people like to do things as PR stunts.

A NOT SO SAIF WEDDING SAIF Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor’s wedding may not take place in London after all as original news reports had suggested. Rumours suggest the couple could be getting married in Saif Ali Khan’s ancestral palace in Pataudi on October 16. Pataudi Palace, which is currently run as a hotel is currently under renovation and have put all hotel bookings on hold until October 25th. A palace employee not wishing to be named told a news agency “We don’t know what will be the role of the palace in the marriage but renovation is being done. For the last one month, Saif’s mother, Sharmila Tagore, has been visiting the mansion regularly”

In our last interview with Saif Ali Khan, he said that one should only promote for a film two months before its release. Heroine was in the news even before you signed the film. Would you agree that sometimes a film is overexposed and that it is a bad thing? Some films are different. I really don’t agree. If the audiences want to see a movie, they will and will appreciate the performance. Too much importance is given to what the film is and why the film is like it is. At the end of the day, what matters, is that people should just go and watch it. Nobody really knows too much about a film until they actually go to watch it.

have to do in today’s day and age and that is what we have portrayed. The fans are going gaga over Halkat Jawaani and Main Heroine Hoon? Halkat Jawaani is a more desi song for the masses. Whereas Main Heroine Hoon is the title song and the opening title of the film so we had to show the character as a glamorous superstar. We tried to do both, the Indian and the western bit. You are seen in quite a lot of glamorous looks. Was that tiring at some point?

Being glamorous is all the part of being a heroine I guess and that is something I quite enjoy! We at Asian City love seeing you in glamorous roles. I know. There is a lot of glamour, but the film also goes into the dark zone and is more performance-driven in the second-half which I think is quite gripping. I think, after the interval the film just goes onto another level. Your staff are in the movie too, who actually play the staff of your character. Whose idea was that? Madhur wanted the characters and

Was the Halkat Jawani item number added to the trailer to make it more appealing to the masses? Because Mahi is a heroine, the film talks about a present day actress who has to do an item number, hence Halkat Jawani. We are showing the life of a superstar in the year 2012, who happens to be dancing at an Awards ceremony, which actresses

SWEET OSCARS

BARFI! has made it to the Oscars but is currently under scrutiny as to whether it deserved to have been sent in the original category. Reason being is that scenes have been copied from Charlie Chaplin movies and various other films, such as Singin’ In The Rain and The Notebook. However, there still could be hope for the film. Hollywood movie, The Artist, which won an award for Best Picture is said to have been inspired from several films too. It was also said to be the remake of the 1954 musical A Star Is Born. Quentin Tarantino sums it up quite nicely. He once said in an interview “I steal from every single movie ever made. I love it. If my work has anything it’s that I’m taking this from this and that from that and mixing them together. If people don’t like that, then tough titty, don’t go and see it, alright? I steal from everything. Great artists steal; they don’t do homages.”

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

BOLLYWOOD BRAND NARGIS NARGIS Fakhri seems to be bagging more brand endorsements than film projects at this moment in time. Nargis is yet to bag her next Bollywood film since her debut in Imtiaz Ali’s Rockstar. Ad industry sources told to Mid-Day “In Bollywood, an actor’s popularity is measured by how many ads he or she has. It is interesting to see that while she is yet to sign another film since Rockstar, she already has seven brand endorsements. There are other brands too waiting to sign her.” There were talks of her starring in the action film Khiladi 786 opposite Akshay Kumar but was dropped from the project for looking too hot to play Mithun Chakraborty’s sister. We hope to see Nargis on the big screen soon!

DHOOMED DOWN UNDER

parts to look real and natural so we got Pompy (Hairdresser), Ritesh (Make-up artist) and Radhika (Manish Malhotra’s assistant) to be a part of Heroine because they were my core team. With them in the film, it just made it look so real. In one dialogue you tell the editor of a newspaper that film stars are friends with her position and not with her. The dialogues are making waves all over. I always say it’s a Madhur Bhandarkar movie so it’s going to be close to reality with hard-hitting dialogues. Would you say that it is more of a thing in India that stars are friends with journalists/editors for their own benefit? I don’t know if they are friends with

them for that but I have made a lot of friends in the media over the years. Some people started off their careers in front of me. I have known them from coming to interview me to becoming editors of magazines. But in today’s time, where showbiz is reality, I am quite sure that it happens.

•DHOOMED Uday Chopra

Everyone is talking about how you should win a national award for your role... To be honest, that is something I haven’t even thought about. I think there will be more pressure for Madhur because everyone thinks that he is a national-award winning director. But right now I am only focusing on the film to do well and it becoming successful. • Heroine is out now on general release across the UK.

FAMOUS for her role in the TV series Legend of the Seeker, Australian hottie Tabrett Bethell will be joining the cast of Dhoom 3, which is currently being shot in Chicago. Now the question on everyone’s lips is, who will she be seen romancing? Will it be Aamir Khan? Abhishek Bachchan? Or perhaps Ali, the character played by Uday Chopra who is always seems to have an interest in girls! This is the first time a foreign actress has been roped in for the Dhoom series. We will have to wait until 2013 when the film is released to find out the answer!

Doctor in the House

DIN RATH HRITHIK CAN Katrina and Hrithik pull off the same on-screen chemistry that Cruise and Diaz had in Knight and Day? Katrina Kaif will be seen playing the role of Cameron Diaz in the official remake of Tom Cruise’s Knight and Day. The film will also have Hrithik Roshan in the role played by Tom Cruise. The movie, yet to be titled will go into production early next year and will be produced by Fox Star India. This will be the second time the two stars have shared screen space together after having paired opposite one another in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.

BOLLYWOOD Dream Girl, Hema Malini will now be referred to as Dr. Hema Malini after receiving an honorary doctorate in philosophy from the Singhania University in Udaipur. “Never in my wildest dream did I think I’d one day be Dr Hema Malini” she said. Besides receiving an honorary doctorate, the Norwegian government recently released a stamp with her face on it. “Who would think I would have any kind of influence on a place as far as Norway?” she was heard saying.

New deal for Jiah

PLAYING erotic roles is nothing new to Jiah Khan. Although she may not have had a good start in Bollywood, her luck could soon change. According to reports, Jiah has signed a three-film deal starting off with Maharani, an erotic period drama set in the 17th century, which is based on the secret erotic diary of a princess given to the director Madhureeta Anand by British author and historian, William Dalrymple. Jiah was originaly discovered by Ram Gopal Varma for Nishabd starring opposite the legendary Amitabh Bachchan. However, it failed to take off at the box office. Even despite starring opposite Aamir Khan in the hit film, Ghajini, her career never really took off. We hope this movie can give the break she’s looking for.

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

FEATURE

WAYS TO FIND OUT IF HE’S Are you the one and only… or has he got other ideas? 1

Who’s on the line? There are two kinds of guys: those who like talking on the phone and those who hate it. That means they’re either loud and animated, or they can’t wait to get off. Be suspicious when he starts talking in hushed tones, leaves the room or ends the call the moment you come within earshot. And be very wary if he gets a second mobile phone, unless he’s a drug dealer, that is…

Smelling of roses Whether it’s a new aftershave or the scent of a perfume that’s not yours, something smells fishy. And what’s with the frequent trips to the shower?

Keeping up appearances If he’s suddenly gone from slob to suave, he’s out to impress someone. And if he’s wearing his finest gear to ‘pop out with the lads’ while throwing on any old thing when going out with you, it sure isn’t you he’s out to bed.

Something’s come up… Affairs are obsessive things and one of them will insist on spur of the moment communication. If he suddenly comes up with some excuse to just log onto the Internet or phone the boss regarding an ‘urgent matter’, he’s itching to remind her he’s still keen and available.

Brand new friends Affairs are impossible without alibis, and the best ones don’t exist. It’s one thing to ask his friend to cover for him, but after a while the said friend will tire of having to lie to you. So he meets this new bunch of guys who are great for networking and furthering his career, only they insist they discuss business in late-night bars!

Making bold statements Any man with a shred of paranoia knows the game’s up the moment you see restaurants, hotels and lingerie bills showing up on his bank statement, so it’s wise to have them directed elsewhere… until you question why they’re not on your doorstep.

Where is your mind? Unless he’s the smoothest operator in town, he’ll often look like he’s not quite there. Easily distracted and restless, he’ll put it down to being bored or stressed, but then how come he looks so happy when he’s off out?

Gift of the grab Mistresses love to mark their man. If he’s sporting new jewellery or an accessory you wouldn’t think he’d buy for himself, there’s something wrong with this picture. Especially when he sometimes comes home without it because he’s remembered to take the damn thing off for once…

Keeping him from wandering COMMUNICATE: Just because you both got together with a similar agenda doesn’t mean you’re still on the same page. You’ve both grown, but the only way not to grow apart is to take time out of your normal, necessary conversations just to ask: how are you feeling? CHILL: Frustrating arguments are the biggest cause for him to turn his back on your relationship. Wild accusations, moody sulks and temper tantrums will spiral out of control if

someone isn’t mature enough to resolve them. Take a deep breath and remember, it’ll be better for both of you once you’ve dealt with the issues calmly. FUN: Wives nag, mistresses entice. To make sure you don’t become his ball and chain, surprise him with unusual ideas. Just think: what would you do with your evening if you were having an affair? Not settle for a night in front of the telly with yesterday’s leftovers, that’s for sure.

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

HAVING AN AFFAIR 9

Flowering the tone It’s one thing if he’s always showering you with unexpected gifts; quite another when you get a big bunch of flowers after he’s been away for the weekend. And it’s almost always unimaginative gifts like flowers and chocolate – his wallet isn’t big enough for two ladies to be privy to overblown gestures of romance.

THRILLS: The man you fell in love with for his zest for risk taking and adventure may be the same man who begins to crave for something (and someone) new. There’s something about the duplicitous and deceptive nature of an affair that makes him feel quite the James Bond.

FEAR: Women wonder: will he love me forever? But when a man gets struck by existentialist angst, he shudders: will I really never sleep with anyone else other than my wife?

Happy to take the couch You argue more, mostly because he gets defensive over every question you ask. Before, whenever things got heated, he’d be the first to back off and apologise in the fear he wouldn’t get any that night. But now, not only does he seem keen to slam the door and leave, his sure bet elsewhere makes him shout fine when you use your wild card and threaten to end the relationship.

REVENGE: If he’s been cheated on – however long ago and whoever by – a part of him longs to get his own back one day.

•NUMBER’S UP Is it time to call it day when you suspect his excuse doesn’t ring true? up are high. If he mentions a place or an activity he thought he did with you, it’s only natural to wonder: well, it wasn’t with me. So who was it with?

He doesn’t care anymore He’s stupid enough to leave receipts and lipstick stains on his pants, in which case, you’re holding out for an idiot. Dump the saddo before she does.

14 FALSE ALARM! Don’t let paranoia make you read the signs wrong. He may well be innocent… Catch him out when he slips With affairs, there’s so much detail to concentrate on, the chances of slipping

STRAY ALERT What makes him play away and not stay true? BOREDOM: While women see it as a good thing that the relationship has moved from fun to settled, men read it as the loss of the spark. Especially when you insist getting a dishwasher is more important than a weekend in Florence.

Checking in advance Suddenly, he wants you to know he might have to go to a work do in a few months time. Why? Because it’s her birthday. Oh and there may be a school reunion type thing around the 14th of February…

Get to know your enemy If it’s a long-term affair he’s having, eventually your paths will cross – simply because she’s as insecure as you and wants to see you to make herself feel better. You’ll spot her at parties by her over-the-top glam outfit, unwarranted cattiness towards you, and because she won’t be able to resist, being all touchy feely and throwing knowing looks at your man.

FEATURE

INSECURITY: There’s a certain kind of man who will always count the notches on his bed post as validation for his manhood. No amount of love and passion will take away his need to tend to his inherent paranoia: have I still got it?

Where is the love? Some men cheat because they no longer love you; some do it because they get off on bedding two women. But it’s a rare man who can maintain affection for both parties. He may still be an animal in bed, but when was the last time he came to you for a cuddle or stroked your hair?

GENETICS: Pathetic an excuse as it may sound, some people are actually born with the cheating gene. If his dad (or mum) were goers in their time, think uh-oh!

FROM ONLY

£P4ER0

RT!

ADVE

GOOD EXCUSE 1 ‘I can’t help it if I’m popular’

If your man is the catch of day, then all you can do is tell yourself: they want him, well... I’ve got him. It’s not his fault that the girlies swarm around him like flies and, if you choose to get insecure about it, not only will you sink in misery – you’ll actually make him feel on edge whenever you both go out.

GOOD EXCUSE 2 ‘I’m just friendly’

Not every guy talks to women because he secretly wants to bang them. Some just like talking to new people, be they male or female. If you accuse him of being a pervert when he thinks he’s making pleasant conversation, he’ll become self-conscious whenever a girl says hello and might resent you for it.

GOOD EXCUSE 3

about his prowess, you’re the one who’ll get to reap the benefits!

Unless your man is a super stud, chances are, he’s just as shy and awkward around beautiful women as he’s always been. If he’s on the receiving end of some quality gushing – hate the girl if you must, not him. If it gives him an ego boost that stops him feeling sluggish

GOOD EXCUSE 4

‘Sorry, but it’s nice to get the attention’

‘I really am tired’

Sometimes he really is working late and too burdened with the stresses of the world to give you the time of day he feels you deserve. It’s not you girl, it’s him…

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Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

MUSIC

BOLLYWOOD KING Southall lad bags film track

Glassy full of UDN BRADFORD trio, Nav, Gary and Ruman otherwise known as UDN are back with their new dance floor filler, Glassy. The trio have combined their varied musical skills and backgrounds to form a unique sound and presence within the increasingly popular UK Asian music scene. New single Glassy can be described as a feelgood party anthem with energetic beats and traditional melodies of Bhangra Punjabi music. The track is deeply inspired by Hip-Hop rifts and deep baselines as well as retaining the traditional elements of Punjabi beats. ‘Glassy’ is a highoctane tune that appeals to all generations of Bhangra lovers as well as to newcomers of the genre. For more information log onto www.facebook.com /UDNetwork

Shazia to tour UK HER classic songs, such as Aaja Soniya and Chann Mere Makkhna would be heard blaring from cars all the way from Southall Broadway to Green Street. You can finally get the chance to hear Pakistan’s melody queen sing again. Shazia Manzoor will be returning to UK after a break of 4 years and will be perform her great classics with full live band. Shazia has worked with some of UK’s biggest artists including Rishi Rich, Aman Hayer and Sukshinder Shinda to name a few and has won a handful of awards during her glittering career. Watch this space for more new to find out when Shazia Manzoor will be performing in a town near you.

ONE artist who has no trouble in getting his music into Bollywood is Ash King. The British singer, songwriter who hails from Southall has just bagged himself another film track!

•VOICEOVER Emraan Hashmi

This time he’s the voice of Bollywood star Emraan Hashmi for the track ‘Chup Chup Ke’ from the film RUSH. The track is another collaboration between Ash and Bolly music maestro Pritam. The two have collaborated on several of King’s tracks including ‘I Love You’ (from Bodyguard) and ‘Te Amo’ (from Dum Maaro Dum). We’re glad to see a Brit getting so much love out in India and hope Ash moves from strength to strength his bid to take over the Bollywood music scene! ‘Chup Chup Ke’ is another soulful ballad, which has a bit of bounce. It’s romantic and definitely has Ash’s trademark sound on it.

TRIBUTE TO NUSRAT AFTER his success with Ranja Sade Vedhe with MC Special, singer Ali Abbas is ready to release his project Nit Khair Manga, which is a tribute to the late Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The project marks the legendary qawaals 15-year death anniversary. Keeping true to the sound, producer AV has given the qawaali a modern fusion sound blended in with the classical sufi touch. Abbas who hails from East London started singing at a young age and was very much influenced by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. “It was an honour for me to cover one of Khan saheb’s classic qaawali. I have learnt so much just by listening to his music over the years and this track is my way of saying thank you to him. Credit

Cheeky Charkey has to go to AV for production because we had to complete this project in a very short space of time. Hope everyone enjoys it.” With only two songs to his name, Ali Abbas promises, fans will definitely love his latest single. We will look forward to more from this promising artist.

Narang-Geordie to New Jersey

•STATESIDE RV Narang

North East’s finest, singer songwriter RV Narang has travelled across the pond to collaborate with North America’s highly talented artist, PropheC on his latest single titled Gal Sun. The track can be described as a melodious love duet and features the voice of newcomer Sonia Sehra who is marking her debut in the music industry. “This track is a fusion of Asian sounds with Celtic influence” as RV Narang likes to describe it. “It has been a crazy journey to get the sound perfected to how I wanted it and I have worked very closely with the PropheC over the past 6 months getting every element of the song just right and I’m very excited to see how my fans will react to the new single & video” states Narang. He is ready to introduce a new fresh sound. For more information log onto www.rvnarang.com

AFTER a busy summer of shows and festivals, D-Sarb is back from putting the finishing touches to his latest music video Charkey which includes cameo’s from artists, Jeeti, D-Boy and Suni Nox. Filmed around his hometown of Oxford, the video is a vibrant cluster of different locations from his beloved town. Produced by the untouchable Jeeti, this collaboration was recorded early this year at Jeeti’s Late Night Studios in Birmingham. It’s a song about everyone getting together and cherishing the moment like it’s one big party, a D-Sarb party Charkey Style. Check out www.d-sarb.com or follow him on twitter @officialdsarb

Debutant Mahi LABELLED as one of UK Asian music’s brightest emerging talents, Jind Mahi is considered an all-round musician who not only composes, but also produces, writes, sings and plays instruments. Currently working on his debut album, his track Saday Naal co-written by his father Binder Pasla is a traditional Punjabi song inspired by the frustration of being treated badly in a rollercoaster relationship and longing to resolve the problems whilst being haunted by the memories. Two more track releases are planned from the album before its release in early 2013. For more information log onto www.facebook.com/PaslaProduction

MUSIC CITY IR WITH SAM

£1 Fish for Xmas! HELLO Music city-zens! Time for another dose of your favourite Brit Asian, Bhangra and Bollywood music news. As the summer ends, and the cold starts to set in, there is definitely no shortage of HOT music on the horizon! With lots of your favourite artists set to release great new music in the next few weeks. Let’s start with Brit Asian rapper Raxstar, who is known for hit singles like ‘Jaaneman’, ‘Other Man’ and ‘Name On The Poster’. He returns this month with an amazing slice of cool Punjabi laced pop with the fun track ‘Flirt’, produced by Surinder Rattan. Another hit for the masterful Surinder, a producer who is having much success this year. After popular releases such as ‘Has Has’, ‘OMG’ (Metz N Trix) and ‘Oh Girl’ (Roach Killa), Surinder provides another big beat, this time perfectly blending with the flow of Raxstar. For Raxstar, the singing/rapping in Punjabi is a surprising move, but it’s a good surprise! ‘Flirt’ is going to be hugely popular amongst teens, on radio and in the clubs.. check it out! Another MC about to drop a big track is Intenso. He’s been around for a decade and was a prominent MC in the early noughties. He’s reinvented himself and returns in 2012 with a fresh track ‘Thenu Thakia’ which is produced by Rishi Rich. It’s a cool piece of R&B music and features the Punjabi vocals of Bobby Akhiyan. It’s another quality product from Rishi Rich, who is having much success this side of the year, with great productions for artists like Hunterz, TMinder and Romy. ‘Thenu Thakia’ is going to be another hit for Rishi and is sure to put Intenso firmly back in the limelight. One artist who is in the limelight and doesn’t look like getting out of it is Jaz Dhami. The monster track ‘High Heels’ is continuing to storm the charts in the UK and abroad. The collaboration with Honey Singh has hit over a staggering 3 million hits and is showing no signs of slowing down. One of the biggest tracks of the year, Jaz is currently in India where undoubtedly ‘High Heels’ will be released to much craze. But will it find itself a lucrative spot in an upcoming Bollywood movie? Let’s wait and see! Another artist set to do big things in India may well be Roach Killa! The Canadian rapper has had a good year with two singles ‘Oh Girl’ and most recently ‘Hey Luv’. He’s just performed at the prestigious GIMA awards in Mumbai, rubbing shoulders with some of the Indian entertainment industry’s finest such as Shah Rukh Khan, Sonu Nigaam and Mika Singh. Roach performed his hits to the packed out crowd and later tweeted a picture of him and Sonu Nigaam. Last but certainly not least, we’re hearing that the infamous ‘One Pound Fish’ may be officially released this Christmas! After storming the TV screens on this season’s X Factor, Shahid Nazir AKA the one pound fish man looks set to release the catchy number in time for the festive holidays! Will the song be a Christmas chart hit? Well he’s got a huge helping hand from global superstar producer Timbaland! Who is rumoured to have specially produced a remix for ‘One Pound Fish’! • Exciting stuff… until next time, make sure you catch all the latest news on my Twitter @samirsamir

•REAL FLIRT Raxstar

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

HOUSE PROUD Anisha Vasani catches up with model Deana Uppal

CELEBRITY

to find out what life was really like on Big Brother Congratulations on coming 3rd! I never expected to get to the final – it’s amazing! I thought I’d be third out, not third left!

being bullied, but then I thought if it was happening, Big Brother will intervene and do something about it. I thought that if they weren’t doing anything about it, then maybe it was me being paranoid. But now I know all of my suspicions have been confirmed it’s upset me that they didn’t do anything about it and instead he left with £50,000.

Why did you apply to be on the show? I’ve always liked living on the edge and Big Brother is a once in a lifetime experience so why not? It wasn’t the nicest of receptions that you received going into the house. How did that make you feel? There was a mixed reception, half boos, half cheers. In my introduction they said that I had maids in India, which is quite common - everyone has a maid in India. But when the public hear that, they get the impression that you’re from a very wealthy background so maybe I came across a bit stuck up You certainly looked the part! Tell us about your entrance outfit. It was a gorgeous white outfit by Sati. I wanted to show who I am, that I’m proud to be Indian. I wanted to show off our culture and show how beautiful our clothes are. Though I did my make up myself that night as we weren’t allowed a make-up artist! Going into the house was so top secret that they couldn’t let anyone know so even make-up artists were a no no! The only people who knew were my mum and my best friend!

•BIG BROTHER Deana Uppal came third You were the first person in the house to be given a task which was to nominate a housemate for eviction, before you’d even had a chance to get to know anyone. How did you feel? When I was first told about the task, I thought it would be quite easy. I thought I’d immediately spot people that I don’t feel comfortable around but actually I couldn’t find any bad points in anyone, so it was just a case of picking the person that came into my eyeshot. It turned out that Connor had it in for you. Do you know why? In the first couple of weeks I found it hard to get close to anyone, I think everyone was a bit wary of me, especially because Connor clearly didn’t like me from the beginning and he was quite a strong character in the house, so he tried his best to turn everyone else against me. I asked him many times what his problem was with me and he could never give me a valid reason. So I still don’t know to this day, what his problem was. I never felt that comfortable when he was in the room and I felt very intimidated that he was talking about me behind my back. What was your relationship like with the other housemates? I got along best with Adam, Luke, Lauren and Sara – I never had arguments with them! Have you gone back and watched any of the episodes? No. People were saying horrible things about me with no facts. I felt very isolated and I felt every time I’d say something, people would try and put me down and make a sarcastic comment back. So it was just a case of feeling isolated and not feeling involved with the group. I don’t really want to watch that back. Connor was very offensive. At one point he said he wanted to hit me which received a thousand complaints but Big Brother did nothing about it. How does it make you feel now? It upset me because I trusted Channel 5 to protect me and I did feel like I was

Is there anything you would have changed about yourself if you could go back? I wouldn’t change anything because I was completely myself in the house. So whatever happened was meant to be. I’m just glad I did go in there and I stuck to my morals and to what I believe in and that took me to the final. What was the best experience of being in the house? Being saved every Friday because I always expected to go and I couldn’t see a reason why anyone would vote to keep me in. It’s a big confidence boost to know people have picked up the phone and have spent their money to save you. I’ve also had a lot of e-mails saying that I’ve inspired people to overcome bullying. A lot of young people are e-mailing me saying they’re being bullied at school and by watching me, they’ve learnt to gain confidence and defend themselves against the bullies. You were known for getting tipsy in the house, is that a damaging image to have, being an Asian woman? In the house I’d never walk around in a bikini, and with the drinking, I think it’s important to find a balance. As a British Asian you can’t be too overly cultured in this industry because it’s not possible. But at the same time it’s important to keep your morals and not embarrass your family or yourself. I was never drunk out of my head. A lot of Asians drink these days - I don’t know any girls that don’t. I went in their with the title of Miss India UK, so I wanted to make people proud and I don’t think I changed, I was still myself in the house. How I acted in the house, is how I would act in the outside world. What have you learnt from being on the show? I’ve learnt how I deal with different situations, how I interact with people, how I cope with things. And I’ve learnt negative things about myself, things I can improve on. I’ve learnt a lot about myself - things I would have never learnt had I not been in the house. I worked out that I take time to understand people, I don’t like bitching and I don’t like confrontation, so I’ll try and stay away from that as much as possible. But I’ve learnt that I’m stronger than I thought and if it comes to it and I have to defend myself, I will.

“I wouldn’t change anything because I was completely myself in the house”

Photography: Alexandre Pichon Hair & Make-Up: Ambreen (www.ambreenmakeup.com) Outfits: Harkirans (Birmingham)

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

On the shelf NARCOPOLIS Author: Jeet Thayil Publisher: Faber and Faber, Penguin Books £8.99 Shuklaji Street, in Old Bombay. In Rashid's opium room the air is thick and potent. A beautiful young woman leans to hold a longstemmed pipe over a flame, her hair falling across her dark eyes. Around her, men sprawl and mutter in the gloom, each one drifting with his own tide. Here, people say that you introduce only your worst enemy to opium. Narcopolis is a rich, chaotic, hallucinatory dream of a novel that captures the Bombay of the 1970s in all its compelling squalor. With a cast of pimps, pushers, poets, gangsters and eunuchs, it is a journey into a sprawling underworld written in electric and utterly original prose. AFGHAN RUMOUR BAZAAR Author: Nushin Arbabzadah Publisher: C. Hurst & Co £15.99 Ironic and humorous, witty and self-deprecatory, Afghan Rumour Bazaar reveals the quotidian absurdities of lives framed against the backdrop of a savage war. Offering daringly new perspectives on a country readers may erroneously assume they know, Nushin Arbabzadah delves into the unacknowledged but real secret sub-cultures and hidden worlds of Afghans, from underground converts to Christianity to mysterious male cross-dressers to tales of bacha-posh girlboys. Among the individuals, fables and dilemmas she confronts are ‘Why are Imams Telling Us About Nail Polish?’, ‘Afghanistan’s Rich Jewish Heritage’, ‘Kabul Street Style’, ‘The Resurgence of Afghanistan’s Spiritual Bazaar’, and not forgetting Malalai of Maiwand, who turned her headscarf into a banner and led a successful rebellion against the British. Many different Afghan sensibilities are presented in her book, yet together they offer an unvarnished, at times heart warming, at times tragic, insight into one of the most complex and fascinating countries on earth. JOSEPH ANTON: A MEMOIR Author: Salman Rushdie Publisher: Random House Incorporated £25.00 On February 14, 1989, Valentine’s Day, Salman Rushdie was telephoned by a BBC journalist and told that he had been “sentenced to death” by the Ayatollah Khomeini. For the first time he heard the word fatwa. His crime? To have written a novel called The Satanic Verses, which was accused of being “against Islam, the Prophet and the Quran.” So begins the extraordinary story of how a writer was forced underground, moving from house to house, with the constant presence of an armed police protection team. He was asked to choose an alias that the police could call him by. He thought of writers he loved and combinations of their names; then it came to him: Conrad and Chekhov—Joseph Anton. In this remarkable memoir Rushdie tells that story for the first time; the story of one of the crucial battles, in our time, for freedom of speech. He talks about the sometimes grim, sometimes comic realities of living with armed policemen, and of the close bonds he formed with his protectors; of his struggle for support and understanding from governments, intelligence chiefs, publishers, journalists, and fellow writers; and of how he regained his freedom.

BOOKS

GET YOUR GLITZ FIX Discover your creative streak with the new book by Momtaz Begum-Hossain MAKING stuff is cool again and thankfully it has nothing to do with wearing huge over sized sweaters knitted by your relatives.

Asian culture has a long history of traditional craft; weaving rugs, block printing saris, the rich ethnic embroidery used in fashion, dyeing fabrics, beaded jewellery, clay statues…yet so many of these are bought and enjoyed without knowing where they’ve come from and how they were made. It’s time to change all that by getting your fingers messy and discovering the pleasures of creating. The first step is to get hold of the new book by Craft Expert Momtaz Begum-Hossain 101+ Things To Do With Glitter. With instructions for 100 ‘how to’ projects, it’s brimming with sparkling inspiration, to make items for your home, wardrobe, gift ideas and cards. And as Momtaz explains, you don’t need any experience; ‘There are no rules when it comes to making something. Everyone has a creative streak – it may have been left behind at school, but it’s easy to get it back! Making things has so many benefits. It feels good, is de-stressing and saves money. Whether you want to do a project over the weekend like sew a beanbag, craft with the kids during the school holidays or make a wedding present for a friend, the book is filled with ideas and inspiration…all of which contain a sprinkling of glitter.’ • 101+ Thing To Do With Glitter by Momtaz Begum-Hossain is Published on October 23rd by Vivays Publishing.

READER OFFER: Buy a copy of 101+ Thing To Do With Glitter for £12.00 inc p&p within the UK instead of £14.95. Call Sue Slee on 01394 389 977 or e-mail: sales@antique-acc.com and quote “Glitter”. Offer valid until 15/12/2012.

WIN! 5 signed copies of the book! Asian City are running an exclusive competition, giving away five copies of 101+ Things To Do With Glitter signed by the author. To enter email: info@asiancity.co.uk and tell us why you love glitter, along with your name, age and address. The most sparkliest suggestions will win! Good Luck! Closing date: 4th November

ARABIAN NIGHTS BOLSTER YOU WILL NEED: Plain bolster cushion Assorted fabrics Wide trim Elastic bands Ribbons Scissors Dressmaking pins Needle & thread Felt (different colours) Glitter glue tube MAKE IT: 1. Lay your bolster in the centre of a large piece of fabric and wrap it around. Pin the

edges in place, over lapping them, and trim off any excess. 2. Use elastic bands to gather the fabric at each end and secure. Tie ribbons on top to hide the bands. 3. Remove the pins and hand stitch the fabric together using a running stitch so you have a fabric covered bolster cushion. 4. To decorate the bolster, wrap a second

piece of fabric around the centre, pin in place and stitch to the fabric underneath by hand – ensure none of your stitches go through to the actual cushion underneath. Add pretty trim at the ends. 5. Create a motif of your choice for the centre (like the flower design) by cutting out shapes from felt and sewing them together, then stitch or glue the whole piece in the middle. 6. Finally decorate the motif and any other parts of the bolster that you want to sparkle with glitter glue pens. On this design, glittery triangles from glittery fabric were added for extra shimmer.

Feeling inspired? Here’s some of the other projects in the book:

•SPARKLING BANGLES

•BRILLIANT BARFI

•SHIMMERING SOAP

HAVE FUN WITH PANJABI: Introducing mother tongue to children by Kiran Lyall • £6.99 • www.sweetlyall.com

Unless Panjabi-speaking elders are in close and regular contact, the next generation of Panjabi speakers, they will be left with limited auditory access to Panjabi and therefore next to no comprehension. Thus, fresh material presupposing no knowledge of Panjabi is now needed to educate a new wave of Panjabi children if the language is to survive outside of Panjab. Teach your children to speak Panjabi with this bright, colourful and easy to follow book. Have Fun with Panjabi is based on a simple ‘say what you see’ concept, using English phonetics.. The same sounds that are used in English are used to pronounce the Panjabi words shown in the book. Book one chapters include: • counting • colours • fruit • vegetables • drinks • days of the week. There is also a chapter testing what the child has learnt enabling them to say short describing sentences. As with any language pronunciation is key, hence the ‘Have Fun With – ‘ series encourages parents to be involved in the learning. ‘This is an excellent resource for the school classroom and library. I think children will find it inviting and accessible as an introduction to the Panjabi language.’ Catherine Coop, Primary School Teacher, Christchurch Primary School, Ilford

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

BLOGGED ON

BEAUTY AND THE BLOG Our regular spotlight on a blog to log onto Name: Ambarina Hasan Name of Blog: Beauty Passionista Name of Blog: www.beautypassionista.co.uk

Not really. It’s always lovely to get feedback and comments, and I always try to reply if someone has taken the time and effort to post a comment. But I don’t get upset if the feedback is slow in being forthcoming, that’s just the way it goes with blogging. Do you have a personal favourite blog / or blogger? I love British Beauty Blogger for always getting the scoop! What do you do that is considered unconventional in the blogging world? Many of the beauty blogs focus on high street products. I’m lucky in that my job writing about beauty for some beautiful magazines and websites gives me editorial access to some of the most gorgeous products and brands. Couple that with my expensive tastes and it makes for a blog that is unashamedly quite high-end and designer-led. Why do some people start a blog and then give up after a while?

IT’S GOT saris, Syal and a sumptuous soundtrack – the Royal Shakespeare’s Company’s newest production is The Byrd’s Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Iqbal Khan. Premiered at The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford last month the plays rolls into London on Monday for five weeks and will be on at the Noel Coward Theatre. Set in modern day Delhi, the adaptation of the popular comedy is part of the World Shakespeare Festival where Shakespeare’s famous plays have been given a global twist. The cast includes Meera Syal, Kulvinder Ghir, Madhav Sharma and Amara Karan who recently starred alongside Meera in the film All In Good Time. We grabbed Amara during play rehearsals to find out why we should watch it and here’s what she said! Amara Karan’s 5 reasons for why you should watch Much Ado About Nothing

Picture: ALIWAY

How long have you been blogging? Since 2010 How did the idea of blogging come about? I’m a Beauty Editor in my Day Job, but there were just so many things I wanted to write about that I couldn’t find space for in my publications, so I started writing the blog as a way to tell people about all the fabulous things I get to try out! What is your blog about? Beauty, Style, Shoes and more Beauty! And just about anything else that might take my fancy :) How many hours a week do you spend blogging? Oh, I’ve never really timed it. It’s something I do because I enjoy so I’ve never really watched the clock. I would say maybe around 15-ish hours a week. How often do you update your blog? Never often enough! I always have a really long list of things I want to post about on the blog - the problem is finding the time. What is your greatest accomplishment in Blogging? I love it when people ask me for advice - it means they trust me enough to ask for my opinion and guidance. So it’s the messages and emails with questions that always warm my heart. Oh, and being asked to produce and present a Beauty TV Show for B4U, which is still in the pipeline. What has been your greatest challenge? The hardest thing is finding the time, there’s always So MUCH MORE I want to write! How many people read your blog? According the GFC (Google Friend Connect) I have over 200 followers, but as any blogger will tell you, that’s not really a reflection of readership. Many of my blog posts are showing between 1000 and 2000 unique page views, so I’m very pleased with my readership. Do you get upset if you don’t get any feedback on your blogs?

‘We’re all in this together let’s keep that spirit alive and support each other when ever we can’

Theatre SPICING UP SHAKESPEARE

There can be so many reasons so this is really difficult, almost impossible to answer. Perhaps lack of time or no longer interested in blogging? It’s always hard when you get started, especially if you don’t see the page views racking up, or you don’t get the response or feedback that you had hoped for and that can also be really demotivating. Who is your biggest influence? In the world of beauty, Liz Earle, who moved from one industry to another, and just kept working hard at what she believed in. Personally, my parents, who worked so hard and sacrificed so much for their children. What advice would you like to share with fellow bloggers? We’re all in this together - let’s keep that spirit alive and support each other whenever we can - Planet Blogging is no place for bitchiness. What do you do when you aren’t blogging? Playing with beauty and shoe-shopping on Neta-Porter!

It saves you going on holiday This is one hot, sexy and spicy play! It’s very Indian. Watching it transports you to India - from the sounds to the settings, costumes and smells. Even the accents which was one of the things I enjoyed the most! You’ll spot quirky details and authentic aspects that really do make you feel like you’ve entered another country. There’s a Big Fat Indian Wedding The wedding scene is remarkable. It captures the beauty of an extravagant Indian wedding, with incredible colours and a party atmosphere – it’s one of my favourite scenes, but also one of the toughest. However a play wouldn’t be Asian without a bridal scene and this is one everyone is going to enjoy! This is Shakespeare for people who don’t like Shakespeare I guarantee this will change any image you have of Shakespeare. It makes his plays accessible for the first time to the Asian audience. The language is the same, we’ve abbrieviated it slightly but at its essence it’s Shakespeare…just literally with extra spice! You’ll laugh…and you’ll cry The story takes you through the full experiences of human nature – it’s humourous, touching, harrowing, ugly and romantic. You’ll get a taste of all these different emotions and that’s what makes the story so universal. My character Hero in particular is someone you’ll feel for. She is accused of adultery and the predicament she’s in made me feel so sad. There’s some real injustices in the plot yet she has a fighting, optimistic spirit – and of course there’s a good dose of romance even when life is bleak. The music is fantastic! Nirag Chirag who did the soundtrack for All In Good Time and also for the Wah! Wah! Girls has come up with another fantastic score. The music is the life blood of the play, it carries each scene and helps bring it to life. He will wow you! • Much Ado About Nothing is on at The Noel Coward Theatre from 24th September to 27th October.

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

WEDDINGS

Cakes in bloom MAKE YOUR CENTREPIECE LOOK AND SMELL GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT YOU see the most amazing pictures in the cake-makers’ portfolios, magazines and websites. Looking too good to eat, these confectionery castles are set against a lavish backdrop and colour coordinated with accessories to create maximum glamour.

So you order one. But when it arrives, minus the photographer, stylist and computer whiz kid’s expert touches, you may well be disappointed to find your cake is just a cake – looking bare and forlorn. And as the focal point of your celebration, that simply won’t do. But fear not, there’s a simple, inexpensive way to transform your ordinary wedding cake into a dazzling centrepiece that deserves to take pride of place in the most lavish of celebrations – by using flowers. According to Urvashi Roe from Flower, the right blooms can be a subtle way to decorate even the simplest cake. A classic white cake,

for example, is so elegant in photographs and yet so unremarkable in reality. Unless, that is, you take Urvashi’s advice: ‘White cakes can be a nightmare for the bride who doesn’t realise they need a lot of decoration, but are brilliant if you want to get creative with colours. I use cala lilies, especially when the rest of the wedding theme is white, because they are the epitome of elegance. I love the way they form a natural curve and they look brilliant in bouquets. Your florist should be able to provide you with inexpensive accessories. For instance I attach

diamante beads to the base of the stems to match those on the cake. It adds a distinctive polish to the entire look.’ If you’re having your cake cutting ceremony during the registry, Urvashi suggests lighter colours and accessories over heavy blooms. She adds: ‘Don’t be afraid to add feathers to your flower arrangement, and even customise with ribbons if you wish. Girly, bubblegum pinks are perfect even if you aren’t wearing the colour. Hyacinths are lovely blooms for registry receptions because of their feminine scent.’ If the cake cutting is a part of your traditional ceremony, Urvashi advises: ‘Flowers can help to make your cake match your outfit to intricate detail. There are now a range of wires that can be used with the flowers to bring out the golds, silvers and metallic threads in clothes. If you are having a custom made outfit, keep some material or bring the swatch along so that the florist and cakemaker can match them perfectly.’

Friendly and affordable service for all occasions. LIKE Sara A (Hair and Make-up) my FB page and get a free trial when you book. For more information check my website www.saraa.co.uk or call 07579 111 222/07961 809 764 E: hsaraaziz@hotmail.com

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

BEAUTY

CLEAN YOUR BODY AND MIND Anjana Gosai guides you through the detox solutions AS WINTER approaches, a quick detox will help you shake off autumn sluggishness, boost energy levels and lose a little excess weight. Here are our top tips to help you understand why it is needed and simple pointers to help you get on the right track. Why detox? Every day we are exposed to polluted air, a stressful lifestyle, chemical additives in our food and a whole manner of beauty products, which, when combined can be a serious burden on our bodies. Holistic experts believe that these toxins are stored in our body resulting in lethargy, stomach problems, headaches and allergies, hormone imbalance, depression, dull skin and a lot more. What is a detox routine? Put simply, a detox routine is an allnatural method of giving your body the time and conditions it can use to rebuild and heal itself. There are many different detox options available including water fasting, juice fasting, minimal eating, herbal detox, detox baths, colon cleansing and lots more. A regular detox can give the body a well deserved break and can be the single most helpful thing you can do to improve your health, promote weight loss, aid digestion and improve overall radiance. Follow our suggestions, treatments and diet guide and you will be well on your way to feeling toxin-free.

thought that our bodies are not built to eat meat, this is because we have longer guts. Often, meat takes longer to digest and can sit in the gut releasing toxins for days if not weeks.’ The above foods clog up the system and make you feel sluggish. If you’re cutting down on these liver-stressing foods you will need to add some good detoxifying foods into your diet. These include the usual green vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, celery and brussels sprouts and protein rich foods such as eggs and fish, which help the liver to break down stress hormones and pollutants. Oats and pulses are great as they have a low GI (glycaemic index). This means they don’t cause a rapid rise in your blood sugar levels, which in turn keep levels of fat-forming insulin low. According to nutritional researchers, women on the same calorie intake lose more weight if they eat lower GI carbohydrates like porridge and baked beans, than they do if they eat higher GI carbohydrates such as corn flakes and white bread. Get moving Exercise benefits every part of the body – the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, muscles, bones and joints – and helps fight off many diseases. You don’t have to run a mile a day to see results, even just a small amount of exercise can make a significant difference to your overall health and wellbeing. The key is to build your fitness slowly and maintain it and if you’re already into exercise keep it up on a regular basis.

honey mixed in. Boil the water in a pan until half its consistency remains and drink. Turmeric is also an excellent antioxidant and has a wonderfully purifying effect. And don’t forget to drink plenty of water. You’ve probably read this a million times, but it’s true – make sure you have at least 6-8 cups or glasses of water (or diluted juices) to aid the elimination of toxic waste products. Even minor dehydration can make you feel tired. Declutter and emotional cleansing For the detox to work on all aspects of your life you need to do more than cleanse the body, You also need to declutter your mind and your home. Give your home a detox by giving it a spring clean and get rid of any clutter. According to ancient Chinese wisdom, clutter represents energy that is stuck and makes you feel tired. Clear your mind by identifying and listing any toxic emotions that have accumulated in your life, which may be depleting your energy. Holding onto old resentments or grudges can also burden your body in an extremely negative way.

Brush it away with body brushing Body brushing is one of the easiest and simplest ways to stimulate blood circulation which helps our lymphatic drainage system to remove toxins from the body. Because the skin is the largest organ of elimination in the body, many toxins can be eliminated if you stimulate its circulation. Body brushing helps to reduce cellulite in our thighs and butt, where fats and waste products tend to NUTRITION build up. Use a natural bristle brush Eliminate bad foods and increase Healthy drinks Starting the day with a glass of warm such as Crabtree & Evelyn body brush, good foods Diet plays a vital role in any detox water with a slice of lemon can really £8.95 and take long, firm strokes. Start programme. The aim of a detox is to help as the lemon has cleansing at your feet, brushing up towards the give the digestive system some rest and properties. Alternatively, try drinking a legs and thighs towards the heart. Work ginger tonic on an empty stomach every in circular movements over the to stimulate the internal organs. Start by limiting your intake of coffee, morning. Ginger has warming stomach, then hands, arms, back and sugar, carbonated drinks, refined and properties and will ‘heat’ up your across the shoulders. Do it before or processed foods, red meat, saturated system and stimulate circulation. Peel after a shower and be careful if you fats, breads and pasta. Holistic therapist and slice a small ginger root and add it have problematic skin conditions or Bharti Vyas advises: ‘In ayurveda, it is to a pint of water with a teaspoon of healing wounds.

STARTER DETOX MENU If you have never tried a Detox programme, follow these simple food rules from the Organic Pharmacy and you will be on your way to a healthier digestive system and set you up for a lifetime of good health… WHAT TO EAT The purpose of this detox is to set up a system for life. Eliminate the following from your diet completely, if you find it difficult then reduce your intake. • Preservatives • Artificial colourants and flavourings • Processed foods • Refined sugars (cakes, pastries, biscuits) • Artificial sugar • Fizzy drinks • Alcohol (during the detox then only in moderation) • Smoking • Hydrogenated fats (found in deep fried foods such as samosas)

Simple rules to choosing foods • Choose a varied diet that does not involve the same foods over and over. • Select seasonal foods • Listen to your body: it knows when it has had enough. • Prepare foods simply and naturally BREAKFAST Choose from Fresh fruit Fresh fruit with yogurt and chopped nuts/muesli Poached or soft boiled egg with tomatoes Non sugar cereal with organic or almond milk. LUNCH Choose from Leafy salads with cabbage, spinach, beetroot, tomatoes and carrots. For a dressing either go for lemon and olive oil, ginger or low fat yogurt Have this either with fish, chicken,

cottage cheese or beans. You could even have it with avocado and two slices of good quality wholemeal or rye bread. DINNER Dinner should be light and easily digestable which means not raw. A light dinner consisting of any of the following: Cottage cheese on rye bread Lightly boiled or steamed vegetables with garlic, lemon and olive oil dressing Fresh vegetable soup with chopped herbs. During your detox drink elderberry & rose hip tea to provide vitamin C and aid cleansing. It is also important to ensure that food intolerances do not develop – avoid eating the same foods every day. Instead rotate your diet for example, if you eat tomatoes on Monday try not to eat them again until Thursday. Also avoid eating wheat three times a day instead have it every other day.

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

BEAUTY Pictures: MKV Photography

BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE

Hello to Halo WE’VE fallen in love with Smashbox’s Halo Hydrating Perfecting Bronzer, £29. This double-hit bronzer gives cheeks a gorgeous sun-kissed flush, while also keeping your complexion hydrated. The super-smart formula helps to perfect the appearance of skin and minimise any signs of ageing – we know, it sounds too good to be true. That’s why this little wonder will be a permanent fixture in our make-up bags.

MODEL WATCH:: ANOO KAPIL

How did you get into modelling? I was scouted for a pageant, which provided me with a stepping stone into the modeling industry, I made many contacts through the process and began to build my portfolio from there What struggles did you initially go through to become a model? Initially I was thrown out of my comfort zone, and being an Asian woman my shoots often became restricted. Overcoming the obstacles that had occurred, gave me a confidence boost, which allowed me to interact and respond more comfortably. Modelling highlights? My modelling highlights would probably be the cover of a magazine, it’s a rewarding experience to see a published picture my hard work had paying off. Another highlight of my modelling career was being able to star in several music videos playing a lead role, the experience was pleasant and I enjoyed the acting side of modelling. Model stereotype that frustrates you the most? The model stereotype that seems to frustrate me the most is the stigma attached to models who are usually portrayed as

antisocial and arrogant, another thing that frustrates me is the idea of stereotype that suggests models are unintelligent and are not intellectually driven, I myself hold against these stereotypes. You seem to prefer the moody look… Id rather use the term fierce...I think my images portray this because the client usually suggests a mood for an image, I believe that the strongest expression is shown through your eyes and in my experience I have been asked show emotion through my eyes. I have strong jaw line that generally suggests a deeper look in my images Is there pressure to be a size zero in the industry? This industry particularly the Asian industry comes with mighty competition and it is inevitable to feel pressured in every aspect I generally have a slim frame therefore the pressure of a maintaining a size 0 doesn’t affect me that much but to be fair I’ve never heard a client express concern with my size so perhaps I haven’t come across this barrier to judge it. I strongly believe that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and women come in different shapes and sizes that accounts for their individual beauty. How do you keep fit? I take care of my diet making sure its balanced although I do indulge, I also motivate myself keep fit by regular runs and dance lessons. How image-conscious are you? I’m image conscious to an extent when it counts I believe that you should also be comfortable in what you wear because when you feel good you tend to look good. My style icon would be Agyness Deyn because like her I prefer to start my own trends as a pose to following fashion trends, I am guilty of owning a walk in wardrobe :) Dream modelling job? VOGUE! No explanation required Wardrobe essentials? I love all saints and particularly the Damisi leather boots, I think a leather jacket is also a must.

The Lighter and Brighter Age Resisting Ritual Collection transforms the way the skin looks, significantly reducing pigmentation and leaving an even skin tone. It reduces dark circles, prevents the signs of ageing and leaves the skin looking younger, smoother, supple and brighter. The Collection uses the active ingredient Kojic Dipalmitate, a naturally occurring material which has been found to help lighten skin tone. What is Kojic Dipalmitate? Kojic Dipalmitate was discovered as a natural product derived from a mushroom plant in Japan. It has been known to successfully lighten pigment spots and skin discolouration. How does Kojic Dipalmitate work? On a molecular level, melanin is produced in the body from the conversion (in several steps) of the amino acid, tyrosine. The conversion requires the enzyme known as tyrosinase. Kojic Dipalmitate can prevent the tyrosinase activity through synthesizing reaction with its antioxidant. Why does Kojic Dipalmitate work? Kojic Dipalmitate is known as a better inhibitory effect on tyrosinanse than any other skin whitening agent. It is safe to human health and is a pure 98% natural material. When compared to other skin lightening agents, such as Hydroquinone, a synthetic agent which can cause skin irritations and has been used for more than a decade, Kojic Dipalmitate is known in the cosmetic “world” to be a stable and effective ingredient that produces effective

results in evening skin tone, skin discolouration, reducing dark circles, resulting in a complexion that is luminous and more youthful in appearance. It is suitable for all skin types. Timescales Results vary between four and six weeks depending on the skins original condition. For the best results, products should be used 2-3 times a day and the Lighter & Brighter Mask, three times a week to begin the Lighter & Brighter regime. Using the product occassionally will take longer to achieve noticeable results. It is always advisable to use a sun block in addition to the product if you are exposing yourself to sunlight. • Order from www.esskincare.co.uk

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Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

HEALTH

Goodness gracious ghee YOU may be shaking your head with disbelief, but recent research has revealed that there are health benefits associated with using ghee - within moderation, of course! Ghee, otherwise known as clarified butter, is commonly used amongst the South Asian community in cooking. It’s made up of entirely saturated fats – so is a huge no in Western cuisine. But, it seems there is some positivity at the end of this greasy tunnel. According to MayoClinic.com, fat should make up approximately 20-35% of your daily calories. Ghee is free of harmful unsaturated fats, which are common in most oils and butters, and are associated with the increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. Ghee is also considered to be high in antioxidants that help prevent cell mutation, which can lead to diseases, such as cancer. It aids digestion by neutralising gastric acids enabling your body to better absorb nutrients, and keeps your immune system functioning well. In comparison to other butters, which may sit heavier on the stomach, ghee does not contain Lactin and casein and so can be used by people who are allergic to milk products or are lactose intolerance. The traditional practice of Ayurveda speaks very highly of the physical health properties that Ghee contains. It is known to alleviate joint aches and other muscle problems and is an excellent moisturiser.

JUMP FOR JOY

If you need to shift some extra pounds, we suggest you take up skipping. It’s cheaper than a gym membership and you can do it in the convenience of your own back garden. Just 20 minutes a day will tone your whole body and burn off more than 1000 calories a week. After four weeks you’ll shed half a kilo of body fat. Now that’s something worth jumping up and down about!

IT’S THE RYE-T STUFF I’VE NEVER enjoyed dieting but my weight has become more of a concern since I was told I had diabetes, and for the last couple of years I’ve really had to watch what I eat. I’m a mum of three, four to seven year olds, so you can imagine; life is very hectic!

Designer and mum-of-three Fatema Hossain swapped her usual bread for wheat free Rye, and discovered surprising results

The mornings are the most challenging. I’m so busy getting them ready for the school run that on some days I barely get the chance to have my morning cuppa, let alone make time to eat a balanced breakfast. In the afternoons and evenings I work on my business, making home made stationery and accessories. I sell my work online and at market stalls. Because I’m at home all day, it’s tempting to snack. Like many people, bread is one of my staples. My eating habits can be erratic as I have so much to juggle; a lunchtime sandwich or slice of toast is often the simplest option. I’ve never considered myself to be wheat intolerant but I do tend to feel tired and bloated – something I’ve read that can be the result of eating too much bread. When Asian City asked me to test out the Rye Bread Challenge, I knew it would be a chance to test out the theory. I swapped my normal white and wholemeal bread for Rye bread by The Village Bakery – a simple change that I’m pleased to report made an size 14 – the first thing I did was buy a immediate difference. new dress, one which has a buttoned The Results: down front which didn’t suit my bigger For the first time in years I actually shape. I lost 6lbs overall and four inches dropped a dress size! I normally eat two to four slices of wholemeal or around my waist and the bloating was mixed brown flour bread, either as reduced dramatically. The best part toast or sandwiches for breakfast or was having more energy which meant I lunch and eat rice with an evening could join in with a run around the with the kids after meal. I was worried I would be hungry, park but noticed straight away that I wasn’t school! Although I’d heard of Rye feeling slumpy in the afternoon. My bread before, it never appealed as I bloatedness was also greatly thought it would taste bland, but the reduced. During the second week I was truth is, it was tasty and satisfying and much busier. It was the last week of the after seeing the results, I can’t go back summer holidays so I was out and to normal bread. The future for me, is about with the kids a lot. I felt tired and definitely Rye! The Great British Try Rye also hungrier so ate a few more slices of rye bread each day but I still felt better, Challenge is a simple 14-day eating was less gassy and less bloated. After plan where you swap your usual bread the two weeks I went from a 16 to a for rye. For more information, visit much more comfortable and flattering www.village-bakery.com

FATEMA’S RYE BREAD DIARY By making simple changes to her usual diet, Fatema swapped ordinary bread for Rye and followed a balanced eating plan for a fortnight. Here are some of her favourite eating plans: Day 1: Breakfast: 2 Slices of rye bread sliced strawberries Lunch: Miso soup with coriander rye bread Dinner: Open sandwich made with two slices of rye bread, with chicken, tomato and lettuce Snacks: Fresh lychees, tea with milk, an apple Comments: I felt surprisingly full today, alert and full of energy. Day 2: Breakfast: 2 slices of rye bread with olive margarine, cheese slice and tomato Lunch: 2 sliced of seeded rye bread with margarine and two boiled eggs Dinner: Coriander rye bread with homemade dhal Snacks: Banana, tea with milk, pear Comments: Coriander rye bread tastes really good with dhal! Day 3: Breakfast: Squashed blueberries on rye bread with low fat fromage frais Lunch: Miso soup with seaweed and tofu and seeded rye bread Dinner: Sea bass with spring onions and ginger (oven baked) with lettuce, grated radish, grated cucumber and grated carrot salad. Snacks: Blackberries Comments: Today I felt like I was eating well! Day 4: Breakfast: Blackberries on rye bread with low fat fromage frais Lunch: Tomato soup and coriander rye croutons Dinner: A family birthday feast including a giant curry and chocolate cake Snacks: Pear and coffee Comments: There was celebratory family meal in the evening so I had a night off the challenge but everyone noticed I was looking better!

Day 5: Breakfast: Poached egg on rye with margarine Lunch: Rye bread with chickpea dhal soup and spinach Dinner: Open sandwich with 2 slices of rye bread with chicken slice and salad Snacks: Banana, apple, grapes, tea and milk Comments: Being the weekend it was harder to not want to eat more but I just had more of the fruit snacks Day 6: Breakfast: Rye bread with grilled cheese Lunch: Vegetable curry with rye bread crumbled onto plate (as a rice substitute) Snacks: Orange, tea with milk Dinner: Rye bread with a prawn cocktail salad Comments: I was surprised at how well the bread could be used as a rice substitute Day 7: Breakfast: Rye eggy bread toasties with tea and milk Lunch: Seeded rye bread cheese and tomato toastie Dinner: Coriander rye bread with homemade dhal soup Snacks: Strawberries, tea with milk, bio yoghurt Comments: Eggy bread is one of my favourite breakfasts so I really enjoyed being able to have that!

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

FUN CITY

THE BOULEVARD GITA

by Sandeep Sood

HOROSCOPES ARIES

March 21 - April 20

There is a perverse desire to taking risks that could jeopardize what you have. Keep in mind that actions have consequences and karma is always in play before you leap. This could be a tough week on the relationship front. On one hand you find yourself longing for more freedom yet, simultaneously, desiring a greater degree of intimacy. As a result, there is going to be a lot of conflict during the entire seven days.

TAURUS

April 21 - May 21

Trying to escape the reality of the situation by losing yourself in an intense physical encounter will not help you to resolve things. Financial matters are in flux this week and, as a result, you may find yourself having to deal with a shortage of resources and, quite possibly, a dramatic change early on. Although you may resent it, sharing control might actually be the solution. Try it and see.

GEMINI

May 22 - June 21

Travelling to a place you haven’t visited before even if it is local, may well provide the kind of learning experience that you are craving. This is a good week to consider how best to expand your world view. Your personal moral code is going to be on display late in the week. How you carry yourself in handling the situation could have long term positive effects on both your career and finances.

CANCER

June 22 - July 22

How you see yourself in the world may be at odds with the constraints of the 9 to 5 reality. There is a restlessness and/or uneasiness in the realm of work/school this week that is causing you to reconsider your career path. The question that must be answered is whether you can achieve the internal goals you have set for yourself doing what you are currently doing and, if not, is it time to make that change.

LEO

July 23 – August 23

This is not a week to start a new relationship. This week social interactions, particularly those with romantic overtones need to be examined closely. Although the passion is intense, the immediate feelings of jealousy that come with it could lead to heartbreak for both of you. Better to enjoy the moment for what it is and then see where the path leads than trying to force the issue.

VIRGO

August 24 - September 22

This is one of those times that the best course of action is to get out of your own way and permit that is which coming to be to manifest. It will be enlightening, to be sure. Fate is going to push/pull you in an unexpected direction this week. The challenge for you is not to let your anxiety about the unknown sap your mental and physical energies that, in turn could cause some health issues late in the week.

LIBRA

September 23 - October 23

Trying to force maters, especially in the relationship realm can cause more problems then solving them. This is not a week that you can impose your will. Giving in to impulsive actions and responses will leave you feeling directionless. Late in the week something may occur that is going to remind you, in dramatic fashion, how important it is to be able to trust. In this way, balance can be restored.

SCORPIO

October 24 - November 22

There is a temptation to sacrifice your personal value system just to make the proverbial fast buck Financial matters are front and center this week. Take care to avoid impulse buying as it could lead to buyer’s regret later on. . This is where understanding what truly has worth is so important. Even though you may finish the week feeling unsettled, know that you have actually laid the foundation for the future.

SAGITTARIUS

TO TWEET. TO WHO?

NAME THE STAR

Can you tell who it is yet? Find out the answer on Twitter @asiancity Last weeks’s star: Amitabh Bachchan

Shah Rukh Khan @iamsrk am a big james bond fan. always wanted to play a character like him...but am told...i am not smooth with guns or women...bah!! Ayesha Takia Azmi @Ayeshatakia Will tweet after the film,,soo many ppl around me clapping, crying, laughing n going through every emotion with Sriji.. Uday Chopra �@udaychopra Never underestimate the power of Hummus! Priyanka Chopra @priyankachopra Last change for the video!!! At bloody 4 am!!! Ugh!! Anyway!! Been so fun! Gotta finish dolling up! C ya later! Minissha Lamba @Minissha_Lamba Yuck!!!! Why is the highway jammed in the middle of the afternoon????? Can’t imagine the nightmare on my way back Navin Kundra @NavinKundra Respect older generations...they graduated without Google and Wikipedia! #TrueThat Janina Gavankar @Janina why am i watching The Walking Dead at 4 in the morning?#TellMeToStop

The stars to follow on lonely nights

Rahul Khanna @R_Khanna Although I’m not religious, I do pray. Mostly for bolts of lightning to smite anyone talking loudly on a cell phone. Lara Dutta Bhupathi @DuttaLara Starbucks- one of the few places in the world where everyone speaks the same language! A Green Tea Latte stays the same all over the world! Jimi Mistr @JimiMistry Far more civilised that you can reserve seats on ryanAir even though they charge you £10 for the privilege the robbin’ ...... Bobby Friction �@bobbyfriction #RIPFrictionShow I’m going crazy in this studio....all alone with the music & the equipment.....and its F****** GREAT! Nadia Ali @NadiaAli After massage and a facial, I’m feeling like I’m walking on a cloud! Ameet Chana @AmeetChana Before I hit the sack want to send a final salute to @bobbyfriction &#FrictionShow. 6 years providing an outlet for unsigned artists! BIG!

November 23 - December 21

Mid-week, your instincts are going to come into play as a new relationship may have more importance than appears at first glance. Travel could play an important role this week. Remember it’s not the distance or the destination that matters as much as what is learned on the way. Self-expression and articulating your ideas is also a prominent theme especially in financial matters and business.

CAPRICORN

December 22 - January 20

The question of who “rules the roost” may prevent any positive changes to be made, especially where finances are also involved. Confrontations with family members are going to make this a difficult seven days. What is called for is a truce on both sides and a step back. When egos are in charge, emotions can and do get bruised. Compromise, as hard as it seems, is the way to solve the situation.

AQUARIUS

January 21 – February 18

You may discover that your expectations about a current romance are not realistic.Trying to “keep it real” is going be your challenge this week. Regardless, you want to “play the game” just to see what happens. Late in the week you may feel drained-both emotionally and physically. Do a mental inventory to see if you’ve taken on more than you can sustain. If the answer is yes, slow down and let fate play its hand.

PISCES

February 19 - March 20

What is called for is to find or rediscover a vision that you can focus your energies to making a reality.This week the focus is on your job. Worrying excessively about those things that you can’t control can impact your physical health particularly at the beginning of the week. Do not let your fear of failure add to the stress of the moment. By remembering how to dream today, you can also rediscover the joy of tomorrow.

ask Neelam

WOMEN TROUBLE Dear Neelam,

MY BOYFRIEND is always surrounded by women. He assures me they’re safe but I’m not convinced. I feel left out whenever we go out but don’t want to seem the clingy.

Neelam says..

It’s not easy being in a relationship where the guy takes centre stage – he’s the one who’s supposed to get grumpy at all the attention you’re receiving! But the longer you remain the sulky girlfriend in the sidelines, the more you’ll get pushed aside in social circles. So girls would have him if they had the chance – but he doesn’t give them that chance, does he? If he’s actively going out of his way to flirt with them in front of you, then he’s a disrespectful idiot – drop him. Instead of pretending to be cool about it, let him know how you feel and, if he’s a decent guy, he’ll introduce you as his girlfriend and make sure you’re included. You deserve to feel like a couple rather than an accessory. And remember, everyone wants a piece of your man, but who is he going to go home with?

BUDDY HELL Dear Neelam, I’M REALLY into my new guy but his best friend is always around. He even invites himself along on our dates!

Neelam says..

Whilst his friend comes across as inconsiderate, the real problem here is that your boyfriend needs to grow a spine. His friend obviously likes hanging around, maybe he thinks you like him being there. It’s up to your boyfriend to let him down gently. I can understand you don’t want to start banning him seeing his pal this early in the relationship, but you can tell him how much you enjoy your dates together, how you look forward to being alone with him and, as much as you like his friend, that a couple need time for intimacy in order for the relationship to develop. The good news is men grow out of needing their right hand men 24/7 once they have serious girlfriends they can have fun with. So make sure you don’t turn into a ball and chain... yet!

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

GOT SOMETHING ON YOUR MIND? SHARE IT, HALVE IT, LET NEELAM SORT IT e: neelam@asiancity.co.uk

Always gagging for it! Dear Neelam,

AFTER my last boyfriend destroyed my esteem, I can’t say no to men. My friends keep calling me a slut but I can’t help myself.

Neelam says..

It’s one of the worst tricks men play. If they destroy your confidence, you’ll be too weak to leave – but if you leave anyway, you’ll be too damaged to find another man. To your manipulative ex, it’s a win-win situation. To you, it’s an overriding desire to prove to him that you’re not only able to get another man, you can get countless. The problem is you’ve lost your trust in men, but not your need for them to like you. Which is why random men showering you with compliments is giving you the the bandaid you need to repair the psychological wound left by your ex, and your casual acceptance that all men are after one thing means that’s exactly the kind of men you’re attracting. Your friends may sound harsh but they have a point. These men don’t really respect you, but that’s exactly what you need assurance of: that you’re a good person who deserves affection and kindness. But it has to come from the heart – casual lovers can never give you that. Stop letting your ex win. Stop believing you need fly-by-night guys to make you feel good about yourself. The only way to regain your broken self-esteem is by respecting yourself.

Worried about my snoring Dear Neelam,

and while some are physical, a lot of them are influenced by dietary or lifestyle choices – which makes it hard to pinpoint what will be able to stop your snoring. Physically you seem fine, but it could be that during sleep, your soft palate may relax, resulting in the compression of the throat creating the snoring sound. Otherwise, smoking and drinking also have a huge effect, because they interfere with the fine hairs that line the nasal passage – even passive smoking can worsen your snoring! Keep a check on your consumption of dairy products – in particular yoghurt and cheese – they are notorious for generating excess mucus and can make even mild snoring increase in You don’t necessarily decibels. If you want more ‘inherit’ the ability to snore information, I’d recommend - there are a number of taking a look at reasons why people do, www.britishsnoring.co.uk. MY PARTNER and I have decided to move in together and while I’m looking forward to it, I’m anxious because I have a bad snoring problem. I don’t have asthma, hayfever or any other breathing problems, and I’ve tried aromatherapy but nothing seems to work. While my partner is understanding, I don’t particularly want him to have to put up with it – and I’m stumped as to why I do snore. I don’t think it’s hereditary because neither of my parents have this problem – is there any explanation for it or at least any way to reduce how loud it is?

Neelam says..

ANGRY AT SELF HARM...

Dear Neelam,

THINGS between my girlfriend and I have soured since I found out she self harms. I know it’s a cry for help but I don’t like attention seeking and I hate the thought that she finds more comfort in a razor than in my arms. It makes me feel angry and I can’t help someone I’m angry with!

Neelam says..

It’s. Not. About. You. The worst thing you can do to a selfharmer is to make it your problem. This is something that she’s been doing a long time before you came onto the scene, as a means to find peace from her traumas, and what she needs from a loving partner is your support and understanding, not insensitive comments like she’s ‘attention seeking’.

The more you forbid her, lay can’t express these bad down ultimatums or make her thoughts that she turns to the feel bad about it, the more blade. she’ll be tempted to do just To find out more about how that, because all your negative you can help, log onto comments does is reinforces www.nshn.co.uk what she thinks about herself anyway – that she somehow deserves the pain. Self-abuse is an addiction that only manifests Timing significantly itself when influences love. Individuals are things seem more likely to fall in love if they hopeless. If you love her are looking for adventure, craving and want to to leave home, lonely, displaced in help her, a foreign country, passing into a pinpoint her psychological new stage of life, or financially triggers and, and psychologically ready to instead of share themselves or ‘being a man’ and trying to solve start a family. it, encourage her to speak about it. In her own time. It’s because she

LOVE FACT

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

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Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

RECIPES CHICKEN AND POTATO CURRY (MURGH ALOO MASALA)

CREAMY LAMB MASALA (MALAI GOSHT) Serves: 4 Prep Time: 15min Cooking Time: 45min Difficulty: Easy

FANCY A CURRY?

Anaji Pathak has created some delicious recipes for National Curry Week (8th – 14th October) 2. Add the paste and cook with 50ml Serves: 4 Prep Time: 15min Cooking Time: 40min Difficulty: Moderate Ingredients: • 2 tbsp vegetable oil • 450g chicken thigh, skin removed and cut into 1 inch cubes • 150g onions, chopped

• 4 no’s Green Cardamom • 1/2 tsp/ 2g mustard seeds • 8 tbsp/125g Patak’s Madras Paste • 200g chopped tomatoes • 300g new potatoes, half cut, scrubbed and diced • 2 tsp/10g fresh coriander, chopped • 3 tbsp / 45g thick plain yogurt • 1/2 tsp /2g crushed black pepper

water on medium heat till all the water has evaporated. 3. Add half cut new potatoes and cook on medium heat for 10-15 minutes. 4. Add chicken, yogurt and water and cook till the chicken and Preparation: 1. Heat the oil in a pan, crackle potatoes are cooked and finish with green cardamom and mustard crushed black pepper. seeds for 1 minute and cook the 5. Check the seasoning and adjust onions till soft and golden brown in with salt and sugar. 6. Serve with Naan Breads. colour. • 200ml water • Salt, to taste • 1tsp/5g of sugar

APRICOT CHICKEN - INDIAN STYLE (KHUBANI MURGH) Ingredients:

• 150g dried apricots, chopped • 2 tsp / 10g fresh coriander, chopped • Salt to Taste • 1tsp / 5g Sugar

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil • 1/2 tsp / 2g Cumin seeds • 200g onions, chopped • 450g chicken, diced • 8tbsp / 125g Patak’s Balti Curry Paste • 200g canned chopped tomatoes • 4tbsp/ 60g single cream • 200ml water

Method: 1. Heat the oil in a pan, crackle cumin seeds for 1 minute and add chopped onions and cook on medium heat till the onions are soft and golden brown in colour. 2. Add the Patak’s Balti Paste and 100 ml water

Serves: 4 Prep Time: 10 min Cooking Time: 30 min Difficulty: Easy

and cook on simmer till all the water has evaporated. 3. Add diced chicken and apricots and cook on high heat till the chicken is seared and add chopped tomatoes and rest of the water. 4. Cook on medium heat till the chicken is cooked. Stir in the cream and sugar. 5. Check the seasoning and add salt if necessary. 6. Garnish with the fresh coriander and serve with rice and naan breads

Ingredients: • 450g diced lamb • 2 tbsp vegetable oil • 200g onions, sliced • 1/2 tsp/ 2g Cumin seeds • 50g Butter • 1 tbsp / 15g Chopped Ginger • 1 tbsp / 15g Chopped Garlic • 7 tbsp / 100g Patak’s Korma Paste • 75g cashew nuts • 175ml single cream • 150ml water • 1 tsp / 5g fresh coriander, chopped • Salt to taste • 1tsp / 5g Sugar Method: 1. Heat the oil in a pan, crackle cumin seed for 1 minute. Add sliced onions and cook till they are soft and golden brown in colour. 2. Add ginger, garlic and korma paste with 50ml water and cook on simmer till all the water has evaporated. 3. Add diced lamb and cook on high heat till the lamb is seared and add cashewnuts, butter and rest of the water and cook on medium heat till the lamb is cooked. 4. Add single cream and cook for another 2-3 minutes. 5. Check the seasoning and add salt and sugar. 6. Garnish with the fresh coriander and serve with rice and naan breads

COOK’S TIP

To keep tea, soup, curry warm, prepare as usual & immediately pour into a milk cooker; heat till 1 whistle. As outer lining is filled with hot water, it keeps food warm.

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

TRAVEL INDIA, they say, isn’t a trip to be taken alone by a girl. Especially one with a Pakistani background. Which was reason enough for a girl to take up the challenge. Although the promise of sun, sea, yoga and lots of ayuverdic treatments might have had something to do with the decision…

I arrived in Trivandrum after a long and tedious journey from Heathrow via Doha, but any possibility of jet lag disappeared the moment I stepped out of the airport and was hit with the sights, sounds and smells India is so famous for. The oven warmth of the early morning air, mustachioed men in their white lunghis and check shirts, dark thin ladies fluttering around in their impossibly elegant saris of many colours, taxis and auto rickshaws blaring their horns and vying for road space. A moment of panic as I scanned the expectant faces of the waiting throngs melted at the sight of the man dressed head to toe in white, holding up a placard bearing my name. This was Thilikin, my appointed driver, summoning me into the thoroughly retro looking white Ambassador saloon, which was to be my transport for the duration of my trip.

FINDING INDIA

What happens when a Pakistani British Asian goes there? Labeena Ishaque reports

Is it Kovalam in here?

Within an hour of landing, I was lounging in the back of the airconditioned car, speeding my way to the first port of call, the Manaltheerum ayurvedic resort based in Kovalam, about 18 km south of Trivandrum. The car journey, the first of many, introduced me to the wonderful, verdant lushness that is Kerala. Everywhere I looked were trees: banyan trees, banana trees, palm trees, trees that I’d only see in postcards, a far cry from the skeletal effigies I’d left behind in East London. Forty minutes later, the Ambassador pulled up at the grotto-like entrance to the Manaltheerum resort – yet more trees, traditional Keralan architecture, carved stone statues dotted around the large clay bowls filled to brimming with fuchsia and bougainvillea. The moment I stepped out of the car I was greeted with a floral garland and a large coconut shell filled with sweet water. It was an enthusiastic and unreserved welcome, that would be repeated by my hosts throughout the trip – an introduction to the laid back charm and open arms of the Keralan people. My room, like all the rooms at Manaltheerum, was a small round traditional brick hut, with a thatched roof, shuttered windows and its own bathroom – basic but perfectly in tune with its natural surroundings. Three-hour daily sessions and the twice-daily yoga classes meant I barely

had time to just hang at the beautiful sandy beach to work my tan. However, by the end of my four days at Manaltheerum I had been scrubbed and pummelled and drenched in oil so many times that my skin felt as smooth as the proverbial baby’s bottom. Not only did my skin feel great (bye bye cellulite!) but I was feeling pretty flexible too. My goal for coming back to the UK skinny, brown and bendy seemed to be in view already after less than a week! Good Munnar So Thilikin, the Ambassador and I set off on the next leg – to the Munnar region in the highland areas of the Western Ghats. Once the summer resort and hill station of the British Government in South India, it is now home to many tea and spice plantations. On the hot and long (five and a half-hour) car journey, Thilikin and I bonded over a shared

•ALWAYS TAKE THE WEATHER From Pakistan to Britain to India

pineapple (Keralan pineapples are the most delicious I’ve ever tasted), bought for 30 rupees from a ramshackle roadside stall, freshly picked from the adjoining farm. We began an upward spiral on the increasingly bumpy road, narrowly avoiding the superfast buses that zoom unconcerned up and down the mountainside, blaring tinny Hindi music and deafening horns simultaneously. As we rose, the landscape took a dramatic turn, from the swaying palm trees of the lowlands into the wild looking shrubs of the cardamom and black pepper plantations, then the fresh heights of rubber and eucalyptus. Until the trees opened up to reveal a spectacular view of perfectly manicured tea plantations rising high above the mountain mists. In the distance tiny figures dressed in primary colours picked the fresh, sweet tealeaves, destined to accompany the cucumber sandwiches at high tea in the Ritz. My destination was Windermere House in Trikkakara, which is about 8km beyond Munnar Town. A twostorey alpine style chalet catering for 20, set deep into the mountainside and hidden completely from view. The whole ambience was reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands – confusing in a very Indian way as the name was obviously inspired by the Lake District. Not so surprising then, to find that all the other eight guests were British, no doubt intrigued by the name and local geography. At the crack of dawn, I set off to meet George, a trekking guide, from Calypso Adventures. The idea of trekking Indian countryside while I was emailing from

I had stayed at, that the thought of going up to a coffee plantation in the wilderness of Wayanad didn’t really appeal. How wrong I was. A two-hour drive from Telicherry, Tranquil Resort is hidden within Kuppamudi Estate, a 400 acre working coffee plantation, a stone’s throw from the intriguingly named town of Sultans Battery (so called as the temple was used as an artillery store for Tipu Sultan’s army). We drove uphill, past tiny monkeys playing amongst the jackfruit trees, coffee Tellicherry pickings and vanilla bushes that line the track Beyond a two-hour drive up the coast to side. I arrived at the restored bungalows, Telicherry lay Ayisha Manzil, a 145-year- which emerged from the dense foliage old colonial villa, sitting on top of a hill surrounding them, just as lunch was overlooking the Arabian Sea. The owner being served. Mr Moosa, an impressive lunghi wearing, chain smoking character with Cochin trip more than a passing resemblance to Jean My last day in Kerala began at the crack Reno from the movie Leon, named the of dawn and involved my first Indian train journey, from Calicut to Cochin. place after his grandmother. Bless. By now I was in full holiday mode and The princely sum of 250 rupees (about headed straight for the emerald tiled three pounds) had secured me a seat on a pool, which was built to look like an roomy second class air conditioned ancient temple pool. A few hours on the coach, a train which was otherwise hammock, intermittently reading, packed to the rafters, literally, with a applying sun cream and staring out to chaotic mixture of local people. The foursea, made me think briefly of the weather hour trip gave me a chance to flick through the Indian fashion magazines back home. But only for a minute. I was looking forward to dinner. (well, you can’t always leave work People talk about the culinary delights behind!). On arrival at Cochin, I was welcomed served up by Faiza, Mrs Moosa’s wife, who even treats guests to cookery classes by Jay, my travel agent, who had in traditional Malabar cuisine. Aromatic organised a visit to the temple and biriyanis, seafood in thick coconut elephant festival. But it was my last sauces, fried snacks – heavily influenced afternoon in India – the fashion mags by Arab and North Indian cuisine, it was had me fired up and all I wanted to do a lot richer than the vegetarian food I had was shop! He knew just where to take me, and become used to on my travels. Mr Moosa planned the next day like a before I knew it I was hyperventilating at military junta, and try as we might, no the sight of south India’s largest sari one could get out of a single excursion on shop – Jayalakshmi, on Mahatma his itinerary. The beach was amazing, the Ghandi Road in Ernakulam (did I fish market smelly, the local English fort mention a girl can never buy enough (boring for me, fascinating for the old cheap saris?). Set over four storeys, this RAF chap in our group) and the weaving huge Aladdin’s cave of jewel bright silks, factory a total bargain. How many cheap satins and saris just knocked me for six. What a perfect place to end my journey. silk saris can one girl buy? Fashion, food, friends, fascination – Wayanad ways India really has everything to offer, I had been so impressed by all the places wherever you’re coming from… London had seemed like a great idea, but now, in the dark, chilly early morning mist, I was having second thoughts. Especially when I met the rest of the group, a couple of Belgian women who trotted up hills like brisk mountain goats, and two local guides. After finally hitting the hay at base camp (impossible thanks to a tiny local temple deciding to turn itself into a raving disco), I couldn’t wait to get back to the haven of the Windermere to rest my weary bones.

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

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Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

CAREERS HOW TO GET HEADHUNTED USING headhunter employment agencies is a great way to make someone else do the job of finding you a new job, move upwards in your career or switch fields and find that first foot in the door. And because they look for a job according to the specifications on your CV using their network of contacts, they might find you opportunities you wouldn’t have been able to find on your own.

Here’s a few tips: • If you are looking for quite a high salary, then contacting headhunting companies can be useful. It is good to go on recommendation when approaching a headhunting company. • Start networking and attend more of your industry events & conferences to improve your professional profile. • When talking to a head hunter, be open, clear and specific about your career goals and objectives. Pick their brain, as they can provide constructive advice about the industry you are in. • Develop a close working relationship with your head hunter and stay in touch with them on a regular basis. • Be clear about your absolute minimum but do look closely at the overall package being offered. Look for bonuses, pension, private healthcare cover and other potential benefits. • Put a lot of thought into your CV. Go in articulate detail regarding your skills, achievements and any training courses you’ve been on. You also need to include a mission statement outlining your professional ambitions.

How to be a vet MOST vets work in private practice, usually starting out as an assistant and working their way up into a partnership or own business. Some specialise in small animal treatment, others do research and some for animal welfare. A vet surgeon must hold a degree from one of the 6 vet schools in UK. Lasting six years, it involves a formidable amount of work compared to that of studying to be a doctor. Visit www.rcvs.org.uk

GETTING A RAGE

Control yourself and learn to manage your anger efficiently YOU may not know it, but if you’ve been a bit of a loudmouth recently or left the office kitchen untidy, your seemingly innocent work colleague might be plotting your doom.

According to a survey by recruitment agency Pertemps, more than half of office staff in Britain have become so angry they have nearly punched a colleague. Leaving the photocopier broken, not asking anyone when they make a cup of tea, and interruptions while on a phone call can bring on office rage, particularly among women. We’re more prone to violence than men, with 51 percent of us wanting to sock it to the offender, while men would prefer to shout. When asked how they deal with irritating work colleagues, most office ragers said they just ignored them, but this isn’t the best option. Being upset all the time affects your concentration at work, others have seriously considered quitting their job and some are so stressed, they become severely depressed and need to take a considerable amount of time off work. We work longer hours than we used to, which gives rise to

playing political games with colleagues we dislike. It may seem like sweet revenge to give your colleague a completely pointless and time-consuming task, but it generates a lot of ill will in the office. Whether you’re a manager or are simply caught in the crossfire over a war about who stole the stapler, office rage simply isn’t good for morale. It’s common sense, but you’d be surprised how easily we choose not to acknowledge if other people are irritated. Do not disturb colleagues with excessive noise. Be considerate and note when they are on a phonecall, and especially don’t interrupt them. Avoid gossip. It can be hurtful and causes offence and secrets always have a way of being known. Control your own stress levels. If things get too much go for fresh air. Remain calm in the face of provocation. Walk away, take a break and diffuse the situation. Consult your manager to air any problem issues or anti-social behaviour. Plan your workload and highlight any foreseeable problems Never resort to violence - you could end up losing your job.

CAREER ADVICE Q

We’re currently reviewing office etiquette and protocol in our company and one of the complaints that has come up concerns employees gossiping in the office. One of our bosses thinks it cuts down on productivity because more time is wasted during cigarette breaks or while chatting at the coffee machine. I don’t personally think anything is wrong with it – is there anything to substantiate his claims?

Although there are ways of improving productivity in the office, I don’t believe that curtailing your employees’ social behaviour is the right way to go about it. Of course if it’s malicious gossip then you have every right to implement disciplinary action, but if it’s harmless banter then there is no harm in it. In fact, a report by the Industrial society revealed that gossip is actually good for the office and boosts morale.

www.futuretraining4jobs.com

A recent appraisal with my senior manager went well, but he said he wanted me to focus more on my soft skills because they could be further developed. I didn’t really understand what what he meant by ‘soft’ skills, and I took this to mean he was referring to my overall communication skills. Can you shed any light because I’m not prepared to ask him!

Soft skills refer to a very diverse range of abilities such as leadership, listening, team building skills, creativity, diplomacy, problem solving skills, managing change and flexibility. So you are partly right, because communication skills are included in this as well. Some people refer to ‘soft skills’ as people skills or emotional intelligence. Hard skills on the other hand refer to your technical ability to do your job. Both skills are complementary and ideally should work side by side, rather than only having one or the other. Working with other people will improve your soft skills, so perhaps you can ask your manager if you can work on a few projects where you work closely with your colleagues. Your manager could be hinting that he wants you to take the lead (another soft skill) and start working with others immediately, using your own initiative. It would be very productive to work with people who have good soft skills but bad hard skills, so you can help each other.

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

PROUD DHONI INDIA cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni wants his team to return home from the World Twenty20 with their heads held high despite failing to make the semi-finals for the third time.

Force India in 7th place

•CAPTAIN Mahendra Singh Dhoni

referring to the nine-wicket loss to Australia in a rain-affected Super Eights match on September 28. “We all know what impact rain has on bowlers, especially the spinners. So let us get practical about what the reason was and ask whether it was the The one-run win over South Africa in real fault of the players. It is not, it can Tuesday night’s last Super Eights match happen in this format. And when you in Colombo left the 2007 champions are at a stage where other games level with Australia and Pakistan on involving other teams can affect you, points, but a poor net run-rate ended you don’t want that kind of situation.” their campaign. Difficult India, who scored 152-6, needed to keep South Africa below 122 to go ahead of Pakistan’s run-rate, but the Dhoni said restricting South Africa to Proteas rode on a 38-ball 65 from Faf du less than 122 was never going to be easy Plessis to make 151 all out. in the second innings. His preference to Dhoni’s men failed to make the semi- bowl first and know the required target finals despite winning four of their five did not materialise after he lost the toss. games, while the West Indies advanced “It was a low score to defend,” he with just one win without the use of the said. “We won this game by one run, so Super Over tie-breaker. it is difficult to say that if a few strategies “I think it was quite a satisfactory had been changed, we could have performance,” said Dhoni, who led defeated them big.” India to victory in the inaugural World India have not made the semi-finals Twenty20 in South Africa in 2007 in his of the last three editions after winning first stint as captain. the inaugural competition despite the “In this tournament, we lost just one huge exposure to T20 cricket in the game, though we lost it badly,” he said, Indian Premier League.

Cancer victory YUVRAJ Singh dedicated his match award to all those affected by cancer after starring in India’s one-run win over South Africa in the World Twenty20. Yuvraj, 30, has had an emotional return to international cricket after battling cancer. Yuvraj made 21 off 15 balls before taking 2-23. “I never thought I would get a chance to play cricket again,” he said. Yuvraj started chemotherapy in February for mediastinal seminoma, a growth between the lungs. He returned to action last month in the build-up to the World Twenty20, after a period of recovery following three months of treatment in the United States.

PAES & CO ARE RUNNERS-UP LEANDER Paes and his Czech partner Radek Stepanek faltered at the final hurdle as they suffered an upset straight-set defeat at the hands of Alexander Peya of Austria and Brazil’s Bruno Soares to finish runners-up at the ATP Japan Open here on Sunday. The fourth seeded Austrian-Brazilian pair defeated top seeds Paes and Stepanek 6-3, 76 (5) in an hour and 46 minutes to win their second ATP World Tour doubles titles in as many weeks. Peya and Soares added the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships trophy to their Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur trophy. But Paes and Stepanek have clinched their first team berth at the Barclays ATP World

•TALENT Samit Patel

Patel signs 3 year deal NOTTINGHAMSHIRE all-rounder Samit Patel has signed a new three-year contract at Trent Bridge. Patel has re-established himself in England’s limited overs sides and earned selection for the 15man ICC World Twenty20 squad. “We were very keen to secure Samit’s services because his batting ability and bowling option gives our side balance,” said director of cricket Mick Newell. “We fully expect that he will spend some time with England but we are definitely a better side when he’s around.” Patel returned 14 firstclass wickets and 329 firstclass runs for Nottinghamshire in 2012 and was a key member of the Notts Outlaws Friends Life t20 side that secured a home quarter-final.

SPORT

We did well in T20 says captain

•DRIVE Nico Hulkenberg

SAHARA Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg finished seventh in the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix to bag six points on Sunday. Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel won the race from second placed Felipe Massa in his Ferrari. Home favourite Kamui Kobayashi came third in his Sauber. Hulkenberg’s teammate Paul di Resta finished 12th, exactly where he started from, and could not score points. Currently, British di Resta is 12th in the drivers championship with 44 points while Hulkenberg is 14th with 37. In the constructors championship, Force India are seventh with 81 points. India’s Narain Karthikeyan in his HRT retired in the 32nd lap of the 53 lap race. This is his consecutive retirement after Singapore Sep 23.

•OUT Kumar Sangakkara celebrates after stumping Mohammad Hafeez

‘NO REGRETS’: HAFEEZ

PAKISTAN captain Mohammad Hafeez conceded that the team could not live up to the expectations of its fans at the World Twenty20. However, he also insisted that the side gave its best before being ousted in the semi-finals. Hafeez, on Saturday, returned to Lahore along with some other players and coach Dav Whatmore. “We all knew that our people were following the World Twenty20 very closely and wanted us to do well and play in the final. Unfortunately we couldn’t do that and Sri Lanka was the better team in the semi-final,” he said. “But I am satisfied that the entire team worked hard and gave their best. We remained positive throughout, but we failed at the final stage,” he said. Hafeez, who has come under criticism for his stubborn refusal to go lower down the order and on his penchant to take unilateral decisions

in crucial matches, said like everyone else he also wanted to see his team play in the final. “But this was one of the toughest World Twenty20 tournaments we have played in and every match was very hard. All the teams came well prepared,” he said. Asked about the defeat to India in the super eights after having beaten them in a warm-up game, Hafeez said the team had failed to post a challenging total needed to put pressure on the rival batsmen. “But we have some positives from the tournament like the performances of Reza Hasan and Umar Akmal and we need to work on our positive points.” Defending the decision to drop experienced all-rounder Abdul Razzaq for the semi final against Sri Lanka, Hafeez said that the decision not to include Razzaq in the team was that of the team management, as another bowler was required.

Tour Finals in London next week, after they booked a place in the Tokyo final. In the women’s doubles finals, fourth seeded Indo-Spanish pair Sania Mirza and Nuria Llagostera Vives lost to Russian pair of Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina.

Asian City October 11 - October 24, 2012

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BRITAIN’S BEST ASIAN NEWSPAPER

SACHIN TENDULKAR: 39 NOT OUT INDIAN batting great Sachin Tendulkar has admitted to having thoughts about retiring from the sport but would not confirm precisely when he plans to hang up his boots. At 39, Tendulkar possesses bundles of batting records in international cricket and achieved his long-cherished dream of being part of a World Cup-winning team

last year when India claimed the 50-over tournament in his home city Mumbai. His slowing reflexes and the manner of recent dismissals have convinced many observers that the “Little Master” should bring an end to a shining career that started with his 1989 debut in Pakistan. “Of course I have been. I will be

lying if I said I do not,” Tendulkar told Times Now channel, when asked if he had started thinking about retirement after dodging the question for some time. “I am 39 plus and it is not abnormal for me to think of it. It is natural. “At that moment, I will go by what my heart says. At this moment, my heart says I am okay.’

•NO PLAN Tendulkar

HOSTS LOSE CAPTAIN AFTER HOME DEFEAT •OUTBURST Akhtar says cricketers are underpaid

Blame the system CONTROVERSIAL former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar claims cricketers are tempted into fixing matches because they are underpaid by their board. “Fixing happens in our culture because there’s less money, there are even lesser opportunities. Cricketers victimised by their boards return (to the team) to mint money,” Akhtar, 37, said. “In 2008, I had no money to even buy a car. I had to borrow money from a friend. I handled it, others go astray. “Your friends ditch you, (the cricket) board doesn’t back you. They all run you down. So when you return you think ‘let me teach them a lesson’. Some are corrupt, but some cricketers are turned into criminals by the system.” Three Pakistani stars -- Test captain Salman Butt and pacemen Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif -- were jailed last year after being found guilty of spotfixing during the 2010 Lord’s Test against England. It was the first time international cricketers were handed prison sentences.

JAYAWARDENE STEPS DOWN He says Sri Lanka needs new blood after Windies washout MAHELA Jayawardene stepped down as Sri Lanka’s 20-over captain after failing to lead his team to their maiden World Twenty20 title on Sunday.

•JUBILANT Punjab hockey team were underdogs

Punjab beat Air India

IN A surprise victory against a stronger team, Punjab won the Hockey Indian Senior National on Sunday with a sudden death goal against Air India, beating them 2-1. The thrilling game held at the KSHA Stadium went into two minutes of extra time, giving just enough opportunity for the winning goal to be scored by Gurbaj Singh. The team admitted they weren’t expecting the result. Coach Baljit Singh Saini said: ‘It was always going to be a tough match because Air India is a much more experienced team than ours. So our strategy was mainly defensive in the first half. In the second, we started pressing and that paid dividends.’

•OUT Mahela Jayawardene

Hosts Sri Lanka lost to West Indies by 36 runs for their fourth successive defeat in World Cup finals in front of a full house at the R. Premadasa Stadium. “It’s not a surprise... I have had a chat with the selectors before the tournament started. I was going to step down from T20 captaincy after this World Cup,” Jayawardene told reporters. “I personally feel that for Sri Lanka going forward, we need a younger leader. I think it’s a great opportunity for somebody to start in the T20 format. “So I have spoken to the selectors. They were quite happy with the choice I have made.” Jayawardene, who played in each of the team’s two 50-over World Cup final losses in 2007 and 2011 and the T20 final loss to Pakistan in 2009, said he would continue to lead the team in the other two formats. “I haven’t stepped down from other formats. I took over (to lead) till the Australian tour (in December),” he said. “I will assess what I want to do after that. But this I am going to step down, they will make a call on who is going to lead the national team in T20.” Jayawardene said Sri Lanka would have to figure out how to break the World Cup final jinx. “It hurts a lot, because you want to do something special, not just personally, but for the public as well,” the stylish righthanded batsman said. “We’ve been playing really good cricket

•UPSET Mahela with Kumar Sangakkara but we haven’t been able to cross that hurdle. So it hurts as a player, as a cricketer, as an individual... “But we just need to move on, try, and see how well we can get over this and get back on and keep fighting again.”

Momentum It was a rare off-day for Lasith Malinga, considered one of the best bowlers in the shortest format with his unique slinging action and toe-crushing yorkers. Marlon Samuels hit five sixes off Malinga to wrest back the momentum as the unorthodox paceman gave away 54 runs off his four overs. “He (Malinga) went to areas where he is very comfortable with when somebody is going after him. “That’s why I brought him because they were going big and I backed my number one bowler to deliver. “But Marlon batted really well, so hats off to him. He played some really good shots. So that’s one of those days when the momentum shifted and it was pretty tough to get back in it again.”