EDUCATION / COUNCIL VOICE
Asian Voice - Saturday 31st March 2012
Schools could be hit by industrial action over pay UK schools could be hit be a fresh wave of industrial action in a dispute over the planned break-up of national pay bargaining for teachers. Association of Teachers and Lecturers head Dr Mary Bousted predicted attempts to bring in differential pay for teachers could lead to further action. The government is looking at introducing "market-facing" pay for public sector staff. ATL members went on strike last year over pensions.
Last month, Education Secretary Michael Gove wrote to the School Teachers Review Body, which helps set teachers' pay in England, saying he wanted pay levels to be freer and more flexible. He also asked for the body to look at how it could make teachers' pay more "market-facing" responsive to local conditions. And last week Chancellor George Osborne confirmed in his Budget statement that he wants to see public sector
pay "more responsive to local pay rates". He sent evidence to pay review bodies to make the case for moving to local pay rates. The document suggests a pay "premium" and that the public sector "pays more than is necessary" to recruit, retain and motivate staff. It goes on to say: "The evidence suggests that the quality of public services would directly benefit if public sector pay became more responsive to local labour markets."
Council News
Southall celebrates Vaisakhi Thousands of people are expected to join the Vaisakhi celebrations in Southall on Sunday, 25 March. A lively procession or nagar kirtan will make its way through Southall from the Havelock Road Gurdwara to the Park Avenue Gurdwara to celebrate the Sikh New Year and the harvest festival. There will be free food stalls all along the route. Signed road closures, parking restrictions and bus diversions will be in place from early morning until the evening. Police are advising people coming to Southall to join the
celebrations to use public transport if possible. Ealing Council may move vehicles parked dangerously or illegally to prevent any obstruction to the procession and allow
traffic to flow properly on surrounding streets. Drivers who believe their cars may have been moved by Ealing Council can call Parking Services on 020 8825 5000.
Newham Council eases the paan for residents
The biggest ever crackdown on the sale of chewing tobacco - called paan is taking place in the Green Street area. About 10,000 packets of paan - a mixture of nuts and spices wrapped in a leaf and widely used by the Asian community - has been seized so far. The huge haul has been seized in a rolling programme of raids involving Newham Trading Standards officers and the council's Street Scene Enforcement Officers. Paan is a mixture of tobacco, nuts and spices and is wrapped in a leaf. Some shopkeepers evade paying duty when selling it. Often the product does not have UK standard health warnings. Shopkeepers face prosecution if they sell it illegally. Health chiefs warn that that using smokeless tobacco including paan raises the risk of mouth cancer and oesophageal (food pipe) cancer. Cllr Unmesh Desai, Executive Member for Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour, said: "Paan staining is unsightly and expensive to clean. We have a zero tolerance approach to crime and anti-social behaviour here and we simply won't stand for it. Users are risking their health and even their lives."
11
National Hindu Students Forum (UK) By Krishan Gokaldas Pala
Central Zone 20 Hour Ram Dhun For the past 20 years, the National Hindu Students Forum UK (NHSF (UK)) has been striving in this diverse society to promote, preserve, protect and practise Sanatan Dharma. Throughout the years this has been carried out in many different ways, from the organisation of religious and sporting events to participating in sewa activities. As part of NHSF (UK)‘s 20th anniversary yearlong celebrations, the central zone team organised the longest bhakti event to date. A 20 hour Ram Dhun in Birmingham from 10th to 11th March 2012 was organised to awaken the spirit of Arjuna in each and every person who attended. Being part of the subcommittee for the Ram Dhun, I was able to see the determination by NHSF (UK) members to ensure the success of such a momentous event. For me, this success was highlighted at 3am on the Sunday morning when I saw students sitting in a Mandir by their own will,
when they could have been in other influencing places. I believe that is a huge achievement for the Hindu community as a whole, showing the of Shree virtues Hanumanji Maharaj in the 21st century. On the afternoon of Saturday 10th March 2012, strong Vedic mantras were read out by Hemang Ji Bhatt who performed the Ganesh Puja, with all students focusing on the divine as the Ram Dhun was about to begin. Soon after the priest completed the puja, both students and the community were united and sang the Hanuman Chalisa. At this time there were not any divisions or boundaries but only one Hindu Samaj. As soon as the Hanuman Chalisa finished an electrifying ambiance filled the hall and the Dhun began; ‘Shree Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram’! I couldn’t believe it had begun; this is what we were all waiting for. Throughout the event Sewa activities were carried out including the
making of bhojan prasad, and various exhibitions and activities were held for young children to enjoy and learn from. As day turned into night, more students, musicians and members of the local community joined in this enchanting mantra from the bottom of their hearts. The vibe and atmosphere from the Ram Dhun will definitely resonate in the hearts of who was everyone involved and attended the Dhun. As it came to the last hour the energy level rose, ending the 20 hour continuous chant with garba and other traditional folk dances. It took great dedication, both in time and effort to plan and organise this phenomenal spiritual event and for that I would like to thank the Ram Dhun sub-committee, all chapters and national committee members involved. I would also like to that the Shree Laxmi Narayan Mandir, who allowed us to use their facilities and once again provided such great support.
Shree Jalaram Mandir Greenford RAGHUVANSHI MAHAJAN LONDON (RAMA) (Charity Registration Number 1104605) 39-45 Oldfield Lane South Greenford Middlesex UB6 9LB Telephone 020 8578 8088 / 9285 website: www.jalarammandir.co.uk e-mail: info@jalarammandir.co.uk 19 March 2012
Notice of Annual General Meeting of RAMA
Members of RAMA hereby informed that RAMA’s Annual General Meeting will be held at the Shree Jalaram Mandir on the Sunday, 22nd April 2012 at 3.00pm Please note that in accordance with the RAMA Constitution three existing Trustees Cllr. Rajni C Khiroya, Mr. Sharad T Bhimjiyani and Mr. Mansuk Morjaria will be retiring and may be re- elected or re-appointed to stand for election.
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Any member who wishes to stand for election as a Trustee of RAMA should sign the Nomination Form (available at the above address) and have himself/herself proposed by a Member of RAMA. The form should reach RAMA’s office later than 15 April 2012. Meeting Agenda: 1. Apologies 2. President’s Report 3. Secretary’s Report 4. Treasurer’s Report 5. Election of Trustees 6. Appointment of Auditors 7. Any other business Please note: Arrive at least 45 minutes prior for registration of the member’s attendance. This is a Members only meeting. Non members will not be admitted. Documents will be required to verify your identification. Therefore, please bring valid passport / photo card / valid driving licence and utility bill / bank statement (not older than 3 months). Rights reserved to exclude late arrivals. Parking is limited, please use nearby car park. Prasad will be served as usual between 12.30pm to 2.00pm. Manish Popat Trustee/Secretary For and behalf of RAGHUVANSHI MAHAJAN LONDON Trustees: Cllr. Rajni Khiroya (President), Rashmi Chatwani (Vice President), Manish Popat (Secretary), Sharad Bhimjiyani (Treasurer), Dr. Mansukh Morjaria (Assistant Secretary), Rajni Davda (Assistant Treasurer), Prakash Gandecha, Cllr. Dhiraj Kataria, Asmitaben Masrani, Amrit Rajani (Co-opted), Dr. Jayendra Morjaria (Co-opted)