AV 20th October 2018

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20 - 26 OCTOBER 2018 - VOL 47 ISSUE 25

PAY GAP

inside: Africa's youngest billionaire kidnapped in Tanzania SEE PAGE 21

New law could force employers to reveal race pay gap figures Massive protest in Kerala over SC's Sabarimala verdict SEE PAGE 26 Rupanjana Dutta The Asian community has welcomed Prime Minister Theresa May's decision to publish data covering their ethnicity pay gap launched on last Thursday. This crackdown on the ethnic pay gap is her wider attempt to demonstrate a progressive policy agenda and 'burn injustices in the society'. 50 years have gone by since the Race Relations Act was introduced, and a year since the government published the first race disparity audit, under leadership Baroness Ruby McGregor Smith, an Asian herself.

Ethnic minority community is doing really well in universities, yet their successes are not reflected as much in the professional world.

According to the 'Race At Work' report, 52% of ethnic minority workers believe they need to leave their current organisation to prosper in comparison to 38% of their white counterparts. In public sectors, only 14% of the workingage population is from the ethnic minority, 6.4% of senior managers in NHS are from the ethnic minority communities, while 3.7% of police officers, 3.4% of head teachers and 2.4% of Armed forces are

from the same.

Baroness Smith, who has been known as the first Asian woman CEO in a FTSE 250 company, told Asian Voice that she wanted the stories of extra ordinary people and their journeys to be told.

“Show the steps of career progress- there is a story to learn from each.”

“Right now people of BME backgrounds in the UK do not excel in the workplace at the same rate as their white counterparts.

“We need to understand what the obstacles are that are preventing them to do so, and take strong actions to overcome them,” she added.

Business and third sector organisations hence were called upon to take part in this review.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid said, “Everyone should have the opportunity to get their dream job. That is why I asked Baroness McGregor-Smith to undertake this review and find out why people from BME backgrounds find it more difficult to reach the top.”

Simon Woolley, Chair of the government’s race disparity unit advisory group told The Guardian, “The announcement by the Prime Minister is an important

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step. Larger companies and public-sector organisations will have to publish data showing whether they pay their people fairly. And talented ethnic-minority people will be able to see which organisations have turned their commitment to diversity into action.This isn’t about “quotas” or promoting people who don’t deserve it.

Employers need data to identify what steps to take to improve fairness in the workplace. And the fact employees can see where pay gaps are greatest will encourage leaders to take stronger action.”

However, Omar Khan, director of race equality at think tank Runnymede, also welcomed the initiatives, but reportedly said that "greater ambition and investment" would be necessary to fully address racial inequalities in the UK and called for a "fully funded race equality strategy."

He expressed concern that the proposals may not justify a number of other government policies, that exists including the hostile environment for some immigrants such as the Highly-skilled migrants and a policy of austerity that affects low-income families in Asian and Black households disproportionately.

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20 - 26 October 2018

onetoone WITH KEITH VAZ, MP

Hannah Bardell MP Hannah was brought up in Livingston and attended Broxburn Academy and the University of Stirling. She started her career in commercial television with STV Glasgow and GMTV London and then worked with the SNP as part of their 2007 central campaign team producing and presenting SNPtv online. For the next 3 years Hannah managed the First Minister of Scotland’s constituency office.

Hannah was elected SNP MP for Livingston on May 7th 2015 taking 56.9% of the vote and has held various positions as an SNP Spokesperson including Business, Innovation and Skills, Trade and Investment and recently appointed Culture, Digital, Media and Sport spokesperson.

Hannah is also a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Deaths abroad and Consular Services and a leading advocate for LGBT Rights.

1

Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?

Livingston has been my home since birth and I’m now fortunate enough to represent it in the House of Commons so I have to say I feel most at home in my constituency, but I have also holidayed in my family caravan in a wee place called Arisaig, in the West highlands, since I was a child. It’s a place I return to every year, where I find peace away from what is a

very busy life and I feel equally at home there too.

2

What are your proudest achievements?

Getting elected in 2015. My mum stood in the seat in 2010 and was defeated, she didn’t want to stand again in 2015 so I stepped up and got to beat the man who had beaten her, it was a really proud moment and she was with me every step

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of the way working on my campaign.

3

of my constituents and improving their lives.

What inspires you?

On an everyday basis 2 things inspire memy constituency work, the variety of issues and people I represent is vast, I get huge drive and inspiration from solving their issues and doing the best I can for them.

Secondly my 4 year old niece. I want a better more equal world for her. She’s such a determined wee soul but I often look at the environment young women are growing up in and still feel there are so many challenges, I want to do everything to make sure she and every other young girl have equal opportunities and are free from the threat of violence and intimidation.

4

What has been biggest obstacle in your career?

Quite honestly being a woman. I’ve worked in the media industry and the energy industry and have experienced some pretty unbelievable discrimination which has at times pushed me to my limits.

5

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

Without a doubt my mother (she seems to be featuring rather a lot!) she brought my brother and I up alone with no additional financial support and held down a full time job as a university lecturer most of our young lives. I saw her battle and struggle to get by whilst being a community activist, on every local committee she could and generally a stalwart of the community. She has been sound counsel and support for me at every stage in my career.

6

What is the best aspect about your current role?

The casework, there is no greater sense of purpose and worth than solving the cases

7

And the worst?

Not being able to solve cases or help people who are in need, we try to help everyone but sometimes it’s just not possible.

Also the exhaustion, I find balancing the travel, work and personal life a real challenge sometimes. I took up surfing a few years ago but don’t manage to get to the sea nearly as much as I’d like, it’s such a singularly all-consuming sport that you are forced to switch off, which I Iove.

8

What are your long term goals?

To be a mother, to see Scotland become Independent and to be fulfilled in whatever I do and wherever I am in my life, that’s not just restricted to work but in my personal life too.

9

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

Realistically I’ll never become PM as an SNP MP but if I was I think the single greatest thing that could be done would be to reverse the benefit cuts that are having such a devastating impact on society and take much more radical measures on gender inequality.

10

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

Flora Macdonald – the Jacobite Heroine – she played a key role in the post Culloden events and was a woman of incredible determination and fortitude. I think she’d just have some incredible stories to tell and I’m sure I could learn a thing or two from her.

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20 - 26 October 2018

China for new relationship with India As China and the United States lock horns in a looming all-out tariff war with serious long-term consequences on their bilateral relationship, Beijing has been putting out feelers to India on constructing a platform of trust and cooperation. The Chinese Embassy in New Delhi issued a statement highlighting the need for deepening Sino-Indian ties in face of American truculence. President Trump set the ball rolling with an attack on China’s trade practices, which ensured a heavy US trade deficit - $34 billion in September alone. The US has imposed tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese imports, to which China has responded with tariffs of its own on US goods, although of a lower scale. The end game, said President Trump, could be US tariffs on the entire spectrum of Chinese imports, setting off an economic cold war between the world’s two largest economies, a war that could last a decade.

This clearly has muddied the waters for Xi Jinping’s government in Beijing. The Chinese economy is facing myriad challenges, leading to possible unforeseen consequences for the political stability of the country sooner or later. Beijing’s stringent controls of information, freedom of thought and expression may have neutered normal public discourse without destroying dissent but merely sending it underground and deepening neuralgic anxieties about the regime’s future. The resetting of the Confucian button as ideological insurance is doomed to split at the seams, as the contemporary world, of which China is an integral part, is too complex to be contained in a synthetic straitjacket tailored for a society over two millennia ago.

Mending ties with India will require a long haul.

Decades of suspicion and mistrust have to be cleansed for a genuine new beginning in relations. Pious slogans and shibboleths will no longer suffice; those days are now history,

from which India has gained both knowledge and understanding of Chinese ways and practices. That said, there is no good reason to spurn offers to turn the tattered page for a new clean one.

Both sides have much to gain from the exercise. The US, under the Trump Administration, is set to keep World Order under its control. America First, now and always is the President’s cry to the international community. National sovereignty is consigned to the dustbin as an irrelevance.

Whatever the internecine turf wars between Republicans and Democrats, neither party has abjured America’s Manifest Destiny, its Exceptionalism and much else, ordained, they say, by the Creator.

Relegation to Bantustan status would neither be in Indian nor Chinese interests. That is reason enough to set out an agenda in which past differences, discords and misunderstandings can be addressed with realism and imagination. A few items could be spelt out to get the SinoIndian conversation moving in the right direction. China’s territorial claim to Arunachal Pradesh must be terminated once and for all; this being the sine qua non of further progress in the dialogue. Easier access to the Chinese market must follow. Indian sensitivities on secure borders from Pakistani-sponsored jihadi terrorism must be taken on board.

Containing India through a Pakistan proxy is untenable.

Beijing must cease its opposition to Indian membership of the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group. Finally, China must chart a friendlier relationship with the littoral powers in the South China Sea. The solution to these contentious issues will require a long march. The desired traction will take time.

With patience, imagination and common sense a more enduring structure of the Sino-Indian relationship can be built into a more inclusive architectonic security structure in South and Southeast Asia.

Saudi Arabia: Murder most foul The mysterious disappearance Saudi Arabian dissident Jamal Khashoggi (a US resident and Washington Post columnist) from his country’s consulate in Istanbul, where he had gone to obtain personal documents required for his marriage to a Turkish woman, has set off a storm in SaudiTurkish relations. The Turkish government which maintains close surveillance of foreign diplomatic missions on its soil, but more especially of countries it considers hostile. Saudi Arabia is a regional rival. Riyadh has hotly denied charges that Khashoggi was murdered on the premises of the Saudi consulate, as the Turks claim but have offered no conclusive evidence that he was not. Why were there no CCTV pictures of Mr Khashoggi leaving the building? Because, replied the Saudis, the consulate cameras were out of order.

Meanwhile, the Turkish government has been releasing drip-drip evidence of Khashoggi’s torture and death at the hands of a Saudi hit squad sent out from Riyadh to carry out the assassination. The men were photographed arriving in Istanbul, and then leaving when their job was done and dusted.

That was not the end of the macabre tale; it was merely the beginning – and it has caused considerable stir among Saudi Arabia’s staunchest allies and friends, foremost of whom are the United States and Great Britain and the great and good of the European Union. These self-appointed guardians of democracy, human rights and much else, are more than a little discomfited. After all, was not Saudi monarchy not touted as a pillar of Middle Eastern stability and the West’s collaborator in reining in and liquidating evil jihadi groups like ISIL, Taliban and kindred other groups? However Saudi petro-dollars spread the message of

a conservative, reactionary Islamism across much of Asia and beyond.

Saudi medievalist judicial code requires beheadings of prisoners guilty of grave crimes and misdemeanours, amputation of limbs for alleged thieves are scarcely less barbarous. In return, Saudi government gave periodic contracts for armaments worth billions of dollars to its principal benefactors, the United States and its foremost client and ally, the United Kingdom. A world closely attuned to cynicism and hypocrisy as standard diplomatic currency was slow to anger, but anger eventually was visible.

The United Nations Secretary General Antonio Gutteres has called the likely murder of Jamal Khashoggi an intolerable act flouting moral decency and international law. Presidents Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Theresa May have spluttered words of hesitant criticism of the Saudi regime, if proven guilty. But Saudi money will surely prevail, if the past is anything to go by. The regime’s formidable horde of oil, dollars and petrodollars are the regime’s insurance in Washington. A seriously weakened US dollar could unhinge the Trump Administration.

The charge of guilt has turned on Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, presented as a modernizer by much of the western media. He kidnapped the prime minister of Lebanon and his coup includes the incarceration of his perceived rivals in the Saudi establishment. There is likelihood of crisis control with additives of good behavior in the future, and of looming threats to western ways of life and democracy emanating from the east - a serial without end.

FAO award for Sikkim Small is beautiful: it’s an adage to stress the strength and relevance of small projects in the contemporary environment. Sikkim is one of India’s smallest states, and easily, one of the most beautiful. Nestling in the Himalayas, its scenery is truly bewitching, as are its people.

Charming and hospitable are an apt description. The State is a magnet for business and tourism, domestic and foreign. Sikkim became the Indian state to switch to organic farming, and hence the food it produces is chemical fertilizer, pesticide-free.

This achievement has now received the recognition of UN body, Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).

‘Sikkim had shown that ‘100 per cent organic is no longer a pipe dream, but a reality,’ said FAO Director General Maria-Helena Semedo at the Future Policy Awards in Rome. The awards have honoured combating

desertification, violence against women and girls, nuclear weapons and pollution of the oceans.

This year’s was for agro-ecology, which includes shunning chemicals using crop residues as compost, planting trees on farms and rotating crops to improve the soil and protect against pests.

Organic farming advocates say agro-ecology could increase farmers’ earnings and make farming more resilient to climate change as erratic rainfall and extended dry periods hamper food production. Tourism numbers in Sikkim rose by 50 per cent between 2014 and 2017, according to the World Future Council.

‘Sikkim sets an excellent example of how other countries worldwide can successfully scale up agroecology,’ said Alexandra Wandel, Director of the World Future Council.

Goodness is about what you do.

Not who you pray to.

- Terry Pratchett (1948-2015)

Alpesh Patel

India Needs to Protect Global Muslims – Because Muslims Won’t Thousands have over the years have marched in London against the deaths of Muslims in Gaza.

Labour too will rightly raise this issue and that’s why they cannot understand what is and is not antiSemitism.

This week Saudi Arabia was caught red handed in the murder of a Muslim journalist, who criticised the Islamic Republic of Saudi.

But why not the protests against the killing in Syria? There is not the same outrage. It was the West, not Turkey or Saudi Arabia that backed action in Syria. Or what about Muslim deaths in Bosnia – it was Nato jets protecting Muslims then.

Truly the concept of Islamic Brotherhood can be so so much more greater than this, to enforce the peace, that ‘Islam’ means around the world.

I recall my recent trip to a mosque where I wrote these words: I prayed to a Hindu God today in a Mosque.

I prayed for the children of Syria being murdered and slaughtered and exterminated and eradicated by fellow Muslim Assad. Prove me seditious for praying to another God on behalf of the children of Islam, because their God has deserted them.

I prayed to Shiv, the destroyer, in your Mosque, that He may become death and the destroyer of worlds…the world of Assad.

What relevance that I am Indian? More Muslims reside in India than any other secular State – so it is that India has a responsibility to the world’s Muslims to show them secular liberal democracies will be their defender. It is a duty and opportunity both countries have yet to grasp. China has more Muslims than Syria, yet China fails to protect Syrian Muslim children. Russia has more Muslims than Jordan and Libya combined – yet Russia too fails to protect Syrian Muslim children. So it is surely left to India.

So show us non-believers, ‘the evidence of truth, that you are all over the world and that it is not enough thy Lord is witness over all thing’s’ – but that you will save the children of your greater God. When Pope Benedict visited this same Mosque I was in he said, ‘May all believers identify themselves with the one God and bear witness to true brotherhood.’ Tonight I bore witness as a believer in God, make me a believer in Islamic brotherhood.

Muslims outside Syria – you are your brother’s keeper. A Catholic has told you – a Pope no less, a Hindu commoner has told you – both from inside your own Mosque – when will the brotherhood of Islam tell you?

Editor: CB Patel Asian Voice is published by Asian Business Publications Ltd Karma Yoga House, 12 Hoxton Market, (Off Coronet Street) London N1 6HW. Tel: 020 7749 4080 • Fax: 020 7749 4081 Email: aveditorial@abplgroup.com Website: www.abplgroup.com INDIA OFFICE Bureau Chief: Nilesh Parmar (BPO) AB Publication (India) Pvt. Ltd. 207 Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad-380 015.

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20 - 26 October 2018

Halifax bank cashier stole £56k from customer to fund his gambling addiction A Halifax bank cashier siphoned off over £56,000 from an elderly dementia sufferer he had targeted.

Nasir Haider used the cash he had taken over a three year period to fund his gambling addiction.

An investigation found that he had made payments to a gambling company of over £94,000, Birmingham Crown Court heard.

But the 30-year-old escaped from being sent immediately to prison after a judge said he had taken into account the effect of a jail sentence would have on his family.

Haider, of Stratford Road, Hall Green, who had previously admitted theft, was sentenced to two years suspended for two years and ordered to do 250 hours unpaid work.

Phillip Beardwell, prosecuting at Birmingham Crown Court, said the pensioner banked at a branch of the Halifax in Acocks Green where Haider worked as a cashier earning just over £15,000 per annum and

Nasir Haider

who had been there since 2011.

The 78-year-old victim suffered from Parkinson’s, arthritis and diabetes which made it difficult for him to get to the bank.

He had also started to display symptoms of dementia which resulted in his family making arrangements to obtain a Power of Attorney.

However, while they were going through bank statements it was apparent that substantial sums were missing which lead to an investigation.

Mosque project in memory of family

Bilal and Jamal Taufiq were killed in the fire at their house, along with their mother and sister

A doctor whose wife and three children were killed in an arson attack has said fulfilling their dream to build a mosque is "a beautiful project".

Dr Muhammad Taufiq is forging ahead with the €10m (£8.8m) development in Dublin in his family's memory.

His wife Shehnila, 47, daughter Zainab, 19, and sons Bilal, 17, and Jamal, 15, died in a fire at their home in Leicester in September 2013.

The project is part-funded by

donations from Leicester's Muslim community.

Dr Taufiq, who works as a neurosurgeon at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, was in Ireland when his house was mistakenly targeted by arsonists.

His wife, a scholar and cleric, had moved to Leicester in 2005 with their children to carry out theological studies at a Muslim school.

In 2014, eight men were jailed for their roles in the fatal arson attack.

The investigation uncovered a total of 54 suspicious transactions over a three year period amounting to £66,300 and that Haider cold be linked to 43 of these through his unique file number.

There was CCTV evidence on October 19 2017 of the defendant taking £2,200 out of the victim’s account when he was not present at the branch.

Mr Beardwell said investigators discovered that Haider had been transferring the cash to his

current and saver accounts by using the deposit machine at the bank.

When quizzed Haider denied the offence saying he rated himself “10 out of 10” for competence in his job and claiming that £25,000 had come from an inheritance.

In passing sentence Recorder Martin Jackson said Haider had taken money from the customer which should have been used for his living expenses “for his selfish purposes” and that he had “targeted a vulnerableNasir victim.”

Haider He also said Haider had put through fake withdrawal slips and there was an element of sophistication.

However he took into account that the defendant had a one year old child, that he was the sole bread winner and that he had raised funds to pay the money back.

Babir Adris, defending, said Haider had felt under pressure following the death of his father.

“His escape was not drink or drugs but gambling. He thought that was his way out,” he said.

Lincoln man admits sending 'Punish a Muslim Day' letters A man has admitted sending hundreds of racist letters nationwide including calls for a "Punish a Muslim Day".

David Parnham, 35, sent the letters to mosques, Muslim parliamentarians including Lord Ahmed of Wimbledon, the Queen, David Cameron and Theresa May. He pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to 15 offences, including soliciting to murder and staging a bomb hoax.

Parnham, of St Andrews Close, Lincoln, was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at a later date. During his two-year campaign, Parnham sent wave after wave of letters across the country that included white supremacist imagery and threats to minorities, mostly Muslims.

His first letters sent in June 2016 contained a white powder as a hoax poison.

In one letter sent to David Cameron, Parnham wrote "Allah

is Great" and in others sent to mosques he wrote "Paki filth".

Three months later Parnham sent another wave of white powder letters, including those addressed to the Queen and Theresa May respectively.

One of his poison hoaxes was so sophisticated that it triggered a chemical attack alert at a Royal Mail sorting office in Sheffield.

The following February, he targeted mosques around the UK. One letter to worshippers in Hull included a warning that they were going to be "slaughtered very soon".

'Concerns' raised about jailed surgeon Sudip Sarker A surgeon jailed for lying about his qualifications had been cleared to work as a consultant despite "damning statements" from colleagues, an inquest has heard. Sudip Sarker is serving six years for fraud over his role at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

An inquest is being held into the deaths of three of his patients. The hearing in Worcestershire was told "grave concerns" were raised about "pathological liar" Sarker.

The inquest, into the deaths of William Jones, 84, Daphne Taylor, 81, and Jean Thomas, 80, continues. The comments about Sarker were made by five health professionals after he began his

Sudip Sarker

training in Essex in the early 2000s, Worcestershire Coroner's Court was told.

Before the 48-year-old completed his training in colorectal surgery, colleagues has said he "should not be allowed anywhere

near a patient".

Other concerns included a letter to a regulatory body describing him as "a lost cause" who could not "become a reliable surgeon".

Coroner Geraint Williams said he said he felt the certificate given to Sarker at the end of his training had "just been rubberstamped".

The inquest was told Sarker had also threatened legal action before being approved as a qualified surgeon by a health service training body in 2009.

His trial in February heard he reportedly told interviewers in 2011 he had performed 85 keyhole bowel operations, 51 of them working solo, when in fact

the true figure was just six.

He was appointed to an £84,000 job at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch, but immediately struggled.

Mr Williams said of the concerns raised by colleagues: "These are words in the strongest of terms by a number of people over a number of years.

And yet Mr Sarker is allowed to continue, as far as I can see, with no one picking up that these are worrying things.

"The overall sense I get from the papers is that this is a man who has manipulated all along. If things are not going well for Mr Sarker he complains about supervisors and threatens legal action."

in brief ANGLO-INDIAN ARCHITECTURE INSPIRES LIBRARY INSTALLATION

A sculpture created by GCSE art students has been installed in Burnham Library.

Twenty students from nearby Burnham Grammar School produced the installation with Arts Asia as part of a project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The piece is inspired by 19th century Anglo-Indian architecture, specifically the Maharajah’s Well in Stoke Row, near Henley.

Adorned by a golden elephant, the well was commissioned by a maharajah who funded the sinking of a well in Stoke Row in the 1800s.

The Indian nobleman made the offer after hearing a story about a boy in Stoke Row who was beaten by his mother for drinking the last of the water in their house during a drought.

Students also explored designs and hidden histories of other Anglo-Indian architecture in South East England.

Neena Sohal, project manager for Arts Asia, said: “Students took part in site visits and workshops led by Arts Asia and artist Bhajan Hunjan. Thanks to public support, this permanent installation will enhance the courtyard at Burnham Library and serve as a lasting legacy for the project.”

Arts Asia aims to promote South Asian arts, music and dance and the Heritage Lottery Fund distributes a share of National Lottery money to support heritage projects across the UK.

BRUTAL ATTACKERS WHO LEFT A MAN WITH SEVERE FACIAL INJURIES JAILED

Brutal attackers who left a man with serious facial injuries have been sentenced to 33 years in prison between them.

Haroon Shouqat, 38, Amjid Hussain, 45, and Mohammed Qasim, 24, were all sentenced for offences of grievous bodily harm at Reading Crown Court on Friday.

Shouqat and Hussain were both jailed for nine years each. Qasim pleaded guilty to the grievous bodily harm charge and possession of an offensive weapon, receiving a 15 year sentence.

Shouqat and Hussain had both been found guilty of grievous bodily harm at an earlier hearing on Wednesday, July 18.

Their victim - a 34 year old man - was assaulted by all three offenders on Burlington Avenue in Slough at about 2.30pm on Saturday, January 6.

Qasim also used a weapon during the attack.

The victim received horrifying facial injuries and was taken to Wexham Park Hospital, Slough before being transferred to Northwick Park Hospital for surgery.

He has since been discharged. The three attackers were charged the next day.

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20 - 26 October 2018

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20 - 26 October 2018

OVERDUE PAY GAP DECISION WELCOME Continued from page 1

Measures to tackle disparities Developed jointly by the government and Business in the Community (BITC), the new Race at Work Charter announced by the Prime Minister meant to commit businesses to a bold set of principles and actions designed to drive forward a step-change in the recruitment and progression of ethnic minority employees.

The government, which has named WPP UK Country Manager and Chairwoman of MediaCom UK & Ireland Karen Blackett OBE as its Race at Work Champion, has already secured a number of highprofile inaugural signatories to the Charter, including NHS England, Standard Life Aberdeen, Norton Rose Fulbright, Saatchi & Saatchi, KPMG, RBS, the Civil Service and the world leader in communications services, WPP. In addition, financial services company Lloyds Banking Group, also among the Charter’s signatories, is the first FTSE 100 company to set a goal to increase the representation of ethnic minority employees at senior levels.

In the first consultation of its kind, the government will invite employers to share their views on a

mandatory approach to ethnicity pay reporting, since the number of organisations publishing information on the pay gap for people from different ethnic backgrounds voluntarily remains low.

The consultation, which is open until January 2019, will set out in detail what information employers should publish to allow for decisive action to be taken while also asking employers how ethnicity data can be collected without placing undue burdens on businesses.

In a statement Prime Minister Theresa May said, “Every employee deserves the opportunity to progress and fulfil their potential in their chosen field, regardless of which background they are from, but too often ethnic minority employees feel they’re hitting a brick wall when it comes to career progression.

“That’s why I’m delighted to launch the Race at Work Charter, which gives businesses a clear set of actions to work towards in helping to create greater opportunities for ethnic minority employees at work.

“One year on from publishing the Race Disparity Audit, the government is delivering on its promise to explain or change ethnic disparities in all areas of

society, taking action to support young people into work with funding of £90 million from dormant bank accounts , and acting on the recommendations of the Lammy review including by increasing diversity within prison officer recruitment.

“Our focus is now on making sure the UK’s organisations, boardrooms and senior management teams are truly reflective of the workplaces they manage, and the measures we are taking today will help employers identify the actions needed to create a fairer and more diverse workforce.”

Matthew Fell, Chief UK policy director at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), reportedly said, "Transparency can be a catalyst for action in tackling the ethnicity pay gap, in the same way that it has been so successful for gender.

"Reporting must be done in a way that is supported by both businesses and employees, to recognise the wide range of ethnic groups and legitimate staff concerns about intrusiveness where sample sizes are small.

"Companies want to work with the Government to achieve their goal of becoming more inclusive employers."

Tax crackdown on self-employed most likely to affect IT industry Shivam Patel Reforming tax rules for the self-employed would create "chaos" and is most likely to affect the IT industry, freelancers and lawyers have said.

Reports claim the Treasury is planning to overhaul tax rules that allow self employed people to avoid paying national insurance contributions.

The move targets contractors taking on work as a 'personal service company' and could be announced at this month's budget.

Firms using a personal service company may be urged to ensure that offpayroll contractors stick to tax rules, known as IR35.

Sudeep Sakalle, 37, a freelance IT professional, said: "This is coming at a difficult time. There is uncertainty in the market because of Brexit and the cost of things are going up.

"A lot of freelancers depend upon buying raw materials from Europe.

Whether it is building contractors or freelance IT professionals, our challenges will go up.

"The profit [after taxation] will be less anyway and on top of that the struggle to prove your income will make it more chaotic."

As per reports, the Treasury believes a third of 'personal service companies' employ a number of people and should therefore pay more tax.

Contractor Calculator, which gives advice to the self employed, describes a personal service company as having a sole director, i.e. the contractor, owning most of the shares.

Contractors taking on work as a personal service company tend to split their income between salary and dividends. This means they do not pay employers and employees class 1 national insurance contributions on a large part of their overall income.

The IR35 legislation has been called as a means to generate additional tax revenue for the Treasury by treating service providers, such as contractors, as employees.

The speculation of a possible reform to the legislation rules could affect self

IT Freelancer employed contractors working as a personal service company.

Freelancers to charge more Mr Sakalle said the move may be seen as a favourable one from the government's perspective but it would raise the cost involved for self employed people.

He added: "Freelancers working at a fixed price would have to charge more for their services.

Companies would be paying 12% to 35% more to freelancers.

"It will affect me personally. I bill people based on what is going out and coming in, but also on the cost of raw material required.

"It will become more competitive, but there will still be some people who will be able to evade tax."

IT is one of the industries that is most likely to be affected by the overhaul of tax rules, according to legal experts.

A February 2017 report

by The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed (IPSE) said there were over 2 million freelancers in the UK that contributed £119bn to the economy.

It added that 21% of all freelancers worked in professional, scientific and technical industries, and IT & telecommunications professions formed the fourth largest freelance group.

Vicash Ramkisson of Duncan Lewis said: "IT companies and smaller companies have freelancers in their books that offer consulting services to businesses.

"IT is also an industry that is very project-based. So instead of taking on employees, the easiest way for companies is to take on freelancers."

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The health industry may also be affected by the change in tax law for the self employed.

The IPSE report estimated that freelance health associate professionals have increased by 191% since 2008.

Health industry Dr Madhangopal Jagannathan, a Kent-based GP, said: "If the tax for self employed people comes in, it is going to affect a lot of doctors who freelance.

"The government wants to recuperate money from self employed people, who are not entitled to medical leave or other benefits.

"In my opinion, they want to get people to take up salaried jobs because they are more lucrative than locum [temporary] jobs.”

The Treasury has said that high levels of non-compliance with tax rules could cost HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), which collects taxes, £1.2bn a year by 2023.

The government reformed rules for off-payroll work engagement in the public sector in April 2017.

HMRC estimates that it raised an additional £410 million in taxes that financial year.

Chancellor Philip Hammond failed to get Parliamentary support in March last year to increase national insurance contribution for the self employed and had to abandon the move.

The recent speculation over reform to the IR35 has been met with resistance from representatives of contracting industry.

David Chaplin, chief executive of Contractor Calculator, told the BBC: “The Treasury's claim that it is losing money is based on an ideological flaw.

“It fails to acknowledge the 'freelance premium' that individuals charge for their services, compared to what they earn when they are in full-time employment.

"That fact alone should blow IR35 out of the water, yet HMRC maintains that individuals are avoiding tax.

This isn't true.”

A spokesperson for the HM Treasury told the Asian Voice they can not comment on speculation.

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Upcoming Indian think tank to create a unique ‘Bridge to India’ for diaspora Charusmita In the last few years, we have seen growing number of reminders that a politically engaged non-resident population is becoming a force to reckon with in influencing the politics back home. The diaspora not only symbolises the historical challenge of India’s rise on the global map postIndependence but also are icons of India’s Soft Power.

Post 2014 elections, Indian leaders and political thinktanks are furiously taking notes of concerns and needs of these diasporic “digital seats”.

From Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the INC President Rahul Gandhi, the leaders are making consistent effort at a sustained and fruitful engagement with the Indian-origin people abroad. At a moment in time when India is going through a period of political churning, there are massive changes, both positive and negative, that require a greater connectivity with the diaspora. In India, established with the active support of progressive individu-

Pushparaj Deshpande

als, Samruddha Bharat Foundation (SBF) is an independent platform that “strives to counter the systematic attacks on the Constitutional idea of India and on the temples of India’s democracy”. It was inaugurated on 8th May by INC president Rahul Gandhi.

Pushparaj Deshpande, the young Managing Trustee and Director of the Samruddha Bharat Foundation, has worked on legislation and policy advocacy with various members of Parliament, a political consulting firm, the

Congress Party and Rajya Sabha Television. In an exclusive interview with Asian Voice, he shared his ideas and plans of “giving more” to the diaspora, which has, so far, “given India so much”. Deshpande spoke to us about another upcoming initiative “Bridge to India” (BTI). The blueprint for ‘Bridge to India’, is all set to be registered as a foundation next month, hopes to be the medium through which the Indian diaspora can relay its sentiments, grievances and success stories to their country of origin, India.

Bridge-to-India will work in tandem with Samruddha Bharat Foundation to achieve these goals. One of the immediate challenges, as Deshpande describes, is to connect the professionals of the diaspora with their respective professional counterparts in the country in order to come together to solve problems and to raise their concerns to not only the government of their residence but also to the fellow brethren of India.

Deshpande feels that Indians living abroad have given back to the country in myriad ways, but the country has not been able to do much for them in return. He shared, “I was in the congress think tank and worked with various legislators. I can argue that India doesn’t engage with diaspora very organically, partly due to historic circumstances, but the diaspora was effectively left to their own devices. However, today our strategic borders are not co-terminus with the geographical borders. A big reason we were able to come out of the structural adjustment programmes

and political conditionality after 1991 is because of the diaspora, which was a strategic reservoir of capital”. Deshpande argued that Indian politics has failed to reciprocate, and even when it did, “it was a sporadic, one-sided and ill-thought out engagement, not a twoway street”.

As SBF’s sister-organisation, BTI will be completely autonomous, but connected to it and aim to work with SBF to fulfil social, economic, cultural and political goals of the British Indian diaspora, along with recognising and fostering their multiple identities. Their plan is to work with various political parties, universities, think tanks, vocational groups, civil society, the administrative and diplomatic community, and the cultural fraternity in India and provide a sustainable network to the BritishIndian diaspora to secure assistance from Indian channels. This will include forming associations of British-Indian professionals, or garnering support from Indian political community to contest elections in

Britain, and so on; any activity/enterprise that will enhance opportunities for the Indian origin individuals in Britain.

Regarding Indians who wish to study or work abroad, Deshpande believes that it is high-time they are recognised as ‘assets’ who would go on to become thought leaders, businesspeople and cultural ambassadors. He shared, “The idea of brain drain is fading. If our vision and frontiers are global then we need to empower Indians across the world to do the best they can. That way they can create multiple opportunities for other Indians, rather than being seen as severing ties with India. We are in a position to leverage our greatest asset, our people.

There are many low-hanging fruits, we just need to create an enabling environment for that”. He added, “There is not even a broad agreed understanding of where India should be in the next 100 years. The only forces working on that are regressive forces who want to take us back to the imagined glorious past”.

MPs alleged of harassment An independent inquiry has found that female members of the House of Commons have been harassed either verbally or physically by Male MPs. A retired High Court judge said there were serious and urgent problems

and some MPs were predatory in their approach.

These allegations included “inappropriate touching” such as men “putting their arms around women, leaving a hand on their knee for an uncomfortably long time, trying to kiss them, grabbing

their arms or stroking their breasts or bottoms.”

However, Dame Laura was unable to name individuals and she criticized the Speaker of the house, John Bercow and the clerk of the Commons, Sir David Natzler.

Ageism now a hate crime? Law review to decide Sajid Javed, home secretary of the UK, revealing his personal experience of suffering through racial abuse and threat, has announced that Ageism can become a hate crime under a law review.

Mr. Javed asked the Law Commission to investigate if ageism and misogyny can be categorised in the same field as sexual and racial offences. About one million older people are estimated

as victims of physical financial, psychological and sexual abuse each year. However, the punishment both- convictions and sentences are rare and leninent.

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“Go with your gut” - the recipe for success in business It was as recently as 2007 that husband and wife team Kavi and Rani Jundu founded Diamond Box Limited.

Kavi's father wanted him to join the family business, and to his surprise, he became fond of Majestic Corrugated Cases, a packaging business in Birmingham. When the business was sold, it was 'difficult to let go' and he founded Diamond Box with his wife, which makes cardboard packaging in West Bromwich. It buys sheets of cardboards, prints designs Rani and Kavi Jundu on them, cuts them to size gone on to outgrow the existing and glues them together. market.

Besides boxes for archives, movIn the years since, Diamond ing houses and storing items, Box Limited has been able to the company makes bespoke outride turbulent conditions in packaging for retailers such as the UK economy to go from Asos, Boohoo and M&S. strength to strength as a busiIn the years since then it has ness. With high quality and grown to become one of the UKs excellent customer service, the leading independent suppliers company has grown to become of corrugated packaging. the largest independently As Kavi himself has pointed owned cardboard box manufacout, the insight behind the turing business in the Midlands, founding of Diamond Box arose and one of the largest single site from listening to the customers sheet plants in the UK, with a themselves, whom Kavi has turnover of more than £25m. described as ‘the best consulKavi and Rani were introtants you can ever have’. By takduced to each other by their ing on board the actual realfathers, they told in an interview world requirements of their cuswith The Sunday Times. Rani's tomers, Diamond Box were able father Bill Panesar bought packto fill a gap which wasn’t being aging for his food business from met elsewhere, and have since Paul's company. Rani, nnow 41,

thinks it was 'love at first sight' for Kavi.

The couple sought a loan of £2.5mn to start Diamond Box in 2007.

Their business plan projected future sales of £15m by the fifth year. But the bank manager laughed at Kavi and handed back the plan. Eventually they did secure a loan, but the trouble with the banks did not end there. When the credit crunch set in 2008, Diamond Box was viewed as a risky customer, as it was loss making in its early stages.

Despite the bank's scepticism, they beat the £15m target just in three years, with their sheer ability to turn around orders with speed.

The Jundus is driven by surge in online shopping, with Debenhams, Selfridges and the White Company as their customers. They employ 150 people, though they feel recruiting experienced staff is an issue.

Internet retailers make up about one-firth of their businesses and in March 2017, they posted sales of £23.5m and pre-tax profit of £260,000. Kavi believes to be a successful entrepreneur, you need to go with your gut, may whatever anyone says.

The Jundus live in Sutton Coldfield with three children.

Stationery industry award for young entrepreneur Kaushal Shah, Founder and Director of Paper Plus has been selected as a rising star for under 30, 2018 awards recognised by Stationery Matters magazine.

The magazine is a UK news and opinion service provider aimed at professionals working in the paper and writing industry. Kaushal is amongst the top 5 nominees awarded as he stood out as an

innovator and ambassador in the stationary industry. According to Stationary Matters, " Kaushal's exceptional passion for business and products, as well as his creativity and innovativeness has encapsulated the spirit for the award."

Jerry Maguire or Ankur Shah?

Two names, one inspiration A Barrister by profession, an entrepreneur by passion and now a shoe mogul of London by an idea. Different adjectives but one person. 37-year-old Ankur Shah started a business by following some Google trends and converting billions of search results in billions of pounds. Shah's journey began much in the same way as that of most other immigrant Asians: he was the protagonist of his own story of “Rags to Riches” with £17 in his pocket as he had stated to The Times. Having acquired a degree in law from King's College London and bar school, he started practising as a criminal barrister but Gujarati genes and entrepreneurial instincts over-powered his law and so the adventure begins. He spent a few years dabbling in the tech industry and developing apps suitable for the Facebook-savvy young customers of Vodafone, Sony, and Paramount. And decoding the complex algorithms made him give birth to Mahabis.

Mahabis, as its tagline reads, is a business designing and manufacturing slippers in a fashion that it is “re-inventing the slipper”. After learning that only big daddies of retail like M&S, Debenhams among others sold comfy slippers, Shah instantly found an oppor-

tunity. How? In creating a monopoly for himself by designing and manufacturing slippers which began with hiring a German designer. The duo embarked on having some fun and started cutting up Primark slippers to detect its flaws.

Soggy, the rubber sole of the Primark slippers would go soggy once outside the house. The pair then converted that one flaw to their advantage. But the design did not pay off as much as the strategic marketing and advertising did to the barrister.

Mahabis started as a business with an annual sale of £1.5mn in its first year, but four years into, it has now expanded into an asset worth nearly £100mn according to some finance gurus. The flip-flops start from £49 and go upwards. What started as a successful adventure with slippers spiralled into a business that now sells everything from Loungewear, backpacks, detachable accessories to basic everyday use products such as notepads and scented candles. Everything about the company speaks comfort and while they are on it Shah looks nowhere near to stopping as he aims to establish his business as the next Nike of downtime.

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‘MeToo’ storm News item “MeToo storm” etc on page 23 of Asian Voice dated 13-10-2018, was not astounding. Stage / film acting by ladies was frowned upon since long. To avoid scandal, boys and men were dressed as girls and women. For investigating scandals and sexual harassment, Women at Work act of 2013, was enacted.

The Women at work Act clearly lays down procedure to create an investigating panel headed by a woman and with 50% women and one impartial outsider. Victims forget this Act and indulge in this name, blame and shame game. Therefore this “MeToo” allegations is storming many fields besides Bollywood.

Conspiracy theories prevail that victims are instigated, paid and encouraged by vicious anti national interests to be vociferous. Trial by press has occurred. Flouting this Act and rapid spread of salacious details will take its toll of heads.

Loud protests by bold, high profile women has dented holier than thou ethos of patriarchal Bollywood and other occupations. Fortunately A-lister personalities have acknowledged pain and anguish of those who has emerged out in the open. A-listers have distanced away from culprits. Let us hope that wiser counsel will prevail amid furor of name, blame, shame tsunami.

However it is unfair to drag cases that occurred more than 10 years ago, when culprit might have acted under youthful spirit. Yet all such indiscretions must be named, blamed, shamed and punished. Code of conduct towards women artists must be revamped and firmly implemented. Few drops of testosterone is no excuse for decent men to become male animal.

Ramesh Jhalla By email

Deals or no deals?

Do you think India will rush to place orders with a Brexit UK or prefer to do most of its business with the European Union?

Rudy Otter By email

Festival of Dussehra Dussehra is actually the festival of the Kshattriyas. But all Hindus observe this festival with great joy. Traditionally, in Indian culture, Dussehra was always full of dances, where the whole community mixed, met and mingled. But because of external influences and invasions over the past two hundred years, we have lost that charm today.

Otherwise Dussehra was always very vibrant. The Vijayadashami or Dussehra festival is of a tremendous cultural significance for all of us who live in this land – irrespective of caste, creed, colour or religion – and should be celebrated with gaiety and love.

Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai, India

Drinking decline: Britain’s teenagers are the ‘new puritans’ It was refreshing to read above captioned news article by Iliana Magra, The New York Times published in Toronto Star Canada’s largest daily newspaper on October 14,2018 Sunday, when almost everyday we get negatives news on print and electronic media of gun violence, murder, sexual abuse by people holding high position in society, terrorism, political corruption and scandals in all levels of government, tax evasion by big corporations and getting away and list goes on.

This news article states that teenage and young adult drinking had fallen drastically in recent years all across Europe, and nowhere as much as in Britain. In less than a generation British teenagers have gone from being among the biggest underage imbibers anywhere in Europe to being about average. As per documented multiple studies including one released in September for the World Health Organization in more than 30 countries in 2002 about 26 per cent of European 15 years-old drank alcohol at least once a week but by 2014 that had dropped to 13 per cent.

The scale of change is such that some news outlets have labelled today’s youth as ‘the new puritans’ and ‘generation sensible’, the Sheffield report said. As per Alcohol Research UK, a non-profit group spread of social media is one factor.”

Alcohol doesn’t play as important a role in socializing as it did in past. Young people can now have an active social life without leaving their house. There’s a trend of greater sense of health consciousness among young people.

Kudos to young people and never ever under estimate them and their lifestyles. I am writing this letter past midnight as we just came after attending Ras Garba at Shri Vishnu Temple, Richmond Hill, Canada and very pleased to see third generation teenagers of Indian origin very actively taking part in Ras Garba with total devotion by wearing traditional Indian costume and that too when the next morning they have to get up early to go to school.

Suresh and Bhavna Patel.

Markham, Canada.

India’s stunning victory at UN

India to be single-use plastic free by 2022

India was elected on UN’s “Human Rights” council with 188 votes in Asia-Pacific category and will take the seat on 1st January 2019 for a three year period. India received the highest number of votes among any category, followed by Fiji (187), Bangladesh (178) and Bahrain, Philippines (165) votes each, where a nation needs a minimum of 97 votes to serve on the Human Rights Council. (HRC) The 18 new members on Human Rights Council are elected by secret ballet every three years, by 193 members UN General Assembly, corridor of power, cornucopia of political rewards on international stage. India has a good record serving on various UN bodies, having previously served on Geneva based HRC for two constative terms, from 2011 to 2017.

Obviously secret vote ballot helps India, as there is a tendency among UN members, indeed in any organization to vote for countries who share their culture, tradition, religion and political thinking, mainly due to external pressure. Who can forget Eurovision song contest where Greece inevitably gives top marks to Cyprus and vice-versa. Britain, who has one of the best music industries that dominates the world of music, with US, always lingers on in the bottom half. Secret voting takes such equation out of political arena, electing the most deserving nations rather than being a puppet on a string, controlled by political groups playing politics with human rights.

Election of some of the countries raised eye-brews and that include Bahrain and Philippines, amongst many more, as Philippines is described as “Killing Field” where thousands of drug dealers and child prostitute peddlers are murdered by police on the streets without a second thought, the tough, ruthless policy of its President Rodrigo Duterte who has declared war on these criminals who escape justice due to mass corruption among police officers, most of whom are on pay-role of these thugs.

Although this is tough policy bordering on mass murders, it is popular amongst the people, as drug trade and child prostitution is destroying family life and the fabrics of the nation.

Bhupendra M. Gandhi By email

India, although it may be considered to be a developing country, at least in the eyes of self-opinionated Western nations, mainly due to poverty and unequal income distribution, it still leads the world in many sectors, that include IT, under the dynamic leadership of incorruptible patriot PM Narendra Modi who has put India on the world map as a corruption free, democratic nation to do business with.

India is the hub for “Call Center” serving West with highly educated younger generation with good command of English, the service few other developing nations could provide, although India has to be on guard, as other countries, like Koreas, China, Taiwan have made learning English compulsory at primary level. They will soon catch-up and overtake India if India lowers the standard of service, as many such Indian call center are involved in fraud and deception, especially affecting America and Britain.

After Swatch (Clean) India, undertaking to provide every household with clean water, toilet and shower by 2020, India is now turning its attention to plastic plague that is turning our oceans into one big dumping ground that could wipe out most marine life in a decade if plastic pollution is not tackled with vigour. Those who watch nature programmes on our TVs would know how polluted and dangerous our oceans are, killing marine life as never before.

PM Modi has vowed to abolish all single-use plastic by 2022 that will make India a leading nation fighting to save our oceans; even most advanced Western nations, with few exceptions, have not made such commitments whose aim is to achieve this target by 2030 or even 2040 which many consider to be a ploy, exacerbation, even kidology with no intention of complying.

Our half-hearted effort to ban single-use plastic bags with 5p charge for shops with more than 250 employees; mainly affecting supermarkets, is the prime example of our lack of whole-hearted commitment to the cause.

In many countries, such plastic bags are either completely banned, replaced with thick, decomposable paper bags or have imposed 20p charges with no exemption that has reduced usage by 99% compared to our 85% achievement.

India, especially Gujarat leads the world in clean energy, generated by wind-turbines and solar panels so often situated on rivers that reduce water evaporation, as well as saving land for cultivation.

Kumudini Valambia By email

Richness in diversity UK is a shining example of a great democracy with the right core value of human rights, equality, freedom and justice for all its citizens at heart irrespective of caste, creed and religion.

Over the years UK has accommodated people from different parts of the world to fill the gap in the workforce to run the vital services in the country. It has accommodated overseas British Citizens from their colonies world over slowly but surely as pledged.

It has given refuge to record number of asylum seekers and displaced people affected by war. This small island has absorbed much more than its fair share. Despite Islam phobia and terrorists attacks, UK boasts number of Muslims in prominent public offices. This demonstrates the greatness and goodwill of indigenous people.

All races have equal opportunities at work to progress and excel. The country has a welfare system that the other countries in the world are envious of. Most immigrants feel blessed to make UK their home.

It’s a shame that inspite all of the goodness that immigrants enjoy, the superiority of one’s faith over the other and conflict and confrontation that ensue are doing enormous damage to the mind and hearts of all concerned. It is making difficult for the leading, sincere politicians to justify the truth in the concept of richness in diversity.

The government must identify those undesired people constantly engaged in anti-national activities and are threat to the country. Once they are removed from the fabric of the society, UK will be a great country.

Niranjan Vasant By email

ABPL on line In order to maintain continuity, I am writing this letter even when I have succumbed to the vagaries of the weather and contracted the dreadful ‘flu. There have been suggestions that our favourite AV and GS may be read on-line. While there is merit in this for people with reading difficulties or while one is away on holidays, that cannot replace the printed hard copies which land on our door mats every Friday or Saturday morning. Also, if most subscribers took to reading the papers on-line, not many will be inclined to subscribe for the hard copies.

If this happens, one wonders how ABPL will generate the revenue to pay for the costs of staff and premises. I, for one, will need to save the hard copies of my favourite columns or my own letters which get published in the “Readers’ Voice” column.

I save this page and have created a folder to contain my 450 plus letters which have been published to date. My desire is to make the magic figure of 500 letters before I finally put my feet up. I had hoped that a memento in the form of a certificate or a trophy from ABPL on my mantle piece would go some way to help reminisce about our long association with ABPL and our own contribution. There is no need even to arrange a get together or an award ceremony. Copies or certificates may be posted to prolific letter writers like Bhupendrabhai, Rudy Otter, myself et al.

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Views on Gandhiji and legacy I found the different views expressed at the event to mark Mahatma Gandhiji's 150th birth anniversary really interesting.

If the wide range of views expressed have been recorded and can be share on You tube or the organiser's website it would be most welcome.

The views expressed on Gandhiji's life cover some of many interesting aspects of his life. May I please add one other principle which he experimented throughout his life TRUTH. In his autobiography, Bapu writes that the purpose of his book was to write on experiments with non-violence, celibacy and other principles of conduct believed to be distinct from truth. But for he added truth was the sovereign principle.

He writes the seeker of truth should be humbler than even the dust.

The world crushes the dust under its feet, but the seeker after truth should be so humble that even the dust could crush him. Only then and not till then will we have a glimpse of truth. Let hundreds like me perish but let truth prevail.

This reminded me of the famous couplet 'Uncha uncha sub chale, Neeche chale na koy; Jo sabse neeche chale sabse uncha hoy'.

Meaning 'Everyone seeks to walk higher and higher (with pride/ego) Nobody walks with lowest (down trodden), One who walks beneath everyone, will walk the tallest.

Given Bapu's view of being crushed by dust in seeking the truth, I believe he was the true epitome of the couplet.

It is little wonder that Bapu's principles which he practiced throughout his life, some of which were highlighted by the eminent scholars, sits at highest levels of humanity over more than a century.

I doubt that the world will ever see a man of his vision, leadership, determination and sacrificial legacy.

I am certain that the life of the Great Soul, if not the greatest, will continue to occupy the highest pinnacle of humanity for generations to come.

Jayantilal K Pitrola, JP Gants Hill, Ilford, Essex

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A rising star in construction, Parth Patel Which? testing

By Dhiren Katwa Ambitious civil engineer Parth Patel has been shortlisted for ‘Graduate of the Year’ in the Construction News Talent Awards 2018.

Parth, 24, graduated in 2016 with a BSc in Civil Engineering from Nottingham Trent University. In 2017 he completed his Graduate scheme with Aarsleff Ground Engineering (AGE) and has since continued to enjoy the benefits of rotating around different departments. This year Parth managed a 15week project installing over 100,000 metres of pre-cast and steel tubular piles, with 6 piling rigs.

Parth Marut Patel shortlisted for ‘Graduate of the Year’ award

In addition to Parth’s interests in Engineering, he has a keen interest in sports and runs a weekly football session for all members at AGE. Parth has already been making waves in the talent

pool and ensuring new graduates to the company settle well. He proactively wants to bolster awareness of the construction industry for young people and often shares his experiences at careers fairs and University shows to demonstrate that with hard work and motivation you can achieve your goals.

As the first of his generation in his family to go to university, Parth’s role models are his parents: Dad, Marut Patel, originally from Dharmaj, Gujarat in India and mum, Bhavna Patel, who was born in Tanzania, East Africa. Speaking of them, Parth said: “They have always been supportive

and they both have a great work ethic which motivates me to do well in my career.”

Parth has a brother, Jigar, 27, a chemical engineer.

The Patel family live in Derby.

Parth praised AGE’s Operations Director Jody Parkin and MD Kevin Hague for their “great support”. This year, a total of 106 entries have been shortlisted across 15 categories, which cover apprenticeships, diversity and wellbeing through to the best project teams and places to work. Winners of the awards, now in their third year, will be announced at a glittering ceremony in London on 21 November.

Ofsted inspectors to move away from exams results focus Exam results and grades will no longer be the key focus of in inspections Ofsted England, under new plans.

Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman says the focus on performance data has narrowed what is taught in schools. In a speech in Newcastle last Thursday she said inspections had placed too much weight on exam results. Teachers and heads have long argued education watchdog Ofsted's focus on data, along with school league tables, has made schools "exam factories".

Chris Keates, leader of

the Nasuwt teachers' union, said teachers would welcome plans to "shift the focus of inspection and treat teachers as experts, rather than data managers".

National the But Association of Head Teachers warned against changes being "rushed through" without adequate consultation with school leaders. The proposals are likely to make it easier for inspectors to recognise the good work done by schools in challenging circumstances. In her speech she acknowledged that the current inspection model had led to "excessive

workload" in some schools.

The biggest planned change to the inspection framework is that the section based on "pupil outcomes" (exam results) is likely to be replaced with a new judgement for "quality of education".

But there are also changes planned for the other categories.

The new planned judgement headings are: l personal development l behaviour and attitudes l schools' leadership and management.

The four categories cur-

rently used for Ofsted inspections are: l effectiveness of leadership and management l quality of teaching, learning and assessment l personal development, behaviour and welfare l outcomes for children and learners.

Ofsted will launch a consultation on the new set of inspection categories in a new framework in January, in the hope of starting to use them at the start of the school year in September 2019.

reveals 'unsafe' child stair gates Parents should immediately stop using three marketleading child stair gates, a consumer group has said after carrying out its own safety tests. Which? tested the durability of 10 gates and their tests found that three failed to meet EU safety standards. The group believes there should be an immediate recall of the Dreambaby Retractable

Gate, which it says failed after just 10 applications of force. The manufacturer said it investigated all complaints about its products.

The other gates which failed Which?'s testing were the Lindam Easy Fit Plus Deluxe Safety Gate and the Safetots Self-closing Gate. Which? said all three were currently available in high street shops and online.

Teachers quit to offer ‘affordable’ private tuition A senior master at Eton is joining forces with teachers from other top public schools to launch their own sixth-form institution to address “unaffordable” private education.

Joe Francis, who is also a former headmaster of Hampton Court House School, plans to set up the school for 250 students in London by 2020. He has teamed up with teachers from the £39,750-a-year Winchester College and the £42,680-a-year Dulwich College to cater for middleclass families who are no longer able to pay the cost of tuition fees.

The new school, Scholar

6, will charge about £13,000 a year for four A-level courses and will reduce costs by partnering with local clubs and societies.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph he said: “My wife is a doctor, I’m a teacher: even for reasonably prosperous people like us, most private education is unaffordable without bursaries. Fees have risen so rapidly we can’t afford to send our children to independent schools.”

Scholar 6 is proposing to use online and interactive textbooks and a virtual library. If successful, the group plans to open more schools in the capital and other big cities.

12 MEDIA WATCH

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SCRUTATOR’S The Sabarmati Express crawled into Lucknow’s Charbagh station past midnight with hundreds of migrant labourers from Uttar Pradesh(UP) in flight from Gujarat, their home for the past few decades. The stories they told of mob violence directed at them. Charged and persecuted for the rape of a young girl, these Hindi-speaking migrants from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh fled the State.

notables; however, Mr Akbar’s situation is a special dimension by virtue of his ministerial position as an Indian Minister. Smriti Irani, as a working woman herself, has come out in support of the women journalists, who have accused Mr Akbar’s misconduct. They had, she said, a right to respect from a senior colleague. Mr Akbar has chosen the chosen the pugilist’s route to fight back with countercharges, including a possible conspiracy to defame him with a general election due in six months time. As he has no political constituency to speak of, his defence is threadbare. He has threatened to take his accusers to court for defamation. This is, of course, is his right, but he would be better advised to first resign and then opt for recourse to the law. (Hindu October 11,12, 15).

More than 60 cases of assault were registered by the local police, but the migrant communities had seen and suffered enough and were loath to take chances, and hence took all available forms of transport to return. Gujarat’s BJP government blamed the opposition Congress MLA Alpesh Thakore for speeches inciting the anti-migrant violence, and hence for the ensuing for the refugee exodus. The Congress party in turn blamed the BJP authorities.

Such is the shaming karmic cycle of Indian politics today (Times of India, Hindu October 10).

exercise great caution and care before passing judgment (Hindu October 10).

Akbar charged by Ex-colleagues As part of the Indian women’s Metoo movement, revelations by

Restitution for Justice delayed Space scientist Professor Nambi Narayanan, who had been hounded and dissed from the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) at the instigation of the Kerala police, then exonerated by the Supreme Court of India of all the charges falsely laid against him, received compensation of Rs 50 lakh (5 million) from the state government, the cheque for the

M .J. Akbar

ten former women colleagues – all subordinates - of sexual harassment by M.J. Akbar, Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs, during his period

Kerala space scientist Nambi Naryanan receiving a cheque from Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

amount handed over in person by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who said that there were many lessons to be learnt from the case.

Investigators and media should

as editor of a Kolkata-based newspaper, are now prime time television and front-page items.

There have been a spate of similar allegations against Bollywood

Upgraded MIG-29 adds teeth to IAF

Congress spokesman Jaipal Reddy said: ‘I think Mr M.J. Akbar must either provide a satisfactory explanation or resign forthwith.

How can he be in the Ministry with serious allegations levelled against him by responsible journalists who worked with him?...We demand an inquiry into Akbar’s conduct.’ BJP enfant terrible, Dr Subramiam Swamy has also called for his resignation.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) was given a major boost with the arrival of three squadrons of the upgraded Russian manufactured MIG-29 aircraft. Such are are its new features that experts say that in essence it amounts to a new aircraft in itself. It has an array of new missiles, mid-air refueling capability that gives it wider operational range, multifunctional display screen and was now capable of a vertical take-off.

Correspodents at the Adampur air base witnessed the plane’s versatility during a demonstration exercise by Flight Lieutenant Karan Kohli (Hindu October 7).

Sushma, Modi silence

Indo-Russian partnership

Mr Reddy also questioned External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s silence, saying that she owes it to women, being herself a woman Minister. The chorus of condemnation swelled, with All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader Asauddin Owaisi demanding that Akbar be sacked. However, the volume of comment on Prime Minister Modi’s silence has risen considerably. He would do well to respond with words and perhaps deed (Telegraph, Hindu, Times of India, Mint October 11, 15).

P.S. Raghavan, the former Russianspeaking Indian ambassador to Moscow, widely regarded as the country’s foremost expert on the country, is now Convener of the National Security Advisory Board.

In an edit-page article, he emphasized the importance of separating India’s partnership with the Russian Federation from its relationship. The contract was signed at the recent Modi-Putin summit in New Delhi. President Trump’s snarling statement that ‘India would know his decision ‘sooner than you think’ suggests that sanctions it would be (Hindu October 10, 12, Times of India October 12).

Sacking call

Bihar, UP, Madhya Pradesh refugees fleeing Gujarat violence arriving at Lucknow rail station

Rafale deal by the opposition led by the Congress party. Their allegations of corruption and ‘crony capitalism’ and so on had nothing to do with Rafale’s technical aspects. The Air chief perceived the acquisition of the plane as a game changer, she said.

That is true. She will shortly be leaving for France to deepen IndoFrench cooperation.

Meanwhile, Spurning an alliance with Congress, Samajwadi leader Akhilesh Yadav indicates that Gandhi is an electoral liability, simply put, a vote loser (Hindu October 10,11, 12).

Supreme Court seeks Rafale explanation The Supreme Court has asked the government to submit details of the Rafale aircraft deal process with its manufacturer France. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, and comprising Justices S.K. Kaul and K.M.Joseph, however, made it clear that, ‘Our order is only for the purpose of satisfying ourselves in the matter… that[ their judgment] would not cover the issue of pricing or the question of technical suitability of the equipment for purposes of the requirement of the Indian Air Force.’ The statement was made in response to private petitions, which Attorney General K.K.Venugopal had strenuously opposed on the ground they were political, and that there were issues in the deal impinged on national security and were thus confidential (Hindu, Times of India October 11).

Significant rhetoric Ambassador Raghavan referred to the one-on-one dinner conversation with his guest and the extraordinary chemistry between them. The Indian Prime Minister’s effusive tributes to President Putin were not standard fare for such occasions but of special significance. India has rendered full support for the Taliban mission to Moscow for talks with the Afghan government, to which the US is opposed, as it has its own diplomatic track to the Taliban, which thus far, has been devoid of positive results.

Meanwhile India’s highly rated Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu has been given special charge of overseeing Indo-Russian trade and investment (Hindu October 11).

Sitharaman rebuttal

Russian envoy walks the talk on US sanctions

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharamann issued a robust rebuttal to what she described as a political campaign against the

Russia’s Ambassador to India, Nicolay Kudashev, was unflappable in his dismissal of threatened US sanctions against India. ‘India is

too big, too large to depend on anybody or be afraid of anybody,’ he said. He corrected the misperception that negotiation for India’s purchase of the Russia’s S-400 Triumf missile was protracted. Quite the contrary, he said. It was the speediest of the deals Russia had negotiated with other parties such as Turkey and China. The Ambassador was upbeat. Russia’s Defence Minister Serrgei Shoigu would be visiting in late November and further defence deals would then be announced.

Mr Putin and Mr Modi would be meeting in November at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, said Ambassador Kudashev (Hindu October 12).

TCS in double digit growth Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) registered double-digit revenue growth following eight quarters proving to the rest of the IT industry what is possible if the business model and the skills mix is right. Furthermore, the growth was not by compromises on the margins, but by actually raising the benchmark. TCS CEO Rajeesh Gopinathan described the growth as a ‘big landmark quarter for us both as a company and as a management team.’ (Times of India October 12).

Infosys bags large Canadian contract Infosys, India’s second largwest IT company has bagged c$62 million contract from the Public Services Procurement Canada to digitize and automate their procurement process. This is the unit of the Canadian government that provides services for federal departments and agencies Business Line September 25).

IKEA building for Bangaluru store Two months after the opening its first store in Hyderabad, Swedish home furnishings firm IKEA laid the foundation brickwork for its 500,000 square for its upcoming Bangaluru site.

This will be IKEA’s third in India; second store is scheduled for inauguration early next year in Navi Mumbai. Karnataka is a priority market for the firm and it plans to invest Rs2,000 crore in the longterm in the state (Business Line OOctober 12).

Billionaire list India’s 2018 billionaire includes (in order of wealth) Mukehs Ambani, L.N. Mittal, Dilip Sanghvi, S.P. Hinduja, Azim Premji and Uday Kotak.

(Business Line September 26).

‘Light India’ expo in Delhi The goal three-day ‘Light India and Electrical Building Technology is to showcase the best technologies incorporated in sleek and smart designs for better infrastructure development of the country (Business Line October 12).

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‘Asian parents prefer degree for their children over apprenticeship’ Shivam Patel When Nithila Santosh’s youngest son was in primary school he asked his fellow pupils, many of whom were from South Asia, what they wanted to become when they get older.

“Everyone said they wanted to do either engineering or something in the medical field,” Mrs Santosh said.

“Asian parents make the choice for their children - that they will study engineering or medicine. Quite a few parents would like their children to do engineering.

“My son has already told me he is not going to do that,” the 45-year-old added.

Degree education is often considered to be of great value

by Indian families. The thought substituting a degree for an apprenticeship therefore may not bode well for many.

Last month the UK Civil Service launched degree-level apprenticeships in economics for students who would prefer to study for a degree while working for central government departments.

The programme will be delivered in partnership with the University of Kent and will be open to candidates with grade B(6) in GCSE maths and

96 UCAS points, equivalent to three Cs at A-level.

Mrs Santosh youngest son is yet to start his degree education. She expressed concern when asked if she would prefer an apprenticeship over a degree for her son.

“He may or may not like like the apprenticeship after taking it up. His friends might be graduating and he would be doing an apprenticeship.

“I find the culture here, when they go to university, they are free and independent, but when they go for an apprenticeship they are stuck with a schedule.

“After some time he might come back saying that I want to go to university.”

However, she says it is a decision that her son would have to make for himself.

“I won’t be standing in his way if he is happy. He hasn’t decided his career yet.

“If he thinks an apprenticeship would work out for him, I might not go all out but if he is okay with it I will support him.

“Almost 90% of Asian parents want their children to go to university. I would give like a 50/50 backing.”

The new economics apprenticeship is part of the government’s attempt to tackle lack of diversity in civil ser-

vice. Latest figures show that 53.9% of civil servants are women, 12% are from ethnic minorities and 10% are disabled. The Civil Service said representation of ethnic minorities has increased from 9.2% in 2010.

Any 17-year-olds who want to apply for the new economics apprenticeship can expect a salary of over £20,000, and about £22,000 for those in London.

Around 75 new starters are expected to take up posts from autumn 2019 across government departments.

Osama Rahman, chief scientific advisor at the Department for education, told the Financial Times: “This is not a minor thing… a hearts and minds challenge.

“The aim is to recruit those who wouldn’t have thought about a career with the government economic service.”

However, it has been

Wed 10 Red

reported that if degree apprenticeships become mainstream, employers will find it harder to ensure that schemes aid diversity.

One of the potential risks that has been noted is that such schemes will be swamped by high-achieving students, who would have otherwise gone to university, as they offer a financial advantage over student debt.

Chancellor Phillip Hammond said: “I want talented young people from all backgrounds to be able to access careers in government.

“As the Treasury launches the government’s first ever economics apprenticeship, we will grow a new generation of economists who can apply their skills and knowledge to the opportunities and challenges in this country.”

The Department of Education has been approached for a comment.

Thur 11 Royal Blue

Fri 12 Yellow

Sat 13 Green

LITTLE KOLKATA OPENS ITS DOORS IN COVENT GARDEN Rupanjana Dutta Entrepreneur Prabir Chattopadhyay and partner Biswajit Das have opened their dream restaurant Little Kolkata in mid September at Covent Garden.

Serving authentic food from Kolkata, the décor and food reminds one of the old cafes in north Kolkata, serving typical Bengali dishes including sumptuous vegan food.

With a typical chess-board floor, small glasses and jugs similar to clay utensils used in Bengal's street cafes, the restaurant promotes communal dining. Small plates to share, the tapas style food is divided into starters, mains, sides and desserts, with quirky Bengali names. Recipes come all the way from their grandmother’s kitchen, street food and delicacies inspired from the Mughal and British invasion of Calcutta (now Kolkata), and the age old Kolkata patisseries such as the famed Flurys.

Winner of The Bengla's Pride Awards in 2018, founder Prabir started his journey at the age of 18 with a scholarship to train as a merchant navy engineer. After travelling 11 countries, trying various cultures and their cuisines, he decided to pursue something more homebound. He was a shy and docile boy in the head priest clan of the 15th-century Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata, India.

Prabir moved to the UK in 2006 to complete his Masters in Operations and Supply Chain. In 2008, Prabir organised his first large dinner party to celebrate the confluence of Diwali and Halloween, the party was a resounding success, which ended with him making impromptu Indian breakfast for his loving guests next day. This sheer love for cooking and nostalgia of his motherland ushered him to launch the restaurant 'Little Kolkata' in 2018 with Biswajit.

So if you are craving some Bengali food this season of festivities, book Little Kolkata for your 'pet (stomach) puja on this Durga Puja'.

Sun 14 Orange

Mon 15 Multi Colour

Tue 16 Sky Blue

Wed 17 Pink

Thur 18 Own choice

14 COMMUNITY

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Men cry foul as #MeToo movement ropes in a storm Mitul Paniker It has been a year since the first tweet instigating the monumental #MeToo was fired. In the last 365 days the campaign has spread like wildfire, scorching some of the most powerful men on its way over. India's #MeToo arrived last month. As late as it came, women have been coming out in scores, dragging the likes of Union Minister MJ Akbar, director Sajid Khan, singer Kailash Kher, and others in the forefront of their respective industries.

Indian social media is cluttered with stories of survivors sharing their stories, and each time a person is accused of harassment, I wince. The mere realisation that all the men, who have been blamed of treating women like nothing more than dirt stuck to their shoes, hold so much power in their potential industries makes me feel sick in my stomach.

While it is no secret that men of repute have for generations abused their place in the world, our society has somehow adapted, or may be even promoted their actions, finding some or the other excuse to justify them. All of this seems to be

on the brink of change currently, as women now refuse to be silenced.

As social media suffocates with stories and reports of sexual abuse, harassment, or assault, I have come to notice men, NOT ALL MEN, but men, complain about the movement coming in the way of their social interactions with the opposite gender. Men claim to have “grown to be wary or scared” of approaching a woman now, lest his advances are mistaken for mistreatment. A delightfully ignorant piece by a certain Mr Nirpal Singh Dhaliwal in The Sunday Telegraph rants on a male's insight on the ongoing #MeToo movement and how times have become difficult for men.

“But from the very start of the #MeToo campaign, one glaring result has beenand continues to be- the sense of threat many men now feel,” he writes. THE SENSE OF THREAT MANY MEN NOW FEEL. It took a couple of minutes for the words to sink in. I wish Mr Dhaliwal knew that the sense of threat that the men feel NOW is what women across the globe, disregards

their origin, culture, or religion, are BORN feeling.

Never in my life have I known a woman who has been carefree in her interactions with men. The possibilities of being raped, molested, drugged, or if possible, anything worse than these, loom on us and to this day is our Sword of

Damocles. The “sense of threat” Mr Dhaliwal so speaks of, is much, much worse for us.

He continues to talk about a “thirty-something, brilliant, handsome star in his industry” too scared now to “close the deal” and about “male withdrawal from women, many choosing the uncomplicated release of pornography that often leads to compulsive isolation”. I feel the British journalist needs a little session on the difference between philandering and abuse.

Consent is key As tiny as the word 'Yes' is, it determines the difference between sex and rape.

Philandering is a consensual act and contrary to popular belief, is not limited to the male gender. As vile as I believe boasting about ones sexual conquests is, Dhaliwal's “thirty-something, brilliant, handsome man”, who used to boast about the “three beautiful women” he was juggling, and now stays “rigid and silent, as if under sniper fire”, has nothing to be scared of as long as the women he is taking over have reciprocated positively to his urges.

Unfortunately, Dhaliwal's isn't the only opinion on the world wide web, that cries foul for males. Even President Donald 'Grab Her By The Pussy' Trump has called this a “very scary time for the young men in America”.

Why women coming out with their stories of abuse and calling out abusers, scaring other men is beyond my comprehension.

The truth is, a man who is not guilty of having ever said anything remotely sexually inappropriate- intentionally or unintentionally,

Nirpal Singh Dhaliwal

is rare, maybe even nonexistent. For centuries, we have been dismissing “locker-room talk” as just “boys being boys” but for the first time, women are calling men out for who they are. I agree it must be scary. Scary for men, who have fostered or indulged in such behaviour.

So men like Dhaliwal, and Trump, are pushing back. Playing the victim card, if I may. After all, isn't a woman who dares to voice injustice accused of doing so?

Genitals are a man's privilege As a feminist, I hate people misinterpreting the term.

There have been many instances where I have aggressively defended feminism, my exasperation revealing itself as I fail to explain what the word really means. As part of a gender group that has taken the back seat, us females have

only ever wanted an equal place in the society. We just want equal rights.

What if, women don't have to think twice before leaving the house after 7 pm? What if, women get paid just as much as their male peers? What if, cradling a drink in the club does not have to literally feel like a life or death situation? What if... What if...

What if..

Dhaliwal's whine-fest has him write, “I don't pretend to be a feminist. My genital configuration is the closest thing I have to privilege, and I'm very wary of losing that.” I won't lie, I snort-laughed at this sentence as it depicts the most typical male mentality.

These men, who today pout and pine on the corruption caused by the #MeToo movement to their gender, know for a fact that they are highly entitled. Just like abusers like Harvey Weinstein and Nana Patekar, veterans in the industry, felt entitled to sexually exploit women.

They knew, their “genital configuration” is the biggest “privilege” they have been blessed with, and nothing could stop them from acting the way they pleased.

Until now.

Decoding Gita for the Nava Durga presented in Britain for the first time next generation A discussion about “GitaThe battle of the Worlds” a recently published children's book was held at the House of Lords on Monday.

Authored by Sonal Sachdev Patel and in collaboration with Jemma Wayne Kattan, this book is an attempt at translating the actual text into a simplified version for the children here in the UK for whom understanding the dense language is a difficult process.

The panel discussion included contributions from eminent personalities including – Lord Dolar Popat, Baroness Usha Prashar CBE, Lord Hameed CBE, Justin Cohen (editor of Jewish News) among others.

The discussion revolved around the basic principles and values drawn from the Indian mythological text of Bhagwad Gita and those that should be ingrained among the youth and children. Sonal who authored the book was particularly “intent on understanding the dense language of the text and pass it down to her children to whom she wanted to give an insight into the Indian tradition and culture.”

This became her starting point and she then approached Jemma who has

The nine forms of Devi Shakti, Nava Durga, were presented for the first time in Britain.11 dancers from different areas of location and dance expertise have displayed the attributes of each Durga, through Bharatanatyam, Kathak,

Audience remained spellbound with the depth, vibrance and the impact of the story of Nava Durga, an apt presentation in the season of Dussehra Navratri.

Guests of Honour on the occasion were His Worshipful Mayor of Ealing

Nikita Banawalikar from India, Dr Piyali Basu, Santhi Aripirala, Manju Sunil, Suvarchala Madireddy, Rashmi Lakahapate, Soundarya Gokulnath, Gairika Mathur, Sinjini Chakraborty, Ragasudha Vinjamuri, and Sayoni

Kuchipudi, Lavani, Mohiniyattam, Odissi, and Rabindra Nrutya. The script was extracted from the chapter on Goddess Durga in Markandeya Purana, and the impact was doubled by the music produced by wellknown Guru Dr Uma Rama Rao.. The event was organised at Shri Kanaka Durga Amman Temple in Ealing, established twenty five years ago.

Councillor Tejinder Dhami, MP for Ealing and Southall Virendra Sharma and former Mayor and the GLA member Dr Onkar Sahota, besides community representatives from different organisations such as Janahanda Foundation. The role and power of women in society and in mythology was applauded and highlighted by the speakers.

Dancers performed were

Batabyal from different parts of Britain who came together on the platform of Sur Bharti Women’s Collective. The dance piece was directed by Ragasudha Vinjamuri of Sanskruti Centre for Cultural Excellence. The performance shall be repeated on 20th Camden Durga Puja and on 27th October at Brunei Gallery, SOAS South Asia Institute.

Sonal Sachdev, Lord Hameed, Baroness Prashar, Lord Popat and Lord Parekh with other guests

prior experience of being a journalist and a passion for story-telling decided to collaborate with her on this project. And being a mother of two children and a third child due in a few weeks, she became associated with this project on a personal level.

“You know I remember of this one instance where we went shopping once and we were in the middle of a conflict about what to take and my 7-year-old child recounted one of the lessons of Gita reminding me how we should not give in to all our desires," said Jemma.

At a time when antisemitism and hate speech have found their weeds into the various spheres of public life, tolerance is one of the most talked about issues.

And highlighting the importance of commonality and respectful dialogue Baroness Usha Prashar even recalled of a Ted Talk called

“Decoding the Gita”.

Praising the book, she went on to emphasize how basic values of love and respect should be passed down in practical light among children through integrated societies instead of restricting to simply passing theoretical knowledge.

Lord Popat who hosted the event even highlighted the significance of the five principles that we draw from the Bhagvad Gita and how we should imbibe them in our children in their very upbringing and more so when social media platforms of Facebook are increasingly becoming a space for spreading hate and intolerance. Lord Popat brought together both Jewish and Hindu community voices to discuss the book and shed light on the mythological and philosophical interpretations and ideas of the literature.

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Inside Asian restaurants of Cardiff : Under-paid wages and illegal hours Priyanka Mehta 10 o'clock and most restaurants go to sleep except those at City road in Cardiff.

Amble down the narrow lane dotted with Asian and Middle-eastern restaurants for a quick bite and you realize you are spoilt for choice.

But the sprinkle of fairy lights and rich spices that make your stomach grumble is the only bright side of the story of many staff toiling behind the gas stoves and tills.

Neeti*, a 20-something Indian waitress with rich brown hair and golden streaks peeking through them smiles at her customer quickly counting the cash and giving him the change in exchange for a few polite courtesies. A few seconds later her slightly drooping shoulders and an inaudible sigh of relief is the only evidence of her long 11am10pm shift. But long hours means more money that will help her to pay for her cost of living in the UK. And earning only £5 an hour makes her desperate to get all the hours that she can.

“If you want a job in City Road, you can easily get one.

They don't even look at your CV-it is just a mere formality. I was called for training the next day and started off next week even when I knew that the pay was way lower than the National Minimum

Wage.”

National minimum wage in Cardiff as of this year is £7.38 an hour for everyone aged between 21-24-yearolds. But life had not been so difficult for Neeti last Christmas when she had been working part-time for a British restaurant-cum-bar.

But there went Santa Claus and as the new year celebrations dry-up so do the sales which means that part-time staff like Neeti are easily done away with. With little opportunities left in the market and not enough time to go job-hunting courtesy her university degree, she stumbled into the comfort of zero-hour contracts.

“I used to get paid really well say between £8.38 £8.50 an hour along with a holiday. But because of my student visa which allowed me only 20 hours of work permit a week, I used to work around 16-18 hours a week and it wasn't a permanent job.” she laments

This, however meant that earning a stable income every week became a laborious process and queue her entry into the Asian restaurants and the rest they say is history. She dabbled in the shifts, saved pennies, and consoled herself that she got free meals and better yet, the kind of ethnic food she was used to during her shift and relief that the wages of more than 20 hours a week added up enough to pay her weekly rent, bills, and other expenses. But that was just the tip of the iceberg. Waitressing is not an easy job if your customers make it a difficult process.

“The first Asian restaurant that I worked for, I didn't like the work atmosphere. Most of the restaurants are Asian and it was horrible. Between the customer and staff, the owner always prioritizes the customer at least in front of him and I used to get very frustrated.”

Now, she works at a local grocery store in the city which supplies Asian foods.

She still gets under-paid at £5 an hour and has extended her hours somewhat to 45 in a week. But she is relatively happier because of the respect with which she is treated.

“I promised myself that I would never work at a restaurant ever again. Pay is one of the issues but I need to feel 100% safe at my work and most of the time I don't!”

However, Neeti is not the only one in the hospitality business that clogs the capital City. Grangetown, on the other side of the city, is probably the most multi-cultural district littered with more garbage bags crowding the front entrances than restaurants. But some of the few restaurants around the area use similar ingredients of cheap labour and exploitative staff.

Julia* is another 30 something Eastern European woman and a mother of three children.

Between managing her household and opening the restaurant every morning, the woman also attends university to improve her English communication skills. But maintaining a balance between her work and home life is easier thought about than done. And more so when she has only some

Hate precher banned from using the Web Anjem Choudhary who led al-Muhajiroun, a group that inspired Britons to join ISIS, is required to live in a probabtion hostel for up to at least six months after his release from prison this Friday.

Royal expectations deliver royal news The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced that they are pregnant and in style just before touching down Sydney where they are to begin their tour of Australia.

On their tour of Commonwealth nations, the timing of their announcement lent a helping hand in winning the hearts of thousands of Australians who rushed down to offer their congratulations. The Duchess who is three months into her pregnancy is due to deliver the royal baby sometime around Spring next year, the same time as Brexit. The royal family was made aware of the news on Princess Eugenie's wedding on Friday.

The 51-year-old hate preacher will be monitored by the police, probation and security services so that he cannot radicalise and inspire

others to join terrorist outfits. He will also be tagged and subject to restrictions including a night-time curfew and will be banned from

using any internet-enabled device without permission.

Choudhary who has lived in Ilford, London was jailed in 2016

£125 every week to buy food for her husband and children back home.

“I have worked here for close to two years now. You know how difficult it is to leave my kids back home when they return from school with no one to care for them? After all my loyalty to the restaurant, I deserve at least £7 an hour. Is it too much to ask?” she asks.

Whether it is restaurants at the City-road or in Grangetown, these Asian and Middle-eastern dining outlets aren't exactly strug-

gling. They pay their staff by giving them cash-in-hand and this becomes an easy way for them to evade taxes.

And if the number of restaurants both Asian and Middleeastern that have opened up in Cardiff and are continuing to are any indication then it surely is a big business with more and more authentic food getting popular among the western crowds. But under-paying the staff can be a recipe for disaster if they don't start providing at least basic wages to their employees.

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20 - 26 October 2018

Panchmukhee Durga Utsav

The Garba season in the UK

Indians are the 'role models' of London, says the city's deputy mayor

Priyanka Mehta

Shivam Patel

Garba in the UK is not simply about spinning in circles to the changing music and then swapping claps for sticks. It extends to a larger community event manifesting into socialising and touching base with distant relatives and family friends who barely catch up in the hustle and bustle of city life.

Snapchat and Instagram these days probably have more stories than people and perhaps this can be one of the reasons why people are more often seen crowding the Garba space with phones glued in their hands. It is about recording short videos of the gala and decorations and posting it on family groups on WhatsApp back home in India. Going global on Facebook and promoting the ethnic Gujarati tradition beyond Sanjay Leela Bhansali's portrayal in his movies. This is an educative process but that glamour, however holds little appeal to some in the younger generation. And Parle Patel, an independent YouTuber, had exactly the same frustration highlighted in his twitter account: “Weekday Garba is physical stress. So much space to dance with such a dedicated and encouraging crowd.

Weekend Garba is mental stress. Such little space and such a devastating and doba filled crowd. Either...Haaltha Thao or Ghare Jata Thao” But his tweet like any other sparked a conversation where a lot of “tweeters” justified socialising as part of the festive vibes.

Vinesh Powal, a resident of Perivale, London goes to play Garba at Vicar's Green Primary School in Alperton and it is organised by a Mandal which does not charge any entry fee and was started 20 years ago. While a lot of people have complaints about the kind of music that people are jamming to, Vinesh said- “I have been fortunate to attend Navratri where Bollywood music is only played towards the end and as fillers rather than the main tune which I think is ok.

Bengali and Indian communities are the “role models” of London that “contribute immensely” to British society, the city's deputy mayor for business Rajesh Agrawal has said. Speaking at an event in Harrow on Saturday, Mr Agrawal praised the Indian population in the UK for culturally enriching the country.

“The Bengali community has a very important role not just in shaping India but shaping the world and has played a key role in London and British society. “Its contribution is absolutely phenomenal and both the mayor and I recognise that. “Bengali and Indian communities are the role model communities in our country and here in our city.”

Mr Agrawal was speaking at the opening of Panchmukhee Durga Utsav, an eight-day cultural festival at the Harrow Arts Centre in North London. He said events such as the Utsav bring communities together in addition to bearing a religious significance. “This is the way

Navratri, tech-ratri or bolly-ratri?

Angle Events Navratri festival in Leicester Some Bollywood music also references some of the traditional and cultural songs.”

Disha Thakrar who has recently shifted to London to pursue her MA in media and communications in City, University of London had attended Navratri organised

by Shree Kutchi Leva Patel Community. It holds the largest Navratri celebration in whole of Europe with as many as 30,000 people in the festival of 9 days. Disha who had gone down to Wembley with 10 other friends paid £8.50 as an entry fee and was quite taken aback by the scale

of the celebration.

“It was very culturally authentic...I mean I was very surprised to see a live band the same way back in India.

But I was down only for the last hour and the Bollywood songs were only played as fillers. But otherwise, there was a lot of tradition and ethnicity.” she said.

However, community leaders like Nilesh Solanki, leader of the PwC Hindu Network is concerned about the teenagers and youth not being able to preserve the traditions in their actual form.

“Times have changed and Navratri is a massive point of education and the next generation needs to carry forward the culture. In that sense, a big responsibility lies on the musicians who dictate the content of the programme. Yes, there may be some Bollywood songs but it is about finding the right balance. But there is also a difference between playing songs on Navratri and while playing them at a private event.”

But amidst all the song and dance, a bigger problem that stems into arranging the Navratri nights is accumulating the funds. Ashwin

Galoria, leader of the Brent Hindu Council, said- “The funds have stopped about some 6 years ago and local council is not allocating any money for Navratri anymore.

Our affiliated organisation meets whole cost right from hiring of the hall (venue) to paying the musicians. But we still manage to celebrate because of the deposits put together by the different organisations.”

Muhammed Butt, the local Councillor for Brent recently praised the Hindu Council for successfully organising the Navratri this year as well. However, when approached for a comment

on funding for these events, he remained unavailable.

Fire near Hariben Bachubhai Nagrecha Hall A fire was sparked in the derelict building beside the Hariben Bachubhai Nagrecha Hall on Saturday. According to Umiben Radia, who was attending the Garba night“The fire might have been started because of some children who were smoking in the nearby hall. No damage was done to the building. But for safety reasons, people had been evacuated for a couple minutes and we resumed our Garba night and continued till 2 am in the morning.”

London's Deputy for Business speaking at Panchamukhee Durga Utsav

through which first generation immigrants get the chance to pass on some [cultural] values to their children.

“I have two young daughters and I think events like these play a very important role in exposing our children to our culture.” The multi-day event is a celebration of the Hindu festival Navaratri, also known as Durga Puja, which is observed for nine days every year in October.

Saturday was the first day of the event and opened with a traditional dance depicting

the victory of good over evil.

Ramyani Basu, 36, an attendee, said: “This is the start of a ceremony of conquering evil. It is like getting the inner evil killed to celebrate the inner good.

“Durga Puja is an event that brings everybody together. Bengali community is very strong and during Durga Puja everything we do we do it together.” The dance was followed by a performance from Bengali singer Goutam Ghosal who was accompanied by musicians from Kolkata.

Money raised at Saturday’s event would go to two nonprofits supporting children in rural west India and west London.

Sudipta Das, 36, one of the organisers, said: “Bengali things start with music and

£6.50

£7

£5

£6

500g

500g

end with music. So music is a part of life. “Durga Puja is celebrated across India and now all over the world. We definitely look forward to different communities joining us and celebrating.”Another organiser, Saurabh Basu, 48,

said: “This is one of the festive times in the year where not just the Hindus but all other communities celebrate.

“At Panchmukhee we thrive on inclusion and keep the religious aspect aside; everyone comes and performs.”

£1.00

80p 325g

There will be fireworks Shree Kutch Leva Patel Community UK

Chha Gam Nagrik Mandal

£1.45

35p

£1

30p

1kg

400g

£3.50

£3 500g

Dharmaj Society of London

Stanmore Shree Swaminarayan Mandir

Prices valid until 10/11/18. Selected stores only, subject to availability. Offers apply to online orders delivered on or before 10/11/18. Online delivery charges apply. Lancashire Farm Probiotic Natural Yoghurt 1kg £1, £0.10/100g.

KTC Chickpeas 400g £0.30, £0.08/100g. Fudco Almonds 500g £5, £1/100g. Fudco Deluxe Nut & Raisin Mix 500g £6, £1.20/100g. Cofresh Gujarati Mix 325g £0.80, £0.25/100g. Royal Rassomalai 500g £3, £0.60/100g.

16 FESTIVAL

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FESTIVAL

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20 - 26 October 2018

17

20 - 26 October 2018

Panchmukhee Durga Utsav

The Garba season in the UK

Indians are the 'role models' of London, says the city's deputy mayor

Priyanka Mehta

Shivam Patel

Garba in the UK is not simply about spinning in circles to the changing music and then swapping claps for sticks. It extends to a larger community event manifesting into socialising and touching base with distant relatives and family friends who barely catch up in the hustle and bustle of city life.

Snapchat and Instagram these days probably have more stories than people and perhaps this can be one of the reasons why people are more often seen crowding the Garba space with phones glued in their hands. It is about recording short videos of the gala and decorations and posting it on family groups on WhatsApp back home in India. Going global on Facebook and promoting the ethnic Gujarati tradition beyond Sanjay Leela Bhansali's portrayal in his movies. This is an educative process but that glamour, however holds little appeal to some in the younger generation. And Parle Patel, an independent YouTuber, had exactly the same frustration highlighted in his twitter account: “Weekday Garba is physical stress. So much space to dance with such a dedicated and encouraging crowd.

Weekend Garba is mental stress. Such little space and such a devastating and doba filled crowd. Either...Haaltha Thao or Ghare Jata Thao” But his tweet like any other sparked a conversation where a lot of “tweeters” justified socialising as part of the festive vibes.

Vinesh Powal, a resident of Perivale, London goes to play Garba at Vicar's Green Primary School in Alperton and it is organised by a Mandal which does not charge any entry fee and was started 20 years ago. While a lot of people have complaints about the kind of music that people are jamming to, Vinesh said- “I have been fortunate to attend Navratri where Bollywood music is only played towards the end and as fillers rather than the main tune which I think is ok.

Bengali and Indian communities are the “role models” of London that “contribute immensely” to British society, the city's deputy mayor for business Rajesh Agrawal has said. Speaking at an event in Harrow on Saturday, Mr Agrawal praised the Indian population in the UK for culturally enriching the country.

“The Bengali community has a very important role not just in shaping India but shaping the world and has played a key role in London and British society. “Its contribution is absolutely phenomenal and both the mayor and I recognise that. “Bengali and Indian communities are the role model communities in our country and here in our city.”

Mr Agrawal was speaking at the opening of Panchmukhee Durga Utsav, an eight-day cultural festival at the Harrow Arts Centre in North London. He said events such as the Utsav bring communities together in addition to bearing a religious significance. “This is the way

Navratri, tech-ratri or bolly-ratri?

Angle Events Navratri festival in Leicester Some Bollywood music also references some of the traditional and cultural songs.”

Disha Thakrar who has recently shifted to London to pursue her MA in media and communications in City, University of London had attended Navratri organised

by Shree Kutchi Leva Patel Community. It holds the largest Navratri celebration in whole of Europe with as many as 30,000 people in the festival of 9 days. Disha who had gone down to Wembley with 10 other friends paid £8.50 as an entry fee and was quite taken aback by the scale

of the celebration.

“It was very culturally authentic...I mean I was very surprised to see a live band the same way back in India.

But I was down only for the last hour and the Bollywood songs were only played as fillers. But otherwise, there was a lot of tradition and ethnicity.” she said.

However, community leaders like Nilesh Solanki, leader of the PwC Hindu Network is concerned about the teenagers and youth not being able to preserve the traditions in their actual form.

“Times have changed and Navratri is a massive point of education and the next generation needs to carry forward the culture. In that sense, a big responsibility lies on the musicians who dictate the content of the programme. Yes, there may be some Bollywood songs but it is about finding the right balance. But there is also a difference between playing songs on Navratri and while playing them at a private event.”

But amidst all the song and dance, a bigger problem that stems into arranging the Navratri nights is accumulating the funds. Ashwin

Galoria, leader of the Brent Hindu Council, said- “The funds have stopped about some 6 years ago and local council is not allocating any money for Navratri anymore.

Our affiliated organisation meets whole cost right from hiring of the hall (venue) to paying the musicians. But we still manage to celebrate because of the deposits put together by the different organisations.”

Muhammed Butt, the local Councillor for Brent recently praised the Hindu Council for successfully organising the Navratri this year as well. However, when approached for a comment

on funding for these events, he remained unavailable.

Fire near Hariben Bachubhai Nagrecha Hall A fire was sparked in the derelict building beside the Hariben Bachubhai Nagrecha Hall on Saturday. According to Umiben Radia, who was attending the Garba night“The fire might have been started because of some children who were smoking in the nearby hall. No damage was done to the building. But for safety reasons, people had been evacuated for a couple minutes and we resumed our Garba night and continued till 2 am in the morning.”

London's Deputy for Business speaking at Panchamukhee Durga Utsav

through which first generation immigrants get the chance to pass on some [cultural] values to their children.

“I have two young daughters and I think events like these play a very important role in exposing our children to our culture.” The multi-day event is a celebration of the Hindu festival Navaratri, also known as Durga Puja, which is observed for nine days every year in October.

Saturday was the first day of the event and opened with a traditional dance depicting

the victory of good over evil.

Ramyani Basu, 36, an attendee, said: “This is the start of a ceremony of conquering evil. It is like getting the inner evil killed to celebrate the inner good.

“Durga Puja is an event that brings everybody together. Bengali community is very strong and during Durga Puja everything we do we do it together.” The dance was followed by a performance from Bengali singer Goutam Ghosal who was accompanied by musicians from Kolkata.

Money raised at Saturday’s event would go to two nonprofits supporting children in rural west India and west London.

Sudipta Das, 36, one of the organisers, said: “Bengali things start with music and

£6.50

£7

£5

£6

500g

500g

end with music. So music is a part of life. “Durga Puja is celebrated across India and now all over the world. We definitely look forward to different communities joining us and celebrating.”Another organiser, Saurabh Basu, 48,

said: “This is one of the festive times in the year where not just the Hindus but all other communities celebrate.

“At Panchmukhee we thrive on inclusion and keep the religious aspect aside; everyone comes and performs.”

£1.00

80p 325g

There will be fireworks Shree Kutch Leva Patel Community UK

Chha Gam Nagrik Mandal

£1.45

35p

£1

30p

1kg

400g

£3.50

£3 500g

Dharmaj Society of London

Stanmore Shree Swaminarayan Mandir

Prices valid until 10/11/18. Selected stores only, subject to availability. Offers apply to online orders delivered on or before 10/11/18. Online delivery charges apply. Lancashire Farm Probiotic Natural Yoghurt 1kg £1, £0.10/100g.

KTC Chickpeas 400g £0.30, £0.08/100g. Fudco Almonds 500g £5, £1/100g. Fudco Deluxe Nut & Raisin Mix 500g £6, £1.20/100g. Cofresh Gujarati Mix 325g £0.80, £0.25/100g. Royal Rassomalai 500g £3, £0.60/100g.

18 FINANCE

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20 - 26 October 2018

Consultant Editor Financial Voice Alpesh Patel Dear Financial Voice Reader, I write to you before speaking on Friday at the London Investor Show as the keynote. This week I was on BBC talking about market volatility.

I discussed on BBC World News the recent market volatility. It’s clearly headline news when it comes to stocks and of course in forex given Brexit.

You know, one of the most common questions I’m ever asked is what’s the difference between rich traders (the 10% or 20% that make money) and the 80% that don’t? What is it that of all the traders that I’ve examined, the professional traders, the hedge fund managers, and my own expertise and experience as well . . . What is that differentiates the two?

Are men better than women? Is there a certain time of day you should be trading? Are there certain instruments?

Is it better to trade stocks than forex than to do indices or gold or commodities? Do you make more money if you go short then you go long? Are there certain geographies that you should be trading some periods of time?

What if statistically, I can show you that out of a group of 500,000 traders, the ones who held on to a stop or a currency for more than 5 minutes were more likely to lose . . . Or more than an hour or more than 3 days or vice versa than those who held it for different periods of time?

Let me take you through some of the issues, some of the differences that I found between the winning and losing traders. For instance, the poor trader they tended to have a few big losses. Losses where they lost in one trade more than 2% or even more than 1% of their total risk capital. (I use poor trader meaning someone who is not profitable over a long period of time and rich trader being someone who is profitable over a long period of time ie more than a year.)

Whereas, for the rich trader, they rarely, if ever, had such losses. So how do you limit such losses? Well, one of the reasons that they’re rich traders is that they have a small trading size. In other words, they trade a small amount relative to the total capital they have.

Also, they never added to their losing position.

Another thing that we found the difference between winners and losers or the poor traders and the rich traders, is that winning trades in the case of poor traders were achieved by simply getting rid of a stop loss.

They were willing to take an unlimited loss in order to have that win (win meaning any, even a tiny profit), even if it was a small win. So they risked losing lots of money in order to have a small win. Whereas, a rich trader, they were happy to have winning trades because their stop loss got hit, even if, therefore, it meant that they had a lot of losing trades. But they were small losses because their stop loss was sufficiently tight, in order that they wouldn’t have big losses.

The rich traders focus was don’t have big losses.

That was a key difference. The other major difference was in terms of profit. Obviously, the poor trader—the losing trader didn’t have profits overall. They might have a few winning trades that were profitable in themselves, but they didn’t have profits overall because they had those big losses.

For a free online trading course visit www.alpeshpatel.com

UK eyed customs deal to avoid N Ireland Brexit backstop EU diplomats said British negotiators have urged the EU to accept assurances Britain would effectively stay in a customs union with the EU to avoid a hard border with Ireland. However, diplomatic sources said the European Union insisted that an insurance policy to keep Northern Ireland alone inside the EU's economic zone is still vital.

The EU position is that London's assurances of maintaining EU-UK customs links to avoid a hard border are only aspirations, and cannot be sealed into treaty law before Britain leaves the bloc in March, hence the backstop.

The said backstop agreement on Northern Ireland is the one major issue to thwart hopes of having a draft withdrawal agreement ready for EU leaders to approve, and the issue underlines how far British Prime Minister Theresa May's difficulties securing agreement from her own ministers is registered. That so-called backstop agreement on Northern Ireland is the one major issue to thwart hopes of having a draft withdrawal agreement ready for EU leaders to approve.

Heropreneur helping former soldiers with job opportunities When Kayam Iqbal left military, his personal experience of readjusting to civilian life inspired him to do something to help his former colleagues make their own transition from military to civilian life.

In 2011 he set up JobOppO, a jobsite dedicated to ex-military personnel to help them find employment. Even in the early days Kayam recognised that, although employment was a cornerstone to a successful transition, ex-military personnel had a great many other challenges to face.

A key objective of JobOppO was to support military charities. JobOppO supported a number of initiatives including a charity event on HMS Belfast to raise funds for Help The Heroes, Combat Stress and OppO Recruitment, a commercial recruitment company was established in January 2013.

Kayam felt that much more need to be done to support ex-military personnel on their return to civilian life and so in 2014 he founded a new

Kayam Iqbal

charity for ex-military personnel, The OppO Foundation.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Kayam said, “Transitioning from the military after 12 years of services was really tough.” He was medically discharged for post-traumatic stress disorder, following his tour Afghanistan. He had joined RAF when he was 18 and had no experience of a civilian job. He slipped through the net, and realised how difficult it was to

get noticed and appointed. While he worked at Camelot selling scratch cards, he used his free time to study for some project management accreditions, which got him a job in BT's technology team.

As he climbed his career ladder, he thoought about other military leavers like him, inexperienced and unskilled, but energetic and determined to prove themselves. So he wanted to set up a company to help people like himself and Job Oppo was founded.

Iqbal's business has now grown to an annual turnover £5.5m. He has eight employees and also finds time to run the OppO foundation, a separate, standalone charity that he set up to support those who have served within the Royal Armed Forces.

His advice is to budding entrepreneurs is to network as much as possible- as being able to contact people with a wide range of backgrounds and experience is priceless. He also added, for small businesses to prosper, one must understand its customer inside out.

UK will see three years of low growth, says EY Item Club The UK can expect low economic growth for the next three years, a forecasting body said, adding a no-deal Brexit could dent growth even further. The EY Item Club predicted GDP growth of 1.3 per cent this year, and 1.5 per cent in 2019, down from 1.4 and 1.6 per cent respectively in its previous outlook three months ago. It said the figures were based on the assumption that the UK and the EU would agree transition terms. If this did not happen, conditions could be “significantly weaker”.

Howard Archer, chief economic adviser to the EY Item Club said,

“ H e i g h t e n e d uncertainties in the runup to and the aftermath of the UK's exit could fuel business and consumer caution. This is a significant factor leading us to trim our GDP forecasts for 2018 and 2019.” The EY Item Club predicted that the UK would see two interest rate rises this year, and two more in 2019. However, following the Bank of England's decision in August to raise rates from 0.5 to 0.75 per cent, the forecaster said it did not expect another increase now until August next year, with two more rate rises likely in 2020.

It added, “The EY Item Club

suspects that the Bank of England will want to see sustained evidence that the UK economy is holding up relatively well after Brexit occurs in late March, before hiking interest rates.” EY chief economist Mark Gregory said, “The UK economy is going to experience a period of low economic growth for at least the next three years, and businesses need to recognise this and adjust accordingly.

They should also consider a sharp downside to the economy in the event of a no-deal Brexit and make preparations for such a scenario.”

Gregory said a “prudent approach” would be for firms to test the robustness of their businesses, especially cash flow, against a short period of severe disruption, followed by a downturn for three or four quarters.

Ending austerity could push UK tax to highest since 1940s: IFS Prime Minister Theresa May’s goal of ending the austerity squeeze on public services may result in taxes rising to its highest level since after the World War Two, a think tank said ahead of her government’s annual budget. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said higher taxes need not hurt the economy but May’s fragile hold on power, as she attempts to navigate Brexit, made significant increases unlikely in the Oct. 29 budget statement.

Instead, efforts to lighten Britain’s debt burden were the likeliest casualty of May’s promise to end austerity, potentially leaving the country vulnerable when the next economic crisis hits. “Increasing borrowing is clearly the line of least resistance,” IFS director Paul Johnson said. “It’s going to be very hard, for all sorts of very obvious reasons, for anything very substantial in terms of tax rises in the short run.”

Last year, finance minister Philip Hammond backed down on planned tax rises for the self-employed which angered Conservative lawmakers. May’s

Theresa May

minority government now relies on Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party which has threatened to vote against the budget if London does not heed its Brexit concerns. “At a point where you don’t have a parliamentary majority, the public finances don’t tend to be looked after in such a conservative way as they might otherwise,” Johnson said.

Weak economic growth made deficit reduction much slower than the

Conservatives expected when they took office in 2010. Hammond has said he aims to run a balanced budget by the mid-2020s. At 1.9 per cent of gross domestic product, the budget deficit last year was the lowest since the 2001/02 financial year. But public debt more than doubled as a share of GDP after the financial crisis to above 80 per cent, and has only recently started to fall. May did not specify what she meant when she told her Conservative Party’s annual conference that austerity “is over” on Oct. 3.

The non-partisan IFS said even a narrow interpretation of no more real-terms cuts for public services but a continued welfare squeeze would leave a 19 billion-pound hole in Hammond’s budget plans. Filling the hole via tax rises would need tax as a share of GDP to rise by 1 percentage point to 35 per cent of GDP. “Doing that would mean having a tax burden that we haven’t had for a sustained period since the late 1940s,” IFS deputy director Carl Emmerson said.

REAL ESTATE VOICE

A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH

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Last week I wrote about a deal we were expecting to close. This duly exchanged yesterday, albeit at a higher price than we were anticipating to purchase it at.

Suresh Vagjiani

Sow & Reap London Property Investment

went up illegally, and was taken down in three days due to action from the council. He also managed to annoy all the neighbours in the process with various other bits of work.

The client in this case took it upon himself to go to the auction and bid. Dangerous, as I know from previous experience that he doesn’t let deals go, irrespective of how high the price goes. This is the equivalent of letting a person with a gambling addiction into a casino.

There should be an injunction placed on such people.

This means any work we do we will need to be extra mindful of the neighbours’ sentiments. The property is in a conservation area, where judging from first sight there are restrictions from doing any kind of extensions. This is apparent from looking at the street, no one has done any work. If it was allowed, the owners would have extended their properties.

But go he did, and a fellow bidder helped to drive the price up, to £705K. Way above what I would have wanted my client to pay.

There are many unknowns with the property, as there have been no internal viewings allowed due to the unsafe works carried out in the property.

My local investigations revealed that the previous owner decided to work on the property without taking permissions, e.g. scaffolding

This is good in one sense, as it preserves the character of the area.

This street is a quaint street which leads up to the prestigious Harrow Boys School.

AGONY AGENT IS HERE TO HELP!

The aim for this property is to utilise the concessions around the regulations for HMOs and focus on yield. Basically, turn this into a cash cow and hold the asset. This is the plan, we will see how it transpires

A: This is a good question, and actually tends to be a common query that is raised when landlords happen to find out that their tenants have a guest, visiting family or a new partner.

Simply answered, no, she does not need to be added to the tenancy agreement on the proviso that she is not staying longer than two weeks in any six month period (a term that should be reflected in your tenant’s agreement).

mind. One, the tenant is the person named in the tenancy agreement; two, the tenant is the person paying the rent; or three, the tenant is the person that lives in the property. Whilst technically all are true this does not mean that you should just add the guest to the agreement.

It all depends on the circumstances. Use your judgement, as it could be that they have a parent visiting them from the other side of the world, so no point adding them.

However, a friend that is looking for a new flat and will be staying until they find one might be worth adding.

There are three ways that a tenant is perceived in a landlord’s

Written into the tenancy agreement, the tenant has a right

Q: I have just found out that my tenant’s sister is staying with her.

Does she need to be on the tenancy agreement as well?

BUY TO LET OPPORTUNITY

l l l l l

of quiet enjoyment; guests are certainly part of that enjoyment and are allowed, but remember only for a limited time.

I would recommend that you watch out for a few warning signs that may indicate your tenants’ guest is looking to stay longer: guests who pay rent, receive post at the property, spend every night at the property, moved in furniture and the best one is the guest is making maintenance requests.

Be mindful that there is a thin line between what a guest and a tenant are, and if you have already accepted rent from a guest, you might have initiated a landlord and tenant relationship.

19

20 - 26 October 2018

once we start the project.

We have just closed another smaller deal.

This one is interesting. The property is very close to a station, only a couple of minutes away. In line with the stream of deals we have been doing, it is a probate deal, where the grant of probate was granted in a British Colony, and then was transferred over to the UK. We have knowledge that despite the grant of probate, there are other parties who wish to put a claim on the asset. For this reason the deal has had to be structured in a way which provides some measure of safety. The property will be exchanged for only £1 and completed in an SPV, Special Purpose Vehicle, set up for this purpose. This then can be folded,

should the unforeseen happen between exchange and completion.

This property is worth £325K. As this is towards the bottom end of the market we are confident of being able to sell this on quickly without too much of an issue. If not, its vicinity to the station will ensure it is never without a tenant.

If so, your new tenant could claim to have the same rights as any other tenant, and will not be easy to remove as an unwanted guest.

Such situations of guests becoming tenants can generally be avoided if you have an honest and open conversation with the current tenant, and simply just say that the guest is not to stay longer than two weeks, and if they are to stay longer then you want them added to the tenancy agreement.

So, the guest would then have to agree to the terms, and you will have a legal record who is living

there, along with a legal agreement.

If you are still finding yourself at a loss then please contact the office for some initial free impartial advice.

Richard Bond

Two bedroom, upper ground floor flat Long lease Similar flat on the road was sold for £475K last year Moments away from Westbourne Green Open Space Located within a short walk to both Royal Oak and Warwick Avenue underground stations

l Rental income expected to be around £425 per week,

London, W2 Purchase Price: £415,000 Specialists in Central London Property Sourcing

generating an excellent yield of 5.3% per annum

l Excellent long term buy and hold opportunity Call us now for more information!

0207 993 0103

info@sowandreap.co.uk www.sowandreap.co.uk 27 Gloucester Place, London, W1U 8HU SowandReapProperties

Sowandreapuk

Turning land into cash Get in touch about our land opportunities

20 FINANCE - INDIA

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20 - 26 October 2018

in brief

Court orders attachment of Mallya’s properties in Bengaluru A Delhi court has ordered attachment of liquor baron Vijay Mallya's properties in Bengaluru in a case relating to FERA violations. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Deepak Sherawat has issued fresh directions after the Bengaluru Police, through Enforcement Directorate's special public prosecutor NK Matta and advocate Samvedna Verma, sought more time to execute its earlier order. Earlier, police authorities had informed the court that it has identified 159 properties belonging to Mallya, but has not been able to attach any of them. Mallya has been declared a proclaimed offender by the court on Janaury 4, for evading its summons in the case.

On May 8, the court had directed the attachment of Mallya's properties in the case through the Bengaluru Police commissioner and sought a report on it. It had declared Mallya a proclaimed offender for evading summons in a FERA violation case after finding that he had failed to appear despite repeated summonses. On April

Vijay Mallya

12, last year, it had issued an open-ended non-bailable warrant against the liquor baron. Unlike a non-bailable warrant, an “open-ended bailable warrant” does not carry a time limit for execution.

Meanwhile, an appellate tribunal, proclaiming that banks have the “priority right” on the assets of Mallya, asked the ED not to change the “status quo” of properties worth £800 million attached by it in the case. It has also restrained Mallya from

altering the status or creating third party interest of his movable and immovable assets.

Chairman of appellate tribunal on Prevention of Money Laundering Act Justice Manmohan Singh admitted the application of 12 banks, which were cheated by Mallya, and said, “In view of settled law on the subject, I am of the opinion that the appellant banks are the rightful claimants who have already obtained decree against the borrower from Debt

Recovery Tribunal (DRT) under the SARFAESI (The Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Securities Interest) Act and have priority rights to recover the loan amounts forthwith.”

A senior ED officer said, “This order means nothing.

Earlier too, the appellate tribunal had released some properties attached by ED in Mallya case but that order has been stayed by the high court.

Mallya's properties have been attached in accordance with the law, which also says that these properties are part of the case till trial is going on.” The ED has claimed that the properties, which are in its possession, cannot be sold at this stage as the trial in the case is incomplete.

Justice Singh observed, “Admittedly, the trial may take number of years in view of the nature of the case and bulky records. The banks are the secured creditors against the unpaid loans by Mallya and associate companies.”

India’s debt lower than best, emerging market economies: IMF A top IMF official has stated that India's debt is lower than the best or emerging market economies in the world. He however, cautioned that the global debt has reached a new record high of $182 trillion in 2017. International Monetary Fund Director of Fiscal Affairs Department, Vitor Gasper said India's debt was substantially less than the global debt as percentage of world Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In India, private debt in 2017 was 54.5 per cent of the GDP and the general government debt was 70.4 per cent of the GDP, a total debt of about 125 of the GDP, according to the latest IMF figures.

Gasper said, “So, it is substantially less than the global debt as percentage of world GDP. There is a positive relation between the debt to GDP ratio and the level of GDP per capita.

If you compare around the world with the best economies

or emerging market economies, the level of debt in India is lower.” India's debt is below the average of advanced economies and below the average of emerging market economies. He added that the IMF is positively stressing that global debt at $182 trillion in 2017 is at a new record high.

He added that debt in advanced economies, since the global financial crisis, has

increased quite substantially while the private sector has been very gradually leveraging. “If you look at emerging market economies, that includes India, you see that private debt in the last 10 years has increased quite substantially, although in the last two years, since the end of 2015, 2016, and 2017, there is a slowdown in the process of leveraging, but debt is very high and public debt is very high as

well.” Private debt has declined in the last few years, from almost 60 per cent to 54.5.

Gasper said, “So, it's very stable.

So, what you do see is that emerging market economies, which is where India is, there's a very fast buildup in private debt with a slowdown in the last two years, but India is basically steady. So, India is not an emerging market economy where leveraging is progressing fast.”

He also said that emerging market economies private debt has risen much faster than public debt.

“Take China, for example.

Total debt is 247 per cent of the GDP. But the dividing line between what is public and private debt in China is blurry.

This blurriness reflects the very large number of public units and corporations, the complex layers of government, and widespread subnational off-budget borrowing,” he said.

Govt may tap overseas funds to arrest rupee fall The government is looking into the option of raising funds overseas, including from nonresident Indians (NRIs) to stem the sharp slide of the rupee, apart from getting more banks to buy debt that is currently on the books of non-banking finance companies, to restore confidence in the financial markets. It remains unclear when the government intends to tap overseas resources to bolster its foreign exchange reserves and provide comfort to the Indian currency. The rupee

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closed at 74.11 after hitting a new low of 74.48, last week. While economists have suggested connecting with NRIs for quite some time, the government remains wary of doing so.

In September 2013, when the rupee slid below 68, the UPA government had raised over $34 billion through foreign currency non-resident (bank) account deposits to calm sentiments.

Officials said given the current situation, the government will need to raise around $65-70 billion and are unclear about the

cost implications, especially when interest rates are rising in the US. A senior government official said, “Rupee, balance of payments, current account deficit are the main worries, we have strategy in place to tackle situation. We will take action at opportune time on these issues.”

They suggested that the Indian market were still relatively stable compared with other equity markets.

“The rupee may remain firm if oil prices stay range bound.

We do believe that rupee should appreciate from this level,” the official added. Steps to reduce import, aimed to reduce the trade deficit, have been initiated through two rounds of duty hike.

The government at the same time, is looking to get more state-run banks to take over the loan portfolio of NBFCs in an attempt to provide liquidity to the sector that is seen to be crucial for financing needs of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

SUZUKI TO START BUILDING SECOND PLANT IN GUJARAT BY 2021 The Japanese auto giant Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) is expected to begin construction of its second manufacturing plant in Gujarat by 2021. The Suzuki intends to infuse £900 million for setting up a new facility at Vithalapur, some 35 km from its existing plant in Hansalpur near Mehsana. The land acquisition for the new plant is likely to be completed soon. “Once the construction of the third assembly line at Hansalpur is completed, the company will start building the new plant by 2021,” said a source close to the development. At its Hansalpur plant the company has commissioned the first assembly line with 2,50,000 units capacity. The second and third assembly lines at the site with capacity of 2,50,000 units each are expected to come up by early 2019 and 2020, respectively. All the three lines would take the total manufacturing capacity to some 7,50,000 cars per annum.

TCS GROWS IN DOUBLE DIGITS AFTER 8 QUARTERS Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has touched double-digit revenue growth in constant currency after eight quarters. What’s more, the growth came not by compromising on margins, but by actually raising it. Operating margins rose by 1.5 percentage points to 26.5% - by far the highest among the top IT services companies. The net addition of 10,227 people in the quarter, its highest in 12 quarters, also indicated the growing optimism.

TCS CEO Rajesh Gopinathan described it as a “big landmark quarter for us both as a company and as a management team”. He said the company is “very happy with the position that we see ourselves in and are resetting our focus from medium to long-term perspective while we continue to execute in the short term so that this trajectory is maintained”.

HONDA TO INVEST £920 MN, LARGEST FOR INDIA CAR BIZ Japanese car major Honda plans to pump in over £920 million, its largest investment for India, to set up a third factory to launch hybrid and electric vehicles, and drive in new models and upgrades. The fresh investment will double the company’s financial commitment in India to over £1.85 billion since it began operations in 1998. “India is one of the most critical markets for Honda globally, and we want to strengthen our operations here,” Honda Cars India president & CEO Gaku Nakanishi said. “The new investment - which we plan to make over the next decade signals our commitment towards the growth potential in the Indian car market and underlying strength here.” Honda currently has two factories - the first one at Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh and the second at Tapukara in Rajasthan. The company’s installed production capacity stands at 2,80,000 units annually, higher than 1,70,000 units it sold in 2017-18. Nakanishi said new models, introduction of cleaner technologies, and a greater retail push has prompted the company to chalk out expansion plans.

INFOSYS Q2 CONSOLIDATED NET PROFIT RISES 10.3% India's second-largest IT firm Infosys reported a 10.3 per cent growth in its consolidated net profit at £411 million for the quarter ended September 2018. It had posted a net profit of £372.6 million in the year-ago period, Infosys said in a BSE filing. The firm's revenue grew 17.3 per cent to £ 2.06 billion in the quarter under review as compared to £1.76 billion in the same period of 2017-18, it added. "We are delighted with our broad-based growth across all business segments and geographies during the quarter. This is a testimony to our strong client relationships, digital-led full service capabilities, and intense focus on the needs of our clients," Infosys CEO and managing director Salil Parekh said. He added that large deal wins at over $2 billion during the quarter "demonstrate our increased client relevance and also give us better growth visibility for the near-term". Digital revenues at $905 million make 31 per cent of total revenues, it said. The company retained its FY'19 revenue guidance in constant currency at 6-8 per cent.

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in brief IMRAN'S PARTY WINS LESS SEATS THAN EXPECTED Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's party didn't win as many seats as it expected in special elections held for 35 seats that remained up for grabs after July's parliament elections. The party of ex-premier Nawaz Sharif won 11 seats in the national and provincial seats, out of 35 contested in Sunday's balloting. Khan's candidates secured 15 seats. Other small parties won the rest. The vote doesn't change anything but is still a setback for Khan, who in July didn't get an outright majority but had to form a coalition government. Under Pakistani law, candidates can run for multiple seats and if they secure more than one seat in parliament or provincial assemblies, they have to give up all but one seat.

Special elections are then held for the vacated seats.

PAK TV CHANNEL PULLED UP FOR ‘FAKE NEWS’ Pakistan’s electronic media regulatory authority has issued a notice to a private TV channel for airing news reports deemed to be against two federal ministers, a media report said. “From the tickers it was transpired that the PM had expressed displeasure over the performance of federal finance minister for his policies,” Dawn reported, citing the notice issued by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA). The authority asked the TV channel to prove authenticity of its reports and submit a reply, the paper reported. It also said that if the channel failed to provide evidence, it should tender an apology. It said the channel had violated the code of conduct.

AFRICA-SRI LANKA-NEPAL

Africa's youngest billionaire kidnapped in Tanzania NAIROBI: Africa's youngest billionaire was kidnapped by gunmen from a gymnasium in Tanzania's economic capital Dar es Salaam, officials said. Mohammed Dewji, 43, who heads the MeTL Group which operates in about 10 countries with interests in agriculture to insurance, transport, logistics and the food industry, was snatched as he entered the gym of a hotel in the city.

"Initial information indicates he was kidnapped by whites travelling in two vehicles," regional governor Paul Makonda told journalists, adding that "this kind of incident is new here." Dar es Salaam police chief Lazaro Mambosasa also implicated foreigners in the crime, telling a press conference the assailants had "shot into the air" before bustling Dewji into their car.

"Three people have already been arrested but we can't divulge their identity for the moment," he said. Dewji was born in Tanzania and studied at Georgetown

Mohammed Dewji

University in the United States. He also served as a member of parliament from 2005 to 2015. In 2013, he became the first Tanzanian to grace the cover of Forbes magazine and was named Forbes Africa Person of the Year in 2015.

Dewji is also the main shareholder in Tanzania's Simba FC football club.

According to Forbes he is 17th on the list of

Africa's billionaires, and worth $1.5 billion (1.29 billion euros).

Dewji is married with three children. In 2016 he signed a pledge to donate at least half of his fortune to philanthropic causes, according to Forbes.

Family offers reward for information Dewji family has reportedly offered a reward for information leading to his rescue.

According to reports, Dewji's family said that they were willing to give a reward of $4,44,000 to anyone with information about his whereabouts.

Reports over the weekend said that at least 20 people had been arrested as police pressed a manhunt for him. "Until now, 20 people have been arrested," Interior Minister Kangi Lugola told reporters, without giving any detail on their identities. "Security forces are working day and night" to find him.

Officials implicated the involvement of foreigners, saying he was taken by "whites".

British couple gets drunk and buys hotel in Lanka COLOMBO: A British couple after a night of partying and alcohol in Sri Lanka made a crazy decision of buying a hotel. They bought a a hotel for Rs 29,00,000 while honeymooning in Sri Lanka. According to reports, Gina Lyons, 33, and Mark Lee, 35, were on a three week backpacking honeymoon to Sri Lanka in December 2017. On their very first night, after drinking multiple glasses of rum, the pair learnt that the

hotel's lease was about to expire. After finding out that the lease was £10,000 for a year, the couple immediately decided to take up the lease of the hotel they were staying at for £30,000 or Rs 29,00,000. The lease extends for a period of three years.

The next day the pair met an old couple to talk about renewing the lease. However, not understanding much of the conversation, the couple filled the conversation with

more drinks before eventually agreeing to pay £15,000 for the first year and the rest by March 2019. Thus Mark and Gina became the official owners of the hotel on July 1 this year, renaming it the 'Lucky Beach Tangalle'. While the couple's friends and family think they made a stupid decision, the gamble seems to have paid off as the hotel now has several customers and is doing well.

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Maldives court rejects Yameen's secret witnesses COLOMBO: The Maldives Supreme Court has refused to call secret witnesses and concluded hearing in President Abdulla Yameen’s petition to annul the September 23 election. The president’s lawyers wanted testimony from three unnamed witnesses who would confess to conspiring with Elections Commission chief Ahmed Shareef to tamper with ballots. But the full bench ruled unanimously the witnesses were inadmissible.

After hearing closing arguments, Chief Justice Dr Ahmed Abdulla Didi said a judgment would be delivered at the next hearing. He did not announce a date. “We noted that these are conspiracy theories based on a lot of allegations and possibilities,” joint opposition lawyer Hisaan Hussain told the press. There was no evidence to substantiate the claims, she stressed.

Yameen sought a Supreme Court order for fresh polls despite conceding hours after provisional results were announced. He asked the court to order police to examine ballot papers. During hearings over the past

Abdulla Yameen

two days, lawyers representing the Elections Commission and joint opposition mocked the claims of pen rings, disappearing ink and chemically treated ballot papers.

“What this conspiracy theory is missing is a flying carpet,” Hisaan told the court.

According to the president’s lawyers, a pen with disappearing ink was left at the voting booth and elections officials used a ring with a secret pen to discreetly mark blank

ballot papers. The officials were alleged to have used the pen rings while unfolding and counting ballots, which took place in front of observers, media monitors and candidate representatives.

A chemical was also applied to make the checkmark disappear in the square next to Yameen’s name whilst a checkmark was printed in the other square and hidden with a special mineral layer. The hidden checkmark reappears when “heat pressure such as folding the paper is applied.”

Suspicion was cast on the local company that won the bid to print ballot papers. M7 Print’s shareholders include Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim’s children, it was noted. The EC awarded the bid unfairly, lawyers argued, alleging collusion and breaches of public finance rules.

Other complaints included lack of security for storing ballots, failure to use UV lights for verification at some polling stations, and the shifting of the national complaints bureau office. But none of the complaints was raised by the ruling party on polling day.

Turkeminstan-AfghanistanPakistan-India pipeline Asif Haroon Raja Till recent, the TurkmenistanAfghanistan-PakistanIndia (TAPI) gas pipeline project was seen as a pipedream, but it has suddenly turned into a reality and apparently its completion is not too far.

Turkmenistan which will deliver the gas has invested $ 25 billion, of which $15 billion is for gas field development and $10 billion for laying the pipeline. This project is likely to be completed by 2020, and made operational in 2024. Gas will be provided for next 25 years and its price will be 20% cheaper than Brent crude. Japanese, Chinese and some other companies have won contracts for gas field and pipeline.

The 56 inches diameter TAPI gas pipeline project will transport 3.2 billion cubic ft of gas annually from the Galkynysh gas fields in Turkmenistan, with 16% earmarked for Afghanistan, and 42% each for Pakistan and India.

The 1814 km long TAPI gas pipeline project after passing through Afghanistan (Herat, Farah, Nimroz, Helmand, Kandahar),

will enter Pakistan at Chaman. The 820 km long Pakistan section pipeline will traverse through Qila Abdullah, Pishin, Ziarat, Loralai and Musakhel districts in Balochistan; and Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Multan, Khanewal, Vehari, Pakpattan and Okara districts in Punjab. From Chaman, one branch will veer towards Pasni along Mekran Coast. Pipeline will journey through 17 districts including 8 in Baluchistan and 9 in Punjab. From Punjab, it will then home into India at Fazilka.

The $7.4 billion IPI line envisaged transporting 5.4 Billion cubic feet (Bcf) Iranian natural gas to Pakistan and India.

From South Pars, the pipeline stretched over 1,100 km within Iran before entering Pakistan, travelling through Khuzdar. One section was to run through Karachi, and the main section going through Multan to the Indian border (760 km), thereafter travelling 860 km to Delhi.

While Iran completed the process of pipe laying inside its territory, Pakistan couldn’t do its bit due to lack of funds, fear of USA

and reservations on gas charges.

The TAPI agreement was signed by Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan at Ashgabat in 2010. The project was held up due to insecurity in Afghanistan.

TAPI project was given a go-ahead signal in February 2018 by four partners including India after settling transit dues and each member promising to contribute $500 million. Saudi backed Asian Development Bank pledged to provide $750 million. Trump administration support the project.

While Turkmenistan will be the major beneficiary since it would supply gas to three countries, Afghanistan will be next beneficiary since it would earn $420 million royalty per annum. Pakistan will be the third beneficiary since it would also be charging transit fee from India.

Conclusion. Till such time Afghanistan becomes peaceful and Kashmir issue is resolved, TAPI project will remain a pipedream.

The writer is a retired Brig, war veteran, defence analyst, columnist, author of five books, Vice Chairman TFP, Director Measac Research Centre. asifharoonraja@gmail.com

Gandhi statue isn’t welcome in Malawi LILONGWE: A group of over 3,000 young activists in Malawi have signed an online petition calling for the Malawian and Indian governments to halt the construction of the Mahatma Gandhi statue. The group argues Gandhi has no direct connection to Malawians as he is not known to a majority of the locals. The group claims Gandhi, who is revered for his role in India’s independence, was a racist. “He (Gandhi) did not like the idea that Africans and Indians were given the same entrance at work. He actually fought for Indians to have their separate entrance away from Africans,” says the group.

Racist record Gandhi’s legacy and track record on race relations has taken a beating over the last few years, particularly in Africa, even as the Indian government under Narendra Modi seems keen to champion his well-established reputation as an influential pioneer of peaceful protest and activism around the

world. In a recent book by Ashwin Desai and Goolam Vahed, professors at the University of Johannesburg and the University of Kwazulu Natal, reveal that Gandhi was an ardent racist who thought Africans were “Kaffirs.” Kaffir is a racial slur which was used to denigrate Africans during the colonial times. When Gandhi was in South Africa, in the early 1900s, he repudiated the colonialist structure that placed Indians and black Africans in the same class bracket apart from Europeans.

One of the local young activists against the erection of the Gandhi statue in Blantyre, Mkotama Willie Katenga Kaunda says he found it appalling the Malawi government disregards literature which paints Gandhi as a racist. The Malawi government released a statement insisting it is important to understand the construction of the Gandhi statue is aimed at recognizing the outstanding role that Mahatma Gandhi played in Malawi and India.

This is not the first time that a Gandhi statue has sparked controversy on an African soil, just two years ago, a Gandhi statue was banished from a Ghana university campus with similar sentiments that Gandhi was a racist.

Back in April 2015, a A statue of Mahatma Gandhi Gandhi statue in is seen after it was vandalJ o h a n n e s b u r g ’ s ized with white paint at Mahatma Gandhi Gandhi Square in Square was defaced Johannesburg April 13, 2015. with white paint. In South Africa, where as a young lawyer he started his early non-violent civil disobedience work (1893-1914), Gandhi’s statue was caught up in a wider movement against colonialist iconography such as Cecil Rhodes.

in brief IN FIRST SUCH CASE, A CHINESE SPY IS EXTRADITED TO US A Chinese intelligence official was arrested in Belgium and extradited to the US to face espionage charges, justice department officials said. The extradition of Yanjun Xu, a deputy division director in China’s main spy agency, the ministry of state security, is the first time that a Chinese intelligence official has been brought to the US to be prosecuted and tried in open court. Law enforcement officials said that Xu tried to steal trade secrets from companies, including GE Aviation in Ohio, one of the world’s top jet engine suppliers for commercial and military aircraft. The indictment details what appears to be a dramatic international sting operation to lure Xu to what he believed was a meeting in Belgium to obtain proprietary information about jet fan blade designs from a GE Aviation employee, only to be met by Belgian authorities and put on a plane to the US.

HURRICANE MICHAEL KILLS 17 IN US The death toll from hurricane Michael, one of the most powerful storms to make landfall in the US mainland, has increased to 17, with coastal Florida cities damaged beyond recognition, and homes, businesses and agriculture torn or swamped from Georgia to Virginia. More than 1 million people were left without electricity, and emergency officials have no access to many towns, CNN reported on Saturday. The toll is also expected to climb as search and rescue efforts continue. "I expect the fatality count to rise as we get through the debris," Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Brock Long said. The 17 victims comprised eight from Florida, five in Virginia, three in North Carolina and a child in Georgia. Michael made landfall in the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday as a Category 4 hurricane - the strongest on record to hit the area.

UN CHIEF VISITS INDONESIA QUAKE, TSUNAMI SURVIVORS UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres visited the survivors of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit the Indonesian island of Sulawesi killing 2,073 people.

Accompanied by Indonesia's Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Guterres examined the damage caused by the September 28 disaster in the city of Palu. More than 75 per cent of the 2,073 fatalities, according to the latest official data, occurred in this city where giant tsunami waves caused havoc to areas located hundreds of meters from the coast.

The UN chief also plans to visit Palu's Balaroa neighbourhood, where thousands of homes were swallowed up by land liquefaction, a phenomenon that occurs when a strong shaking, such as that of an earthquake took place.

STORM KILLS 9 CLIMBERS ON NEPAL MOUNTAIN Nine climbers, including five South Korean nationals, who were part of a trekking expedition, were killed after a snowstorm destroyed their base camp on a Himalayan peak in western Nepal, the police said.

Wangchu Sherpa of Trekking Camp Nepal said that five Korean climbers, including their team leader Kim Chang-ho, were killed when the storm struck their camp on Mount Gurja on Friday evening. Kim Chang-ho was the fastest person to summit the world's 14 highest mountains without using supplemental oxygen. Other four climbers were Nepali. All the dead people were identified by the authorities, the report said.

The heavy snowstorm followed by a landslide buried the base camp when the climbers were awaiting a fair weather to head towards the high camp, Sherpa quoted the eyewitnesses as saying.

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in brief NEW PAK ISI CHIEF Lieutenant General Asim Munir has been appointed as the new Director General of InterServices Intelligence (ISI). The Army Promotion Board approved the promotions of six generals in place of five generals who retired on October 1.

Munir previously served as DG Military Intelligence. According to another report, Lt Gen Muhammad Adnan was appointed as the new vice chief of the general staff while Lt Gen Nadeem Zaki was also assigned as commander of Mangla Corps. In addition to these assignments, three other officers were assigned to staff positions at the General Headquarters (GHQ). Lt Gen Azhar Saleh Abbasi was appointed as chief of logistics staff, Lt Gen Abdul Aziz as the new military secretary and Lt Gen Waseem Ashraf as IG Arms.

PAK HC JUDGE SACKED A senior Pakistani judge, who was in line to become the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court next month, was sacked for his controversial statement that the country’s powerful spy agency ISI was manipulating judicial proceedings to get favourable decisions. The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) had recommended to remove Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, who was facing a case of alleged misconduct over his speech targeting the InterServices Intelligence (ISI). He was sacked by Pakistan President Arif Alvi. Justice Siddiqui while addressing the Rawalpindi District Bar Association on July 21 had alleged that the ISI was manipulating judicial proceedings to constitute panel of judges to get favourable decisions. The army had asked the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take the notice of the remarks after IHC Chief Justice, Anwar Kansi rejected the allegations against Siddique. The Supreme Court after hearing the case issued its decision asking Prime Minister Imran Khan to remove Siddique as his conduct was unbecoming of a judge.

PAKISTAN-BANGLADESH

Pak ready to share details of CPEC debts with IMF for bailout package ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is ready to share details of the debt related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with the IMF, Finance Minister Asad Umar has said while rejecting the US' view that China-funded projects were to blame for the cash-strapped country's current economic woes.

Speaking to the media here on his return from Indonesia where he requested International Monetary Fund's Managing Director Christine Lagarde for a bailout package for Pakistan, Umar said the decision to approach the global lender was taken after consultations with friendly countries. The IMF team, Umar said, was scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on November 7 to negotiate the programme, likely to span over a three-year period. He said Pakistan's current year debt repayments were about USD 9 billion but obviously it would not entirely be available from the IMF. IMF requires absolute transparency Lagarde has made it clear that the IMF would require absolute transparency on Pakistan's debts, including those

owned by China under the USD 50 billion CPEC. Umar, however, rejected the US State Department's statement, suggesting that the debt accrued on the CPEC projects was to blame for Pakistan's current economic crisis. The US said that the huge Chinese debt was responsible for the economic challenges in Pakistan, adding that it will review Islamabad's bailout plea to the IMF from all angles, including the country's debt position.

"We understand that Pakistan has formally requested assistance from the IMF. In all cases, we examine that closely from all angles of it, including Pakistan's debt position, in evaluating any type of loan programme," State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert had said, adding this is something the US has been tracking fairly closely.

Responding to a question, Nauert said; "The secretary (of state Mike Pompeo) had spoken about this a few months back, I know, in some interviews not that long ago. I think part of the reason that Pakistan found itself in this situation is Chinese debt, and the fact that there is debt

that governments have incurred that they maybe thought wouldn't be so tough to bail themselves out of, but has become increasingly tough."

Umar said the US was a key stakeholder in the IMF with about 16.5 per cent votes but enjoyed no veto power in its decision making that required majority 51 per cent votes. He said no government in Pakistan irrespective of any political background could compromise

on national security and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government, too, would not opt for an IMF programme if conditionalities are of that nature.

But Umar said the government would have to take difficult decisions that would be painful for people but necessary under international commitments to get out of the current severe economic situation.

VACANCY Job Title:

Traditional Advaita Vedanta & Sanskrit Teacher Company:

Arsha Vidya UK – A non-profit organisation Website: http://arshavidya.org.uk/ Job Description:

There is a need to recruit and retain a fully qualified, expert teacher of Traditional Advaita Vedanta and Sanskrit who knows and follows fully and correctly the methodology of unfolding Advaita Vedanta as enshrined in the parampara (lineage) of the great Indian scholar Adi Shankaracharya.

The successful candidate, who may now be living as a monk, must have completed a full long-term course in Swami Dayananda Saraswati’s ashram in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. He or she must be fully fluent in written and spoken English and Sanskrit, proficient in giving lectures, in clarifying doubts and in helping guide serious seekers in attaining the full vision of reality as revealed in the Upanishads, the end portion of the Vedas. The candidate will need to be able to provide proper and complete advice on spiritual matters to individual seekers.

Having already gained and assimilated the full Upanishadic vision of reality, the candidate will naturally be living in accord with the highest moral, ethical and religious standards and values. The candidate must also be able to inspire and guide others to live in accord with those same standards and values.

Other factors and requirements: A Criminal Records Bureau check may be required.

A CV and suitable references are required.

The role will be based in London and may occasionally involve overseas travel.

All living and travel expenses will be fully met by Arsha Vidya UK Applications: Email a CV, References and a covering letter to either admin@arshavidya.org.uk or chairman@arshavidya.org.uk Closing Date for applications: 31st October 2018

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in brief

SOUTH INDIA

HC DISMISSES WOMAN'S CLAIM OF BEING JAYA'S DAUGHTER

Probe ordered into alleged corruption by TN CM CHENNAI: Madras High Court has ordered a CBI probe into allegations of corruption in award of road contracts by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami.

Justice AD Jagadish Chandira ordered the probe after studying the report filed by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption following a petition by DMK against the chief minister. The court said it was not satisfied with the report and the action taken by the DVAC on the complaint lodged by DMK organising secretary RS Bharathi. The judge then directed the vigilance agency to hand over all relevant documents to the CBI within a week.

E Palaniswami

He said the central agency has to conclude the preliminary investigation within three months, adding if a prima facie case is made out, it could proceed further. The DMK has

alleged irregularities and corruption in award of road contracts, accusing EPS of abusing his power and allotting projects worth £350 million to his relatives and “benamis”. The

petitioner originally wanted the court to direct the DVAC to conduct a preliminary inquiry and register an FIR on its complaint submitted in June. He later, moved an additional plea seeking transfer of the probe to an independent investigating team, saying the DVAC was technically under the chief minister.

The court had directed the DVAC to file a report on the dayto-day preliminary investigation conducted by it against Palaniswami on the complaint.

During the October 9 hearing, counsel for the petitioner said the party had lost confidence in the DVAC as the agency had been “supporting” the chief minister all along.

PUNJAB-HARYANA

Sidhu's Pakistan, Tamil Nadu comment sparks row CHANDIGARH: Less than two months after creating a controversy for hugging Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Navjot Singh Sidhu has stirred up yet another contention by drawing an unwarranted cultural analogy between Pakistan and South India. Speaking at a literary festival in Kasol, Sidhu said, “If I go to Tamil Nadu, I don't understand the language. Not that I don't like the food, but I can't take it for long. That culture is totally different. But if I travel to Pakistan there is no difficulty. The language is the same and everything there is just amazing.”

The comparison was trying to highlight the cultural affinity Punjab shares with Pakistan,

Navjot Singh Sidhu

however, to say the Punjab Tourism and Culture Minister failed miserably would be a gross understatement. By comparing the sensitive lingual divide issue, Sidhu compounded his troubles.

He also clarified his hug saying,

“My jhappi was no conspiracy, it was no Rafale deal... If somebody tells me that they are ready to open the Kartarpur corridor. I mean they said it 400 times that we are ready to open the corridor then this is the way I

show affection. I will hug and also kiss them. I care two hoots about people who play dirty politics on that. I have lived my life on my terms.'

Sidhu was on a visit to Pakistan to attend the oathtaking ceremony of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on August 18. It was during this visit that Sidhu hugged Bajwa and faced the ire of not only the BJP, but also his own Congress party.

He claimed that Pakistan was considering a proposal to provide free access to Sikh devotees to a historic gurdwara just three km inside Pakistan.

However, later, both the Indian and Pakistani governments confirmed that “no formal communication” took place on Kartarpur corridor issue.

WEST BENGAL

BJP leader claims his phones are being tapped

SC refuses to stay puja grant, seeks Mamata govt's explanation

KOLKATA: BJP leader Mukul Roy has accused the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal of “illegally tapping” his phones after two audio clips of his purported telephonic conversation with his party general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya were circulated on social media.

He said, “I have already moved the court against tapping of my phones. The matter is now sub judice. But I would say one thing that if you are tapping someone's telephone, it is totally illegal and immoral.” He has filed a case in Delhi High Court. In one audio clip, Roy purportedly asked Vijavargiya to speak to BJP president Amit Shah and ensure that CBI keeps a watch on four IPS officers to “scare them”. In a second audio clip, that has gone viral too, Roy purportedly tells him that a journalist who worked the Narada sting operation told him about a documentary that will “finish” the Trinamool Congress.

NEW DELHI: Responding to a petition, the Supreme Court has refused to block a Rs 10,000 grant to all Durga Puja committees in West Bengal. It, however, added that the Mamata Banerjee government would have to explain the matter in a detailed affidavit within six weeks. The West Bengal government has said the funds, to be given to 3,000 Durga Puja committees in Kolkata and 25,000 across the districts, were meant for a road safety programme. The petition, however, contended that the government was using public money for religious purposes, flouting the principles of secularism.

The petitioner also alleged that the money was being “distributed through the police” against all norms. Representing the WB government, senior Supreme Court advocate Kapil Sibal said all funds are being given only through cheques and it will be accounted for. State BJP president Dilip Ghosh has accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of trying to divide the people along religious lines by giving out doles during festivals. He said the CM was facing the

The Madras High Court had dismissed a petition of a woman claiming she was the biological daughter of late chief minister Jayalalithaa. Justice S Vaidyanathan, who dismissed the petition, said that since the woman could not establish she was the biological daughter, there was no question of the court allowing her to perform the last rites for Jaya as per Vaishnavite rituals, as requested. The judge dismissed the petition of S Amrutha, 38, of Bengaluru, and her relatives LS Lalitha and Ranjani Ravindranath. The judge said that Puranas dictate, dead people have the right to privacy and their souls should not be disturbed, “as they have immortal life after their death”. He added, “In this case, though we are able to see a lot of twists and turns, creating moments of excitement and anxiousness that alone cannot be sufficient to arrive at a definite conclusion in the absence of any supporting documents thereof.”

MUSLIM BOY WINS QUIZ ON GITA When a branch of ISKCON in Bengaluru organised a quiz on the Bhagavad Gita, a Muslim youngster took home the first prize. Shaik Mohiuddin, a class 9 student of Subhash Memorial English High School, believes all religions are equal. His teachers say he won a lot of prizes in inter-school competitions, but winning this quiz was special. "They asked questions on Krishna's life and his teachings. I knew the answers.

The Bhagavad Gita gives guidance in life.

Every holy book teaches you how to respect your parents, teachers and ways to lead a peaceful and happy life. I am glad I made my parents proud," Shaik said. Sahiba Mohammadi, his mother, said, "We are very happy. We wish the best for him. He should know about all religions."

LIFE TERM FOR SELF-STYLED GODMAN RAMPAL A Hisar court has awarded life imprisonment to controversial self-styled godman Rampal and his 27 supporters in two murder cases. Rampal, who enjoys a huge fan following, is currently lodged at Hisar's Central Jail. Rampal and 27 of his followers were booked on charges of murder and wrongful confinement after four women and a child were found dead in Satlok Ashram in Barwala town of Hisar on November 19, 2014. It followed police action to arrest him after a clash of his followers with local residents. Rampal is the founder of Satlok Ashram, a socio-spiritual movement. His sect prohibits temple visits, idol worship, untouchability, adultery and "vulgar singing and dancing," among other things. According to Rampal, the Hindu trinity along with their parents have misled people into illusion instead of the worship of Sat Purush (the ultimate god).

PREGNANT WOMAN GANGRAPED IN BENGAL

“anger of the Hindus” and trying to pacify them.

The statement came in reference to the government's decision over the last two years, when Vijaya Dashami coincided with Muharram, to restrict the timings of Durga idol immersion so it would not clash with tazia processions. The issue reached the apex court after the Calcutta High Court refused to intervene, on October 10, within the state government's decision. The court said the legislature is the best forum to bring up the issue and agreed to intervene later if needed.

A pregnant woman was raped by three men at her home in West Bengal’s industrial town of Asansol, said police. The 28-year-old woman was alone at her home when three men knocked at the door and she thought her husband had returned from work. The men barged in and took turns to assault her, police said. The woman’s husband, a motor mechanic, found her unconscious when he returned home. “A case of gangrape was registered.

The woman told us that one of the culprits is a local man called Kuldip Singh. She didn’t know the other two,” said Laxminarayan Meena, Commissioner of Asansol Durgapur Police. The woman has given a confidential statement to a court and a medical test has confirmed she was raped, said police officers.

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HERITAGE HISTORY

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

25

20 - 26 October 2018

The 35th Martyrdom Day of PM Indira Gandhi • Ignoring Vajpayee, RSS Chief Sudarshan called her “ great leader” • As a Prime Minister, she never accepted dictates from USA or USSR I

ncidentally, India’s first Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s official birthday, 31 October, is also the martyrdom day of his daughter-like Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India. The daughter of the first PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Priyadarshini - dear to behold - was shot by two of her security guards on 31 October 1984 at 9.20 a.m. as she was walking from her residence to her office. Riddled by bullets, she fell mortally wounded to the earth, surrounded by growing plants. She fell close to grove of kadamb saplings she had planted that rainy season, after the June tragedy in Punjab. She had ordered an Indian military operation, Operation Blue Star, which was carried out between 1 and 8 June 1984, to remove militant religious leader Jarnail Singh Bhinderanwale and his armed followers from the buildings of the Harmandir Sahib complex in Amritsar. Immediately after her death, the Sikh President of India, Zail Singh, got her son Rajiv Gandhi sworn in as the Prime Minister. Smt. Gandhi’s death led to the killings of more than 3,000 Sikhs in Delhi. Rajiv too was blasted off in 1991 by the LTTE militants at Sriperumbudur.

Indira was born at Allahabad on 19 November 1917. It was the year of the Russian Revolution. She was the only child of her parents, Jawaharlal and Kamla Nehru.

Nehru family was a family of freedom fighters and right from her grandfather, Motilal Nehru to Indira Nehru Gandhi were jailed

of the President of Congress in 1959, followed by her induction in the Union Ministry, she was elected as the Prime Minister in 1966 for the first time. She could change her image of being a “Goongi Gudia”( dumb doll) to “the only man in the Cabinet”.

Indira could establish grip over the

Indira Gandhi with husband Feroze Gandhi

during the freedom movement.

She got married to a Zoroastrian, Feroze Gandhi, in 1942, went to Kashmir for honeymoon for two months and on return Indira had to go to jail when Gandhiji gave a call of “Quit India” in August 1942 along with most of the Congress leaders, including Gandhiji, Kasturba, Pandit Nehru, Sardar Patel, Maniben and Maulana Azad. They were sent to jail by British authorities. As her married life turned out to be traumatic, she focused more on politics.

Having been elected to the post

party by “using” senior leaders like K. Kamraj and industrial magnates like K. K. Birla.

She got rid of her own Deputy PM Morarji Desai, who was also the Union Minister in her father’s cabinet, managed to get her own nominee V. V. Giri elected to the post of the President of India at the cost of making the official candidate, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, loose and splitting the party in 1969.

When PM Indira Gandhi was disqualified as the elected Member of Parliament from Rae Barelly

PM Nehru with his only daughter Indu

of Editors Guild of India, records after losing the court case in this in his most talked about Allahabad High Court in 1975, she NDTV interview with Sudarshan was keen to resign as the Prime in “Walk The Talk: Decoding Minister but was persuaded by her Politicians”. His book carries the “kitchen cabinet”(Siddharth NDTV interview of Sonia Gandhi, Shankar Ray, Rajani Patel and H. R. her daughter-in-law and former Gokhale) to impose the Emergency President of Indian National and even extend the term of the Lok Sabha for one year.

During 19-month long Emergency, she imprisoned most of the opposition leaders but declared the Lok Sabha elections in January 1977.

When the elections were held, not only the Congress lost but PM Indira Gandhi along with her younger son, Sanjay Gandhi, both the villains of the Emergency, were defeated from their own seats.

“Shrimati Indira Gandhi had one good quality of not being pressurized by anyone.

But she was self-centred.

Whatever she did was aimed at PM Indira Gandhi with son Rajiv Gandhi Congress (INC) saying: “There is keeping herself in power,” K.S. no way we can say the Emergency Sudarshan, an arch-enemy of was right and-as Indira Gandhi Nehru family and the God-father herself said- It wasn’t right.” of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) told Indira Gandhi may be called a Shekhar Gupta on 17 April 2005 at dictator or an autocrat, but she was RSS headquarters, Nagapur. groomed by her father to fight and The late RSS Sarsanghachalak her killer’s instinct made her stage Next Column: a comeback in power in just a gap Swami Dayananda Sarswati of three years even after losing 1977 elections. Even when the cowon 1857 belt or a Hindi belt discarded her leadership, the Southern India (Chief) considered Smt. Gandhi stood by her. She returned to the “among our great leaders” adding, Lok Sabha from Chikmagluru, “I don’t think Vajpayee has done Karnataka. Incidentally, when this anything great.” Gupta, the then writer started working as a Editor-in-Chief of Indian Express political correspondent with the Group and presently the Chairman

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Hindi section of Hindusthan Samachar, a National News Agency at Mumbai, almost the very first assignment was Smt. Gandhi to interact with her at Santacruz Airport VIP Lounge!

She was on her way to Chikmangaluru after losing her Rae Barelly seat in U.P. After all Smt. Gandhi was a human being. She always felt lonely even among the crowds.

Her father and mother never had a happy life together. She herself lost her husband at an early age.

Her younger son, Sanjay, died in an accident leaving her to drag her elder pilot son, Rajiv, to be on her side in the political life despite her Italy born wife, Sonia, not in favour of joining politics.

Smt. Pupul Jaykar has presented the real Indira in her first ever biography “Indira Gandhi: A Biography”. It was Smt. Gandhi who in the '70s first asked Smt. Jayakar to write her biography. Says Smt. Jayakar: "She was prepared not only to help me, but to spend time with me to enable me to understand the contradictions that made her life so complex and obscure." It was in 1986 that she decided to write the biography.

As a Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi maintained as a top leader of the NonA l i g n m e n t Movement (NAM), her father had nourished.

Never accepted dictates from USA or USSR then. One would be tempted to give due credit to her for her contribution in the liberation of Eastern Pakistan making her the Bangladesh in 1971. Under her leadership, the State of Sikkim was merged with India following the referendum in 1975. She never compromised the national interests and could never be bullied by the Super-powers. Every ruler has some drawbacks or weaknesses but it is a time to pay tribute to such a great leader of India evaluating her contribution.

Dr. Hari Desai (The writer is a Socio-political Historian.

E-mail: haridesai@gmail.com)

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26 INDIA

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20 - 26 October 2018

Massive protest in Kerala over SC's Sabarimala verdict A massive procession, including activists, and political party workers made their way to Kerala capital Thiruvananthapuram to protest against the Supreme Court verdict allowing women of all age groups entry into the Sabarimala temple. Bharatiya Janata Party activists, women and children, marched to the secretariat chanting mantras to invoke Lord Ayyappa. Carrying placards and pictures of the deity, protesters overflowed from the premises, despite the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) convening a meeting of various stakeholders of the shrine including the Tantri family, Pandalam royals, and Ayyappa Seva Sangam.

Protesters demanded that the Kerala government file a review petition in the Supreme Court against the September 28 judgment, stating the centuries-old traditions of the shrine should be restored. Simultaneously, a protest march was held from Kerala House to Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Senior BJP leader Muralidhar Rao has, meanwhile, threatened the Pinarayi Vijayan government saying, “CM will be responsible for anything that happens, if he doesn't file review petition.”

The ruling Kerala government remains reluctant to give in to the demands. The BJP alleges that the attempt to implement the judgment was a “conspiracy” to destroy the hillock shrine, where millions of people from all over the country

and abroad visit during the threemonth-long pilgrimage season beginning mid-November.

The march saw senior NDA leaders in the forefront, including actorturned-MP, Suresh Gopi, and Bharatiya Dharma Jana Sena chief Thushar Vellappally. BJP state president PS Sreedharan Pillai said if the state government failed to resolve the issue at the earliest, the BJP-NDA's agitation would take a new turn. “We will meet each villager in Kerala and chalk out a massive agitation plan to protect the Sabarimala Temple, its centuries-old traditions and the sentiments of Lord Ayyappa devotees.”

Opening on October 17, the Sabarimala Temple would be closed on October 22, after the five-day monthly pooja of Malayalam month of 'Thulam'. The BJP has threatened that if the CPI(M)-led LDF government does not find a solution in the next 24 hours, the party-led NDA would chalk out a “massive” agitation plan. Other leaders like Pravin Togadia also called for a hartal on October 18, if the state government

Kohinoor was surrendered to British, declares ASI An RTI response reveals that the fabled Indian diamond, Kohinoor, was “surrendered” by the then Maharaja of Lahore to Queen Victoria and not gifted.

The RTI, filed by activist Rohit Sabharwal, questioned the basis of the transfer of Kohinoor to the United Kingdom. Clueless as to whom to address the RTI, he forwarded it to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), which was then sent it to the ASI for a credible response.

The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) wrote, “As per the records, the Lahore Treaty held between Lord Dalhousie and Maharaja Duleep Singh in 1849, the Kohinoor diamond was surrendered by the Maharaja of Lahore to the Queen of England.” It added, “The gem called Kohinoor which was taken from the

Shah-Suja-Ul-Mulk by Maharaja Ranjeet Singh shall be surrendered by the Maharaja of Lahore to the Queen of England.” The report also cited that the diamond was “taken away by the British” when Duleep Singh was just a minor.

It should be noted that Duleep Singh was barely nine years old when the treaty was signed. The RTI response comes in stark contrast to the government's statement two years ago claiming the diamond was gifted to the British Empire. The Kohinoor ended up in the British Crown Jewels by the mid-1800s, and remains there to this date. Currently, both India and Pakistan are trying to retrieve the diamond back from the UK government, despite steady refusals from the latter.

Saudi Arabia to supply extra crude oil to India as Iran sanctions loom Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Khalid alFalih has stated that strengthening relations with Delhi is a strategic priority for Riyadh.

He said it stands committed to meeting all of New Delhi's energy needs, including oil.

World's largest oil exporter, the country is set to supply Indian buyers with an additional four million barrels of crude oil in November, as per sources familiar to the matter. The extra cargoes stress on the willingness by the country to increase crude supply to make up for the shortfall once sanctions by the United States on oil exports from Iran, start on November 4.

Sources said companies like Reliance Industries Ltd, Hindustan Petroleum Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp, and Mangalore Refinery Petrochemicals Ltd are seeking an additional 1 million barrels each in November from Saudi. Indian refiners have placed orders to buy 9 million barrels from Iran in November. One of the reasons for the additional demand for Saudi oil is also the crude arbitrage from the United States is shut, prompting Indian buyers to turn to Middle Eastern barrels. The world's thirdlargest oil importer, India is currently grappling with a combination of rising oil prices and falling local currency, making oil imports more expensive.

Retail prices for gasoline and diesel fuel

implemented the Supreme Court's verdict.

In the meantime, temple authorities have expressed their inability to implement the apex court's order. It is reported that women devotees are being stopped at Nilakkal, and dragged out of buses in an effort to stop them from approaching the base camp. The Kerala CM said, “We will not allow anyone to take law and order in their hands. The government will ensure facilities to devotees to go to Sabarimala temple and offer prayers. The government will not submit a review petition. We've said in court that we'll implement the order.”

BJP govt issues Gujarat Card for NRGs The Gujarat State Non-Resident Gujaratis' Foundation (NRGF) has launched the Gujarat Card- a distinctive identity connecting every NRG with their motherland. Issued only for the nonresident Gujarati diaspora, the card is issued for a fee of $5 for NRI and Rs 224 for NRG. All non-resident people of Gujarati origin and their immediate family members are eligible to apply for the card.

The Gujarat Card is a state government initiative for people of Gujarati origin living abroad and in other states of India. The card renders special value privileges extended solely to NRGs. Gujarat Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja released an official statement saying, “Gujaratis living abroad and in other parts of the country can apply online for the state's 'Gujarat Card.”

According to the current practice, NRGs had to apply for a Gujarat Card by submitting the application forms and other documents in person when they visited Gujarat.

Jadeja said, “Now they can do it online, and the card will be posted to the address mentioned by them.” He said that the purpose of the card was to allow people to

participate in the progress of the state and also resolve their issues with the government. Possession of the card also certifies the card holder to be a genuine NRG, and is provided priority support and assistance at all NRG Centres established by the NRGF, and local Gujarat government offices such as the Collectorate or the Police.

Gujarat Card holders can also avail exceptional discounts at 756 venues including prestigious hotels, garment stores, jewelry shops, major hospitals, and more.

To obtain this card, visit www.nri.gujarat.gov.in and fill up the application form with all required documents.

16 month old can't stop feeling hungry Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih addresing the India Energy Forum in New Delhi.

in India stand at record high and the government has cut its excise tax on fuel to ease some of the pressure built on consumers.

Indian Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said he spoke with alFalih and reminded him that OPEC and other major oil producers had promised to raise their output at a meeting in June. India imports approximately 25 million barrels per month from Saudi Arabia.

Al-Falih, who was in India last week, said, “I had a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and assured them of our full and continuing commitment to meet India's energy demands, especially in oil, and to invest in India.’’

An Amritsar-based 16 month old kid weighing 4st faces great health risks as her growing weight puts unbearable pressure on her limbs. Chahat Kumar lives with a rare medical condition that keeps her perpetually hungry. Born weighing less than 7lb, her parents used to feed her portions of chapati and vegetable curry suitable for a ten-year-old to satisfy her constant demands for food. However, now, they have put her on a diet of three meals a day consisting of a chapati and a bowl of lentil soup.

Her father, Suraj, said, “She is so fat she cannot stand for more than 20 seconds. We cannot take her anywhere. Her mother has to be home always. It is impossible to walk with her even for a few metres. We have to

borrow a motorcycle to take her to hospitals.” The toddler started gaining weight rapidly at four months. Alarm bells rang for Suraj and wife Reena, 22, when their child hit 2st 5lb at six months. “We took her to several local doctors who couldn't understand why she was fat. Although they all concluded she was unusual,” Suraj said.

Her story made it to the local press and the state government offered her free treatment at a medical institute in Chandigarh. Chahat was diagnosed with leptin deficiency disease, a type of condition that restricts the brain signals that give the feeling of being full. While it can be treated with hormones, doctors are unable to obtain them and are trying to find a supplier from abroad.

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

27

20 - 26 October 2018

Trainee barber, 24, whose skin rashes and constant itching were dismissed as eczema is now battling blood cancer Kaiser Khan dropped out of university when his itching became unbearable A trainee barber whose rash and persistent itching were dismissed as eczema for 17 months was actually suffering from blood cancer.

Kaiser Khan, now 24, was diagnosed with eczema in January 2015 after breaking out in unbearably itchy spots all over his body shortly after he started at Liverpool John Moores University.

After trying several prescribed eczema medication and home remedy available, Mr Khan was eventually forced to drop out of his course when the painful itching became unbearable.

More than a year after the itching began, Mr Khan started to develop constant sweating, extreme weight loss and even coughing up blood, which nearly drove him to suicide.

After insisting on a second opinion, he was eventually diagnosed with stage 4B Hodgkin's Lymphoma in January 2016 and was told he would have died had it been left any longer.

Mr Khan, from Stratfordupon-Avon, Warwickshire, was then forced to endure 12 rounds of gruelling chemotherapy before being told his tumour had shrunk that August.

Although no longer needing treatment, Mr Khan lives with a smaller, non-cancerous tumour

Trainee barber Kaiser Khan's pictured in hospital while undergoing 12 rounds of chemotherapy with the Arabic caption 'alhamdulillah', which roughly translates as 'all praise is due to God alone'

on his chest and must have regular check-ups until 2021 to ensure it does not become malignant again.

Mr Khan first went to see his GP in January 2015 when he developed rashes on his arms.

As the months went by, Mr Khan's health continued to deteriorate, despite him visiting his GP 'every other day'.

The relentless itching left Mr Khan with cracked, bleeding skin, as well as his body being covered in cuts from when he would scratch during the night.

At one point, his agony became so severe, Mr Khan even considered suicide.

After finding the determination to keep going, Mr Khan contacted a professor at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, in November 2015.

Scans revealed Mr Khan was suffering from a tumour on his chest.

After enduring chemotherapy, Mr Khan was told his tumour had shrunk in August 2016.

Now training to become a barber, Mr Khan is speaking out to encourage others to push for Now living with a smaller, non-cancerous scans and tests if they feel tumour, Mr Khan is speaking out to encourage they have been misdiag- others to push for scans and tests if they feel nosed. they have been misdiagnosed Kaiser is working with ple and almost half of parents we the charity CLIC Sargent, which surveyed visiting their GP at least helped him while he was receivthree times before their diagnoing treatment on the young persis. son's ward.

'In February 2017 CLIC CLIC Sargent aims to proSargent, the Royal College of GPs vide financial and emotional and Teenage Cancer Trust support to young cancer sufferlaunched an e-learning tool on ers. cancer in children and young Clare Laxton, associate direcpeople which is free for GPs. tor of policy and influencing at 'We strongly encourage proCLIC Sargent, added: 'We frefessionals to use this resource so quently hear that young cancer that cancer can be identified in patients have a mixed experience children and young people as of diagnosis. soon as possible.'

'With over half of young peo-

C-section births surge to Hypertension medications are safe 'alarming' rates worldwide in early pregnancy as the rate of than half of the world's Doctors' use of Caesarean nations. section to deliver babies has mothers with heart problems soar Researchers reported a nearly doubled in 15 years to reach "alarming" proportions in some countries, a study says.

Rates surged from about 16 million births (12%) in 2000 to an estimated 29.7 million (21%) in 2015, the report in the medical journal The Lancet said.

The nation with the highest rate for using the surgery to assist childbirth is the Dominican Republic with 58.1%.

Doctors say in many cases the use of the medical procedure is unjustified.

Until recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggested that Caesarean section - or Csection - rates of more than 15% were excessive.

The study analysed data from 169 countries using statistics from 2015 - the most recent year for which the information is available.

It says there is an overreliance on Caesarean section procedures - when surgery is used to help with a difficult birth - in more

rate of more than 50% in the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Egypt and Turkey, though Brazil implemented a policy in 2015 to reduce the number of Caesarean sections performed by doctors.

They also found huge disparities in the use of the technique between rich and poor nations. In some circumstances, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, the surgery is unavailable when it is genuinely required.

Use in 2015 was up to 10 times more frequent in the Latin America and Caribbean region, at 44% of births, than in the west and central Africa region, where it was used in just 4% of cases.

The study urges healthcare professionals, women and their families to only choose a Caesarean when it is needed for medical reasons - and for more education and training to be offered to dispel some of the concerns surrounding childbirth.

To Our Readers

We are publishing these items in good faith, kindly consult your Doctor before you try to implement any advice. We do not hold any responsibility for its efficacy...

Hypertension medications are safe for women to take during their first trimester, a new study has revealed.

Previous research has linked the use of beta-blockers, which reduce blood pressure, to congenital malformations such as heart defects, cleft lip and cleft palate because the medications cross the placenta.

But scientists at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School found that the average risk of babies being born to women who had taken the prescription was less than one percent.

With the rate of mothers with heart problems soaring in the US, the researchers say that not treating high blood pressure could not only jeopardize the health of the mother, but also the health of the baby - even potentially resulting in a miscarriage.

For the study, the team looked at more than the health records of 18,000 women from both five Nordic countries and the Medicaid database in the US. The women were all listed as hypertensive during their pregnancy and had live-born infants.

Next, the researchers looked at overall congenital malformations and malformations that previous studies have suggested are associated with beta-blocker exposure, including cleft lip, cleft palate and cardiac defects.

They found that the overall risk of babies exposed to beta-blockers in

the first trimester was just 12.6 per 1,000.

More specifically, the rates were 8.4 per 1,000 for cardiac malformations, 3.0 for cleft lip or palate, and 4.0 for central nervous system malformations.

On average, this meant that the risk of the babies being born with defects was 0.007 percent - or less than one percent.

In an accompanying editorial, Dr Joel Ray of St Michael's Hospital at the University of Toronto in Canada said the risk to a fetus comes not from the medication itself but from other factors.

'Women with chronic hypertension are more likely than women without hypertension to have higher body mass index, older age, and prepregnancy diabetes mellitus, factors which are themselves risk factors for birth defects,' he wrote.

in brief CRACKDOWN ON PAINKILLERS AMID ADDICTION FEARS Two painkillers are to be reclassified as class C controlled substances amid concerns people are becoming addicted to them and misusing them. The drugs - pregabalin and gabapentin - are also used for epilepsy and anxiety. The move, announced by the Home Office, means it will now be illegal to posses the drugs without a prescription and it will be illegal to supply or sell them to others.

The government acted after experts said tighter controls were needed. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs raised concerns about the drugs - amid reports of a rising number of fatalities being linked to the drug. The law change will still mean the drugs are available for legitimate use on prescription, but there will be stronger controls in place. Doctors will now need to physically sign prescriptions, rather than electronic copies being accepted by pharmacists. It puts them on the same legal footing as tranquilisers and ketamine.

CHILDREN 'SHOULD BE WEIGHED UP TO AGE 18', REPORT SAYS Children and young people up to 18 should have their weight and body mass index (BMI) recorded every year, says a report by child health experts. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health says England is falling behind other countries on obesity, mental health and infant deaths. nIt predicts rising health problems by 2030 without changes in policy. An NHS England spokeswoman said the report provided "useful context" for its long-term funding plan. The plan is set to be published this year. Currently, children in England are measured at primary school, up to the ages of 10 and 11, but not after that. The report, Child Health in 2030 in England, says more needs to be done to halt obesity. It compared different aspects of children and young people's health in England with 14 other European Union countries plus Australia, Canada and Norway. The report found England has poorer health outcomes than the average across those 18 countries and, based on recent trends, is likely to fall further behind them over the next decade.

NEW CHECKS TO CRACK DOWN ON FREE PRESCRIPTION FRAUD Patients claiming free prescriptions in England face checks before medicine is issued in an effort to stamp out fraud.

Prescription fraud currently costs the NHS in England an estimated £256m a year. A new digitised system to be piloted next year will mean pharmacies can instantly verify who is entitled to free medication. But pharmacists have opposed similar plans in the past, saying they harm patient trust. Currently, patients either present an exemption certificate or sign the back of their prescription stating they do not have to pay the £8.80 charge. The NHS Business Authority runs random checks, but only after the medication has been dispensed. In 201617, the number of £100 fines it issued for false claims doubled to more than 900,000.

The new approach will require pharmacists to check the digital exemption system before handing over medication. England is the only part of the UK which charges for prescriptions. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society and the British Medical Association have said many of those fined are not fraudsters, but people who fail to complete paperwork properly or forget to renew their exemption. People with long-term illnesses and those on low incomes were most likely to be affected, they said. Fraud is estimated to cost the NHS £1.2bn a year, or about 1% of its total budget. The prescription checks are part of a series of measures intended to prevent £300m of fraud by April 2020.

28 BOLLYWOOD

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Kangana lashes out at fellow actress Sonam Kapoor Kangana Ranaut has lashed out on actress Sonam Kapoor following her statements on the Vikas Bahl sexual harassment case.

Speaking in-depth about the #MeToo movement in Bollywood, Kapoor addressed the case saying, “I think Kangana wrote something. Kangana is obviously Kangana Ranaut. She says a lot of stuff and sometimes it is hard to take her seriously. I love the fact that she has spunk and she says what she believes. I really respect her for that. I don't know him, I don't know the situation. If what is written is true, then it's disgusting and awful. If it's true, then they should be punished for it.”

Ranaut has accused Bahl of misconduct, claiming the director “would bury his face in my neck, hold me really tight and breathe in the smell of my hair.” Now, she issued a statement against Sonam, saying, “What does she mean by saying 'it's hard to believe Kangana? When I am

sharing my MeToo story, who gives her a right to judge me? So Sonam Kapoor has the license of trusting some women and some she won't. What makes her so unsure of my claims, I am known to be an articulate person, I have represented my country in many international summits, I am called as a thought and youth influencer to these summits, I am not known because of my dad. I have earned my place and credibility after struggling for a decade. She isn't known to be a great actress, neither she has the reputation of being a good speaker.

What gives these filmy people right to take digs at me?”

Bahl is one of many in the industry who are currently under fire for harassment or misconduct.

All hell broke loose for him after an ex-employee of Phantom Films revealed she was sexually harassed by production house's co-partner in 2015.

Aamir steps away from a film amid #MeToo movement In a progressive step, Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan made an announcement of stepping away from a film that was associated with a sexual misconduct accused. Owners of production company Aamir Khan Productions, the actor and his wife Kiran issued an official statement saying, “Two weeks ago, when traumatic #MeToo stories began emerging, it was brought to our attention that someone we were about to begin work with has been accused of sexual misconduct. Upon enquiry, we found that this particular case is sub judice and that the legal process is in motion.”

They added, “We are not an investigative agency, nor are we in any position to pass judgment on anyone, that is for the police

and judiciary to do. So, without casting any aspersions on anyone involved in this case, and without coming to any conclusions about these specific allegations, we have decided to step away from this film.” The statement was in reference to filmmaker Subhash Kapoor, who has been accused of sexual misconduct by an actress in 2014.

Khan was touted to join Kapoor's Gulshan Kumar biopic. Following Khan's withdrawal, the director released a statement saying, “I understand and respect Aamir Khan's and Kiran Rao's decision. Since matter is sub judice, I intend to prove my innocence in the court of law.”

Kapoor has been facing the heat in the industry, and was recently fired by Ekta Kapoor from her web series 'The Verdict'.

Aryan Khan and Khushi Kapoor set to debut together

Priyanka, Sonali visit Rishi Kapoor in New York Priyanka Chopra and Sonali Bendre called up upon veteran actor Rishi Kapoor in New York last week, who was in the city for a health checkup. Rishi's wife and veteran actress Neetu shared photos of the visits. Kapoor's sudden departure from India on medical grounds has raised several eyebrows.

There have also been stray reports that stated the actor was diagnosed with the final stages of a dangerous cancer. The rumours were

however, quickly dispersed by Kapoor's brother Randhir. Neetu shared a picture of Kapoor with herself and Priyanka Chopra, Sonali Bendre and husband Goldie Behl.

Sharing the photos, Neetu wrote, “Love @priyankachopra love you @iamsonalibendre love you @srishtibehlarya Goldie !!!!wonderful beautiful pple”. Priyanka, who had just returned to New York, shared a picture too with a caption that read, “Was so good seeing you both @neetu54 #RishiKapoor laughter and smiles as always!!”

The stars of gen-next are finally aligned and we are psyched, to say the least, to witness some stellar debuts. After celebrity kids like Sara Ali Khan, Ahaan Shetty, and others signed on their first feature films and have started working, a recent news report says that the Prince of B-Town, Aryan Khan, son of, you guessed it, Shah Rukh, is set to make a debut along with late actress Sridevi's youngest, Khushi. The two will reportedly be launched by none other than the vizier of nepotism, Karan Johar under his Dharma banner.

A source said, “Khushi will be launched sooner rather than later, and that too by Karan Johar. Karan's taken over that responsibility from Boney (Khushi's father).

Though Khushi's debut is being kept a well-

guarded secret, they've already started looking for a suitable script.” They said that if all goes well, Khushi will follow sister Janhvi's footsteps. Johar had expressed his love for Aryan in an earlier interview, saying, “Aryan is my godchild. Currently, he is in Los Angeles and he has four years of university ahead of him. When he comes back, he is going to decide if he wants to be in the movies. And if he does, of course, I will be a big part of it as a director or just as a guiding support. For me, Aryan being launched is like my son being launched. I will be this hyper relative breathing down his neck.”

It is reported that his production house is already on a lookout for a script and KJo is looking to launch both the star kids together.

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20 - 26 October 2018

Samantha Akkineni supports Chinmayi Actress Samantha Akkineni has spoken out in support of singer Chinmayi Sripaada, who has accused lyricist Vairamuthu of sexual misconduct. The actress tweeted, “Dear @23_rahulr and @Chinmayi I know the both of you for ten years now. I don't know two more brutally honest people. It is this attribute of yours that I value most in our friendship. I love you with all my heart and what you say is the TRUTH!! #istandwithchinmayi” This is not the first time Samantha has stood up against culprits. She had earlier tweeted, “I am so happy that more and more women are finding the strength to say #MeToo. Your bravery is commendable. I am sorry though that some people, even other women themselves will shame and burden you with the question of proof and doubt. Just know that you are saving.”

Chinmayi also found support in actor Sidharth, who took to Twitter and urged fans to hear what the accused has to say.

He tweeted, “Multiple women are speaking out against Kavignar #Vairamuthu. Without judging anyone, they must be heard. When somebody of @Chinmayi's stature who has so much to lose, stands by the accusers, that's huge! There will be investigation. First step #ListenToTheAccuser #MeToo #Timesup.”

Just recently, in a series of tweets, Chinmayi recalled at least two occasions when the lyricist made her uncomfortable. The singer also claimed that she was told “she won't have a career” should she fail to “cooperate”. When he denied the claims saying they were an attempt to

“cast aspersions on those who are popular,” Chinmayi called him a “Liar”. She said, “To EVERYONE who will debate about me on channels, whether you slut shame or call me names, Vairamuthu is a sexual predator. I will take this to my grave. And to Tamil channels who wouldn't even carry a ticker OR r e p o r t , wanting a byte * after * Delhi news channels. No.”

Karthik Subbaraj shocked by leaked stills from Rajini's 'Petta' sets

After working stills from the sets of Karthik Subbaraj's forthcoming film 'Petta' were leaked last week, the filmmaker has requested fans of Thalaivar to refrain from sharing pictures and videos. He took to micro-blogging website Twitter, and wrote, “Kind request from #Petta team.. Pls do not share leaked stills or videos from shooting spot..

Need all your support Shocked to see channels like @ThanthiTV publishing leaked video as news. Guess next they would even telecast pirated movies as news...

Completely Unethical..”

* Schedule is subject to change

MONDAY 22nd - FRIDAY 26th October

TIME

16:00:00 17:00:00 17:30:00 18:00:00 18:30:00 19:00:00 19:30:00 20:00:00 20:30:00 21:00:00 21:30:00 22:30:00

TIME

18:00:00 18:30:00 19:00:00 19:30:00 20:00:00 21:30:00 22:30:00

TIME

17:30:00 18:00:00 18:30:00 19:00:00 19:30:00 20:00:00 21:30:00 22:30:00

TV PROGRAM NAMES

RASOI SHOW THE GREAT INDIAN GLOBAL KITCHEN 2 INTERNETWALA LOVE RADHA PREM KI DEEWANI UTTARAN DIL KI PUKAR SWARAGINI ISHQ MEIN MARJAWAN INTERNETWALA LOVE BALIKA VADHU - LAMHE PYAAR KE SHAITAAN - A CRIMINAL MIND ZINDAGI KI HAQEEQAT SE AAMNA SAAMNA

SATURDAY 27th October TV PROGRAM NAMES

RADHA PREM KI DEEWANI UTTARAN DIL KI PUKAR SWARAGINI DANCE DEEWANE ZINDAGI KI HAQEEQAT SE AAMNA SAAMNA KAUN HAI?

SUNDAY 28th October TV PROGRAM NAMES

ISHQ MEIN MARJAWAN - WEEKEND KA MAHA EPISODE RADHA PREM KI DEEWANI UTTARAN DIL KI PUKAR SWARAGINI DANCE DEEWANE ZINDAGI KI HAQEEQAT SE AAMNA SAAMNA KAUN HAI?

* Schedule is subject to change

MONDAY 22nd - FRIDAY 26th October

19:30:

UDANN

20:30:

DASTAAN-E-MOHABBAT SALIM ANARKALI

20:00:

SHAKTI ASTITVA KE EHSAAS KI

SATURDAY 20th - SUNDAY 21st October TIME TV PROGRAM NAMES

* Schedule is subject to change

16:30 17:30 18:30 20:00 21:30 22:30

CID Crime Patrol Indian Idol Indian Idol Comedy Circus Crime Patrol

MONDAY 22nd - Thursday 25th October

TIME

18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 23:00

TIME

18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 23:00

21:00:

TV PROGRAM NAMES

Dil Hi Toh Hai Vighnaharta Ganesh Mere Sai Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai Porus Main Maayke Chali Jaaungi Kaun Banega Crorepati Crime Patrol

FRIDAY 26th October TV PROGRAM NAMES

Vighnaharta Ganesh Mere Sai The Kapil Sharma Show Porus Main Maayke Chali Jaaungi Kaun Banega Crorepati Crime Patrol

BIGG BOSS (SEASON 12)

22:00:

SILSILA

23:00:

ROOP

22:30:

BEPANNAAH

The tweet came days after working pictures of Rajinikanth from the spot went viral. The film crew is currently stationed in Varanasi, where they are reportedly shooting for an important schedule that will last a month. The already star-studded cast was recently joined by actor-director M Sasikumar, who confirmed the news on his social media saying, “Dream come true year for me. Sharing screen space with Superstar @rajinikanth Thank you @Karthiksubbaraj and @sunpictures. Proud being part of #Petta.”

Wednesday October 24, 2018 00:00 Film : Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar 05:00 Film : Future To Bright Hai Ji 07:11 Film : Ek Aur Prem Deewani 09:13 Film : Hote Hote Pyaar Ho Gaya 12:00 Film : Jungle 15:15 Film : Socha Na Tha * Schedule is subject to change 18:16 Film : Star Stop Sunday October 21, 2018 19:00 Film : Awaara Paagal Deewana 01:20 Film : Yeh Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan 22:23 Film : Kasoor 05:00 Film : Bezubaan Ishq Thursday October 25, 2018 07:27 Film : Kalyug 01:23 Film : Jaanam 05:00 Film : Prithipal Singh... A Story 09:32 Film : Phool Aur Kaante 07:00 Film : Arundhati 12:46 Film : Main Khiladi Tu Anari 09:52 Film : Krantiveer 16:21 Film : Veer 13:00 Film : Josh 19:41 Film : Welcome 2 Karachi 16:25 Film : Fox 22:20 Film : Madhoshi 19:00 Film : Nill Battey Sannata Monday October 22, 2018 21:15 Film : Hai Apna Dil Toh Awara 00:45 Film : Zeher-A Love Story Friday October 26, 2018 05:00 Film : I Don't Luv U 23:55 Film : Mere Dost Picture Abhi Baki Hai 07:15 Film : Samurai The Warrior 05:00 Film : The Silent Heroes 10:00 Film : Raja Hindustani 07:13 Film : Mast 13:42 Film : Agnivarsha 10:00 Film : Jaan Se Pyaara 16:27 Film : Badlapur 13:05 Film : Satya 16:31 Film : Awaara Paagal Deewana 19:02 Film : Socha Na Tha 19:55 Film : Zanjeer 22:09 Film : Jashnn 22:43 Film : Chor Bazaari-Ek Atrangi Prem Kahani Tuesday October 23, 2018 Saturday October 27, 2018 00:43 Film : The Killer 00:50 Film : Utthaan 05:00 Film : The Perfect Girl 05:00 Film : Bas Ek Tamanna 07:00 Film : Calling Bell 07:02 Film : Rang 09:28 Film : Main Khiladi Tu Anari 09:45 Film : Gurudev 13:03 Film : Mrityudand 13:00 Film : Baadshah 16:23 Film : Welcome 2 Karachi 16:33 Film : Nill Battey Sannata 19:03 Film : Fox 19:00 Film : Ra.One 21:35 Film : Jurm 22:15 Film : Rama Rama Kya Hai Dramaa

SATURDAY 27th October TIME TV PROGRAM NAMES

18:00: INDIA'S GOT TALENT SEASON 8 19:30: DESI BEAT 3.0 20:00: NAAGIN - SEASON 3 21:00: BIGG BOSS (SEASON 12) WEEKEND KA WAAR 22:00: INDIA'S GOT TALENT SEASON 8 23:30: UDANN

SUNDAY 28th October

TIME

TV PROGRAM NAMES

18:00:00 INDIA'S GOT TALENT - SEASON 8 19:30:00 DESI BEAT 3.0

20:00:00 NAAGIN - SEASON 3

21:00:00 BIGG BOSS (SEASON 12) WEEKEND KA WAAR

22:00:00 INDIA'S GOT TALENT - SEASON 8

30 UK

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20 - 26 October 2018

Mahua BAPS celebrates 'Guru Ruchi Din' and 'Guru Prapti Din' with Mahant Swami

Asian Voice Bengal heritage Quiz

Bochasanwasi Shree Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha's head Param Pujya Mahant Swami is currently in Dhari as part of his vicharan.

On October 14, he reached the town from Mahuva.

Earlier, on October 9, School Day was celebrated in Bhavnagar in his divine presence. He then arrived at Pujya Bhagatji Maharaj's birthplace Mahuva, to a magnificent reception. Guru Ruchi Din was celebrated on October 11. In his address to the public, Mahant Swami urged all Hari Bhakts to dwell in the virtues of unity, harmony, and empathy. On October 13, Guru Bhakti Din was celebrated.

Pujya Mahant Swami will continue his current stay in Dhari till October 18, after which he will proceed to Gadhada.

Quiz is something which is enjoyed by everyone – old and young.

This time, London Sharad Utsav and Bengal Heritage Foundation, supported by Asian Voice, brings in a rousing fanfare and takes the quizzing experience to a different level by organising “Asian Voice Bengal Heritage Quiz” – a fun and entertaining way of exploring and learning more

about Bengal Heritage.

Bengalis are known to love nostalgia, so a quizzical evening which would stir nostalgia of the heritage would be delightful for the NRB crowd here in London.

Regardless of whether one knows the correct answer or not, the stimulus to the brain cells to recollect something that is connected to one’s roots will compel one to think how much of

Indian poets come to Slough

Coming Events

l Bolton Hindu Forum proudly presents Dusshera 2018, the largest Ravana bonfire in north of England, to be held on October 21, Sunday, 4.00 pm onwards, at the Bolton Cricket Club, Bishops Road, Farnworth, Bolton, BL3 2JB. l Ilford Hindu Centre has organised Sri Satyanarayan Katha on November 17, Saturday, 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm, at 43 Cleveland Road, Ilford, IG1 1EE. l NHS Blood and Transplant has organised 'Ilford- Blood Donation Drive November 2018', on November 2, Friday, 1.20 pm to 7.15 pm, at the Ilford Hindu Centre, 55 Albert Road, Ilford Essex IG1 1HN. l The Bhavan presents, 'Umeed: Colours of Hope', a contemporary concept in the classical form of Kathak, on October 26, Friday, 7.00 pm onwards, at The Bhavan, 4a Castletown Road, West Kensington, London, W14 9HE.

Slough and Burnham Peace Symposium peace entitled Love for All, Hatred for None was sung by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Children's Choir.

Faiths represented included Christianity, Sikhism, Hinduism and Buddism.

The 2018 Slough and Burnham Poppy Appeal was also launched alongside the Royal British Legion and the Berkshire Poppy Appeal.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Slough and South Bucks hosted its 13th annual Peace Symposium on Saturday at Burnham Park Academy in Opendale Road, Burnham.

Over 200 people attended - to promote peace and denounce extremism. A poem was read out entitled Peace Be With You and an especially written song for

Sneh Joshi

Famous Indian poets sent by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) to tour towns and cities across the UK addressed a gathering of 200 people from the South Asian community in Slough.

The event was organised by the Milan Arts Group at Weekes Drive Community Centre, while the poets’ visits to various towns were organised by Tarun Kumar, Cultural Attacheˊ and Hindi Officer at the High

Commission of India .

Special guests in the audience at Slough included MP Tan Dhesi and the mayor Councillor Paul Sohal alongside several councillors.

The visiting poets were Kanwar Bechain, Kavita Kiran and Kirti Kale. The event was organised for Milan Arts Group by Cllr Jagjit S Grewal with the help of colleagues Pushpa Kharbanda, S R Sharma and Yash Varma.

Men caught on CCTV spiking drink before raping woman Belal Ahmed, 24, and Mizad Miah, 24, were jailed for a combined total of 24 years after carrying out a “despicable” sexual assault in Tower Hamlets.

Mizad Miah, 24, from Tower Hamlets, was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, October 12, after being found guilty on September 11 of rape, administering a substance

with intent to overpower to allow sexual activity, and assault by penetration.

Belal Ahmed, 24, of Devas Street, Tower Hamlets, was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment at the same court after being found guilty on September 11, of administering a substance with intent to overpower to allow sexual activity, and assault by penetration.

etary activity in your chart signals a time of mixed emotions as well as personal issues to be dealt with. Although the very practical affairs of life continue to be highlighted, this does not mean that there will be all work and no play. Your pioneering personality always shows through.

It is certainly going to be a TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 fortunate time for those in

established relationships. The keynote is emotional enrichment through close interaction with a loved one. Facets of your life that have been a source of restriction and dissatisfaction will begin to loosen their hold.

A great deal will depend on GEMINI May 22 - June 22 how you organise your priori-

ties this week. This does not mean that you will have to compromise your ideals but you may be obliged to realise that sometimes a more flexible approach is needed. Your best line of action this week is to stick doggedly to familiar routines and avoid all distractions where possible.

This week seems to be jampacked with activity. The powerful Venus in your solar 5th house and Mars factor not only encourages amorous attachment but will bring luck and recognition to those involved in artistic endeavours and entertainments - this is a great time of opportunity.

Don't be afraid to act forcefully if your instinct tells you it's time for change. If you know your ground and are not afraid to stick your neck out, you can create your own opportunities.

Besides spending time on domestic affairs, the focus can be on cultivating and nourishing your inner foundations, so to speak.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23

You have everything to gain by following creative inclinations. If you have new ideas, now is the time to put them into practice. Whatever your present interests you are likely to find that new doors open and the way ahead offers increased scope for expressing your real self. A great time to meet and interact with people.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23 You will have plenty of energy and drive to improve your status and at the same time achieve financial prosperity - you must make good use of the energy that is flowing, by channelling it positively! Creativity, romance and leisure all receive a tonic.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

Your thinking is inspired, so listen to your thoughts. This may be a time of expansion and improved opportunity and it would be unwise to let yourself become complacent. A good time for restructuring and rethinking your aims and interests. Affairs of the heart are likely to flourish.

– the National anthem for India.

There are plenty such facts about Bengal and Bengalis which people tend to believe they know but often they end up knowing incorrect facts. This Durga Puja, the Bengali diaspora is going to experience for the first time a Bengal Heritage Quiz evening here in London on the 19th October in Ealing Town Hall.

Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz organised

by Indian High Commission The Quiz is being conducted to motivate overseas Indian Youth to enhance their knowledge about India. Topics of the quiz include - Indian Art, Indian Democracy, Economy, Geography, Personalities in Music and Dance, Science and Technology, Language and Literature, Education, tradition of Indian Crafts Indian Cinema and renowned personalities.

For more details visit: https://www.bharatkojaniye.in/

The Indian High Commission invites PIO/NRI/British youth between the age of 15-35 to participate in the second edition of ‘Bharat Ko Janiya’ quiz that comes with special prizes and unprecedented recognition!

Successful candidates in successive rounds will attend a special workshop in New Delhi and participate in the Bharat ko Janiye Yatra - a 15 day tour of India before the final round takes place in New Delhi.

'BADASS' HIJAB BOXING COACH HELPING WOMEN An amateur boxing coach who became the first in the UK to wear a hijab is hoping to inspire more women to get involved in sport. Zahra Butt, 39, also incorporates life-coaching into her boxing classes.

The mother-of-three, from Nottingham, took up the sport after being diagnosed with post-natal depression.

Zahra, who is the only coach to qualify with the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) to wear the traditional Muslim headscarf, holds one-to-one coaching sessions, including for women who have been victims of domestic abuse.

The UK’s leading Vedic writer and TV personality

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20 A tremendous amount of plan-

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

Famous Indian poets at the Weekes Drive Community Centre

the Bengal heritage they are aware of.

How many people know that Bengali is the sweetest language in the world by Unesco or the Great Banyan Tree in Botanical Garden in Kolkata is the largest tree in the world in terms of areas covered or that Rabindranath Tagore has also written the National Anthem for Bangladesh apart from Jana Gana Mana

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SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21

You may find yourself hard at work behind the scenes, although that may not be apparent to others. You may find yourself caught up in a whirlwind of activity, with opportunities to advance on both the inner and outer level. There’s a sparkle to your social life and you will have fun communicating with others.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20

You can expect a sustained and quite hectic flow of visitors to contribute greatly to a very buoyant atmosphere. If you are ambitious, this promises to be an important time in your life. You are likely to get the lucky breaks and reach a wider audience no matter what your aims.

The prevailing cosmic pattern packs a powerful punch early this week. Having such potent energies, make you feel positive and confident in whatever you do. This is not the time to hold back or underestimate your potential if you wish to further an important aim. Some of you will try to get away from the routine chores.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19

Your horizons have most certainly been expanding. So many planets in the area of your chart ruling long-distance travel and philosophical thoughts will make your mind run wild. With Venus and Jupiter transiting that sector too for some time, there will be many romantic opportunities. Your financial affairs are looking up too.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

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20 - 26 October 2018

Indian athletes win 11 medals in Youth Olympic Games A contingent of 68 members from India, including 46 athletes, is in Argentina to compete in 13 sports during the prestigious event. This is India's largest ever contingent at the Youth Olympics. Hockey 5s has most number of Indian participants with 18 (nine each in men's and women's team) while track and field has seven athletes. India with 3 gold, 8 silver ranked 12th in the overall meals tally.

Following are India's medal winners: Manu Bhaker – Gold - Manu Bhaker clinched gold medal in women's 10m Air Pistol

Manu Bhaker

event. The 16-year-old Bhaker, who had won gold in 10m air pistol at Guadalajara World Cup as well as Commonwealth Games, shot 236.5 to finish on top of the podium. Bhaker has also won a silver in 10m air pistol mixed international event.

Saurabh Chaudhary – Gold - Saurabh Chaudhary gunned down the men's 10m air pistol gold. The 16-year-old Chaudhary dominated the final, shooting 244.2 to finish on top of the podium ahead of South Korea's Sung Yunho (236.7).

Jeremy Lalrinnunga – Gold - Weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga notched up India's maiden gold medal at the Youth Olympics, claiming the top honours in the men's 62 kg category. The 15-year-old from Aizwal, who is also a world youth silver-medallist, lifted a total of 274 kg (124 kg +150 kg) to finish on top.

Suraj Panwar – Silver - Suraj Panwar won India’s first medal in athletics and 11th overall at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games with a silver in 5000m walk.

Indian Men's Hockey Team- Silver - India finished with two silvers in its Hockey5s campaign at the third Youth Olympic Games.

The men lost in the final 2-4 to Malaysia on Sunday.

Indian Women's Hockey Team- Silver The Indian women's hockey team suffered a 13 defeat at the hands of Argentina in the final but won the silver medal.

Simran Kaur – Silver - Simran won a silver medal in the girls' freestyle 43 kg event. She lost to USA’s Emily Shilson 6-11 in the final after easing through the qualifying rounds.

Lakshya Sen – Silver - Lakshya Sen settled for a silver medal after he lost the boys' singles summit clash against Li Shifeng of China.

Lakshya Sen also won the gold medal as part of the winning team in the mixed team event.

Mehuli Ghosh – Silver - Mehuli Ghosh came within striking distance of winning a historic gold before settling for a silver medal in the women's 10m air-rifle shooting event. A 9.1 in the 24th and final shot, after an excellent sequence of high and mid 10s, cost her the gold medal as she eventually settled for the second position with a total of 248.0.

Tababi Devi Thangjam – Silver - Tababi Devi Thangjam won India's second medal in the girl's 44kg category in Judo after losing to Maria Gimenez of Venezuela in the final. The Manipur athlete became the first judoka to win a medal for a country at the Olympics – junior or senior. She has also win a silver in mixed event.

Shahu Tushar Mane – Silver - Shahu Tushar Mane clinched India’s first medal at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games. Tushar Mane bagged silver medal as he finished second in his discipline of 10m air rifle men’s event behind Russia’s Shamakov Grigorii.

Jayasuriya charged under ICC anti-corruption code Sri Lankan batting legend Sanath Jayasuriya was charged on two counts for noncooperation in an ongoing International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption probe and given two weeks to respond by the cricket’s world governing body. The ICC did not specify what exactly prompted its action against the celebrated cricketer, who is a World Cup winner and has played 110 Tests and 445 ODIs for Sri Lanka.

However, a source in Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said that the former player is in the line of fire for “trying to block” an ICC probe which began in 2015. The investigation into Sri Lankan cricket began after Galle curator Jayananda Warnaweera was banned for three years in 2016 for failing to cooperate with the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU).

Starting on Monday, Jayasuriya has 14 days from October 15 to respond.

The charges relate to failure or refusal to cooperate with an Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) investigation and obstructing or

Sanath Jayasuriya

delaying an investigation, including concealing, tampering with or destroying documentation. “At first, he refused to join the probe when the ACU investigations’ team approached him last year. He also declined the request to part with the information in his phone, which was relevant to the investigators,” the SLC source said. “But the ICC has not charged him with either match-fixing or any corrupt activities. The charge against him is only non-cooperation in probe,” he added.

The ACU probe into corruption in Sri Lanka has been ongoing for over a year.

ACU general manager Alex Marshall stating earlier that a team was on the island “as part of ongoing investigations into serious allegations of corruption”.

The ACU had also briefed the nation’s president, prime minister as well as the sports minister, who is in charge of oversees Sri Lanka Cricket. No names have been divulged.

India's best- ever performance in Asian Para Games

India's Amit Kumar Saroha during his gold medal performance at the 2018 Para Asian Games

India recorded its best-ever showing in Asian Para Games by bagging 72 medals – 15 gold, 24 silver and 33 bronze- in Jakartha as the game drew to a close on Saturday. In the last edition in 2014, India won 33 medals (3 gold, 14 silver, 16 bronze).

In men’s singles SL3 class badminton, India’s Pramod Bhagat defeated Ukun Rukaendi of Indonesia 21-19 15-21 21-14 to clinch the gold medal. Athletes in the SL3 category generally have impairment in one or both lower limbs and poor walking or running balance. Athletes with

cerebral palsy, bilateralpolio or loss of both legs below the knee compete in half-court (lenghtwise) to minimise the impact of their impairment.

Para shuttler Tarun added another gold for India on the final day of the event by beating Yuyang Gao of China 21-16, 21-6 in the men’s singles in SL4 class.

The SL4 class athletes have a lesser impairment compared to SL 3 and play full-court. Players with impairment in one or both lower limbs, unilateral polio or mild cerebral palsy fall in SL4 category.

Deepa Malik pose for the camera at the Asian Para Games 2018

Continental giants China were at the top with 172 gold, 88 silver and 59 bronze followed by South Korea (53 gold, 25 silver and 47 bronze) and Iran (51, 42, 43).

Earlier on Friday, Paralympic medallist Deepa Malik bagged her second bronze.

K Jennitha Anto clinched the gold in women’s individual rapid P1 chess event after beating Manurung Roslinda of Indonesia 1-0 in the final round, while Kishan Gangolli got the better of Majid Bagheri in the men’s individual rapid VI -

B2/B3 event to claim the top spot. Rapid P1 event is for physically impaired athletes while rapid VI - B2/B3 event features partially blind competitors.

In parabadminton, Parul Parmar notched up a 21-9, 21-5 victory over Wandee Kamtam of Thailand to win the gold medal in the women’s singles SL3 event.

Athletes in this class have impairment in one or both lower limbs and poor walking/running balance but they play in standing positions.

MCA says it won't host WC camp for women’s side First they said they couldn’t host the men’s ODI against the West Indies because they didn’t have any office-bearers to dispense funds to organise the match.

Now the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has said that the Wankhede Stadium can’t host the women’s preparatory camp for the World Cup. The reason? The association is upset that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) didn’t officially respond to them regarding the ODI. The board has shifted the fourth

ODI from the Wankhede to the adjacent Cricket Club of India at the Brabourne Stadium, but the MCA says it is still awaiting an official response.

The Indian women’s squad was supposed to undergo a yoyo test, followed by a week-long camp in Mumbai before departing for the Women’s World Cup in the West Indies.

On Sunday, MCA chief executive officer CS Naik had made their email communication with the Committee of Administrators

(CoA) public by putting it on their website. The MCA has expressed surprise at the game being shifted without informing them.

“This is with reference to our trailing email regarding hosting of the 4th One-Day International match between India and West Indies on 29th October, 2018 at Wankhede Stadium. We have not received any communication from your end in this regard. We are surprised to learn from media reports that the said match has

been shifted to Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai. We would request you to kindly let us know the reasons for shifting of the said match,” Naik wrote in the mail.

Few members have decided to approach the Bombay High Court after the BCCI gave the ODI to the CCI. The MCA waited for the BCCI reply till late Monday night but had not received any email. Now they have indicated their unwillingness to host the women’s camp.

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India rout West Indies, win series 2-0 Few thought that the second test too would end in three days when West Indies skipper Jason Holder took the second new ball straightaway to begin proceedings on Sunday morning. But 16 wickets fell on Day 3 to make it possible. India were 308 for four with Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant on the verge of a 150-run stand and the hosts eyeing a substantial lead so that they don’t need to bat for a second time in the match. But Holder’s fifer restricted India’s lead to just 56 runs.

West Indies thought they were in the match. But their batting faltered again on a track that did not offer much to the bowlers. West Indies were wrapped up for 127 in their second essay giving India a meager 72 runs target with Umesh Yadav bagging his maiden 10-wicket match haul.

India completed their 10thsuccessive series win at home, including ones against

Bangladesh and Afghanistan, with a 10-wicket victory. Prithvi Shaw and KL Rahul both were unbeaten on 33. India have not lost a home series since their defeat to England in 2012.

Holder struck twice in his second over of the morning.

First he got Rahane caught at gully with one that bounced a wee bit extra. Ravindra Jadeja, who got his maiden Test century in the last match in Rajkot, was trapped in front first ball. India could have been seven down the next ball but R Ashwin survived a leg-before appeal. India were 314/6.

Two overs later, Pant pushed a short ball from Shannon Gabriel straight to cover. Twice now in two matches, Pant fell for 92. Holder completed his fifth five-wicket haul in Tests when he had Kuldeep Yadav’s off-stump cart-wheeling.

Injured Shardul Thakur was sent out to bat with Ashwin after Umesh Yadav was caught

Jubilant Indian Team with the Trophy

behind with India just 31 runs ahead. That showed a slight desperation on India’s part as the Mumbai medium-pacer hobbled up and down the wicket for singles. India managed a 56run lead, all out for 367 when Gabriel rattled Ashwin’s offstump.

After West Indies came out to bat post-lunch, Umesh Yadav struck in the second ball of the innings when he got Kraigg Brathwaite caught down the leg.

Ashwin struck in the fourth, Rahane taking a close catch at slip to dismiss the other opener

Kieran Powell.

Shimron Hetmyer was looking good with three solid drives before he was caught at wide gully by Pujara off Kuldeep. And Shai Hope was caught by Rahane at slip off Ravindra Jadeja’s first over to leave West Indies struggling at 45/4.

After a brief stand for the fifth wicket that fetched 23 runs, Roston Chase and then injured keeper Shane Dowrich were both castled in similar fashion

by Umesh Yadav. Both got an inside edge that hit the pads and crashed into the stumps.

England captain Eoin Morgan hit 92 decisive runs to guide England to a damp squib win over Sri Lanka with rain halting play for the second straight match in their one-day series. England were awarded a 31-run victory on a faster run rate after torrential downpour at the Dambulla ground.

The tourists scored 278-9 from 50 overs, with Morgan hitting 11fours and two sixes in his innings, while Test captain Joe Root made 71. The umpires stopped play with Sri Lanka on 140-5 after 29 of their overs.

Thisara Perera was on 44 and Dhananjaya de Silva on 36 when play was halted. They put on 66 for the sixth wicket after Sri Lanka looked in deep trouble at 74 for five.

Heavy rain was still falling an hour after the suspension and England were given victory under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern run rate system.

Brief scores: England 278/9 (Morgan 92, Root 71; Malinga 5/44) beat Sri Lanka 140/ 5 (Woakes 3/26) by 31 runs (DLS method) 1st ODI washed out The first ODI was washed following heavy rains. England got off to a good start but lost two quick wickets. Root and Morgan then steadied the ship and were on song.

But when the players went in for drinks, the rain came out. It started to pour down heavily and then stopped, but caused enough damage to prevent any further play.

VIRAT KOHLI TOPS ICC'S LATEST TEST RANKING

The victorious Indian hockey Men’s and Women’s teams

teams level again in the 13th minute before Amirul Azahar steered Malaysia to a lead three minutes later. With only two minutes left on the clock, Anuar sealed the gold by scoring Malaysia's fourth and his second goal of the day to win their firstever Youth Olympic Games medal.

Later in the women's final,

hosts Argentina were inspired by yet another capacity crowd.

Having not lost a match in this event, Argentina were stunned as India took an early lead after only 49 seconds through Mumtaz Khan. But once the early nerves settled, Argentina got into their stride and Gianella Palet levelled after six minutes.

Sofia Ramallo then edged

Argentina ahead with nearly nine minutes on the clock to give the hosts a 2-1 lead at halftime. In the second half, Brisa Bruggesser made it 3-1.

While India tried their best to get back in the game, Argentina held on to win their first Youth Olympic Games Hockey's gold medal in front of a jubilant home crowd.

Leander Paes wins Santo Domingo Open trophy Leander Paes has won his second challenger level title of the season, lifting the Santo Domingo Open trophy with partner Miguel Angel ReyyesVarela. The second seeded IndoMexican pair, playing its second consecutive final, came from

MORGAN GUIDES ENGLAND TO WIN OVER SRI LANKA

Eoin Morgan

Indian men’s & women’s hockey teams win 1st Youth Olympic silvers The Indian men's and women's hockey teams went down in their respective finals but managed to script history by picking up their maiden silver medals in the five-a-side competition at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. While the men lost 2-4 to Malaysia, the women's team suffered a 1-3 defeat at the hands of Argentina.

The silver medals claimed in the Argentine capital are India's first set of hockey medals in the Youth Olympics. The Malaysian men and Argentina women made history of their own by winning their first-ever Youth Olympic Games Hockey's gold medals.

In the men's gold medal match, India took the lead after only two minutes through captain Vivek Sagar Prasad.

However, just about two minutes later Malaysia levelled through Firadus Rosdi, but the lead was short-lived as Prasad grabbed his second goal of the match for India in the fifth minute. India took a 2-1 lead at the half-time stage.

After the break, Malaysia came out all guns blazing as Akhimullah Anuar brought the

in brief

behind to beat Ariel Behar and Roberto Quiroz 4-6 6-3 10-5 in the summit clash, which lasted one hour and 26 minutes. Paes, who is ranked 69, added 110 ranking points to his kitty and shared a prize purse of USD 7,750 with his partner. Last

week, the 45-year-old Paes and Angel ended runners-up at Montrrey Challenger to Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Marcelo Arevalo. Paes also ended runnerup at Chicago, Dallas on the ATP Challenger circuit and won the Newport Beach event in

January. Apart from these, Paes also reached the final of Winston-Salem Open and Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on the ATP World Tour, ending runner-up with Jamie Cerretani in both the tournaments.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli has retained the top spot in the ICC Test Player rankings, accumulating 936 points on the back of a stellar 139 against West Indies in the first test at Rajkot. The 29-year-old batsman is closely followed by Australian batsman Steve Smith who enjoys a tally of 919 points. Smith has not been regularly involved in International cricket after being suspended by Cricket Australia following allegations of ball-tampering.

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson is placed third with 847 points while Joe Root and David Warner round off the top five with 835 and 812 points respectively.

Young Indian batsman Prithvi Shaw who made quite an impression alongside skipper Virat Kohli on his debut at Rajkot, scoring 134 is placed No 73 on the rankings.

Anderson leads the charts among bowlers Amongst the bowlers, James Anderson leads the charts with 899 points following excellent performances against India at home with Proteas fast-bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander closely trailing him. Ravindra Jadeja is placed 4th in the rankings with 818 points alongside Kiwi fast bowler Trent Boult, the 5th name on the list. Emerging left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav has gained 16 spots to finish 52nd in the rankings following a maiden 5-wicket haul against West Indies.