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13 - 19 OCTOBER 2018 - VOL 47 ISSUE 24

MIGRANT EXODUS RATTLES GUJARAT Triggered by the alleged rape of a 14 month - old girl in Sabarkantha, north Gujarat, violence and hate crimes targeting non-Gujaratis have spread to central parts of Gujarat, as eight contractual workers were attacked at the recentlyinaugurated 'Bal Amul' plant on Sunday night. Nine people have been arrested for attacking the migrants at the plant that was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 30.

As the situation continues to worsen, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar chief ministers have called up their Gujarati counterpart Vijay Rupani, to express concern over the violent attacks. UP CM Yogi Adityanath urged Rupani to take strict action against those involved in the attacks. Over 56 cases of attacks on migrants - mainly from UP and Bihar, have been registered in 10 days. As many as 431 arrests have been made across Gujarat in connection with the incidents. The incidents occurred primarily in areas like Himmatnagar in Sabarkantha, Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad and later spreading to Vadodara, Anand and Panchmahals in central Gujarat.

Over 100 migrants fled for life in Ahmedabad, after a godown near Kabir Temple in Vastral area was set on fire late on Sunday night. On their toes,

inside: #MeToo storm gathers force: Names of more biggies out SEE PAGE 23

India signs $5bn missile defence deal with Russia Migrant workers fleeing Gujarat

police and other authorities have been on a run trying to curb the aggression that continues to spread. The cyber crime cell arrested eight persons for posting hate messages against migrants in the state. Police officials in capital Gandhinagar arrested Congress leader Mahot Thakor, a member of Gandhinagar district panchayat and Thakor Sena - an outfit floated by Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor.

While the recorded numbers of migrants fleeing is pegged at 100, industry estimates that some 12,000 migrant

labourers hailing from Hindi-speaking states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh have fled to their home states in fear of violence. The scare had reached such an extend that industrial clusters in Morbi, Jamnagar, Surat, and Kutch, which employ large number of workers from outside the state, looks like a deserted place as most of the migrant workers have left for their home states.

Industry experts said Gujarat has over 10 million industrial workers and 70 per cent of them are non-Gujaratis, mainly from the Hindi-speaking belt.

SEE PAGE 26

A salute to woman power SEE PAGE 16

Continued on page 26

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13 - 19 October 2018

onetoone WITH KEITH VAZ, MP

Mona Shah Mona Shah spent the first 18 years of her life in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and then moved back to Pakistan, where she is originally from.

Her husband, Shaz and she have two children, Mina, 27 and Ash, 20. Mona completed her Business degree just before Ash was born in 1998. They moved to England in 2006, as Ash was diagnosed with autism in 2001 and they needed a better future for him. Shaz is an engineer, so they came here on the Highly Skilled Migration Programme. Since moving here, Ash has been going to a special needs school and is now in college.

Mona worked for four years in Corporate Governance in an NHS Mental Health Trust in Cambridgeshire, before starting a social enterprise, called Harry Specters in 2012 that offers awardwinning chocolates and employs young adults with autism. They felt they needed to give back to the community for all the help Ash has received, and this felt the best way to do it.

1

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

I have been living here for 12 years now, and when I go back to Pakistan, I feel homesick for England. This is the country that made it possible for Ash to lead a nor-

right steps to get a better future for our children. But the proudest and most fulfilling would be starting Harry Specters and being able to help so many people affected by autism. Getting numerous awards for both our chocolates and the social cause, considering we started from a tiny workshop at the back of our house.

3

What inspires you?

Creativity truly inspires me, whether through art, unique business models or beautifully crafted chocolates.

4

What has been biggest obstacle in your career?

Coming to terms with the power play in a workplace. Trying to deal with the politics while just wanting to get my work done. So even though leaving my job in corporate governance and becoming an entrepreneur was a massive challenge, it was one I welcomed.

5

mal life, so this will always be where my heart is.

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

I haven’t really been influenced by anyone, I just strive to do the best that I possibly can.

But I must add that without the love and support of my husband and kids, I would not have been able to achieve what I have done to date.

2

6

What are your proudest achievements?

There are quite a few, not least taking the

What is the best aspect about your current role?

Having a vision and the freedom and ability

to realise that vision. I can get things done quickly and efficiently, without worrying about red tape.

And the worst?

7

There is no worst, but being a social entrepreneur is a huge responsibility and the challenge is to keep the balance between your business and social cause, so neither suffer.

8

What are your long term goals?

To expand Harry Specters all across the UK, creating hundreds of jobs for autistic people and benefitting local communities.

9

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

Invest in science and technology as that is the core strength for the UK. This includes making funding available to educational institutes to ensure they are equipped to do the research required.

10

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

Winston Churchill as he was a true leader and one that I can learn so much from. The leadership trait that truly inspires me from Churchill is: “Never Give In”. If you have clarity of purpose, passion and ability to act, nothing can get in your way even in the most difficult times such as war.

Ebookers founder announces bid Thieves jailed for targeting private to be Lib Dem Mayor of London online car sellers to steal 12 Mercedes Ebookers multi-millionaire founder Dinesh Dhamija has announced his intention to run for the next Mayor of London as a Liberal Democrat. His announcement comes after the Lib Dems closed its nominations list , leaving it with five potential candidates including former civil servant Siobhan Benita and Lucy Salek. The other two are yet to be confirmed but the candidate will be picked by the end of November.

Mr Dhamija, who is the son of an Indian diplomat, founded the holiday website Ebookers in 1980 with a kiosk inside Earl’s Court Tube station, where he sold flights to Australians who wanted to go home before selling the company in 2005 for £209 million.

Mr Dhamija, who is deputy treasurer of the Liberal Democrats, said that Mayor Sadiq Khan has failed on crime, housing and transport.

Speaking to the Standard Dhamija said: “His decision to freeze fares on

London’s troubled communities. “Police need to be recruited from inside the community. If there are three brothers then you want one of the brothers to be in the police.”

Mr Dhamija entered into politics in 2014, and in 2016 he was asked by former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron to be the party’s enterprise business adviser.

The Knightsbridge Dinesh Dhamija resident’s other major Tubes and buses has created passion is how the capital a TfL deficit. Housing, he can better integrate immipromised 90,000 houses a grants. He believes all immiyear, he’s delivered 6,000 — grants should be made to so he’s failed there. Crime is learn and speak English. He even worse than in New said: “The top end is more or York. Transport he’s failed, less integrated with us, but housing he’s failed, crime the bottom end isn’t, and we he’s failed.” need is to go deeper in and Dhamija has vowed that get them all to integrate. if he becomes Mayor he We’re losing out on a lot of would spend money to pay talent. By learning English for 2,000 to 3,000 more and speaking it in the right police officers and believes way, it makes you much the only way to stop knife more accepted and you feel and moped crime is by like you’re part of the rest of recruiting from within the people.”

on December 14, A 13th car theft in Hatfield on proved unlucky for a January 19 and in duo who targeted Forest Gate on people trying to sell February 19. their Mercedes cars Both Ahmed privately online. and Haq, of East Londoners Aberdour Road Tahla Ahmed and in Ilford, were Umar Haq posed as convicted of buyers interested conspiring with mainly in Mercedes another to steal cars. The duo would motor vehicles show up to the between May 5 unsuspecting sellers Tahla Ahmed Umar Haq 2017 and March 9 and ask to see the this year. cars before driving off offences.

Both men pleaded guilty with them.

Four offences, including as charged at St Alban's The pair stole 12 driving while disqualified, Crown Court on Thursday Mercedes cars and a dangerous driving, driving (September 27) and were Volkswagen Golf from sellwithout insurance and failers across London, includsentenced the following day ing to stop for a police offiing Wembley and Harrow , at the same court. cer, all relate to the same before moving on to As well as a 119-month incident, on May 6 in Ilford.

Watford and Hertfordshire. ban on driving, Ahmed was The Steele Road resident The thefts and robberies sentenced to a total of 46 was charged with stealing of cars started in May 2017 months in prison and eight Mercedes cars and a and continued until March ordered to pay a £170 victim Volkswagen Golf, as well as 2018, when the car thieves surcharge, after asking the robbery as well as an addiwere finally caught. judge to take 25 further tional four counts of robTahla Ahmed, 22, was offences into consideration. bing a man of his Mercedes. handed a driving ban just Haq, 28, was sentenced The 22-year-old was also short of 12 years in court to 36 months in prison and convicted of robbing a man after he was also convicted also ordered to pay a £170 of his Mercedes in Luton on victim surcharge. of a number of driving October 4, in Borehamwood

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13 - 19 October 2018

Indo-Russia ties in new orbit Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi with the largest ever delegation in attendance to press multiple buttons designed to power ties with India into an exciting new orbit of collaboration in diverse fields, from defence, space, science, technology and much else.

The traction of the 2018 annual summit has left a deep impression on viewers, and the results over time will surely be perceived as a defining paradigm in IndiaRussia relations. The agenda for the summit was prepared with vision and application. The chemistry between the Indian Prime Minister and Russian President made the occasion truly memorable. The cameras do not lie. Trust, wrote Harold Nicolson in his classic work, The Congress of Vienna, is the enduring strength between nations whose national interests converge. President Putin pointed out, in his reply to his host, that Russia and India were bonded by a convergence of views on all the major global issues of the day. Their two one-on- one conversations lasted two and three hours each, and hence reflected the depth of their understanding; these preceded by delegation level talks.

This indeed has been the key to the close historic ties between New Delhi and Moscow from 1950 to the present day. Resident Putin understood this from the day he took office in the Kremlin. He conceptualized the annual Indo-Soviet summits to alternate between the Russian and Indian capitals; he was the architect of BRICS, the organization representing Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – an alternative forum for emergent economies across continents as a standout to the ones set up and dominated by the West. President Putin, like all masters of statecraft is adept at the long game of the Great Game.

The uninitiated would do well to read a piece in The Pioneer newspaper (January 26, 2010) on the durability of the India-Russia relationship by Dr Ashok Parthasarathi, a Cambridge educate astrophysicist, once prime minister Indira Gandhi’s scientific advisor. A critical paragraph of his article reads as follows: ‘To those like me who have worked with the Soviet Union/Russian Federation [the] vastly different treatment of us, right

across the board and particularly the highly sensitive nuclear area is no surprise at all… relations in hightechnology – nuclear, space, defence, intelligence gathering, and interpretation – have made even the socalled US-UK special relationship look like a tea party.’

Dr Parthasarathi concluded: ‘This brief account would indicate that our entire independent foreign and security policy is based fundamentally on an incalculably invaluable …debt to the Soviet Union/Russian Federation…[for] our very existence as an independent nation state.’

Moving to the present, India and Russia sealed a raft of deals, so diverse and ambitious going forward into the future, that a clearly awed Russian correspondent covering the event told his TV audience that it might take him a full day to do justice to what had transpired.

India is to acquire five of Russia’s awesome S-400 Trumf air defence missile systems capable of simultaneously handling 84 incoming aircraft and missiles at a distance of 400km. The system will greatly augment Indian air power; in addition, Russia will supply four advanced frigates to the Indian Navy, two of which are to be built in Indian shipyards; India will also acquire Russian A-47 assault rifles to be manufactured in Indian ordinance facilities. Cooperation in space, railways, agriculture, energy including Arctic exploration, extended to the continued construction of more Russian nuclear power plants in India – the entire gamut covered in a total of 8 agreements.

Speaking to a large gathering of Indians and Russians, Prime Minister Modi said that India’s tested relationship with Russia was critical at a time of serious geopolitical challenges; President Putin dittoed the message, saying Indian and Russian defence ministers and military chiefs were in constant contact on all issues of mutual interest.

He advocated greater use of national currencies in bilateral trade.

Mr Modi made a pointed reference to India’s desire for friendly ties with all countries, but stressed the refusal to accept ‘vassal’ status under any foreign dispensation. A Bantustan global order underpinned by capricious sanctions is a doomed crusade.

US seeks settlement with China The Trump Administration for all its truculent rhetoric on China, may, in fact, be looking for a trade settlement broadly similar to the deal it recently struck with Mexico and Canada. Media reports have carried news of an impending visit to Beijing by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to negotiate an end to the confrontation over tariffs. China, it is increasingly clear, is not champing at the bit for a conflict with the United States of America.

Lest it be forgotten, China and the United States were close de facto allies, during the Nixon-Kissinger dispensation in Washington in the early 1970s.. The US Administration at the time was firmly wedded to China against the Soviet Union and India, in support of their client, Yahya Khan, head of the genocidal military dictatorship in Islamabad.

Xi Jinping regime may also be looking for a settlement with the US, since this would give the Chinese leadership space to leverage diplomacy and economic and military heft to realize Beijing’s ambition to assume the global role to which it has long aspired. Both sides recognize their overlapping interests in North and Southeast Asia and, maybe, in South Asia and the Greater Middle East, as well. It is possible, just possible, that the Trump Administration may have used Henry Kissinger’s back channel contacts in Beijing to craft a fresh arrangement to bolster US-China ties. However, China has its hidden vulnerabilities. For instance, Beijing has banned negative reports on China’s economy. A government directive circulated to foreign journalists, far from quieting domestic concerns, such draconian measures may simply add to the feared chaos of Beijing’s nightmare.

More significant is the likelihood that the Chinese

economy may not be ticking over quite as faultlessly as the Beijing mandarins would like to project to the wider world. David Shambaugh, a noted authority on the country, quotes Premier Li Keqiang’s statement in 2015 to closed sessions of the Communist Party faithful that, ‘China’s economic growth model remains inefficient, our innovation capacity is insufficient; overcapacity is a pronounced problem; and agriculture is weak.’

He is not alone. According to McKinsey Global Institute, China’s debt burden stands at an unfathomable 28 trillion dollars. Jim Chanos, founder of Kynikos Associates, a hedge fund of 3 billion dollar, who predicted the collapse of US giant Enron, in a speech at the University of Oxford Associates, said China was ‘on the treadmill to hell.’ The Economist warned: ‘Its-debt-to GDP ratio has soared to from 150 per cent to 260 per cent over a decade, the kind of a surge that is usually followed by a bust or an abrupt slowdown…Problem loans have doubled in two years and, officially, are at already 5.5 per cent of banks’ total lending. The reality is grimmer.

Roughly two-fifths of new debt is swallowed by interest on existing loans. ….In the past year alone. China has spent $200 billion to prop up the stock market; $65 billion of bank loans have gone bad; financial frauds have cost the investors at least $20 billion, and $600 billion of capital has left the country.’ China’s Belt and Road project is buckling under the strain.

US Vice President Mike Pence has accused China of collaborating with his country’s Democrats to overthrow President Donald Trump! Music hall comedy or psychological pressure, perhaps, to coincide with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s talks in Beijing.

New star has risen Man- of-the-Match 18 year-old Test debutant Prithvi Shaw, stole the show at Rajkot with a glorious display with the bat in the First Test match against the touring Windies. Sachin Tendulkar, having seen Prithvi bat as a tender 10 year-old in Mumbai, predicted his rise to stardom. The prophecy was fulfilled magically on the opening day, when Shaw tore the Windies attack to shreds with 134 runs of bewildering authority and panache in one so young.

Michael Vaugh, a former England captain and vintage batsman, hailed Prithvi Shaw as the game’s new superstar.

Virat Kohli, the Indian captain, said Shaw was ready for Test cricket at the Oval against England. Why then, didn’t he play? Lacked ‘experience’ was the tested selectors’ buzzword.

Windies were trounced by an innings and 272 runs.

They have every incentive to do better at Hyderabad – the venue of the Second Testing on October 12.

You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it - Robin Williams

Alpesh Patel

Letter from India I write to you from Hyderabad airport, after another long day of meetings, late finishes, early starts. I am earth-shatteringly tired and exhausted and I still have a flight to catch and a journey to the hotel. I am here to see companies to invest and set up in the UK from India in my role as UK Government Dealmaker. It will be a late night as I still have my own business emails and matters to handle around this.

Dinner with the British Deputy High Commissioner here was a small break from rushing to meetings with companies. His wife made us a lovely meal.

Also on the table: how British companies are overlooking the massive tech talent here and as always UK could do more. One of America’s biggest hedge funds, DE Shaw where the founder of Amazon worked, has a massive tech office here in Hyderabad. If you’re in UK Fintech you must look at Hyderabad for tech talent.

For girl child week the Deputy High Commissioner has two local girls to do his job.

The social projects of our diplomatic posts are an important part of sharing our values around the world.

Our Diplomatic posts work on UK exports and job creating inward investment to get closer ties and feedback to Central Government on bottlenecks.

Since 1999 I’ve advised the UK Government on these ties. Despite ups and downs I’ve never seen a better time for even closer relations. Of course, instantly we can think of ten ways to make things better. And we will.

There is no substitute for an entrepreneur meeting face to face and mentoring another and using their experience to help them grow. When I co-founded TIE UK this was our founding principal. This basic premise still works at the heart of what the Department for International Trade (DIT) does through its Global Entrepreneur Programme and me as one the Government’s Dealmakers - required to run our own successful global companies, raised capital for our companies, had acquisitions and exits, have impeccable networks, so we can have the expertise to help others do the same.

Sacrificing our own growth for that of others is worth it with every company landed in the UK for the UK in my role for the UK Government.

I’ve come from Bangalore to Hyderabad and now am heading to Mumbai – in each city I see outstanding tech from artificial intelligence to virtual reality that wants a UK base. The UK has always had a long term strategy for the India as a key strategic partner of shared values. Of course I’d like an open door no visa policy between the two countries.

You may even not believe successive Labour and Conservative Prime Ministers and Foreign Secretaries wanting closer ties, but having worked since 1999 with Number 10 and Department for International Trade and Foreign Office, including policy formulation, I know the policy is for more trade, more investment – but there is not, as with Brexit, either side giving without mutual benefit either.

Critics will always complain they cannot get something for nothing.

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 © Asian Business Publications

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13 - 19 October 2018

A concerned mother has claimed her seven-year-old son found plastic pieces in a vanilla-filled chocolate egg bought from Poundland.

Kaelen Shah, seven, hurt his teeth when he bit into some of the “hard rubbery” material, which he mistakenly thought to be cookie crumble. His mum says he also later complained of a stomach ache after swallowing some of it.

The family, from Rushey Mead, Leicester, were on a shopping trip to Thurmaston Shopping Centre on Sunday, September 23, when the purchase was made.

Mum Reshma, 38, said she was “horrified” by the discovery and feared her son could have choked on the plastic.

She said: “My husband and I were on a family shopping trip with Kaelen and his sister Sonia, who is 12.

“It was about 3.45pm and the kids wanted some chocolate so we decided to treat them and popped into Poundland as we were leaving.

“We decided to buy some chocolate eggs called ‘Spoon it Out’. They come in packs of four and are milk chocolate eggs with a vanilla filling which you eat using a spoon which is provided.

“The children have had them before and really liked them so

(Image: Will Johnston Photography)

Mum claims son, 7, swallowed plastic found in Poundland chocolate egg treat

Kaelen Shah (7) and sister Sonia (12) are now afraid of eating chocolate after finding plastic rubber pieces in a Poundland milk chocolate egg

we thought they would be ideal.”

Kaelen was the first to tuck into one of the eggs and it wasn’t long before he found the alleged piece of plastic.

Mrs Shah said: “Kaelan cracked open one of them and found black pieces inside.

“He thought it must be a new variety with cookie crumble but upon biting down on one of the pieces he hurt his tooth and took it out immediately.

“My husband grabbed the egg from him and, upon checking properly, found several hard, rubbery pieces of plastic.

“We were absolutely horrified and took the eggs straight back into the store, where we

demanded to see the manager to report the matter.”

She added: “A few hours later, Kaelan started to complain of stomach pains and said he may have swallowed one of the pieces. It only lasted for a day or so and he is alright now, but it could have been more serious.

"We only normally buy the children chocolate as an occasional treat. However, Kaelen in particular is worried about eating chocolate now.

"It wasn't a very nice experience for him."

Mrs Shah said that the manager at the store was understanding and offered them something else in the store for free.

The Poundland vanilla-filled chocolate eggs contained 'black rubbery plastic pieces' (Image: Reshma Shah)

She added: "I told him that wasn't the point. He took the chocolate eggs from us and said we had to fill out a form to make a formal complaint."

The family said they are still considering whether to apply for compensation from Poundland over the matter.

Poundland told a local paper that it was investigating the matter but did not elaborate as to whether or not the brand of chocolate eggs involved had been removed from its shelves, or if a product recall would be issued.

A spokeswoman said: “The customer has been in touch and we’re asking the supplier to investigate what’s happened.

We’ll report their findings directly back to Reshma and thank her for getting in touch."

Police believe body found in quarry to be missing man Hem Kumar Rai Leicestershire Police continued their search for missing Hem Kumar Rai by searching Groby quarry Friday where they found a body.

A specialist diving team searched the water and found a body that is believed to be missing 51-year-old Napalese national, Hem Kumar Rai.

Formal identification has not yet taken place, but officers believe they have found Hem Kumar.

His death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for HM Coroner.

Hem Kumar was last seen in the Groby area on Friday September 21. His

family and officers became increasingly concerned about his whereabouts during the last two weeks in which he has been missing.

A police spokesperson said: "Officers would like to thank everyone who assisted with their enquiries and shared appeals for information."

Manchester Arena attack: Survivors still seeking psychological help About 3,300 people have accessed psychological support since the Manchester Arena bomb, it has emerged.

Twenty-two people were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up at an Ariana Grande concert on 22 May 2017.

Since the first anniversary, 172 new referrals have been made to the NHS's Manchester Resilience Hub, a mental health service for those affected.

"Different things are traumatic for different people, but there is help out there," said the unit's Alan Barrett. The hub focuses solely on helping those directly affected by the bomb, including children and emergency responders. Dr Barrett, a consultant clinical psychologist who works in the unit, said: "Being caught up in the blast, the delay of finding loved ones, we would expect that would have lasting effects on people.

"People don't seek help

Manchester Arena bombing carried out by Salman Abedi

immediately because they either are coping or maybe they feel there are more deserving people ahead of them in the queue as it were - bereaved or injured - so they hold back.

"The reality is that this is normal - being on edge, trying to avoid things that remind you of the incident. That's all really nor-

mal, but there is help out there."

Roy Martin, from Northwich in Cheshire, had taken his two daughters to see the concert.

The bomber detonated his device as Mr Martin waited for them with his wife.

He said he and his wife saw "a huge flash of yellow, orange and green" and they were both "hit by

the blast - you could feel it under your feet, like rolling thunder".

While his daughters got out safely, Mr Martin said it was "fifteen minutes of panic waiting to find out if our daughters had made it out OK".

He said: "I just grabbed them and said 'we've got to get out of here, follow me and run like you've never run before'."

When they heard it had been a suicide bomb, "it really hit home - everyone in the car just broke down, we just couldn't believe that we had made it out in one piece".

In the wake of the atrocity, Mr Martin said the family had all been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

"It's obviously something that you live with, but you learn to adapt. It's nothing to be ashamed of to say you need help. No-one should sit there in silence and think there's no-one out there to help," he said.

in brief TWO MEN DUE IN COURT CHARGED WITH PLANNING SYRIA TERROR Two men have been charged with terrorism offences after allegedly preparing to travel to Syria. Safwaan Mansur, 22, of Hampton Road in Aston, Birmingham, and Hanzalah Patel, also 22, of Frederick Road, Leicester, will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court. West Midlands Police charged the men with intending to of commit acts of terrorism. The alleged offences happened between 31 May 2017 and 24 June 2017. Mr Mansur and Mr Patel were first arrested in July 2017 but were released while inquiries continued. They were then re-arrested in March this year.

MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER A man has been charged with the murder of a mother of four who was stabbed to death. Avan Najmadeen, 32, was found dead at her home in Fenton, Stoke-onTrent, on Monday. Dana Abdullah, 35, of no fixed address, is due to appear at North Staffordshire Justice Centre. A 33-year-old man from Liverpool who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released under investigation. Another man, 33, from Wigan, who was also arrested on suspicion of murder was released with no further action, a police spokesman said.

Staffordshire Police officers found Ms Najmadeen at her home in Glebedale Road at about 17:00.

'COUNTY LINES' DRUG DEALER WHO TRAFFICKED CHILDREN JAILED A drug dealer who trafficked teenagers to sell heroin and crack cocaine through his "county lines" narcotics network has been jailed for 14 years. Zakaria Mohammed, 21, groomed them before transporting them from Birmingham to rural Lincolnshire.

West Midlands Police said it was the first time a drug dealer had been convicted, under the Modern Slavery Act, of trafficking children. He admitted conspiracy to supply class A drugs and trafficking charges. Police said Mohammed, from Aston in Birmingham, was "cynical, deliberate and ruthless" in befriending young and vulnerable children, aged 14 and 15 at the time, to use as a commodity to further his drug-dealing business. Children, who had previously been reported as missing to the force, were found inside three flats in Lincoln when police conducted raids and recovered money, drugs and weapons.

MAN TO APPEAR AT OLD BAILEY ON TERROR CHARGE A man from Leicester has been remanded in custody to appear at London’s Old Bailey charged with a terrorism offence.

Hanzalah Patel, aged 22, of Frederick Road, Highfields, Leicester appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court Oct 4th.

He appeared in the magistrates court with another man, Safwaan Mansur, also aged 22, of Hampton Road, Aston, Birmingham.

The pair have been charged with the intention of committing acts of terrorism.

The charge alleges that between 31 May, 2017 and 24 June, 2017, they engaged in conduct to prepare to travel to Syria contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.

The two men were remanded in custody to appear before the Central Criminal Court, the Old Bailey, on November 2.

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13 - 19 October 2018

Eminent scholars discuss different views on Gandhi and legacy The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Committee of Hull organises an annual lecture on a Gandhi related theme. This year it decided to replace it with a panel discussion involving four eminent Gandhi scholars who take different views on Gandhi and his legacy. They were Lord Bhikhu Parekh, Lord Meghnad Desai, Professor Faisal Devji and Dr. Shruti Kapila. This is the first time that Gandhi has been subjected to such a comprehensive inquiry and naturally the event was a great success. The president of the Gandhi Committee, Mr. Ashwin Shah, opened the meeting with an excellent welcoming speech in which he explained to nearly ninety guests why the format had been changed and how Hull intends to celebrate the one hundred and fiftieth birth anniversary of Gandhi.

Lord Desai spoke with his characteristic informality. He said that Gandhi was the most famous Indian ever who had honed his ideas during his stay in London as a student. He came into contact with an unusual group of radical people through the

Dr. Shruti Kapila, Lord Bhikhu Parekh, Professor Faisal Devji and Lord Meghnad Desai

Vegetarian Society. As a leader he demanded absolute obedience from his followers from the very beginning of his political career in South Africa when he was still in his early twenties. How he got his self confidence remains a question. He was progressive on the gender issue and brought many women into public life. While he was himself non-violent he inspired direct action from large masses of people which made it an unarmed struggle but had a violent streak. Lord Desai also said that although Gandhi was kind to people in general he could be cruel to his family, including his wife and children.

Professor Devji, professor of Indian History at Oxford University spoke next, concentrating on Gandhi and the Gita..

Gandhi often thought

about the nature of moral and political action through his reading of the Bhagavad-Gita. For him Krishna’s advice to Arjuna emphasised the superiority of duty over choice in defining such action.

Rather than choice he bases political and moral action on duty, understood as something specific to each person in his circumstances and called swadharma.

Gandhi also contrasted duty with rights. Rights could always be taken away and were a gift of the state.

By contrast duties could never be taken away and were in that sense inalienable. In Gandhi’s view the Gita taught us that evil depends on goodness and that if goodness withdrew its co-operation, the evil would collapse of its own weight.

Dr. Kapila, fellow of Corpus Christi College,

Cambridge, spoke next.

She said Gandhi’s fundamental contribution was to suggest a new theory and practice of the self. Hind Swaraj was a search for such a new self. In Gandhi’s view modern life and technology broke up the self and the challenge was how to compose an

His Hind Swaraj could be more accurately translated as rule of the self.

Lord Parekh, who followed next and chaired the panel, concentrated on how to assess Gandhi’s legacy and importance for post-independence India.

There are three dimensions to Gandhi, namely his

fusion of ideas drawn from different religions and holding religion sincerely but openly. It is strange that a deeply religious man like him should not have a trace of religious fanaticism or fundamentalism about him. Gandhi’s life and death were examples of the ideals he sought to live

integrated self based on self-discipline. His practice of celibacy, spinning, and days of silence were intended to disrupt the abstract nature of modern life. In politics his concern was to restore sovereign power to the individual not the state.

thought, actions and life.

At each of these levels he had his strengths and weaknesses. At the level of thought his great contribution consisted in developing a theory and practice of Satyagraha, opening India to the world, encouraging

by and had a grandeur all their own. He knew not only how to live but also how to die a noble death.

The meeting ended with a lovely vote of thanks

by Mrs. Nita Sodha. It was followed by a most enjoyable dinner.

6 UK

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Ameet Jogia urges the Conservative Party to do more for nurses Ameet Jogia, a Councillor from Harrow, won the hearts over of thousands at this year’s Conservative Party Conference, as he urged the Conservative Party to do more to support nurses during his heartfelt tribute to them.

Ameet spoke of his own experiences with the NHS over the past year after his father was suddenly taken and diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Speaking at Conservative Party Conference, Ameet said, “Whilst I will always be grateful to the doctors and consultants for the role they played in treating my Dad – it was the nurses who were absolutely essential in keeping him alive.�

Ameet encouraged the Government to do more to support public sector workers such as nurses, “as a Party of hope and aspiration where hard work is

central to our ethos, I believe it is our duty to support these most valued public sector workers.� “Only by investing and empowering our public sector workers can we truly deliver a high-quality public sector for all.�

Ameet used the opportunity to highlight the many challenges that the NHS currently faces, including long waiting times, overworked staff

and increasing demand for multiple services.

Speaking exclusively to Asian Voice after, Ameet said, “as Conservatives, we have always been knocked by the Labour Party over the NHS. The Labour Party act like they have a monopoly on the NHS – but that is simply not true.� “As a proud Conservative, I am sure that all Conservatives agree with me that the current

pressures on our NHS are simply not acceptable.

Despite what the Labour Party say - these conditions are not a reflection of what we Conservatives stand for.

But to make change we need a credible plan which can only work with a strong economy backed by the Conservatives.�

During his speech, Ameet also paid tribute to the Conservative Government for their announcement earlier this year on the NHS’s 70th anniversary to provide an extra £20.5 billion to enable the NHS to meet increasing demands.

The theme for this year’s Conservative Party Conference was ‘opportunity’ and was seen as a bounce back for Prime Minister Theresa May to overcome Party critics and infighting to present a clear case for the country after Brexit.

Local Assembly member opposes Universal Credit Universal Credit which combines all six benefits including the housing and working tax credit benefits into one payment system has fresh hurdles to cross before a complete roll-out.

Trussell Trust, a local charity, has predicted that the addition of more applicants for Universal Credit may possibly spike the use of food bank referrals. The National Audit Office (NAO) analysed the report provided by the Trussell Trust and suggested that there was a 30% increase in

the foodbank in the six months following full-service launch in one area.

Other drawbacks include financial difficulties that the applicants faced in delayed payments during the transition period. This meant that many had to rely on borrowings from other sources to pay their bills.

And while 11% of the applicants have been registered under the new system, not everyone found the process of online registration simple. 25% of these applicants sought help either from the

Job-centre staff in person or on phone to claim their benefits.

Although Universal Credit is a simplified system, the practicality of its rollout is doubted by many today including local assembly members Navin Shah who said, “The evidence is stacking up that the Government’s punitive welfare changes are pushing more and more Londoners into the cold grip of destitution. The implementation of Universal Credit clearly isn’t working and it risks doing

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more harm than good.�

These are only the surface level challenges that the new system would possess for the 135,000 Londoners seeking to benefit from Universal Credit by 2021.

And this report by Trussell, Mr. Shah says, “is the latest in a growing abundance of proof that Universal Credit will force some families to choose between feeding their children and keeping a roof over their heads. That’s a cruel position to put people in.�

Ilford man caught trying to smuggle four suitcases filled with ÂŁ1.5m A man from Ilford has been jailed after he tried to board a flight to Dubai with suitcases filled with almost ÂŁ1.5million in cash.

Mohamed Imran Khan Sathar Khan, 35, was arrested by Border Force officers on August, 29 at Stansted Airport after he checked in with four bags crammed with ÂŁ10 and ÂŁ20 notes.

Each case weighed around 20kgs. He claimed to be travelling to visit friends and denied knowledge of the money, but after opening the cases staff found ÂŁ1,494,920. He was charged with two money laundering offences and pleaded guilty

to both counts. The money was forfeited under the Proceeds of Crime legislation which means it will be given back to the “public purse�. Khan was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court to three years and nine months in prison on Friday, September 28.

Sexting: The new way to pay for your textbooks No permanent full-time job and mounting university tuition fees to pay off?

Digital sex is the easy solution for many students these days who earn quick cash by either sending intimate messages or sometimes photographs as well.

Online sexting, presumed safer by many, allows these students a layer of protection as they register on various social media platforms under anonymous identities.

Katie Roberts, an English Literature graduate from London, who set up an Instagram account under a pseudonym said“You didn't have to give them [the guys] any personal details about yourself. You didn't meet them face to face�. But she also prefers looking for vacancies for these positions and

messaging the client rather than advertising her availability. Browsing through the vacancies gives her an idea of the clients' wants, the price and her comfort level based on which she makes her decision.

Katie is just one among many: according to Swansea University's recent study, 5% of students had indulged in sex work at some stage while 20% had wondered about it.

Selling intimate pictures of yourself or messages may be frowned upon by many in the society and even some of the financial institutes such as PayPal which would block your account if they discover the nature of the earnings. But these students feel no shame in using their body for a little bit of extra cash.

Tales of the Turban: Racial discrimination and mental illness Priyanka Mehta “I wear a turban because I am staunchly religious that way.

But also partly because it makes me more visible among the rest almost like it is my identity,� said Jaiteg Singh, an undergraduate at Cardiff University who first came to the UK in 2016.

Like Burqa, Turbans these days also appear to have attracted debate and much of the discrimination against them stems from their physical appearance.

According to the UK Sikh Survey of 2016, almost one out of seven Sikhs have experienced workplace discrimination.

Consequently, according to the British Sikh Report of 2018, 6% of Sikhs attribute discrimination as a major cause of stress for them. The report goes on to indicate that racial harassment, which has become

more visible in the UK ever since the EU referendum, causes depression, anxiety, and even self-isolation.

But Jaiteg Singh's experience in the UK over the last two years has been everything. “I have had informative experiences with people coming in and asking me about the significance of my turban.

But that is only out of curiosity. I have never faced any discriminatory attacks or any abuse because of my religion.�

While he may not have personally compromised with his identity, there are certain believes that he has adjusted with in order to maintain a social life in the UK- for instances drinking. But apart from social and cultural requirements, Jaiteg does not even carry a Kirpan with him. “It's not feasible to wear a Kirpan for me with the amount of travelling that I have to do so. Out of the five

objects, Kirpan is the only thing that I don't carry with me.�

While as a youngster he may have carried his religious identity in his physical appearance, not everyone follows along the same principles.

Channing Kaler is a retired resident in Cardiff who migrated to the UK from India back in the 1960s. Even today he adorns the turban almost like a crown on his head and believes that aside from religion it also keeps his long hair bound and clean. But he is also a great believer of personal freedom and does not impose his religion on his children who neither wear the Turban nor carry any of the five essential Ks. “I have travelled to a lot of places and I have never faced any sort of discrimination for wearing a turban and I don't think that there is any controversy or debate surrounding the Turban.�

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13 - 19 October 2018

Britain's Communities Secretary and Lord Mayor of London visit India to boost UK-India links Rupanjana Dutta Britain's communities secretary James Brokenshire and the Lord Mayor of London, global ambassador for the UK’s financial and professional services industry have embarked upon their respective trips to India.

Brokenshire went to India for a threeday visit from Thursday 4 October to promote business and technology ties of the country with the Midlands region of England.

While addressing a press meet in Pune on Friday afternoon, Brokenshire said that Maharashtra and Midland have lot of things in common, which will lead to great advancements on various fronts, including technology and future mobility solutions, the sake Times reported. He added, “Both regions are at the cutting edge of modern engineering technology driving the future mobility revolution."

He further said that Midlands and Maharashtra are thriving tech hubs in their own right, and by bringing these two great regions together, they are strengthening technological and economic ties to the benefit of people and businesses.

Mayor of West Midlands Andy Street, who accompanied him said that they are in talks with Tata Motors and Bharat Forge on future mobility solutions such as increasing the use of electric vehicles.

Brokenshire said in a statement, "The Midlands and Maharashtra are thriving tech hubs in their own right, and by bringing these two great regions together we are strengthening our technological and eco-

Sir John Peace, James Brokenshire and Andy Street

nomic ties to the benefit of our people and businesses. Whether it's manufacturing the latest car model or sharing ground-breaking research, there is a lot to be gained and I'm determined we make the most of the opportunities, particularly as we prepare to leave the European Union.”

Brokenshire began his engagements in New Delhi by holding talks with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Anant G Geete, Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Sector Enterprises, as well as Sir Dominic Asquith, British High Commissioner to India. In Maharashtra, the minister held talks with Indian advanced manufacturing giant Bharat Forge. He was joined by the Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street, and Chair of the Midlands Engine partnership, Sir John Peace.

The UK government is also using the opportunity to encourage British companies

to participate in the India-UK Future Tech Festival in New Delhi in December.

Lord Mayor's visit to India Lord Mayor Charles Bowman has taken a business delegation to Mumbai, Bangalore and Dellhi from 7 to 12 October 2018 to strengthen trade links with the City of London.

He is accompanied by Lord Mayor representatives from 11 UK Charles Bowman fintech firms as well as Lord Mayor elect Alderman Peter Estlin. List of firms on delegation include business champion- LouDeloitte, Global Processing Services, iProov, Onfido, PESB, R5FX, Salary Fits, Skyline Partners, Worldpay, Wrisk.

During the visit the Lord Mayor also announced that a Scholarship will be awarded to one exceptional student as part of the Mansion House Scholarship Scheme. This award will be the fourth scholarship issued in India since the scheme began.

Lord Mayor of London Charles Bowman said, “The UK and India enjoy a strong and enduring relationship that continues to reap results in many areas including finance and commerce.

“India is the fourth largest foreign investor in the UK, and ties between our two countries are growing. But there is so much more we can do together, particularly in the area of fintech, where UK expertise perfectly matches the needs of India’s growing digital market.

“Travelling with me on this visit are some of the best and brightest fintech firms the UK has to offer, and I can’t wait to see them fly the flag for UK industry.”

Secretary of State for International Trade Dr Liam Fox MP said, “Trade between the UK and India has risen by 19% to £18.8bn but there is still enormous potential to expand this relationship even further. This is particularly true for areas like fintech where Britain is a world leader – last year alone, the UK secured more tech venture capital investment than Germany, France, Spain and Ireland combined.

“I’m delighted to see the Lord Mayor leading this delegation of innovative and ambitious UK firms on a trade mission to India and my international economic department is committed to working with key partners like the City of London to champion free trade across the globe.”

8 UK

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13 - 19 October 2018

Is Contracting the Way? It seems that that while the Brexit cloud is hovering everything in the UK is slowing to a halt. Even though as previously stated in Liberty Williams Article student property is deemed to be a safe growth market post Brexit.

With many people enjoying the comfort of PAYE and the stability it brings the news that employers are giving up hiring new staff due to James Backhouse uncertainty over Brexit is not good reading. The Business confidence is weakening and the UK and is “stuck in a rut” because of the uncertainty and delay with the UK's split from the EU is affecting the economy, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said.

A survey of which included around 5,600 businesses was undertaken, the results showed manufacturing exports Industries were slowing and many service-based firms were giving up trying to hire new staff members. With costs in manufacturing expected to go up due to the rise in importing of raw materials businesses are tightening their belts with the dark forecast ahead. With this analysis of the future market’s companies would rather spend money on plant and machinery rather than on training and recruitment.

There has never been a more important time for the government to bolster business investment, competitiveness and productivity in the face of significant Brexit headwinds. While fewer companies are trying to recruit, those that are hiring they are finding it increasingly challenging to fill vacancies. More and more companies are turning to contractors to fill their vacancies which have so far gone un filled. As both the company and the contractor enjoy the flexibility of not having to add them to the workforce or must assign training courses this market is growing.

Whether through a limited company or as an individual you can be your own boss, no more performance reviews, strict dress codes fully responsible and reliant on yourself. Contractors can also choose their own hours and place of work contracting allows more flexibility. Expenses is another key benefit and Business-related expenses such as Office Rental, Supplies & Equipment as well as Accountancy and Legal fees can all be claimed along with Travel and Motor expenses meaning you can trade as tax efficiently as possible.

The days of joining a firm whilst young and having the “job for life” is over companies no longer want a large work force rather flexible specialists they offer contracts too where is a larger mutual benefit on both sides Is contracting the way for you? For more information Speak to Liberty Williams Riddle of the week: 2, 3, 5, 9, 17, _ What is the next number in the sequence? (If you know, why not enter our prize draw, by linking In with me and leaving the answer) *Check out Liberty Williams website for more articles which in Business and Accounting*

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As I See It

For the sake of Gujarat and India, stop this horrible expulsion CB Patel

Rumour mill following a horrible incident of a 14 year old girl raped by someone from Bihar in Sabarkatha district have created a tsunami. Not only thousands appeared to have left for their home states in Bihar and UP, others elsewhere in Gujarat and even Maharashtra feel threatened. Very sadly Alpesh Thakor, Congress MLA from Radhanpur and the leader of the Thakor community started this saga. When the rape tragedy happened, you can see his statement in Gujarati on tv screen, not only warning migrant workers, but even threatening physical violence. All because of the scene and action of one man. Alpesh appeared to be making contradictory statements in the last 3 days. On Saturday he went public retracting what was said by him on 28th September, emphasising that he was completely shocked and angry about the rape and he did address a large crowd of his community but did not advocate violence. On Tuesday he had changed his stance saying only a small number of people may have left that district and all others incidently are result of social media chaos and rumours. Gujarat government in all 8 of the 30 odd districts have arrested over 400 people and charged with some serious offences.

Congress party has called on the Gujarat government to arrest Alpesh Thakor and charge him. It is surprising other Congress leaders in UP and Mumbai are claiming that Thakor is innocent of any provocation.

Gujarat government is in a quandary. Thakor Community is a larger segment in what is called Other Backward Castes. They have substantial vote bank, able to influence the final result in dozens of constituencies of Gujarat assembly. Gujarat government and the rapid industrial development of Gujarat can not afford this turmoil at the moment. Vibrant Gujarat 2019 is just a few months now. Delegation from Gujarat government supported by business and commerce industry have travelled to many countries in Europe, North America, Japan, Africa, inviting foreign investments. Very largely they appear to have succeeded as well.

Gujarat which is otherwise well known as a peaceful state with good labour relation is besmirched then invariably investors will be cautious. In last 15 years Vibrant Gujarat initiative has changed the face of Gujarat. The automobile and many other industries have reached Gujarat in huge numbers. Over 10mn workers are employed in various industries in almost all parts of Gujarat. 70 percent of them come from UP, Bihar, Kerala, Rajasthan and several other parts of India. Ahmedabad city alone with a population of some 6 million, have half a million people of Kerala, as per-

manent residents. In all major cities, towns and even small villages, one can find non Gujarati workers in agriculture, retail, wholesale construction, catering, industry as well as in so many important managerial roles.

This is a matter of both principle and practice.

Indians irrespective of caste, religion or provincial background is entitled to live anywhere in India, except in Jammu and Kashmir. In practical terms the industrial growth of India in general, and Gujarat in particular has benefitted from migrant workers.

Reservation policy - the real culprit The outdated policy of reservation based on caste in education, government jobs and political power is a real pain for India. Thakors, Patels, Jats, Marathas and others are demanding reservations. Politicians who thrive on their vote banks, have no qualms about the damage to the fabric of the society or unity of India.

Various well researched report said that in the 70 years, some members of SC and ST have benefitted by the policy of reservation and become rich and powerful. They have persisted on the caste divide rather than voluntaring to give space to others. BJP like other parties, it appears, is unable to take the bull by the horn and provide some solution.

Prakash Ambedkar the scion of Baba Saheb have publicly asked to dissolve reservation, especially in central and state legislation. His lone voice is ignored.

To create public opinion, to create a national debate appears to be impossible, because every political party thinks it can gain something extra by fuelling the fire of caste-divide. They could not care less for national integrity. While we are going to press, looks like the worst is over, both Gujarat government and local leaders are taking necessary steps to give solace and confidence to the 7mn migrants who have made Gujarat their home.

Some of our readers are children of those who were expelled by the mad man Idi Amin in 1972 from Uganda. Most settled here have done well, thanks to the British environment and people. Uganda has suffered enormously. Yoweri Musevini had to come to UK and go to Gujarat to apologise for the deaths and destabilisation caused by his predecessor and today resurgent Uganda have benefitted enormously with the contribution of returning Asians and new immigrants.

Gujarat of all states in India remembers this well.

Sooner the fire is extinguished the better it is for all.

India is for all Indians, in Gujarat and elsewhere.

Diwali in London launched at BAPS Neasden Diwali in London-2018, DiL-2018, organised by the Mayor of London was launched at the BAPS Shree Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir, Neasden on 2nd October evening.

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Conservative London mayoral candidate believes celebration of immigrant festivals turned Britain into “cesspool of crime” A recent report by The Independent has brought previously made claims by the Conservative candidate for mayor of London, Shaun Bailey, to light. His statements made 13 years ago claim the celebration of Hindu and Muslim traditions has turned the country into a "crime-ridden cesspool".

Bailey, who secured his party's mayoral nomination last week, had penned a pamphlet claiming that allowing people to observe non-Christian festivals “robs Britain of its community.”

In a document dating back to 2005, he wrote to the Centre for Policy Studies think-tank, complaining that immigrants to the UK had been allowed to “bring their culture, their country and any problems they might have with them.” In the pamphlet titled 'No Man's Land', Bailey wrote, “You bring your children to school and they learn far more about Diwali than Christmas. I speak to the people who are from Brent and they've been having Muslim and Hindi

13 - 19 October 2018

Shaun Bailey

them.” The letter comes in bad taste, especially in London, where almost half the population comes from an ethnic minority background.

Bailey had also claimed that it was easier for the black community to integrate in the UK because they are more likely to be Christian. “Within the black community it is not such a bad thing because we've shared a religion and in many cases a language. It's far easier for black people to integrate.”

9

Investing in Vibrant Gujarat

Mohan Kaul

days off. What it does is rob Britain of its community.

Without our community we slip into a crime-riddled cesspool.”

He also wrote, “There are a lot of really good things about Britain as a place and British people as a body. But by removing the religion that British people generally take to, by removing the ethics that generally go with it, we've allowed people to come to Britain and bring their culture, their country and any problems they might have, with

UK

Indian Professionals Forum jointly with FICCI and High Commission of India hosted a delegation from Gujarat and organised an event on Investing in Vibrant Gujarat on Wednesday 19th September. Mr M K Das, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Gujarat and Principal Secretary of Industries was the leader of the delegation consisting of representatives of key industries and private sector based in Gujarat. About 100 delegates attended including about 20 members of the Gujarat delegation. A presentation was made by Mr Das. The highlights of the presentation found, size of India’s Economy at present is $2.78 Trillion (2016-17), making it 3rd largest econo-

my in the world by purchasing power parity (PPP). India has 3rd largest Start up investor base in the world. $4 Trillion will be estimated consumption in India by 2025, making it 3rd largest consumer economy in the world. India will produce 175 G watts of renewable energy by 2020. India attracted 44.8 billion dollars of FD investment in 2017-18 and Gujarat has 5% of India’s Population (60.4 Million) but contributes 8% of India’s GDP and 20% of India’s exports.

43% of Gujarat’s population lives in urban areas. It has 48 large ports and 17 operational airports and one of the most urbanised state in India. It has 6 smart city projects: Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Gandhinagar and Dahod.

Gujarat Government has

allotted $121 Million for development of small businesses in 2017-18 . GIFT CITY in Gujarat is India’s only hub with world class infrastructure for offshore and international transactions in banking, insurance and capital markets.

Gujarat has India’s first high speed rail project between two cities: Ahmedabad and Mumbai and wold’s largest off shore wind farm project of 1000MW is in Gujarat.

Mr Das invited all delegates to Vibrant Gujarat event in Gandhinagar on January 18-20 , 2019. The presentation was followed by an interactive dialogue between the visiting delegates and the IPF members.

Full presentation is available on request from IPF membership.

10 READERS VOICE

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Hobbies are a boon Everybody should follow some hobby or the other.

Hobbies are very necessary as it makes one busy and free minded. It never leaves us alone and also eliminates stress and overcomes psychological problems.

I still remember when I was just 4 years old I generally liked to spend my spare time in our garden. Hobbies are our daily life activities which we must follow. It helps us to escape from the daily chores of life.

Hobbies give us immense pleasure and peace of mind.

It is like yoga and meditation and even benefits more than that. Good hobbies dramatically improve our personality and character traits as well as improve our performances.

Reading is a good source of enjoyment, knowledge, inspiration and instruction. It makes us disciplined, loyal, punctual and most importantly a successful person in life.

The habit of reading books can be acquired at a young age by anyone and everyone. So don’t waste your time.

Develop the habit of reading today.

Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai, India

Free for all Why do people have to pay £800 a week or more to keep an elderly relative in a care home? I think care homes should be nationalised, making them totally free.

Demand for care homes will soon soar out of control as more elderly folk, many with dementia, need to be looked after. All our working lives we pay National Insurance contributions, surely entitling us to this well-deserved benefit?

Rudy Otter By email

Beware of heartless fraudsters With advancement of information technology, fraudsters are becoming sophisticated, targeting venerable elderly people, especially those who live on their own. One may be surprised how clever, polite, dedicated and pernicious they are, being heartless crooks who would robe their victims of every penny, many losing their life savings, pension pots, even their health with worries and guilt. Some £150 million were stolen in the first six months.

As we receive such calls every week, mainly from “Call Center” in India, we can imagine how people fell into their trap. Our golden rule is never to act, even listen to such calls, if calls are unsolicited. Our gospel is to deal with banks, building societies and other financial institutions directly, face to face by visiting their high street branches, establishing personal relations with staffs who are on most part friendly, eager and willing to help. I know that this could be difficult, especially for those who are gainfully employed or housebound but it is better to be safe than sorry.

Recently I read about such sophisticated case, an elderly gentleman who was robbed of £7000. He received a call from his supposedly telephone company who supplied him with phone, TV and broadband, on the pretext that he is due refund of £200 for poor broadband service in his area. After a polite, enduring conversation with sweet charming but heartless, crual lady, he gave his bank details which first showed a transfer of £200 and then it turned to £7200.

She, a “Dame in Distress” pleaded with him that she has mistakenly transferred £7000 too much. She will be sacked unless he refunds overpayment, giving him account details, persuading him to go to his bank and transfer overpayment.

He duly obliged. The bank asked him few questions as to legality of transaction; that he has talked to the person. As his replies were all positive, bank transferred the sum. By the time he realized that he was tricked, it was too late.

Normally banks refund when we become innocent victims of such frauds. But in this case, as he personally authorised the transection, even when bank raised doubt, bank refused to reimburse. I feel bank should have been more diligent, careful, talked to him, pointing out that such frauds are common before transferring the amount. The golden rule is that we should wait at least 48 hours before acting and consult our family members. But these meretricious fraudsters are so clever, pretentious, sweet and sophisticated that it is easy to fall victims, especially when they are dealing with kind and caring elderly persons who look at the world with rose-tinted glasses.

Kumudini Valambia By email

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Multi media

Brexit: No highway to heaven

I am now reading both papers Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar on line, and on tablet-Android. I am now able to view it on 55 inch tv too with cordless multi-media method.

I have demonstrated this method to all who have any sort of computer. Script is sharp, enlarge able, and colors and images are sharp. This can be very helpful to readers with vision default, eg AMD, cataract, and others semi blind conditions. Thus prints and pictures can be enlarged at will, and when on tv, paper can be read collectively by others too, via single effort.

“Readers’ Voice”. Number of letters have been reduced.

Space created in occupied by column “U.K.”. This takes up space of two letters. I suggest that you may occupy space of other columns and fully restore “Reader’s Voice” to its previous glory. I have written more than 400 letters on wide variety of subjects, and will continue to be happy contributor if you comply with my humble suggestion. Thank you all.

Ramesh Jhalla By email

Brexit has dominated our media since the referendum result that gave go ahead for Brexit in a surprising result many blame it due to Russian interference. Perhaps they believe that British voters are too dumb, lack intelligentsia to make up their own mind on their own! But Brexit came into prominence after an interlude, when PM Theresa May made public her Chequers’ plan, insisting that it is the best and only plan on offer that will fulfil the promise given to public in the referendum, refusing to listen to the concern of then Brexit Secretary David Davis and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

This led to their resignation of both from the Cabinet, forming a pressure group determined to reject, derail her plan. While resignation of David Davis was on principle, Boris had all to gather different agenda, the one he could not fulfil when David Cameron resigned after Brexit vote humiliation, mainly due to the betrayal of his closest ally, thus handing over the poison chalice to Mrs May who rewarded him, Michael Gove with a Cabinet post, Secretary of State for Environment.

Everyone was looking forward to fireworks at the annual Conservative Conference held in Birmingham. While the speech Boris delivered on the side with full crowd listening patiently, the expected firework did not occur, due to Boris’ undignified approach, attacking PM relentlessly in his column in Daily Telegraph that put off many of his supporters while uniting the cabinet behind PM. Many MPs even think Boris’ performance as Foreign Secretary was below par, his dealing with Iran and Russia did not go down well with people. In sharp contrast PM gave polished speech, full of jokes, humour in popular TV entertainment “Strictly Come Dancing” style and atmosphere!

When we voted for Brexit, no one expected it to be so complicated, that kleptomania EU will fight tooth and nail to make us pay through the nose, a bed of nails, demand pound of flesh akin to Shylock. Pro-Brexit hotchpotch propaganda made us believe that it would be “Highway to Heaven” with our NHS being rewarded to the tune of £350 million a week as a reward. In sharp contrast we will have to pay £39 billion as diverse bill no one expected or predicted. As we have £86 billion balance of payment deficit in favour of EU, perhaps EU has more to lose than us, that is if our politicians show Thatcherite guts and courage that is distinctly lacking in our present day politicians who like fishing in troubled waters!

Bhupendra M. Gandhi By email

Brexit on its last lap The question of ‘no deal’ Brexit should have never arisen because it means that the British are so bereft of ideas and workable proposals. It shows we are weak negotiators. How will they be able to negotiate international trade agreements.? They have to come out of this defeatist idea and tackle the situation positively notwithstanding the divisions in the Tory and Labour party. The national interest comes first and not personal interests of individuals. In negotiations there is always give and take, compromises and adjustments. One has to be flexible and not dogmatic. The government has to get off the high horse and get down to brass tacks and sort out this messy situation Time is running out.

Car manufacturers like Nissan in Sunderland who employ over 8,000 people are worried about their future in UK. The Centre for European Reform (CER), a research group that focuses on the European Union, said the British economy is about 2.5 per cent smaller than it would have been if the public have voted to remain in the bloc in June 2016. The findings were based on the impact on the economy until the end of June 2018.

A lot of Japanese companies, manufacturing companies in particular, have invested in this country as a gateway to Europe,” Shinichi Iida, minister for public diplomacy and media for the Japanese embassy in London, said in an interview. “A no-deal Brexit in March next year will be nothing short of a cliff edge” for our businesses. Japan is the biggest investor in Britain aside from the U.S. and a handful of European neighbours. About 1,000 Japanese companies operate in the U.K. employing roughly 160,000 workers.

Toyota Motor Corp. said that it might have to temporarily halt output at its plant in Derby, England, in the event of a so-called hard Brexit. Electronics maker Panasonic has moved its European headquarters from near London to Amsterdam, while the Japanese retailer of Muji products is mulling a similar relocation to Germany. Other companies, like robot maker Yaskawa Electric Corp., are choosing continental sites for new operations in order to stay close to European customers if Brexit creates trade hurdles.

British men employed as manual workers are most at risk from Brexit, according to a IFS report. The majority of working-class British males with no qualifications voted for Leave in the referendum, according to data from Ipsos Mori.

London will be losing its position as the world’s financial centre to Paris, the banks are moving out of United Kingdom. In the end the final outcome of the negotiations has to be approved by the British Parliament before it becomes an official trade agreement. Failing that the British people will have to decide whether to approve or disapprove the final agreement.

Baldev Sharma Rayners Lane, Harrow.

Bye bye EU As the time of our leaving the EU is fast approaching, we need to reconsider the pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages, of us going all alone in the future. The full horror of the implications if we leave without a deal could be then realised. But then what kind of a deal could we strike which would be most favourable to the UK? There are speculations of a second referendum or even a second general election. Would this all cause turmoil and period of uncertainty? We also need to consider the implications on not just our generation but also the posterity – our children’s children. A false move on our part could make it difficult for them. We must prepare for the worst. Let us pause and contemplate on what could happen if we were to leave the EU without a deal.

Would that mean that there would be a shortage of medicines? Would diabetics die en masse without the import of life saving medicines, say for example, insulin? Would there be a famine like situation without the import of grains and meat from the EU countries? How would we survive without the import of these essential commodties from Europe?

Even without Britain, EU would remain a force to be reckoned with but Britain may not get easy sailing without the support of the EU. Make it tough on the EU negotiators and ask for refund of UK’s investments in the EU projects.

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Reform of UNSC or create a new UNSC With the UN in session, we have again heard calls from India, Germany, Japan and Brazil for reform of the UNSC. This annual ritual has been going on for years without any realistic reform in prospect.

It should be clear to most seasoned observers that any meaningful reform is highly unlikely in the near future for various historical reasons. One of these is the understandable unwillingness of the existing P5 countries to give up their seat or veto power.

The current set up suits them fine so why would they support reform which would adversely affect their current status.

Even if their status remains the same, the mere fact of having additional 4 permanent members with veto powers has the effect of reducing the weight of their individual veto in an expanded UNSC. Japan’s membership is opposed by both China and South Korea. Brazil’s bid is opposed by Argentina. Both China and Pakistan are opposed to India’s bid for a seat at the top table.

We have to accept therefore that a serious and radical reform of the UNSC is a remote prospect. The best we can hope for is tinkering of the system. So what is the alternative?

An alternative is to set up a New UN with a New UNSC along the lines of the New Development Bank (NDB) set up by the BRICS nations. The NDB was seen as a competitor to the World Bank (WB) but has quickly established itself as a complementary to the WB. The New UNSC would be more representative with its HQ in in one of the BRICS nations or Germany, Japan.

If other countries support this new institution by joining the New UN in significant numbers, the current UNSC will get the message and either seriously reform itself or become less relevant as an authority on maintaining global peace. Its legitimacy is provided by member countries who can withdraw that legitimacy by leaving to join the New UN. Will this idea ever fly?

Dinesh Rai By email

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EDUCATION

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

11

13 - 19 October 2018

'Third of girls' harassed DFE school funding claims Child mental health face watchdog investigation referrals up 26% in in school uniform five years, says report One in three girls in the UK has been sexually harassed in public when wearing school uniform, a new report has suggested.

And two-thirds of girls say they have experienced unwanted sexual attention in public, it adds. The figures come from a report by children's charity Plan International UK, which said many girls feel street harassment is "all part of growing up". It is calling on bystanders to challenge harassment when they see it.

The report surveyed more than 1,000 teenagers and young women aged 14 to 21, and also carried out interviews with girls and academics. It found: - 66% of girls in the UK said they had experienced unwanted sexual attention or sexual or physical contact in a public place - 35% of girls reported receiving unwanted sexual contact such as being touched, groped or grabbed - Girls as young as eight years old described witnessing or experiencing harassment - More than one in three girls received unwanted sex-

ual attention such as being groped, stared at, catcalled and wolf-whistled while wearing school uniform - One-quarter of girls said they had been filmed or photographed by a stranger without permission.

The charity is calling on the government to recognise street harassment as a type of "gender-based violence".

It has made several recommendations, including: - Public awareness campaigns to spread the message that street harassment "is not OK" - Offer training for bystanders on how to safely intervene - Support boys and men to change their attitudes and challenge harassment - Provide relationship and sex education to young people - Training for workers in public places (shop staff, bus drivers) on spotting harassment and reporting it.

School spending claims by the Department for Education are being investigated by the UK's statistics watchdog. It follows BBC News reports which showed figures quoted by education ministers defending their record on state school spending included the money spent by university students on tuition fees and parents on private school fees.

This has been confirmed by the OECD think tank that compiles the international comparisons of spending figures. Head teachers' leaders have accused the department of "disrespecting" schools and teachers by this "extraordinary" use of statistics, warning it has "serious questions to answer".

The Department for Education accepts that the spending claim is not limited to public spending on schools - but stands by its use of the figures as "true".

The investigation will be carried out by the UK Statistics Authority, the watchdog which prevents the misleading use of figures. Education ministers

last week faced accusations that they were failing to provide adequate funding for schools in England with head teachers staging a

protest in Westminster.

Ministers dismissed the claims made by school leaders - saying that not only were schools getting more money than ever, the UK was the "third highest spender on education in the world".

But this claim has faced intense scrutiny - with heads saying it was "shocking and disturbing" that the Department for Education could quote a spending figure that turned out to include billions spent by students on tuition fees. It is now to be investigated by the statistics watchdog, which reports directly to Parliament and checks whether figures could be misleading and the context in which they are presented.

The number of referrals to child and adolescent mental health services in England has increased by 26% over the past five years, Education Policy Institute (EPI) research suggests.

Its report also reveals one in four referrals was either rejected or deemed inappropriate for treatment.

Out of 60 providers questioned, 54 gave a response.

The Department of Health said it was investing an additional ÂŁ1.4bn into mental health services for children.

The figures, shared with BBC Radio 5 live Investigates, were compiled using Freedom of Information (FOI) requests submitted to child and adolescent mental health services (Camhs) and local authorities in England.

Some providers in England were unable to give the full information requested - 33 supplied data about numbers of referrals over five years.

Based on these figures, mental health referrals for under 18s increased from 157,000 in 2013-14 to 198,280 in 2017-18.

According to data from

more providers - 50 in total for 2017-18 alone, children and adolescent mental health referrals topped 264,000.

According to the EPI report, around 55,800 children under-18 did not meet the criteria for specialist treatment after being referred in 2017-18.

Some reasons for excluding them from treatment include: - self-harm referrals accepted only if accompanied by another mental health condition - a weight loss of less than 15% from their ideal weight for an eating disorder (although this is against National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines) - young people must have already engaged with early intervention services and waited a specified length of time.

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12 MEDIA WATCH

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13 - 19 October 2018

SCRUTATOR’S External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj received front page media coverage with blazing headlines for her robust speech at the UN General Assembly, where she had trained her fire at the culpability of the Pakistani government for the jihadi terrorism funded and organized by the country’s military and intelligence services for operations in India, and also for repeated violations of Indian air space across the Line of Control in Kashmir. A number of local policemen had been killed and their bodies horribly mutilated - standard Pakistani practice (Times of India, Hindu, TV channels September 29, 30).

Anand, Gujarat, Prime Minister Modi referred to Amul as a monument to the cooperative movement. Addressing a gathering of milk producers, he said: ’Amul isn’t just any other manufacturing or milk processing business. This is a model of an alternative economy.’ The Amul brand has penetrated every corner of India reflecting the milk revolution that has made the country the world’s foremost producer in a generation (Business Line October 1).

Surge in farm exports India’s farm exports are in accelerating, partly as a result of the decline of the rupee. Strong overseas demand has pushed uo exports of basmati rice, and buffalo meat among other products. Total farm exports from the April-June quarter was 10.28 per cent over the corresponding period last year. Shipments of basmati rice, the largest exported commodity grew 26.3 per cent, earning $2 billion. Buffalo meat is second on the export list at 20 per cent. Vietnam is the highest importer of buffalo meat at 56 per cent, followed by Malaysia and Indonesia. (Business Line October 1).

Emergency aid for Indonesia

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at the United Nations General Assembly

Straight talking Readers are likely to find the words of the American academic and author, Christine Fair, finely tuned, and hence more robustly comprehensive. Pakistani conduct, she wrote, ‘reveals the more than anything that Pakistan is willing to orchestrate the deaths of Kashmiris for its own political ends. The vacuity of the so-called concern about Kashmir is reinforced by the complete omission of any mention of the Kashmiri Pandits who were ethnically cleansed by Pakistanibacked terrorists in 1990. Why does the “Kashmiri problem“ only centre on the Muslims of the Valley and not on any other lawful residents of the state?’ Good question. She answer by pointing her finger at the US, which had ‘subsidized the Pakistani military for years even though Pakistan is the root cause of the American failure in Afghanistan.’

Pakistan, not Iran

Minister Amarider Singh, swept the Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samity [rural district] elections, routing the Akali Dal, with its BJP: ally limping in third position. The Akali Dal plans to hold a antigovernment demonstration on October 7 (Hindu September 24).

The Indian Navy, Air Force and Army are in Indonesia to join relief operations in the Sulawesi

Congress call for new freedom struggle Congress President Rahul Gandhi launched a broadside at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the Wardha district of Maharashtra, the place from where the ‘Quit India’ call in 1942 was given by the Congress leadership to the Indian masses for Britain to exit India.

Rahul Gandhi’s attack at the site was a juvenile gimmick. The genuine article can never be replaced by the counterfeit imitation. Dalit leader Mayawati spurned any possibility of an alliance with Congress in UP and elsewhere in the general election (Hindu, Mint October 4).

Farmers’ rally Farmers from Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh planned to congregate in and around Delhi with tractor trolleys and farm implements to voice their concerns on the inadequate pricing of their products. Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured farmers that he would address their grievance on GST and certain other issues, but not on farmers’ loan waivers. They were stopped at the UP-Delhi border.

They were allowed in with assurances of good conduct. The big bang ended with a whimper (October 3).

Rahul Gandhi intervenes Rahul Gandhi jumped into the fray and promised farmers unconditional support on this and their other demands. This is easier said than done. His frantic bid for office iss plagued by insecurity (Hindu, Times of India, October 3).

Air chief defends Rafale deal again Air Chief Marshal B.S.Dhanoa has reaffirmed support for the acquisition Rafale fighter aircraft from France – a potential game changer in his view. He price of the aircraft, he said, had been carefully monitored by a committee of experts(Hindu October 4).

Fuel price cuts The central government has cut the soari8ng fuel price by Rs2.5 per litre. This was promulgated immediately by BJP-ruled states across India (Hindu October 5).

Kochar quits ICICI Bank Controversial head of ICICI Bank Chanda Kochar stepped down to make way for Sandeep Bakshi, who has been given a five year term scheduled to expire on October 3, 2023. Ms Kocher had attracted increasing criticism in the running of the bank. Her departure will ease tensions in the banking community (Hindu October 5).

Fire takes toll of Medical College

All change at IL&FS board Government has sacked the debtladen IL&FS board responsible for India’s infrastructure development from roads to railways and beyond, for ineptitude and poor management. The danger signals started flashing in July 2018. A new board has been appointed with Uday Kotak as Chairman and Managing Director, with Vineet Nayyar, G.N .Bajpai, G.C. Chatuvedi, Malini Shankar and Kishore, the other members. They each have business, financial an administrative experience at the highest levels, and hence are exprcted restore the company’s reputation (Business Line, Times of India, Mint October 2)

area where a devastating earthquake and tsunami have claimed more a 5,000 lives and counting. Buildings and homes have been flattened or washed away by the mud slide, leaving the population dazed and traumatized (TV, press, October 1,2.3).

Indonesia earthquake

Pakistan, not Iran, has been the villain behind jihadi terrorism.

This stark truth has eluded US administrations – Democrat and Republican - down the years, during which time Mumbai was massively assaulted twice, with hundreds of deaths and injured, these replicated periodically in other parts of India.. It has been a war without the formal declaration. Indian lotus eaters, meanwhile wrung their hands and beat their breasts and called for closer cultural exchanges with Pakistan, including greater frequency of cricket tours. Enough said.

India’s credit rating resilient

Last bastion of free speech

Rating agency Crisil has issued a positive profile of India Inc. ‘For the first time in five years, the credit ratio of investment-linked sectors at 2.15 times, is higher than overall credit ratio,’ said Somasekhar Vemuri, Senior Director , Crisil Ratings. He added that the sectors such as steel, construction and industrial machinery saw progress arising from buoyant commodity prices and the government’s infrastructure expenditure Business Line, Hindu, Times of India October 2).

Congress sweeps Punjab

Amul model for nation: PM

The Punjab ruling Congress Party, under the leadership of Chief

Inaugurating Amul’s high-tech fully automated chocolate plant at

The Supreme Court of India has become the last bastion of free speech in the country, the immovable force against the hitherto irresistible force of fanaticism and censorship. In a recent judgment, on the call for banning the Malayalam novel Meesha, the outgoing Chief Justice Dipak Misra quoted Voltaire: ‘I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.’ The court in its judgment, pronounced: ‘We live not in a totalitarian regime but in a democratic nation which permits free exchange of ideas and liberty.’

Retired Chief Justice Dipak Misra has be replaced by Justice Ranjan Gogoi (Hindu October 1, 3)

Medical College, Calcutta, once the iconic site of the British raj around 150 years ago, is Asia’s oldest medical institution. It was severely damaged in a fire, one among many that have taken heavy toll of once striking buildings. Mercifully, no one was injured. Medical College was put the road to ruin by the Communist-led Left Front government that governed West Bengal from 1976 to 2011 (Times of India, Telegraph (October 4).

Putin welcomed

PM Modi, President Putin in warm embrace at India, Russia Summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi to a warm welcome from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr Putin was accompanied by the largest ever delegation to India for the annual India-Russia summit, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, senior ministerial colleagues and leading businessmen (Hindu, Times of India, Mint October 5).

See Comment Page 3

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13 - 19 October 2018

RAF Brize Norton inspire Wiltshire's Asian community RAF Brize Norton hosted a visit for the Asian Elderly from Swindon and the surrounding areas on Thursday 27th September 2018.

Mr Harivadan Patel, who is involved with all three groups, The Swindon Punjabi Centre Elderly Group, Swindon Hindu Centre and Gita Study group, got in contact with the Station to request a visit for group members, who all have a keen interest in the UK Armed Forces, particularly Mr Patel himself, who is an RAF Veteran.

An intuitive and interesting programme was put together for the 27 guests, who got the opportunity to explore a variety of areas across the large diverse Station. They were first hosted by members of XXIV Squadron, who gave a tour around the A400M Atlas aircraft, a visit to Survival Equipment Section to understand the different aspects of the safety equipment and learn the role of our Survival Equipment Fitters. Ending the day with a visit to the Parachute Training Squadron hangar, many of the visitors found this very enjoyable and could see first-hand, the

Doctors defying laws and helping patients to select baby's sex A Daily Mail investigation has found that doctors are helping patients to choose the sex of their baby, by sending them abroad for a procedure that is outlawed in the UK. The Times reported that the Human Fertility and Embryology Authority is “very concerned” at reports that clinics are promoting and facilitating this technique. Hundreds of families are thought to have taken advantage of this loophole in the law.

In the UK preimplantation genetic diagnosis can be used by embryologists to check for hereditary diseases linked to sex, such as haemophilia or Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Sex selection for social reason, using this method is actually not allowed in the UK. But the investigators found doctors are happy to help patients travel to countries where sex selection is allowed. Clinics in those countries charge up to £14,000 for the purpose.

training that is delivered to all UK Military Airborne Forces.

Mr Harivadan Patel, who served as aircrew at RAF Brize Norton said: “We are trying to encourage our young to take an interest in the Armed Forces and perhaps consider a career with them and integrate with the host society. We will try to publicise this visit in the Asian press to provide information about careers in the RAF." There are many ex-servicemen and women, including members of the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups, living in Wiltshire and it is natural for them to encourage their family members to be interested in the Armed Forces. This visit to the Station gave the group members a chance to experience life in the Royal Air Force and gained information that they could pass onto their family.

Flight Lieutenant Adam Holland, Project Officer for the visit said: “It was an absolute pleasure to plan

one of the visitors said: “I have had a fantastic day today, I will tell my grandchildren how fascinating the Royal Air Force is. I want to pass on a massive thank you to our host and everyone for giving us the opportunity to be here today.”

13

When push comes to shove!! Lawyer unfairly dismissed and discriminated against pregnant nanny in Musilipah v Dhennin Summary Ms Musilipah successfully claimed direct pregnancy discrimination and automatic unfair dismissal against Mr Dhennin, a partner at Hogan Lovells.

The employment tribunal awarded £11,000 compensation, £6,500 damages and £500 interest.

Background Ms Musilipah began to work for Mr Dhennin and Mrs O’Sullivan as a nannyhousekeeper from January 2017.

She enjoyed a happy working relationship with Mr Dhennin and his wife, caring for both their children and provided housekeeping services.

In August 2017 Ms Musilipah suspected she may be expecting and a scan on 28 August 2017 confirmed that she was approximately 8 weeks pregnant.

and host the visit of the Asian Elderly Community, Swindon to RAF Brize Norton. I think it was especially important that they got to see some of the support elements here, which help to contribute towards the Station’s output.”

Dr Parveen Sharma,

UK

Material Facts On Monday 18 September 2017, Ms Musilipah told Mrs O’Sullivan of her pregnancy.

On Friday 22 September 2017, approximately an hour before she was due to finish for the day, Mr Dhennin told Ms Musilipah that he and his wife no longer required her to work for them because both children were going to nursery fulltime.

He handed her a letter of termination which confirmed that she was dismissed. She finished work that day.

tion, the tribunal judge found: 1. There was a diminished need for Ms Musilipah’s services if both children were at nursery, however, it was not accepted that her duties ceased.

2. There was a lack of cogent evidence that the decision to dismiss was made before knowledge of the pregnancy.

3. The assertion that Ms Musilipah had been made aware she was at risk of redundancy was untrue.

4. It was inaccurate that Ms Musilipah had in some manner expected redundancy.

As a result, the tribunal judge had to find that pregnancy was a material factor in the decision to dismiss.

Comment This is a peculiar case in that this situation should have been entirely avoidable. As a well-qualified and respected lawyer, Mr Dhennin had considerable resources to draw on to inform his decision, which should have warned that the dismissal was unfair.

This case serves as an important reminder to employers that a tribunal can draw inferences of discrimination where knowledge of a claimant’s pregnancy is hidden and inaccurate evidence is given to explain the mistreatment.

Decision The tribunal judge found primary facts of discrimination, as follows: 1. Mr Dhennin knew of Ms Musilipah’s pregnancy but had attempted to obscure that knowledge.

2. There was no reasonable explanation for the omission of Mr Dhennin’s knowledge.

3. Mr Dhennin made an untrue assertion that Ms Musilipah was warned of the risk of redundancy.

4. No full-time nursery place existed for one of the children prior to 25 September 2017.

In considering whether Mr Dhennin had a nondiscriminatory explana-

Joshua Platt

Author, Joshua Platt, is a Trainee Employment Solicitor working alongside Director Anthony Thompson who has over 20 years’ experience in this area. Under Anthony’s supervision Joshua assists in matters relating to unfair dismissal, discrimination; and unlawful deduction from wages.

For advice on this or any other employment related issue, contact: anthonyt@duncanlewis.com 020 7014 7343

14 COMMUNITY

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13 - 19 October 2018

Homecoming of Goddess Durga Rupanjana Dutta Mahalaya proclaims the homecoming of Goddess Durga from her heavenly abode to Earth with her four children to spend time with her paternal family - us.

Synonymously Bristol Durga Puja on this day welcomed the arrival of their idol from the workshop of the traditional clay artisans of West Bengal who magically gives shape to the divine with their unique expertise.

Bristol Durga Puja devotees gathered on 7th of October to celebrate this auspicious occasion by listening to the enchanting voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra narrating holy verses followed by merry making.

The autumn afternoon gathering brought everyone into the festive mode gearing the mind and soul for the approaching divine worship and celebrations.

Indians from in and around Bristol came together and rejoiced with songs, dance and of course food !

A potluck buffet was shared which had food from other Indian states.

The warmth of the festive spirit brought people together and merriment triumphed amidst cultural diversity. Everyone felt invited in the celebration of this happiness .

Bristol Durga Puja will be celebrated from 18th October to 21st October in the Bristol Hindu Temple.

The participation together is the main aim of the event so our next generation gets a glimpse our tradition and culture.

Navratri will be celebrated at the same time in the next hall which is connected by a common kitchen. The vibration of the garba sticks and the bengali dhak beats will be synchronised in festive rhythm where people from different Indian states will mingle, sing, dance and eat together. The common kitchen will also be serving fusion food from Bengal and Bristol puja idol other states especially getting ready Gujarat. Goddess Durga will Utsav’ – The pandal like atmosphere, be centre of veneration during these the merry sound of ‘Dhaak’, the frafour days that will bind people of difgrance of incense and the soulful ferent regions together. chanting of the Mantras create the Royal Berkshire Bengali perfect environment to invoke Ma Association is celebrating their Durga Durga as we seek her blessings. puja from 14 October till 18 October “This year we will celebrate our 2018.

10th Durga Pujo at Baylis House from The ideology behind and incepthe 14th to the 18th of October replete tion of RBBA was based on a similar with cultural extravaganza, mouththought when a group of Indian prowatering food prepared by our own fessionals residing in the beautiful chefs that promises of a fabulous time county of Berkshire decided to come for all.” together and create a platform of celeTheir cultural activity includes bration; where young and old come performances by Kalakunj, Bandish together and participate in this magand Eastern Euphony. nificent celebration of life. After 9 successful years of hosting 'Durga Some key Puja festivites in UK are: Puja' theyare again poised to scale new London Sharad Utsav, Ealing Town heights as RBBA turns 10 this year.

Hall, 18-21 October 2018.

Jyotindranath Bhattacharya from Panchamukhee Durga Utsav, Harrow RBBA told Asian Voice, “Most of us Arts Centre, 13-20 October 2018. have grown up with very beautiful and Indian Cultural Society, Cambridge, precious memories of Durga Puja back Atrium Hall, Netherhall School, 13 & home and we feel blessed to be able to 14 October 2018. recreate that ambience – ‘Desher Pujo Asian Voice is a media partner for the Bidheshe’ in our ‘Sarbojonin Durga above Durga Pujas in the UK.

Gujarat Hindu Society participates in the Annual Raas-Garba competition Gujarat Hindu Society took part in the annual Raas Garba competition at Wythenshawe Forum Manchester organised by the Hindu Council of North on Saturday, 29th September 2018 at 7.00pm.

Over 6 towns from Northwest participated in the function which was a sellout.Gujarat Hindu Society girls and boys who participated in both Raas and Garba were the winners in Garba (clap dance) and runners up in Raas (stick dance).

The society said that they are very proud of the achievement of the young people who participated in this cultural act and would like to congratulate Hindu Council of North to continue to promote the Indian cultural values in the Northwest.

Ishwer Tailor, Vice President GHS said by encouraging young people to participate in such activities enriches

the Indian culture and allows their development in understanding our ancestral values.

'Let's protect our girls'- Home Office launches FGM awareness campaign The Home Office has launched an awareness campaign to 'protect our girls'something designed to help eradicate the horrific crime of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), last week.

The campaign sends a powerful message that communities should protect children from people who carry out this horrific practice, as it is child abuse and this will not be tolerated in the UK. Through the tagline ‘Let’s Protect our Girls’, the Government want to ensure young girls and families

know about the life altering health consequences of FGM. These can include, childbirth complications, period problems, scarring, mental health issues and urinary infections.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said, “Female Genital Mutilation has no place in modern society. It is repulsive, unethical and leaves victims with emotional and physical scars that last a lifetime.

“We have launched this important campaign to make it clear to everyone that the practice is illegal

and has serious health consequences. I urge everyone to help protect girls at risk by spreading the messages.”

The design and messaging of the campaign was created in consultation with FGM victims and activists including the NSPCC, Forward UK, Midaye Somali Women’s Network, The Girl Generation and IKWRO. The campaign comes after NHS England statistics released in July show that between April 2017 and March this year, 6,195 individual women and girls had FGM identified or treatment

related to it. However, FGM is still a hidden crime. A 2015 prevalence study by City University and Equality Now, which was part-funded by the Home Office, estimated that 137,000 women and girls who have migrated to England and Wales are living with the consequences of FGM. The campaign will be placed into communities where, according to these statistics, FGM may be most prevalent. It is the latest action the Government is taking to tackle so-called ‘Honour-Based Violence’.

Indian Cultural Society Dr Anasuya Chattopadhyay Autumn in England is a "season of mist and mellow fruitfulness". But to all with ties to India it is also a season of celebrations that mark the confluence of philosophy, religion, traditions, art and culture in the form of Sharodutsav-the autumnal festival.

The Indian Cultural Society (ICS), Cambridge’s, Sharodutsav is a tribute to the spirit of Indian-ness that transcends the myriad differences to rejoice in our inherent oneness.

Through a kaleidoscope of events we commemorate the victory of good over evil and partake of the joys of giving and sharing. The two day long celebrations draw as much inspiration from remembering the forgotten waft of the morning shefali and the dhakis first sound in the homeland afar, as from the collective will to imbibe from and impart to our surroundings out here.

Ours is a puja still in its infancy-still set out on a journey to discover and define its own niche. Started in 2002 with immense enthusiasm by a handful of brazen optimists, it now solicits participation from hundreds across the region.

And therein lies its greatest strength. It is not so much the pomp and ardour that defines this puja as does the warmth and harmony that this celebration has nurtured over the past few years. Its not about pandals or pratimas, it is about people-and what this puja brings to their lives.

To us our Durga puja– like in the legend-is a metaphor of homecoming in our own different ways.

For those who wistfully remember the years back home it provides that cradle of nostalgia. And yet for those that are growing up here, trying to connect to their roots whilst still assimilated in their surroundings, it provides that platform to discover their own unique identity.

For yet others, to whom India is a distant occult land full of contradictions, it has often been an opportunity to witness the rich tapestry that has been woven out of centuries of merging of so many different cultures and traditions, rid the mind of stereotypes and begin on a voyage to understand the deep spiritualism that lies behind all the apparent ritualism that essentially underpins these celebrations.

The emphasis has always been to draw on the quintessence rather than get mired in dogma. From the year 2007, what initially started out as a day long

affair, has now panned into a weekend long jubilation that retains the most solemn significant and enjoyable aspects of the four day saga. One of the high points of the 2007 celebration was the splendour of its venue-the city’s magnificent ancient guild hall-thronging with more than three hundred people drawn from across the many different commu-

nities and cultures that symbolise the multiculturalism of Cambridge. 2008 will see us further consolidate our efforts to enthuse and unite, what with the arrival of our new idol from Kumartuli in Kolkata –a stunning fusion of traditional sculpting with modern fibre glass medium.

No discourse on the ICS Durgotsav would be complete without a mention of its members-those sturdy pillars on the ICS porch whose unfaltering and ever growing support has rendered the puja what it is today. From students to professionals, from toddlers to octogenarians- we all pitch in for months to make the celebrations happen. Be it airbrushing the fine details of an aesthetic and pious ceremony, maneuvering the logistics involved in a gathering of hundreds, cooking gourmet meals for those very hundreds, or engaging with the muses to enliven the evenings-the efforts are stupendous, voluntary, and perhaps unknowingly in the process, the biggest cementing force for the community. Also worth mentioning would be the interest and financial support that this celebration now draws not only from the local city council, but also from several corporate sponsors from even nearby counties.

To conclude, one remembers the ancient wisdom of the Vedas– Vasudhaiba KutumbakamThe World is One Family.

Long may the Cambridge Sharodutsav prosper and bind us all into one universal family rejoicing the arrival of Ma Durga -the embodiment of strength, goodness and glory and inspire us in this spirit to spread love, kindness and joy.

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Rupal Bharadia: Building Professionalism through Personal Foundations Sunetra Senior

academia. Before starting my career in property, I had Rupal uniquely draws on her personal entered the global village struggles to professionally empower challenge project by the women. Using her successful backinternational charity, Habitat ground in the real estate field, the for Humanity, where housing young spokesperson represents her is erected to help the impovparticular vocation for the Lean In erished on a global scale. I organisation: a global community fundraised and actually physdedicated to helping women achieve ically went out to Hungary to their ambitions. 28-year-old Rupal help build homes with the works in the property sector. She has families concerned.” Rupal been affiliated with organisations added that: “a spiritual such as Workman LLP, BNP Paribas dimension has always been Real Estate, Nottingham City central to maintaining balCouncil, Carillion Plc and CBRE, but ance. It certainly helped me makes it clear that what allows her to deal with adversity and I am be particularly adept is the emotional continuing to grow. I have fortitude she has developed upon really benefitted from the enduring as a twenty-year-old minorvalues of compassion and ity woman. strength that come of it.” The *** female fighter states she Having had to battle traditional Indian inherited these qualities from expectations, she began to find herself her birth family, which embracing a stronger, unapologetic helped her later: character: “being married at an “reflecting on early age of 22, adjusting to a younger life, I Awake, new family, a new city away remember how from my loved ones, living fortunate my arise and with elderly in-laws who siblings and I were to were not in good health, don’t stop until have had the communal supporting my ex-husband power of the Gita and the goal is through career challenges social work shown to us reached and the loss of his father, by our parents. My father embarking on business venwould lead us in philosophitures and losing my own mother cal study and my mother at an early age of 54, were just some of would involve us social work. After the challenges that I’ve encountered. dinner we would engage in spiritual The role of a woman is often mis-interreadings and devotional poetry. That preted due to societal expectations, stayed with me and shaped the person much against the beautiful teachings of I’ve become.” Coming beautifully full our scriptures which in-fact give a great circle then, Rupal demonstrates how a importance to a woman’s active role in meaningful collapse of the work/life the world. Although attitudes are divide creates a truly sound model for changing, there is still of a lack of achievement. Systematically turning acceptance, leaving women with a loss obstacles into strengths, she has made of personal identity and being accepted the personal a powerful tool in the proin their own entirety.” This experience fessional arena, not only helping othonly made her more determined to ers, but infinitely realizing herself. strive for success in life: “I want to be a symbol of strength, determination and Speaking of the work/life balresilience for other young women and ance, tell us more on what might be remind them not to turn away from the done to help women in this area? difficulty, but to face and more imporIt does come down to the bias or tantly rise above it. We should have subconscious bias that people have and strength to stand on our own.” the generational views that have been Rupal now boldly speaks on developed over time. For example, the women’s empowerment with a special reluctance of maternity leave being a scrutiny on the gender shared experience with one’s inequality in her field: one partner. It is important that that is typically “malethis social parity is awarddominated.”

She There is a ed. When women are encourages women interviewed at a certain reluctance of and men alike “to age, they are often check their uncondevalued based on maternity leave scious biases.” whether or not the Having conquered a interviewer believes being a shared lot so young, she is they are going to have in a prime position to experience with c h i l d r e n . motivate other up and Development of career one’s partner coming women to and personal advanceclaim their stake. In ment is obstructed but addition to her real estate women bring a lot of value to career, Rupal has also their work places. This is why I branched out into the food industry, enjoy encouraging male engagement in starting a vegetarian cake franchise, such dialogues. It’s important to underCakebox: “I do have a very creative side stand why men view the situation a and am going to continue in this area. I certain way and speak to these unachope to move into healthier food knowledged prejudices. options and grow my entrepreneurial interests that way.” Rupal’ s deep, phiWhat sort of powerful symbol lanthropic resolve has been evident are you hoping to be for women? since her early adult years: “worldly I want to be a symbol of strength, matters are important to me. I’ve courage, resilience, compassion and always strived for opportunities of humility. My late mother has always social and charity work alongside

inspired me and she taught me selfbelief and the confidence to pursue in the direction of my dreams and righteousness.

What has been a highlight achievement in terms of that ethos?

Overcoming personal issues to be able to do well entrepreneurially and socially. I’ve also enjoyed working with young girls and young women, advancing them and creatively encouraging them.

Tell us more on your personal story?

For a young woman in Indian society who has been brought up to appreciate and value these principles, I often found myself in situations during the challenges I faced in life, battling in my own mind to try and work out how to maintain some of these societal pressures created by Indian society.

I have been fortunate enough to have a loving and supportive family who have supported me through these changes whilst maintaining the values of our cultural teachings that has empowered me to break away from these pitfalls now. At one particularly difficult time in my life, one powerful piece of advice I received was: "Everyone out there is fighting their own battle. This is your battle and if you continue with the strength and fight it courageously, the world will fight with you".

Finally, do you have a favourite quote?

“Awake, arise and don’t stop until the goal is reached'' by Swami Vikekanand. Spirituality is again starting to play a pivotal role in strengthening my place and reminding me how to use difficulties as opportunities and using our strengths that the Supreme Being has gifted to us at their best potential. This means to do all wholeheartedly and to do our best in swadharma. I continue to develop my knowledge of the Gita and have particularly found Shyam to be a useful resource and soon to be seen as a speaker at their events also.

Health bosses must prioritise junior doctor mental health and wellbeing, BMA urges The BMA has urged that healthcare leaders must recognise the importance of junior doctors’ wellbeing in delivering better care and guaranteeing the future of an efficient NHS. To mark World Mental Health Day, the BMA has released its ‘Supporting Health and Wellbeing at Work’ report, which calls for better universal access to occupational health services and improved mental health support for doctors in training, as well as those across the profession.

With junior doctors cit-

ing health and wellbeing as a core reason for taking time away from training programmes, the failure to address this issue will ultimately exacerbate existing workforce pressures, potentially compromising patient care and incurring increased cost for the health service, it warns.

Dr Jeeves Wijesuriya, BMA junior doctors committee chair, said: “Last week’s announcement of extra funding to roll out the NHS Practitioner Health Programme for all doctors is incredibly welcome.”

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A SALUTE TO WOMAN POWER 'Shakti Rupena Samsthita'- Celebrating women empowerment Rupanjana Dutta Durga puja or Navratri is an important festival of 'Shakti worship', where the female Goddess is worshipped in all her prominent forms.

Across the world this celebration of 'woman' as a symbol of power is an annual event, but the #metoo and #metooindia campaign or attack on Aniket Mitra's depiction of menstrutating Durga is a living proof that though there has been a sea change in our approach, the real work is just about starting now. Women are entrepreneurs, CEOs and CFOs as well as mothers, grandmothers, daughters and sisters. Yet we still have a lot of work to do, still we face endless hurdles to reach that top position.

Bollywood veteran actress Shaban Azmi last year on Durga Ashtami tweeted, “This Durga Ashthami lets pray that no Durga is aborted, no Saraswati is stopped from going to school, no Lakshmi has to beg for money from husband, no Parvati is sacrificed for dowry and no Kali is given a tube of fairness cream!!!”

According to a poll for the Young Women's Trust, almost a quarter (23%) of females aged between 16 and 30 have been sexually harassed at work but only 8% have reported it. Among the reasons for not reporting workplace sexual harassment were fear of losing their job, very similar to what actress Tanushree Datta faced.

Then there is the problem of visibility of women across nations. Indra Nooyi has helped in increasing the visibility of women's representation in top positions. Though doctor Who is now a woman, a recent Forbes article found that there are only 24 women CEOs of Fortune 500 companies in the UK, down from 32 just a year ago.

In 2015, Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE, the former CEO of Mitie Group Plc, the only Asian female to head an FTSE 250 company said, “No one has ever asked me about the challenges of race, they've only ever asked me about the challenges of being a female.” But every person who is passionate in fighting for women's issues, dreams of a day, when the pursuits are not needed any more. People have not been able to dampen the indomitable spirit of women, especially when it comes to their career growth and development. Ambitions, challenges opportunities, you name it, women are not only mastering but writing the rulebooks. Here is a short list of such some very talented women who represent today's 'Shakti', a symbol of empowerment, strength and ideal, from various walks of life.

Pradesh with a Bengali mother, was born and brought up in Kolkata. In 1993, she was working as a constitutional law scholar in Cambridge, when she decided to travelled back to India to cook in the kitchens of family members, also mastering their recipes and studying the 1930s Royal Nawabi and Mughal cuisine. In 2012 she decided to launch her first ever supper club, and opened Darjeeling Express at Kingly Court in 2017. Asma will be the first British chef to appear on season six of award winning Netflix original series, Chef's Table. She launched her cookbook Asma's Indian Kitchen on October 4th. In January 2019, Asma is planning to go to Northern Iraq, where Khalsa Aid is supporting young Yazidi girls who have escaped from their Isis captors and become self-sufficient by starting their own business.

SCIENCE Dame Pratibha Laxman Gai DBE FRS FRSC FREng is a British microscopist and Professor and Chair of Electron Microscopy and Director at The York JEOL Nanocentre, Departments of Chemistry and Physics, University of York. She created the atomic-resolution environmental transmission electron microscope (ETEM) and is an outspoken advocate for women with careers in science.

Gai has pioneered advanced in-situ electron microscopy applications in the chemical sciences. With Edward D. Boyes, she co-invented the atomic resolution environmental transmission electron microscope (ETEM), which enables the visualisation and analysis on the atomic scale of dynamic gas-catalyst reactions underpinning key chemical processes. Her research has helped to understand better how catalysts function, leading to valuable new science. Her microscope and process inventions are being exploited worldwide by microscope manufacturers, chemical companies and researchers.

ENTREPRENEUR

Wonder Woman in Wales Priyanka Mehta A woman in black pants and a blue full sleeved T-shirt with a woollen red sweater on it and a pair of running shoes.

Ordinary. On most days you will walk past Vilas Kerrai, and all you would see is an ordinary woman with her African roots embedded in her wrinkled face and curly black hair as she rushes off to work.

But meet the other side of Vilas Kerrai, the first female Chairperson of Shree Kutchi Leva Patel (SKLP) in Cardiff. A Hindu cultural organisation SKLP was first established in various cities in the UK in the late 1960s after Kenya's independence. And over the years, as the Gujarati Hindu community grew, SKLP in Cardiff became the cultural thread that celebrated the union of families and various Hindu festivals. But under the unification, there was also a visible underlying demarcation.

“For years...almost decades, you can say...the Centre was male-dominated and there was no female representation even when the community was primarily for the females and the kids.” Vilas recalled that in the old days she was merely involved with the community with a chef's headgear and as the head of the kitchen.

Catering for all the festivals celebrated at the community and sometimes volunteering with the events was the extent of her participation and not just for her but for every female.

“We weren't allowed to make any decisions...even for the smallest of things!

Everything from what is required in the Asthana was born in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, and raised in Greater Manchester.

Her parents, both doctors, moved to the UK in 1970s from New Delhi.

Asthana joined The Observer as a general reporter in 2003, spent several months at The Washington Post in 2006. later she was a political correspondent for The Times before beginning to work for Sky News in 2013 as a political correspondent.

Asthana was appointed in December 2015 as the joint political editor of The Guardian, in a job share arrangement with Heather Stewart, which began in early 2016.

A civil servant by day, Anoushé Husain is a paraclimber in the UK and an ambassador for leading charity for amputees and those with limb difference.

Born missing her right arm below the elbow, living with multiple health conditions, a cancer survivor, a Muslim and coming from an ethnic minority, Anoushé has never let what society or culture thinks she should do limit her or dictate the direction of her life. She is constantly breaking the mould and challenging not only her own beliefs about her own potential but also that of society and her own culture. She won the Asian Achievers Awards for the Sports category this year.

Nimisha Raja pioneered the concept of air-dried fruit crisps, launching the first product to the UK market with her innovative brand Nim’s Fruit Crisps.

As an entrepreneurial café owner and mum, she was frustrated with the lack of a genuinely healthy and tasty snacking alternatives and set out to create a product that not only she would enjoy, but her daughter would too. Nimisha developed her products first sourcing exceptional quality fruit and then perfecting the process of air-drying them for crispness and sweetness of flavour. Tapping into the demand for genuinely healthy lunchboxes and on-the-go and after school snacks which don’t compromise on taste, her crisps quickly grew in popularity, breathing new life into stale and stagnant snack aisles.

Passionate about British manufacturing, Nimisha took a step to improve the quality and consistency of her already award-winning products by setting up her own UKbased factory.

Dame Asha Khemka DBE DL is a British educator.

She was principal and CEO of West Nottinghamshire College in Mansfield, having joined the college in 2006.

She resigned on October 1st. She was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 2008. In 2014, she was elevated to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Khemka is the fourth woman of Indian origin to be awarded a damehood of the Order of the British Empire (DBE or GBE) since the order was instituted in 1917. She is a Deputy Lieutenant of Staffordshire, where she is a long-term resident.

CULTURE

MEDIA

ACTIVIST

Darjeeling Express' Asma Khan, is famous for her all-female kitchen staff, that started from a series of supper club. Asma who is from a Royal family of Aligarh in Uttar

Anushka Asthana is a British journalist and former newsreader. Since early 2016, with Heather Stewart, she has worked as the joint political editor of The Guardian newspaper.

Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani origin female education activist and youngest Nobel Prize laureate, now living in the UK. She is known for human rights advocacy, especially the

SPORT

EDUCATION

kitchen, the equipment needed, to how much finances should be allocated down to the cultural practices in the community was decided by men. And at one point it was frustrating because Vilas Kerrai they weren't aware of the needs of the kids, the reforms required with changing times...” she trails off.

But two years ago breaking the cycle, when the community had to vote for a new chairperson, the women unanimously pushed Vilas' nomination and made her the chairperson. Ever since the Samaj has seen a greater female representation with three other women employed in the 9 person committee and assuming key positions such as the treasury and vice chairperson.

“It's been a very difficult journey for me personally to break through the patriarchy and in the process, there were several hindrances that came in way of power struggles and ego battles. And honestly, it hasn't gone away to this date...but when your passion to bring a change in the society is powerful enough then you stick it out...and I chose to.”

Her determination and the loyalty that she has to both her community and people is probably best reflected in the love that she receives from the people as they go on to build a more educated and a culturally strong community.

education of women and children in her native in Swat valley in northwest Pakistan, where the local Taliban had at times banned girls from attending school. Her advocacy has grown into an international movement, and according to Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, she has become "the most prominent citizen" of the country.

Based out of Birmingham, she founded Malala fund, a non-profit organisation and in 2013 co-authored I am Malala, an international best seller. In 2014, she was the corecipient of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize along with Kailash Satyarthi. She is currently studying for a bachelor's degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford.

AUTHOR Nikita Gill is a Indian Sikh writer brought up in Gurugram, Haryana in India. In her mid twenties, she immigrated to the South of England and worked as a carer for many years. She enjoys creating paintings, poems, stories, photos, illustrations and other soft, positive things.

Nikita realised that she loved writing when she was 12 years old and had just published ger first piece in a local newspaper in India. The desire to connect beyond physical limitations kept her hooked to writing and made her an Instagram star, with 2.5million followers.

In 2015, UK-based Nikita started uploading her poems on Instagram, and today she’s a published author with three titles under her belt.

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UK's Acorn Capital takes over startup incubator EFI Hub

EFI Hub co-founder Anu Shah

Part of a planned Asia expansion, UK-based private equity fund Acorn Capital has taken over Africa-focused startup incubator EFI Hub for a whopping amount of $10 million. Proceeds from the sale are, however, pledged to be given away in charity to the rehabilitation and resettlement programs run by UNHCR for Burundi and Congolese refugees settled in Rwanda. EFI Hub cofounder Anu Shah confirmed the deal, stating that her only interest in the share sale is using the money in charity.

Owner of 70 per cent stake in the incubator, Shah said, “I will give away every single penny from the sale of the start-ups to the non-profit and social impact initiatives in Africa. I will donate all the money to initiatives that support the refugee rehabilitation programmes, especially those for Congolese and Burundi refugees settling programs in Rwanda.” She added, “I also intend to find ways to fund or work directly with UNHCR on their refugee resettlement programmes in Africa.” Shah's interest also lies in selected projects in Sub Saharan Africa for women empowerment. She said, “Refugee resettlement will be done by directly donating to organisations working in the space. These initiatives will be done by establishing a separate non-profit office in my name and I will establish a team to actively identify such powerful projects and invest in it.”

Shah has volunteered to work with refugees with Rwanda, and worked with Syrian refugees in Lebanon too. She said, “As a woman who had left home with nothing more than just $40 in her pocket, to work in a call center in India, and having worked in some extremely male-dominated geographies like Saudi Arabia, issues relating to women and women empowerment is closest to my heart. I have been blessed with such abundance of experience, success, and wealth, and I only need very little. Hence, I believe this is the best use of the wealth I have accumulated this early in life.”

Co-founded by Shah at Harvard University, EFI Hub was set up a year and half ago, and has raised over $300,000 from angel investors till now. It has mentored several tech businesses in Africa and India, raised thousands of dollars for its portfolio companies, and worked with the South African government on its technology investment policy and infrastructure.

Brexit uncertainty is 'starting to bite' UK firms Two different surveys show that Britain's businesses suffer from Brexit-related uncertainty as exports slow, recruitment difficulties mount, and investment plans are scaled back. The British Chambers of Commerce said its survey of 5,600 companies, the largest of its kind in the country, showed services firms were having the most trouble finding staff since the survey began in 1989. and growth in factory exports was the slowest since late 2016.

BCC Director General Adam Marshall said, “These figures reinforce what we are hearing from businesses up and down the country- the uncertainty over Brexit, and the lack of bold moves to boost business at home, are starting to bite.” Just last week, Prime Minister Theresa May told her Conservative Party to back her plan to leave the European Union, as Britain enters “the toughest part of the negotiations”. Sources said the EU's Brexit negotiators see a divorce deal as “very close”. The BCC's quarterly survey showed the percentage of services businesses looking to recruit more staff over the next three months fell to 47 per cent from 60 per cent, the lowest since the first quarter of 1993. Seventy two per cent of firms reported recruitment difficulties, the highest on record.

Sending money abroad In a global economy, sending money abroad should be low cost, high speed, simple and safe. However, many banks continue to charge a flat fee of £25 for an international transfer, regardless of the amount being transferred, or hide fees by including them in poor exchange rates. UK consumers lost £5.6 billion in hidden foreign currency fees in 2015 alone, according to Capital Economics.

For years, consumers have had little choice when it comes to sending money abroad – but that's recently been changing. UK challenger banks such as Starling Bank have entered the market, determined to provide a

faster, fairer service.

Starling’s mobile-only current accounts can be applied for in minutes and once approved customers can send money abroad directly from the app.

So who’s it for? Starling’s international payments feature is especially useful for expats living in the UK remitting payments to their home country, homeowners of property abroad, business owners paying suppliers, those making regular international payments for a pension or mortgage in another country, people working abroad for a defined period or individuals who simply want to send money as a gift to

family and friends living overseas. Starling account holders can send money to 38 countries in 20 currencies.

Unlike many banks, Starling does not add markups to the exchange rate and provides the real market exchange rate which is the midpoint between the buy and sell rate on the global currency market. Starling applies a simple 0.4% fee to the transaction which means that for a £100 transaction, it will cost 40p. For both personal and business accounts, customers can transfer up to £10,000 a day. Starling’s customers also have protection from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme on

eligible deposits of up to £85,000.

Customers of Starling Bank not only have access to quick and easy international transfers, they gain a banking app full of features to ease money management such as real time transaction notifications, breakdown of daily and monthly spend and the ability to lock the MasterCard debit card if lost or stolen, straight from the app. For more information on Starling Bank, visit www.starlingbank.com/send-.

9 Asian companies featured in The Sunday Times Grant Thornton Top Track 250 league table Priyanka Mehta The Sunday Times Grant Thornton Top Track 250 league table ranks Britain's private mid-market growth companies with the biggest sales in their latest accounts.

This league table is published

by Fast Track every October, followed by an awards in November. It ranks the companies is based on the profit margins and the increase in sales on a year-onyear basis among other factors. Following are the top 9 Asian companies that have secured a place in this year's league table (along with their position on the list):

1. Southall Travel(11th) – This London-based travel a g e n c y climbed up the ranks from its 18th position in 2 0 1 7 because of an 8% increase in Kuljinder Bahia its sales in the 2017-18 annual year. Undertaken by Kuljinder Bahia in 1997 when he was merely 24 and operating with a staff of just 40 people, this company has seen an overhaul. From merely selling flights to British Asians traveling to India they have now reformed into designing holiday packages and vacations to all international destinations. With an 11% increase in its profit margins, the company last year launched two new divisions: ST sports and ST Fly focussing on the students.

2. Arora(108) – The hotel Operating business located in West London has seen a m a s s i v e downfall from last year's position at 81 to be at 108 this year. This Surinder Arora

is especially interesting given that the company has reported a 35% increase in its annual sales and a whopping 25% increase in its annual profits in the 2017-18 calendar year. What began as a B&B service for Heathrow's airline staff, Surinder Arora's business expanded to comprise property, construction, and hotels over the years. And in 2016 he opened an InterContinental Hotel and 101 luxury flats near to the O2 in London's Docklands. Last year the company entered in an agreement with Hilton to operate hotels at Gatwick and Heathrow airports which brings the number of its London sites to nine.

company has become the largest importers and processors of ethnic foods in Britain. From supplying rice and spices to supermarkets, restaurants and Asian stores it has now gone on to also operate as cash-and-carry outlets.

5. Smartway Pharmaceuticals (159) – Exporting pharmaceutical and medical products mostly, this company was started by Hitendra Patel in 1997 with his wife in the Wimbledon

3. HKS Retail(117) – Established by the Thakrars, this fuel forecourt operator w a s established in 1984, in Coalville n e a r Leicester. In Shane Thakrar the last 34 years, it has acquired more than 70 sites across the UK, partnered with Costa, Subway, and Greggs and increased its retail purchases as well. All of this has led to the company reporting a 40% increase in its annual sales and a bonanza 70% spike in its profit margins.

4. East End Foods(147) – The Indian Food Supplier in West Bromwich has reported just a 4% rise in sale circulation but a massive 60% increase in its profits.

Founded by Tony Deep Wouhra, 76, this company was first established Tony Deep Wouhra in the 1970s as an Indian food store in Wolverhampton. And in the span of a few decades, the

area of southwest London. It dabbles into the online market where the prices are available for the generic and branded products and then sources, packs, and delivers them to any corner of the world. This year it reported an increase in sales by 47% and a hike of 73% in profits.

6. Sun Mark(179) – Launched in 1995 by Rami Ranger, this is a wholesale business that supplies a range of foods to approximately a 130 countries in its largest markets of Africa, MiddleEast and East Asia. It is a relatively small scale business with just a 2% Rami Ranger increase in its sales and 6% in its profits. But the West London branch specializes in its own brands such as the non-alcoholic Rejoice Sparkling drink and sells products on behalf of Heinz, Nestle, and Unilever.

7. Wealmoor (181) – This firm specializes in the distribution of herbs, exotic fruits, and vegetables such as coriander, pomegranates to name a few, to the UK

supermarkets.

Avnish Malde, the chief executive of the company has driven an increase of more than Avnish Malde 50% in the company profits in the last year of 2017 alone.

8. NEC(186) – Based in Birmingham, it organizes more than 750 live events each year, including the BBC Good Food Show and Crufts at its exhibition venues.

With Paul Thandi as the chief executive, the sales for the company Paul Thandi reached a target of £162mn taking their profits to a 16% increase.

9. MiQ(193) – The digital marketing agency has had a good run this year with its sales jumping up to 70% and recording a profit of 58%. Founded in 2010 by Gurman Hundal and Lee Puri, this company helps client to use data to target their marketing.

In a short period, the company has managed to penetrate the markets of

Gurman Hundal and Lee Puri

Germany, North America, India and Australia with the help of its proprietary software. This software provides directed advertising campaigns for brands such as Sony.

REAL ESTATE VOICE

CRACKING THE MARKET

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Sow & Reap London Property Investment

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properties for unsuspecting novice buyers.

There are dire predictions of further drops expected, of between 25-30%.

There are two types of deals one should consider in this market.

One is where the exit is immediate and you’re buying well below the current market price. In order to ascertain what the current market price is, you will often need to rely upon the trustable advice of a local agent – perhaps this is a contradiction or certainly a rare combination.

If this is what is being put out in the main stream media, this is a good thing from an investment angle. It acts like a firewall, which prevents the retail investors from entering the market. As a consequence of this influx, Auction Houses which were traditionally the domain of property dealers have become infested with end user buyers. Consequently, rather than auctions becoming a place to pick up deals, they have become a dumping ground for problematic

You may question the wisdom of purchasing given the market will fall further. However, with the masses being kept away, there are very few real buyers left in the market. And there are those amongst the sellers who absolutely have to sell, regardless of the market.

The other is to negate the expectation of capital growth completely. What I mean by this is to focus exclusively on yield alone.

Yields have dropped in London, as a consequence of sharp rising prices. A 4% - 5% yield in London now is a rarity.

AGONY AGENT IS HERE TO HELP! Q: Do I need to be worried about Japanese Knotweed?

A: Japanese Knotweed could end up costing £1,000s in damages, drop a property’s value or even result in a refusal of a mortgage. If you have Japanese Knotweed, it is imperative that you act quickly to have this removed.

But “what am I looking for?” you may ask. If you prefer to carry out your own search of your garden then the plant can be

13 - 19 October 2018

There are serious concerns about where the property prices will go in the coming years. House prices in London have fallen for the fifth quarter in a row, this is as a consequence of a combination of high prices, stamp duty increases, and the uncertainty surrounding Brexit. Despite this, London is far more expensive than the rest of the UK, at about £500K; more than twice the national average.

Therefore, why should someone purchase in this environment?

recognised by its lime-green bamboo-like stem, that is speckled purple and red.

The leaves are heart-shaped with sprouts having a reddish tinge and turning a lime green.

In the summer they produce lots of little cream flowers. Once you have had a look over your garden it might be worth popping your head over both your neighbours’ fences, as although your garden may be ok, Japanese Knotweed can grow up to 10cm per day! This means there is a

BUY TO LET OPPORTUNITY

Thamesmead, London Purchase Price: £180,000 Specialists in Central London Property Sourcing

high chance of it spreading into your garden, very quickly. So, keep a watchful eye on theirs too.

Now, this plant can be very resilient as its roots can grow to a depth of 2m - 3m, and can spread up to 7m from a parent plant. Even after you have had a go yourself of removing it on the surface, the roots may still be there and can remain capable of growing still; and may do so for up to twenty years!

So, like any other weed it

19

The way to achieve this is to aim for largish properties, which can be converted to HMOs. In many boroughs there is no requirement for planning, the HMO status can be achieved through a licence.

This could boost your yield closer to 10%.

This means you actually have a cash flow from your investment.

Irrespective of where the market goes, this cash flow is almost guaranteed every month. In fact, when the market is unstable, the number of renters increase and thereby boost the demand, thereby potentially increasing the amount achievable.

allowing any viewings inside. This is a good sign, as again it will keep most people away. From the square footage, it appears we can achieve nine rooms in this building; giving a conservative expected yield of 8%.

We are currently looking at a derelict building in North West London. The property looks like it needs a complete refurb internally.

It’s so bad that they are not

Of course, the main bulk of money made in property is through capital growth. So, whilst going for the yield one must still be mindful of the location.

can come and re-grow at any time. If Japanese Knotweed is left to grow untreated, it has the potential to cause structural damage to a property, drains, paving, paths, driveways and boundary walls!

The best and easiest way to deal with this destructive plant is to first identify if you have it. Take a picture of what you think maybe Japanese Knotweed, and send it across to a professional. More often than not, there will be no charge for information, or just to look at a picture at

this point. They will then advise you on a course of treatment, which I would highly recommend you taking.

If this has already entered your garden or started to grow up your walls, then you will urgently need to take action.

If you are experiencing any property related issues or find yourself in need of advice, then please do contact our office for some initial free independent advice.

Richard Bond

l Two bedroom, first floor flat l Long lease l Approximately 538 sq. ft. l Allocated parking space l Expected rental income £1,000 per month Call us now for more information!

0207 993 0103

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

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Turning land into cash Get in touch about our land opportunities

20 FINANCE - INDIA

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Chanda Kochhar quits as ICICI Bank chief Chanda Kochhar, one of the world's most powerful women in business, has resigned as chief of ICICI Bank following months of controversy and investigation. Kochhar who headed India's largest private sector bank as CEO and MD since 2009, was dogged by allegations of quid pro quo deals with borrowers and was on forced leave since June this year, pending the conclusion of an inquiry by former Supreme Court judge BN Srikrishna.

Board of the ICICI Bank decided to accept Kochhar's resignation with “immediate effect,” bringing an end to her 34 year association with the bank, and appointed chief operating

Chanda Kochhar

officer Sandeep Bakhshi as CEO for five years. While the board has accepted her resignation, it is yet to clear her of impropriety.

The bank said, “The inquiry instituted by the board will remain unaffected by this and certain benefits will be subject to

the outcome of the inquiry.”

Kochhar's husband Deepak and his brother Rajiv are in the centre of the storm, following their financial dealings with a number of business groups that received loans from ICICI. Also, the CBI, Enforcement Directorate, and Sebi have also been looking into allegations of misconduct and corruption.

Kochhar's exit immediately sent the bank's stock up by 4 per cent amid an otherwise plummeting market. Ever since she was forced to step aside, there’d been widespread speculation as to whether she would wait for the investigation to end and attempt a comeback even if for just a few months.

More steps likely to cut current account deficit: Jaitley India's Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has revealed the government was trying its best to narrow down the current account deficit (CAD). He said that while the government has already taken a series of steps, including cutting its borrowings by £7 billion, doing away with withholding tax on masala bonds for the moment and allowing oil marketing companies to buy bonds worth $10 billion. He said, more steps were likely depending on the situation.

Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Jaitley said, “To bridge CAD and to bolster the flows, we are ready and have been gradually taking a lot of steps to deal with that situation... Depending on the situation as it proceeds, you will probably see more steps which are required to deal with the situation.”

Jaitley said the CAD was directly linked with global oil

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Arun Jaitley

prices, which had been going up recording the highest level in last four years, and was going to have some adverse impact. “We are trying our best to take measures to narrow it down.

Some more steps are likely. But there are two factors, both external: one is the oil prices and the second is the policies within the US which is leading to the hardening of the dollar itself,

Growth in India to accelerate further: World Bank Growth in India is firming up and projected to accelerate to 7.3 per cent in the 2018-19 fiscal and 7.5 per cent in the next two years, the World Bank said. The global lender said that the Indian economy appears to have recovered from the temporary disruptions caused by demonetisation and the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

However, domestic risks and a less benign external environment impact the macroeconomic outlook, it said. Growth reached 6.7 per cent in fiscal year 2017/18, with a significant acceleration in recent months, it said.

"Prompted by the adoption of the 'Goods and Services Tax' (GST) and the recapitalisation of banks, growth in India is firming up and it is projected to accelerate further," the World bank said in its latest report on South Asia. Growth in India, it said, is expected to rise to 7.3 per cent in fiscal year 2018/19, and to 7.5 per cent in the following two years, with stronger private spending and export growth as the key drivers.

On the production side, the turnaround in the second half was led by manufacturing (that grew at 8.8 per cent versus 2.7 per cent in the first half). Agriculture growth improved, and services growth held steady at 7.7 per cent, the report said.

and therefore affecting other currencies all over the world.”

The minister added, “As far as our internal situation is concerned, we have to consolidate our systems so the adverse impact on our growth is the least.”

Regarding the falling rupee, Jaitley said it was a cause of concern due to the variance in political and economists'

opinion and if one only looked at the transient situation. He said, “But since it is a creation of two factors- oil and hardening of dollar- once you have a settling impact, it will find its own level.

But what that level is, it has to be decided on the real strength of where the rupee stand and where the economy stands.” The FM said the current situation was “short-lived” and won't last indefinitely.

Jaitley said India had huge avenues of growth over the next 10-20 years to sustain its high growth rate. “If you leave these two transient situations, India has consistently acquired 7.5 per cent growth rate, and we comfortably achieve that. In today's global situation, that is the highest in the world. With these factors over the next two decades, there is a lot of potential. India's ability to maintain the present growth rate for a decade or two is reasonably certain.”

Several Indian firms debarred by World Bank in 2018 Several Indian companies and individuals from the country have been debarred by the World Bank from its various projects across the globe. In its first report on its efforts to fight corruption and safeguard donor resources, the World Bank Group Sanctions System Annual Report for the current year, said Olive Health Care and Jay Modi from India have been debarred for their fraudulent and corrupt practices.

They were working on a World Bank project in Bangladesh.

While Olive Health has been debarred for 10 years and six months, Modi has been debarred for seven years and six months. A total of 78 companies and individuals have been debarred by the World Bank.

The bank said the inaugural report is the result of efforts by the Integrity Vice Presidency

(INT), the Office of Suspension and Debarment (OSD) and the Sanctions Board to prepare a joint overview of the Bank Group Sanctions System and its activities over the past year.

India-based Angelique International Limited has been debarred by the World Bank for four years and six months for their fraudulent and corrupt practices. The company had a World Bank project in Ethiopia and Nepal. India's Family Care too has been debarred for four years on similar grounds. They had projects in Argentina and Bangladesh.

Madhucon Projects Ltd. from India has been

debarred for fraudulent practices, for two years.

RKD Construction Pvt Ltd. has been debarred for one year and six months for the same reason. It has projects in India.

Other Indian companies debarred by the World Bank for less than a year include Tatve Global Environment Pvt. Ltd., SMEC (India) Pvt. Ltd., and Macleods Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Five other firms were sanctioned with conditional nondebarment, meaning they remain eligible to participate in World Bankfinanced projects but will be debarred if they do not meet certain agreed-upon conditions. Each of the sanctions related to a finding that the firm or individual engaged in one of the institution's five sanctionable practicesfraud, corruption, collusion, coercion, or obstruction, while participating in a Bank Group-funded project.

MODI HIGHLIGHTS HIS GOVT'S PERFORMANCE Inaugurating the 'Destination Uttarakhand: Summit 2018 in Dehradun,' Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the world has accepted that India would be a major engine of global growth in the coming decades. Modi said, speed and scale of economic reforms in the country is unprecedented. The Prime Minister said, India has improved by 42 ranks in the Ease of Doing business rankings. He said, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code has made doing business easier. Highlighting his government’s performance during the last 4 years, Modi said, fiscal deficit has come down and inflation has been brought under control by the efforts of the government. The Prime Minister said that the infrastructure sector is progressing rapidly. He spoke of the fast pace of road construction, railway line construction, new metro systems, high speed rail project, and dedicated freight corridors.

ARCELORMITTAL MAY INVEST £1.5 BN IN GUJARAT Arcelor-Mittal, the world’s largest steel-making company, has shown interest in investing heavily at several locations in Gujarat.

Recently, a group of senior officials of the Gujarat government met Lakshmi Niwas Mittal, the chairman and CEO of the company, in London where the company expressed its willingness to invest around £1.5 billion near Sanand in a steel plant, considering the demands of the auto sector. The delegation apprised Mittal of major ongoing projects in the state such as Dholera and DMIC and invited him to be a part of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2019. A source said, “The ArcelorMittal group has expressed its intention to invest in a steel plant close to Sanand to cater to the requirements of the auto and other industries. The company is weighing all options, including taking over any existing steel plant in Gujarat.”

ERICSSON MOVES SC TO RESTRAIN ANIL AMBANI FROM LEAVING INDIA Swedish telecom equipment company Ericsson has petitioned the Supreme Court to prevent Anil Ambani and two senior executives of his group from leaving the country, after accusing them and the group of wilfully defaulting on a previously-promised payment of £55 million.

The company was to get the payment in lieu of the business it had done with the Anil Ambani group that has a debt running up to £4.5 billion. Ericsson had earlier agreed to scale down its dues from £160 million to £55 million as part of a court-monitored settlement, which promised the payment by September 30 this year. However, since the payment did not come, it has decided to approach the court on the matter once again.

“They have no respect for the law of the nation, and have abused the process of law,” Ericsson said, requesting the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the Indian company and its management.

RBI KEEPS RATE ON HOLD, STANCE 'NEUTRAL' The Reserve Bank of India kept its policy rates on hold for the fourth straight meeting and retained its “neutral” stance even as inflationary pressures have eased more than expected. The RBI kept its policy repo rate unchanged at 6 per cent, its lowest since November 2010. The reverse repo rate also remained unchanged at 5.75 per cent. Five of six members on the monetary policy committee voted for a hold, while one wanted a hike in the repo rate. Inflation concerns have eased substantially following a crash in vegetable prices which is expected to keep price pressures soft for the next few months.

However, oil prices remain a risk, with India importing about 80 per cent of its crude requirement. Bonds rose after the RBI’s statement, while the rupee firmed and stocks extended early gains. The RBI projected economic growth of 7.4 per cent for the current fiscal year that began on April 1. It also lowered its April-September inflation projection to 4.7-5.1 per cent from February’s 5.1-5.6 per cent.

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13 - 19 October 2018

in brief TRUMP PICKS PIO AS HEAD OF N-ENERGY UNIT US President Donald Trump has nominated Indian-American nuclear expert Rita Baranwal to head the nuclear energy division at the department of energy. If approved by the Senate, Baranwal will be an assistant secretary of energy, responsible for nuclear technology research and the development and management of the department’s nuclear technology infrastructure, the White House said in a statement. Baranwal currently serves as the director of the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear initiative. Previously, she served as director of Technology Development & Application and was a manager in Materials Technology, where she led research and development in nuclear fuel materials for US naval reactors.

She earned her BA in engineering from MIT and PhD from University of Michigan.

4 KILLED IN LANKA STORM At least four people were killed and over 10,000 affected as heavy rains and strong winds lashed Sri Lanka over the weekend, the government said. Disaster Management Center (DMC) spokesperson Pradeep Kodippili in the latest update said the four deaths were reported from Kalutara and Galle. Heavy rains had caused flash floods in Badulla, Kalutara, Galle and Kegalle, from where thousands of families were evacuated. Dry rations were distributed to them. Kodippili said waters were receding but more rains were expected in many parts of the island. Thunder showers are forecast in northern, western and eastern provinces and in Galle, Matara and Kalutara districts, the Met said. Heavy rains of up to 100 mm was expected in the Eastern, Southern, Central Sabaragamuwa, Uva and Western Provinces, the department added.

AFRICA-SRI LANKA-NEPAL

Lanka President orders release of all Tamil civilian lands COLOMBO: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has ordered the release of all the Tamil civilian lands held by the state in the country’s Northern and Eastern provinces by December 31, the President’s office said. Sri Lanka witnessed three-decades-long civil war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during which the military occupied civilian lands in the northern and eastern provinces for military purposes.

Since the end of the armed conflict in May 2009, a considerable part of private lands were released to the original owners. It was not clear if the latest release instructions came from Sirisena in response to representations made by the main Tamil party, Tamil National Alliance (TNA), in late August. The TNA had told Sirisena that even 9 years after

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena

the conclusion of the civil war both agricultural and residential lands continued to be in possession of the armed forces.

Pointing to the lands in Keppapilavu in the Mullaitivu district, the TNA said that 75 acres of private land owned and possessed by local people for generations and centuries was held by the Army. Sirisena told them then that more than 85 per

SA finance minister offers to quit over links with Guptas finance minister, but this is unlikely: Gordhan has his hands full with parastatal chaos. Also, the public enterprises directorgeneral Richard Seleke has just resigned.

Alternatively, former ANC’s treasurergeneral Zweli Mkhize, currently minister of

16-YEAR-OLD JAILED FOR KISSING GIRLFRIEND A16-year-old boy in Turkey has been jailed for four and a half years for kissing his 13year-old girlfriend after teachers found his schoolmates sharing video of the event. A court in Antalya Province found the boy guilty of sexual abuse under a law that forbids sexual conduct with children under the age of 15. Video filmed by a schoolmate showing the boy hugging and kissing the girl in the school was used as evidence. Five other children - all school friends ages 13 to 16, including one who filmed the episode and others who shared it - were charged with using children to produce obscene images and spreading them. They were all acquitted. Zuhal Merve Ozfidan, the boy’s lawyer, said she would appeal the verdict, and declined to share the details of the case as it involves minors. The boy remains free pending appeal.

MALAYSIA ARRESTS MAN STRANDED AT AIRPORT FOR 7 MONTHS A Syrian man who was stranded at a Malaysian airport for almost seven months has been arrested, an official said. Hassan al-Kontar had been stuck at the budget terminal of Kuala Lumpur International Airport since March 7, when officials refused to let him board a flight to Ecuador.

Kontar, reportedly sought by authorities in his homeland for failing to serve in the military, was also refused entry into Cambodia and not allowed back into Malaysia due to visa issues. The 36-year-old was left stranded in the terminal, surviving on donated airline meals and washing in the toilets. He alleged that rights groups had refused him help. But Malaysian immigration chief Mustafar Ali said that police had finally decided to arrest Kontar and remove him from the airport, as his posts had embarrassed Malaysia. Officials will now work with the Syrian authorities to get him deported to his homeland.

cent of the lands held by the military belonging to civilians had been released. However, the TNA urged that in order to achieve reconciliation and national integration all land belonging to the people which are now in the possession of the armed forces should be released without any further delay.

Earlier this year, the Sri Lankan Government was set to

return over 800 acres of military-occupied land to its original Tamil owners in the Eastern Province as part of the reconciliation process. The decision was taken after the Resettlement Committee had received the Cabinet approval to return 818 acres of land in the Sampur area back to its original owners, the Sri Lankan government’s official news portal reported.

Similarly in 2017, the Sri Lankan military had said that it ended its control over a major fishing harbour it had occupied in 1990 in the former war zone of Jaffna. According to UN estimates, up to 40,000 Tamil civilians were killed by security forces during former president Rajapaksa’s regime that brought an end to the nearly three decades-long war in the country with the defeat of the LTTE in 2009.

Nhlanhla Nene

PRETORIA: News24 reported that South African finance minister Nhlanhla Nene had asked President Cyril Ramaphosa “to relieve him of his duties” over the weekend. This followed Nene’s admission at the Zondo Commission that he met with the Gupta Brothers at various times while he was deputy minister and minister of finance.

Contradicting his previous comments that he only bumped into the Guptas “at public gatherings once or twice”, Nene admitted that he visited their Saxonwold compound four times. This was part of his efforts to “engage with different stakeholders in the economy.” One of the visits took place even after National Treasury undertook to investigate the Gupta family for the Vrede dairy farm deal with the Free State government.

“Part of my duty as a public office bearer is to meet fellow South Africans and other stakeholders when they request to do so.

However, I was wrong in meeting the Guptas at their residence and not in my office, or at least a public place. I should also have disclosed early, and fully, the details of these meetings, in particular those that took place in Saxonwold,” Nene said in a statement following his testimony.

A further revelation has added to pressure on Nene: the Mail & Guardian reported that his son, Siyabonga Nene, asked the Public Investment Corporation to finance a huge investment in Mozambique.

While the deal was not for Nene Junior's own benefit, the PIC went to great lengths to assist his business partner.

Top contenders Should he accept Nene’s offer to leave, Ramaphosa, who also needs to announce a new environmental affairs minister following the death of Edna Molewa, could use the occasion for a cabinet reshuffle. He could move public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan back to his old position as

cooperative governance and traditional affairs, could be moved to the finance portfolio. Other top contenders are: Barbara Creecy, Mcebisi Jonas, the Reserve Bank governor Lesetja Kganyagowas and Daniel Mminele .

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PAKISTAN-BANGLADESH

International team to examine Pak efforts against terror financing Islamabad: A team of international experts has arrived in Pakistan to examine the country's efforts to block terror financing through money laundering and illegal remittances, a media report said.

The team of the Asia Pacific Group (APG), an arm of the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF), arrived last week for a 12-day "on-site inspection" of the country, reports said. The team will review systems, networks and mechanisms of various institutions and agencies to ascertain if Pakistan was following through on its global

commitment to get out of the FATF grey list.

The on-site inspection will verify actions taken and progress made by Islamabad. The APG delegation comprises experts from Britain's Scotland Yard, US Department of Treasury, Financial Intelligence Unit of Maldives, Indonesian Ministry of Finance, Peoples' Bank of China, and the Justice Department of

Turkey. The FATF decided in February to place Pakistan on its grey list in June on a campaign pushed through by the US and its European allies for allegedly not doing enough to ban UNand Washington-designated religious organisations and rein in their activities.

The ministries of interior, finance, foreign affairs and law besides the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), National Counter-Terrorism Authority (Nacta), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), National

Accountability Bureau (NAB), Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU), Central Directorate of National Savings and provincial counter-terrorism departments would remain available for briefings and explanations.

Last week, the government announced that it had finalised amendments to relevant laws that would be presented to the Prime Minister and his cabinet for approval, Dawn reported.

The former government negotiated a 10-point action plan to meet about 40 standards of the FATF by September 2019 to get out of the grey list.

Pakistan to get 48 high-end drones from China Beijing: China will sell 48 highend military drones to Pakistan in what a military observer said would be the largest deal of its kind between the two countries, official media in Beijing reported. The cost of the deal was not revealed. Wing Loong II, a high-end reconnaissance, strike and multi-role endurance unmanned aircraft system, is manufactured by Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company.

The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) will also be jointly manufactured, China's state-run Global Times reported. China, an "all-weather ally" of Islamabad, is the largest supplier of weapon system to the Pakistan Army. Both the countries also jointly manufacture JF-Thunder a

single engine multi-role combat aircraft.

The announcement by China to permit the sale of highend military drones comes in the immediate backdrop of India's move to acquire the sophisticated S-400 missile defence systems from Russia.

China's Wing Loong II drone made its maiden flight in February last year, state-run Xinhua news agency had

Bangladesh scraps quota scheme for govt jobs DHAKA: Bangladesh has abolished a controversial quota system for civil service jobs that had been the target of major street protests that paralysed parts of the country earlier this year. The cabinet announced the end of the decades-long policy that reserved more than half of all government jobs for the offspring of veterans from Bangladesh's war of independence and disadvantaged ethnic minorities.

Cabinet secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam said quotas set aside for top-tier public service positions would be scrapped entirely, but some reservations for lower-level positions would remain. Recruitment for the most sought-after jobs would be determined by examination only, he said, adding a government decree to that effect would be issued soon.

The contentious quota scheme was the subject of enormous rallies in April that brought Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority democracy of 160 million, to a standstill and saw more than 100 injured. Tens of thousands of students demanded reforms of rules granting almost one-third of highly sought-after government jobs to the descendants of veterans of the 1971 war.

Protesters also wanted to reduce the quota for ethnic minorities to 10 per cent of government jobs.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whose father led Bangladesh's push for independence from Pakistan, had long refused to amend the system.

reported.

The deal for the acquisition of Chinese drones was announced by Pakistan Air Force's Sherdils Aerobatic Team on its official Facebook account, the Global Times report said. It did not reveal the cost of the deal, when it was struck or when the Wing Loong IIs will be delivered, it said.

The air force academy aerobatics team announced that

in the future, the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China's Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company will jointly manufacture the drones, the report said. Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group did not confirm when the deal was reached.

Wing Loong II made its maiden flight in February last year, an earlier report by the state-run Xinhua news agency said.

A Xinhua report in December last year said Wing Loong II UAS has already obtained the largest order of Chinese UAVs in the overseas market, even before its maiden flight. But the report did not specify the buyer.

Bangladesh enacts controversial digital security law NEW DELHI: Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid gave his assent to a controversial new law that Sheikh Hasina media groups fear could cripple press freedom and curb free speech in the South Asian nation. The Bangladeshi parliament passed the Digital Security Act on September 19, combining the colonial-era Official Secrets Act with tough new provisions such as arrests without a warrant.

In August this past year, Bangladesh witnessed some of the most widespread student demonstrations sparked by an incident of road violence. What initially erupted as an outpouring of anger over the unregulated transport industry quickly escalated into extensive anti-government protests over what is perceived as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s increasingly authoritarian rule.

The past few years have seen the government of Bangladesh clamping down on free speech and press freedom more and more. Dozens of activists and journalists have been arrested for expressing dissenting views against the ruling Awami League Party. Shahzahan Bachchu, 60, the owner of Bishaka Prokashoni and the acting editor of weekly Amader Bikrampur, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in June this year. His

death was the latest in a string of attacks made to stifle freedom of expression and undermine journalistic freedom.

The Bangladesh government also ordered the blocking of internet access to The Wire a day after it published an article on the role of the country’s military intelligence agency in the illegal pick-up and secret detention of the university academic Mubashar Hasan.

The draconian Section 57 A particularly draconian law employed in the suppression of free speech and jailing of dissidents was Section 57 of the Information and Communication Technology law (enacted in 2006 by the BNP-Jamaat government and amended in 2013) which carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. It was under this law that Shahidul Alam, a prominent social activist and photographer, was arrested recently for ostensibly spreading “propaganda and false information” during widespread student protests.

Sheikh Hasina has defended the new law by saying it is aimed at controlling cyber and digital crimes.“The journalists are only thinking about their interest, not about society and only for that they are raising their voices,” she said last month.

SHEHBAZ SHARIF GETS 10 DAYS’ JAIL Pakistani opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif was jailed for 10 days after being arrested in a corruption case, his lawyer said, meaning he will not be able to campaign for his party ahead of by-elections next week. Shehbaz is the younger brother of ousted PM Nawaz Sharif, who was sentenced earlier this year to 10 years in prison. The arrest of Shehbaz by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in Lahore involved a case of alleged corruption in a low-cost housing scheme when Shehbaz was chief minister of Punjab province. A NAB court on Saturday heard charges that Sharif in 2014 illegally cancelled a contract with a construction company and sought to award it to another company, allegedly for a bribe. The court ordered him remanded in custody for 10 days to be interrogated, his lawyer Azam Nazir Tarar said. Sharif denies any wrongdoing, and his brother has denounced corruption cases against him as politically motivated.

MUSH MAY BE FORCED TO RETURN, WARNS PAK CJ Irked by former dictator Pervez Musharraf’s failure to come back to Pakistan and face ongoing cases against him, Chief Justice Saqib Nisar warned that if the “courageous commando” does not appear soon, he may be forced to return in a disgraceful manner.

Justice Nisar made the remarks when Musharraf’s lawyer told the three-judge bench that his client “respects the court” but was unable to return due to his medical condition and reservations over the provision of security. Musharraf, 75, who has been living in Dubai since 2016, is facing the high-profile treason case for suspending the Constitution in 2007.

PAK ORDERS 18 NGOS TO SHUT OPERATIONS Pakistan ordered 18 international aid organizations to close, threatening the assistance they provide to some of the country’s most vulnerable, international aid workers said. The majority of the shuttered aid groups are US-based, while the remainder are from Britain and the EU, according to a government list. Caught in the latest order to close are aid groups such as World Vision US, Catholic Relief Services US, International Relief and Development US, ActionAid UK, and Danish Refugee Council, Denmark. There was no official explanation from the new government and there was no response to queries about the closures from the Interior Ministry, which issued the order. The Information Ministry and Foreign Ministry also did not respond to queries. The organizations have been given 60 days to wrap up their operations, said Imran Yusuf Shami, country director for Plan International, whose organization was told its registration had been denied.

PAKISTAN POSTPONES RULING ON CHRISTIAN WOMAN Pakistan’s Supreme Court has postponed its ruling on a final appeal by a Christian woman on death row since 2010 on charges of blasphemy. The judicial panel listened to Asia Bibi’s defense lawyer challenge statements by those who accused her of insulting Islam’s prophet, an allegation that can incite riots in Pakistan. The charge dates back to 2009 when Bibi went to get water for her and her fellow farmworkers.

Two Muslim women refused to take a drink from a container used by a Christian. They demanded she convert to become a Muslim which she refused. Following her refusal, a mob accused her of blasphemy. She was convicted and sentenced to death. The three-judge panel led by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar did not indicate when the court would announce its ruling. Her lawyer Saif-ul Malook said that he was optimistic that Bibi would win the appeal. But if not, he would seek a review, which could take years to complete.

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in brief INDONESIA QUAKETSUNAMI TOLL REACHES 1,944 Nearly 2,000 bodies have been recovered from Palu since an earthquake and tsunami struck the Indonesian city, an official said, warning the number would rise with thousands still missing.

The death toll from the twin disaster on Sulawesi island that erased whole suburbs in Palu has reached 1,944, said local military spokesman M Thohir. "That number is expected to rise, because we have not received orders to halt the search for bodies," Thohir said. Authorities have said as many as 5,000 are believed missing in two hardhit areas since the 28 September disaster" indicating far more may have perished than the current toll. Hopes of finding anyone alive have faded and the search for survivors amid the wreckage has turned to gathering and accounting for the dead. An official said that search for the unaccounted would continue until 11 October at which point they would be listed as missing, presumed dead. The government said it would declare those communities flattened in Palu as mass graves and leave them untouched.

SOUTH AFRICA TRAIN COLLISION INJURES 320 PEOPLE About 320 people were injured when a packed train travelling from South Africa's business hub Johannesburg to the capital Pretoria crashed into the back of a stationary train, Metrorail authorities said. At least 32 people received serious injuries. "The injured commuters were taken for medical attention at various hospitals," Metrorail said in a statement adding that an inquiry will be conducted to find the cause of the accident. In January, a similar train accident on the outskirts of Johannesburg injured 200 people. South Africa has the continent's largest railway network, but it has been plagued by mismanagement and under-investment that has seen train use dwindle despite it being the cheapest form of public transportation. In a report, the government's Rail Safety Regulator said that, in the 2016/17 financial year, 495 people lost their lives on the country's railways and 2,079 were injured.

THAILAND SHUTS BEACH TO TOURISTS INDEFINITELY A Thai beach made famous by the 2000 Leonardo DiCaprio movie “The Beach” will stay closed indefinitely to give its ecosystem time to recover, authorities said. Maya Bay, on Phi Phi Leh island in the Andaman Sea, was closed for four months on June 1 in a bid to salvage the area’s coral reefs, which have been damaged by warmer temperatures and a flood of tourists.

NIGHTCLUB ASKS PATRONS TO GET MENINGITIS TEST Patrons of a famed nightclub in Berlinare were told to immediately visit a doctor to be checked for bacterial meningitis after they may have been exposed to the life-threatening illness on the dance floor. Media reported that a KitKatClub visitor is suffering from meningitis likely contracted at the club. The club is renowned for its sexually uninhibited techno parties.

MAN RETURNS BOOK 84 YEARS AFTER MOM BORROWED IT A Louisiana library says a book borrowed 84 years ago has been returned by the son of the woman who checked it out as an 11-year-old girl.

Shreve Memorial Library’s Facebook page says the son found the “Spoon River Anthology” while cleaning house. The library said its fine of $3 per day was waived.

#MeToo storm gathers force: Names of more biggies out The #MeToo storm intensified with more women recounting their experiences of sexual harassment in the entertainment and media industry, leading to actor Rajat Kapoor apologising for his alleged misconduct and AIB facing uncertainty after two members distanced themselves from the comedy group under a cloud. While the entertainment industry remained consumed by the many ramifications of the spectrum of sexual harassment charges - that started with Tanushree Dutta’s allegations against veteran actor Nana Patekar - the Delhi-based bureau chief of a major English newspaper reportedly resigned from his post.

Mainstream star Hrithik Roshan, who has just made "Super 30" with Vikas Bahl, broke his silence on the allegations of molestation by a junior employee of Phantom Films against the director. "It is impossible for me to work with any person if he/she is guilty of such grave misconduct. I am away and have access to only sporadic information. I have

Tanushree Dutta

requested the producers of 'Super 30' to take stock of the apparent facts and take a harsh stand if need be.

"This is not to be hushed or brushed under the carpet. All proven offenders must be punished and all exploited people must be empowered and given strength to speak up," Hrithik said in a Twitter statement. Phantom Films helmed by Bahl, Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane and Madhu Mantena was dissolved over the weekend ahead of a HuffPost article that detailed the victim's account and how the production house

failed to take action.

AIB, which became popular for its 'roasts' and satires, could face a similar future, said Vidhi Jotwani, AIB HR head. While Tanmay Bhat has come under attack for his inaction in complaints against fellow writer-comedian Utsav Chakraborty, Gursimran Khamba has been directly accused of sexual misconduct.

Both are founding members of the comedy collective.

"Truthfully, we don't know what this means for the future of AIB or whether there is one.

In the interim, Ashish Shakya, Rohan Joshi and other senior team members will work towards being able to answer that question over the next several months," Jotwani said in a statement.

Bhat, the statement added, will not be involved with the day-to-day functioning of the company.

While Khamba issued a separate statement denying "any violation of consent," Jotwani said the comic will be on leave till the company has more clarity on the matter. She added that it

was everyone's right to work in a safe environment and AIB hopes to "enable measures to establish our commitment to creating a gender sensitive workspace."

Allegations against Chakraborty surfaced last week with multiple women accusing him of sending them unsolicited nude pictures.

Kapoor, the award winning actor and director of films such as "Aankhon Dekhi", was accused by a woman journalist of "lewd" and unprofessional behaviour. He said on Twitter that he has tried to be a "good human being" all his life and apologises from the "bottom of his heart".

Patekar appeared before the media to deny Dutta's allegations of sexual misconduct during the shoot of "Horn Ok Pleassss" in 2008. "I said this 10 years ago too. What was true then remains true today. My legal team has asked me not to speak. Otherwise, why will I not speak to you guys?" he said. The producer of "Horn Ok Pleassss" submitted an application before Mumbai Police, stating that no molestation took place as alleged by Dutta.

Assembly polls in 5 states between Nov 12 and Dec 7 The Election Commission has announced the election schedule for five states- Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, and Telangana.

Elections in Chhattisgarh will take place in two phases, while polls for other states will all be held in one phase. Phase one for Chhattisgarh will take place on November 12, while phase two will be held on November 20.

Voting will be held on November 28 in Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram. Polls will be held on December 7 in Rajasthan and Telangana. Results for all five states will be out on December 11.

Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat said Chhattisgarh's 18 assembly

constituencies will go to polls in Phase One, and the remaining 72 seats in Phase Two. Defending the decision to hold two phases, Rawat said in the past too, voters, political leaders and security personnel have been targeted by Naxals and it was necessary to have polls in multiple phases. The Model Code of Conduct, which bars the ruling party and even other parties from disturbing level playing field, came into force in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Mizoram immediately. Term of MP assembly ends on January 7, Rajasthan on January 20, Chhattisgarh on January 5, and Mizoram on December 15.

In Telangana, the ruling

Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) had dissolved the assembly on September 6, paving way for early elections. A lot is at stake in the MP, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan polls as the BJP and Congress are in direct contest. In 2013, the BJP had won 165, 163 and 49 seats in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh assemblies respectively, with the Congress securing 58, 21 and 39 seats.

The corresponding strength of these assemblies are 230, 200 and 90. In Telangana, the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi is seen to be going strong and will face contest from the Congress and the BJP. After winning 63 seats in the 2014 assembly polls, the TRS' ranks have swelled with members of

rival parties joining it over the years. The state assembly has 119 seats.

In Mizoram, the Congress has been in power since 2008. In the hill state with 40 assembly seats, Congress has been in fight against state parties like Mizo National Front and Mizo Peoples Conference.

The Union Home Ministry has ordered for the deployment of about 25,000 security men for election duties in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

These paramilitary and state police personnel, part of the additional 250 companies to be sent in for the polls, have been asked to take position by October 15 in states assigned to them.

US lawmakers propose to award Bapu the highest civilian honour WASHINGTON: Half a dozen influential US lawmakers, including four Indian Americans, have moved a resolution in the US House of Representatives to posthumously award the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal to Mahatma Gandhi in recognition of his promotion of peace and non-violence.

Introduced in the US House of Representatives by Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney from New York on September 23, the resolution is co-sponsored by four Indian American lawmakers in the House - Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna and Pramila Jayapal.

Tulsi Gabbard, who is the current co-chair of the House Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans is also one the co-sponsors of the resolution, which has been sent to the committee on financial services and committee on house administration for necessary

action.

The medal is the highest civilian honour given by the US Congress and very few foreigners have been recipients. Prominent among those include Mother Teresa (1997), Nelson Mandela (1998), Pope John Paul II (2000), the Dalai Lama (2006), Aung San Suu Kyi (2008), Muhammad Yunus (2010) and Shimon Peres (2014). The announcement was made by Maloney in August. “Mahatma Gandhi’s historic Satyagraha movement of non-violent resistance inspired a nation and the world. His example energises us to devote ourselves to the service of others,” she said. “His legacy inspired civil rights movements around the globe, from Martin Luther King’s movement for racial equality to Nelson Mandela’s fight against apartheid,” Maloney said.

24 INDIA

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in brief

SOUTH INDIA

Met Dinakaran, but not to topple Palaniswami govt: OPS CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam (OPS) has admitted that he did meet ousted AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran last year, but denied allegations claiming he had tried to have another meeting in the last week of September in an effort to wrest power from Chief Minister E Palaniswami. OPS held a press conference in response to the allegations Dinakaran made last week, and said that he met the ousted AIADMK leader without informing his colleagues in July last year at the request of a mutual friend.

He said, “I thought he had repented but he had not. He only wanted to become the chief minister while I fought to free the party from the clutches of VK Sasikala's family.” OPS had launched a “Dharma Yudham” (Holy War) against Sasikala and rest of her family after the death

O Panneerselvam

TTV Dhinakaran

of J Jayalalithaa. Dinakaran had alleged that the deputy CM had reached out to him through the same mutual friend to bring down the Tamil Nadu government. Responding to the statement, OPS said, “I would never indulge in such cheap tactics to become chief minister.

I did not try to meet him. I'm the deputy chief minister, why would I topple the government?

I never imagined Dinakaran would be so cheap.”

Dinakaran meanwhile, claims that the meeting held in July last year was also OPS' initiative. He said, “In July last year, OPS wanted to meet me. In the meeting, he expressed regret for his campaign against Sasikala's family and wanted to join hands. The meeting lasted about 15-20 minutes.” He

accused the leader of “playing a double game”, and added, “He wants to join us, but at the same he attacks us on stage. It appears he wants to become the chief minister. That's why he's running here and there.”

Dinakaran claimed that OPS met him “with an intention” to collaborate.

“In the meeting OPS expressed regret for his dharma yudham against us. My party functionaries knew about the meeting. Even last week he sent out word for a meeting. He wanted to join hands against EPS (Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami) and offered to make me the chief minister.”

Another expelled leader had said, “The meeting took place at a builder's home to unseat EPS. Even last week OPS had contacted the same builder to arrange a meeting with Dinakaran.”

PUNJAB-HARYANA

SAD seeks CBI probe into attack on Sukhbir’s convoy CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has demanded a CBI inquiry into the attack on the cavalcade of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal at Sangrur last week. It also demanded registration of cases against the attackers who have reportedly been identified, along with action against police officers who allegedly helped the accused come close to Sukhbir's convoy. In a press conference held at Chandigarh, SAD leaders Maheshinder Singh Grewal, Sharanjit Singh Dhillon and Dr Daljit Singh Cheema alleged that video clips of the attack clarify it was executed at the behest of the ruling Congress government in the state.

The leaders questioned how the victim's Z-Plus security was breached and the state police

Sukhbir Singh Badal

diluted the charges by refusing to book the assailants under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC. Cheema said Sukhbir's security in-charge Harmeet Singh Deol, an SP-level officer, has submitted a written complaint to the Sangrur SSP seeking action into the security

breach, but the complaint has not been acted upon. He said, “By stage-managing such incidents, the Congress is trying to show public outcry against Akalis, which is not the reality.

The CBI alone can unmask the political conspiracy behind the incident and bring the real

culprits to book.”

Cheema added that a party delegation will meet Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to demand action for the breach in Sukhbir's Z-Plus security. “By fiddling with security of political opponents the Congress is setting a wrong trend. We are confident that the people will give a befitting reply to the Congress by taking part in Patiala rally,” Grewal said.

In yet another protest by radicals against former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal to Talwandi Sabo, members of radical Sikh outfits in Sangrur had attacked Sukhbir's cavalcade. Around eight persons were injured in the clash between SAD workers and Sikh radicals, three of whom were party workers.

WEST BENGAL

CID takes over probe into Kolkata's Nagerbazar blast KOLKATA: The West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has taken over an ongoing probe into last week's Nagerbazar explosion that left a boy dead and nine others injured. A suo motu case has already been registered against unknown persons in connection with the case. DIG CID (Operations) Nishant Pervez said, “We have taken over the investigations into the Dum Dum Nagerbazar explosion case. Our officers will soon reach the spot to carry out the probe.” He said samples have been collected from the spot and forensic tests are being conducted to ascertain what type of material was used in the blast in

Nagerbazar.

“We have started a suo motu case against unknown persons in this case. Strict actions will be taken as per law against those found guilty. CCTV footage

from neighbouring shops as well as those from the traffic police are being checked. Locals of the neighbourhood have also been asked to come over for a round of questioning for our probe,” a

police officer of the Barrackpore Police Commisionerate said. He added, “Inputs from locals could be vital and help in identifying those behind the blast.” When asked if the explosion could have been a fallout of internal squabbles in the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), the officer said it is very difficult to infer such things at the current stage.

“We have not been able to identify anybody responsible for this mishap, and it is very difficult to say whether he belongs to any particular political outfit or not. Our investigation is at a very early stage and nothing conclusive can be drawn now,” the officer said.

KAMAL HAASAN DOESN'T WANT TO BE A FULL-TIME POLITICIAN Actor-turned-politician, Kamal Haasan does not intend to become a full-time politician. In a statement made in response to a question asking whether he would stop acting in films and take up fullfledged politics, Haasan said it was enough if a person devoted some time to politics, there was no need to be a full-time politician. “Even I don't want to do it. No one does anything full-time.” He added that cinema too was not a full-time profession for him. When asked whether Makal Needhi Maiam (Haasan's political party) would field its candidates in the forthcoming Parliamentary elections, he affirmed it, adding that steps would have been initiated to contest the polls. He replied, “As far as I know, there is no alliance.”

MLA FILES COMPLAINT AGAINST KIRAN BEDI Just a day after his verbal spat with Puducherry Lieutenant Governor (LG) Kiran Bedi at a public function, AIADMK MLA A Anbalagan has filed a complaint with the Speaker stating his rights as a member have been violated. The Oupalam MLA was speaking at an event organised by the Government of Puducherry to declare the region as Open Defecation Free (ODF) when his speech was cut short by the LG. The MLA, seeking action on Bedi, said he was interrupted and asked to stop his speech when he was speaking about how people in his constituency end up dumping garbage in an open canal, due to the lack of garbage bins in the area. He wrote, “We are about to announce Puducherry as an open defecation free state. The duty to create the infrastructure for that lies with the government. There are still homes of poor and underprivileged classes that don't have a private toilet.”

SIDHU WANTS TO LEGALISE OPIUM Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu has supported Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Dharamvir Gandhi over the latter's demand for legalisation of opium cultivation. Claiming that the drug had helped his uncle live a long life, Sidhu said, “Dharamvir Gandhi is doing a very good thing, I support him. My uncle used to take opium as a medicine and lived a long life.”

Gandhi has taken up the issue on several occasions in the last couple years, also meeting Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh last year. He had even introduced a private member's bill in the Lok Sabha in 2016 seeking legalisation of “nonsynthetic” intoxicants like opium and marijuana.

KANGAROO COURT ORDERS MAN TO BE BURNT ALIVE In a shocking incident, a Kangaroo court in Malda, West Bengal, ordered a young man to be burnt alive after which three people were arrested by the authorities. Reports suggest the court passed the bizarre order against a 29 year old man while hearing a case related to a land dispute. Following the order, a group of villagers tried to set Mondal Hansda on fire by tying his limbs.

However, he was rescued by his family members who rushed him to a hospital, where his condition is currently stated to be serious. The police have arrested three persons, including a local community chief who held the Kangaroo court. Hansda and his aunt have been locked in a land dispute for quite some time and the court was held to settle the dispute.

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13 - 19 October 2018

Sardar Patel : An Opponent of Reservations • PM Nehru and his deputy never dreamt of reservations for eternity • Vallabhbhai believed, the SCs needed to give up inferiority complex

hough Sardar Patel, an Indian statesman, was opposed to any kind of reservation in the government jobs and education as well as in the legislatures like Mahatma Gandhi, even today his name is being drawn in controversies in the present day agitations demanding reservations in India. Of course, Patel was very keen on giving due share to all the minorities in administration of free India. Patel as Constitution maker is hardly being discussed.

T

While drafting the Constitution of Indian Republic, the contribution of Patel as the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Minority Rights in extending political safeguards was quite significant. He was assisted by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. K. M. Munshi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as Members on the Advisory Committee.

The Indian Constitution provides safeguards such as reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) in the government jobs and education as well as political reservations in the Parliament and other Legislatures.

In late ’90s, the reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBC) on the basis of the Mandal Commission recommendations were also implemented.

stage, the Sardar and Munshi tried to convince Dr. Ambedkar, the Law Minister who was given responsibility to Chair the Drafting Committee of the Constitution, to give up his insistence for reservations. Barrister Ambedka , who was born in the Mahar community of the Untouchables of that era, refused to budge. He even offered to resign not only his seat in the Constituent Assembly but also as the Law Minister of India. Of course, Patel could not afford a giant like Dr. Ambedkar to resign and never raised the issue again.

Patel visualized the so-called untouchables difficult to

PM Nehru with Deputy PM Sardar Patel

Scheduled Castes are concerned, they are not minorities in the strict meaning of the term; that the Harijans are part and parcel of Hindu community, and safeguards are given to them to protect their rights only till they are completely absorbed in the Hindu Community.”

Since the Untouchables were deprived of equal status with the Caste Hindus for centuries, the provisions were proposed for the initial period so that they can be brought in the mainstream.

Unfortunately, the reservation criteria has not Dr. B. R. Ambedkar with Maulana Hazrat Mohani only become permanent but even the Caste Hindus like Sometime the concept of Brahmins and Rajputs have been Minorities and usage of the phrase agitating for getting included in the Scheduled Castes does create backward reserved categories to get confusion in the international the job and educational benefits ! treaties and law. Hence, Munshi All the political parties without any had offered clarification in the exception favour not only Constituent Assembly : “The continuation of reservations but ‘minorities’ so far as international demand extending them to various treaties and international law is castes and classes with craving for concerned, is only restricted to the votes. racial, linguistic and religious Not only Sardar Patel but even minorities. The Harijans, generally Pandit Nehru never dreamt of the known as Scheduled Castes, are present day scenario. Both, the neither a racial minority nor a Prime Minister and the Deputy linguistic minority, not certainly a Prime Minister, were not in favour religious minority…to clarify the of reservations for eternity. At one position that so far as the

Dr. Rajendra Prasad with Nehru and Radhakrishnan

distinguish in his own words during the Constituent Assembly debates: “There is no Scheduled Caste between us.” While referring to one SC member Mr. Khandekar, he added: “There is no Scheduled Caste between us. So those representatives of the Scheduled Castes must know that the Scheduled Caste has to be effaced altogether from our society, and if it is to be effaced, those who have

Next Column: " The 35th Martyrdom Day of PM Indira Gandhi" ceased to be untouchables and sit amongst us have to forget that they are untouchables or else if they carry this inferiority complex, they will not be able to serve their community.”

“They will only be able to serve

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joined the Scheduled Castes delegates who were sitting separately in the Pandal.

Sardar Patel managed to convince the Muslims, Christians and Parsis to give up the claim for any kind of reservation for their community. When the Constituent Assembly was debating the Political Reservations, Dr. H. C. Mookherjee ( a Christian Member and the Vice President of the Assembly), Maulana Hasrat Mohani, Tajamul Husain (Muslim Members), R. K. Sidhva (a Parsi Member) and a thumping majority of the members wholeheartedly supported in favour of non-religious reservations even when some members were insisting for and even Congress leaders like Maulana Abul Kalam Azad preferred to remain neutral.

PM Nehru expressed his

Dr. Ambedkar’s grandson Advocate Prakash Ambedkar with MP Asaduddin Owaisi

opinion in favour of the Sardar: “Frankly, I would like this proposal to go further and put an end to such reservations as there still remain. But again, speaking frankly, I realize that in the present state of affairs in India that would not be desirable thing to do, that is to say, in regard to the Scheduled Castes. I try to look upon the problem not in the sense of a religious minority, but rather in the sense of helping backward groups in the country. I do not look at it from the religious point of view or the caste point of view, but from the point of view that a backward group ought to be helped and I am glad that this reservation also will be limited to ten years.”

He was referring to the political reservations on 26 May 1949 in the Constituent Assembly.

Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, who was to be the President of India in later years, expressed solidarity with Sardar Patel’s proposal for political reservation for a limited period in a poetic language: “With a view to develop a homogeneous, secular, democratic state, the devices hitherto employed to keep minorities as separate entities within the state be dropped and loyalty to a single National State developed.” He too considered a period of a decade enough for the reservations. Unfortunately, even today no party except the party, RPI Bahujan Mahasabgh, headed

by Advocate Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of Dr. Ambedkar, favours scraping the political reservations in the Indian Legislatures.

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

E-mail: haridesai@gmail.com)

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their community by feeling now that they are with us. They are no more Scheduled Castes and therefore they must change their manners and I appeal to them also to have no breach between them and the other group of Scheduled Castes. There are groups amongst themselves, but everyone tries according to his own light. We are now to begin again. So let us forget these sections and cross-sections and let us stand as one, and together.” Patel did not preach for the sake of preaching. He even followed what he believed. In Wadhwan, in the convention for the removal of untouchability Patel

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Indian student becomes the British High Commissioner for a day Countries around the world will celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child on 11 October. To mark the event, the British High Commission organised a competition for women aged between 18 and 23 to become the British High Commissioner to India for a day. To enter, the competitors submitted a short video presentation on the theme “What does Gender Equality means to you?”

58 students/women took part, with contributions across the country from Delhi to Hyderabad. The successful entry was from Esha Bahal, a student of Political Science at Amity University in Noida. Esha plans to become a social entrepreneur after completing her higher studies in public policy and law.

Acting British High Commissioner for the Day, Esha, said, “Acting as British High Commissioner for a day has been a great and really unique experience. I’ve learnt about the breadth and depth of UK-India relations – and had the opportunity to highlight the importance of gender equality and inclusivity, issues which are of great importance to me.”

British High Commissioner (or Deputy High Commissioner for the day!) Sir Dominic Asquith said, “I am delighted that we were able to run this competition and give young Indian women a platform to discuss their rights. I thank all participants for submitting their excellent videos.

“Esha is truly impressive. She is clearly committed to girls’ rights and her video was outstanding. I would like to congratulate

Sir Dominic Asquith with Esha Bahal

her on her success and wish her all the best for her future endeavours.

“Gender equality is an issue of great importance to the UK – the 11th is an important moment to reflect on the work still to be done to tackle this issue, and to celebrate the progress being made across the world.”

Esha assumed charge of the British High Commission in New Delhi on 8 October. She led a meeting with heads of departments across the High Commission, and visited teams to become acquainted with their work. She visited a project site to an M&S factory in Gurgaon, where the High Commission in collaboration with M&S is running a Gender Equality Programme for the women workers in the garment industry; she also met the winners of Tech Rocketship Awards and had a formal interaction with the media also.

MIGRANT EXODUS RATTLES GUJARAT Continued from page 1

Ajit Shah, President, Sanand Industries Association (SIA), said, “More than 12,000 labourers employed in industries in the north Gujarat region, who hail from Hindispeaking states have left for their home states.” Sanand's industrial region is among those worst hit. SIA members claim that around 4,000 migrant workers have fled Sanand over the past 3-4 days due to the atmosphere of fear created by rumours circulated on social media. Shah said, “Some 4,000 migrant workers have fled Sanand over the past 3-4 days, due to an atmosphere of fear created by rumours circulated on social media. Nearly 60 per cent workforce in the Sanand Industrial Estate (SIE) comprises migrant workers.”

Shah added, “Absence of labourers is impacting industrial activity, especially in small and medium-scale industries which do not have automation to a great extent and are therefore, dependent on labourers. The unrest is denting the industrial production by an estimated 25 per cent overall.”

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee has decided to stage a state-wide protest against the atrocities. The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by UPCC chief Raj Babbar in Lucknow, after which all district units of Congress were notified

Alpesh Thakor's attempt backfires In a bid to firm up his position, Alpesh Thakor, the Congress MLA from Radhanpur, stoked the fire of parochialism when he exhorted his Thakor community to agitate for justice for the 14- month- old girl who was allegedly raped in Himmatnagar on September 28. The fire, however, has gone out of control, forcing Thakor to make appeals for peace even as a video of him making a provocative speech against migrants goes viral on social media.

Congress leaders, while blaming the BJP for the law and order situation going out of control, asked why Thakor has not been arrested if he is responsible for the violence. about the call for protest. “Till now more than 40,000 people have fled due to violence, another 200 have been jailed and cases have been registered against 400 people.

News reports of attacks on people from UP and Bihar in Mehsana, Vadodra, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad and Surat are coming every day,” Babbar said.

Science MBAs boost US Visa prospects for oversees students Harleen Kaur Bhomrah, an Indian graduate from Wisconsin School of Business, is a classic example of how an MBA degree with the additional fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) benefits in obtaining

extended work visa and better job prospects in the US. Harleen was initially rejected for the position of a project manager at Dell EMC, but highlighting the fact that she was a Science MBA, she says 'tipped the scales in her favour'.

At a time when

Trump's immigration policies have sparked wariness among oversees students, STEM designated programmes in universities opens up borders for them as they can then apply for an extended 2 year extended work visa after graduation.

India signs $5bn missile defence deal with Russia Defying threats of US sanctions, India signed a contract with Russia to supply five S-400 Triumf missile defence systems, bolstering its shield against possible air attacks from Pakistan and China. While discussions on the S-400 preceded Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) by several years, the US had earlier this week cautioned countries against helping the Russian economy by buying weapons from them. India signed a $5 billion purchase of advanced missile technology from Russia, a deal seen as New Delhi's response to China's growing influence in the Indian Ocean. Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in the Capital last week to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an annual bilateral summit that has focused on energy, security, and defense issues.

The order, which has been under discussion since 2015, was finalised last week. Richard Rossow, a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the deal is a signal that the Modi administration is “trying to take steps to counter China”. He said India wants highend defense equipment for power projection in the Indian Ocean, where Beijing has been growing increasingly assertive.

"The S-400 range would enable India to track aircraft beyond its borders, making it a valuable asset as the People's Liberation Army Air Force extends its training and deployments closer to Indian territory," said Zoe Stanley Lockman, an associate research fellow specializing in defense at Singaporebased Nanyang Technological University.

Rated as the most formidable missile defence shield in the world, the S-400 can detect, track, and destroy hostile strategic bombers, jets, spy planes, missiles, and drones at a range of 380 km. IT can also take out intermediate range ballistic missiles, fulfilling a vital security need.

The Putin-Modi summit was a whirlwind that barely lasted 24 hours.

Sources said the Russians had

Narendra Modi with Vladimir Putin

asked India to dispense with all the pomp and ceremony of a state visit, and keep it informal, which is why, there was no reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan or visit to Rajghat. A source said, “It fulfils certain defence requirements, and the decision was taken in the national interest.” Both Modi and Putin sat down for a one-on-one dinner that lasted three hours. After, Modi told reporters that India gave “top priority” to relations with Russia.

Referring to the defence cooperation, Putin said, “The military-technical cooperation is not limited to Russian arms supplies. Our countries have organised joint development and production of modern military products.” However, the S-400 contract was buried in the 45th paragraph of a long joint statement.

Threat of sanctions When asked about the deal, the US gave a guarded response, with the US embassy spokesperson saying they would not “prejudge sanctions decisions.” They said, “The intent of our implementation of CAATSA is to impose costs on Russia for its malign behaviour, including by stopping the flow of money to Russia's defence sector.

CAATSA is not intended to impose damage to the military capabilities of our allies or partners. The waiver authority is not for a blanket waiver. It is transaction specific.

There are strict criteria for considering a waiver. Waivers of CAATSA section 231 will be considered on a transaction-bytransaction basis.”

Obituary Premila Shirishchandra Patel

Premila Shirishchandra Patel, wife of Shirishchandra Maganbhai Patel, sadly passed away on October 7, at the age of 81. Born in Nadiad, India. she was mother to three children, Anila, Atul, and Vikram, and grandmother to four beautiful children. Known for her sunny disposition, kind nature, and love to bring family and friends together, her demise comes as a shock to all those who knew her.

Cremation at: Putney Vale Crematorium, West Chapel, Stag Lane, Putney.

LONDON SW15 3DZ. Date and time: Thursday 11th October 2018 at 1.45 pm Contact: Phone 0208 3353543 Email pandp200@hotmail.com

Shri Mohanbhai Jivanbhai Patel It is with deep sadness that we inform the passing away of nishthavan satsangi Shri Mohanbhai Jivanbhai Patel of Leicester.

Husband to Kantaben Mohanbhai Patel, father to Pankajbhai and Kirtiben, and father-in-law to Ritaben and Anukumar, Mohanbhai passed away on October 4, at the age of 90. Having lived a full and happy life, he had also performed various seva at BAPS Leicester Mandir. Those who knew him, were familiar with his friendly and warm demeanor. Those who wish to connect with the family, can contact Pankajbhai on 07935 430 549.

Pujya Madhurdarshan Swami It is with deep regrets that we inform the sad passing away of Chicago-based Aksharnivasi Pujya Madhurdarshan Swami.

Diagnosed with a brain tumour a year ago, he succumbed on October 4, on the smruti parva tithi of Shriji Maharaj and his beloved Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Originally from Wellingborough, UK, Pujya Madhurdarshan Swami had taken diksha at the hands of Param Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj in 1999. Pujya Madhurdarshan underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy over the last year, and yet, continued to remain positive. Param Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj was offering prayers for him in Bhavnagar, and gave his blessings for Maharaj to take him to Akshardham.

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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13 - 19 October 2018

Diet drinks or using artificial sweeteners 'could increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes' Diet drinks and artificial sweeteners that many use to cut their sugar consumption could actually put them at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, research suggests.

Scientists found just two weeks of high intake of lowcalorie sweeteners was enough to significantly alter the makeup of bacteria in the gut.

This changes the way the body absorbs and regulates blood sugar, the researchers said, which over time increases the risk of developing diabetes.

The findings are particularly concerning because many people are at risk of diabetes – such as those who are obese or already have high blood sugar – use diet drinks and sweeteners.

The researchers, led by Professor Richard Young of Adelaide Medical School in Australia, tracked 29 young healthy people for two weeks.

Half were given capsules of sweeteners containing sucralose and acesulfame-K, the equivalent of about four and

half cans of diet drink a day.

The other half were given placebo capsules containing no sweeteners. he researchers analysed the bacteria in the volunteers’ guts and found a significant alteration in those who had consumed the sweeteners, along with lower release of the hormone GLP-1, which helps to control blood glucose levels.

The authors, presenting their findings at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes conference in Berlin, said: ‘Two weeks of low-calorie

sweetener supplementation was sufficient to disrupt gut bacteria and increase the abundance of those normally absent in healthy individuals.

The authors said their findings s upported ‘the concept that such sweeteners worsen blood sugar control in healthy subjects.’

But British experts warned the results were not definitive – and artificial sweeteners are a better alternative to sugar.

Professor Naveed Sattar, of the University of Glasgow, said: ‘This study, whilst well done, is

not the same as taking one or two diet drinks containing sweeteners per day, more often than not with food.

‘This evidence will in no way stop me taking a can a day of a diet drink – or recommending such drinks as alternatives to sugar-rich drinks for patients.’

Dr Katarina Kos, diabetes and obesity lecturer at the University of Exeter, said: ‘The best option … may remain water as a zero calorie drink.

Gavin Partington, director general at British Soft Drinks Association, said: 'Low calorie sweeteners are safe and have been approved by all leading health authorities around the world for decades, as well Cancer Research UK and Diabetes UK. 'These claims run contrary to the substantial body of global scientific research which shows how low calorie sweeteners can safely help people to reduce their calorie intake and manage their weight.'

GP appointments should be longer than 10 minutes so they can deal with people's 'complex' illnesses Family doctors should extend the 10-minute consultation time for patients who are most in need to improve care and increase their job satisfaction, a review claims.

Rising demand and falling GP numbers means the primary care system is ‘fragile’ and ‘verging on the unmanageable’, experts say.

Patients often struggle to get appointments and are being put at risk by hurried consultations, an interim report into general practice found.

Dr Nigel Watson, who is leading the Government review, said changes to the 10minute consultation time was one of a number of areas that should be explored to alleviate pressures on the health sector.

But Dr Watson warned increasing consultation length would inevitably exacerbate difficulties in getting an appointment in the first place.

In his interim findings, Dr Watson said NHS leaders must find ways to make GP partnerships more attractive to doctors entering the medical profession. He suggested demands for more flexible working patterns

meant younger generations were turning their backs on becoming partners, once seen as a prestigious position to aim for.

Instead, more are turning to locum work so they can choose to work part time and cut down on less appealing aspects like paperwork.

Posts for newly-qualified GPs offering a mixture of general practice, a chance to develop an interest in clinically-relevant specialties, and exposure to partnerships may encourage more to go into general practice.

Older GPs, who are increasingly retiring early, also need to be given incentives to stay in the profession for longer, per-

haps by becoming mentors to those new to the role, the report suggests.

GPs reported that they were regularly working 12 to 14 hour days, and having to make many rapid clinical decisions and complex assessments.

The report said this was not sustainable and is contributing to the rising level of stress, burn out and wider mental health problems in general practice.

The average consultation time of 10 minutes in the UK – thought to be the shortest in the developed world – is contributing to this, it found.

And the number of appointments rose by nearly a quarter in the past five years.

Doctors say there are grow-

ing numbers of patients with complex conditions that cannot be dealt with in the normal 10minute consultation.

The report notes: ‘A 10minute appointment is not a contractual requirement, however, the reality GP Partnership is that longer appointments will result in a reduced number of available appointments offered or the individual has to work longer hours.

Professor Helen StokesLampard, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said: ‘Our ageing population means that more patients are inevitably developing more than one longterm condition and requiring multiple medications to manage this, making the standard 10-minute GP appointment increasingly inadequate.

‘The RCGP has been saying for several years that GPs want to spend more time with those patients who need it most and we support the requests in this report.

‘However, this simply isn’t possible for most GP surgeries with current pressures, not least the severe shortage of family doctors.”

Hundreds of cancer patients are given fresh hope as NHS signs deal for pioneering therapy Clinical trials suggest the treatment could cure about 40 per cent of patients The treatment offers new hope to patients with lymphoma who have run out of other options and may have just months left to live.

A separate deal was agreed last month to a form of CARTo Our Readers make T therapy avail-able We are publishing these items in good faith, kindly to children and consult your Doctor before you try to implement any young people with a advice. We do not hold any responsibility for its efficacy... rare type of

NHS patients with a form of cancer will have access to a ‘game-changing’ new treatment, it has been announced.

A deal between NHS England and manufac-

turer Gilead Sciences means up to 200 adults a year will be able to receive a type of ‘CAR-T’ therapy known as Yescarta or axicabtagene ciloleucel.

leukaemia.

CAR-T therapy has been called ‘one of the most promising new treatments in a generation for lymphoma and leukaemia’.

It is personalised and reprogrammes immune system cells to target cancers.

Clinical trials suggest the treatment, which

would normally cost nearly £300,000 per person, could potentially cure around 40 per cent of patients, according to NHS England.

Dr Alasdair Rankin, from the charity Bloodwise, said: ‘It is likely that we are only beginning to see the benefits that CAR-T therapy can bring.’

in brief DROP OF TURMERIC IN THE EYE COULD DETECT DEMENTIA A drop of turmeric in the eye could detect dementia years before symptoms are seen, report British scientists. The drops, developed at University College London, could facilitate early diagnosis before any behavioural signs of memory loss. A daily dose of the drops helped to detect Alzheimer’s disease (the most common form of dementia) in mice, genetically engineered to develop the condition, two years before behavioural symptoms. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, makes abnormal proteins in the brain visible by clinging to them and appearing as fluorescent spots.

This is then detectable by looking through to the back of the eye.

GPS TO TEXT PATIENTS URGING THEM TO CHANGE UNHEALTHY HABITS Patients could be sent text messages urging them to change unhealthy habits under radical proposals from the Health Secretary.

Matt Hancock wants to use data from patients’ own medical records – as well as more general information on population trends – to work out their risk of developing certain illnesses. Patients would then be sent targeted public health advice via an app, email or text message which is based on their specific risk. Mr Hancock believes it would be far more effective than blanket campaigns on obesity, smoking and drinking.

A middle-aged adult with high blood pressure – who was overweight and drank a glass of wine a night – would be urged to cut back on alcohol, diet and take more exercise.

The policy, known as ‘predictive prevention’, is only in the very early stages and officials at Public Health England are yet to determine exactly how it will work in practice.

HEALTHY FOOD DOESN'T HAVE TO BE MORE EXPENSIVE The idea that healthy food costs more than junk food is something I hear a lot. Students tell me they'd like to eat better but can't afford to. There is a strong belief that cooking from scratch costs a fortune, and with takeaway meals priced as low as £1/$1, they have little incentive to change their behavior. The past decade has seen increased media attention on healthy diets, and stories about the cost of healthy eating are also on the rise, all of which influence public perception. Some studies comparing the price per calorie of foods suggest less healthy foods are often cheaper, but they don't tell the whole story. The metrics used to measure cost are important.

BREAKTHROUGH FOR BABIES WITH CLEFT PALATES Blood from the umbilical cord could be used to repair cleft palates in babies, scientists claim. The new treatment - trialled on nine children in Colombia - could replace the need for bone grafts when children get older. Cleft palates, in which the skull has a gap on the face where the nose and mouth join up, affect around one in every 700 babies.

Doctors now believe using stem cells taken from umbilical cord blood could reduce the number of operations affected babies need.

Researchers at the Hospital De San Jose in Bogota, Colombia, trialled the new surgery on nine children over the past 10 years. They said the operation showed good results in attempts to grow a new bone from scratch, to repair clefts. Current treatments for cleft palates can involve removing bone from elsewhere in the body, such as the hip, to then graft into the mouth.

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13 - 19 October 2018

Will Smith dances to B-Wood tunes

Ticking an item off his bucket list, Hollywood star Will Smith not only danced to a Bollywood tune, but he did so under the direction of ace filmmaker Karan Johar on the sets of 'Student of the Year 2'. Recently on a trip to India for an event, it appears that the 'Hitch' actor had quite the blast here.

During his trip, he said he would love to work in a film with Aishwarya Rai, and learned some Bhangra moves from Farhan Akhtar.

The Hitch actor had taken to his Instagram recently and shared a post where he could be seen learning the ropes of Bollywood from

none other than Ranveer Singh and KJo. He uploaded a photo on Instagram, captioning it, “Learning the ropes of Bollywood from two of the best in the game! @karanjohar & @ranveersingh”. While Johar's 'Student of the Year 2' cast is already big, makers have made the film better by pulling in Smith.

While in Mumbai, the actor shot for a song in the Tiger Shroff-starrer.

Overwhelmed with the 'Men in Black' actor's presence, Shroff uploaded a picture with him, captioning it, “Sharing the stage with one of the greatest entertainers in the world!

The pleasure was all ours sir!”

Priyanka bitten by the tech bug In one of her newest roles, actress Priyanka Chopra toured the San Francisco home of her new portfolio company, a coding education company called Holberton School. “You just hang out and you're learning. It's amazing,” Chopra said. The actress has reportedly been hanging out a lot in technology circles lately. The campus of her investment resembles a WeWork, with open-plan rows of desks, decorative neon lights and meeting rooms named after famous people. The school uses projects and group learning instead of more traditional courses, to teach software development.

The actress' investment in Holberton is part of an $8.2 million round of funding for the school that closed in April. She will join the company's board of advisers and will emphasise support for Holberton's mission to educate people from underprivileged backgrounds. Her second investment is in dating and social media app called Bumble, founded by Whitney Wolfe Herd. Chopra plans to help promote Bumble's launch in India in the coming months.

Chopra was introduced to tech investing by her manager Anjula Acharia, a founder and angel investor who spent time as an entrepreneur-in-residence and partner at Trinity Ventures, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm. Most recently, actor and entrepreneur Ashton Kutcher tweeted a report on Chopra's investment, writing, “Invest in the future you want to see”. To which, Priyanka replied: "You clearly inspired us Ashton Kutcher."

Priyanka stressed on her support for Holberton's mission to educate people from underprivileged backgrounds. “I don't want to just be one of those people who's like, 'Yeah, I want to be on the tech bandwagon- how are they making so much money. It's not about that,” she said.

Deepika to play acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal in next

Deepika Padukone has finally signed her next big Bollywood project. She is all set to play the role of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal in Meghna Gulzar's next film, which she will also produce. Talking about her decision to turn producer with the film, she said, “When I heard this story, I was deeply moved as it's not just one of violence but of strength and courage, hope and victory. It made such an impact on me, that personally and creatively, I needed to go beyond and so the decision to turn producer.”

This will be Deepika's first movie after the success of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's controversial 'Padmaavat'. Gulzar's muse, Laxmi was attacked by a man in 2005 after she rejected his marriage proposal. She is one of the winners of the US State

Department’s International Women of Courage Award in 2014. She is also founder of the Chhanv Foundation, an NGO for acid attack survivors, and has opened a cafe managed by them.

Gulzar said her story needs to be told to bring awareness in the society. “Using Laxmi's story as a lens, we are attempting to explore these aspects and the consequences of acid-related violence in our society. This is what makes this must-told story relevant.

Awareness is the first step towards change,” she said. Gulzar said, “I was instinctively convinced that Deepika would do justice to the character and the story. Also, her physicality matched with what I'd imagined for Laxmi's character. I'm grateful and encouraged that she was so spontaneous in her decision to do the film.”

Varun Dhawan roped into Salman's 'Bharat' Actor Varun Dhawan is having a good year so far, with his films fetching both, critical appreciation and box office success. This year's 'October' and 'Sui Dhaaga: Made in India' brought enough focus on him. An actor who takes risks, we already know he is a part of Dharma Productions' 'Kalank', a project that stars some of the most illustrious names of the industry, and if reports are to be believed, he will also star in Ali Abbas Zafar's 'Bharat'.

The film that stars Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif in key roles, will show Dhawan in a cameo. A source close to the project said Zafar approached the 'SOTY' actor and asked him to star in just a particular sequence in the film. “Ali had recently approached Varun with the idea and the actor readily agreed to come on board. The scene featuring Varun and Salman will be shot in the next few days,” they said.

Dhawan also reportedly took off for Abu Dhabi to shoot the reported sequence.

The movie cast includes actors Disha Patani, Tabu, Jackie Shroff, and Sunil Grover.

While Khan plays a daredevil stuntman, Patani plays a trapeze artist in the circus drama. Kaif was the last to join the cast, replacing Priyanka Chopra who quit the project earlier this year.

'Bharat' is a tribute to late actor Raj Kapoor's 'Mera Naam Joker'.

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13 - 19 October 2018

Mani Ratnam threatened with a bomb

Prabhas’ latest look goes viral 'Baahubali' star Prabhas is currently shooting for his upcoming spy thriller 'Saaho', which is expected to be released next week.

Directed by young filmmaker Sujeeth, the movie casts a bunch of actors from different industries, making it one of the biggest multi-starrers. While the project seems to be taking its own time picking up, Prabhas has begun shooting for his next, a romantic saga directed by Radha Krishna Kumar.

Shooting for the yet-untitled has kicked off in Italy, and picture of Prabhas from the location had gone viral, effectively breaking the internet. The actor sports a new look for the role and has gone clean-shaven. Prabhas fans are visibly thrilled with his look, which he has sported for the very first time.

Sources reveal this film may release earlier than 'Saaho' since the shoot time is shorter and it doesn't have as many VFX works. The film stars Pooja Hegde as female lead. Shooting of 'Saaho' is underway too, in Hyderabad. It features actress Shraddha Kapoor as the leading lady.

Acclaimed filmmaker, Mani Ratnam has filed a police complaint after his office received a bomb threat call. The threat, which turned out to be a hoax, was made to get the filmmaker to remove certain dialogues used in film 'Chekka Chivantha Vaanam'.

The dialogues used in the film are reportedly controversial and someone has taken offence to it. The political thriller is one of Mani's more successful films in recent times.

Ratnam reportedly received the call in

* Schedule is subject to change

MONDAY 15th - FRIDAY 19th 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 21:00:00 22:00:00

TIME

17:30:00 18:00:00 18:30:00 19:00:00 19:30:00 20:00:00 21:00:00 22:00:00

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 20th October TV PROGRAM NAMES

RADHA PREM KI DEEWANI UTTARAN DIL KI PUKAR SWARAGINI INTERNETWALA LOVE - CATCH UP EPISODES ZINDAGI KI HAQEEQAT SE AAMNA SAAMNA SHAITAAN - A CRIMINAL MIND

SUNDAY 21st October TV PROGRAM NAMES

ISHQ MEIN MARJAWAN RADHA PREM KI DEEWANI UTTARAN DIL KI PUKAR SWARAGINI RADHA PREM KI DEEWANI - CATCH UP EPISODES ZINDAGI KI HAQEEQAT SE AAMNA SAAMNA SHAITAAN - A CRIMINAL MIND

* Schedule is subject to change

MONDAY 15th - FRIDAY 19th October

19:00:00 TU AASHIQUI 19:30:00 UDANN

20:00:00 SHAKTI ASTITVA KE EHSAAS KI

SATURDAY 13th - SUNDAY 14th 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 15th - Thursday 18th October

TIME

18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:30 23:00

TIME

18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 23:00

TV PROGRAM NAMES

Vighnaharta Ganesh Mere Sai Dil Hi Toh Hai Porus Main Maayke Chali Jaaungi Kaun Banega Crorepati Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai Crime Patrol

FRIDAY 19th October TV PROGRAM NAMES

Vighnaharta Ganesh Mere Sai The Kapil Sharma Show Porus Main Maayke Chali Jaaungi Kaun Banega Crorepati Crime Patrol

20:30:00 DASTAAN-E-MOHABBAT SALIM ANARKALI

21:00:00 BIGG BOSS (SEASON 12) 22:00:00 SILSILA

22:30:00 BEPANNAAH 23:00:00 ROOP

which he was asked to remove certain objectionable dialogues that are allegedly against a particular place. The caller said they would hurl a bomb at his office if the scenes depicting Puducherry in poor light were not deleted. This is not the first time he is dealing with such threats.

Back in 1995, when his hit movie 'Bombay' was released, a parcel bomb exploded at his residence and the filmmaker had made a very narrow escape with just minor injuries. The event had shaken the mere core of the entire film industry.

Wednesday October 17, 2018 23:30 Film : Dastak 02:00 Film : Shaapit 05:00 Film : Good Buddy Gadbadi 07:22 Film : Ilaaka 10:31 Film : Anth 13:25 Film : Keemat * Schedule is subject to change 16:51 Film : Shakti - The Power Sunday October 14, 2018 20:25 Film : Phobia 00:37 Film : Four Pillars Of Basement 22:45 Film : Gangster 05:00 Film : Huff! It's Too Much Thursday October 18, 2018 07:00 Film : Gangster 00:55 Film : Showbiz 05:00 Film : Bas Ek Tamanna 09:16 Film : Hero 07:03 Film : Humse Ha Zamana 12:40 Film : Baazigar 16:04 Film : Don- The Chase Begins Again 09:40 Film : Mrityudand 12:55 Film : Andha Kanoon 19:45 Film : Welcome 16:17 Film : No Entry Monday October 15, 2018 19:45 Film : Desi Boyz 23:00 Film : Kalyug 22:12 Film : Phobia 01:00 Film : Nazar Friday October 19, 2018 05:00 Film : Future To Bright Hai Ji 00:25 Film : Saaya 05:00 Film : Huff! It's Too Much 07:10 Film : Dildaar 07:00 Film : Pyar Ke Kabil 09:55 Film : Chaalbaaz 10:05 Film : Shikaar 13:10 Film : Sadiyaan 12:50 Film : Phool Aur Kaante 16:30 Film : Fitoor 16:00 Film : Ghatak 19:10 Film : Shakti - The Power 19:18 Film : Veer 22:47 Film : Chaar Din Ki Chandni 22:33 Film : Ishq Click Tuesday October 16, 2018 Saturday October 20, 2018 01:10 Film : Woh Lamhe 01:20 Film : Ghulam-E-Musthafa 05:00 Film : Login 05:00 Film : The Silent Heroes 07:00 Film : Teri Kasam 07:15 Film : Dhongee 10:15 Film : Andha Kanoon 09:46 Film : Baazigar 13:30 Film : Raja Hindustani 13:15 Film : Mela 17:10 Film : Desi Boyz 16:45 Film : Welcome 19:43 Film : Badlapur 20:01 Film : No Entry 22:20 Film : Inteha

SATURDAY 20th October TIME TV PROGRAM NAMES

18:00: BIGG BOSS (SEASON 12) WEEKEND KA WAAR 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 - PREMIERE 23:30: UDANN

SUNDAY 21st October

TIME

TV PROGRAM NAMES

18:00:00 INDIA'S GOT TALENT - SEASON 8 19:30:00 MRS. INDIA UK

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 13 - 19 October 2018

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Coming Events

Over 30,000 devotees and well-wishers, along with 600 sadhus were gathered at the BAPS Temple in Bhavnagar, to celebrate Param Pujya Mahant Swami's 85th birthday. An evening program was held in which his life and work was celebrated. The celebration began with the traditional singing of dhun and prarthana, after which, the main program began.

It focused on a selection of Pramukh Swami Maharaj's spiritual qualities like dharma, bhakti, compassion for devotees, humility, and divine influence. The programme also included enlightening speeches from senior and experienced sadhus, bhajans, inspiring video presentations, and colourful traditional dances. Mahant Swami blessed the assembly saying, "Moksha is attainable. However, we must live according to Bhagwan's principles and understand him to be the all-doer". He added, "Unity is the cause of peace in homes and the force behind achieving great works for society." On the occasion, around 5000 saplings were distributed.

l Nagrecha Chariotable Trust presents Diwali Dhamaka, a musical night on November 3, Saturday, dinner from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm, and music 8.00 pm onwards, at Hariben Bachubhai Nagrecha Hall, 198-202 Leyton Rd, E15 1DT.

Navratri l Radhakrishna/Shyam Ashram, to celebrate Navratri at the Shrinathji Haveli, 33 Balham High Road, London SW12 9AL, till October 18, every afternoon 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm. l Sattavis Gam Patidar Centre to celebrate the festival till October 18, evening 7.30 pm onwards, at the Sattavis Patidar Center, 40 Avenue J/w, The Avenue, Wembey HA9 9PE . l Capital Venue presents Navratri Mahotsav 2018, every day till October 18, 7.30 pm onwards, at Capital Venue, Charter Street, Leicester LE1 3UD. l Shri Sanatan Hindu Mandir to celebrate Navratri every day till October 18, 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm, at Shri Vallabh Nidhi, Ealing Rd, London, Wembley HA0 4TA. l Gujarat Hindu Society organises prayers and dinner, on October 21, Sunday, 7.30 am to 3.00 pm, at South Meadow Lane, Preston, PR1 8JN. l Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan presents Ragas In Reflection, an evening of music, on October 14, 6.00 pm onwards, at The Bhavan, 4a Castletown Road, West Kensington, London, W14 9HE. l Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan holds Durgashtami puja on October 17, 7.00 pm onwards, at The Bhavan, 4a Castletown Road, West Kensington, London, W14 9HE.

Sadler's Wells is a worldleading creative organisation dedicated to dance in all its forms. With over three centuries of theatrical heritage and a yearround programme of performances and learning activities, it is the place where artists come together to create dance.

Audiences of over half a million come to our London theatres each year, with many more enjoying touring productions at venues across the UK and around the world, or accessing our content through digital channels.

Sadler's Wells commissions and presents more new dance work than any other theatre in the world, embracing the popular and the unknown. Since 2005 they have helped to bring over 150 new dance works to the stage, many of them involving the organisations 16 Associate Artists, three Resident Companies and four Associate Companies – the most exciting talents working in dance today.

It also nurture the next generation of talent through research and development, running the National Youth Dance Company and a range of programmes including

Wild Card, New Wave Associates, Open Art Surgery and Summer University.

Sadler's Wells' learning and engagement activities reach over 25,000 annually through programmes that take dance out into the community and invite communities into the theatre. Projects include community productions and the renowned Company of Elders, it’s resident over60s performance group, while events range from pre and post-show talks with dance artists to classes, workshops and assisted performances. Find out more.

Sadler's Wells' West End venue, The Peacock, is the home of entertainment in the heart of London.

Every few weeks, The Peacock presents a new live show featuring world-class dancers, daredevil circus acts and breath-taking physical theatre performers.

It is currently showing Taj Express which is running until 20th October 2018. Vaibhavi and Shruti Merchant’s glitzy Bollywood extravaganza is set to dazzle audiences once more following its sparkling summer run in

2017. Featuring music by Academy Award-winning composer A.R. Rahman, and acclaimed Bollywood composers, Salim & Sulaiman Merchant and Monty Sharma, Taj Express showcases a captivating fusion of classical Indian and contemporary dance in a celebration of the world’s most prolific film industry.

The Peacock’s April October 19 Season at The Peacock includes: - English National Ballet and English National Ballet School My First Ballet: Sleeping Beauty Tuesday 16 - Saturday 27 April Tickets: £37 - £10 - Sisters Grimm: Mark Baldwin & Soweto Gospel Choir INALA Tuesday 30 April - Saturday 18 May Tickets: £55 - £18. An exhilarating fusion of South African and Western cultures culminates in an

Bristol celebrates black and Asian contributions The contribution made by black women to 100 years of women's suffrage has been celebrated in Bristol.

Bristol Women's Voice said they wanted to "unearth some incredible stories of some of the incredible women of colour that fought for the right to vote".

Silu Pascoe, of Bristol Radical History Group, said

black women's stories were "hidden from mainstream history. Events like this help us to look back to see the achievements and resilience of black and Asian women."

There is very little evidence of black and minority ethnic women taking part in the fight for women to vote. Although black and Asian people had been set-

tled in Britain for a long time, they made up a very small percentage of the UK population until after the end of World War Two. Census records only documented a person's place of birth, but this is no guide to ethnic origin because so many white British men and women were born in Africa, India, or the West Indies.

The UK’s leading Vedic writer and TV personality

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20 Efforts to restructure and

transform your lifestyle are more likely to meet with success. Experience you have built up in the past will now stand you in good stead. If you are thinking of investments, then this is an opportune time to go ahead with your plans. Co-operative ventures are likely to generate financial success. enthusiasm goes into TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 Much professional ambitions right now, but you need to be your own boss in many ways. You will be determined to place your lifestyle on a foundation of greater security. Taking a broad perspective on the prevailing cosmic pattern, far-reaching change begins to gather momentum.

Guard against being too impa-

GEMINI May 22 - June 22 tient and restless. Avoid get-

rich-quick schemes and be cautious about other people's enthusiasm which is likely to be misplaced. Make a very conscious attempt to stick to main priorities. Organise your time so that it is not taken up entirely by the demands of other people.

Strengthen close ties of affection, sort out emotional differences and proffer the olive branch to your loved one. You often sabotage your emotional interests by keeping too much inside. However, your inner pressure builds up and manifests as irrational moods that others find hard to understand.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

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Sadler's Wells announces the AprilOctober 2019 Season at The Peacock

85th Birthday Celebrations of Pragat Brahmaswarup Mahant Swami Maharaj, in Bhavnagar

Sneh Joshi

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

You have been feeling disconnected for some time and this will be the week you will finally feel a sense of grounding. If unclear about what path to take you will soon realize exactly what you must do to fulfill your plans. Financially you will implement your plans to bring in the cash.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23

An exchange of opinions ought to prove very enlivening at this time. An influence that should help to enjoy the 'nicer' side of others as bring out the best in friends, colleagues and partners alike. A wind of change may be in the air; attention should turn to the wider world and benefits come from broadening of horizons and mental stimuli.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

This is a good time to cut back on extravagant spending and consolidate your finances. Your social calendar is likely to keep you very busy and you will have lots of opportunities to promote yourself. For some of you this is also a good time to meet like-minded people which could lead to romantic liaisons.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

You will probably have little cause to complain this week.

Expect everything to run smoothly and luck to attend your efforts. However, underneath this positive surface you may be plagued by a feeling of restlessness. Try to strike a balance between material and emotional affairs !

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

explosion of music, song and dance.

- Masters of Choreography Beats on Pointe Tuesday 21 May - Sunday 16 June Tickets: £55 - £18. After its thrilling 2018 run, the classical ballet and street dance mash up that is Beats on Pointe is back. As two opposing dance worlds clash, electric dancers go toe-to-toe in this fun-fuelled fusion of ballet and street dance. The highenergy show features dance, freestyle acts, singing, beatboxing, comedy and plenty of feelgood music covering an allembracing mix of classical music, old school grooves and current hits.

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SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21

Don't get over- anxious if you feel that you're being kept in the dark. You will probably find that worries have been unfounded. Although you may be faced with a difficult decision concerning your career or employment, this is not the time to hide. Don't waste time if you can improve matters.

Work is going to play a great part for some of you, who are widening their horizons. An important time to build too, as Saturn can be very severe and cold especially regarding relationships.

Regardless of the limits, you have the capacity to turn the course of your life in a more fulfilling direction.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20

Try to take things in your stride rather than anticipating what might happen. Keep calm as conflict and disagreement could be sparked off by your shortsightedness. Think carefully about the implications of your actions. Intense focus is what is needed now so do not let yourself be distracted by non-essentials.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19

No sooner do you please one person, then you tend to upset someone else - no amount of weighing up of the issues will solve the problem if you complicate matters.You have to do good by everybody and try to keep it simple as you can't please everyone. Follow your own heart when it comes to relationship issues.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

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31

13 - 19 October 2018

in brief SAINA CONFIRMS DEC WEDDING WITH KASHYAP

Badminton stars Saina Nehwal and Parupalli Kashyap are set to get married on December 16, 2018. Former world number one Saina confirmed reports that had been circulating in the media for quite some time. Opening on her marriage with 32year-old Kashyap, Saina Nehwal said that the time was right to exchange marriage vows. Both the badminton players, who have been training with Pullela Gopichand since 2005, are said to have been dating for the past 10 years. Saia, 28, said she had started dating Kashyap in 2007 after they began going on tours together but delayed the marriage in order to focus on their careers. "In the competitive world that we live in, it is difficult to get close to someone. But somehow we both found it very easy to talk to each other," Saina said.

Saina said she did not have to break the news to her parents as they had sensed it already. Saina, who won a bronze at the recent Asian Games in Jakarta, is currently 11th in the world badminton rankings. The wedding, to be held on December 16, will be the latest after a string of high-profile sports couples tied the knot.

ICC pushes Sri Lanka to make match fixing ‘criminal’ Match fixing could become a criminal offence in India and Sri Lanka following pressure by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The ICC anti-corruption unit is in Sri Lanka to lobby the government as it investigates cases of corruption on the island. Alex Marshall, the chairman of the unit, met the country’s prime minister and president last week. It is learnt that he is due for further meetings with government officials this month and politicians have offered more resources for fighting corruption as several serious investigations reach a crucial point.

Some of those are in Sri Lanka, another is in Hong Kong, where the ICC announced on Monday three players had been charged with 19 counts of breaching the anti-corruption code, including offences linked to a game against Scotland and at the 2016 World Twenty20 in India. The ICC is hoping that by making match-fixing - and approaching players to throw games - criminal offences in Sri Lanka, it can bring greater powers of investigation to bear, and that potential prison sentences would deter wrongdoers. It hopes to have similar discussions with Indian officials and believes other countries will follow suit if Sri Lanka takes the first step.

Match-fixing is a criminal offence in Australia and South Africa under specific sports laws. In the United Kingdom, courts use the Bribery Act, but there is no criminal offence for match fixing anywhere in the sub-continent, so police support is not the same as the ICC would receive elsewhere.

With police help, the ICC believes it can make life difficult for match-fixers in other ways, such as examination of bank accounts, tax returns, visa status for overseas travel and freezing of assets.

The anti-corruption unit is also set to make more widespread use of the charge of failing to support an investigation, so if suspected match-fixers, either players or officials, do not hand over mobile phones or

other computer records, they will face punishment and the shame of being associated and banned for involvement in corruption.

In a state of paralysis Sri Lankan cricket is in a state of paralysis, with board elections on hold as three groups try to take over. An interim board was appointed by the ICC in February to run the game in the meantime.

Former president Thilanga Sumathipala is standing again but his application was opposed in court by a rival alleging he had links with bookmaking. His father is a bookmaker and he has admitted this.

In the meantime, the ICC is investigating fixing allegations in Sri Lanka and believes enlisting government help will make its job easier. It is believed the whole system needs cleaning up, with Sri Lanka

India colts crush Sri Lanka to win Asia Cup

domestic cricket seen as the vulnerable point, where match-fixers can get their claws into young players. With the Sri Lanka national team struggling, the negative publicity of any investigation, and subsequent public backlash, could force the government to look as if it is making a stand by passing anti-corruption legislation.

The ICC investigations in Sri Lanka are separate to the Al Jazeera documentary aired this year which alleged that the pitch for the first Test against England next month in Galle could be doctored. A man, described as the groundsman, has been suspended by Sri Lanka Cricket based on evidence in the programme and England have been assured the pitch preparation will be closely monitored.

They were briefed by anti-corruption unit officials on Sunday.

3 Hong Kong players charged for match-fixing added 121 runs in 25.1 overs. After Anuj's fall, Devdutt Padikkal chipped in with 31 runs.

Yashasvi was the next to be dismissed in the 38th over as Indian scorecard read 180/2 and was followed by Padikkal 14 runs later.

However, captain Prabh-Simran Singh and Ayush Badoni remained unbeaten on 65 and 52 runs respectively as India put a decent target on board. In reply, Sri Lanka were off to a disastrous start and kept on losing wickets at regular intervals, thanks to leftarm spinner Harsh Tyagi’s

India colts crushed Sri Lanka by 144 runs to bag the Under-19 Asia Cup 2018 title at the Shere Bangla National stadium on Sunday. This was also India’s sixth U-19 Asia Cup title after winning the tournament earlier in 1989, 2003, 2012, 2014 and 2016.

Victory also enabled them to match the feat of the Rohit sharma-led side that emerged triumphant in the UAE last month.

Opting to bat first, good contributions from the top and middle order helped India put a challenging 304/3 in 50 overs. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (85) and Anuj Rawat (57) took India to a flying start as they

haul of 6/38.

Sri Lanka never looked in control as other than Nishan Madushka (49) and Navod Paranavithana (48), all other batsman failed to put up a show against a lethal Indian bowling attack. Sri Lanka could only manage to reach 160 runs as the entire team collapsed like a pack of cards, facing only 39 overs.

Brief scores India U19- 304/3 in 50 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 85, PrabhSimran Singh 65 not out; Dulith Wellalage 1/24) beat Sri Lanka U19 160 all out in 38.4 overs (Nishan Madushka 49, Navod Paranavithana 48; Harsh Tyagi 6/38) by 144 runs.

Three Hong Kong players who played against India in the Asia Cup last month, have been charged under ICC Anti- Corruption Code for their alleged involvement in match-fixing in 2014. Three players - Haseeb Amjad and brothers Nadeem and Irfan Ahmed - have been charged under multiple sections of the ACU code. All the three player are of Pakistani origin. The notable name is left arm spinner Nadeem, who

bowled 10 wicketless overs for 39 runs during the Asia Cup game against India on September 18. Irfan and Haseeb last played for their country in 2014 and 2016 respectively. The 28-year-old Irfan has nine specific charges against him for his involvement in fixing games. He is already under suspension from ICC since April 2016. Nadeem and Haseeb have been charged under five sections of ICC Code.

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India beat West Indies for their biggest test win India achieved their biggest-ever Test victory by beating West Indies in one of the most one-sided games in recent history, inflicting on the hapless visitors an innings and 272-run humiliation inside three days in the first Test at Rajkot. India dominated the game, amassing 649 for nine in their first innings before bowling out the West Indies twice on day three, to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

The visitors were bundled out for 181 in 48 overs before lunch and were expectedly forced to follow-on. They did not fare any better in the second innings, crumbling to 196 all out in 50.5 overs in the final session.

While Ravichandran Ashwin (4/37) was the pick of the bowlers in the morning, Kuldeep Yadav (5/57) was all over the opposition batsmen in the second innings on way to a maiden five-wicket haul in Tests. The second and final Test will be played in Hyderabad from October 12-16. The absence of captain Jason Holder and pacer Kemar Roach also added to their woes.

For India, the game will be best remembered for the emergence of Prithvi Shaw, who announced his arrival in international cricket with a classy hundred on debut, becoming the youngest from the country to do so in Tests. Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja were the other centurions. By tea on Saturday, it became clear that the game will be done and dusted inside three days with the West Indies batsmen cutting a sorry pic-

ture at 185 for eight. Opener Kieran Powell was the only West Indian batsmen to make a significant contribution in the second essay, an entertaining 83 off 93 balls with eight boundaries and four sixes. Ashwin was their main tormentor in the morning and in the afternoon it was Kuldeep's turn to dominate.

The opposition batsmen, who needed to bat for time, seemed to be in a hurry to finish the game. Punishing a loose ball is fine but they went for far too many strokes and paid the price for their recklessness.

Kuldeep thrived on that, mixing it up nicely to fox the batsmen. After he trapped Shai Hope in front for his first wicket, he

Prithvi Shaw scores century on Test debut The 18-year-old Prithvi Shaw collected plenty of ‘youngest ever…’ milestones on his debut in the first Test against the West Indies at Rajkot. He started off by becoming the youngest specialist batsman to debut for India since Sachin Tendulkar in 1989 against Pakistan. He became the second youngest Test debut opener for India. By scoring a 56-ball 50, he became the youngest to score a 50 on Test debut for India. Later, he became the youngest to score a Test century on debut for India. He reached the milestone in 99 balls with 14 boundaries to his name. Shaw is the 106th player to score a century on Test debut and is the first since Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien against Pakistan earlier in the year. Last Indian to achieve this feat was Rohit Sharma, also against West Indies in 2013. Overall, 15 India players have scored centuries on Test debut.

removed the highly-rated Shimron Hetmyer who went for a wild slog across the line to be caught at short third man. He used his googly to send back Sunil Ambris, who stepped out without having any idea of the way the ball will turn. In the morning session, Ashwin produced a brilliant spell as India enforced the follow-on. At lunch, the West Indies were 33 for one in nine overs in their second innings with Ashwin removing skipper Kraigg Brathwaite (10) for his fourth wicket of the day. The West Indies, resuming their first innings at 94 for six, lasted only an hour and 10 minutes, mainly due to efforts of Roston Chase (53) and Keemo Paul (47) who ended up sharing a 73-run stand. Ashwin ran through the tail on a pitch offering plenty of turn, ending with four for 37 in 11 overs as the West Indies were all out in 48 overs.

Kohli, Bumrah maintain pole Javelin thrower opens India’s gold account at positions in ODI rankings Para Games

India captain Virat Kohli and speedster Jasprit Bumrah maintained their respective top positions in the latest ICC ODI rankings.

Kohli led the batsman's list with 884 points while his deputy Rohit Sharma with 842 ranking points maintained the second position. The other Indian batsman in the top-10 was Shikhar Dhawan, who is placed fifth in the list with 802 points.

Among the bowlers, death overs specialist Bumrah with 797 points was on top while left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav with 700 points is third in the list. Afghanistan star Rashid Khan is second with 788 points while leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (11th position) is knocking on the doors for a top10 entry. In the team ranking, India are currently placed second with 122 points behind England's 127.

The top team ranking will potentially be up for the taking depending on how the Sri

Lanka and England series pans out. In the England versus Sri Lanka series, which starts in Dambulla on October 10, England will have to win the series to retain their number-one ranking. Their failure to win the series, will give India a sniff at the top spot when they will take on the West Indies in the five-ODI series from October 21.

However, if both England and India win all their matches in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka and the West Indies, then they will gain a point each to finish on 128 and 123 points respectively, thus retaining a difference of five points. Bangladesh will also have an opportunity to add another point to their tally when they will feature in a threeODI series against Zimbabwe from October 20. The only way Bangladesh can drop behind Sri Lanka in eighth position is if Zimbabwe and England win 3-0 and 5-0, respectively.

Sandeep Chaudhary

Farman Basha

Javelin thrower Sandeep Chaudhary clinched India’s first gold medal at the ongoing Asian Para Games, finishing on top in the men’s F42-44/61-64 category in Jakarta. Sandeep claimed the top honours with a best throw of 60.01m, which he managed in his third attempt. The silver medal went to Sri Lanka’s Chaminda Sampath Hetti, who cleared 59.32m in his best effort, while Iran’s Omidi Ali settled for the bronze with 58.97m.

Chaudhary’s disability falls in the F4244/61-64 category, which relates to limb

deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power or impaired range of movement. The athletes in this category compete without prosthesis. On Sunday, India won two silver and three bronze medals at the Games. In the 49kg men’s powerlifting event, Farman Basha claimed the silver and Paramjeet Kumar won the bronze. Swimmer Devanshi Satijawon then picked up a silver in women’s 100 metre butterfly in S-10 category and Suyash Jadhav clinched the bronze in the men’s 200 metre individual medley in SM-7 category.