AV 14th May 2016

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Vol 45 | Issue 2

'YES WE KHAN' 14th May to 20th May 2016

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

Londoners choose their first ever British Muslim and Asian Mayor, create history

As the clock struck midnight, in the early hours of Saturday 7 May 2016, history was made in the Western world, as London chose its first ever British Muslim and Asian Labour candidate, Sadiq Khan to become the new Mayor of this city. He emphatically beat his Tory rival Zac Goldsmith, whose campaign was criticised by many as inauthentic and divisive.

Khan lead Goldsmith by a total of 315,529 votes, after the second preference votes were counted and reallocated. He received 1,310,143 votes, higher than for any previous London Mayor.

This amounted to 57% of the total final votes to Mr Goldsmith's 43% (994,614 votes). Turnout was 45.6% up from 38% in 2012.

Sadiq has set out his vision for London already, and he promised that he would fight along David Cameron to keep Britain in the European Union, after receiving a call from the Prime Minister on this Sunday. Senior Cabinet Ministers have vowed to bury their political differences to work with Sadiq Khan but both sides privately agree there are fierce battles ahead over money and priorities. The newly appointed Mayor will also attend secretive Cobra meetings on security “where appropriate”. Ministers are reportedly setting up meetings with the Mayor on policies ranging from transport to investment and policies to the newly developed powers to train Londoners in the skills that business need.

Continued on page 16

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan walks by the River Thames and the iconic Tower Bridge with his wife Saadiya (right)

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ONE ONE with Keith Vaz, MP

Asian Voice |14th May 2016

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to

Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh

Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh is the Member of Parliament for Ochil and South Perthshire, the SNP Westminster Spokesperson for Trade and Investment and Deputy Shadow Leader of the House. She is also National Women's and Equalities Officer for the SNP. Tasmina is a mother of four, and prior to her election in May 2015 she was a leading Scottish businesswoman, lawyer and screen actress. She was also a Board Member and Chair of the International and Commercial Development Committee of the City of Glasgow College from 2011 until her election, and an Advisory Board member for Yes Scotland, which campaigned in the 2014 Referendum to present the commercial, economic, social and political business case for an independent Scotland.

She received an OBE in 2014 for services to business and the Asian community. Since her election, Tasmina has campaigned on a wide range of issues, including advocating reform of the benefits sanctions system, calling on the UK Government to address the current refugee crisis, and supporting a range of equality issues, including a fair deal for WASPI pensioners and ensuring women are central to action to combat terrorism and extremism in the UK and beyond.

1. What is your current positon?

achievements?

I’m the Member of Parliament for Ochil and South Perthshire, a beautiful and diverse constituency in central Scotland. It takes the Wee County of Clackmannanshire, Strathearn and Kinross-shire.

I’m proud to be Scotland’s first female Muslim MP. As National Women’s Officer for the SNP, I’m proud to have played a part in increasing the representation of women the SNP’s Westminster Group, and in increasing the proportion of women standing for the SNP in

2. What are your proudest

the negative climate around international aid and around the Muslim community in this country.

“We have chosen bus advertising because it allows us to put our message across cost-effectively to a wide cross section of people. "This campaign is about raising awareness as well as raising funds. We hope it will be received very positively because we have a positive message to share.”

But the head of one Christian charity said if these adverts have been allowed to run, similar space should be given for Christian ones.

Andrea Williams, Head of Christian Concern commented: “Increasingly

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this year’s Scottish Parliament election.

sent them Parliament.

3. What inspires you?

7. And the worst?

I’m always inspired by the people I meet who have given their time to help others through working with charities and campaigns, from local foodbank volunteers to those running national camapigns. I was also recently greatly moved by a group of Syrian women I recently met in Parliament who talked of the work they had carried out in their homeland to combat extremism and make their communities safer in horrific circumstances. It was humbling to hear their stories.

There isn’t a worst thing about my current role, but the biggest challenge has been working in London for most of the week away from my family.

I wouldn’t say I’ve faced any obstacles, but the main challenges I’ve faced as a lawyer and Member of Parliament has been to navigate the challenge of balancing my family commitments with my career.

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

My father, who passed away in 2014, remains a huge influence in my life. His commitment to public service and representing his community have been a huge

what we see is accommodation being made for certain groups and a fear by the elite of consequence if they do not make way for certain groups. It [the ruling elite] bends over backwards to ensure that groups like Stonewall and Islamic Relief are given space but is very concerned when it comes to Christian advertising or morality, so that is where you find a certain message being censored. If these adverts are running then we should ensure that space is given for Christian adverts to run, but what we are seeing in many situations is the removal of access to public space for Christian groups.”

in

8. What are your long term goals?

Independence Scotland!

for

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

4. What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?

Ramadan adverts to be displayed on buses London buses will display adverts during Ramadan praising Allah to try to combat the "negative climate" around the Muslim community. The decision to allow the advertisements has angered some Christian groups after an advert featuring the Lord's Prayer was banned in some cinemas. There was also a Christian advert on a bus which was banned which had angered the gay community.

A total of 180 buses in London will run the adverts for two weeks from May 23 up to June 6 when Ramadan is expected to begin. A further 450 buses will display the advert in cities including Birmingham, Manchester and Bradford.

The charity receives up to half of its income during Ramadan and hopes the campaign will draw generous donations and encourage Muslims to carry out humanitarian work.

Imran Madden from Islamic Relief UK said: “In a sense this could be called a climate change campaign because we want to change

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influence on me, not only in choosing a career in politics, but in making me aspire to do my best in all the roles I’ve undertaken in my life so far.

6. What is the best aspect of your current role?

I have been really fortunate to meet some inspirational people from across my constituency, from those who have achieved national and international success, to those who have managed to survive in terrible circumstances. It’s an honour to repre-

While it’s unlikely that I’ll ever by the UK’s Prime Minister, but if I was I’d make sure that Parliament has a seat for every MP, and that those who were elected were representative of the country at large.

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

I’d be honoured to learn from either of the two greatest statesmen the world has seen, Jinnah or Ghandi.

Marvin Rees elected as Bristol Mayor It was an historic moment as Labour's Marvin Rees was sworn in as Bristol's new elected AfroCaribbean mayor.

He promptly made the first promise of his new job: "Under my leadership, I want to set up a city office in which I hope you will all play a full part. It's here that your expertise and priorities can come together to deliver the city we all want and need."

Mr Rees' victory, over two rounds, overturned the result of the only previous contest in 2012.

The man who won then, the independent George Ferguson, said he was now quitting politics after a turbulent time in office: "As an architect I would say we built some good foundations. I look forward to seeing how you build on those foundations, but it's your job now. This is the end of politics for me."

Labour was able to use all-out council elections to underpin Mr Rees's campaign, and leader Jeremy Corbyn came to congratulate him in person, Mr Corbyn told ITV

News: "Marvin has an ability to unite the city, he has good vision about the city but above all he has this human spirit which brings people together."

Mr Rees grew up in a deprived part of Bristol.

His election was a proud moment for his mum, Janet: "Lawrence Weston, it wasn't the ideal place to live when he was small.

There weren't many people of colour out there for one.

Two, I was on social security at the time, and on my own with him, and we didn't have things like phones or a car, and so I felt quite isolated."

Marvin Rees was educated in Bristol before attending the University of

Wales in Swansea. He completed the World Fellows Program at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut Rees has worked in diverse areas throughout his career. He was a freelance journalist and radio presenter at BBC Radio Bristol.

He was the Communications and Events Manager at Black Development Agency (now Phoenix Social Enterprise), an agency devoted to empowering individuals and communities through opportunities to work abroad.

Marvin Rees was employed in the city of Bristol as the Programme Manager for race equality in mental health issues at NHS Bristol.

His experiences in the United States included work as an outreach assistant at the Sojourners Community and as a Youth Co-ordinator at Tearfund.

Marvin Rees, who describes himself as the mixed-race son of a white single mother, is married with three children and lives in Easton in Bristol.

C MMENTS

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Asian Voice |14th May 2016

Sadiq Khan salutes London By electing the son of a Pakistani Muslim bus driver to be their new Mayor, the people of London have honoured their city’s claim to be the greatest in the world and, as Londoners, have justified their right to be its citizenry. Sadiq Khan’s victory speech was truly worthy of the occasion; as worthy is he to hold his great office and have the opportunity to discharge the responsibilities he will now shoulder. From his humble origins growing up in an inner city council estate, his early education at an inner city secondary school before going onto the London School of Economics and, thereafter, beginning a distinguished career at the bar and in government, Sadiq Kha’s rise is the stuff of legend As remarkable is the decisive support he has received across all ethnicities and religious communities.. That he is the first Muslim to be a mayor of a west-

ern city at a time religious discord and terrorism is threatening the peace of our world, adds lustre to London’s electorate and is a unique jewel in London’s glorious crown of history and tradition.

More than any place on earth, London is the truest global village there is, encompassing almost every spoken and written tongue. Its institutions of learning across all disciplines has long been the envy of rival cities; its libraries, museums, theatres, cinemas, fashion parades, and much else, have no equal. London was the heart of a once mighty empire, but more than that, it has been the seedbed of constitutional governance and the rule of law. London has been the teacher of humankind.

He who’s tired of London is tired of life Dr Samuel Johnson’s memorable remark. A warm welcome, Mayor Sadiq Khan!

Afghan-Pakistan-China conundrum Prime Minister Modi’s government is searching for a coherent Afghan-Pakistan policy that also takes in Pakistan’s ‘all weather friend,’ China: the longer the search, the greater the desperation. Standard clichés and pieties have fulfilled their shelf life: for Pakistan more cricket, greater trade etc, for China an ancient civilization, Buddhism, cooperative space in Asia and similar kerfuffle. Nothing so far has yielded the desired results. There is, instead, confusion worse confounded, compounded. American double talk and deceit have added to the witches’ brew.. Consider Richard Olson’s decision to exclude India from the earlier talks in Kabul, where the invitees were t Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United States, China and the Taliban. In case you didn’t know, Olson is the Obama administration’s principal negotiator on the region, just as the late Richard Holbrooke once was.

Holbrooke, remember, sought to include in his brief a resolution of the Kashmir problem. Talk of mischief making!

Afghanistan, meanwhile, has proved intractable over time. The Kabul talks brokered by Olson ended a whimpering fiasco. The Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who bent over backwards to accommodate Pakistan and the US, appears to have learnt through the intensified Taliban bombings in Kabul and other places, that Pakistan’s attempts to weaken and destabilize his country for reasons of ‘strategic depth’ remains high policy in Islamabad. President Ghani has now turned to India for arms, which it is in India’s best national interest to supply. That said, it might be a worthwhile hedge for India to open, if possible, back channel communication with the Taliban. However reprehensible their activities on the ground, they are driven by a primordial sense of nationalism which perceives all foreigners in their country as hostile. This surely is a chink of light worth exploring. Failure would be no disgrace since it the demarche is not expected to be a political or theatrical success.

As for China, some frank talking about Beijing in

the public space would be no bad thing. India should air in the her awareness of China’s critical and covert support to Islamabad’s nuclear weapon and missile programme including the actual delivery of tested Chinese models, its continuing opposition to Indian membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and much else. India made a hash of inviting a Uighur nationalist and two Chinese human rights activists to the country, then revoking the decisions, presumably under Beijing’s pressure. Make no mistake, Indian credibility has taken a hit.

India must be prepared for the long haul, the sort displayed by wolf packs stalking their prey in the dark, cold night of a Siberian forest. The darting movements of a squirrel searching for nuts are no recipe for success. What is needed is calibrated statecraft: the target identified, the pursuit patiently and ruthlessly conducted.

The Indian Government’s cock-up over the illadvised move to purchase 36 Rafel warplanes from France is attracting serious criticism from quarters Prime Minister Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar can ill-afford to ignore, or sweep under the carpet with sweet assurances.

Parliament’s Defence Committee headed by Major General (retired) B.K. Khanduri, a BJP MP, was critical of the government’s decision to buy the aircraft and also the dilatory negotiating process. The Committee took the government to task for not appointing a Chief of Defence Staff, which the Naresh Chandra recommended as a national priority way back in 2001. In April 2015, Minister Parrikar informed the media that papers had been forwarded to the relevant cabinet committee for approval. Thereafter silence. India has a paltry fleet of seven submarines in operational mode at any given time. There doesn’t seem to be a prospect of change anytime soon. There is drift and, seemingly, little prospect of change anytime soon. The country is looking for deeds, having tired of words that usually signify nothing of significance.

India’s women directors are exemplars Some of the most formidable deities in the Hindu pantheon are female: one thinks of Durga, Kali, Lakshmi and Saraswati, to go no further. In real life Indira Gandhi, in 1971, slew the Chinese dragon, brought down the Pakistani demon Yahya Khan and wrong footed the villainous duo of Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger.

The evil that men (or women) do lives after them,/ the good is oft interred with their bones, wrote the incomparable William Shakespeare. So it has been with Mrs Gandhi and her Emergency rule, which is the butt of political pygmies, prone to forget that she revoked it, expressed regret and stepped down from office when defeated at the polls.

Historical canvas is where one learns to value context and appreciate achievement. India’s women have emerged from the shadows over the past decades and done things that would have been inconceivable to their forbears. Their role in the life of the nation looms ever larger, yet is often taken for granted and ignored. They are present in politics, the media, software services, science and defence laboratories and the armed forces, with best surely still to come. What has recently attracted greater public attention is the presence of outstanding women in business, in board rooms with the world as their oyster. They count among corporate executives, bankers, lawyers and teachers aty schools and universities.

Among the busiest women directors are former Indian Institute of Management professor Indira Parikh; HDFC Managing Director Renu Sud Karnad, and former ICICI Securities Managing Director and CEO Ramni Narula. Each of these remarkable women sits the boards of listed companies. Former Director and General Manager of General Insurance Corporation Bhagyan Ramani, former State Bank of India Deputy Managing Director Bharati Rao are names worthy of recall. Similarly, former Chairperson and Managing Director of Indian Bank, Ranjana Kumar, was also the first woman to head a public sector bank; former Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India Kishori Udeshi, former McKinsey partner Ireena Vittal; and former PepsiCo India Executive Director Vibha Paul Rishi are those have accepted board positions in five separate public sector companies.

Several women directors whose services are just as much in demand, have accepted fewer positions as they are concurrently corporate bankers. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairperson and Managing Director of Biocon, sits on the boards of software giant Infosys, United Breweries, Narayana Hrudalayalaya Ltd. The roll call of honour goes on. This is the face of the new emergent India, whose movers and shakers these women are undoubtedly proud to be. Their heirs are likely to shake and awe the world.

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If you don't like something, change it.

If you can't change it, change your attitude.

- Maya Angelou

Manoj Ladwa

Chief executive of India Inc. & Founding member and former President of National Hindu Students Forum

Sadiq’s Election An Opportunity Not a Threat In the early1990s as President of National Hindu Students Forum (UK) I led a campaign against terrorist groups such as Hizb-ut-Tahir and Al Muhajiroun operating in UK universities.

We built a coalition alongside the National Union of Students, Union of Jewish Students and others who supported our concerns.

Those concerns regrettably remain, and with active Islamic State recruitment in the UK, have got worse. I spoke out then, often as a lonely voice, convincing our reluctant community leaders to take a strong stand, not withstanding direct threats to my personal safety. And I speak out now.

I know there will be friends who supported Zac Goldsmith for sincerely held reasons in the recent London Mayor election who will be feeling sore. He put forward credible ideas on housing, on transport, and the environment. Some of which I am sure City Hall will be well minded to consider.

But there is one reality that cannot be ignored. Zac's strategy to paint Sadiq Khan as an extremist has backfired.

Sadiq is not and never was an extremist. Yes, he is Muslim, he is devout, and he is proud of that fact. He never hid it. Just as I am Hindu and I am very proud of my faith, my culture, and my community. Sadiq, like me and millions of children of immigrants, love the UK, and the great World City that is London.

But in targeting Sadiq directly and with vicious innuendo, Zac used and abused our gen-

uine concerns about safety and security in London (especially, serious concerns radical Islamists).

His strategy fuelled prejudice against the vast majority, many of whom are thankfully now speaking out against the horrid fringe. Sadiq in hindsight will I am sure be the first to admit he could have made better choices in the past. But the consequence of Zac’s shrill campaign against Sadiq is that the real extremists have been shielded. It was a missed opportunity. Not good politics. Zac's campaign failed all Londoners.

It’s time to build bridges between communities that stand for the unity in diversity of London. And to now stand up forcefully to the real extremists who neither respect our diversity or ever want us to be united. Sadiq has repeatedly promised us that.

We should support him in that quest and hold him to his promise that he will be a Mayor for All Londoners. Sadiq too will be conscious of his responsibility to repair the huge damage that the Labour Party has inflicted on itself and the wider political landscape by alienating Hindu, Sikh, and Jewish communities in large parts.

Sadiq has after all the largest personal mandate of any politician in the UK - and that too, a Muslim - who would have ever thought? His victory should be taken in the right spirit, it is an opportunity and not a threat. It gives hope to others from our diverse backgrounds who wish to make it to the top of UK politics. And they must!

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Arooj Shah axed in Oldham Council election The shock result of last week’s Oldham Council local elections saw Cabinet member Arooj Shah lose her St Mary’s seat to an independent candidate.

Labour’s Shah, who stood to become Oldham Council leader just months ago — secured 1,801 votes, losing out by 289 votes to Aftab Hussain who received 2,190.

The result had no impact on the number of Labour seats in the Council chamber with the ruling party still holding 45 of the 60 seats available after their candidate Stephen Hewitt took Saddleworth West and Lees from the Liberal Democrats.

However, Shah’s defeat was last night widely acknowledged by the Oldham

Labour Group as a big blow she has been tipped as one to watch for some time.

A councillor for St Mary’s ward since 2012, she was Cabinet member for performance and corporate governance In 2013, Councillor Shah jointly won a Local Government Information Unit award for Young Councillor of the Year.

Outspoken, Shah made the headlines in March when she revealed the harassment and intimidation she has suffered as an Asian woman councillor.

Speaking after the result, Ms Shah said: “I’m obviously hugely disappointed by the result but I would like to thank the fantastic people I

have represented in St Mary’s ward and who voted for me again. I don’t want to add anything more - at this stage about the election.”

Oldham Council leader Jean Stretton said: “We are delighted to have taken Saddleworth West and Lees from the Liberal Democrats but very disappointed to lose a valuable colleague in St Mary’s.”

Councillor Hussain, a former vice chair for the Oldham East and Saddleworth Labour Party, said he stood as a message to the Labour Party to allow its ward parties to select its own candidates. This refers to the fact that two of Oldham’s wards are in special measures – meaning new members would be vetted and

selection procedures centrally controlled by Labour to ensure rules and regulations would be followed.

Speaking after his victory, Councillor Hussain said: “The people of St Mary’s have spoken loud and clear and I am here to serve them now."

Two men in court accused of conspiracy to commit robbery where businessman was shot dead Two men appeared in court charged with conspiracy to commit robbery after a businessman was shot dead during a botched armed raid.

Akhtar Javeed, 56, was gunned down as he tried to fight off two masked raiders who burst into his distribution warehouse while he cashed up at 6.40pm.

The father-of-four was shot in the neck before the thugs made their getaway from his catering supplies firm empty-handed.

Armed police rushed to the scene and found Mr Javeed lying in a pool of blood outside Direct Source 3 Ltd in Digbeth near Birmingham city centre on February 3 this year.

The grandfather-of-one, from Upton Park, East London, was rushed to hospital but died a short time later.

Dutch national Sander van Aalten, 50, and Asif Aurangzaib, 25, appeared at

Asid Aurangzaib outside court

Victim: Akhtar Javeed

Birmingham Crown Court charged with conspiracy to commit robbery.

Aurangzaib, of Lea Croft Road, Derby, and van Aalten, of Kyrwicks Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham, stood to confirm their names during the 20-minute hearing.

Aurangzaib was bailed and van Aalten was remanded in custody until June 20 when they will appear again at the court to enter pleas.

Bailing Aurangzaib, Judge Philip Parker QC, said: "I am releasing you on bail to reappear at this court on that date.

Failure to appear is a criminal offence and will result in imprisonment."

Suraj Businessman Mistry, 26, of Laundon Way, Leicester, and Lemar Wali, 18, of Osmaston Park Way, Derby - both charged with murder - did not enter pleas due to the prison having double-booked its video link facility.

Mistry's barrister, Martin Butterworth QC, said his client would deny murder, possession of a handgun and conspiracy to commit robbery.

Mistry is the director of a car body shop called ATS Detailing and Wrap Works Ltd which is based on Peter Baines Industrial Park in Derby.

On his Facebook page, he has posted pictures of luxury sports car including Lamborghinis and Ferraris in what appears to be the company's workshop.

There are also images of Mercedes and Audis being worked on posted on the Facebook page for ATS Detailing and Wrap Works Ltd, which has 206 'likes'.

Co-accused Wali, who lives in Derby where Mistry's business is based, lists himself as a fully-qualified mechanic on Facebook and has also 'liked' the ATS page.

Teenage girl died just five days after having HPV jab A teenage girl died just five days after having a cervical cancer jab.

Shazel Zaman, 13, was suffering with a severe headache, vomiting and dizziness after having the jab. Her symptoms became so severe that her family took her to Bury’s Fairfield Hospital.

But the family claim that a doctor dismissed her condition was linked to the HPV vaccine jab and astonishingly even branded her a ‘lazy child’ before she was sent home.

She was found collapsed unconscious with no pulse an hour later at her home in

Tragedy: Shazel Zaman

Bury, and died in hospital about four hours later.

Doctors had told her family they believed she might have a stomach bug and told

them to bring her back to hospital if her condition worsened.

Now Pennine Acute NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, has launched an investigation into the standard of care Shazel received at the hospital.

Shazel’s family believe her death is linked directly to her having the vaccine.

She had been given her second course of the HPV vaccine at Derby High School in Bury on April 13, when she became ill. She died on April 17.

The family said that fol-

lowing her death she underwent a CT scan but it was unable to find a cause. They then paid £670 for an MRI scan at Oldham Royal Hospital. That too was inconclusive and an autopsy has now been carried out but the results will not be available for several months.

Shazel leaves another sister, Amaima, eight, and two brothers, Aman, 11, and Zain, seven.

Investigations have been launched into Shazel’s treatment at hospital and whether her death was linked to the HPV jab.

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Cabbies’ secret £200k loan shark sideline

Two Oldham taxi drivers worked hard to bring in money to support their wives and young families — but they had a secret sideline which earned them far more, a court was told.

Zayarit Mahmood (42) and Javid Iqbal (37) were loan sharks, running an illegal money lending business which netted the pair in the region of £200,000 over a period of just over 10 years.

Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court heard how the two men, who themselves were addicted to gambling, targeted other men hooked by the chance of making a fast buck on the turn of a card or the spin of the roulette wheel. They “stalked” local casinos eager to lend ready cash to those whose luck had run out, and to collect debts from winners who were temporarily flush with money.

Man who tried to enter Syria detained after beheading plot overheard on bus

A man who was stopped at the Syrian border while trying to illegally enter the country has been detained under the Mental Health Act after passengers on a bus heard him talking about plans to behead somebody.

Maboob Yasin, from Walton Street, Heywood, was one of nine people caught trying to enter Syria from Turkey in April last year.

A court heard that after returning to the UK, the defendant, who suffers from a schizoaffective disorder, was arrested after two women complained he was talking loudly on a bus about his plans to behead someone at a rally and the murder of Middleton soldier Lee Rigby.

He was also heard to say it was permissible to rape young girls wearing short skirts under Islamic law.

The incident took place on board a 163 bus between Bury and Heywood on October 15 last year.

Teenager convicted of raping vulnerable woman sentenced

A teenager convicted of raping a vulnerable middle-aged woman in an alleyway has been sentenced to eight years' detention.

Ibrahim Abdulle (19) denied the offence, claiming the victim agreed to have sex with him in exchange for cannabis.

A Leicester Crown Court jury rejected his account by finding him guilty with a 10-2 majority verdict.

The incident happened on October 8 last year, in an alley off Glebe Street in Highfields, Leicester.

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Abdulle, was told his details would be on a sex offenders register for life.

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“Our London” Navin Shah, GLA Member for Brent and Harrow

“Thank you” My re-election on London Assembly It is once again a privilege for me to have a resounding success in the recent GLA election which will enable me to serve on the assembly for the third term as Brent and harrow’s representative. In the new term I will continue to serve with diligence and deliver aspirations and priorities of my constituents and those of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar readers. My sincere thanks to all for vesting your trust in me again for the third time and I shall not let you down. Like most of London the priorities of people of Brent and Harrow are those of building genuinely affordable housing; affordable and accessible public transport; visible community policing to drive down crime and tackle fear of crime; regeneration of local areas and attacking the problem of lethal air quality in our local areas.

Working with local people and stakeholders I will continue my campaigns like the ones for step-free access at Harrow On The Hill – Northwick Park and Stanmore stations and clean bus corridor to improve local air quality.

Protecting greenbelt from development, scrutinising skyscrapers and promoting cycling in outer London boroughs will also be on top of my agenda.

I’m passionate about the rich religious and ethnic diversity of London and the immense value it offers. I’m therefore deeply disappointed with the Tory mayoral campaign in London which has

failed to uphold the values of diversity and equality by running a disgusting smear campaign against Labour’s mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan. They seemed to follow in the steps of Donald Trump!

In our fight against terrorism we should be uniting communities and not dividing them. I’m pleased that Sadiq rose above the dirty tricks campaign and focused on his policies and offer for all Londoners. Sadiq truly deserves his resoundinng victory and I’d be working shoulder to shoulder with him to deliver for my residents in Brent and Harrow and communities Londowide.

Locally in Brent and Harrow the campaign, except for the Tories, was clean and fair and I pay tribute to those other candidates for their conduct and decency. Local Tories ran a personally insulting campaign against me based on lies. Shame that Tories saw it fit to stoop to gutter level politics. But, the fair minded and mature residents were not fooled and have given me a strong verdict. I will be working hard with the residents, stakeholders and community/resident organiasations to ensure that the work of the Mayor and London Assembly members like myself contribute directly to their well-being and enhnace London’s status as world’s leading city with its diverse communities working with each other in harmony.

Review launched to help BME community progress in their careers The business leader investigating why black and minority ethnic (BME) people find it more difficult to progress into managerial and senior positions than their white counterparts is calling on people to share their views.

Business secretary Sajid Javid has commissioned Baroness (Ruby) McGregor-Smith, chief executive of Mitie Group, to lead an inquiry into why, across all sectors of British industry, black and minority ethnic (BME) people find it more difficult than their white colleagues to progress into managerial and senior positions.

The call for evidence launched on Tuesday is aimed at people from all BME communities across Great Britain to help Baroness McGregorSmith understand the obstacles faced by people in the labour market, from recruitment through to executive level.

In April End Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith had organised a roundtable with BME community representatives in order to find what obstacles are preventing the BME community to reach

top positions in MNCs, in comparison to their white counterparts.

Baroness Smith, who has been known as the first Asian woman CEO in a FTSE 250 company, believes in a more 'inclusive' policy has never looked at herself as a role model, though now a champion of this role, she wants the stories of extra ordinary people and their journeys to be told. “Show the steps of career progress- there is a story to learn from each”, added Ruby.

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

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

Businesses and third sector organisations are also being called upon to take part in the review. To coincide with the launch, Baroness McGregorSmith is hosting a roundtable event with some of the country’s largest private sector employers.

Business Secretary

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

“I urge everyone who has experience of trying to progress in work to take part in this review.

Employers need to back their workforces and I am also calling on them to make sure everybody has a fair chance to succeed.”

Later this year, Baroness McGregorSmith will publish the findings of her independent review into the obstacles that people from different communities face in the labour market, what impact this has on the economy and employers, and, for the first time, will bring together data that shows the extent of the problem.

The review will also include recommendations to government and business on how BME talent can be fully utilised by employers as well as highlighting best practice from across the public and private sectors.

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British Asians have come a very long way since their arrival in the UK. They worked hard and achieved so much to reciprocate the warmth and hospitality of the British people renowned for their open, fair and law-abiding way of life.

Paid subscribers of Asian Voice are invited to send in their journey report (up to 600 words narration) with at least 2 photographs (one when they arrived in the UK and another with their family

members at the moment).

These life stories will be published without any charge in Asian Voice as a service to celebrate ABPL's 44 years as well as to put on record our sojourn for the knowledge of our younger generation as well as neighbours.

Here is one such story by Surendrabhai Patel from Vaso Alindra about his journey to the UK from Uganda.

Surendra Patel, Vaso Alindra

know how we all progressed. First of all we gujaratis are blessed with a two prong quality. The way First of all may I congratui can express this is by quotlate Asian Voice on 44 ing two names Gandhiji years of your publication. and Sardar Patel, both of We have been fortunate to them opposite in their know what is happening in approach but with common U.K. and the areas we all goal in getting us independcome from through your ence. These two qualities publication. Time and time help us to get respect and again you have enabled us our hard work helped us in to connect by organising arriving where we are various events.

I normally do not write Surendrabhai pictured with today. I always says to wife Ushaben young Gujaratis that we to you but especially feel have made a tremendous contribution in that our contribution in the British way the freedom struggle. We have not of life is remarkable and needs to be told known our own strength. especially to the younger generation.

Personally for me faith in Karmic I came like many others in difficult belief and working hard with persevercircumstances. My three brothers, mothance and tenacity was the way forward. I er and I were all born in Uganda. My am blessed to have a wife who is nursing mother's father came to Uganda around manager and taking good care of elderly 1900. We all had a good life there but citizens. She and her friend do group had to leave Uganda in 90 days. The wedding every year averaging around banks were closed we could not get any 100 couple in Puttaparthi near money out and were strip searched to Bangalore I have two sons. My elder son ensure we were not taking anything valugained a first class Masters in Chemical able. The degrading way i had to leave Engineering from Downing College, Entebbe airport was a big blow for me.

Cambridge and always brought first Our elderly parents suffered too much class! My younger son has a masters in because they had to up root everything Aeronautical Engineering from Imperial and had to settle in U.K. after so many College, London. I have property orientyears. ed companies and have done well, I find My first job was in the U.K., like it a little awkward to write all this but many others. I wanted to bring better feel that the younger generation need to time for myself and my family and took know about faith and understand that that challenge in an adverse situation. their effort delivers reward but that faith I think the young generation need to and family is the basis of all.

It has allowed us to overcome the most difficult times.

We must focus on prosperity but not only wealth, in all facets of life and in keeping balance with nature. We must especially help people (Samaj), temples and charities. My abundance of reward has come in my life due to my parents, my teachers Surendrabhai and Ushaben with their elder son Nikin his (learned persons) and my elders. I count myself as the wife Priykan and daughter Mishika, and younger son happiest man in town.

Ashish, his wife Alka and daughter Eesha Lara If you have a similar story you would like to share please send it and any pictures to CB Patel, Publisher/Editor, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar at Karma Yoga House, 12 Hoxton Market, (Off Coronet Street) London N1 6HW, or you may write to CB Patel at cb.patel@abplgroup.com

Men found with £8,000 worth of cocaine jailed

High Commissioner of India HE Navtej Singh Sarna with Ms Usha Ananthasubramanian, MD & CEO, Punjab National Bank and Mr Antanu Das, President, PNB_UK at India House in beginning of March 2016

Two men from Langley who had £8,000 worth of cocaine seized from them have been jailed. Nathan Knight, 26, of Willoughby Road, and Arjun Sandhar, 26, of St Marys Road were jailed for a total of seven years for possession with intent to supply cocaine.

Sandhar was also arrested and his home was searched later that evening where a plastic bag containing drugs was found.

Knight was searched in custody and wraps of white powder were found in his underwear.

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Indian woman techie wins case against Wipro IT giant Wipro lost the case against Indian exemployee who accused the firm of sacking her on the grounds of gender discrimination. Shreya Ukil, pictured, formerly a senior techie with the company, made accusations of sex discrimination, unfair dismissal, and verbal abuse by her colleagues.

She took Wipro to court in 2014, filing a lawsuit with a British tribunal.

In its judgement, the court cited there is evidence against “some in the senior leadership in Wipro” of being “sexist and unfair”. It also added there was no proof that she was sexually harassed. The court said her sacking was unfair but not “wrongful”. Ukil, 40, said, “This judgement raises serious questions on whether the company is ethical in dealing with women who raise allegations of inequality and sexist behaviour. The atmosphere was predatory, misogynistic, and sexist. I raised numerous red flags before the management and internal Ombudsman.

When the issue wasn't addressed I resigned. But they rejected my resignation to fire me later when I was on sick leave.”

Ukil's lawyers Slater & Gordon released a statement saying, “Wipro leadership team, including its (then) chief executive T.K. Kurien, conspired to push Ukil out of her job and her role in Britain. Ukil was victimised by Wipro’s leadership for speaking up about sex discrimination, unequal pay and a culture of sexism.”

Ukil who had moved to London in 2010 after working in the company's Bengaluru office for seven years, moved court three months after she was fired as the Head of Sales. In her lawsuit, she alleged gender pay gap saying she was paid half of what her male counterparts in London were given. She also claimed she was subjected

to sexist remarks by senior colleagues who called her “shrill”, “shallow”, “unEuropean”, and “bitch” among other names. In an interview, Ukil talked about how she was harassed and even blocked from changing positions in Europe. “Woman who are confident, capable and express their viewpoints are often called emotional, menopausal by some male peers.”

The IT boss has however, released a statement saying the tribunal rejected claims of adverse cultural attitude towards women in the organisation. “Wipro Limited is pleased the UK Employment Tribunal has upheld the dismissal of the complainant from the services of the organisation as appropriate and rejected claims of adverse cultural attitude towards women in the organisation.” How much Wipro owes Ukil for the financial and mental trouble she went through, will be decided by the tribunal next month.

882nd Birth Anniversary of Basaveshwara celebrated in London

Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP and Dr H R Nagendra (right in white) look on, as Social Welfare Minister of Karnataka Mr Anjayena garland Basaveshwara's statue

For the first time philosopher Basaveshwara's birth anniversary (1134-1168 AD) was celebrated on Saturday 7 May in London with the approval from the Lambeth council.

The statue of 12th century Indian Philosopher and social reformer was erected along the bank of the river Thames last year, PM during Indian Narendra Modi's visit to London on 14th of Nov 2015. This was the first statue of an Indian philosopher approved by the British Government on conceptual grounds in the vicinity of the British Parliament.

Modi ji Yoga guru Dr

H.R Nagendra and Hon Minister for social welfare Mr. of Karnataka, Anjayena were invited as a special guest for this 882nd birthday celebration by The Basaveshwara Foundation UK. The Hon Minister for social welfare applied Vibuthi to Basaveshwara and paid his respects. Rt Hon Keith Vaz, the longest serving MP of Britain and CB Patel, Publisher/Editor Of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samanchar were also present at this occasion.

The British Government approved the statue because of Basaveshwara’s role in

promoting democratic ideals, gender equality and his crusade against caste discrimination.

Since the Indian Prime Minister was very concerned about the ongoing drought situation in Karnataka/India and was against any lavish expenditure towards the event. The entire event was organised within a meagre budget of £1 (roughly around Rs 100) that was paid for the garland to the statue. Money was raised at this event and in support of the distressed farmers of Karnataka and given to the Karnataka Chief Minister’s relief fund.

UK Asian Voice | 14th May 2016

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RBI Chief calls for a debate among Central bankers on ‘helicopter money’ policy Calling for a debate among central bankers on ‘helicopter money’ policy, RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan on Tuesday questioned 'political feasibility and economic benefits' of such an easy direct-to-public money transmission.

Dr Raghuram Rajan, addressed a theatre full of audience at the London School of Economics (LSE) on Tuesday 10 May, speaking on the subject: 'Rethinking the Global Monetary System'.

This was the inaugural event for the ‘100 Foot Journey Club’, a collaboration between the High Commission of India, and the Institute of Global Affairs at the London School of Economics South Asia Centre, which the High Commissioner of India His Excellency Navtej Sarna described as 'a club that would create several high profile links, where research would meet public policy.'

Speaking at the event, HE Sarna shared with the audience the origin of the club. It was during his meeting with the President of LSE in March 2016 when he suggested that in

RBI Governor Dr Raghuram Rajan with HE Navtej Singh Sarna, the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Dr Mukulika Banerjee (left most), LSE Director and President Professor Craig Calhoun and Dr Erik Berglof

view of the long standing relations and close proximity of LSE and the High Commission of India, regular interactive events may be held jointly on issues of contemporary relevance, including research being carried out on India by LSE. His proposal was well taken and it was immedi-

ately agreed to strengthen the existing ties with LSE through a new Club. The Club will host academic events and other activities of mutual interest. It will organise at least 6 events annually, including panel discussions, film screenings etc. either at LSE or India House/Nehru

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Centre.

The next event to be held by the Club at India House on May 13 is an interaction with Dr. S. Y. Quraishi, Former Chief Election Commissioner of India, on elections and electoral reforms in India.

This will be followed by a discussion on ‘The Indian

lic or investing in public projects.

“We’re reaching the limits of what monetary policy can do,” Dr. Rajan said.

“It is not absolutely clear that throwing the money out of the window, or targeted cheques to beneficiaries will be politically feasible in many countries, or produce economically the desired effect,” the former Chief Economist of IMF added.

If central banks in developed economies can no longer boost domestic demand, Dr. Rajan said their policies can only boost growth and inflation by taking demand away from other parts of the global economy by depreciating their currencies.

He repeated his call for central banks to place greater weight on the impact of their policies on the global economy when making their decisions, and for coordination but independent research to establish which types of policy have negative or positive impacts globally.

“We have to move away from the situation where anything goes,” he said.

Village: Romantic Images versus Historical Realities’

by Prof. Sumit Guha, Professor of History, University of Texas at Nehru Centre on June 6, 2016. Delivering the lecture at the London School of Economics, Dr Rajan said it needed to be asked whether the global monetary policy was increasingly becoming part of the problem, rather than being part of a solution. He said it is reaching the limits of its ability to stimulate domestic demand and runs the risk that it will only work by taking demand from other parts of the global economy.

With economic growth remaining weak and inflation rates very low, central banks in developed economies have ventured into new territories in recent years, adopting a range of novel measures including quantitative easing and negative interest rates. The term ‘Helicopter drop of money’ is used as a metaphor for an unconventional monetary policy tool that typically involves central banks printing large sums of money and distributing it directly to the pub-

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ABPL Journey - 2

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Asian Voice | 14th May 2016

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Modi praised at Genesis of Indian Community in the UK Green Ribbon Awards

C.K. Pote

The launch of Gujarat Samachar in 1972 began well inspite of all the challenging circumstances in the UK. Economically and politically, several issues persisted.

The Conservative government had run out of steam, and the leader of the Labour Party, Harold Wilson was making tremendous impact. Britain could not cope with the resurgent Germany on one hand and, the European community itself on the other, including France, Italy, Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg.

In 1949, EEC (European Economic Community) began its journey with the formation of Steel and Coal authority. Britain was invited but declined the offer. Having missed the bus, the UK applied to join the EEC as it began to make bold strides, but was flatly rejected by President Charles de Gaulle, twice.

Economic development, productivity, and especially the foreign exchange challenges were hampering the progress of UK. In East Africa, the independence of Kenya, Uganda, Tanganyika, the sultanate of Zanzibar also created challenges for the Asians that numbered over a quarter million, most of whom had either British passports or British-protected passports. Those with British passports were able to migrate to the UK as a matter of right.

However, the British government had created various obstacles like “standing in queue” (settlement vouchers) and similar other measures to restrict the flow of new migrants despite them being British subjects. Most of the early arrivals of East African Asians were not businessmen or professional. They were mainly employees, both skilled and unskilled people.

Of course, the situation was going to change dramatically. In August 1972, dictator of Uganda Idi Amin announced the expulsion en masse of Asians, including those identified as Ugandan citizens.

Gujarat Samachar was very successful right from its inception, mainly because of its good editorial contents, especially powerful editorials largely written by Pranlal Sheth.

The ethos of Gujarat Samachar came from the inspiration of Indian High Commissioner Appa Saheb Pant. In his inaugural speech, he mentioned the roles and responsibilities of an Indic publication.

On one hand we ought to unite all the Gujaratis as well as other Indians. But,

Ugandan Asians arrive in the UK after being expelled by Idi Amin in 1972

he said, Gujarat Samachar also had to look at the prevailing inequalities, caste barriers and other limitations that were part of the Asian culture in East Africa. Asians in East Africa were some 50-70 years behind the Indians in India itself. In terms of social norms, India had been independent for about 25 years and the mind-set of these Indians had moved along very well with time. But East African Asians, according to several sociological studies, lived in their own, albeit slightly 'older' structures.

Appa Saheb Pant was not just a diplomat; he was a scholar and a spiritual person as well. He edified the editorial team of Gujarat Samachar to serve the community, highlight their problems, applaud their achievements, keep a watchful eye on the internal exploitation, and most importantly- not blame the colonial administration and use it as an easy excuse. He said that as and when one faces discrimination, or inequality in the UK, it is the duty of the paper to raise its voice, to energise the community and prevail on the powers that may be to provide level-playing fields.

Idi Amin maintained

his stand about the expulsion and by the end of the year 1972, the British government had to establish over 10 camps to accommodate people expelled from Uganda. 28,000 East African Asians, out of which over 80 per cent where of Indian-origin, were forcibly uprooted and arrived in the UK. Jaffer Kapasi (now Honorary Consul for Uganda in Leicester), is one of the many who migrated to the UK in 1972, and started a whole new circle of life.

With a handful of facilities and an uncertainty of what life would bring next looming over their heads, the expelled were said to have been welcomed with placards reading “Go Home”.

It was upon the then Prime Minister Edward Heath of the Conservative Party to make a decision.

Heath said it was Britain’s moral responsibility to accommodate all those with British passports.

Racism was rampant and several racist voices were creating enormous anxiety in the minds of ordinary British people. Despite the challenges, Edward Heath and his government stood by their constitutional responsibilities and if I may say so, welcomed the Ugandan Asians with dignity.

The Uganda

Resettlement Board was soon constituted under the Sir chairmanship of Charles Cunningham with Home Secretary Robert Carr sparing no efforts to fulfil their responsibilities.

Sadly, an Indian member in the Ugandan Resettlement Board proved to be some what controversial and is well described in a book called 'The Passport and Politics', written by Mr Ingram.

Under the leadership of Pranlal Sheth, Gujarat Samachar became the voice- not only of the British Gujaratis, but other Britons who believed in fair play, equality, and the British wellness. The camps indirectly helped Gujarat Samachar. A large number of copies were sold then, and even today there are many readers who stay devoted to the publication since those dark days. Next week, I will look at the scenario and what was the impact of Ugandan Asians on Britain itself. But, of all the immigrants who came from various countries in the past, the Ugandan Asians, predominantly Gujaratis stood on their own feet in the shortest possible time, and in that process, the lion share of the credit goes to the women.

Gujarat Samachar has often talked about the wives and daughters from well off Ugandan Asian families who lived in comfortable houses catered by servants, taking up jobs of any sorts to ensure stable family finances, when they came to Britain. Not just that, they also took the greatest care of their loved ones and gave special emphasis on children’s education.

Diaspora Publications The Indian diaspora, especially after 1835, with the abolition of slavery in effect, spread widely in the British colonies, moving to countries like Fiji, South Africa, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad, and Jamaica.

These emigrants, though they adapted themselves in their new lives, liked to keep in touch with their roots through religion. Cheddi Jagan of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), addressed the first GOPO convention in 1989, with his wife Janet (who went on to become the first female President of Guyana in 1997) sitting next to him.

A non-believer himself, Jagan said the migrants in Guyana would recite chopais in the evening. He said one could hear voices reading the Ramayana echo through the deep jungles of the region.

As the Indian community found a steady foot in foreign lands, mainly Hindi publications, principally newsletters began to circulate. In the early 20th century, it was Shyamji Krishna Varma who launched an EnglishGujarati publication called ‘The Indian Sociologist’ in London. Subsequently, Chhagan Kheraj started a Gujarati publication called ‘Gaddar’ in USA. In the UK, it was a Muslim gentleman from Preston who made the first attempt to properly start a Gujarati publication.

In the USA, over the years, several Gujarati newsweeklies began their journey. At one stage, Gujarat Samachar (with parent company in Ahmedabad- not connected with Gujarat Samachar London), Sandesh, Divya Bhaskar, and Gujarat Times were thriving. In

the last 10-15 years, in USA, all above publications have lost bulk of their readership. The readers can read online editions of Gujarati newspapers from India, as well as social media, and the internet.

About 800,000 Gujaratis are settled in UK, mainly in England.

Almost 80 per cent of them are settled in a geographical mass like a trapezium with London in the south, east and west Midlands, Manchester and Leeds in the north.

The total area is about 7300 sq miles.

In 1990, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher wrote an article in the ABPL Publication, ‘Asian Business’ that dispersal all over the country happens most frequently with the Indian community. They could be doctors, pharmacists, news agents, alike.

Dhiren Katwa

Sir David Attenborough, who turned 90 this month, was crowned Lifetime Achiever at the Green Ribbon Political Awards.

The event which celebrate greatest environmental achievements of the UK and international politicians, business and charities, was held at the House of Commons Terrace Pavilion last Tuesday evening.

Attended by around 100 guests, the ceremony is facilitated each year by charity, the Chartered Institution of Water & E n v i r o n m e n t a l Management, or CIWEM. Among the recipients of the 12 awards were: Parliamentarians of the Year, Nick Hurd MP and Catherine Bearder MEP; Business Commitment to the Environment, Tesla; Most Inspirational Figure Internationally, HH Pope Francis; and The Guardian for Best Environmental Journalism.

Volkswagen, the car company, described as “wretched” by host Jonathan Porritt, was crowned with a Grey Ribbon, the only of its kind, for its use of cheat devices for emissions tests in its cars. CIWEM’s CEO Terry Fuller said: “As a professional institution we are staunchly independent and apolitical. We engage

enthusiastically with parliamentarians of all political persuasion, advising where we can and helping to educate and drive forward effective solutions to a full range of environmental challenges.” Much credit to Shirel Stedman, pictured, who joined CIWEM as its Managing Director at the start of 2016 for her active behind-the-scenes work, on raising awareness of important environmental issues, particularly among diverse communities.

A leader in her own right, Shirel lives in Coventry and commutes to London trying to help make a real and lasting difference to our environment.

Award-winner Laurent Fabius, former French Foreign Minister, referenced Indian Premier Narendra Modi in his keynote speech, praising India’s strategy on Climate Change. For full list of winners and more information visit www.ciwem.org/greenribbon

Malia Bouattia causes division within NUS The NUS Annual Conference held in Brighton two weeks ago might have been the most controversial for over a decade especially as this was when Malia Bouattia, former NUS Black Students Officer, was elected as the first female Muslim NUS President following a controversial vote to not adopt a system that would allocate a vote to every individual member of the NUS. Her stances on ISIS, Palestine and Prevent have created a divided student population and she has been left with many questions to answer.

In her campaign to protest "Prevent" by the UK government, she said that it pushed an Islamophobic agenda or "plot" by "Zionist and neocon lobbies". Such antiSemitic comments have seen an angry Jewish student population raise its voice with hundreds of blogs denouncing her nomination and every JSoc president across the country signing a letter of concern. Her response to the letter of concern was to separate the Zionist and Jewish populations, an oddly divisive move for the

new, non-Jewish NUS President.

Bouattia’s use of Islamophobia, particularly in defence of not condemning ISIS, has led to concerns that she will create an unrepresentative NUS. Should this be the case, then this could be hugely damaging for the entire student population, including all Hindus at university.

Whilst the NUS engages all faith groups in discussions regarding prayer space and other faith matters, particularly through the VP for Welfare, Shelly Asquith, Yajur Shah, NHSF (UK) National President, alongside over 80% of all Hindu Society Presidents from across the UK, have asked for Malia to also engage with the discussions to ensure that the NUS remains truly representative of all faiths – something that every student in the UK deserves from its representative body.

Alongside the J-Socs from across the country, NHSF (UK) and its university chapters have written a letter of concern following the recent events at the NUS.

UK Asian Voice | 14th May 2016

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taught us family values.”

Rani Singh, Special Assignments Editor

Cllr Rekha Shah, Harrow’s New Mayor Councillor Rekha Shah will be Harrow’s next First Citizen; she is to be the new Mayor of Harrow.

Currently Deputy Mayor, she will be formally instated on May 19th 2016.

An energetic and committed member of Harrow Council, she has spent a year as Deputy Mayor. She was proud to fulfil virtually all of them, supporting the mayor and doing her best.

She told us last week, pausing for breath in between the elections and looking after her granddaughter, that it is important to perform at your best when you become Mayor since all eyes are upon you.

Parents and upbringing.

Rekha was born and brought-up in Mumbai.

“My father was a Civil Engineer and my mother held the biggest job in the world of raising seven children, which she did very well. I grew up in a large and closely knit family. We were always told to respect everyone and treat everyone as equal. We studied and played together and

Cllr Rekha Shah

shared our views with each other. I was slightly different and always wanted to socialise more than others.

I travelled a lot while growing up. My mother was very clever and in looking after a large family, she

Early memories and early challenges “My early memories were that we always used to share everything. My father always wanted us to do well in our lives. My formative challenges were about how to move forwards in my life. I came to London – Harrow in 1978, and married Navin [Shah] whom I’ve known since my school-time. We have two grownup children and a charming granddaughter ‘Amari’. Aneka my daughter is a Councillor for Kenton in Harrow and my son is a solicitor.

Rekha’s career Rekha worked with various medical practises in India before she came to London.

After her children grew up, she worked for over 20 years as a Social Worker for Brent Council “and tried my best to support service users. I worked in an Asian Mental Health Day Centre for ten years and gave my very best to re habilitate service users. During this period I had the opportunity to study and obtained a Diploma in Management, Counselling course and various other courses.”

Rekha said that when her husband Navin became a local Councillor in 1994, it began the family’s journey into active politics. “As a member of the Labour

9

lenge but I know I’ll have party I used to organise great support from the staff fundraisers and attend and at the Mayor’s Parlour, my got indirectly involved in family and colleagues. local politics.” When the I thank the Labour children had grown up Party and all my colleagues Rekha decided to take an on Harrow Council for givactive role in serving the ing me the opportunity for community and became a this very vital position and Councillor in Harrow 14 I’ll be working hard to years ago. During this ensure I do justice period she served to the trust and as a portfolioholder for comIt is important c o n f i d e n c e vested in me. I munity and that we find time would like to culture and say to Asian served on and passion for women that many comdoing what we please get m i t t e e s can for our fellow involved in including community heath scrutiny citizens work and polietc. She stated, tics. From my per“I’ve enjoyed sonal experience I serving the communiknow it’s tough for us – ty and supported people by having to manage families, dealing with casework. hold a job and all that – but it is important that we find The Mayoral YearAs the time and passion for doing Mayor of Harrow I will be what we can for our fellow the first citizen of Harrow and I’m very much looking citizens. There is depravityforward to representing and support needed by vulour diverse and united nerable people- so please go community in Harrow and out and spare some time. working with a large array Every bit helps. of voluntary organisations I am hoping to serve to who do such a fantastic job the best of my ability in my in serving and supporting mayoral year and be a good people. Currently I’m conambassador of our richly sidering raising funds for a diverse borough of couple of local charities Harrow.” during my Mayoral term It isn’t easy being a comand appealing to everyone mitted mayor while also to support us. The task being a dedicated wife to a ahead, attending hundreds busy poliitican, grandmothof events and being ambaser, and mother, but Cllr sador of Harrow, is dauntRekha Shah is a role model ing but I’ll cherish it. Time for many of us and the management will be a chalAsian Voice wishes her well.

Se m i n a r on ‘S o l ut i on s t o P re s e nt D a y P ro bl e m s f ro m the S h ri m a d B ha gav a d G i ta A spiritual guidance seminar on “Solutions to Present Day Problems from the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita” will be delivered by legendary Ayurvedic Doctor Shri Guru Balaji Tambe.

Organised by inspiring young global leader Ashish Goyal in association with Akshaya Patra G Venue: St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel, 54 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E G Date: May 20, 2016. at 5:30pm ( 2 hour session with Q&A) G For tickets, contact Ashish Goyal at Dr Tambe ashishgoyalwg08@gmail.com The event will support the Akshaya Patra Foundation which is a not-for-profit organisation headquartered in Bengaluru, India. The organisation strives to fight issues like hunger and malnutrition in India.

Health Guidance meet with Dr Tambe A Pulse Diagnosis and Health Guidance meet with Dr Tambe has been organised a day after the spiritual seminar, on May 21.

It’s a unique opportunity to meet Dr Tambe in person and learn more about one’s individual constitution and seek lifestyle, health and dietary guidance from him.

Dr Tambe will meet individuals one on one for 10-15 minutes.

G Date: May 21st, 2016.

G Time: 2.30pm to 4.30pm and 5pm to 7pm (15 minute slots per person).

G Fee: £50 payable in advance.

G Venue: will be disclosed on confirmation of booking, in the Wembley area.

G To secure bookings*, contact Ashish Goyal on ashishgoyalwg08@gmail.com Note there could be waiting time of up to 30-60 minutes depending on previous appointments, so please plan accordingly.

(Pulse Diagnosis is not done during a woman’s menstrual cycle).

About Shreeguru Balaji Tambe Shreeguru Balaji Tambe is the founder of Atmasantulana Village (Karla, Maharashtra), largest health village in India since 1985. He has completely revamped the credibility of Ayurveda in India. His books have sold hundreds of thousands of copies and he has recorded a catalogue of healing music that is used by thousands for treatment. His TV shows, running for over 6 years, have covered philosophy in daily life discussing the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and several important Indian traditions

10

READERS’ VOICE

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 14th May 2016

Zac Goldsmith I was saddened and disappointed by last week’s Mayoral election results, but London has voted for its Mayor and I respect that. I congratulate Mr Khan on his historic victory. As someone who can relate to his story I admire his aspirational qualities and wish him well.

It was an honour to work with Zac Goldsmith throughout this campaign. Zac is genuinely one of the nicest people I’ve ever met and I’m sure anyone who had the opportunity to meet him during the campaign will agree with me.

Zac has made great strides in engaging wholeheartedly with the British Indian community. Zac should be commended for his level of engagement, which has been very welcome and will be remembered for many years to come. In the meantime, it is time for the Conservatives to reflect, recuperate and come back stronger.

Cllr Ameet Jogia By email

Sadiq Khan’s historical win

The mayoral election for London has been both exciting and intriguing. When western world is gripped with the climate of Islamaphobia, one just wonders if it is possible for a Muslim candidate, alleged to have links with extremist to win this major post, Mayor of London!

Although, I haven’t voted for Khan, my heartiest congratulation to him. No doubt he will do a wonderful job for Londoners. His win is a big victory for Jeremy Corbyn and Labour. Looking at the overall results, it seems Labour is in the course of revival. No one can deny that Britain is a fair and just democracy, secularist where all have equal opportunities. Let us hope Sadiq Khan can remove tension between Muslims and host community and make us safe and secure.

Niranjan Vasant By email

Nuisance phone calls to OAPs

University of Khartoum a heritage site?

Lectures on Hinduism

The University of Khartoum has applied to United Nations to the declare their current building as a heritage site. The site is on river Nile in prime location in Khartoum and Khartoum North along the banks of The Nile and covers vast grounds. The Government is in talks with a Jordanian property developer to sell the site and move the university to Soba, a small town some distance from Khartoum. The students are fiercely opposed to this.

The university's history goes back to 1937 which was a watershed in education in Sudan. By 1936, schools of law, engineering, agriculture, and veterinary science had been approved and opened in a reformed Gordon Memorial College.

During the next 20 years, before independence, the reforms were implemented very slowly.

Technical schools were integrated in 1945 and Kitchener School of Medicine in 1951 when it was renamed University of Khartoum.

Nagindas Khajuria By email

I and my wife are being pestered by phone calls possibly emanating from India.

Callers use name such as John, David and Fred. The number of phone calls has intensified in last 2 days with calls starting as early as 8.30am. They claim to be calling on behalf of company called Consumer UK or Consumer Advisory Service UK and claim to have been authorized by Government of UK. Strangely enough after the last call today, I got a call from 'Vidya' offering to block block all nuisance calls if I gave her some details of my Visa card! She claimed to be from Customer Services at TPS or something. The phone no given was 08712700039 which is a premium number! On refusal to give details, the offer of blocking was withdrawn!

We would be grateful if you would withhold our names ant telephone no which is given to you just to veryfy our authenticity.

John Patel, Essex

Beware these people

I recently received an e-mail which was purporting to have come from a friend and to the effect that he was stranded in Spain while on holiday there. In his e-mail he said that he had lost his money and travel documents to a pick pocket. He asked me to send money over to him in order that he can return to the UK. Suspecting that something was fishy, I contacted him by phone at his Ilford addresss and I found that he was at home all the time and had not been away from the country.

I also get calls from people posing as engineers from a renowned computer company and stating that they had found a fault on my pc and would need to fix that. They would ask for remote access to my pc in order to repair the fault. On asking for more detais from the person, he would hang up the phone. Finally, I also get calls from people who would say that I had been involved in a car accident and that they would help me in claiming compensation. As I have had not been involved in such accident, I would know that this would be a ploy to milk money out of me in some kind of a trap.

So I would ask readers of AV that if you get these kind of e-mails, or phone calls, do not part with your details or money to them.

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Subscribe Today Asian Voice in UK for only £29 for one year

Swami Nirliptananda of London Sevashram Sangha has initiated a series of monthly FREE lectures on Hinduism. They will be held on second Saturday of every month from 4 – 50 PM. Starting with the origin of Hinduism these lectures are designed to provide a systematic, chronological and comprehensive knowledge of Hinduism and Hindu Philosophy.

They will include advent, origin, objective, beliefs, concept of divinity, concept of Dharma, difference between Dharma and religion, fundamental teachings, moral values, ethical principles, nitya karmas, panchasheel, Hindu society, ways of worship, Nirakar Brahman, Sakar Brahman, Vedic philosophies of Advaita, Dwaita and Vishistadvaita, evolution of Hindu philosophy, evolution of Hinduism, Hindu denominations, Hinduism and science, Hindu history and future of Hinduism.

It will discuss Hindu scriptures of The Vedas, Upanishads (Isa, Keno, Kattha, Prasna, Mundaka, Mandukva, Svetaswara, Kaushitaki, Aiteriya, Tattiriya, Chhandogva, Brihad-aranvaka, etc) Brahma Sutra, Manu Samhita, Bhagavad Gita, Agamas, Puranas, Tantra and glimpses of epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.

It will cover specialist subjects such as Sanatan Dharma – Divine plan for the sustenance of creation, Advaita – the philosophy of scientific reality of nature and the universe, God or no-God – that is the question, and Gita – story of the universe and way forward for the humanity.

These lectures will be given by a highly qualified person well versed in Hinduism, Hindu philosophy especially Vedanta and science. He has given lectures and key note speeches in many international seminars and conferences. He has published over three dozens of articles on various aspects of Hinduism in international journals.

Jatindra Saha By email

Landslide victory for Khan

Land slide victory of Sadiq Khan to become new Mayor of London is astounding. Our most heartfelt and warm congratulations to him at this victory. There was lots of healthy competition between him and other contenders especially Zac Goldsmith. Various deductions are made for this victory, but real factor will remain elusive.

Sadiq Khan must be proud to be first Muslim to win. His onus increases to be functional as bi-cultural person. He has to motivate all Muslims to add to rich fabric of Britain and London. He must strive to enhance safety, security and welfare of citizens of London.

I would sincerely hope and pray that new mayor would promote British ethos, to please all British voters and to motivate various communities to play constructive role as British and as Londoners. This would enrich all facets of life and values of London and U.K. Also, safety, security and welfare of all citizens lie in fullest integration of various communities with the majority. All those who voted or not for Sadiq Khan must now fully support all his altruistic schemes. Eight years seems to be long period but new mayor will be have to be most efficient all the time.

Ramesh Jhalla By email

New Muslim Mayor

The New Muslim mayor of London is a close ally of the left of the Labour Party, namely the party leader Mr Corbyn, who he nominated in the Labour leadership contest.

Mr Corbyn's is also close to Ken Livingstone, currently suspended from the Labour Party, following his remarks about Jews and Hitler. It was Ken Livingstone who also was busy giving interviews defending his ally Nash Shah's (MP for Bradford West), disparaging references to Jews and Israel, and who on winning her seat as MP also gave a speech declaring she will fight for the rights of her constituents, as well as Palestinians and Kashmiris.

The only reason I can think of her mentioning these two overseas issues is because they both involve Muslims. I hope the new mayor unlike his Labour colleague, Ken Livingstone or Muslim MP Ms. Shah, does not spend his time in office promoting Muslim issues from around the world, but concentrates just on serving the people who elected him, ie. Londoners.

During the Mayoral contest he distanced himself from all three and now Londoners will wait to see that he puts his words into actions.

Jayesh A Patel Wimbledon

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EDUCATION

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Asian Voice | 14th May 2016

Primary pupils 'feel test pressure' - survey Nearly 90% of 10- and 11year old pupils in England feel pressure to do well in tests, a survey suggests.

ComRes researchers for the BBC’s Newsround interviewed 750 10- and 11year-olds who will be taking Key Stage Two Sats tests this week. More than half (59%) said they felt some pressure to do well while (28%) felt "a lot of pressure".

The government says the tests need not be stressful and rigorous testing helps raise standards in schools. In the survey carried out last month, children were asked to pick a variety of words describing their mood in the run-up to the tests: l 59% said they were nervous

l

Parents taking part in the school protest gathered in Brighton last Tuesday

39%, worried 27%, stressed l 17%, sad and moody l and 16% said it affected their sleep.

But most were not unduly distressed, with almost half (48%) saying they did not mind taking the tests and an additional l

14% saying they enjoyed them.

Some of the more positive words children used to describe their feelings about tests were: l confident - 21% l excited - 13% l and happy - 11% Only 10% said they

hated taking exams. But 32% said they worried more about schoolwork when they had tests coming up and 25% said they found it hard to concentrate.

Last Tuesday some parents kept their children off school in a day of protest about primary tests in England - and more than 40,000 signed a petition calling for a boycott.

The protest, organised by the Let Our Kids Be Kids campaign, complained of a damaging culture of over-testing, saying children are "over-tested, over-worked and in a school system that places more importance on test results and league tables than children's happiness and joy of learning".

University strike could threaten exams University lecturers have announced a two-day strike at UK universities this month, threatening to disrupt exams.

The walkout on 25 and 26 May is part of a pay dispute - with the University and College Union rejecting an offer of 1.1%.

Lecturers have also warned of escalating the dispute to disrupt the allocation of places after Alevel exam results in the summer.

University employers described the decision to strike as "disappointing".

The walk-out will involve academics, such as

lecturers and researchers, but would also include university employees such as librarians. The strike days are during the exam season - but the university employers' body, the University and Colleges Employers' Association,

said individual universities would look at how they could minimise any impact on students taking exams.

The employers also said exam invigilators would not necessarily be academics, who might be affected by the strike call.

Bullying reaching epidemic levels The rise of social media has corresponded with a rise in levels of bullying as the internet has provided an ideal platform for hurting others anonymously. Sadly, prevention and policy have failed to keep pace with rates of innovation in technology.

Clover House is a leading UK charity helping to deal with the effects of bullying on the psyches of our young people.

The age-old advice to tell a teacher what's happening, is simply not enough to deal with the issues facing today's young people.

MP Jacob Rees Mogg recently attended Clover House to meet with Jill Gill, Clover House Founder and lend his support to its anti-bullying initiatives.

The two discussed ways in which therapies and training could help young people develop coping mechanisms to deal with bullies and build esteem and could be implemented more widely across the UK. In 2016, 50% of teenagers admitted to bullying someone else. Of those bullied, 65% have now been cyber-bullied and perhaps even more

alarmingly, some 17% have been sexually assaulted.

Appearance is cited as the number one reason for aggression with more than 50% of those bullied claiming it was because of the way they look. Weight, body shape, facial features, clothing, disabilities, hair colour and wearing glasses were all given as reasons bullies had targeted victims.

An alarming 50% of teenagers would consider a cosmetic procedure to change their appearance.

While the sexualisation of children and the pressure of ‘Photoshopped' and unrealistic imagery in the media has long been of growing concern for a number of years, the rise of social media is amplifying this pressure on our young

people and very young children see aesthetic beauty as a path to fame and fortune on social media, leaving many feeling they don't measure up to the idealised imagery they are bombarded with. This only compounds the misery bullying can cause.

Jacob Rees-Mogg, MP, explains: "With bullying both online and in schools such a serious social ill; the effects of which disrupt families and can leave lifetime scars on its victims; effective treatment is needed. Sadly, those suffering sustained bullying are four times more likely to develop a mental illness, that is why I am so glad to support the good work that Clover House is doing to help these young people lead a happier life."

"Industrial action which impacts on students is never taken lightly, but staff feel that they have been left with no alternative, said Sally Hunt, general secretary of the UCU lecturers' union.

She said university staff had faced a long-term wage stagnation, with pay falling by 14.5% in real terms over the past six years.

The union has warned that without a resolution to the pay dispute there would be further strikes and threatened "additional action in August to coincide with the release of Alevel results".

Council News Property owner fined £20k for HMO breaches The owner of a rented property in Southall has received a penalty of more than £20,000 having pleaded guilty to managing an unlicensed house in multiple occupation (HMO).

Following a preliminary hearing at Ealing Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 7 April Ajmeet Singh, 41, of Waverley Close, Southall, was fined £17,900 and ordered to pay costs of £2,000 and a victim surcharge of £200, a total penalty of £20,100.

The court heard from Mr Singh, who ran the shop below the unlicensed HMO, that he was unaware of his responsibilities concerning the accommodation.

Mr Ajmeet Singh was fined for one offence for managing an unlicensed HMO contrary to S72 (1) of the Housing Act 2004 and three offences in breach of HMO management regulations contrary to S234 (3) and (5) of the Housing Act 2004.

11

Loomba Foundation promotes fundamental freedom and human rights of widows Many readers of my column are interested in, and understand, the need to improve human rights around the world where many vulnerable people are living without basic rights to protect their homes, property and livelihood. It can seem hard to comprehend that some societies accept, tolerate and sometimes even encourage homes being taken, jobs restricted and possessions appropriated.

But this is what happens on a regular basis to women who find themselves bereaved and suddenly forced in to a world of widowhood, which of itself can seem daunting, but with the added ostracisation and cruel and inhumane treatment of becoming an outsider within their own community.

Numerous groups, NGOs and the United Nations work together to alter first and foremost the attitudes that perpetuate this treatment, and then to ensure that widows are allowed to engage in a meaningful way within their societies.

It is an important duty to promote the fundamental freedoms and human rights of widows and their children. To achieve this we need to empower widows economically, socially and politically. Giving widows the means to support themselves and the opportunities to participate in the social and political life of society gives them much more than the perceived immediate benefits of economic wealth. It also allows the opportunity to participate on a more equal footing in the decision-making processes that affect their lives and the lives of their children.

Tools to enable empowerment include vocational training and educational support to give widows the skills and literacy knowledge they need to start them off on the right path.

Giving widows training in practical work that can produce an income

www.theloombafoundation.org The Loomba Foundation Loomba House 622 Western Avenue London W3 0TF 020 8102 0351

Lord Raj Loomba

allows widows to become self-sufficient and able to provide for themselves and their children. Doing this not only helps them and their children but also benefits their immediate community, and in turn their country. Economic empowerment gives widows the opportunity to contribute to society in a meaningful and productive way; in some cases this can mean a nearly doubling of the workforce, which is not only economically good for widows but again contributes to the economic well-being of their country.

As they gain back their self-esteem and live a more satisfying life in addition to the economic benefits widows are enabled to make choices and experience freedom from injustice and inhumane practices.

Freedom allows them to become fully integrated members of society with a voice to speak out about injustices that they are facing. Without this they are a forgotten people destined to live on the margins of society without the same basic human rights that others take for granted.

As is often the case, it is not until these rights are taken away that they are fully noticed; and who better to give a voice to widows than the widows themselves.

Widows who fully understand the position they face, the injustices they suffer, and the half-life they live in the shadows of society becoming advocates for change with a strong voice are the best help that can be given.

12

MEDIA WATCH

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 14th May 2016

Prior to the West Bengal Assembly elections, India’s Election Commission (which monitors these events) insisted that Kolkata Police Commissioner Kumar be removed and replaced

by Soumen Mitra. It was a magic wand. The rampant hooliganism - mostly the work of ruling Trinamool Congress activists – came to a stop. The polls in Kolkata and its suburbs were conducted in exemplary conditions, good order and civic behavior not seen the city within living memory. This was not how it was supposed to be, according to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who, in a rampaging performance at a TMC election rally in east Midnappur threatened the present police dispensation with dire consequences when she and her party returned to power.

Tyagi’s can of worms

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressing a public meeting

Her language was of the gutter, her histrionics that of a demented virago. The Election Commission ordered transcripts of her speech and video recordings of her performance. The lady – the description is courtesy rather than fact – may have gone a step too far. The fat is in the fire and the day of reckoning not too distant.

Mamata Banerjee and her TMC are likely to return to power, because, firstly, the opposition Communist-Congress alliance is woefully short of credibility; secondly, the TMC has achieved some positive results in rural uplift.

Hope springs eternal

One saving grace in the mayhem was residents in a former Bangladesh enclave in Cooch Behar, which has been transferred to India as part of a general exchange of territory along the West Bengal border, have voted as Indian citizens for the first time in their lives. Democratic choice is the sweeter for its long denial (Business Line May 5)

Policemen’s words

The last words on the present situation belong surely to three officers of the Kolkata police force.

Apropos of the Chief Minister,the first said: ‘How can a politician threaten us for doing our job?

Politicians will come and go but we will stay. These politicians will have to suffer in the coming days.’

The second officer remarked: ‘Instead of being proud of her force and complimenting us for doing an exemplary job, she is issuing threats. What sort of message is the Chief Minister trying to send? This has created a permanent chasm between the police and the boss.’

A sub-inspector chimed in: ‘For the first time I am able to move about with my head held high. Suddenly everybody has started respecting me and my uniform.’(Quoted in Times of India, May 4)

Former Air Chief Marshal S.P. Tyagi, under interrogation by the CBI admitted his association with three companies, one involving his cousins who dealt in real estate, the others linked to European middlemen, Guido Haschikke and Carlo Gerosa.

Investigators have discovered Tyagi’s ownership for a range of companies worth crores of rupees. (Times of India May 4) It is worth reminding readers that the IAF arms purchases of warplanes, missiles and advanced radars involve cutting edge technologies and are highly expensive. Western arms agencie’s well placed, retired Air Force officers peddling their wares for substantial commissions. The French Rafel and the US F16 had strong advocates among them writing in India’s English-language broadsheets. There is something rotten in this business.

Robust car sales

Car sales in the new fiscal starting April 2016 have started on a robust note, as fresh models (including SUVs) fuelled demand. Total vehicle sales in April rose 11 per cent. While sales in cars grew by 5 per cent yearon-year, sales of SUVs shot up by 33 per cent. Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest carmaker, recorded a year-on-year increase of 16 per cent. New models boosting sales growth include Hyundai’s Creta SUV, Maruti’s Baleno hatchback and Brezza SUV, Renault’s Kwid mini and Mahindra’s TUV300, KUV100 and Nuvo Sport SUVs (Times of India May 3)

Core sector output in 16 month high

India’s infrastructure sectors registered their highest overall growth of 6.4 per cent in 16 months at the end of the last fiscal in March 2016. There has been a sharp increase in the output of cement, electricity, fertilizers and oil refinery products.

‘One should wait for a couple of months to see if this is sustained trend,’ said D.K. Srivastava, Chief Policy Adviser at EY (Hindu March 3)

2016. (Hindu May 3)

IndiGo posts record 76 per cent profit

IndiGo, private biggest airline has reported a record 76 per cent profit of Rs 1,900 crore ending March 2016, much of the numbers attributable to the sharp decline in oil prices, but also due to its increased market share.

IndiGo President Aditya Ghosh said. ‘We are seeing strong growth to passenger numbers.’

South Asia Chief Executive Kapil Kaur expected IndiGo to increase its market share, saying, ‘We see their market share close to 45 per cent…They will become a very dominant player in the domestic market with strategic implications for industry structure, consumers and competition.’ (Mint April 30)

by his Indian counterpart Harsh Vardhan. Minister Akunis will bring with him as team of leading Israeli scientists, something sanctioned personally by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

India’s President Pranab Mukherjee and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visted Israel a few months ago (Hindu May 4).

Chinese investors India-bound

India’s thriving ‘mobile first’ internet economy, fuelled by 250 million mobile internet users, in youthful demographics and its fastest growing global economy overall (among major countries), has attracted serious interest

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

already covers over 300 kms, joining an elite that includes Beijing, Shanghai and London.

‘We will cross the 1,000 kms target in the next five years,’ says D.P Mishra, Additional Secretary, Urban Development Ministry. He pointed the consultation the Delhi Metro administration provides other Indian cities construct their own metros (Hindu May 4)

Jihadi terror suspects In Delhi arrested

The Delhi police have arrested three jihadi suspects belonging to the Jaish-e-Mohammed network.

The arrested men were planning a terrorist strike at a shopping mall.

More arrests are expected with

Reliance Defence in Ukraine accord

Anil Ambani company Reliance Defence has signed a significant agreement with three stateowned Ukraine companies for collaboration on range of military weapon systems including transport aircraft, such as the giant Antonov, armoured vehicles, maritime gas turbines and unmanned aerial vehicles. The outcome was sealed in a meeting between Anil Ambani and Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko in which issues of strategic interest between Indian and Ukranin defence and aerospace industries were discussed.

Under the agreement with Anotonov, manufacturer of the world’s largest transport aircraft, Reliance and Antonov will jointly bid for the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (Hindu April 30)

HAL to produce Russian helicopters

The arrested men have been identified as Sajid Ahmed, Sameer Ahmed and Shakir Ansari

among Chinese investors in search of quick financial returns.

A group of 15 Chinese investors were recently in Bangaluru to meet and listen to presentations of 125 Indian start-ups in the mobile internet space. Interacting with local media, the Chinese visitors said they planned to collect $ 1 billion to invest in Indian startups in the next three years (Business Line May 4)

Delhi Metro to join world’s top ten

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd ((HAL) is to manufacture 200 Russian Kamov military helicopters for which it plans to rope in its 4000 plus Indian vendors.

Russia and India had already agreed to produce these machines as replacements for the Cheetak choppers under the ‘Make in India’ programme. Sixty Kamovsare to be supplied directly from Russia for assembly in India, while the remainder will be manufactured in India (Business Line May 3)

Groundwork for PM’s Israeli visit

HDFC net profit 40 per cent

Bilateral ties between India and Israel are set move to a higher gear with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming summer visit (dates to be finalized) to Israel. The groundwork will be laid by the prior visit in June to Israel by India’s Minister for Water Resources, Uma Bharti.

She will firm up agricultural ties between the two countries.

Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC), the largest private sector lender, according to its latest figures released last week, has registered a net profit of 40 per cent at Rs 2,607 crore for the quarter ending March

Israel will reciprocate with a visit to India by Ofir Akunis, Minister of Science, Space and Technology, who has been invited

Israel to reciprocate

The Delhi Metro is poised to join the world’s top ten by the end of 2016. It is truly an astonishing story of a vast urban enterprise that truly took off a mere decade and a half ago. The network

the busting of the terror ring. The arrested men have been identified as Sajid Ahmed, Sameer Ahmed and Shakir Ansari. Their movements were closely tracked by the Delhi police ant-terror cell, and by national intelligence agencies.

Concert with Pakistan

The arrest of the three suspects and the detention of 10 others have revealed Jaish-eMohammed’s expanding footprint in India. Their interrogation plus other key evidence point to

Project Karachi which entails the funding and training by Pakistan’s Inter Services directorate of Jaish operatives in India.

The plot thickens. (Hindu, Times of India May 5).

Kabul bombing by Taliban. see comment page 3

UK Asian Voice | 14th May 2016

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The Queen, Allegiance and Europe I write to you just before leaving for the Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. And with the noise around British Sovereignty, Immigration, Europe and the new Mayor - it’s timely. As Baroness Warsi congratulated, in her words, the Pakistani Mayor, this is what an amended recent Obama speech may have sounded like if delivered by a British Indian Mayor of London…

We must recall that what binds this nation together is not the class of our forefathers or the tenets of our faiths or the origins of our names. What makes us exceptional -- what makes us British -- is our allegiance to an idea articulated in a declaration made a millennium ago. That those on these islands are an Independent people, slaves of no master, ancient in beliefs, young in outlook.

As a Statue in this great City testifies, we heard a Mahatma proclaim that the individual freedom of all citizens is inextricably bound to the freedom of every soul on Earth. This is what it means to be British, to be a Londoner.

Entrusting each generation to keep safe our founding creed, the patriots of two World Wars did not fight to replace the tyranny of foreign powers with the privileges of a few. London did not endure a Blitz to be bombed by new tyrants.

And as Indians showed Britain, through blood drawn by bayonet and bullet that strength lays in our non-violence, and our ability to suffer pain is strength not weakness – what troubles may come.

Together, this City determined that that we are part of a nation and refuge for all the world’s faiths for over two thousand years, but our warm welcome should not be mistaken for a lack of steadfastness in our own beliefs.

Together, we resolved that a great City

and a great nation must be willing to shed the blood of its own sons and daughters to protect the values of freedom around the world it holds dearest.

Through it all, we have never relinquished our scepticism of central authority, nor have we succumbed to the fiction that all society’s ills can be cured through government alone. Our celebration of initiative and enterprise, our insistence on hard work and personal responsibility, these are constants in our character.

London’s possibilities are limitless, for we possess all the qualities that this world without boundaries demands: youth and drive; diversity and openness; an endless capacity for risk and a gift for reinvention. My fellow Londoners, we are made for this moment, and we will seize it.

We are true to our creed when a little girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the same chance to succeed as anybody else, because she is British; she is free, and she is equal, not just in the eyes of God but also in our own. It is now our generation’s task to carry on what this City’s suffragettes began. For our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers and daughters can earn respect equal our own in deed, not just in word.

You and I, as Indians, have the obligation to shape the debates of our time -not only with the votes we cast, but with the voices we lift in defence of our most ancient values and enduring ideals. Let us, each of us, now embrace with solemn duty and awesome joy what is our lasting birthright as Britons.

With common effort and common purpose, with passion and dedication, let us answer the call of history and carry into an uncertain future that precious light of freedom, human dignity and justice.

13

London to celebrate unique awards rewarding charities across the globe Charities all around Britain do great work every day. The Asian Voice Charity Awards powered by Charity Clarity are about rewarding charities that think big and solve the most pressing social issues of our time, both in Britain and globally. First of its kind in the Asian circle, the awards reward charities that seek to innovate and strive for excellence.

The award will showcase excellent charities which operate in Great Britain and globally, and aim to give a much-needed boost to organisations struggling to get the profile and funding they need to move forward and offer a priceless leg-up to organisations that are delivering practical solutions to present day problems. They are meant for rewarding charities who have made progress towards their dreams, regardless of their size. So that our generation's legacy can be to reinvent the way humanity thinks about changing things for the better.

How are these awards different from others?

Each charity and individ-

ual winner gets a huge package of support, that could be worth up to £20,000 for each and potentially much more.

The winners are chosen by an independent panel of Judges, and are some of the most influential people across the public, private and third sector.

They are all professionals with a broad range of skills and experiences.

Patrons include names like social innovator and entrepreneur Michael Norton, OBE, Kate Marsh, CEO, The Funding Network, actor Nitin Ganatra, Rajesh Agrawal Group Chairman and Ceo, Rational FX, Funke Abimola, General Counsel & Company Secretary, Roche, Anand Shukla, CEO, Brightside, High Commissioner of Uganda to the UK, Joyce Kikafunda, Senior Counsellor, APCO Dr Roger Hayes, Celebrity hair Stylist, Mentor and

Jawed Entrepreneur, Habib and Headm CSR and Telenor Myanmar Min Thu Aung.

The awards have 9 categories, viz. Charity of the Year, Start-Up of the Year, Outstanding A c h i e v e m e n t , Outstanding PR team, Fundraising Campaign, Most enterpristing, Excellence in CSR, Consultancy of the Year and Investment Management of the Year.

Some of the shortlisted candidates in the above categories are like Akademi, Magic Bus UK, City Sikhs Network, Age UK, Art of Living Foundations (UK), St Luke's Hospice, Art of Living Foundations (UK), Natwest, Microsoft, University of Greenwich School of Education and Health, Barclays etc. Winners will be announced at a gala dinner on 20 May at Sheraton Park Lane.

London chooses its Assembly 'Brexit' could trigger World War Witness the magic of Members across the city Three, warns Prime Minister JLF at South Bank 2016 For the third year running the idiosyncratic and wonderfully diverse Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) touches down at London's South Bank Centre this May for what looks set to be a veritable smorgasbord of culture. Scheduled for May 21st at The Royal Festival Hall as part of its festival of explosive South Asian Culture 'Alchemy ', the world famous book festival is guaranteed to turn people on to some of the greatest and most diverse writing around.

This year’s programme showcases a medley of oral and performing arts, discourses on Bollywood, gender politics, and tales of the Raj. Add to this some of the biggest issues affecting us today, as well as insights into traditional, ancient Indian medicines and healing along with a dash of piquant eroticism and there is an insight into what lies in store. Complementing the expansive programme are poignant debates embracing the potential of future peace and happiness. Audiences can look forward to savouring a comprehensive range of talks.

Over the years, JLF at the Southbank has received the encouragement and support of

valued partners who help make the festival happen. For the second year running, the Festival reception and music is sponsored by Vedanta Resources, a diversified natural resources group that has a strong association with Rajasthan through Hindustan Zinc and Cairn India.

The Aga Khan Foundation, a long term supporter of the main Festival in Jaipur as well as JLF at the Southbank edition, comes on board this year to support three sessions: Reporting India; Princes and Painters in Mughal Delhi and Incarnations: India in 50 Lives.

The official Hospitality Partners are St James Court London (Taj Hotels) Writer and Co-Director of the Festival, Namita Gokhale says, “We are looking forward to the third edition of JLF at Southbank and to recreating the magic of the Jaipur Literature Festival for our wonderful London audiences.”

Sanjoy K Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts and Producer of the Jaipur Literature Festival says the festival is “a think tank for the enlightened!”

Three Asian candidates have won seats in the Assembly Election in London. The election was held on the same day as the UK council and Mayoral election i.e. 5th May 2016. Navin Shah and Onkar Sahota have been re-elected. Unmesh Desai who has been a councillor in East Ham before, has also been elected as a London Assembly Member.

The election system to be used in the Assembly election is called the Additional Member System.

There are 14 constituencies that elect one member each to the Assembly. These seats have been won only by the Labour Party or the Conservative Party.

The remaining 11 seats are distributed by a second vote, by a modified D'Hondt method of closed-list voting. These seats have been won by other parties too, namely the British National Party, the Green Party, the Liberal Democrats and UKIP. The overall result is an attempted compromise between constituency representation and London-wide proportional representation.

Labour received the largest ever number of votes for a party in a London Assembly election, becoming the first party to poll over 1 million votes. The Conservative Party won just 8 Assembly seats, its worst ever performance in a London Assembly election.

A Quick look

London Assembly seats (25 in total) l 12 seats Labour Party l 8 seats Conservative Party l 2 seats Green Party l 2 seats UK Independence Party l 1 seats Liberal Democrats London Assembly Constituency Members who are Asian: l Brent and Harrow: Navin Shah, Labour Party l City and East: Unmesh Desai, Labour Party l Ealing and Hillingdon: Onkar Singh Sahota, Labour Party aFull council election report with winning Asian candidates to be published in forthcoming issues of Asian Voice.

PM David Cameron has pleaded for Britain to stay in the EU to help prevent the continent being ripped apart by another conflict, another war.

On 27 February (page 8), our Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice, CB Patel, in his column 'EU Referendum- A Catch 22' predicted the above saying, “From 1870 (Franco-Prussian War) to 1945 (the end of Second World War) the European mainland lost millions of citizens and suffered enormous destruction to the extent that the UK, France and other allies as well as Germany and Italy (Axis countries) were completely ruined. The US Marshall programme and its billions of dollars of aid gave us, the citizens of Europe, a breathing space to rebuild and today's prosperity is too precious to be squandered by internecine warfare or for some small or limited objectives. The idea of the EU itself was conceived soon after, when Jean Monnet and other European thinkers proposed a strategy to ensure that the wars between European nations didn't happen again.”

While the PM has called London Mayor Sadiq Khan to join him on 'Stay' campaign, urging him to ensure Londoners come out to vote, Mr Cameron also highlighted the UK’s role in bringing peace to Europe as he hit the referendum campaign trail - just hours before a rival speech by rival Tory MP Boris Johnson.

Introduced by Labour ex-Foreign Secretary David Miliband at the British Museum in London, he said: "Can we be so sure peace and stability on our continent are assured beyond any shadow of doubt? Is that a risk worth taking?

"I would never be so rash to make that assumption." But he was attacked hours later by Brexit-backing Mr Johnson, who said: "People should think very hard before they make these kinds of warnings.

"No, I don't believe that leaving the EU would cause World War Three to break out on the European continent."

A YouGov poll for Good Morning Britain found 42% of voters back In and 40% Out.

14 COMMUNITY

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India Connect

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Asian Voice | 14th May 2016

Indian Passport Indian Passports are issued with a validity of 10 years (except in the case of children up to the age of 15 years where it is initially issued for a validity of 5 years).

Wherever any change is to be effected in personal particulars in the laminated pages of the Passport, a new Passport needs to be obtained as the practice of hand written endorsements in the existing Passport has been done away with.

Similarly, a new passport needs to be obtained where the existing Passports have run out of available pages.

Applications for Passport Services should be submitted in person with prior appointment at the authorised Indian Visa & Consular Application Centres. If, due to any reason, an applicant is not in a position to apply in person, only an immediate family member (Spouse or blood relatives) can apply on behalf of an applicant with a proper authority letter authorizing the immediate family member (Spouse or blood relatives) to apply on applicant’s behalf. The immediate family member will be required to produce this authority letter and his/her original passport/identity paper/document establishing the proof of his/her relationship with the applicant while submitting the application on behalf of the applicant.

Jurisdiction information Applicants residing in the consular jurisdictions of the High Commission of India, London are advised to submit their applications at any of the 3 offices in London (Goswell Road, Hounslow and London - Paddington), Bristol, Cardiff and Belfast. Such applicants must select UK- London as Jurisdiction, while filling the application form Online for Indian Passport Services.

Applicants residing in the consular jurisdiction of Consulate General of India, Birmingham are advised to submit their applications at offices in Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Leicester, Bradford and Newcastle. Such applicants must select UK- Birmingham as Jurisdiction, while filling the application form Online for Indian Passport Services.

Applicants residing in the consular jurisdiction of Consulate General of India, Edinburgh are advised to submit their applications in Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Such applicants must select UKEdinburgh as Jurisdiction, while filling the application form Online for Indian Passport Services.

Passport services offered by the Indian Visa & Consular Application Centre in UK are: l Re-issue of passport on expiry of full validity passport or on exhaustion of pages or change of name/surname/signature or change/addition/deletion of name of spouse or change of address. l Re-issue of short validity passport.

Issue of fresh passport in lieu of

lost/stolen/damaged passport. l Issue of first time passport to a new born child.

Passports for Children under 16 years (Minor Child) l ‘Minor applicants renewing their passports (Under 16) should have a duly filled and signed Declaration for change of appearance and consent for minor applicants with their application documents.

The current Passport having valid Visa or Residence Permit is required to be enclosed with self-attested photocopies of pages containing detailed passport particulars, Visa page and the page containing observation (s), if any. In case the latest Passport is additional booklet(s) issued to the original Passport, the additional booklet(s) plus the original Passport must be furnished. l Original Passports of both the parents are required to be furnished at the time of submission of application for issue of Passport for a child and self-attested photocopies of Passports/visa of both parents are also required to be submitted along with the application form for the minor child’s Passport. l While applying in person for minor, both parents have to be present themselves at the counter. If one of the parents is unable to come to visit the office, then an authority/consent letter should be given by the parent not appearing, authorizing the other parent to apply alone. This is addition to the required affidavit and signatures on page 2 of the application form. l If either of the parents holds a foreign nationality, then a letter from the concerned Embassy or Mission of that country or from the concerned UK authority (in case of British national) stating that the child has not acquired nationality of his / her parent would be required. l Marriage Certificate (original and copy) of the parents is mandatory for all minors, along with the full version birth certificate of the child (original and copy). l For all children under 5 years of age, THUMB IMPRESSION should be given, in the signature box, however children aged 5 years and above should write the name in the Signature Box. Applications for minor children at the time of renewal or fresh passport application: l Consent of both parents is required in the form of Annexure – H Declaration of Parent/Guardian for Minor Passports. l In case of single parent’s, Annexure – C Affidavit for a Passport of a Minor Child by either parent (who are separated but not formally divorced) or Annexure – G Declaration of Parent/Guardian for Minor Passports (one parent not given consent) form will be applicable, as the case may be in Lieu of Annexure - H http://www.vfsglobal.com/India/UK/N EW_Indian_Passport.html

For more information please contact us on our helpline numbers: +44 203 793 8629 / +44 203 695 9849 Monday – Friday 8:30 – 17:30 (except for Consular Holiday)

Alternatively applicants can also call : 09057 570 045* * Please note calls to this number will be chargeable at the rate of 95p per minutes plus a connection charge from a BT landline. Calls from mobile phones may cost considerably higher.

For Email inquiry please email us: OCI: info.ociuk@vfshelpline.com Visa: info.inuk@vfshelpline.com Consular & Passports: Info.ppt-Consularuk@vfshelpline.com

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UK Museums 'celebrating Ganesha' through exhibitions The British Museum has developed an online exhibition “Celebrating Ganesha” with Google Cultural Institute (GCI).

On the other hand, the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle in County Durham in North East England is also having a “Celebrating Ganesha” exhibition from May 21 to September 18.

The online exhibitionby the British Museum has a tag line “Explore the imagery and symbolism associated with Ganesha and gain an insight into some of the most popular stories surrounding him”.

It shows a Ganesha sculpture (1200AD), Ganesha painting (1600AD), Ganesha on a swing painting (1800AD, Maharashtra), Ganesha in procession painting (1780-1820AD, Tanjore style), Ganesha on his rat mount painting (1800AD)—all from British Museum, and a video on "The making and worship of Ganesha statues in Maharashtra".

It explains about the background of "Why does Ganesha ride a rat?", Ganesha's elephant head and Ganesha’s broken

tusk.

At the exhibition in Bowes Museum the main object is a 13th century 119 centimeters tall schist sculpture of Lord Ganesha carved in Odisha, which depicts many of its major attributes, showing him holding a bowl of his favorite sweets. It will be displayed alongside complimentary Gouache paintings and woodcut prints that depict Lord Ganesha in traditional scenes.

As reports suggest, this exhibition is divided into three themes: key beliefs of Hinduism, Hindu worship and Lord Ganesha. It will also include interactives for children, music, films, traditional Indian clothing, items for children to try on, rangoli patterns, a story area, craft table and

puja tray holding seven items—a bell, lamp, incense holder and incense, water container and spoon, powder container, blessed food and a statue. There will also be a Hindu shrine, illustrating how one might be set up in the home.

The Bowes Museum, opened in 1892AD, whose aim is "to foster a deeper understanding of art and culture", is known for its extensive collections of ceramics and the "Silver Swan".

Commending Bowes Museum for showcasing Lord Ganesha in sculpture, paintings and prints; Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada said that art had a long and rich tradition in Hinduism and ancient Sanskrit literature talked about religious paintings of deities on wood or cloth. Commending BM and GCI for this joint venture in a statement he also urged world museums and multinational technology companies to undertake projects to explore the rich philosophical thought and wisdom offered by Hinduism and Hindu scriptures.

Bake off favourite Nadiya Hussain to launch her first cookbook in June Nadiya Hussain, the first ever Asian winner of the 'Great British Bake off' show is awaiting the launch of her first recipe book on 16 June. The book that will include the day to day recipes from Nadiya's kitchen (as it will be called), is perhaps the most awaited cookbook of the year, after Hussain was invited to bake a cake for the Queen on her 90th birthday. The book will contain a variety of familyfriendly recipes based on those she uses to feed her own three hungry children. The Luton-born chef's simplified version of the Royal cake she baked for the Queen, will also appear alongside other tempting recipes such as Beetroot and Mackerel Crescents, Manchego and Chorizo Calzone and Salted Pretzel Fudge.

On the inaugural night of the Asia House Literature Festival on 4 May, during a tete a tete with Yasmin AlibhaiBrown, Hussain discussed her journey from being a house wife with three children to becoming the culinary Goddess, author, columnist and a tv star.

Her sense of humour, humility, especially her easy going approach to her religion, facing racism, growing up as Bangladeshi as well as being British-

she discussed many aspects of her ordinary yet extra ordinary life. AliBrown, who is a well known journalist, author and columnist added a dynamic aspect of race relation and Indo-British angle to the whole discussion, making the conversation vibrant, diverse yet effortless and lucid.

Hussain grew up in Luton, has roots in Bangladesh, and believes that growing up, her memories during summer holidays with her grandfather in her native village were the fondest. Her grandfather who was a farmer, farming pink rice, would let her sit on buffaloes, as he ploughed through the paddy fields for days.

Nadiya is also due to release a children's book in September and a novel next year. The children's book will not only have a story but with every story

the children will also learn a recipe to cook.

Nadiya's very own TV show tracing her culinary roots will be aired on BBC One soon. Described as an ‘exuberant’ food-inspired journey called the 'Chronicles of Nadiya', the two-part travel cookery show will feature Nadiya travelling to Bangladesh and cooking dishes from her childhood, sharing favourite meals with family and friends, learning new recipes and discovering what has changed on the food scene in Bangladesh since she last visited a decade ago before her wedding to a wonderful IT consultant, who has also been her beacon of strength through every ups and downs. It was him who had encouraged Nadiya to enter the Bake Off contest, despite facing severe criticism from the community.

K a h m a s n A

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popular Classical Instrument.

In 1967, he teamed up with flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia and Brij Bhushan Kabra to produce a concept album, Call of the Valley (1967) which turned out to be one of the greatest hits in Indian Classical Music. He has composed music for many Hindi films in collaboration with Hariprasad Chaurasia starting with Silsila (1980). They came to be known as the 'Shiv-Hari' music duo. He is a winner of many national and international awards.

Chaurasia started learning vocal music from his neighbour, Pandit Rajaram, at the age of 15. Later, he switched to playing the flute under the tutelage of Pandit Bholanath Prasanna of Varanasi for eight years. He joined the All India Radio,

Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia and Pandit Shivkumar Sharma

noted musicians on Ghatam, Morsing & Mridangam (various Indian percussions).

In addition to the above, sonorous vocal recitals of Tagore Songs by celebrated artists Ms Luva Nahid Choudhury and Ms Aditi Mohsin from Bangladesh are other exciting features of the concert.

The major attraction of the evening is a rare duet featuring Pandit Shivkumar Sharma on Santoor (a melodic string instrument with Persian lineage) and Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia on Bansuri (Bamboo Flute). The duet is always an ethereal experience for the avid listeners.

Both are living legends and icons to music lovers the world over. They will be accompanied on Tabla & Pakhawaj (Indian Drums) by noted exponents Shri Vijay Ghate & Shri Bhavani Shankar respectively.

Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, is the master instrumentalist of the Santoor, after some years as a vocalist. He is credited with making the Santoor a

Cuttack, Odisha in 1957 and worked as a composer and performer.

He serves as the artistic director of the World Music Department at the Rotterdam Music Conservatory in the Netherlands. He was also the founder of the Vrindavan Gurukul in Mumbai (opened 2006) and Vrindavan Gurukul in Bhubaneshwar (opened 2010). He has collaborated with several western musicians, winning acclaim from varied audiences and fellow musicians including Yehudi Menuhin and Jean-Pierre Rampal. Chaurasia also played on The Beatles' 1968 B-side "The Inner Light", which was written by George Harrison. He is also a recipient of several national and international awards.

The concert is presented

by Blues Communications in association with Perfect Harmony Productions Ltd UK. Date: Sunday 22 May, Royal Albert Hall, 6pm onwards, Tickets at www.royalalberthall.com.

Box office: 020 7589 8212.

'Forget feeding your stomach, good food feeds your soul!

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Lo x E ndo n’s Darjeeling

pr

Anoushka Shankar

TLIGHT

Asian Voice | 14th May 2016

London to witness a classical odyssey- a musical offering to maestro Ravi Shankar “A Classical Odyssey” is a musical offering to maestro Ravi Shankar , the global phenomenon in Classical music. The tribute concert features a solo performance by his daughter the sitar doyenne Anoushka Shankar. Anoushka is credited with many awards and Grammy nominations for her extraordinary projects.

Shankar who was born in London, is the daughter of Sukanya Shankar and Indian sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar, who was 61 when she was born. Through her father, she is also a half-sister of American singer Norah Jones (born Geetali Shankar), and Shubhendra "Shubho" Shankar, who died in 1992. She grew up in California, but in 2009 she moved to London, and married British director, Joe Wright, on 26 September 2010.

Another solo performance for the evening features the world renowned violin virtuoso, Dr L.Subramaniam. His performance will feature Carnatic classical music. He will be accompanied by

SP

ess

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Sunetra Senior

It is fitting that chef, Asma, decided to name her one-of-a-kind, culinary franchise, The Darjeeling Express. Though she hopes to arrive at a permanent location in the future, her temporary pop-up service has already earned her 8th place in the Evening Standard’s top 15 restaurants of 2015, and together with the many specially themed supper clubs she enjoys hosting, her authentic and time-honoured Indian cuisine has erupted on social media to the point where Klout – a statistics-gathering site that keeps tabs on the people who have the most influence over certain topics – ranked her third in the world for Indian gastronomy. It seems that the magic in Asma’s dishes emanates from the very transience of her kitchens. As we talked more with the gushing restaurateur, we found that this was not so far off from the truth: “from the porters to the cooks,” she told us “my staff are all women, who come from different class backgrounds. They are also not necessarily qualified in the official way. Some have no formal training to speak of, but can cook exquisitely. In fact, one of my proudest accomplishments with Darjeeling Express is proving how valuable a home cook can be. It is a gendered occupation, but not a skill to be looked down upon.” Asma’s warmth towards her team naturally extends to the customer: “I really believe there is a power and place with good, regional cooking. I do not believe in treating the customer as if they’re on a carousel: I don’t rush them to leave the table; all my dishes are inherited family recipes that I prepare with care, and people can feel that. Regulars call me auntie because they feel that they’re at home: the heart recognises the food, cooked with love. It’s very distinctive. I have a customer-base comprised of different ethnicities - Italians, Japanese, Pakistani, French – and I’ve been told, “if my mum did cook Indian, it’d probably be like this. This also provides a social platform where people can feel relaxed about discussing their interests, India, film, politics, where they came from, how they grew up.” Though Asma’s Darjeeling Express provides local, Indian cooking then, it is clear that the experience one takes away with them is truly cosmopolitan.

What is the story behind Darjeeling Express?

I am a lawyer by training, and have always loved food. I first wanted to finish my PhD in British Constitutional Law before turning to the food business. In fact, the on same day I discovered I had passed my viva, I went online and registered the business. I had been cooking for a long time before that, raising money for different charities. For example, the charity ‘Find Your Feet’, which among other initiatives, helps poor women in rural areas to come together and talk about their joint experience in poverty, helping foster a sense of emotional community support. The name Darjeeling Express itself came of a trip I remember taking with my father.

The train goes up into the mountains of Bengal, and while looking out over the horizon, he told me “Asma, we are free here.” I felt so in control of my destiny.

Years later, making the decision about whether or not to go into cooking, this thought surfaced within me. I did have a good, legal education but I had the right to choice: I chose to cook.

You come from a royal Indian lineage: does this influence your dishes?

Yes, I have inherited the cuisine of Mogul Kolkata, which is very specialist food. I did grow up eating distinctively

royal cuisine where other people may not have had the opportunity, but this is not solely the background of my dishes. They represent the real food of India, and this is not limited to royal influence. I cook the regional street foods too e.g. Puchkas: what families at home. Darjeeling Express is primarily about authenticity. The Mogul influence is important to me because these recipes were cooked in few kitchens, where they are now dying out. This is due to, among other factors, the younger generation not having enough time to cook and learn the meticulous practice of their ancestors. When I go back to Kolkata, I’ll find the same older generation chefs are cooking the palatial cuisine. They’re custodians of a dying cuisine.

What grabs you most about cooking?

The concept of community and caring: I enjoy working with my team and then coming out to talk with the customer. I’ll always bring the dishes out myself and explain to the customer what they are eating. In my kitchen there are people who have just come over from India wanting to help out because they miss home. It’s the same for the customer eating the food: the whole experience reminds them of another time. What it felt like as a child to be looked after.

There was one girl who said that after dinner, she waited until daylight to call her mother just to thank her for her cooking. Forget feeding your stomach, good food feeds your soul.

You throw themed supper clubs: which has been your most successful?

I have an evening called ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ where I cook the city cuisine of Hyderabad – such as Haleem - and of Kolkata - such as the fish and prawn Malai curry alongside each other, and that is very popular. It shows how food can vary from city to city and provides a great social platform for bringing people together.

Finally, what are you plans for Darjeeling Express in the immediate future?

From 11th June – 7th July, I’ll be running a pop-up on Druid Street, that’s never been done before in London. I’ll be serving the food of Ramadan, specifically catered for fasting: for example, the special bhajis. I’ll also be continuing on with supper clubs, which you can find listed on my website.

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www.darjeeling-express.com twitter.com/asmakhancooks

HISTORY MADE: LONDON GETS ITS FIR 16

UK

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Asian Voice | 14th May 2016

Employment Minister Priti Patel told Evening Standard, “I take the view that he is elected, he has a large democratic mandate, so we will work constructively with him.”

Khan's campaign team included several experts from various fields, including names like Rajesh Agrawal, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Rational FX. Ex-Labour transport secretary Andrew Adonis is tipped to become Sadiq Khan's first big appointment at City Hall. He is expected to become the Deputy Mayor for transport with bringing in Khan's four year fares freeze and cutting Transport costs.

Early Life

Khan, one of the 8 children born to Pakistani immigrants, a bus driver and seamstress in London, grew up in a Council estate at Earlsfield, south-west London, sharing a bunkbed with one of his brothers until he left home in his 20s. He later became a successful human rights lawyer, before joining politics and becoming a MP. His parents' story holds real significance for him. Amanullah and Sehrun Khan emigrated from Pakistan to London shortly before Sadiq was born, in 1970.

He has often said that his early impressions of the world of work shaped his belief in the trade union movement. His father, a bus driver for 25 years, "was in a union and got decent pay and conditions" whereas his mum, a stay-at-home seamstress, "wasn't, and didn't".

He had met his wife Saadiya Ahmed in 1994, a fellow solicitor and coincidentally the daughter of a bus driver – whom he married and with whom he went on to have two daughters Anisah and Ammarah- describing himself as a 'metrosexual dad'. He also then began his 12-year stint as a councillor for Tooting, encouraged by Guyanan-born local activist Bert Luthers, followed by becoming a successful MP and serving in several important roles.

Significance of Khan's victory

Khan's election as a leader of one of Europe's major cities signalled a broad acceptance by voters of London's racial and religious diversity just months after jihadi terrorists attacked Paris and Brussles.

Sajid Javid, the Conservative Business Secretary congratulated Khan on twitter saying “from one son of a Pakistani bus driver to another.”

Barack Obama's press secretary sent his congratulations to the new Mayor, calling the election 'historic'.

It is believed Khan is planning to reciprocate the

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gesture by visiting the US soon, just in case Donald Trump gets elected as the President of the country, in the upcoming elections.

Sadiq had accepted during his campaign that he had associated with some unsavoury individuals, a number of whom he represented as a lawyer, though strongly denied harbouring any empathy for Islamists. He openly proclaimed his Muslim faith and declared that “he was the British Muslim who will take the fight to extremists.” Some critics have pointed out that Khan's association with these fundamentals was allegedly to gain vote and not in the capacity of a lawyer.

However the victory of Sadiq Khan in this day and era has some great significance. It is that 'underdog story' that people have often grown up watching on silver screen. Nobody expected London to go beyond race, colour, class and creed to choose its first ever British Muslim and Asian Mayor from a humble background and start, unlike Etonian Boris Johnson. However during election Khan's religion appeared to be incidental to Londoners. One in eight Londoners are Muslim, 35% born abroad, and 300 languages are spoken across the city. Those classified as 'white British' make up only 45% of the population.

Second, the regressive Left in Sadiq Khan’s Labour Party, and the Populist Right among Trump’s Republicans and Zac Goldsmith's campaign troupe have made Islam a hot topic. The only way Islam will cease being an issue is when everyone,

‘Hope & Unity’ over ‘Fear & Division’

I am overjoyed that Sadiq Khan has been elected as the first Muslim Lord Mayor of London, it is a tremendous achievement, given his humble beginnings.

London is Sadiq’s city. He was born and raised here, and I could not think of a better person to hold the title of Lord Mayor over the next four years.

As Sadiq said in his gracious victory speech, London has chosen “hope and unity” over “fear and division”. This is the Britain I know, having been the MP for Leicester East, one of the most diverse cities in the UK for the past 29 years. The City of London, and the rest of the UK, should be proud of how they have voted, it really shows the best of Britain.

- Rt Hon Keith Vaz, MP Chair, Home Affairs Select Committee

Newly Elected London Mayor Sadiq Khan addresses supporters, well-wishers and enthusiastic public outside his office at the City Hall

Muslim or not, is deemed to share the same rights, and is held to the very same liberal expectations. The victory of London’s new mayor as a non-Islamist Muslim is as much a blow to Islamist bigots as it is to anti-Muslim bigots. This victory speaks to the possibilities of integration. It offers hope for our country’s new immigrant families. And as a symbol of social mobility, it provides aspiration to those from humble backgrounds.

Third Sadiq Khan’s victory is probably the only bit of good news Jeremy Corbyn’s farleft-led Labour Party can truly celebrate this weekend. And celebrate they should.

Democracy has spoken.

Although Labour's council election results were better than many had predicted and leader Jeremy Corbyn was pleased that Labour hung on to many of its councils in England, the results did very little to calm criticism. Labour party was relegated to third place in Scotland and lost ground in Wales, where it remains the largest party.

Khan v/s Corbyn

While the new London Mayor visited the holocaust remembrance service- as the first engagement in his official post, he a t t a c k e d Labour's approach suggesting that the party must stop talking to itself and appeal to

Conservative voters or it w tions in 2020.

He warned that appe voters" enou ge

L fear

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RST BRITISH MUSLIM & ASIAN MAYOR

-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

will lose the general elec-

ealing to "natural Labour alone would not be ugh to secure success at a eneral election.

Asked on BBC One's The Andrew Marr Show whether he owed some of his election victory to Corbyn, Khan replied: "Success has many parents and I think what's important is the victory on Thursday was a victory for London because what it showed was London chose hope over r and unity over division.

"My point is very simple, e've got to stop talking about ourselves and start talking to cit-

izens about the issues that matter to them."

Corbyn was notably absent from the ceremony on Saturday which saw Khan signed in as Mayor - an event attended by previous Labour leader Ed Miliband at the Southwark Cathedral.

Khan who had nominated Corbyn for leader, has increasingly distanced himself from him, some say to win the moderate votes.He apparently refused to endorse the party's local election posters, and said that "it should never be about 'picking sides'" - strikingly similar language to the "Elections are about taking sides" slogan used on the party's posters in the local election campaign.

Asked if he was directly attacking Corbyn's campaign strategy, Khan said: "My point is this. I want a big tent, you know, whether you're a Conservative trying to be the mayor of London, or a Labour Party trying to form the next government, we've got to speak to everyone.

"There's no point in us just speaking to Labour voters, our core vote."

Corbyn, who travelled to Bristol to celebrate with that city's new mayor Marvin Rees rather than attend Khan's ceremonial event, has insisted the pair are "getting on fine".

Khan's stance immediately raised spirits among some moderate Labour MPs, who argue that Khan could act as a centrist counterweight to the party leadership.

The British Hindu community that has forever been the vote bank for the Labour party, have also taken a stand against the Labour leader.

Corbyn had signed an EDM 479 to have a permanent ban on India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enter England, which the community is demanding that Corbyn should apologise for and retrieve. Modi, who is popular among many Indians (1.2mn in Britain) visited London last year November. However after many correspondences from the angry Hindu voters, not a word of regret has been heard back from the leader as yet- let alone a response or any acknowledgement.

Khan's pledges and probable challenges

EU Referendum: The Mayor has revealed that he will be working with the Prime Minister to win the EU Referendum. In a report by the Evening Standard, the Mayor revealed that Mr Cameron was worried about the turn-out and had accepted the influence of his victory to ensure Londoners vote to remain in.

Police: Appoint an independent figure to review the emergency services' capacity to deal with a major incident.

He met MET chief Sir Bernard Hogan Howe and fire services Chief. In an exclusive interview with Asian Voice, he had told us that he would ensure the number of ethnic representation in police goes up, so that it reflects the true nature of diversity in the British society. He is especially keen to engage the South Asian community- though the practical challenges of it are yet unknown.

He reassures businesses that he would pack his new advisory board with experts rather than 'politi-

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cal cronies' and lead trade missions overseas.

Affordable housing: Khan has promised to bring together London's councils- including Tory ones with housing associations and developers to tackle the housing crisis.

Khan’s big manifesto pledge was that half of new housing construction in London should be affordable to people on average incomes. He also promised that a Londoner will be offered the housing first and only then the contractors could open it up for foreign buyers or investors.

But Khan may find solving London’s housing problems difficult. According to a report by the Centre for London think-tank: “The development of new housing in a city like London is a remarkably complex business. It typically involves partnership of an array of private companies, public and third sector bodies, the coming-together of a range of skills — including planning, finance, design, and community engagement — and the pooling of resources in the form of land and finance.”

Transport fares: Another flagship promise of freezing transport fares for four years was popular with voters, according to polls. Now Khan has to achieve this at a time when the government is phasing out £700m a year in subsidies for transport in London, and demand is growing rapidly.

He used to support the third runway in Heathrow- but now opposes it and chooses 'Promentum' (Progress+ Momentum) over the warring Labour party.

Getting money from George Osborne: Unlike in other big cities, the Mayor of London is dependent on central government for money, making Khan’s relationship with George Osborne, the chancellor, a crucial one. Khan of course has to strike a relationship with the Chancellor, who may be running for election as the Premier when the Mayor seeks election in 2020. A Cabinet ally of Mr Osborne reportedly said “I doubt it will be a big problem as long as he does not declare war on the government.”

Tooting By-Election

A By-Election will be held in Sadiq Khan's Tooting constituency on June 2 or 9, Labour sources have revealed.

Party leader Jeremy Corbyn plans to rush forward the contest to benefit from any honeymoon effect of the new Mayor's victory. Left winger George Galloway has hinted he may stand. Other possible Labour candidates include Rex Osborne, Simon Hogg, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan and Jasvir Singh, Chair of City Sikhs Network.

A barrister by profession, chair of two London based charities, an occasional columnist in Asian Voice and a passionate believer of change, Jas, pictured, has lived in South London for the last ten years. He said, “Tooting has a special place in my heart, with close family and friends living there. My local place of worship is on Upper Tooting Road, and as a family law barrister with a decade of experience, I’ve represented many Tooting residents over the years."

UK Asian Voice | 14th May 2016

Jasvir's beginnings were very humble too. His parents both worked in factories. He said, "My dad still does, and I get my strong work ethic from him.

My mum worked for Remploy until it closed 4 years ago...I was lucky to become a barrister with just my parents to back me. I didn’t know any lawyers growing up, and I had no contacts to turn to. It wasn’t easy, but I know that working class children today find it much tougher than I did. Everyone deserves the same opportunities in life, rich or poor, black or white, and that belief is what drives me...”

The new London Mayor is open for business

Rajesh Agrawal, Chairman, RationalFX and Xendpay

Sadiq Khan’s victory last week is great news for British Asians.

His success demonstrates that the UK is a country where a person can rise to the highest offices of the land regardless of their ethnic or social background. His election also demonstrated that the British people cannot be swayed by the disgusting kind of gutter politics Zac Goldsmith’s campaign engaged in, and this should be heartening to us all.

Sadiq’s win is also good news for business. I have had the privilege to serve as Sadiq’s business adviser throughout his campaign and I know first-hand how serious he is about changing Labour’s approach. One of his first acts as Mayor will be to create a new Business Advisory Board, putting London’s businesses at the heart of his agenda on infrastructure, skills and economic management. Unlike his predecessors, Sadiq has promised to appoint people to the board on merit, not just political cronies.

I know that Sadiq will be a strong voice for business at home and abroad. He has already made clear that he will work constructively with the Conservative government. He will be seeking additional fundraising powers for major infrastructure projects. He will join official business delegations to attract even more global businesses to our city and to make the case for greater inward investment. And he will campaign to stay in the EU, defending the City, competitiveness, jobs and workers’ rights.

Sadiq also understands the skills shortage holding businesses back. In coming months he will establish a Skills Taskforce, bringing together businesses and educators to ensure that young people are better equipped with the skills they need for the modern and increasingly digital working world. And he will challenge unfair immigration restriction that prevent businesses hiring the best talent from outside the EU. Sadiq Khan is a mayor that is open for business.

Quick bio of Sadiq Khan

l Born in Tooting, south London in 1970 to Pakistani immigrant parents l Grew up on a housing estate, one of eight children, his father a bus driver l His two daughters went to the same primary school as him l Has lived his whole life in Tooting, the constituency he has represented since 2005 l Previously worked as a human rights lawyer l Served as communities minister and then transport minister under Gordon Brown, making him the first Muslim to attend Cabinet. l He was sworn in as a member of the Privy council which advises the Queen, using his own copy of Koran rather a Bible because Buckingham Palace did not have one. l Was Labour's shadow justice secretary under Ed Miliband

17

Sadiq Khan, with wife Saadiya and mother Sehrun Khan at Southwark Cathedral

BUSINESS

18

www.asian-voice.com

India takes steps to overhaul creaking bankruptcy code

With India obsessing over drinks tycoon Vijay Mallya's unpaid debts, the Parliament is in the works of moving a law to overhaul its bankruptcy procedures to give security to the investors and lenders.

Mallya's case was mentioned and used as an instance to pass the bill which will drive troubled companies to resolve bankruptcy proceedings within 180 days, or face liquidation.

Mallya has been spending the past two months in the UK in what he calls “forced exile”. “We do not want any more Vijay Mallyas to come back, take the banks for a ride, and escape the country,” said lawmaker Gaurav Gogoi. Data compiled by the World Bank suggested that insolvency proceedings typically take more than four years to resolve in India, as compared to one year in the UK. Tens thousand cases remain pending in the debt recovery tribunals.

The new law will provide an overarching framework to ensure all cases are resolved within the allotted days. If the law is accomplished, India could become one of the world's fastest-moving bankruptcy

process, the control of such companies will go to a new class of “insolvency professionals” who will be accountable to a committee of creditors. If the controlling shareholders are found to have stripped assets in the year before the process, they will face up to five years in prison.

However, it was pointed out that the bill will benefit borrowers more broadly by freeing up new channels of credit. It also said the new provisions could reinvigorate India's corporate bond market, where the value of securities outstanding was equivalent to only 9 per cent of gross domestic production in 2014 as per the I n t e r n a t i o n a l Organisation of Securities Commissions.

regimes.

Reserve Bank of India governor Raghuram Rajan said, “Till recently the threat that banks could go to bankers and say take 25 paise on the rupee, otherwise I will see you in a court for the next 15

If the law is accomplished, India could become one of the world's fastest-moving bankruptcy regimes.

years.” The new legislation visibly erodes the power of “promoters”, or controlling shareholders, of distressed companies. During the

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Personality Politics: Khan Vs Goldsmith

Yogesh Patel

Asian Voice Newsweekly Bumper & Trustworthy News Various informative/inspiring columns, Subscribers also receive sevaral Theme based Special issue, Diwali Magazines, Annual Calender delivered at home

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Asian Voice | 14th May 2016

Politics is not only about the substance, it is about the likeability of the person. Some in politics manufacture it; others are natural. I believe Nicola Sturgeon has done better than Alex Salmon would have this time in Scotland.

Ms Sturgeon, whatever her politics, talks to people naturally. So does Khan in London without much effort at it.

Goldsmith looked always withdrawn while making an effort in communicating his point. It is not about his Jewishness or him being a millionaire, it is just that the voters tend to bend towards personality more. If you ever met Khan, you will realise his warmth in his conversation and the body language: all very friendly, approachable and always connecting with you.

David Cameron used to enjoy that factor too.

Corbyn is not as articulate.

Some look leaders; others do not. Khan always looked like a leader, though not completely; Goldsmith had no such presence. Khan looked leading; Goldsmith looked a shadow. Both are decent men, but politics has no mercy. Khan’s campaign backed off earlier from some dirty positions they should not have gone for, Goldsmith’s tactics did not adjust to the mood around. Khan has created a trust factor, Goldsmith failed to generate such image. A trust in a politi-

cian usually wins.

However, America tells us that they are now in a voting game over which of the two figures they will hate less: Clinton or Trump.

Unfortunately, Cameron & Co are embarked on fear mongering as soul of the ‘in’ campaign on a referendum. That has damaged his trust factor, which will be a legacy that he will have to live with even if he wins the ‘in’ vote on Europe. Not now, but when things go more wrong with Europe- and they will, as it is the nature of the beast – he will lose his credibility he has earned. For the history changes our perspective of what we see as now. The culture of fear mongering he has now propagated has turned into a machine running amok. Ugly parade of world leaders he is lining up as parroting cardboard figures to inject fear in voters’ minds, with added manipulation of figures, is a breath-taking theatre of a new political culture in place. That indeed has filtered through in the London mayoral campaign too.

Zac Goldsmith may have thought he was benefiting from this while it was actually destroying his trust factor. It is an absolute myth that all Gujaratis hate Muslims!

Congress Party in India played up distortion well which it seems the whole world had bought it. I am going by the emails from other journalists and even my recent encounter with the Turkish writer who liked me only to the point of not knowing I was Gujarati! Trying to tap into that distorted image was also the biggest mistake Tories made. Khan has thousands of Gujarati

Halifax hikes upper age limit for mortgage lending Halifax has increased its upper age limit for mortgage lending to 80, effective from Monday, prompting a similar motion in major lenders.

The change means that for new mortgage applications, the term will be allowed to run until the borrowers' 80th birthday. The move was a response to the changing demographics, with people living and working for longer. The decision was welcomed as a positive step.

David Hollingworth, spokesman for broker London and Country, said, “The question has been, why aren't more high street names able to help older borrowers?” He said that smaller building societies

have been flexible when it comes to older borrowers for a while, but “still too few lenders have taken the chance to review their approach”.

He said the move by a major lender may “open the door” for other lenders to look at their rules when it comes to older borrowers.

Stephen Noakes, managing director for retail customer products at Halifax, said, “As demographics and working habits continue to change, we continually review our products and policies to ensure they reflect the evolving needs of our customers, including those who wish to continue working longer.”

in Tooting who vote for him. By overplaying the misconception about Gujaratis and writing to them a personal letter, Cameron stooped lower as a politician. The trust factor rules supreme. Khan was already there without the cloak of a religion. No doubt, Khan should have been careful standing up with wrong people just to win votes. That is politicians all over not trying to miss a photo opportunity for the publicity in their immediate context!

I am for Brexit, but my strong calculation is that Britain will remain in Europe. Khan was helped

by Cameron in that sense!

How strange, Corbyn was useless for him, but Cameron worked for him!

I wrote an article earlier in Asian Voice to stimulate the debate for the Mayoral election in London, and for a while, Goldsmith was on a right track of a debate. My thoughts were to bring out the ideas from both candidates in open. However, the dirt drifted in the clear courtyard.

The Tories need to learn that the polarising games of fear mongering, social callousness and disenfranchisement of some in the society will be ultimately their undoing. A fact of the politics is that when nation’s finances are in order, voters do not need the party that can manage it well. Nothing is permanent when it comes to voters.

E E Cumming enlightens us with these lines: “I’d rather learn from one bird how to sing Than teach ten thousand stars how not to dance” The first one is the business of poets; the second one, of the politicians.

Lloyds hidden charges

It has been revealed that Lloyds is charging its small business customers, hidden fees on foreign exchange deals as they are considered to be “less sophisticated” than other clients. Guidance to foreign exchange traders advises them to charge small and medium-sized business, with sales of up to £25m a year, and 'Added Value' charge of up to 1.5 per cent per trade. This is not disclosed to the client, and can be increased if approved by a manager.

“I thought we were getting the best rate, and if I didn’t think we were, I would have gone somewhere else,” a founder of a property company said.

REAL ESTATEVOICE Asian Voice | 14th May 2016

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Suresh Vagjiani

Sow & Reap A Property Investment Company

19

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!

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Currently it is a good time to purchase a high priced property in Central London. Prices are dampening and getting softer by the day. Properties which were valued at £18m only a year ago are now attracting offers of £12m.

There is also an over supply of 54,000 new homes priced at over a million which are planned or under construction in London.

These are being made for the seemingly insatiable foreign buyers. In particular the Chinese, whose interest in property and all things British were fueling the construction of these units. This demand has now diminished.

There will always be a lag in property. By nature the property market is a slow and heavy beast.

It responds to markets conditions, in a slow manner and then carries on walking in the same direction even when it is heading to its doom.

The stock market is quick and reactive, they have been shorting property stocks since the beginning of the year.

The smart developers stay flexible, and responsive. Though the prices for high end residential has decreased the rental market for commercial has gone through the roof.

Many developers have done a U turn on office to resi conversions and developments, and have gone back to the original use of the building.

We too have to go back to the drawing board on some of the projects we are involved in.

One property in the prime, creme de la creme part of Mayfair we purchased to develop and sell on is a good example. The purchase price coming in was £3m and the expected resell should have been around £4.5m. This property is not the kind you wish to sell in a damp market. Knowing the market was looking shaky in the near future we decided to do a quick refurbishment, with no planning and very little permissions required and rent and hold for one or two years.

This time will be used to fine tune the design and get the permissions in place.

This is the kind of property you wish to sell in a rising market where you can create an air of exclusivity around the property.

Another is a house in St John’s Wood, planning was obtained for a mansard and conversion from two flats into a single dwelling.

The strip out was done, the planning was in place, the button was about to be pressed, and then we stopped and re-evaluated the situation. There is no point going down a dead end road.

The solution in this scenario is to covert the property into ten self contained studios. This will be a cash cow, in comparison to a house and they will rent any day of the week.

This then turns the whole opportunity around. We have also used this opportunity to find a way to enhance the rental figures to even higher than market levels. After a four year period, the property would gain established use, at which point the investment can be cashed in by way of resale or refinance.

If this model is successful we will be extending this on to other buildings we manage on behalf of clients, to maximise the rental figures in the central London market where the rental figures have

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been severely reduced. This is due to the upsurge in capital values, whilst the rental figures have lagged behind. Now a rental yield of 1-2% is normal in a property in a prime location in central London.

Previously this yield would only be expected in ultra prime areas such as Belgravia or Mayfair.

Another building we are involved with is in advanced stages of getting planning permission as a residential dwelling, however the market for the reasons stated does not support a higher valuation which one would expect from the benefit of planning.

Conversely the rental demand for the asset as an office building is increasing currently day by day.

The office space in London has shrunk from 8% to 2% due to developers exploiting the relaxing rules for office to residential conversion. At the moment office rents are increasing day by day.

We have been casualties of this having been served notice to vacate our office premises not once but twice in recent years due to our landlords aggressively pursuing this strategy.

The last premises being in Marble Arch Tower in Bryanston Street W1. This block has now been granted planning for its demolition. In its place will rise two towers, which will be completed in 2020. The scheme will consist of a mixed use development consisting of 407,000 sq. ft., and is expected to be valued at £400m.

The top end residential market is dipping fast, commercial rent is rising fast, the bottom end is still liquid and moving very very quickly. Anything around the £500k to £750k mark is still liquid and flowing in central locations.

In such a market it is important to stay nimble and focused on where the opportunities lie whilst the tide is turning. Downturns often provide the best buying opportunities, if you know what to look for.

Just look at the London property market in 2008/2009. Those who were astute enough to purchase during this time profited handsomely in the years after.

Small stock is still going strong, this is defined as properties around the £500k mark in central locations. This still represents good value despite the recent rise in stamp duty. It doesn’t seem that properties at this level have been affected by the stamp duty rises as was initially feared – in fact the demand remains strong.

In this respect we have just taken on a couple of ex local properties at the £350k level. Ex locals are great for long term BTL’s as they have low out goings, and relatively stronger yields. These are in locations where there is still growth, and represent great value; call our office to find out more.

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Tips of the Week

l Make sure you get the right mortgage when flipping property, otherwise you will end up paying big penalties when you sell quickly. l Always see an investment from the markets’ eyes and not your own.

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ASIANVOICE

Asian Voice | 14th May 2016

Consultant Editor Financial Voice Alpesh Patel

Dear Financial Voice Reader, As the European debate rages, I wanted to take a dispassionate view on the markets and opportunities without claiming leaving EU means the end of life on Earth or staying in means your house prices will collapse as you are overrun by immigrants.

So how have our 100 largest companies fared over recent months with all this supposed volatility and uncertainty? Are there opportunities to pick up some bargains?

Over the last 3 months, the ironic thing is the best performing stock on the London stock exchanges 100 largest companies is ‘Anglo American’ – the mining company. It is up 70%. In fact in the past 3 months around half of the 100 largest companies are up.

The big ones to lose and suffer include Next, Tesco, ITV. Are they bargains? Next is at 2013 levels and I would wait a bit longer before seeing if it will drop, or go back to its highs which would give you a 50% return when and if it does.

Tesco is at 2000 levels and if it goes back to its highs of 2012 or before, then you will double your money.

ITV is near its highs and I would wait before expecting it too rise again, which it has done until this year since 2009.

What of banks and builders? Banks like RBS seem to be in a sideways move for years and years. I don’t see that changing much anytime soon. Their profits are capped by fat wages and fines anyway and without some exceptional profits their shareprices won’t move.

What about builders? People have been taking their profits for good reason of course. And I can see that continuing for a while. But these companies continue throwing out ever smaller and more expensive places and so will continue making fat profits.

Berkeley, Barratt are just two in this group.

Two companies whose strong performance this year so far surprises me are Johnson Matthey and Rolls Royce. The former, because of a drop in precious metal prices, but clearly they had protected themselves, and the latter because they’ve halved since 2013. But maybe Rolls Royce is coming back as rich countries buy more planes and their engines are in demand again.

So despite supposed European concerns, the UK stock market is doing rather well indeed with lots of pickings for those who like momentum and picking winners or those who like value and pick near term losers. Good luck.

AI's Delhi- San Francisco flight a big hit Air India has become the only airline that flies nonstop from Delhi to San Fransisco. With an hefty premium as compared to the one-stop flights offered by other airlines including Gulf, Europe, America and Southeast Asia, AI has saved flyers time with the connection. The journey to the Valley now takes just 17 hours while the return is an hour less. The return economy fare on the flight for June lies somewhere between Rs 87,000 to 96,000. While China Eastern and China Southern are much cheaper, they take up to 32 hours one way and fly via their hubs in Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad takes up to 34 hours one way, Japan's ANA, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, and United all offer lower economy fares, but their travel times are more. Despite its premium pricing, AI's Delhi-SFO has seen many

takers and non-stop records 80-85 per cent load factor. In fact, the flight is sold out on many days this summer. The tri-weekly is so much in demand, passengers are often given the option of flying via New York or Chicago as it is sold out.

“SFO was a natural choice for a new non-stop from India as it is the IT hub of the US and has a substantial Indian origin population. And the DelhiSFO has become one of our most commercially successful flights,” AI chairman Ashwani Lohani said.

He added that there was a plan to increase frequency once AI has more aircraft.

Sharat Dhall, president of travel portal Yatra said, “A stopover means a delay of four-five hours. So, shelling out marginally extra for a non-stop flight is not a problem for most long haul travellers. As it is, people end up spending on food, etc, while waiting at airports.”

www.asian-voice.com

DGCA looking into airfares following complaints AsianVoiceNews

Airfares have been put under the scanner after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation was bombarded with complaints of carriers charging outrageous fares during festivals and emergency situations.

The regulator has asked airlines to specify the number of seats sold in the highest fare buckets.

They have also been asked to file monthly reports with the DGCA on the share of revenue generated from tickets sold in the highest fare bucket.

“To begin with, we have identified 20 domestic routes for which airlines will have to tell us on a monthly basis two things -

number of seats sold in highest fare bucket and its percentage to their total revenue. If we find that a large number of seats are being sold at highest fare level, we will decide our next course of action. Else, no action will be required from our side,” said a senior DGCA official. The routes identified are the busy sectors such as DelhiMumbai, and other metros

such as Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Bengaluru, as well as North East, Port Blair, Srinagar and Leh. Parliament members and passenger organisations have been constantly complaining that airlines charge high fares during crunch situations. The issue was raised again last week when Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi

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Raju promised that he would speak to the airlines to avoid “surge pricing”.

“The ministry will commence the process of consultations with stakeholders, including airlines, to explore possibilities... of containing fares.”

The aviation ministry, based on a DGCA study of fares in the past few years, has maintained that airlines are not overcharging.

“We will make public the information given by airlines to us about the number of seats being sold for highest fare bucket. This information will be shared with the public on a monthly basis,” the official said.

India will grow faster if agriculture improves: Jaitley Ever affirmative, India's Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said India could grow faster if monsoon strikes soon as it would improve agriculture and raise rural income.

“Economy, which had been expanding on strength of public investment, highest foreign direct investment (FDI) and urban demand, could grow faster if rural demand was added.”

He said that even though the global economic outlook remains bleak, India remains the fastest growing major economy and has the potential to grow at “an even faster pace”. The statements came during an ongoing debate in parliament, after which, the Finance Bill was passed. It will now be forwarded to the Upper House. Jaitley has also ruled out rollback of 1 per cent excise on non-silver jewellery saying the levy was not applicable on small traders and artisans and only jewellers with more than £1.2 million turnover

Arun Jaitley

last year and £600,000 this year will attract the duty.

The FM has introduced amendments to the Finance Bill, 2016, for capital gains clarifying that the long-term capital gain period in case of unlisted securities has been reduced to 24 months from 36 months. Separately, the Central Board of Direct Taxes, in a recent order to field formations, said that

income arising from transfer of unlisted shares, irrespective of period of holding, would be taxable under the head capital gain.

Talking about black money, Jaitley said the government has brought £7.1 billion of undisclosed assets to the books, but he ruled out bringing agriculture income under the tax net, saying large farmbased income was rare and people using agriculture as

front to hide income from other sources would be dealt with by tax authorities.

Talking about the problem of non-performing assets of banks, Jaitley said, “NPA issue with banks is an issue of concern. Some loans may have been given wrongly. I am not going into who is responsible for it. But weakened business cycle due to global economy has also impacted bank balance sheets. Hiding NPA will not resolve the problem. It should be reflected in balance sheet and addressed via capitalisation.”

Jaitley said the government has drafted the amendments to the RBI Act, which will pave the way for creation of monetary policy committee, as was announced in the Budget. The passage of the Finance Bill will allow formation of the six-member monetary policy committee, which will include the RBI Governor and three government nominees.

RBI working to make public list of wilful defaulters The Reserve Bank of India is in the works of placing a new mechanism to make public the list of wilful defaulters along with a system for out-of-court settlement for disputes related to sticky loans as per governor Raghuram Rajan.

Although, he has ruled out making all names public, arguing that Raghuram Rajan clubbing serious defaulters with those favour of protecting privacy who forget to pay their in cases where there is no credit card bills could wrongdoing. “As a regularesult in people throwing tor we have no intent or away their cards. desire to protect malfeaIn a lecture, he insisted sance. We are very happy to that the bank was leaned in make that list public. In

fact, my people are working on making sure that we can put that list up in an accessible way and also (of) defaulters against whom suit has been filed because that is already public information,” he said. The statements are a mere echo of the regulator's stance before the Apex Court where it submitted the names of large defaulters in a sealed cover and asked cover and has asked the court not to make them public amid demands to name and shame evaders.

The RBI has been pushing banks to classify

several accounts as nonperforming, which has impacted profitability of lenders and caused several of them severe losses. We need risk taking, we need people to take risk, Rajan said. “At RBI, we are creating a structure to help outof-court resolution and we are still at work, it's work in progress. We are fine-tuning it, making sure it works,” Rajan said. He credited the government for pushing the new Bankruptcy Code, which was cleared by the Lok Sabha earlier this week.

The new legislation seeks to speed up restructuring and exit for promoters.

CURRENCYVOICE

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 14th May 2016

Paresh Davdra is the Dealing Director of RationalFX, Currency Specialists.

UK economy growing at its slowest pace

The UK’s manufacturing sector unexpectedly shrank for the first time in three years in April. New orders dried up amid fears over slowing global growth and a potential Brexit from the European Union. The weak reading comes after recent data has suggested there have been nearly 20,000 job losses in the UK's manufacturing sector over the past three months. The UK’s construction PMI figure for April caused a slight weakness in the Pound. The figure was expected to come out slightly lower than the previous which was 54.2, with the expected figure being 54.0. However the actual figure which was released was far under expected, coming out at 52.0 showing a drastic slowdown in the expansion of the UK construction sector.

This week’s purchasing managers' index (PMI) data has indicated the UK economy could be growing at its slowest pace in three years which has raised serious concerns about the security of the economic recovery. The services PMI figure, which makes up four-fifths of the UK economy, completed the week’s triple-whammy of disappointing news following the disappointing manufacturing and constructions sectors earlier in the

21

Foreign Exchange

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

week.

UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osbourne has stated the plan by Brexit campaigners to quit Europe’s single market would be ‘catastrophic; for the economy, job, income and peoples’ livelihood.

A recent study released by Frontier Economics for London First showed a Brexit would depress wages nationwide and hit harder in London. The study showed EU membership has on average increased UK salaries by £1,800 with the boost to London incomes amounting to approximately £3,100 and also stating ‘throwing away our EU membership could harm exporters and would certainly make us less attractive to global companies seeking to invest in London’.

The US manufacturing sector lost some momentum last month after recovering in March.

Manufacturers recorded another modest increase in overall new work at the start of the quarter, but the rate of expansion was the weakest since December 2015.

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week, posting the biggest gain in more than a year, but the markets didn’t

react too much as the underlying trend continued to point to a strengthening labour market.

Key data released in the form of average hourly earnings, unemployment rate and the non-farm payroll. Average hourly earnings and unemployment rate both came out in line with expectation at 0.3% and 5.0% respectively, however the non-farm payroll figure was printed significantly worse than expectation at 160k against a previous of 208k.

Nevertheless, the dollar weakness was somewhat short-lived as the greenback was propped up by remarks from New York Fed President William Dudley stating it was reasonable to expect the US central bank will raise rates twice in 2016 despite the recent bout of poor key economic indicators.

Investors paid most attention to the Eurozone Gross Domestic Product figures for the first quarter of the year. Quarter-on-quarter GDP surprised on the upside, showing double the rate of growth on the previous quarter, reading 0.6% rather than the 0.4% forecast.

The European Commission cut its 2016 growth forecast for the euro zone economy. Growth was downgraded to 1.6% this year and

1.8% in 2017 versus previous numbers of 1.7% and 1.9% respectively.

Eurozone Markit Services PMI figure come in slightly lower than expected at 53.1. There were slight increases from individual countries including Spain, France and Italy. A large fall in the German figure didn’t bode well for the overall reading. The Retail Sales figure for March also disappointed coming out lower than the previous figure of 0.3% and lower that the expected -0.1% coming out at 0.5%.

Greek lawmakers are debating additional pension and income tax reforms that will be key to unlocking international aid as European creditors considered a proposal which includes such additional reforms. The bill which is part of a €5.4billion belt-tightening package will be put to vote before the Greece meets with Euro-area finance ministers to review the status of the bailout. As the delay weighs on the nation’s ability to meet debt payments in July, the IMF has said it would be open to disbursing a new loan that would be separate from the European bail out, however the IMF has questioned Greece’s ability to post a fiscal surplus before interest payments.

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 10th May 2016 @ 4.05pm

GBP - INR = 96.17

USD - INR = 66.57 EUR - INR = 78.87 GBP - USD = 1.44 GBP - EUR = 1.27

EUR - USD = 1.13 GBP - AED = 5.31

GBP - CAD = 1.87

GBP - NZD = 2.14

GBP - AUD = 1.96

GBP - ZAR = 21.86

GBP - HUF = 399.27

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Information provided by RationalFX. None of the information on this page constitutes, nor should be construed as financial advice. The exchange rates used are the commercial foreign exchange rates provided by RationalFX. For a live quote or to find out more about how RationalFX can help you, call us on 0207 220 8181.

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In Brief

AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 14th May 2016

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

These 2 'solar kids' develop paralysis every night

Wildfire burns through Alberta

ALBETRA: The massive wildfire that has destroyed the better part of Alberta, Canada, will continue to burn for months, say officials. The Alberta government said the inferno which had covered more than 2,000 sq km, would spread to more areas because of high temperatures, dry conditions and high winds. The province's manager of Wildfire Prevention, Chad Morrison said it was not uncommon to fight such an inferno in forested areas for months.

It is also feared that the growing fire may double in size and reach a big oil sands mine and even neighbouring province of Saskatchewan.

Alberta's premier, Rachel Notley said, “In no way is this fire under control.” She said about 12,000 evacuees have been airlifted from oil sands mine air fields over the past two days, and about 7,000 have left in highway convoys escorted by the police. The goal, she said, was to complete the evacuation from northern work camps. Low humidity, high temperatures nearing 30 degrees Celsius and gusty winds in forests and brush dried out from two months of drought are helping fan the flames.

However, temperature is expected to cool with Environment Canada forecasting a 40 per cent chance of rains in the area. Al Jazeera meteorologist Everton Fox noticed an area of rain moving across Alberta and said some of that rain is forecast to reach Fort McMurray.

“Unfortunately it will not be heavy or prolonged. In fact, we expect it to be light and rather patchy at times, and it is likely to fizzle out soon. It is, however, bringing cooler north or northwestern winds that will feed across the region, bringing the temperatures down,” he said.

The mass evacuation has forced as much as a quarter of

Canada's oil output offline and is expected to impact a country already hurt by a dramatic fall in the price of oil.

The Alberta provincial government has declared a state of emergency. Fort McMurray is surrounded by wilderness in the heart of Canada's oil sands - the third largest reserves of oil in the world behind Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. Last May, wildfires led to the evacuation of hundreds of workers from the region.

Most of the evacuees headed south by car on Alberta Highway 63, with many temporarily stranded on the roadside as they ran out of gasoline. Other residents who initially sought shelter in oil camps and settlements north of the city were stuck in overcrowded conditions. Helicopters hovered overhead watching for flames, and police set up emergency fuel stations along the high-

The Sikh community of Metro Vancouver has sent three semi-trucks full of donations collected from the community members, to Edmonton

way to keep the line of cars moving. They headed toward south of Fort McMurray in towns including Lac La Biche, 180 miles (290 km) away, and Edmonton.

Many Indians affected Canada has boasted a massive population of people of Indian-origin. Around 300 Gujarati families were also affected by the inferno.

Resident Ajay Rana talked about his horrible experience saying, “The situation is horrible. With long lines of vehicles

A convoy of evacuees drives south as flames and smoke rise along the highway near Fort McMurray

bumper-to-bumper, there is major traffic congestion.

People are sleeping on the sides of the road.” As many as 200 Keralite families are a part of the thousands of people (including a big chunk of the Sikh community) who have been stranded by a wildfire in and around Fort McMurray. Karan Menon, president of the Malayali association in Calgary con-

garnered well deserved praise with people sharing photos of pets in the plane, on the internet.

Sikh Community from Vancouver send donations The Sikh community of Metro Vancouver has sent three semi-trucks full of donations collected from the community members, to Edmonton, extending a helping hand to

ISLAMABAD: Doctors in Pakistan are flabbergasted with the case of two brothers who have come to be known as 'Solar Kids'. Abdul Rasheed and Shoaib Ahmed, aged nine, and 13, the kids are normal active children during the day, but lapse into a vegetative state once the sun goes down- unable to move or talk. Doctors have ruled out the theory that their bodies are totally reliant on sunlight, as they can move as normal in a dark room during the day. Javed Akram, a professor of medicine at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, said, “We took this case as a challenge. Our doctors are doing medical tests to determine why these kids remain active in the day but cannot open their eyes, why they cannot talk or eat when the sun goes down.”

The brothers are undergoing extensive medical testing in the capital, Islamabad.

JuD won't let Hindu shrines be razed in Pak: Saeed

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Pakistan's banned JuD, Hafiz Saeed said his organisation won't allow destruction of Hindu temples and other holy places of non-Muslims in the country. While addressing a meeting in Matli, Sindh, he said it was Muslim's responsibility to safeguard holy places of their Hindu brethren. “We will not allow destruction of temples and other holy places of non-Muslims in the country,” he said. Saeed rejected allegations that his organisation is promoting extremism in Thar area of Sindh by opening seminaries in the region. He also pledged support for Kashmiri Muslims, and said that the country's law enforcement agencies were sincerely trying to fight against anti-state actors and RAW agents.

Indian maid allegedly tortured to death in Saudi Arabia

Evacuees look through donated goods and clothing

firmed saying, “There are about 200 Keralite families in Fort McMurray and all of them are safe. As the wildfire spread, we were instructed to take essential items and flee.

We have absolutely no idea as to what happened to our homes and assets in the fire.”

Coming together in troubled times, an Indo-Canadian real estate tycoon decided to help those fleeing the flames.

Navjeet Dhillon, founder and CEO of Mainstreet Equity Corp, tracked the disaster and resultant exodus and has offered 100 apartment units rent-free for three months.

“They lost their jobs, lost their homes, they were lucky they still had their cars and they drove out. We tried to help them in this difficult time,” Dhillon said. “Our staff worked 24 hours to accommodate them.” The bulk of the units were occupied within hours of being offered.

Airlines have also complied to the need of the hours, bending the rules and helping countless people fly to safety, with their pets. West Jet and Canadian North have allowed displaced pets to fly in main cabins along with their owners. While animals travelling by air are normally contained in the plane's cargo hold, with passengers fleeing the scene, in many cases, nothing more than just the clothes on their back, the airlines opened up to the option of the pets flying with their people in coach.

The airlines' gesture has

the thousands of residents forced from their homes. The trucks will deliver the goods to all those displaced from the massive fire that has been claiming the region for the past week. Donation drive coordinator Avtar Gill said the original goal of one truckload was quickly met, and within 48 hours, organizers had to find two more trucks to take all the donations north to Edmonton. “This has been a collective effort from the Sikh community. This effort is entirely being done based on their need,” Gill said. “I feel so proud of the community.

Every person, from a small child, to old person is helping.” While aid organisations usually discourage the donation of goods, preferring direct monetary donations, the Edmonton Emergency Relief Services Society welcomed this effort. “The items are definitely needed and the community that gathered this for us is absolutely outstanding,” said the society's spokesperson Nicole Geoffrey.

However, the community is still not finished. They are planning to send in five more truckloads to northern Alberta. This time, they will focus on items like new clothing and shoes. “That's been our values, the core values.

That's what our religion says,” said truck driver Harminder Dhaliwal. “It doesn't matter who it is, if anybody needs help from us, we should go out and lend a hand.”

HYDERABAD: A 25 year old Hyderabadi woman who went to Saudi Arabia to work as a 'house maid' was allegedly tortured to death. She succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment at the King Saud hospital for chest diseases in Saudi Arabia. Asima Khatoon's family was informed about her death by an unknown person who called her mother from Riyadh. The deceased used to tell them about the torture meted out on her by her employees. Asima was sent to Riyadh on a business visit visa for 90 days and was illegally kept in confinement. She had left from India in December, 2015, and was not in touch with her people, until two months ago where she called home and informed about the instances of torture

by Abdul Rahman Ali Mohammed.

Taliban faction kills anti-militancy activist in Pak

KARACHI: Prominent Pakistani rights activist, Kurram Zaki, was shot dead in the southern city of Karachi at an outdoor cafe and his companion was wounded. A faction of the Pakistani Taliban, the Hakeemullah group has claimed responsibility for the attack in a phone call, saying Zaki was targeted for his stance against radical cleric of Islamabad's Lal Masjid Abdul Aziz. “Zaki was sitting at a cafe where he was targeted by four armed men arriving on two motorcycles,” senior police official Muqadas Haider said. Zaki was known for his open stance against the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, the Pakistani Taliban, and radical cleric Abdul Aziz. He had lead street protests against Aziz, in December 2015, demanding he be arrested and charged with hate speech for allegedly justifying attacks like the Peshawar school massacre.

Sufi Muslim hacked to death

DHAKA: A local Sufi Muslim leader was found hacked to death in Bangladesh in a suspected Islamist killing, just two weeks after the Islamic State group claimed the life of a liberal professor.

Mohammad Shahidullah, 65, was missing until his body was found lying in a pool of blood in a mango grove in Rajshahi. District police chief Nisharul Arif said, “He was not a famous Sufi, but there could be a possibility that he was killed by Islamist militants.” Local police official Abdur Razzak said, “He was slaughtered from his neck and there were also some deep gashes in his throat.” Sufi Islam is a mystical form of Islam popular in rural Bangladesh, but it is considered deviant by many of the country's majority Sunni Muslims.

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US Congress seeks to block $450 mn aid to Pakistan AsianVoiceNews

WASHINGTON: The US Congress has put in a move to block $450 million in aid to Pakistan for failing to “demonstrate its commitment” and taking action against the Haqqani terror network. The provision in the National Defence Authorisation Act for the year 2017, if passed, would block the US government aid.

As per NDAA 2017, passed by the House Armed Services Committee last week, of the total amount of reimbursement and support authorised for Pakistan during the period beginning on October 1, 2016, and ending on December 31, 2017, $450 million would not be eligible for a national security waiver unless the secretary of defence certifies that

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Pakistan continues to conduct military operations against the Haqqani network in North Waziristan. The defence secretary also needs to certify that Pakistan is demonstrating commitment to prevent the guerilla group from using the region as a safe haven and is actively coordinating with Afghanistan to restrict their movement.

The House Armed Services Committee says that it will continue to review the reimbursements made to Pakistan and how it complies with the future of US policy, including key counter-terrorism and security objectives in the region.

It also asked the secretary of defence to notify congressional defence committees prior to making any reim-

bursement to Pakistan for any logistical, military or other support.

It also extended the requirement for the secretary if defense to certify, prior to making any reimbursement to Pakistan, that the country is maintaining security along the Ground Lines of Communictions, taking demonstrable steps to support counter-terrorism operations, disrupting cross border attacks and countering the threat of improvised explosive devices.

The move comes just days after the US told Pakistan to put forward its national funds to buy eight F-16s worth $700 million after some top Senators put a hold on the use of American tax payers' money to partially finance them. Special US

Egypt to mark Tagore birth anniversary CAIRO: A five day cultural festival is currently underway in Cairo marking the 155th birth anniversary of Indian poet-philosopher Rabindranath Tagore.

Inaugurated by India's Ambassador to Egypt, Sanjay Bhattacharyya with a painting exhibition showcasing works of artists from Egypt, India and other countries, on May 8, the fest will continue till the 12th. “It is amazing that 90 years after Tagore visited Egypt, 100 plus years after he received his Nobel Prize and more than 70 years after he passes away, we are still celebrating Tagore and see how

Rabindranath Tagore

he continues to inspire us,” Bhattacharyya said. The celebrations featured Tagore's dance drama 'Shapmochan', on May 9, played by well known classical dancer Dona Ganguly. The movie 'Ghare Baire', based on one

of Tagore's novel and directed by none other than legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray was screened on May 10. The conclusion of the festival will be with a seminar on Contemporary Literature 'Tagore, Shawky & Mahfouz' where Indian and Egyptian scholars and writers will participate. It will be conducted by the Supreme Council of Culture.

Tagore is well known in Egypt. He had first visited the state as an adolescent in 1878 and later as a poet in 1926, when he met King Fouad and interacted with scholars in Alexandria and Cairo.

Pride of lions spotted in Central Serengeti, Tanzania. (Picture captured by photographer Gina Owen)

representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Olson, said that the Obama administration has $742.2 million in American aid to Pakistan for the fiscal year 2017, including $472.4 million in civilian assistance and USD 269.8 million in security assistance. “This request strikes the appropriate balance between longterm development and strategic military-to-military cooperation, both of which are in our national security interest, and is at a level that we can responsibly implement,” Olson said. “This request is considerably lower - indeed, over 60 per cent lower - than our peak funding for Pakistan in FY 2010, the first year under the Kerry-Lugar-Berman authorisation.”

INDIA Asian Voice | 14th May 2016

In Brief

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Former Pak PM Gilani's son rescued

ISLAMABAD: Son of former Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, has been rescued from a three-year long Taliban captivity in Afghanistan. A joint raid conducted by US and Afghan forces lead to Ali Haider Gilani, in Ghazni province. Arrangement for his transfer to Pakistan are under process, as per the Pakistani Foreign Office. Afghan National Security Advisor Mohammad Hanif Atmar called Pak foreign affairs advisor Sartaj Aziz to give him the news. Ali Gilani, believed to be in his 30s, was kidnapped in May 2013, days before the general elections.

US bans sale of e-cigarettes, cigars to those under 18

MIAMI: The US government has issued a sweeping ban on the sales of e-cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco and hookahs, to those under the age of 18. In the first time for the federal regulation on the products, the ban will go into effect in 90 days as per the US Food and Drug Administration which has called the final rule “historic”. Key points of the rule include barring the sale of e-cigarettes to minors online or in person.

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INDIA

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Amma showers freebies on voters

Asian Voice | 14th May 2016

CHENNAI: One can't buy love, but nobody said anything about votes! Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa is on a full freebie spree as the state Assembly elections come closer by the day. Hundred units of free power for households every two months, 50 per cent subsidy for women to buy scooters, free laptops with Internet for students in Class 11 and Class 12, eight grams of gold for women getting married, free cellphones for all ration-card holders, are just some of the things

Jayalalithaa

beloved Amma has unveiled for her people.

With her focus on women and economically weaker sections, the CM's campaigning is in full swing.

Heat wave toll in Telangana rises to 260 HYDERABAD: The heat wave in Telangana has raised the death toll to 260, with 15 more deaths reported in the last two days as per officials. Nalgonda district remains the worst-hit with the highest number of deaths at 76 and Mahabubnagar comes second at 40.

State Disaster Management department said fatalities were reported from all districts except Hyderabad.

Hanamkonda was the hottest place with maximum temperature of 42.1 degrees.

Families of the deceased will be compensated with Rs 50,000 from the government.

There was an age restriction until recently where families of victims above 65 years were not eligible for compensation.

However, rains in several places in Telangana gave the people much needed respite, bringing down the temperature. Temperature fell down 40 degrees Celsius, for the time

in over a month. Places recorded one to five cm rainfall. The met department has forecast light to moderate rain/thunderstorms, also warning squalls/hail at isolated places.

The unseasonal rains are the result of upper air trough which runs from Vidarbha to extreme south peninsula across Telangana. Few places in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh also received rains. The maximum temperature in south coastal Andhra was below 40 degrees. However, heat wave conditions continued in parts of Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh. The highest temperature of 42.2 degrees was recorded in Anantapur.

Harrassed Haryana girls stop going to school

CHANDIGARH: With the increasing lack of safety, over 40 girls from two villages in Rewari district of Haryana have stopped attending classes at a government school in neighbouring Lala village.

They had to deal with risqué comments, and an alleged rape on April 18.

State Women and Child Development Minister Kavita Jain has asked Rewari deputy commissioner Yash Garg to conduct an inquiry. He, along with the region's SP visited the villages to convince the girls to resume school, but the villagers refused. They instead demanded the primary school in Suma village be upgraded to senior secondary level. A case has been registered at Jatusana police station in

Rewari and the three accused have been arrested. The villagers said the girls fear walking through Lala village because of repeated sexual harassment. Situation has reached a point where 40 girls and 10 boys from both the villages got their names deleted from the school. It was said two of the girls who opted out were state-level Kabaddi players. State PWD Minister Rao Narbir Singh said the villagers had met with him and said, “We will upgrade the school.”

He also assured that legal action would be taken on the complaint of the girls. The state administration has offered special bus facility and female cops to accompany the girls to the school in the neighbouring village.

Addressing a mass gathering of over 100,000 in Perundurai, Erode, Jaya said, “I am made of people and I am for the people. A mother knows the need of her children. You will be getting many more schemes and services during my government.” She appealed the public to bring her party back to power saying it would be the “arrival of spring”. The AIADMK manifesto was made with the consultation of a number of experts and includes extended maternity leave from six to nine

months, women to be trained in driving vehicles and offered subsidies to buy autorickshaws. It includes a hike to Rs 50,000 as assistance for fishermen and their families.

The manifesto also promises to take measures to increase the maximum water level, from 142 feet to 152 feet, of the Mullaperiyar Dam, basically a lifeline for farmers in the Vaigai basin bordering Kerala and is the subject of a long-running dispute with the neighbouring state.

Kerala minister hurt after TV debate turns violent THIR UVANANTHAP URAM: Kerala UDF minister Shibu Baby John was attacked during a live TV debate airing on a Malayalam channel. Reports allege that Shibu was attacked by a CPM cadre. The conflict took such a bad turn that Shibu had to be rushed to a nearby hospital.

Shibu and LDF's Vijayan Pillai were debating at Sankaramangalam junction during the recording of a TV show. As the temperatures soared during the debate, supporters of both the parties clashed on live air. Some of the locals along with the LDF candidate, raised the issue of drinking water scarcity. They blamed sitting MLA and UDF candidate Shibu, for this and accusing him of not doing anything to solve the water crisis. The accusations rubbed the MLA's supporters the wrong way and the discussion

Shibu Baby John

turned violent as both sides started to attack each other.

Shibu alleged the LDF supporters of attacking first and said he was not allowed to reply. Vijayan Pillai also sustained injuries and along with his supporters were admitted at the Taluk Hospital at Karunagappally.

Shibu alleges that the LDF supporters attacked first. He went onto to say that he was not allowed to reply. Shibu was hurt on his hand when a stone thrown from the audience hit him.

Haryana mulls jail term for water wastage CHANDIGARH: People damaging roads by releasing water from their houses will soon be liable for punishment as the Haryana government mulls over a 3-month imprisonment. State PWD Minister Rao Narbir Singh also proposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on such people along with the provision of jail. He said the government would soon introduce a legislation in this connection.

Officials said villagers cause major damage to the roads by releasing the water.

Under the proposed law, even those who throw water on road from a bucket will face punishment. Singh said this was the first time in Haryana that the government has decided to use green technology for construction of roads on the patterns of German technology. He said the technology will be used to construct a 5-kilometre road from Hansi to Sultanpur along with roads in Gurgaon, Faridabad, Rewari and Karnal. He said a state quality monitoring cell had been constituted for monitoring of projects costing more than £300,000. “A special campaign is being run to make

the roads pothole-free and a Whatsapp number will be issued that can be used by anyone to register complaints regarding damaged roads.”

The minister said during 2016-17, roads with a total length of 5,605 km would be strengthened at a cost of £181.8 millione. According to the minister, the Union Railway Ministry has been urged to do away with unmanned railway crossings in the state. Replying to another question regarding felling of a large number of trees during the recent agitation in the state, Rao Narbir, who is also state forest minister, said FIRs had been registered in this regard. "No particular individual had been identified and action would be taken as soon as the accused are identified," he added.

In Brief

AsianVoiceNews

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4 killed in Salem cracker factory blast

SALEM: An explosion at a firecracker unit in Elama Coundanur village in Salem district of Tamil Nadu killed four people and grievously injured two. The injured were rushed to a hospital and their condition was said to be unstable. Police said the six workers were involved in packing country-made firecrackers that were mainly used in temple festivals.

Revenue officials who conducted an inspection of the spot said the cause of the explosion is unknown. Officials are investigating whether the unit had a license and if all safety measures were taken.

Huge amount of black money unearthed

HYDERABAD: Deputy Transport Commissioner A Mohan was arrested after Anti-Corruption Bureau officials conducted raids in nine places in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. During the search, several property documents, including eight open plots in Kompally, four plots in Madhapur and several plots in Serilingampally came to light. Rs 83,000, a bank balance of Rs 300,000, fixed deposits of Rs 400,000, gold and silver were also found.

The value of all the items assessed so far has amounted up to £230,000. Officials said the bank accounts and lockers located in Hyderabad and other places are yet to be opened.

Brahmins accused of sacrificing sheep at yajna

SHIMOGA (KARNATAKA): Brahmin priests sacrificing eight sheep in a puja has become one of the biggest controversies in Karnataka.

A group of Sankethi Brahmins performed an ancient ritual called the Soma Yajna, where they sacrificed eight sheep at Srikantapura in Mattur. Eyewitnesses said they strangulated the sheep to death, cut them into pieces and offered them to fire. Later, after the affair was over, the priests ate the meat and drank country liquor. A regional newspaper with access to the video and pictures of the ritual, published a report calling for a debate among the Brahmin community. The act has been condemned by several community leaders who called it a cruel ritual.

Bodies of 4 Pathankot attackers buried

NEW DELHI: Bodies of four terrorists gunned down during the Pathankot terror attack, were buried last week. The burial took place four months after the terror attack on Pathankot airbase. The Punjab police laid the bodies at 2 am on May 4 at a Muslim burial ground. It is reported that Pakistan, despite filing an FIR in its own country, refused to claim the bodies. It is also said that the Pakistan Joint Investigation Team that visited the country in March to carry out the probe in the Pathankot terror attack, also did not bother to see the bodies during the visit.

Shoes hurled at Captain Amarinder Singh in California

FRESNO (CALIFORNIA): Shoes and bottles were aimed at former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh during a gathering in California. In video clips that went viral on social media, protesters were seen flinging themselves against his vehicle. It was reported that when Singh was about to leave the venue under tight security, Sikh separatists began to raise 'Khalistan Zindabad' slogans and threw shoes and bottles at him. They started raising slogans against him for his alleged clean chit to Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in the case of massacre of Sikhs in November 1984 in Delhi. Gurpatwant Singh Pannum, Attorney, Sikh for Justice said, “It's unfortunate that instead of answering questions regarding his statement about Tytler's role in 1984, Captain Amarinder took support of his henchmen and created an atmosphere of fear.”

INDIA Asian Voice | 14th May 2016

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India’s women of substance

AsianVoiceNews

At a time when women are taking patriarchy by the horns, calling bull over gender inequality, gender wage gap, and the ever so controversial principles of feminism, it has become all the more crucial for the 'fairer' sex to prove its worth.

The Indian society is an awkward concoction of people worshipping female deities on one hand, and creating a line of limit for their daughters and wives on the other. Yet, its history has seen many strong women, including former prime minister Indira Gandhi, known for her ruthlessness. All Indian women, throughout history, have stood the test of time. The modern woman is everywhere. From class rooms to board rooms, women have stormed over all fields including the media, science, defence, banks, law, even the armed forces.

Waging a war on inequality, these women today, stand at the top, making the call and shaking the world.

Indira Parikh

Professor Indira Parikh was Dean of IIMAhmedabad from 2002 to 2005. She is also the former founding President of the Foundation for Liberal and Management Education (FLAME) Institute. Indira has a specialisation in organisation development and design, and institution building.

She has taught at INSEAD, Fontainebleau and Texas A&M University, and also worked as a consultant to various national and international organisations.

Renu Sud Karnad

With her fingers in different pots, Renu Sud Karnad has been the Managing Director of Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) since 2010. She deals with strategy, budget, product development, and distribution for the all-India lending operations and is a part of the senior management team of Housing

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Development Finance Corp. Karnad also serves as a Joint Managing Director at Home Loan Services India Private Limited and has worked as its Executive Director since 2000. She holds extensive knowledge on finance and significant experience in international business.

Ramni Nirula

Bharati Rao is the first woman Deputy Managing director of the State Bank of India. With 40 years of experience in banking and financial sector, Rao is currently on the boards of companies like SBI Capital Markets Limited, SBI GTF Limited, Vijaya Bank, Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Co Limited, Carborundum Universal Limited, Neuland Laboratories Limited, etc.

Ranjana Kumar

Ramni Nirula has held several top positions in different fields including Project Financing, Strategy, Planning & Resources, and Corporate Banking. She is currently associated with ICICI Foundation as advisor and key management team member. Ramni has also held key positions as Managing Director & CEO of ICICI Securities Limited, and was also responsible for Government Banking Group and Corporate Agri Groups based out of New Delhi. She has been member of Board of leading Indian companies like Crompton Greaves, Jindal Steel and Power, Haldia Petrochemicals, Eicher and the likes.

Ranjana Kumar is the Advisor at India Alternatives Investment Advisors Private Limited.

She has worked as the Chairperson and Managing Director of Indian Bank, and retired as Vigilance Commissioner of the Central Vigilance Commission, Government of India. She has also served as the Chief Executive Officer of US operations of Bank of India, New York.

the founding member of the economic development practice and the global emerging-markets practice at McKinsey. She has also served as the Head of Marketing and Sales at Hutchinson Max Telecom and has been Independent Director of Titan Company Limited since January 30, 2013.

Vibha Paul Rishi With over 25 years of experience during which she associated with giants like Tata Administrative Services, and PepsiCo, Vibha Paul Rishi is the Head of Marketing and Group Strategy &

Consumer Director of Future Consumer Enterprise Limited. She has worked as Executive Director of Brand & Human Capital at Max Financial Services Limited.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw Named among TIME magazine's 100 most influential

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people in the world, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw is the Chairperson and Managing Director of Biocon. She is also ranked among Fierce Biotech's list of the 'Worlds' 25 Most Influential People in Biopharma', Forbes '100 Most Powerful Women' and Fortune's 'Top 25 Most Powerful Women in AsiaPacific'.

Venue: Harrow Leisure Centre, Christchurch Avenue, Harrow HA3 5BD

Tickets

£2.50 rson per pe

1 0 a m to 7 p m

y per da

le availarb Tickets doo at the

All proceeds from ticket sales go to Shishukunj, the chosen charity for Anand Mela

Kishori Udeshi

Bhagyam Ramani

With over three decades of experience in investment and accounts, Bhagyam has served as General Manager In-charge of Investment & Accounts at General Insurance Corporation of India. She has also served as Assistant General Manager at General Insurance Corporation of India, and as an Investment & Financial Analyst. She also serves as an Independent Director at L&T Hydrocarbon Engineering Limited.

Reserve Bank's first woman deputy governor, Kishori Udeshi was appointed as the bank's Executive Director in 2004. She has taken charge of the department of currency management, deposit insurance and credit guarantee corporation, inspection department, premises department, rural planning and credit department and urban banks department.

Ireena Vittal

HEALTH & WELLNESS EXPO Exhibiting some of the popular hospital groups, medical travel organisations and health services companies

Bharati Rao

Senior Advisor of Aspada Investment Advisors, Vittal has served as Senior Advisor of ZyFin Research Private Limited. She also made Partner with McKinsey & Co. and was

Also exhibiting are well reputed India property developers invited

by ASSET INDIA LTD. an India property specialists based in London

For Stall Booking Call: 020 7749 4085

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INDIA

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2,000 Indian links in fresh Panama leaks

AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 14th May 2016

In the latest update of the 'Panama Papers' controversy that shook the world in April, as many as 2,000 individuals, entities and addresses with links to India have been revealed.

Indian database shows about 22 offshore entities, 1,046 officers, 42 intermediaries and over 828 addresses within the country. The links range from posh metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai to remote areas like Sirsa in Haryana, Muzaffarpur in Bihar, Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh and other North Eastern states.

The Consortium of Investigative Journalists published a searchable database, calling out almost 2,14,000 offshore entities created in 21 different jurisdictions. “The data, part of the Panama Papers investigation, is the largest ever release of information about offshore

Jains get minority status in Gujarat

The Gujarat government has notified minority status for the Jain community in the state. The move comes nearly two years after the then UPA government granted minority status to Jains in June 2014.

In Gujarat, 580,000strong Jains comprise 0.96% of the total 60.40 million population, as per the 2011 Census. State BJP president and minister for labour and employment Vijay Rupani said, “CM Anandiben Patel has approved minority status for Jains in the state. A GR was issued in this regard.”

Rupani, who is a Jain himself, said all Jain institutions would now become autonomous minority institutions. “Poor Jains will be entitled for several welfare schemes of the central government like education scholarship, higher subsidy in finance for self employment, etc.”

Sources said notifying Jains as minority was delayed due to the Patidar reservation stir, among other reasons.

companies and the people behind them.

This includes, when available, the names of the real owners of those opaque structures,” said the consortium.

It added, “We do not intend to suggest or imply that any persons, companies or other entities included in the ICIJ Offshore Leaks Database have broken the law or otherwise acted improperly.”

In its action against the 500 entities that surfaced in the first list of names that was released last month, India created a multi-agency group comprising officers from various central investigative agencies like the income tax department, FIU, RBI and foreign tax and tax research under the Central Board of Direct Taxes apart from the special investigation team on black money.

The names and addresses put on the website not only shows the identities of

some individuals, but also specifies the date of incorporation of the firms in some cases. ICIJ said it was releasing these additional details on names and addresses in “public interest” and also to “find out who'd behind almost 3,20,000 offshore companies and trusts from the Panama Papers and the offshore leaks investigations.”

“ICIJ is not publishing the totality of the leak, and it is not disclosing raw documents or personal information en masse. The database contains a great deal of information about company owners, proxies and intermediaries in secrecy jurisdictions, but it doesn't disclose bank accounts, email exchanges and financial transactions contained in the documents. The leaked data covers nearly 40 years, from 1977 through the end of 2015,” it said.

Mapmakers face steep fine for depicting India wrongly India has launched a crackdown on maps showing Kashmir and other disputed territory as part of neighbouring countries Pakistan and China. Web giants Twitter, Facebook and Google's use of maps and location services allotting the territory to its rival nations has lead to new laws imposing fines up to £10m and sevenyear jail terms.

Any digital map of India will now need a licence marking approval from the Indian government, under the proposals.

“No person shall depict, disseminate, publish or distribute any wrong or false topographic information of India, including international boundaries” the new draft bill says.

The most recent controversy arose in February, after Twitter users trying to “geolocate” their posts in Kashmir were asked to

choose only between Pakistan and China. Last year, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg drew criticism for publishing a post that showed a map of India with Kashmir missing.

Google had run into trouble in 2007, when web users spotted that Google Earth and Maps services denoted parts of Arunachal Pradesh, a northeastern state, as part of China.

While the draft is aimed at online media, other platforms have also often resorted to display such blunders. News channel Al-Jazeera had received a five-day ban in India for “cartographic aggression” after repeatedly displaying maps showing Kashmir divided between India, Pakistan, and China. Also, The Economist was forced to place stickers over a map of disputed borders in Kashmir in the 28,000 copies on sale in the country in 2011.

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Former CM Rawat claims victory in Uttarakhand A floor test was held in the Uttarakhand Assembly clarifying ousted chief minister Harish Rawat's popularity in the House.

Rawat is said to have got 33 out of 61 votes. A BJP lawmaker said only 28 MLAs voted for the national party and independent MLA Harish Chandra Durgapal claimed that all six Progressive Democratic Front MLAs voted for the former CM. While the result of the confidence vote will only be presented on Wednesday, to the Supreme Court, Rawat is on cloud 9. “The cloud of uncertainty hovering over Uttarakhand will disappear tomorrow,” an elated Rawat said. Before the voting began, BSP chief Mayawati said her party would support the Congress. The Principal Secretary of Uttarakhand overlooked the floor test for which the President's Rule was kept in abeyance for two and a half hours.

Ahead of the trust vote, Rawat who seemed visibly confident, said, “Uttarakhand will win today.” Another Congress leader, Indira Hridayesh said, “We're in complete majority. We have numbers. We'll prove majori-

Harish Rawat

ty.”

Rawat’s colleagues could barely contain their excitement.

“Rawatji won’t say anything but we are party workers and we are excited. We had 33 votes, the BJP got 28,” said Sarita Arya, Congress MLA from Nainital. The number was two more than what the Congress needed to prove its majority.

Addressing Congress workers, Rawat said Wednesday will bring a new beginning and urged the Centre to support Uttarakhand’s development. “I want to thank all my supporters, the Supreme Court and most of all the people of Uttarakhand. Pichle do mahenein ek bhayanak sapne ki tarah the (The

last two months were like a nightmare). But I want to forget all this and move forward. I want to tell the Centre, if you can give us a helping hand, please do that. You are mighty people, we are just a small state.” BJP spokesperson Munna Singh Chauhan said Rawat shouldn’t expect smooth sailing ahead.

“We are where we were on the March 18. In fact, we have marginally gained because the Congress is poorer by one MLA. They have lost their tenth MLA and if they think it’s a small loss, then God help them. The episode has weakened Rawatji’s position and he doesn’t have the confidence of his MLAs nor of his leadership.”

Patidars want OBC status; reject EBC quota Even though Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel said he would study the 10% Economically Backward Class (EBC) reservation decision of the state government, two PAAS conveners after a meeting declared that the community was not satisfied with EBC reservations and wants OBC status only.

Dharmik Malaviya and Manoj Panara said that the government might have announced 10% EBC quota, but Patidars were not satisfied and want OBC status only. “The government can increase the quota of OBCs on lines of Tamil Nadu and give Patels OBC status,” the duo said.

Patidars want the government to carry out a survey to include the community on the OBC list. “We are in touch with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, West Bengal's Mamta Banerjee and even Anna Hazare.

Hazare has agreed to come to Gujarat and will address a rally in Ghatlodia or Ranip on October 2,” said Malaviya.

“We will continue the agitation and Patidars have chalked out a detailed pro-

gramme for the next six months. The Patidar community will stage a `Patel Gaurav Yatra' which will begin at Khodaldham on May 25 and end at Umiya Dham Unjha on June 26.

To continue the stir, more than 400,000 Patidars will also gather at Karamsad as a part of the Sardar Ekta Yatra.”

Patidars will observe “Patidar Kranti Day” in Morbi on August 25 and “martyr's day” the next day. Hardik, at the rally in Ahmedabad, had announced that August 25 would be observed as Patidar Kranti Day. Akhilesh Katiyar, a PAAS national activist said: “Patidars do not want any EBC status, we only want OBC status. The government may give as

many per cent EBC quota as it wants, we want to be included on the OBC list or in a special category for Patidars. If Tamil Nadu can have more than 50% reservations, why can't Gujarat? Also there are apex court judgments which say that in special cases, reservation can be extended beyond 50%.”

OBC Ekta Manch to conduct enrolment drive Meanwhile, the OBC Ekta Manch has decided to carry out an enrolment drive and a survey on the behaviour of elected representatives. Leaders of the OBC Ekta Manch have said that the enrolment drive is aimed at uniting community members who have been ignored by the government and the opposition parties.

HEALTH&WELLNESS Joint replacements www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

Mother's love, support can boost growth of child's brain FOOD

recent study shows that brains of babies who receive motherly love and nurturing, grow at twice the rate of young ones who are left unattended. Children with a stable and loving motherly figure in their lives were found to have more growth in the hippocampus, an area in the brain associated with learning, memories and regulating emotions.

First author Dr Joan Luby, Washington University child psychiatrist at St Louis Children's Hospital, said, “The parent-child relationship during the preschool period is vital, even more important than when the child gets older. We think that's due to greater plasticity in the brain when kids are younger, meaning that the brain is affected more by experiences very early in life. That suggests it's vital that kids receive support and nurturing during those early years.�

Brains of 127 children

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AsianVoiceNewsweekly | Asian Voice | 14th May 2016

FITNESS

LIFESTYLE

were scanned from when they were about to enter school, to their early adolescence. Their mothers were closely observed and interactions between them and their children were videotaped. Parents who were able to maintain composure and complete assigned tasks while offering emotional support to

their children were rated as more nurturing and supportive. It was found that the children whose mothers were graded as more supportive than average, had increases in growth of the hippocampus, more than two times greater than those children whose mothers were rated only slightly below average on

A banana a day may keep blindness away

Yoga may reduce impact of asthma

new research has suggested that practising yoga may offer some relief from the chronic disease of asthma and improve your quality of life. Asthma is a common chronic disease affecting about 300 million people worldwide.

Typical symptoms of asthma include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath.

"Our findings suggest that yoga exercise may lead to small improvements in asthma quality of life and symptoms," said lead author Zuyao Yang from Chinese University of Hong Kong. The study involved 1,048 men and women.

Most of the trials were conducted in India, followed

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To Our Readers

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

by Europe and the US. The majority of participants had mild to moderate asthma for six months to more than 23 years. Six studies looked into the effects of breathing alone during yoga exercise, while the other studies assessed the effects of yoga that included breathing, posture and meditation.

Most people continued to take their usual asthma medication while participating in the studies. The studies were conducted over a time period of two weeks to over four years.

The researchers found some moderate quality evidence from five studies that yoga exercise reduces the impact of asthma on people's quality of life.

"However, it is unclear whether yoga has a consistent impact on lung function and we don't yet know if yoga can reduce people's medication usage, or if there are any side-effects of yoga for people with asthma," Yang noted.

the nurturing scale.

The researchers also found that the growth trajectory in the hippocampus was associated with healthier emotional functioning when the children entered their teen years.

"Early maternal support affects the child's brain development," concluded Dr Luby.

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new study has found that eating a banana daily is likely to boost eye health and prevent visionrelated diseases. Bananas have carotenoid - a compound that turn fruits and vegetables red, orange or yellow and are converted into vitamin A, important precursors for eye health in the liver. According to previous research, foods containing high levels of carotenoids also protect against chronic disease, including certain cancers, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

The study showed that banana rich in pro-vitamin A carotenoids may offer a potential food source for alleviating vitamin A deficiency - important for sight.

To combat vitamin A deficiency, researchers have been investigating methods to boost carotenoids in

bananas. Cara L Mortimer and other researchers from Queensland University of Technology in Australia studied two banana varieties to find out why they make very different amounts of carotenoids.

They found that the pale yellow, low-carotenoid cavendish variety produces more of an enzyme that breaks down carotenoids.

In addition, another variety stashes its carotenoids in microscopic sacs during ripening, shifting the chemical equilibrium in the fruit so it can make even higher levels of these substances.

Bananas are ideal food for young children and families for many regions of the world, because of their sweetness, texture, portion size, familiarity, availability, convenience, versatility and cost.

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Dr Bala Raju, Director of Advatech Healthcare has worked as a doctor for over 20 years and has been developing private healthcare services in India and the UK for the past 6 years. He is writing the columns on important topics in healthcare in association with UK Consultants and GPs who have good experience in these topics.

Dr Bala Raju Lalitaben is 70 years old and had recently been having pain in her left hip again. Five years ago, she had a metal on metal hip replacement after developing pain due to severe osteo-arthritis. At that time, she recovered well and was able to get back to her normal activities. A year ago, she was asked by the hospital to return for blood tests and an MRI scan as there had been some problems reported with the metal on metal hip replacements. These problems related to tiny metal particles from the wear and tear of the ball and cup rubbing together, causing damage to the bones and tissues around the joint. Eventually in some patients, this caused a failure of the implant and needed a revision surgery where the joint would be repaired or replaced.

Luckily for Lalitaben, the results were good and she did not need any revision of her hip implant.

She was told that these types of artificial hip joints could last for 15 years without serious problems.

She was reminded to have a regular check up every year with this type of implant, just to make sure that there were no new problems. Now that the pain had returned in the past few weeks, she now began to worry about whether she was going to be given the bad news that the implant had failed.

Her GP understood her problem and agreed to refer her without further delay to a local private hospital through the choose and book system.

Most patients in the UK consent to the details of their joint replacement operations to be stored in the National Joint Registry for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This registry helps monitor the results of knee, hip, ankle, shoulder and elbow joint replacement surgeries in these countries and improves patient safety.

The information gathered

helps surgeons and patients make better choices regarding the types of implants that would be suitable for them and about the success rates of the hospitals and surgeons performing the operations. It also offers clearer feedback to the implant manufacturers and to surgeons when they need to ask patients to return to hospital, if there are problems reported elsewhere.

The registry also has simple booklets that provide practical information for patients and their carers. There are many reasons why someone may need a joint replacement and there are also many young people too, who are benefitting from joint replacements. As it is impossible to cover all these reasons and medical facts in a few paragraphs here, it is best to read as much as possible, form reliable sources such as www.nhs.uk and www.njrcentre.org.uk.

Mr B D Chatterjee is an Orthopaedic surgeon who like many of his colleagues, ensures that every patient is assessed individually for the type of treatment that would be best for them. For example, his experience has shown that ceramic-onceramic articulation makes a big difference in the long term for children who need hip joint replacements. In addition, he notes that regularly using computer assisted navigation in joint replacement surgeries, gives better results. The preparation and care before and after joint replacement surgery can genuinely shorten the hospital stay and improve overall patient satisfaction. Nowadays, we are also coming across nonsurgical advances too, such as stem cell therapy that is becoming available in some research centres around the world.

www.meditouria.com

Please feel free to call 07466 885 262 / 07510 888 300

if you have any specific questions relating to this article. wecare@advatechhealth.com

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Trisha to play Hollywood actor to romance lead role in a new film Shruti Haasan

AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 14th May 2016

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Big response to Rajini’s ‘Kabali’ teaser

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risha had a good run last year with 'Bhoologam', 'Thoongavanam', and 'Aranmanai 2'. She has now almost completed shooting for Govardhan Reddy's 'Nayaki', where she plays dual roles opposite Ganesh Venkataraman. The actress has also just recently signed up for a new horror film which will be directed

by Shankar's former associate Madhesh. Cast and crew details for the project will be announced soon.

W

ith Kamal Hasaan's 'Sabhash Naidu' all set to begin in the US from the 16th of this month, the actor will bring back beloved Balram Naidu character back with sidek i c k Brahmanandam.

Directed by T K Rajeev Kumar, the movie also features

Ramya Krishnan as Kamal's wife and Shruti Haasan as his daughter.

A recent development in the project suggests that popular AmericanIndian actor Manu Narayan has been signed on to pair with Shruti. With a cast this solid and a story this solid, we just can't wait for Balram to tickle our bones.

Nasser gets a rare Honour

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asser has a new addition to his long list of awards and laurels he won over the years for his performance in the film industry.

Vels University has announced an honorary doctorate for Nasser as a fitting recognition for his contribution to cinema. After making his acting debut in 1985 Tamil movie 'Kalyana Agathigal', Nasser took to doing Telugu, K a n n a d a , Malayalam, Hindi and English films. He

Shraddha Kapoor is moving out

Azhar

A sports drama based on the life of former Indian Cricket team captain Mohammad Azharuddin.

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addy's little girl is all grown up and ready to leave the nest! Actress S h r a d d h a Kapoor who claims to have had a very protective childhood, has bought herself a new house in Juhu, tucked right in between her parents' and aunt's (Padmini Kolhapure) house. So while she gets to live the life of independence, she sure won't go too far away from the comfort of her mom and dad!

has also directed a handful of films, including the critically acclaimed 'Avatharam' and 'Devathai'. With his fingers in different pies, there is almost nothing Nasser has not done in films. He has produced, worked as a voice over artist, and also tried his hand at playback singing. Besides cinema, Nasser now leads the Nadigar Sangam and has actively worked for the welfare of its members.

Swiss govt honours Yash Chopra with special statue

L

ate director Yash Chopra has been honoured with a special statue by the Switzerland government this year.

With most of his romantic dramas shot in the lush mountains of the Alps, he played quite a hand in the increasing the number of Asian tourists flocking to Switzerland.

Installed at the heart of Interlaken, beside the Kursaal area, near Congress centre, a bronze statue weighing 250 kilo of the late filmmaker was inaugurated recently by his wife Pamela and Daughter-in-law Rani Mukerjee. The event was attended by ministers and senior bureaucrats from the Swiss government.

T

easer for Rajinikanth's 'Kabali' is out and has emerged as one of the fastest viewed teasers within minutes of having hit YouTube. Within an hour of the release, the one-minuteseven-second teaser crossed one million views on the website, making it the highest so far for a South Indian film.

Also noted was when the makers unveiled a new poster of Rajinikanth, ahead of the teaser release, the film saw itself among the top trending on Facebook. With a smart beard and super dialogues, Thalaivar is back again to weave his magic on screen.

Sonam's special gift to Shabana on Mother's Day

M

other's Day is a time to shower your mother with love and gifts.

Sonam Kapoor sent a special gift to Shabana Azmi as the veteran actress played Sonam's mother in 'Neerja' and 'Raanjhana'. Sonam sent flowers and gifts to Shabana, her onscreen mother. Shabana thanked Sonam for the sweet gesture. She posted an image of flowers and unopened gifts that the actress received on Sunday.

One can see a bouquet of purple-hued flowers with white flowers in between placed next to two brown boxes. Thank you Sonam Kapoor for the beautiful note and custom made gifts on Mother's Day. Jeete raho Khush raho (live long, stay blessed)," the 65-yearold tweeted.

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Kalki loves to do a film about women AsianVoiceNews

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really well. We didn't have a very intellectual relationship, like people think we will be talking about check off and theatre as we both come from theatre backgound, but it wasn't the case at all.

We were most of the time listening to songs together and just hang out and go for drinks and stuff. We had a very good emotional connect in the film,” she said.

After winning a National Award for her performance in 'Margarita with a Straw', Kalki said she got a lot of appreciation from people and said she “hoped it will affect my future work.”

alki Koechlin would love to do a film about women, as long as its real and relatable. In a media report, the actress was also quoted saying she would love to do a commercial scenario like a 'Charlie's Angels'.

Gearing up for the release of 'Waiting' with Naseeruddin Shah, Kalki said they share a very emotional connect in the film.

“This time I think I was much more prepared for him and am more comfortable with him. It was really fun working with him because we get along

Katrina agrees to star in ‘Aankhen’ sequel

Asian Voice | 14th May 2016

K

atrina Kaif has finally green lit Anees Bazmee's sequel to his 2002 heistthriller 'Aankhen'. When she was offered the role initially, Kat refused the role down even with the stellar cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and two other A-listers. A strong script and a promise of a remuneration twice of her usual fee did nothing to convince her.

It was recently known that the central character of the sequel is a woman who brings the blind men together.

“Scripting of the sequel has been completed. Like in the original, where Sushmita Sen plans the bank robbery, the sequel too has a woman as the mastermind,” a source said.

Apparently this little revelation was what led to the 'Dhoom 3' lady change her mind. With her 'Baar Baar Dekho' opposite Sidharth Malhotra all wrapped up, and Anurag Basu's 'Jagga Jasoos' still in the works, Katrina has herself booked solid for the year.

A source close to her revealed, “Paperwork is still to be completed but an announcement will be made soon. Katrina is also on the verge of signing two other big banner films which will roll this year. She is currently working out her dates for all the three projects.”

Deepika setting temperatures soaring in New York

F

rom teaching Ruby Rose how to dance the Bollywood way, to clicking selfies with Samuel L Jackson, Deepika has definitely found friends for life in the crew for 'xXx'. The actress who has been since quite a while now shooting for her Hollywood debut, was recently spotted in New York with makeup artist Hung Vanngo.

Sharing their moment together on Snapchat, Vanngo shared a picture of the “flawless” DP with a caption that read, “Looking flawless like this at 6AM should be illegal @deepikapadukone #DeepikaPadukone #BollywoodActress #HungVanngo #makeup.”

While the 'Piku' star doesn't engage with social media much, her friends do most of the work for her. In recent updates, the leggy lass has reportedly auditioned for a pivotal role in the popular 'The Mummy' franchise opposite none other than Tom Cruise! A media report said Deepika had

Life comes full circle for Big B

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i t h l a t e Yash Chopra's 1978 film 'Trishul completing 38 year, Big B went down memory lane dedicating his latest blog post update to the movie and the circles of life. “'Trishul' completes 38 years of its release! 38 years is like an eternity, but an eternity that one looks back with great nostalgia and extreme joy...'Trishul' was 'three' in a sense and it quite ironic and coincidental that we have another 'three' a TE3N coming up again... the circles of life... they come back in time... you either need to be riding it or getting off the tread mill and awaiting its return to the same wheel.” Bachchan will soon be seen in Sujoy Ghosh's thriller 'TE3N' along with Nawazuddin Siddique.

auditioned last month and now waits for an answer from the casting directors. A source close to the project was quoted saying, “They are looking at other options.

Even if Deepika doesn't make the cut, the very fact that she was in the running for an important role in a Tom Cruise starrer is quite a high in itself.”

Earlier, there was buzz that Huma Qureshi had auditioned for the lead role opposite Tom Cruise.

However, the role went to the British actor Annabelle Wallis, who will play a n

archaeologist in the film.

Dream comes true for Nawazuddin Siddiqui

Ranbir getting ready to play Sanjay Dutt

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awazuddin Siddique's dream came true when the 41 year old actor got the chance to work with Sridevi in her upcoming film 'Mom'. “It's a special appearance but I still have a few days of work left that will take place during the Mumbai schedule. Filming with Sridevi, who I have been watching over the years, was a dream come true. Most of my scenes are with her,” said an enthusiastic Siddique. Trying new things in his next projects, the 'Badlapur' actor said “it was refreshing”. “Rajeev Surti has choreographed my songs for Sohail Khan's 'Ali' and Rahul Dholakia's 'Raees'. Dancing is new for me but I'm happy that the songs were shot without many cuts, it helped me put my best foot forward.”

R

anbir Kapoor who is ready to play Sanjay Dutt in his biopic, was seen spending some quality time with the actor's kids. Dutt's wife Manyata took to her Instagram account to share of photo of the 33 year old with the children. Talking about the movie lately, Sanjay said, “My biopic is being made and Raju Hirani is directing it. I won't act in it. Ranbir Kapoor will. So it will be a problem for him because he will have to grow his hair, will have to get lean and then make body. It's a challenge for an actor.”

Salman's Sultan' gets the Eid slot all to itself

I

n the much coveted clash between 'Raees' and 'Sultan' this July, S h a h Rukh has blinked first, making an announcement citing the postponing of his film to next year. Along with producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani of Excel Entertainment, Shah Rukh released an official statement saying, “It was not an easy decision to move the film. We understand that this film is highly anticipated.

However, a movie of such magnitude requires the appropriate showcasing and therefore, we have decided to shift our release date to 26 January 2017.” SRK has never backed down from a box office clash before, which makes us wonder why he chose to take the step this time.

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UK

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Asian Voice |14th May 2016

Willesden shopkeeper fined for selling illegal tobacco products

Drunk driver jailed after Christmas Eve hit and run

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20 Jupiter in the sign of Virgo

your work and health sector goes direct. You are likely to see benefits in these areas, as well as daily routines. Benefits may come through work itself, co-workers, or employees during this cycle. You might be especially interested in the healing arts, such as massage or aromatherapy.

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 It's an excellent period for

The owner of a convenience shop in Willesden has been fined for selling illegal tobacco products.

Ketan Patel was caught selling the goods without the correct health warnings at Premier Food and Wine in Dudden Hill Lane.

Willesden Magistrates’ Court heard the 37-yearold also failed to display tobacco products for sale in an enclosed cabinet as required by law.

Officers from Brent Trading Standards confiscated 128 packs of blunts cigars, 80 pouches of hand rolling tobacco and 57 packets of cigarettes, all

without the mandatory health warnings in English.

Last week the shopkeeper, who lives in South Ruislip was fined £1,600 and ordered to pay costs of £1,081 for the offences.

Cllr James Denselow, Brent Council’s cabinet member for stronger communities, said: “Selling illegal tobacco products which don’t carry the proper health warnings is not just irresponsible, but it could also be dangerous. We want good, honest traders here in Brent and will not tolerate the small minority that try to avoid following the rules.

COMPETITION

Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy to perform at South Bank Centre Festival, in association with Rock On Music on Friday 27 May, De Montfort Hall, Leicester & Saturday 28 May, Royal Festival Hall, South Bank Centre.

To win a pair of ticket, in either of the venues, please reply to the simple question below.

S ha nka r-Ehs an -Loy were the music director for which of the following films?

Damaged Renault Clio in the ditch by the M4 after collision

A hit-and-run drunk driver from Shinfield who rear ended another car on Christmas Eve and caused it to flip into a ditch has been jailed for eight months.

Harjeevan Randhawa, of Salmond Road, was sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Tuesday, May 3 after he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving while over the prescribed limit of alcohol.

The 26-year-old was driving an Audi westbound between Junctions 10 and 11 on the M4 on Thursday, December 24 last year when he crash into the back of a Renault Clio in the middle lane.

The Clio crossed the carriageway and flipped into a ditch. The married couple inside, who were on there way to see family at Christmas, suffered cuts and bruises.

The female passenger, who is her 30s, also sustain an arm injury which she

still receives physiotherapy for.

Mr Randhawa fled the scene but was arrested at his home. His damaged car was seen parked on the front driveway.

At the court he was given an eight-month sentence for dangerous driving and disqualified from driving for five years and four months. He will then have to pass an extended test to get a licence. He was also given two months for driving while over the prescribed limit of alcohol, but the sentences will run concurrently.

Harjeevan Randhawa's damaged vehicle

Kal Ho Naa Ho Devdas l Swades l

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GEMINI May 22 - June 22 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.

At work sometimes a little upheaval and chaos is exactly what you need to set things right again.

There’s no need to be complacent: the time is now.

Unpredictable energies continue to influence your health sector, bringing erratic highs and lows. The key for you as always is to remain calm and collected.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

You are in a brilliant period for increasing your earning power and you'll be busy taking charge of your finances. Achieving a sense of security becomes a priority. Although there is a lot of sorting out to be done in your relationship sector, it will not phase you as so many issues have already be dealt with.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23

From May 9th, Jupiter went direct in your solar first house. This exciting transit will improve your immediate environment and self-confidence. It also heightens your optimism and generosity, and the entire transit will make you more relaxed. You create a distinct first impression on others, and your likeability increases.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

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increased energy and motivation, so that new endeavors, whether they are business or health-related, or personal, fare especially well. You are more decisive and forward-looking now, and you feel that your decisions are right. With Venus in your sign, love should be blossoming.

Responsibility is your key word, especially at work.

Set your own goals, rather than trying to meet those set by someone else. Your ability to manage what you have on your plate earns respect from others around you.

You will benefit in every way if you learn to self-discipline and pace yourself wisely.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

Venus, the planet of love and beauty, is transiting your solar 7th house. You have plenty of romantic options. Financially you are still not out of the woods, so do not be hasty when buying At work you will experience a relaxed atmosphere and this will help you to get on with everyone around you.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

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SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21

There may be a discrepancy between the energy you put out and the actual result achieved. You can do much to minimise this effect by avoiding distractions and concentrating on only what is most essential at a day-to-day level. Try to take things in your stride rather than anticipating what might happen.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20

You will continue to be in a restless mood for some time to come. This makes you impatient with restrictions and even more determined to cut your own path. Do not get over-anxious if everything seems to be in slow motion - it is time to pull a few strings. You are likely to experience some tension in close relationships..

You need patience this week. You have been stepping on people's toes and it may be upsetting everyone around you. Calm down and you'll find that everything works out much more easily. You need to to settle down and remember patience brings happiness and new friends.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

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.

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India drop a place each in ODI, T20I cricket rankings AsianVoiceNews

India have dropped a place both in the One-Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) rankings to be fourth and second respectively, according to the International Cricket Council (ICC). South Africa have overtaken India, who lost the ODI series in Australia in January, to move into third position as the results from 2012-13 have been dropped, while results from 2014-15 have been reduced to a weighting of 50 per cent. India now have 109 points, while South Africa have 112 points.

World Cup 2015 finalists Australia and New Zealand have retained the top two positions on the ODI rankings. Australia, who won

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

their fifth World Cup title in Melbourne last year, are now sitting on 124 points after dropping two points to lead New Zealand by 11 points.

The West Indies have exchanged places with Pakistan to push the 1992 World Cup winners out of the top eight, to the ninth spot. Other sides to gain following the annual update include sixth-ranked

England (103, up two), seventh-ranked Bangladesh (98, up one), eighth-ranked West Indies (88, up two), 10th-ranked Afghanistan (51, up four) and 11th-ranked Zimbabwe (47, up two).

Meanwhile in the T20I rankings, ICC World Twenty20 2016 semi-finalists New Zealand have stormed up the chart to claim number-one position

Keith Vaz, MP MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR LEICESTER EAST

for the first time. They have consequently vaulted two places to join India on 132 points. However, when the ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point, then New Zealand are ahead of Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side by +0.21. Kane Williamson's side has gained 12 points following the annual update, while reigning champions West Indies have slipped to the third spot after conceding three points. The main reason for the West Indies' slip is that their results from the 201213 season, which includes victory in the ICC World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012, have now b e e n dropped.

Leicester on Top of the World

If you were the man on the moon on Saturday, 7 May at 5.30 pm, there is only one place on earth that you would have been focused on. The King Power stadium literally exploded with an ocean of joy as the Premier League trophy was lifted.

There are few things that Britain loves more than the triumph of the true underdog. The plucky, determined, indefatigable competitor is the hero across film, literature and sport, but this has not been the case for the English Premier League title for such a long time.

UNTIL NOW Leicester City Football Club, on the brink of administration only a few years ago, with multiple managers and owners in the last ten years, who made the great escape last season, with 5000-1 odds on winning the title this year, have made footballing history by winning the title, 10 points clear of their nearest rivals Tottenham, and 1000 decibels ahead in our celebrations.

It is a huge moment for Leicester, for football and for sport. Now is Leicester's time for global recognition.

TIGERS AND FOXES Our city is no slouch when it comes to sport. Leicester has seen triumph with the Leicester Tigers, the most successful English rugby club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, being English champions a record 10 times. Mark Selby has added to the celebrations in Leicester when on 2nd May he won a second World Snooker Championship.

Whilst this may be their greatest triumph, by no means has Leicester City

Football Club been anonymous during its 132 year history. The club has a joint-highest seven secondtier titles and are 3 time winners of the League Cup (as recently as 1997 and 2000 under Martin O'Neill).

However, and with the greatest respect to the Championship, League Cup and of course to the English Rugby League, there is something special about the Premier League. It is the globe's premier club sporting competition, the most watched national sporting league ever, and one of the richest.

Indeed, when we talk about money, Leicester's team costs the club £57m a year, a quarter of that at Manchester United or Manchester City. This is not just any sporting triumph, this is David beating several Goliaths.

Clubs across the country with much more money than Leicester will be wondering how the club found players like Vardy, Mahrez and Kante, who are now global megastars. Others will recognise the masterstroke of hiring Claudio Ranieri, an ambitious and controversial decision.

For this, huge credit must go to Leicester's owner, Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who since taking charge in 2010, has made miracles happen at the King Power Stadium and brought families back to football. He with his son Aiyawatt, called 'Top' in Leicester, have been everpresent at training sessions and matches.

LEICESTER'S MOMENT For those of us living in, familiar with, or representing the city of Leicester, this win also means something much deeper, emo-

tional and existential.

Many people have commented that Leicester is a small, quiet city in the Midlands, often overshadowed by its neighbour Nottingham. They would be wrong. Apart from sport, it is now the home of Richard III, the National Space Centre, and we have won the X-Factor with Sam Bailey. Leicester's cityscape has developed remarkably under the leadership of its mayor Sir Peter Soulsby.

I have represented the city for over 28 years with pride. Time and time again, it proves itself to be a dynamic, welcoming and unique city. And on a Bank Holiday Monday, when an Eden Hazard goal for Chelsea confirmed Leicester City's status as Premier League Champions, the city shook with joy. A moment I and many others will never forget.

BRITAIN'S HEART In many ways, Leicester is a mirror of the world. It is probably one of the most multicultural cities in Europe, where a rainbow of communities live together in harmony. Its history and its progress has been shaped by the arrival of ethnic minorities communities, working in harmony with all other communities.

In fact, the team and its owners demonstrate this, with a Thai owner, an Italian Manager, an Irish Chief Executive, Susan Whelan, a Captain with origins in Jamaica, Wes Morgan, and a flourishing academy which draws upon players from the local community.

Leicester has a distinctive culture that these groups have brought with them. Our city is home to

the most delicious curries in Britain, the most incredible jewellery shops on the Golden Mile, and some of the most beautiful and unique religious buildings in the country.

There are few other cities in the world where the passion for rugby and football runs alongside a love for Bollywood. The average house in the city may well contain a poster of Kasper Schmeichel opposite one of Amitabh Bachchan.

When it demonstrates time and time again its tolerance and sense of community, it effortlessly promotes the best our country has to offer. Leicester's greatest strength is that it combines its unique and distinctive qualities with being a very English city, indeed I would say at the heart of Britain.

THE FUTURE Leicester should enjoy this moment. After the victory, Prime Minister David Cameron opened his question time in Parliament with a glowing tribute to the Football Club, a gracious gesture from someone whose team had just been relegated!

And with the success of the Foxes, the city itself will at last get the recognition it deserves. When people across the world spin a globe, they will point to Leicester; when they visit the United Kingdom, they may now make the journey to the centre of world club football, the King Power stadium.

Leicester's motto, 'Semper Eadem' means 'Always the Same'. This is a rare moment to disagree with history, but things are not the same in Leicester any more, and they will never be again.

SPORT Asian Voice | 14th May 2016

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Mahrez to stay with Leicester

Riyad Mahrez, who played a key role in Leicester City’s success in Premier League, told the owners that he wants to stay with the football club during the next season. There were speculations over his continuance after his agent said that he was not sure about Mahrez's stay in the club during the next season.

However, club vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, son of billionaire owner Vichai, said he has already been given reassurances by the Algeria international. “I want the players to enjoy this moment and not be concerned about their contracts,” Srivaddhanaprabha was quoted as saying. “They are good boys and they understand. Even Mahrez, I talked to him and said, ‘Are you concerned?’ He said ‘No, no, I want to stay’. This is what he wants, he wants to stay. It depends on the players and the clubs who want them, but we have no policy to sell the players and we don’t have a problem with money. We will try everything that we can to build the team and to secure the same group of players and add some quality.” Mahrez, 25, has been one of the club’s best performers and his 17 league goals and 11 assists earned him the PFA Player of the Year award as they won their first top-flight title. British media reported that the club will discuss new contracts to reward key players like Mahrez, N’Golo Kante, Wes Morgan, Robert Huth and Danny Drinkwater.

Yuvraj touches Sachin's feet, yet again

Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh never fails an opportunity to show the respect he has for batting legend Sachin Tendulkar. On Sunday, the left-hander was once again spotted touching Tendulkar's feet during the Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad game in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2016.

Even in the past, during the Lord's Bicentenary celebration match in July 2014, Yuvi represented the Rest of the World team while Tendulkar was captain of the Marylebone Cricket Club. Yuvraj hammered 132 off 134 balls and was finally dismissed by Tendulkar. As he was leaving the crease, he touched Tendulkar's feet.

Yuvi played his second match of the IPL 2016 for his new franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday, where he hit 39 runs off just 23 balls.

SA's Arthur named new Pak coach

Pakistan have appointed South African Mickey Arthur as head coach of their national cricket team, replacing Waqar Younis who resigned after a disastrous World Twenty20 last month.

“Arthur has confirmed his acceptance of the post of Head Coach of the Pakistan National Cricket team after a detailed and transparent process,” the PCB said in a statement. “The modalities vis-à-vis his contract are being finalised. It is expected that Arthur will be able to join the PCB toward the end of this month,” the statement added. Arthur, who turns 48 later this month, successfully coached South Africa from 2005-10 before migrating to Australia, where he remained coach for 19 months.

IPL 2016 points table

Team Gujarat Lions Sunrisers Knight Riders Daredevils Indians Royal Challengers Rising Pune Supergiants Kings XI

M 11 9 10 9 10 9 10 10

W 7 6 6 5 5 4 3 3

L 4 3 4 4 5 5 7 7

NRR -0.138 0.609 0.206 0.309 -0.447 0.032 0.118 -0.567

Pts 14 12 12 10 10 8 6 6

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Asian Voice | 14th May 2016

Lions beat Knight Riders, top points table

Gujarat Lions snapped their three-match losing streak with a five-wicket win over the hosts Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League game at Eden Gardens to top the points table. The Kinght Riders were rattled early after being asked to bat but managed to post 158 for 4 on a tricky surface. Sensible play from the Lions meant they made the race for a Top 2 finish even more interesting and a three-way contest between Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders and their side. Earlier in the day, David Warner's side hammered Mumbai Indians by 85 runs to jump to second spot.

If the Lions walked into the field with the three losses in mind, that certainly didn't show. The energy Suresh Raina brings onto the field cannot be quantified but that certainly rubs onto the team. Electric fielding to back the street-smart bowling of Praveen Kumar and Dhawal Kulkarni meant the hosts found themselves tottering at 24 for 4.

On a track where the ball snaked around quite a bit in the first few overs, Praveen managed to rattle Gautam Gambhir's stumps in the third over to ensure there was no flour-

ish at the top from the Knight Riders - something that has been crucial for them so far in the tournament.

Manish Pandey lasted just two balls before being caught behind. By the time Praveen finished his first spell of three overs for seven runs and two wickets, Knight Riders had been firmly pushed to the back foot.

Amidst all the carnage from the bowlers, Raina pulled off a stunner at first

slip. Dwayne Smith got the ball to bounce just the tad extra on Suryakumar Yadav (4) to take the glove before the Gujarat Lions captain dove and completed a one-handed stunner.

What followed was a resurrection act that not many would have expected. Having lost four wicket in the powerplay, not many would have thought that Andre Russell will play no part with the bat in this match. Yusuf Pathan (63 not out off 41

balls) and Shakib al Hasan (66 off 49 balls) added 134 runs for the fifth wicket in 14.1 overs at more than nine runs an over.

The duo slogged, chopped, drove and hammered deliveries in their stand but things could have been completely different if Pravin Tambe had held onto the chance offered by Shakib in the seventh over when he was on three. Shakib cut the ball to third man and though Tambe did well to

2 Indian women wrestlers qualify for Rio In a historic feat, two Indian women wrestlers, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik, secured berths for the Rio Olympics for the first time. While Vinesh won a gold in 48kg category, Sakshi bagged a silver in 58kg class as they booked a Rio Games quota place each for the country.

This is the first time two women wrestlers from India have qualified for the Olympics. At 2012 London Games, Geeta Phogat was the lone Indian female grappler in the fray. In fact, this is the first time that India will be represented in all three formats - Men's freestyle, Female wrestling and Greco-Roman - at the Olympics.

Even before bagging the medals, Vinesh and Sakshi had qualified for Rio Games by virtue of reaching the finals of their weight divisions on the second day of the competition. The ongoing competition at Istanbul is the last qualification event for the Rio Games and only the top two finishers in each weight category are

Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik

ensured of an Olympic quota place.

With the two quota places, India has so far grabbed six Olympic berths in wrestling. It was a commendable performance from Vinesh, considering that she managed to put behind the disappointment of getting disqualified at the previous qualifying event in Mongolia for being 400 gm overweight. Let off with a warning after she had assured the Wrestling Federation of India of acquiring an Olympic

berth for the country in her weight category in this tournament, Vinesh fulfilled her promise.

She not only succeeded in bringing her weight under control but also came up with an impressive show en route the final to grab a place for Rio Olympics. Vinesh was overjoyed at having clinched the coveted quota for the Olympic Games.

"Going to Olympics has been my dream right from day I started wrestling. I'm glad I could achieve that today. It was-

n't an easy journey. I had to quickly cast aside whatever happened in Mongolia and concentrate on the task at hand," said Vinesh after reaching the final of women's 48kg.

"I knew this was my last chance and I think I just put everything I had into making sure that I sealed that quota and proved myself," she added.

A relieved Sakshi also expressed satisfaction at acquiring an Olympic berth.

"We had been training quite intensively in Bulgaria and I was making sure that I was mentally prepared for the pressure that this competition brought. I was in good rhythm after my opening bout and I just continued to do what I was doing. It was a matter of keeping my composure in the last minute of my semifinal bout against the Chinese wrestler. I am happy that I managed to hold on," said Sakshi.

reach it, he also made a meal of what should have been a comfortable catch after the brilliant first move.

If the recovery gave any hope to the home team, Brendon McCullum's onslaught quashed all of it.

Gujarat Lions got off to a solid start if not a great one with Smith and McCullum hammering 42 runs for the first wicket in 5.3 overs.

That the track had some spice for the pacers was evident but the Knight

Riders bowlers at the initial, and the crucial part of the chase, got their lengths wrong. Both Russell and Morne Morkel tried to bounce the batsman out but McCullum countered the move by cutting and pulling them over the fence with disdain.

At the toss, Gambhir had said that spinners in the second half are going to play a crucial role. His crystal ball reading skills were, perhaps, exceptional but what lacked was the execution. Though Piyush Chawla managed to fox McCullum and had him hole out at long-on in the eighth over, Lions managed to reach 89 for 2 at the halfway mark.

With 72 needed in the last ten overs, in a tournament that has been ruled by sides chasing, the visitors were firm favourites to win in a canter. The early onslaught had nearly killed the Knight Riders defence and what was needed was some sensible play and a steady hand.

Dinesh Karthik (51) ensured there wasn't any blip in the chase and a straight-forward finish to the game.

Brief scores: Kolkata Knight Riders 158-4 in 20 overs (Shakib-al-Hasan 66*, Yusuf Pathan 63*; Praveen Kumar 2-19) lost to Gujarat Lions 164-5 in 18 overs (Dinesh Karthik 51) by five wickets

Shashank Manohar steps down as BCCI president Shashank Manohar has stepped down as BCCI president barely seven months after being appointed for a second term in place of the late Jagmohan Dalmiya and is all set to take over as first independent chairman of ICC. Manohar leaves at a time when the board is being directed to comply with the Supreme Courtappointed Justice Lodha panel's reform recommendations. In a letter addressed to BCCI secretary Anuraj Thakur, Manohar said, "I hereby tender my resignation with immediate effect from the post of President of Board of Control for Cricket in India. I also resign with immediate effect as the representative of BCCI on the International Cricket Council, as also the Asian Cricket Council on which I was nominated by the General Body of BCCI. I thank all my colleagues and the staff for their support and cooperation during my tenure. I wish all of

Shashank Manohar

you all the very best in taking the cause of Cricket to greater heights."

According to reliable sources, Thakur is being tipped to take over the hot seat. IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla is also in the running along with Maharashtra Cricket Association president and business magnet Ajay Shirke.

As per BCCI rules, a Special General Meeting (SGM) has to be convened within 15 days, apprising the members of the current situation. It is the prerogative of secretary Thakur to call such a meeting.