NCGO
Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010
9
to ensure fair Britain for all Mr Alpesh Patel
Barack Obama has been able to become the US president, but possibly I would not be able to become the Prime Minister of UK. But I definitely hope that at some point of time, a black or a brown will become the prime minister of UK. The veteran MP went on to say, “We will have to decide for the development of our country. You and me are all going to stay here, not going to migrate out of the UK. That’s why I appeal all of you that we all need to be first class contributors and not just
Ms Anita Ruparelia
Dominic Grieve, MP Shadow Justice Minister, Tory party
Ms. Sarah Teather, Brent East MP Liberal Democratic party
is a difference between legal and illegal immigrants. As Borris said, there should be an amnesty for illegal immigrants. If you are given a work permit and you do not qualify as a citizen at the end of it, you have to leave. The Home Office should not make applicants wait for years and then give a situation which is irreversible while the applicants are already settled in a UK life. Gordon Brown said British life for British people. It does not mean British Indians are ignored.
out that in the audience was Tony McNulty, the sitting MP was Harrow East and that we should ask the question directly to him. Tony came forward and gave his total commitment that should his party get in power than a Hindu Secondary School in the area within the first term was assured. Keith brought a lot of humour to the debate, and the audience was rightly confused as to whether he was Labour, or was he a closet Tory. Dominic Grieve the official
Cllr Veena Mithani
second class citizens of the UK.” With end of this speech the floor opened to questions. Amit Patel asked the MPs about the caps on immigration especially when it helps Britain to flourish. To that Dominic Grieve said that while immigrants are important, an open door policy is harmful. Sarah Teathers added, “the way the government plans services, is ridiculous. Such problems need tackling and we cannot provide services for people who are not here. We first must target people who need to be removed and then tackle the rest. She also insisted that the government has very limited notion of specialised skills. There are areas in this country which crying for applicants like chefs, pujaris (priests). Fulfill such specialised skills and not let anybody and everybody come in.” Keith Vaz said, “there
Cllr Anjana Patel
They are British too. We will not slam doors on asylum seekers too. It means first all British whatever be the race or religion get a job and then come the immigrants.” CB Patel here asked if the government has any statistics of the people who have emigrated. To which all party representatives openly said that they were not aware of a proper statistics. Kapil Dudakia, an ex Of-sted officer and columnist asked, ‘If elected, could the parties confirm that we will have a Hindu Secondary School in North West London within the term of one parliament?’ Dominic Grieve was quick to confirm that having a Hindu Secondary School in the area was mandatory and his party would ensure that it happened. Keith was clear – yes, we must have a Hindu Secondary School in NW London. He then pointed
Cllr Kanta Mistry
Tory representative was often left with shock and surprise on his face as his thunder was taken away by Keith who put the knife into the NHS before he could. There is no doubt that huge amounts of money have rightly gone into the NHS, and for this the Labour Government deserves a commendation. However, how the money has been used, and in particular, some managers and PCT boards all came in for a firing for their laziness and sheer incompetence. The bottom line being that even in areas where we have a high concentration of ethnic minorities – the people who are appointed to represent us on these PCT boards still tend to be wholly ‘white’. How is that possible? And this has happened with a Labour Government in power for more than a decade. Cllr Kanta Mistry and Cllr Veena Mithani also raised similar ques-
Tony McNulty, Harrow East MP
Kapil Dudakia
tions. Also the condition of elderly care was questioned as participants like Prakash Gandecha spoke about the bad services. Amrish Patel, from the audience asked, ‘In light of the positive court ruling on open pyre cremations, why is it that with a population of 100 000 Hindus in Harrow, Brent and Barnet that the community still does not have access to a dedicated and culturally sensitive crematorium?’ Dominic saw no reason why there should be any delays in this
give a clear answer, Dominic Grieve, said he would speak to William Hague. To that Keith Vaz added, “Narendra Modi is most welcome in Britain. We will be delighted to have him in Leicester too.” The question answer session was followed with a short speech by Cllr Anjana Patel and Cllr Navin Shah AM who debated about the credibility and possibility of a State Secondary Hindu school and a better education system. Cllr Anjana Patel said, “due to Labours, as a portfolio holder
Cllr Navin Shah AM
C J Rabheru, Convenor NCGO (UK)
happening and wants it to happen as soon as possible. Keith could not understand why with such a large community nothing had happened to date. He went on to remind the audience that in Leicester they have even got a site designated but because the communities are not united sufficiently, nothing has happened to take this forward. If the people and the various organisations in Harrow, Brent and Barnet came together and demanded with one voice, surely no council would be so fool hardy and say no! NCGO here asked a very crucial question. Lalubhai Parekh asked all the party members if Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat will be allowed to come into Britain and the government will ensure his protection. To that while Sarah Teather did not really
Dr Rachel Joyce, PPC
she is ashamed to see Britain falling to the 38th position from 8th in world education level.” Cllr Navin Shah, AM said he and Tony McNulty, MP have worked to get a £10mn fund for the primary Hindu school in Harrow and promised to improve the elderly care and also called upon people to sign petitions for direct flights to India. The event was attended by almost 250 people including Cllr Lorber, Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Brent, Dr Rachel Joyce (PPC Conservatives from Harrow), Amreet Jogia, PPC for Conservatives from Harrow on the Hill, Former Cllr Harshadbhai Patel, PPC The event drew to a close with a vote of thanks from C J Rabheru, Convenor of NCGO (UK).
NCGO (UK) AFFILIATED ORGANISATIONS Anand Overseas Brotherhood (UK) Arti Society Asian Foundation for Help Audichya Gadhya & Kharedi Brahma Samaj Society Baj Khedawal (Brahmin) Association UK Bexley Gujarati Samaj Bhadran Bandhu Samaj UK Bhartiya Mandal - Bradford Bhartiya Sanskar Kendra Brahm Samaj Manchester Chandaria Foundation Changa Europe Society Charotar Ladies Group (Brent) Chha Gam Nagrik Mandal (UK) Chovis Gam Patidar Samaj Darji Mitra Mandal of the UK Dharmaj Society of London East Anglian Indian association East London & Essex Brahma Samaj Federation of Patidar Associations Gita Foundation
Greenwich Gujarati Samaj Gujarati Literary Academy Hindu Cultural Association Wales UK Hindu Swayam Sevak Sangh UK I K Foundation Jain Sangh (Europe) Jan Kshatriya Sevak Mandal UK Kala Niketan Karamsad Samaj Kutch Leva Patel Community UK Kutch Madhapar Katyalaya UK Lohana Community North London Lohana Community South London Lohana Community West London London Indian Elders Group Mahatma Gandhi Foundation UK Mahelav Overseas Association Malawi Hindu Association UK Mandhata Youth and Community Association Medway Hindu Centre Mewada Community UK
(Education Scholarship Fund committee) Nadiad Nagrik Mandal Nar Nagar Union UK National Assoc of Patidar Samaj-South London National Association of Patidar Samaj National Association of Patidar Samaj East London National Association of Patidar Samaj (Wembley Branch) Navnat Vanik Association Ode Gam Union (UK) Omkara Nanda Mission (Shiv Shakti Pith) Oshwal Centre Palana Europe Society UK Parajiya Pattni Association UK Pij Union UK Posum (UK) Posun Women Association (UK) Raghuvanshi Mahajan (RAMA) Rajput Samaj UK
Rajya Purohit Association UK Ranoli Overseas Patidar Samaj Samnvay Parivar Sardar Patel Memorial Society UK Sat Kaival Circle Shree Aden Depala Mitra Mandal Shree Bavis Gam Patidar Samaj Shree Bavis Gam Patidar Samaj (U.K) Shree Gaud Brahm Samaj Shree Jalaram Prathna Mandal Shree Kadwa Patidar Samaj UK Shree Kutch Leva Patel Community (SKLPC) Shree Limbachia Ghnati Mandal Shree Lohana Mahajan Bolton Shree Prajapati Association (UK) Shree Sanatan Seva Samaj Shree Sattar Gam Patidar Samaj UK Shree Sattavis Gam Patidar Samaj (Europe) Shree Vallabh Nidhi - UK Shree Vis Gam Patel Samaj UK
Sojitra Samaj Sunav Samaj (UK) Surrey Gujarati Hindu Society The Brahmin Society North London The Federation of Brahmin Associations of Europe The Gujarati Hindu Society The Lohana Mahajan (UK) Trust The Swaminarayan Hindu Mission The Vanza community of South London The Vanza Society of London The Wanza Samaj U.K UK Asian Women Conference, South London Branch Uttersanda Union (UK) Vanik Professional Group Vanik Samaj (UK) Vaso Nagrik Mandal U.K Virsad Union (UK) Watford Hindu Group Wellingborough District Hindu Association Wembley & Harrow Association