AV 19th May 2018

First & Foremost Asian Weekly in Europe

Vol 47 Issue 3

R

19th May to 25th May 2018

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side 80p

KARNATAKA VERDICT HANGS IN THE FRAY

Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) became the single largest party in Karnataka election as it came almost face to face with the halfway mark in the state. The BJP won 104 seats, Congress 78, and Deve Gowda's Janata Dal (Secular) 38 and independents two. The state has 224 assembly seats, however, polling was held only in 222 seats. The seats of Raja Rajeshwari Nagar and Jayanagar are yet to go to polls. In major losses to Karnataka's Congress seats, several senior

H.D Kumaraswamy and Yediurappa

Congress leaders and ministers lost their seats. Even former CM Siddaramaiah lost one of the seats he con-

tested.

However, Congress soon flung into action and in its bid to block the BJP from

forming yet another government, has joined hands with the JD(S) to hold a combined majority of 116 seats. The ball is now in Governor Vajubhai Vala's court, and it remains to be seen whether he will invite the BJP as the single largest party to form a minority government or invite the Congress-JD (S) combine with 116 seats to form the government. In either case, the government should prove its majority on the floor of the House to ensure five-year rule.

Continued on page 17

MPs to support campaign against tricolour desecration

Full story see page 16

Dramatic growth of Asian entrepreneurs in The Sunday Times Rich List

Bollywood beauties sizzle on Cannes red carpet

Kangana Ranaut Sonam Kapoor

Mahira Khan

Deepika Padukone

Full story see page 29

Gopichand & Srichand Hinduja

Jasminder Singh

Full story see page 6-7

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Asian Voice | 19th May 2018

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Keith Vaz, MP

Kounteya Sinha Writer, photographer, explorer, globe trotter, public speaker, communications specialist and brand guru Kounteya Sinha is a multiple awardwinning journalist and one of India’s most respected and followed names in the world of reportage.

Kounteya was the UK and Europe editor of The Times of India based out of London from 2011-2015. Before that, he was a Senior Assistant Editor in the national and political news bureau of the Times of India in Delhi.

Kounteya is also a contributing editor of the world’s greatest magazine – the National Geographic and has travelled to over 70 countries. He has to his credit a 16,400 articles – from foreign policy, defence, espionage to arts and culture. The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi recently hailed his work on the diaspora live on television and radio during his famous “Mann Ki Baat” which was viewed by millions. He has interviewed dozens of presidents and prime ministers, Nobel laureates and the who’s who of the world.

Kounteya is now an internationally acclaimed photographer. He is presently on a year-long sabbatical finishing six books. Kounteya is now also revered as a brand guru where he advises high net worth individuals and organisations on how to improve their brand presence and value.

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

The one I am going to next. I am an urban nomad, constantly moving.

After staring at sunsets in one continent and waking up to sunrises in

another, I am constantly faced with a single question - where truly is home?

When I am in Britain, I long to be in the undulating plains of Spain. When I get there, I feel like enjoying the warmth of the winter sun in Kolkata.

I travel in search of home only to sometimes find peace and warmth in an alien country.

2. What are your proudest achievements?

Having had a privilege of being a journalist and a photographer – to be able to dig out a story that is trying so hard to hide and tell it to the world gives me my greatest sense of achievement. I became the UK and Europe correspondent of The Times of India in 2011 at the age of 32.

I have interviewed presidents, prime ministers, royalty, almost 50 Nobel laureates, whistle blowers like Julian Assange, tech giants like Bill Gates and his wife Melinda among a few.

I was the first Indian journalist to report on the Nobel Prize from Stockholm three years in a row and also covered the recent Russian conflict in Ukraine from ground zero.

Recently, I became the world’s first European Union Fellow on diaspora under which I travelled to 11 European countries over three months discovering and documenting the unknown lives of

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3. What inspires you?

The Impossible. I have a constant need to push the limits. Whatever seems undoable, unachievable and intimidating appeals to me the most. To be able to achieve a goal considered improbable keeps me going. I need a constant challenge.

4. What has been biggest obstacle in your career?

Time. There is so much to do, such little time.

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

Some great people and the open road have been my greatest teachers and influencers. I have been very lucky to have worked directly with some of the greatest names in the field of journalism – M J Akbar and Tikli Basu. My life was touched most by Jaideep Bose (Jojo), Arindam Sengupta and Diwakar Asthana.

Everything I am today is directly because of these three people. They not only taught me journalism, they also gave me the greatest lessons in life – the tenets of humility and hard work. They were my guardians and my mentors, my family and my soul mates.

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

Poverty, inequality, wastage of food, intolerance based on religion,

caste, creed and colour.

Democracy does not mean tolerance always. I wouldn’t keep terrorists like Kasab as a state guest feeding him. I wouldn’t entertain rapists and acid throwers. They are best wiped out. You can’t reform such people.

7. What is the best aspect about your current role?

The variety of it is what I like most. No single day is the same as the other.

I am on a sabbatical now finishing four large book projects. I have six large photo shows planned for 2018.

I have chalked out a plan to travel across 22 new countries in 2018 taking me closer to my goal of having travelled the whole world by 2022.

I am running a highly successful programme called LOF (Leap of Faith) that helps women achieve their dreams.

8. What is the worst aspect?

There is nothing I don’t

like about my life now. I am finally in the Utopia of my mind.

9. What are your long term goals?

In the long run, I want to base myself in the world’s worst conflict zones, telling stories of hope and survival.

I want to make films, write books, teach in India’s villages, start something to make the old feel wanted, help the poor by teaching them skills and above all rehabilitate women and children who have suffered physical abuse.

Maybe someday I will come to Britain and run for elections and join into the great Indian success story played out by so many before me.

10.

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

God. I am really keen to know how he/she keeps track of everyone’s lives and finds time to manage them individually.

Lexon UK acquires eleven Vittoria pharmacies Following a funding package from NatWest and Lloyds Banking Group leading pharmaceutical wholesaler Lexon has announced the acquisition of Vittoria Healthcare, a group of pharmacies covering the local communities of North Wales, Wirral and Cheshire. With pharmacy chains Knights and Norchem already in its portfolio the wholesaler

now brings its tally of pharmacies to 67.

In April this year Lexon's director Nitin Sodha was elected chair of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA).

Lexon has a workforce of more than 1,000 employees across its distribution hubs in Redditch, Durham.

Pritesh Sonpal, Director of Lexon UK Ltd,

said: “The purchase of Vittoria Healthcare, which has 11 pharmacies, enables Lexon to expand further into the North West and Wales utilising the existing distribution hubs. This further supports our core business that distributes pharmaceuticals to over 1800 independent pharmacies daily across the UK and Ireland.”

Eye drops vital during Ramadan The International Glaucoma Association is advising Muslim glaucoma patients not to stop taking eye drop medication during Ramadan - which began this Tuesday (May 15) - as stopping drops even for a short period of time can cause permanent loss of vision. Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions in which the optic nerve is

damaged, usually by excessive pressure within the eye. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to serious loss of vision, with up to 40 per cent of sight being permanently lost before the effects are noticed by the individual.

The IGA is working with the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) to raise awareness of this issue.

Next month (12-18 June) will mark National Glaucoma Awareness Week and anyone planning a summer holiday is advised to take their eye drops with them, as some patients either forget to take their drops with them, or think it will be fine to stop taking them while away, which could lead to serious sight loss.

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COMMENTS

US annulment of Iran nuclear deal guarantees global disorder President Donald Trump, America’s most recent gift to benighted humanity, has announced the long expected US abrogation of the Iran nuclear deal. The administration’s closest allies, Britain, France, Germany, and the European Union collective begged and pleaded with their American overlord to desist from this longthreatened action. The deal involving the Obama administration, and the four other UN Security Council members, the UK, France, China, Russia, with Germany joining in as a fully fledged partner, took nine years of intensive talks, before agreement was reached. The conditions were stringent. Iran would cease producing enriched uranium and hence pledged not to manufacture nuclear weapons. International inspectors would visit Iran’s nuclear facilities to see that the bargain was kept.

In return, US-driven economic sanctions against Iran would be lifted.

Behind the nuclear imbroglio is America’s true goal of regime change in Tehran, an ill conceived policy that has rarely yielded the desired dividends. History says so.

British intervention in France in the wake of the Revolution of 1789 prepared the ground for the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte; the British-led Allied intervention in Russia in 1918 was an even greater fiasco with enormous long-term consequences. Likewise, the covert US interference in Russia post 1991, following the dissolution of the USSR, and its support of Yeltsin’s chaotic regime in the hope of destroying Russia and the Russian world has proved counter-productive. American global hegemonic dream is grandest and most delusive illusion of our time. America’s avowed ‘exceptionalism’ is a heady brew that promises nothing but sorrow for the United States, and more so for the victims of US wars of intervention. The game goes on regardless: nothing

leaned, nothing forgotten.

President Trump has chosen to cast aside the Iranian nuclear deal as if it were a dish rag.

Tehran has deftly finessed America’s clumsy move with the assurance to its Russian, Chinese and European partners that the deal they have signed will be fully honoured going forward. There is thus much to play for diplomatically.

Iran is not a Gulf sheikhdom, nor is it a banana republic waiting to be subdued. It is a large country that extends to the Caspian Sea, it has a rich and enduring civilization and a tough people not easily given to surrender. There will be less international compliance this time round to US diktat. Russia and China, for a start will not accept such measures and many other countries, India included, will surely follow suit.

Where does this leave India? Its policy options need careful calibration. India has a close relationship with Iran covering trade and investment, not to speak of shared strategic interests in Afghanistan and Central Asia. India is constructing Iran’s Chabahar port as an outlet for Afghanistan to the Persian Gulf. A railway across western Afghanistan will ease the flow of commercial traffic. Equally significant will be Chabar’s role as a hub for Indian exports to the Caspian region, and thence to Russia and its surrounds through a rail network (also to be built by India) starting at Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas, the northern terminal point of the Persian Gulf If the United States can crack the whip with Iran, it can do much the same with India. It would be foolish in the extreme to imagine otherwise. There may be a velvet glove in India’s case, but beneath it will assuredly be the cloven imperial hoof.

Walmart in wedlock with Flipkart The media were abuzz with speculative reports of a union between US retail giant Walmart Inc and India’s largest online retailer Flipkart. Word duly became flesh as Walmart picked up a 77 per cent stake in Flipkart worth $16 billion. Phew! That’s quite a deal, the climax to 20 months of hard talking but a rainbow at the end justifying the means. The deal envisages $2 billion in fresh equity to challenge the current expansion and dominance of Amazon, the rival US giant. . It is the world’s largest acquisition of an e-commerce company.

Only the Vodafone-Idea merger at $23 billion exceeds that of Walmart and Flipkart. The transaction will lead to the largest vexit for private equity and venture capital investors in Indian startups, which stand to gain $14 billion by selling shares to Walmart. Only Flipkart cofounder Sachin Bansal will sell his 5.5 per cent stake for $1 billion and exit the company, while his partner Binny Bansal remains on the new board. The Bansal duo, college mates at IIT-Delhi founded Flipkart after quitting Amazon in 2007.

Departing Sachin Bansal posted in his Facebook: ‘Sadly my work here is done and after 10 years, it’s time

to hand over the reins and move on from Flipkart.’. The king is dead, long live the king’ Addressing Flipkart employees, Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon said:: ‘We hope to learn from you how to build an ecosystem, more about innovation and payments – we will help sourcing supply chain expertise.’

Interacting with the Indian media, Doug McMcillon said, ‘We couldn’t have built on our on what Flipkart has built.’ On Flipkart’s losses: ‘Flipkart investment is for the long-term. My job is to drive the topline and manage bottomline. I do this for ventures all over the world.’

Third party estimates suggest that the WalmartFlipkart partnership could create 10 million jobs over 10 years. Their deal could breed a new generation of entrepreneurs. What is abundantly clear, however, is that the Walmert bet on India is a telling boost for the venture capital industry, Walmart being a global strategic player.

It is a vote of confidence in India. Over the last 12 months, Alibaba, Tencent, Naspers, and now Walmart have a significant presence in Indian startups. The future is being unlocked.

Reflections on Pokhran II In May 1998, India tested five nuclear weapon devices over a week at the Pokhran testing range in the Rajasthan desert. Then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announced that India was a nuclear weapon state and had become so as a result of the efforts of its scientists and engineers. He also related how his Congress Party predecessor Narasimnha Rao had told him to go through with the tests, which he (Rao) had been unable to oversee the final stage because of various constraints.

At a time when history is mangled as a seasonal sport

by BJP notables, we may do well to remember the past in context with the present. India has come a long way in nuclear science and technology and in space, whose platforms were built by the vision and commitment of the political leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi and by the endeavours of scientists such as Homi Bhabha and Homi Sethna and their colleagues. Sethna was the architect of Pokhran I in 1974. India had mastered the nuclear cycle ahead of France and behind the United States, the Soviet Union and Great Britain.

The five Pokhran II tests involved fission and fusion physics. In no country was the decision to go nuclear debated so deeply and at such great length – India had the capability to explode the bomb before China’s in 1964 – but chose not to do. Over time the international

political scene forced her hand. India faced an existential challenge in 1971 with the strategic alignment of the Nixon’s United States and Maoist China, both supporters of their regional client, Pakistan’s Yahya Khan, irrespective of his regime’s perpetrated holocaust in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). The robust US columnist I.F. Stone commented: ‘The world has seen strange bedfellows before but never in a stranger and bloodier bed.’ During this standoff with India, the US dispatched its Seventh Fleet to the Bay of Bengal in an unsuccessful bid to intimidate Indira Gandhi’s government.

India’s response was Pokhran I in 1974, a trial run perhaps for nuclear weaponisation. The passive connivance of successive US administrations in Pakistan’s clandestine acquisitions of nuclear technologies through the activities of Dr A. Q Khan, and Khan’s threat – relayed through Indian journalist Kuldip Nayar - that Pakistan was prepared to use its nuclear bombs against India in any future conflict, that was the last straw. Pokhran II, May 1998, was India’s red line on nuclear blackmail The US-India nuclear deal of 2008 brought India in from the cold as a legitimate nuclear power. The deal was opposed in Parliament by the Communist Parties and then opposition BJP, but endorsed by the BJP leadership on coming to power in 2014.

Asian Voice | 19th May 2018

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Life isn’t a matter of milestones but of moments - Rose Kennedy (1890-1995)

Alpesh Patel

Donor Donor Childrens Life Saver

I wrote previously to thank the stranger whose kidney my father received. Now, a girl, not yet even 10, needs help – as do so many British Indian (Asian) children. But think about not having to die to save another life.

I received this from the girl’s aunt, with whom I had hosted the Asian Achievers Awards several years ago.

“Our world was turned upside down when we found out our little 5 year old girl, Kaiya, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of Leukaemia Kaiya urgently needs a stem cell transplant, if she is to stand any chance of surviving.

Unfortunately, her immediate family have been tested and are not a match.

We are making a plea for you to consider being tested to see if you might be a life saving match for our unicorn-loving, sweet hearted gymnast. It is just a free cheek test swab.”

Think of it – just a swab test.

Below are the services that can help with the testing process. We welcome anyone to be tested but have been informed that those from an Indian/Asian origin may stand a better chance of being a match.

Kaiya has endured 5 weeks of chemo, blood transfusions, high dose steroids, lumbar punctures and many more invasive and toxic interventions. Despite this, she is happy spirited, attending school and continues to look after her kid sister by helping her get dressed and giving her breakfast. She’s a fighter. Please join her in this fight, and help us save her life.

The auntie, Priya, continues…”Kaiya is our world. She is the kindest, big hearted person you will ever know. She is such a sweet, fun loving girl that makes everyone laugh with her infectious giggle. She is an amazing big sister and we are so proud to have her as our daughter. We want to celebrate her birthdays, see her graduate and have the happy and successful life we've dreamt for her. She is destined for big things and only you can help get her there. We are forever indebted to the kindness of our family, friends and strangers.”

There are 3 places that you can go to check if you are are able to help us or other similarly sick children: 1. Anthony Nolan - If you are between 16 & 30 years old – requires a cheek swab test which you can order from the link below today 2. NHS - If you are between 17 & 40 years old – requires a simple blood test at any NHS Blood donor centre but you must tell them you wish to join the British Bone Marrow Registry (BBMR) 3. DKMS - If you are between 17 & 55 years old – requires a cheek swab test which you can order from the link below today https://www.dkms.org.uk/en/register-now I am filling it in now.

Editor: CB Patel

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Two arrested in connection with death of Belgrave jeweller Ramniklal Jogiya

Ramniklal Jogiya

from Leicester, were arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods."

The 20-year-old man has since been released "under investigation", while the 22year-old man has been released with no further action.

Four men have previously been charged with the unlawful act manslaughter, kidnap and robbery of Mr Jogiya.

Mr Jogiya was last seen

Image: Chris Gordon

Two further men have been arrested in connection with the death of Belgrave jeweller Ramniklal Jogiya.

The body of 74-year-old Mr Jogiya was found in Gaulby Lane, Stoughton, on Thursday, January 25.

A number of people have been already been questioned and four men have appeared in court charged with a range of offences, including manslaughter and robbery.

The latest people to be arrested, men aged 20 and 22, were detained on Monday morning and questioned on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

In a statement, Leicestershire Police said: “Officers investigating the death of Leicester jeweller Ramniklal Jogiya have made two further arrests.

“A 22-year-old man and a 20-year-old man, both

Mr Jogiya, 74, was last seen locking up the family’s shop, Vama Collections, in Belgrave Road, Wednesday, January 24

locking up the family’s shop, Vama Collections, in Belgrave Road, Leicester, at around 7.45pm on the evening before his body was found.

Crimestoppers has offered a reward of up to £10,000 for information which helps police identify anyone responsible for the death of Mr Jogiya.

Fake and illegal tobacco found hidden in secret compartment in Leicester shop

Counterfeit and tax-free tobacco was being sold from a general store fitted out with secret compartments to hide the illegal activity, a court heard.

The illegal products were found hidden behind a false tiled kitchen wall, under window panelling near the till and inside an air conditioning unit.

The proprietor of the Shop and Save store, in Regent Street, Hinckley, Muzafar Sabir Sabah, was jailed for nine months. He admitted five counts under the Trade Marks Act 1994 and five of supplying tobacco products without a health warning, between June 2016 and January this year.

Leicester Crown Court

Locals Take To The Streets To Catch Burglar

A community of around 50 residents took to the streets to chase and catch a suspected burglar. Amazing scenes caught on camera of a witness showing members of the neighbourhood watch and residents pouting out into the area in a bid to track down the alleged crook.

In video footage residents can be heard shouting “I think we’ve got him, I think we’ve got him” as they surround Canberra Road in Walsall on the afternoon of Saturday 12th May. A man was arrested when police arrived at the scene.

Residents surrounded the street, blocking off every possible escape route with their cars.

Bally Sohal, who runs the Park Hall Street Watch committee highlighted the importance of such community groups.

Speaking after the successful arrest and huge turnout, Mr Sohal said: “Because it’s a Saturday and because of the commotion, everybody’s come out and that just shows you the strength of the whole thing, because everybody’s come out to help today.”

In a message to the neighbourhood watch group PCSO Tim Littlehales said: “At approx 2.30pm on Saturday 12th May a burglary took place on Birmingham Road past the lights by the Bell pub. The offender broke into the property from the rear. Local residents from the N e i g h b o u r h o o d watch/Whatsapp group attended the location to try to locate the offender.

“This is great work from all the residents involved and I have only received positive messages from all the residents I have spoken to”.

was told that Sabah, 33, was the leaseholder and owner of the business, which traded illegally despite a number of enforcement actions by the county’s trading standards department.

The defendant, a married father-of-two, who did not have day-to-day running of the shop, claimed his employees had continued to

flout the law.

Nadia Silver, prosecuting, said, in total, five searches were carried out, following test purchases of cigarettes and tobacco, during an 18 month period.

The illegal trading of fake or illicit cigarettes, at four or five pounds a pack, continued, unaffected by the raids, she said.

Call to shut down Islamic school that warned girls not to use tampons Birmingham's shadow education chief has called for an Islamic faith school to be shut down following a catalogue of failure and negative headlines.

Conservative education spokesman Matt Bennett described the Al Hijrah School in Bordesley Green as a "damaged brand" after it was reported girls were warned not to use tampons .

It has been run by a Birmingham City Council interim executive board (IEB) for four years since the school first ran into trouble amid claims of financial mismanagement.

But no permanent trust or organisation has offered to take on the school.

Cllr Bennett (Edgbaston) said: “No one wants to do it.

There’s been a catalogue of problems here over many years and the school has a reputation for trouble.

“This is of course a school whose improvement was closely overseen by the city council for several years.

“They have killed the brand, if no reputable Islamic school or trust wants to take it on then perhaps it should be shut down.”

Al-Hijrah is the city’s only Islamic school and caters for children aged from four to 16 and was once one of the most sought after schools in the country.

The string of issues at the school include: • being was placed in special measures in 2013 following an Ofsted inspection which identified failures in governance • the governing body was sacked after debts of £3 million were found. The IEB took over.

• Ofsted rated the school as inadequate in 2017 • Inspectors found books in the library which “included derogatory comments about, and the incitement of violence towards, women”.

These included appearing to advocate rape within marriage and allow beating as long as it does not leave a mark.

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Reckless Driver Jailed for Car Cruising at 90mph

Footage was captured on police dash-cam showing a VW Golf driver Atif Qasim flew over an island on the A47 Heartlands Parkway, near Star City, while racing a BMW. As part of Operation Hercules, tackling street racers officers gave pursuit and quickly pulled over Qasim and BMW driver Sajad Hussain on March 25 as they raced at 90mph.

The pair were arrested and charged with breaching the city-wide High Court order which outlaws street racing and wider anti-social behaviour like riding in convoy, performing stunts, or revving engines, blaring horns and playing loud music at vehicle gatherings.

Hussain, aged 27, admitted the offence at court on April 9 and received a suspended jail sentence. However Qasim, aged 20, failed to turn up at court and was rearrested after officers tracked him down through known associates.

Leeds forced marriage claim teen 'joked' of alleged plot

An alleged teenage victim of a forced marriage joked about her parents "giving her away" weeks before she flew to Bangladesh, a court has been told.

The 19-year-old was lured on a sham holiday on 3 July 2016 to force her to marry her cousin, jurors heard. Her parents, who cannot be named for legal reasons, are on trial at Leeds Crown Court via a Bengali interpreter.

They both deny charges of attempting to coerce their daughter into marrying without her consent.

The Leeds woman used her phone to send her location details to her boyfriend, who then informed West Yorkshire Police on 11 July she may be in danger, prompting her eventual rescue, the jury heard.

The trial continues.

Son demands answers in Saudi Arabia coach crash

A man whose father died in a coach crash near Mecca has claimed he is being kept in the dark by the authorities in Saudi Arabia.

Sabir Hussain from Preston was on an Umrah pilgrimage on 21 April when his coach was hit by a fuel tanker and caught fire near Al Khalas.

His son, Bilal Mir, believes the crash occurred during an unscheduled detour. Four people were killed. The Saudi embassy has declined to comment.

Mr Mir said: "I want to know exactly how it happened and why the route was changed. The road was not safe enough for the journey. That road has a high chance of an accident happening."

Twelve people were also injured in the incident which trip organisers Hashim Travel described as "horrendous".

Mr Mir said requests for updates into the investigation have so far failed to produce results.

Wakefield 'ring and bring' crack cocaine criminals jailed

Criminals who operated a so-called "ring and bring" drugs conspiracy to import crack cocaine into Wakefield have been sentenced to more than 21 years in jail.

Mohammed Jeewa, 31, Daniel O’Brien, 31, Christopher Garfield, 27, and Nathan Wharton, 24, and a 26-year-old man were all sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on Wednesday for their part in running the a drug dealing hotline used to import Class A drugs into the district.

The line was uncovered by Wakefield officers who stopped a car seen being driven suspiciously in the city in 2016, sparking a near twoyear investigation into a conspiracy headed by Mohammed Jeewa, from Batley.

He was sentenced to eight years and six months for conspiracy to supply heroine and crack cocaine and was also made the subject of a Serious Crime Prevention Order.

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Asian Voice | 19th May 2018

Businesswoman and mother-of-two found dead at home in Lincolnshire

Picture courtesy: Lincolnshirelive/BPM Media

Lukhbir Turner, 40, director of Crucial Trades and a mother-oftwo, was found dead at her home in Market Rasen, Lincolnshire.

The police found her body after her neighbours raised an alarm, stating that they had not seen her for three days. Lukhbir, originally from Wolverhampton, was living without her children at the time and her marriage had broken down.

Reportedly, her estranged husband had received a text from her that said that “there was nothing left for her”.

Her former partner, Christopher Turner, was initially a suspect after red marks were found on Lukhbir's neck, but as he proved his presence in Devon at the time of her death, he was cleared of the charge. However, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue had concluded the fire was deliberate, and an unused box of matches placed on the side of the bath raised police's suspicions.

The mystery surround-

ing her death was solved when a cigarette lighter was found in the bath.

The CCTV footage also showed Lukhbir Turner carrying a can of a flammable substance into the house. As the bathroom door was closed, the fire did not spread to the rest of the house. Lukhbir's brother, Amarjit Dhami, 45, told Lincolnshire Live, “She was ill over these last few years but prior to that she always had too much confidence. ‘Growing up, I had about five friends and

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she had hundreds – she was very popular and a lot of her friends went to the funeral”. Dozens of her friends attended her funeral.

Although she was in regular contact with mental health services and her GP surgery, the institutions were not able to prevent her extreme step. The court heard that she had taken three overdoses of prescription drugs in the three months prior to her death on September 5 last year.

Chair of City Sikhs appointed Honorary Fellow of the Edward Cadbury Centre Jasvir Singh OBE has been appointed an Honorary Fellow of the Edward Cadbury Centre for the Public Understanding of Religion. Jasvir has been working with the British Sikh Report in collating and developing reliable data about the Sikh community in the UK since the last six years.

His appointment also acknowledges the extensive interfaith work that he has carried out with both City Sikhs and the Faiths Forum for London since 2010. He is the youngest Sikh in the world to be awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2017.

The Centre was established in 2014 to enhance the public understanding of religion through distinctive and strategic research exploring the significance of religious belief and practice for public and professional life, working with faith communities and policy makers to develop informed agendas for social transformation. It is named after the Quaker economist and humanitarian who supported the

establishment of the University of Birmingham’s Department of Theology and Religion.

Jasvir told Asian Voice, "The world is going through very challenging times at the moment, and it's very important for all people of faith to better understand each other in order to resolve some of the most pressing issues in contemporary society.

The honorary fellowship will give me a platform to explore some of the ways in which those challenges can be overcome, as well as develop ways for us disagree with each other better. I also hope that it will encourage students and others to consider the social impact of religion generally, and perhaps even convince individuals to enrol in courses where faith is given due prominence."

Jasvir Singh OBE's fellowship at the Edward Cadbury Centre for the Public Understanding of Religion will entail, among other responsibilities, developing and modelling processes for effective

Jasvir Singh

analysis and evaluation and research co-production which will enable and empower faith communities to reflect critically upon their beliefs and practices and expound and interpret them to a wider public.

Other appointments announced this week include Dr. Simranjeet Singh, who is Professor of Religion at Trinity University and Senior Religion Fellow for the Sikh Coalition, and Mandip Sahota, social inclusion strategist and current Chief Executive of the Baroness Warsi Foundation.

6

RICH LIST

Asian Voice |

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19th May 2018

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Dramatic growth of Asian entrepreneurs in The Sunday Times Rich List Rupanjana Dutta

London based Hinduja brothers, Srichand and Gopichand Hinduja are listed as the richest Asians in the UK, according to the newest edition of The Sunday Times Rich List. The 160 pages special edition, celebrating its 30th anniversary, reveals the wealth of 1000 richest people in Britain. There are 83 Asians in this year's rich list, with 47 who are of Indian-origin.

T

he Asians on the list demonstrate how successful these business people have been with accumulated wealth among the top 20 of £82.8bn and an increase of wealth by more than £11bn.

Moreover, 94 per cent of those on this year's Sunday Times Rich List built their own fortunes, compared to just 43 per cent when the first list was produced in 1989. List compiler Robert Watts said this was evidence that "Britain is changing".

He added, "Today's super rich include people who have set up businesses selling chocolate, sushi, pet food and eggs.

We're seeing more people from humble backgrounds, who struggled at school or who didn't even start their businesses until well into middle age.”

The Indian-born Hinduja brothers who have been displaced to second position by chemicals entrepreneur Jim Ratcliffe, are listed with an estimated fortune of around £20.64 billion, compared to Ratcliffe's £21.05 billion.

The list under "Britain's definitive guide to wealth" finds that the 1,000 richest individuals and families in the country have a combined wealth of £724 billion - a 10 per cent rise on last year's figure of £658 billion, the billionaire count has risen to 145 - 11 more than last year and there are also a record number of 141 women in the list this year. The super-rich needed a wealth of £115 million to be featured in this year's Rich List, nearly four times the £30 million necessary to appear in the first edition back in 1989.

The highest ranked female on the list is Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken, who runs the famous Heineken brewery.

Out of the top 14 rich listers who are 'Giving their money away', donating at least half of their wealth to charitry, includes names like Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (£175 million). Lord Verjee (£165 million) is on No 23 on the 'Givings List' donating £6.3 million to education, children, social sectors and overseas, while Lakshmi Mittal is No 7 on the list of 'Ten of the

Biggest Charitable Giifts', donating £18.5 million to South Asia Institute, at Harvard University.

Some key Asians on the list The Hinduja brothers' biggest successes over the past year have been their Indian car manufacturer Ashok Leyland and the Mumbai-based IndusInd Bankshare prices of which have risen respectively by 49% and 27%.

However, the highest new Asian entry in the Rich List is the India-born Bavagathu Shetty at no 59 with £2.38 billion.

He founded the New Medical Centre (NMC) in the United Arab Emirates with his wife.

Entrepreneurial brothers, David and Simon Reuben, have moved down from third to fourth place, with a fortune of £15.09 billion and steel tycoon Lakshmi N Mittal has moved down from fourth to fifth place with £14.66 billion pounds. Sri Prakash Lohia, brother in law of Mr Mittal and owner of Singapore-headquartered Indorama group, with an estimated £5.15 billion fortune has been ranked at No 25.

He is followed at No 60 by retailers Simon, Bobby and Robin Arora with an estimated

£2.3 billion. Bengaluru-headquartered Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is on the list at No. 75 alongside her Scottish husband, John, with £1.75 billion.

Lord Swraj Paul and family at No 90 marked a significant revival of fortunes after registering a growth in wealth of around £840 million to an estimated fortune of £1.5 billion.

Other billionaires with India connection to have made to the list include pharmaceutical

Hinduja brothers

majors Navin and Varsha Engineer at No 96 (£1.14 billion), property tycoons Raj, Tony and Harpal Matharu at No 105 (£1.3 billion), and hotelier Jasminder Singh and family at No. 131 (£1.06 billion).

Britain's so-called chicken king and his wife, Ranjit and Baljinder Boparan, come in at No 183 (£746 million), followed

by Bhikhu and Vijay Patel's

pharmaceuticals fortunes at No 204 (£687 million), and the Jatania brothers at No 215 (£630 million).

Mukesh Ambani is the only Indian on a separate "50 Richest in the World" ranking, with £31.7 billion. The R e l i a n c e Industries chief is ranked No. 19 on a list topped by US-based Walmart owners - the Walton family.

Fashion tycoon Tom Singh and Family are at No 344 (£370 million) and Health supplement Vitabiotics founder Kartar and Tej Lalvani are at No 346 (£365 million) and up by £75 million.

Speaking about an increase in Asian entrepreneurs under the list list complier Watts added, “The rise of Asian entrepreneurs on the Sunday Times Rich List is one of the most exciting developments we’ve seen on the Rich List in recent years.

“Our first Rich List in 1989 featured just a handful of people from Britain's ethnic minorities so the rise of successful entrepreneurs from these communities has been extremely rapid.

“It’s striking that’s the Asian talent we’re finding is in all quarters of the economy: retail, fashion, hotels and pharmaceuticals

Jasminder Singh

to name but a few.”

Those who have topped the Rich List from 1989-2018 includes names of Lakshmi Mittal, Gopi and Sri Hinduja and David and Simon Reuben.

However the Independent criticising the wealth inequality and wage stagnation in the UK wrote, the top segment of the population has around 5.7 per cent of the UK’s wealth, while the bottom 50 per cent has just 8.7 per cent of the wealth, according to the Wealth and

Assets Survey, a national survey of the wealth of the UK population from 2014 to 2016.

They further said, while it took the members of The Sunday Times Rich List just four years to recover from the recession in nominal terms. Yet in real terms, average wages in this country are still lower than they were in 2007. There are 4.1 million people living in poverty in the UK today – or almost 30 per cent of all children.

Today, the wealthy are taking an ever larger share of the pie, with a much greater share of national income accruing to wealth owners rather than workers. Far from “trickling down”, much of this wealth is stuck at the top, invested in unproductive financial assets that provide few jobs for ordinary people, or saved up in offshore tax havens.

The Alternative Rich List The Sunday Times for the second time has made a separate section about 'inner wealths' in the Rich List. This illustrates celebration of people in the UK who find inner contentment, striving to make the world a better place, understanding one's inrtinsic values. They are described by Skoda's guiding philosophy 'Driven by something different'.

Out of 30 people mentioned on this list are six Asian names.

They are: ● British Bengali Fatima Zama, an anti-extremism activist, who visits schools to confront the stereotyping of her community.

Amika George

● Pakistani origin Plastic surgeon Asim Shahmalak, who spents thousands of pounds of his own money travelling from Manchester to Pakistan to help victims of acid attack. ● 18 year old Campaigner Amika George launching #FreePeriods, a campaign calling on the government to provide free sanitary products to girls on free school meals and lobbied MPs to include it in their election manifestos. ● 23 year old Social entrepreneur Julius Ibrahim who started Second Shot Coffee, a shop in London which employs and trains homeless people, giving them transferable skills to move into long-term employment. ● Shehan Hettiaratchy who has treated Westminster terror victims and Grenfell residents under his role as trauma lead at Imperial College Healthcare Trust in London. ● Anoushe Husain, a 22 year old Muslim girl, campaigner and paraclimber with one hand and complex health problems climbed equivalent of one and a half times the height of Everest for charity. She is hoping to join Team GB soon.

RICH LIST

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7

Asian Voice | 19th May 2018

ASIANS IN THE SUNDAY TIMES RICH LIST 2018 POSITION NAME

WEALTH

AREA

UP ( ) OR DOWN (V)

WEALTH & POSITION IN 2017

2

Sri and Gopi Hinduja

£20.644 bn

Industry and Finance

^ £4.444 bn

£16.2 bn, 1

5

Lakshmi Mittal & family

£14.667 bn

Steel

^£1.438 bn

£13.229 bn, 4

25

Sri Prakash Lohia

£5.159 bn

Textiles and plastics

^£1.182 bn

£3.977 bn, 27

43

Sir Anwar Pervez & family

£3.095 bn

Cash and carry

^£145 mn

£2.95 bn, 40

59

Bavaguthu Shetty

£2.383 bn

Healthcare and foreign exchange New entry

New entry

74

Anil Agarwal

£1.85 bn

Mining

£2 bn, 60

90 96 105 113 126 131 136

Lord Paul & family Navin & Varsha Engineer Raj, Tony and Harpal Matharu & family Zameer Choudrey & family Mohsin & Zuber Issa Jasminder Singh & family Mahmud Kamani & family

£1.5 bn £1.41 bn £1.3 bn £1.207 bn £1.1 bn £1.064 bn £1 bn

Industry ^840 mn Pharmaceuticals ^£210 mn Property and hotels ^283 mn Cash and carry and pharmacies no change Fuel distribution ^£100 mn Hotels ^29 mn Internet retailing ^268 mn

£660 mn, 19 £1.2 bn, 107 £1.017 bn, 130 £1.207 bn, 105 £1 bn, 133 £1.035 bn, 128 £732 mn, 175

183

Ranjit and Baljinder Boparan

£746 mn

Food

^202 mn

£544 mn, 227

204

Bhikhu and Vijay Patel

£687 mn

Pharmaceuticals

^£12 mn

£675 mn, 191

v150 mn

215

The Jatania Brothers

£630 mn

Toiletries and property

239

Abdul Bhatti & family

£540 mn

Cash and carry

no change no change

£630 mn, 202 £540 mn, 228

239

Adalat and Arshad Chaudhary

£540 mn

Cash and carry

no change

£540 mn, 228

287

Amit and Meeta Patel

£450 mn

Pharmaceuticals

no change

£450 mn, 275

300

Kuljinder Bahia & family

£427 mn

Travel

^£7 mn

£420 mn, 293

344

Tom Singh & family

£370 mn

Fashion

v£15 mn

£385 mn, 313

346

Kartar and Tej Lalvani

£365 mn

Health supplements

^£75 mn

£290 mn, 402

378

Apurv Bagri & family

£334 mn

Metals

no change

£334 mn, 354

387

Kishore Lulla & family

£321 mn

Media

^£2 mn

£319 mn, 369

388

Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia

£320 mn

Car parts

^£10 mn

£310 mn, 374

388

Bhupendra Kansagra & family

£320 mn

Industry and aviation

^£80 mn

£240 mn, 475

471

Sanjay Vadera & family

£257 mn

Perfume

^£67 mn

£190 mn, 598

473

Tony Fernandes

£256 mn

Aviation

^£72 mn

£184 mn, 616

477

Vikrant Bhargava

£253 mn

Gambling

no change

£253 mn, 450

480

Nitin Passi

£250 mn

Internet retailing and fashion

^£100 mn

£150 mn, 748

503

Rashid and Aziz Tayub & family

£244 mn

Discount stores and property

-

£250 mn, 453

547

Moni Varma

£218 mn

Food

-

£215 mn, 525

560

Iqbal Ahmed & family

£210 mn

Food

-

£198 mn, 584

567

Vipul Thakrar & family

£209 mn

Food

-

£201 mn, 565

584

Lord Alli

£200 mn

Media

-

£218 mn, 521

646

Koolesh Shah & family

£184 mn

Hotels

-

£178 mn, 636

669

Tarsem Dhaliwal

£178 mn

Frozen food

-

£178 mn, 636

695

Subaskaran Allirajah

£170 mn

Telecoms

-

£161 mn, 692

704

Anwar and Yakub Patel

£168 mn

Pharmacies

-

£155 mn, 723

708

Tarak Ramzan & family

£166 mn

Retailing

-

New entry

713

Lord Verjee

£165 mn

Finance and retailing

-

£165 mn, 678

728

Raj Sehgal and Sanjeev Mehan & family

£160 mn

Fashion and property

-

£160 mn, 694

764

Joe Hemani

£152 mn

Business services

-

£120 mn, 905

772

Pradip and Manish Dhamecha

£150 mn

Cash and carry and property

-

£150 mn, 748

772

Chai Patel

£150 mn

Healthcare

-

New entry

772

Kirit and Meena Pathak

£150 mn

Food

-

£150 mn, 748

836

Aran and Arvan Handa & family

£140 mn

Hotels

-

£137 mn, 815

859

Sharan Pasricha

£136 mn

Hotels

-

£135 mn, 819

862

Sir Anish Kapoor

£135 mn

Art

-

£134 mn, 832

862

Kirti Patel & family

£135 mn

Pharmaceuticals

-

New entry

882

Nemir Kirdar

£130 mn

Finance

-

£130 mn, 840

905

Nandlal and Deep Valecha

£126 mn

Gas services

-

£126 mn, 868

980

Surinder Kandola

£115 mn

Food

-

New entry

980

Hitesh and Dilesh Mehta

£115 mn

Perfume

-

New entry

-

New entry

Rich List 2018 - Young 50 44

£16 mn

Akshay Ruparelia

Estate agency

UK dresses up for the Royal Wedding this weekend

The Royal Wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry take place on this weekend- with last minute preparations and confusions about the bride's father's attendance. The ceremony, which takes place on Saturday May 19, will be held in Windsor.

This will be followed by a

carriage procession and two receptions, including a private one at Frogmore House in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

The Prince and Ms Markle have broken tradition by choosing to hold their wedding on a Saturday, as royal weddings usually take place

during the week. Britons won't be getting a day off, although pubs and bars will be allowed to stay open until 1am on the night before (May 18) and the day of the wedding.

The daily newspapers have listed the schedule of the day in details. The service will take place at St

George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Members of the public who have been invited to watch from the grounds of Windsor Castle will begin to arrive from 9am.

Instructions ban cameras, adding that guests will be asked to "surrender mobile telephones and any

devices used for image capture".

Ms Markle has chosen her mother, Doria, to travel with her to the wedding, travelling from their overnight accommodation to St George’s Chapel by car.

Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra is believed to be on the guest list.

UK

Asian Voice |

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19th May 2018

Leicester University graduate honoured by HRH Princess Royal for his conservation work A University of Leicester graduate has been honoured by HRH Princess Royal for his conservation work. Dr Munir Virani gained a Master’s degree in 1994 and a PhD in 2000, then under the supervision of Professor Emeritus David Harper.

The 25th Anniversary Whitley Awards Ceremony was held at the Royal Geographical Society in London. The Ceremony was hosted by WFN Ambassador, Kate Humble, with the Whitley Awards presented to the winners by WFN Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, in front of over 600 guests.

Dr Virani won the Whitley Award in Conservation donated by WWF-UK for his project: Game of poisons: a strategy to save Kenya’s threatened vultures.

Bowled over by raptors, Munir swapped his early prospects of work in a bank and cricketing ambitions for a lifetime studying raptors (birds of prey). In the past decade this has been focussed upon understanding the drivers of vulture declines in Asia and Africa, to inform conservation action. He leads The Peregrine Fund’s Africa programme. His recent successful scheme to mitigate vulture poisoning by engaging indigenous communities in the Maasai Mara saw cases drop by nearly 50% in 2016 and he is now poised to scale this up.

He said, “Our project offers solutions that safeguard people’s way of life, enables champions, and takes on a conti-

Dr Virani with HRH Princess Royal

nent-wide threat that is unprecedented for any other species.”

Dr Virani said studying at Leicester was inspirational and helped him further his knowledge and career – bringing his expertise to bear on conservation work.

He added, “I conducted my Master’s study at Leicester between 1993 and 1994 and then my PhD study there between 1995 and 1999, gaining a Doctorate in Biomedical Sciences and Medicine.

Both my degrees were by research which enabled me to conduct extensive fieldwork on birds of prey in Kenya and then return to Leicester to write up my theses.

“I was incredibly blessed to have Dr David Harper as my supervisor.

He and his wife Maureen took me under their wing and gave me tremendous support, both personal and academic – as did the University - that enabled me to successfully complete my graduate studies at Leicester.

Whilst at Leicester, I was also fortunate to be able to play Cricket and

Squash for the University Team that enabled me to travel to different parts of the UK.” Growing up in Nairobi, Dr Virani was engrossed with playing cricket and he has also now developed a fervent interest in wildlife and photography. He has over 20 years of experience in conservation and research on birds of prey in Africa and Asia. He is the Vice-President of The Peregrine Fund, a global NGO dedicated to saving endangered birds of prey around the world.

Paying tribute to his family he said, “I must also pay tribute to the enormous contributions and sacrifices made by my family, my colleagues at The Peregrine Fund and in Kenya without which, none of this would have been possible and I certainly wouldn’t be standing here now.

This award is as much for them, as it is for me, but most importantly, it is dedicated to our planet’s biodiversity, those that cannot speak for themselves but deserve our greatest attention.”

Two weeks of tributes fetches Grenfell judge £1,000 a day In a trailing inquiry into the horrid Grenfell Tower fire, Karim Mussilhy will speak to a packed conference room at a west London to introduce a film about his uncle Hesham Rahman. After, he will explain how the 57 year old diabetic was unable to leave his topfloor flat in the tower as it was being demolished by flames. The tribute will form part of the first nine days of the public inquiry, and starting next week, the inquiry is expected to run for at least a week, consequent-

ly costing taxpayers millions of pounds in legal fees alone.

It has been discovered that inquiry chairman, retired judge Sir Martin Moore-Bick is being paid almost £1,000 a day.

Other lawyers at the hearings can charge up to £220 an hour. The amounts may not settle well with local residents and survivors of the incident that occurred 11 months ago, as they already believe the inferno was caused by costcutting and official indifference to those living in

a social housing. Opening days of the inquiry are most likely to be charged as counsellors and paramedics on hand will help the distraught.

Official inquiry documents said leading barristers will be able to charge 220 an hour, while solicitors can claim up to £175 an hour. Moore-Bick is being paid £939.74 a day, a fee set by the government’s Senior Salaries Review Body. He will be assisted by 14 barristers aand nine solicitors. The inquiry will publish details of its expenditure

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Miss Marvel: Female Muslim superhero film 'in the works' Marvel bosses have revealed plans to bring the first ever female Muslim superhero to the big screen post the release of Brie Larson’s movie next year, Captain Marvel.

In an interview with the BBC, Kevin Feige said, “Captain Marvel’s shooting right now with Brie Larson. Ms. Marvel, which is another character in the comic books, the Muslim hero who is inspired by Captain Marvel, is definitely sort of in the works”. He further added that “we have plans for that once we introduce Captain Marvel”.

Fans are divided over who should play the character. In the comic books, Ms Marvel's alter-ego is Kamala Khan, a PakistaniAmerican teenager from New Jersey. She is a recent character in the comic book and was introduced in 2013 as a fan of Captain Marvel. Following the popularity of the character, Kamala Khan ended up getting her very own comic, where she showed

Picture courtesy: Marvel

8

off her power of elasticity.

The comic series written

by G. Willow Wilson and drawn by Adrian Alphona, marked the first time a Muslim character headlined a book at Marvel Comics, and now it is being planned to be brought to a global audience through the big screen.

The significance of this announcement can be gauged from the announcement of confirmation from Disney chief Bob Iger who said that the Avengers franchise in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will continue after the conclusion of Avengers 4 next year; a movie speculated to end a

decade long story arc and enable the retirement of major Marvel characters. A refreshing change in the Marvel characters on screen is evidently being explored

by Marvel studio.

Since this announcement of the Miss Marvel film, the comic book fans globally have been speculating over who should play the teen icon, despite no firm announcement of the film or the casting yet. The favourite actress to play her so far is 35-year-old Priyanka Chopra despite the character’s age being 16. Priyanka already voices the character in the mobile video game 'Marvel: Avengers Academy'. However, a few fans of Kamala Khan said that the role should go to a Pakistani-American rather than Indian, in order to portray the character in an authentic way.

May asks to “trust” her on Brexit Prime Minister Theresa May called for unity over Brexit, a week after Cabinet tensions erupted and a key party member labelled her “crazy”.

Writing in the Sunday Times, May said, “You can trust me to deliver. The path I am setting out is the path to deliver the Brexit people voted for. I will not let you down.” Things are chaotic as the May government fails to agree on what to seek in the exit negotiations, just less than year until the UK leaves the EU. To make matters worse, the resignation of a key ally has left May outnumbered in her inner “war cabinet” over her proposal for a close customs relationship with the bloc. It has been reported that at least 12 out of 28 ministers from her Cabinet are set to oppose her plan.

The PM ordered her ministers last week, to take

responsibility for resolving the Brexit customs dilemma themselves, splitting her inner Brexit Cabinet into two working groups to iron out their differences.

With two options being considered, either May's preferred plan would see the UK copy the EU's customs regime, which is, collecting EU tariffs and reimbursing businesses if UK tariffs are lower; or, Maximum Facilitation, or Max Fac as it is called, would set up a looser relationship between the two trading partners and use technology to minimise disruption and border checks.

While Brexit-backers prefer the second version, the EU is now starting to engage with May's proposal. Irish Deputy Prime Minister Simon Coveney said her customs partnership idea could be the basis of negotiation between the two sides. He

on a regular basis on its basis,” a spokeswoman said.

Moore-Bick also invited friends and family of all 72 victims who died in the tower on the night of the fire. The tributes will take different forms, with some relations choosing to read out a statement or poem, some introducing a video, and others leaving it to legal representatives to speak. Announced by

Theresa May the night after June 14, the inquiry will have two phases. The first will focus on events that night, including how the blaze was able to spread rapidly through the building after starting in a fridge-freezer on the fourth floor. Several survivors and bereaved are Muslim and will be fasting for Ramadan at the time of the first hearings. Inquiry organisers have agreed to provide

rubbished the option to rely on technology. “We just simply think it won't work. The only way we can find a solution here that means that we have a fully seamless border, with no physical infrastructure and no checks and controls, is to maintain alignment in terms of rules and regulations on both sides of the border,” he said.

Meanwhile, time seems to be running out for May to heal the divisions in the Cabinet. In her piece in the Times, she hinted that concessions would be needed. “Of course, the details are incredibly complex, and as in any negotiation, there will have to be compromises. But if we stick to the task as we will seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a stronger, fairer Britain that is respected around the world and confident and united at home.” prayer facilities and will place refreshments on a different floor from the hearing room.

Hearings for the first phase are scheduled to last until November, after which Moore-Bick intends to publish an interim report. The second phase, which will cover the refurbishment of the tower with allegedly combustible cladding, is not set to be completed until 2020.

UK

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Asian Voice |

An appeal: Could you be a lifesaving match for 6-year-old Kaiya with blood cancer?

Five-year-old Kaiya was diagnosed with acute l y m p h o b l a s t i c leukaemia (ALL) in March this year. She urgently needs a lifesaving stem cell transplant.

Kaiya’s parents, Ruchit and Annu Patel, are urging the people of Asian community to make a stem cell donation to blood cancer charities so that Kaiya has the chance for a stem cell transplant.

Their ancestry can be traced back to Dharmaj and Nadiad gaam in Gujarat, India. Owing to her Indian heritage, the doctors have said that it is challenging, because as an Asian her chances of survival are 30% or less due to difficulty in finding a match.

Kaiya Patel from L o u d w a t e r , Rickmansworth was rushed from Watford General Hospital on March 28, where she was diagnosed to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, where she remained for several weeks. This rare and

aggressive form of cancer affects the bone marrow – meaning her body is producing too many white blood cells. This type of cancer weakens the immune system and clotting functions and is fatal without urgent medical attention, particularly a stem cell transplant.

Before Kaiya was diagnosed, Ruchit and his wife noticed bruising on Kaiya’s legs, which Kaiya attributed to being “clumsy like her dad”. Later there was bleeding from her gums, which the parents thought odd and sought medical attention.

Kaiya Patel

Since the diagnosis, the little girl has endured a mix of chemotherapy, blood transfusions, high dose steroids, lumbar punctures and several invasive and toxic interventions. However, this has not stopped her from attending her school or taking care of her younger sister, aged 3. She enjoys running, gymnastics and ballet and according to her father, Kaiya has still retained her sense of humour even though she does not like the doctors’ “pins and needles”.

Nick and Priya Desai, Kaiya’s uncle and aunt spoke to Asian Voice about the lack of awareness about the stem cell dona-

tion procedure in the community. The perception of this procedure being invasive discourages people to register for it.

This notion is a misconception. It is a simple procedure that comes with temporary discomfort but no short or long-term health concerns. The stem cells replenish themselves completely within 2-4 weeks, as per DKMS blood cancer charity, and donors can get back to their usual lives within a 2-3 days.

Priya added that stem cell donation does not expect a sunk professional cost

on the donor's part. As mentioned on the British Bone Marrow Registry's website, if you need to take time off work for the procedure you will be entitled to reimbursement of expenses. These details will be covered in your medical interview when the procedures are explained. Priya recalled, “Kaiya's younger sister was also tested to see if they were a match. Kaiya held her sister’s hand during the blood test and said that she does not want anyone to go through 'the same'. She writes letters to God, praying that she gets better soon and that God takes care of her family”.

Unfortunately, her immediate family have been tested and are not a match, but support has been pouring in from members across the British Asian community.

Reshma Tailor, a UK-based entrepreneur, shared through her Instagram profile, “Yesterday I read Kaiya’s story and immediately thought of my little girl, Ava. I don’t know Kaiya and have never met her parents. Kaiya is incredibly brave but she still needs our help as a community. I registered straightaway and have requested a test kit”.

Asian Voice and ABPL Group appeals to the members of the Asian community to come forward and register for stem cell donation to help Kaiya regain her chance of survival.

There are 3 places that you can go to check if you are able to help her or other similarly sick children – (i) Anthony Nolan If you are between 16 & 30 years old – requires a cheek swab test which you can order from www.anthonynolan.org, (ii) NHS - If you are between 17 & 40 years old – requires a simple blood test at any NHS Blood donor centre but you must tell them you wish to join the British Bone Marrow Registry (BBMR), and (iii) DKMS - If you are between 17 & 55 years old – requires a cheek swab test which you can order from www.dkms.org.uk.

BAPS Charities also supports recruitment to the British Bone Marrow Registry and is organising events across UK for those who have not registered to register so that we can find a life-saving donor.

You can visit BAPS website for more information.

If you have relatives in India who might want to help Kaiya, they can register for stem cell donation at bmstindia.org.in or datri.org or mdrindia.org.

I

9

19th May 2018

Time for timeless teachings : Giribapu Shiva Katha in UK

n Sanatan Dharma, there are many paths to reach Ishwar. The Shrimad Bhagavatam (7.5.23), delineates the nine ways (Navadha Bhakti) in which we can lovingly connect with Ishwar, one of the steps is Shravanam. This is simply listening to the divine play of Ishwar and singing his glories that have been recited by a knowledgeable guru. The role of shravanam is to acquire knowledge that liberates the soul. Most notably, people listen to the glory of the lord through discourses known as Katha’s.

Katha is simply a religious recital of a sacred book. The reciter of the katha has been given the same respect as Bhagawan Veda Vyasa and the stage the reciter sits on, is called the Vyaspitha. The reason behind this is because the reciter normally recites the Puranas, Vedas or the Mahabharata, which were composed by Vyasa Muni, hence singing the glories in his words the reciter has the same respect. It is believed at the time of recital the reciter represents Vyasa Muni himself.

Shiva Mahapurana, is a Shaiva Purana.

It derives its designation from the fact that it eulogises the glory and greatness of Shiva, describes the ritual and philosophical principles of Shiva cult, embodies descriptions, sermons and dissertations on the greatness of his divinity, recounts his emblems, attributes, exploits and incarnations, narrates stories on the origin and importance of his linga image and dwells upon the merit of installing and consecrating that linga. In brief, Shivapurana is a sacred treatise of Shiva's pastimes and rituals. The extant text of Shivapurana is arranged into seven Samhitas with 24,000 slokas in the Kali Yuga.

The Indian UK community has been very fortunate to experience the Shiv Mahapurana Katha by the spiritual leader Pujya Giribapu in his own unique style and voice.

With the selfless efforts and devotion towards Lord Shiva, Ashwin Patel has once again requested Pujya Giribapu to visit the UK in May/June 2018 to provide Vedic knowledge and enlighten the Indian community with the timeless teachings of Sanatan Dharma and Lord Shiva.

The Shiv Katha dialogues and discourses focus on truth, love and compassion, a universal message that Pujya Giribapu has been spreading across the world for the last 22 years. Within these discourses, Pujya Giribapu inspires and motivates mankind to live an addiction free life, to respect every faith and human regardless of caste, creed, religion and ability, to end dowry and infanticide and to live in peace for the better of mankind. His spiritual discourses truly provide a unique opportunity to enrich all lives with the timeless teachings of the Vedic religion and culture.

In addition to the spiritual discourses, Giribapu has undertaken many charitable projects such as, planting over 100,000 trees, treatment for the needy families at the Multi-Specialties hospital in South Gujarat and protection for cows by building his own cow shelter. His devotion and work truly inspires bhaktas to lead a perfect dharmic life.

Devotees can contact Shivam Foundation/Ashwin Patel at +447949888226 for more information on foundation activities and to obtain further information about upcoming Katha schedules.

Hiresh Pankhania

Sikh scholar-savant assaulted by Damdami Taksal supporters in UK Sikh preacher Giani Amrik Singh of Chandigarh, who was invited by Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Slough, to speak on the teachings of the Gurus and the Guru Granth Sahib, was physically assaulted by Damdami Taksal supporters at Gurudwara Park Avenue in Southall, leaving Sikhs across the world angry and demanding justice. As per the Network of Sikh Organisations (NSO), his uncompromising stance on the primacy of Guru Granth Sahib upset Taksal supporters and they attacked him with fisticuffs, kicked him and his turban was removed.

As per the World Sikh News (WSN), Singh Sabha Slough is pursuing police p r o c e e d i n g s against the attackers.

Giani Amrik Singh hails from Chandigarh and is regarded by Sikh congregations as a scholarly exponent of Sikh teachings as enshrined in Guru Granth Sahib. Speaking about the incident, Giani Amrik Singh told the WSN, “Exhorting the Sikh Sangat to rise up to such elements, Giani Amrik Singh said, “If the Sangat does not stop these people

Giani Amrik Singh

in the ranks, there will be more such incidents, which will put the whole community to disrepute. It is time to make cause with these people without any delay.”

NSO spoke to Giani Amrik Singh who shared detailed account of the background to this violent attack against him. Based on this, NSO reported that the attack was due to Giani Singh's uncompromising stance on the primacy of Guru Granth Sahib and this offended the attackers from Tividale gurudwara

in the Midlands. According to NSO, the attackers owe allegiance to the so-called Dasam Granth in its entirety, despite the fact that it was compiled by non-Sikhs and some of its content extols the exploits of Hindu gods and goddesses. Expressing personal pain and agony, Giani Amrik Singh said, “I do not mind the beating, but removing my turban has really hurt me. I am a family man with sons and daughters and daughtersin-law. Facing them is not going to be easy.”

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READERS’ VOICE

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19th May 2018

Mayor’s Violent Crime Strategy I completely agree that we must do everything we can to combat violent crime on our streets. However, I take issue with criticism of the Mayor by my London Assembly colleague, Steve O’Connell AM, who says Londoners “need more than an ad campaign”. Mr O’Connell, who chairs the Police and Crime Committee, has also called for the Mayor to stop blaming central government, skirting the fact that our police force has been subjected to £600million in cuts, with more to come.

There is a real danger that Londoners are being fed a misconception that the Mayor and the Met have not taken action to tackle violent crime. The reality is that Sadiq has been the first Mayor of London to publish a dedicated Knife Crime strategy, has pledged an extra £110 million in the Met to keep up police numbers, and has also introduced a £45 million ‘Young Londoners Fund’ to prevent the most vulnerable kids in our capital becoming caught in crime.

The Met have also launched their new specialist violent crime taskforce and have been successful in removing thousands of weapons off our streets through Operation Sceptre. The criticisms from Mr O’Connell could be considered irresponsible at a time when the Government has continually refused to properly fund our police services, even during a period of crisis.

Jennette Arnold, AM Local Assembly Member

PM Modi’s punishing work-schedule Within hours of returning to India after his successful participation in “Commonwealth Heads of States” conference, Modi called a “Cabinet Meeting” at his residence to tackle ever worsening rape epidemic, especially for underage girls, so often hardly out of their teens.

One may wonder how come a culturally rich nation with glorious past, a land of Rama, Krishna and Guru Nanak has sunk so low that even minors are not safe. There are vast and various reasons and the main blame go to online phonography widely available. Even MPs and Assembly Members are caught watching prone on their mobile phones while attending parliament. Indian movies with soft phonography have also played their part. No wonder there is widespread anger and revulsion at the lack of action by the Central Government. It is now three years since the rape and murder of a medical student on a bus in Delhi drew world-wide protest. But in India, justice may be delayed but never denied, especially under PM Modi.

After a short cabinet meeting, a death sentence was agreed for rape of a minor, under 12 years of age and 20 years hard labour for under 18 years age, as recommended in POSCO report after lengthy investigation. The rape of eight year old girl in Kathua was the final blow, the last nail in the coffin of rapists. So often these crimes are committed after being high on drugs and drinks. So toughing of laws should be accompanied by social awareness and shaming perpetrators on national media, even public flogging should not be out of bound to make India safe, especially for female tourists who used to wonder all over India without a care in the world, as they used to receive wonderful welcome, especially from families they used to lodge for a couple of nights. Let us hope PM Modi and BJP will make India as safe and welcoming as it used to be just few decades back.

Bhupendra M. Gandhi By email

Stem cell donor needed

I watched a deeply moving interview of a father discussing the lack of Asian donors for stem cell transplantation for those who have blood cancers. There is a low number of people registered as donors making it hard for those from Asian communities to get the transplantation they need.

The BBC interviewed Ruchit Patel on Saturday 12th May. The topic would be a great article for your newspaper to write about and raise awareness.

Jaya Patel By email

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At gun point

Is NHS loosing it’s human touch?

US president Donald Trump had the cheek to make derogatory comments last week about knife crime in London when his own country is blighted by gun crimes. The shootings and killings of innocent people in the US far outweigh the killings with knives in this country. But he has a point. We understand from media reports that knife crime in this country is on the increase.

The figures recently made available indicate that knife deaths among children and teenagers have gone up again this year. They also indicate that knife deaths are a phenomenon among many black teenagers. The worrying figures published indicate that the number of knife crime offences went up by an alarming rate last year. For the mindless killings with guns which go on so often in the US, we get with knives here.

However, put yourselves in their place and we would understand why they want to carry guns. US people think that killers are coming to them and hence they want to carry guns.for self defence from possible attack.

People who are victims of knife or gun crime would probably live the rest of their lives on a knife edge, being jittery and afraid to go out any time of day or night. We had an epidemic of acid attacks not too long ago but very harsh jail sentences have put paid to that. Similar harsh punishment to offenders with knives would probably put an end to knife crimes here.

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Those who use NHS on regular basis, especially the elderly may have realized how our beloved NHS is losing its human touch, mainly due to enormous pressure on NHS staffs who are under-funded, over worked and not much appreciated by the politicians who pay lip-service, especially at election time. This government has even refused to issue visas to some 200 Indian doctors who are badly needed to relieve pressure on already hard working NHS doctors.

Recently one of our friends was admitted to NHS hospital for minor surgery. Although she is 91, she is in excellent health, rarely visits her GP and this was her first hospital admission. Having heard horror stories about procedures going wrong, she was naturally apprehensive and expected her consultant to put her misgivings at rest and give her confidence before being taken into surgery room.

So when Consultant asked her whether she would like to be revived in the event if something goes wrong, she was horrified, although this may be a normal procedure for elderly patients. But being extremely healthy for her age, she did not expect such a scenario that would drain her confidence.

She refused to sign consent form and asked to be released. She was granted her wish after a lengthy procedure and had the operation as private patient.

Although it cost her small fortune, she had excellent care and was out of hospital within three days, now enjoying perfect health and hoping to receive a birthday card from Her Majesty The Queen, on her 100th birthday!

It is time politicians of all parties come together rather than treating NHS as political football and give us, the long suffering British public the medical care we deserve, in line with French and German people enjoy, even if we may have to make a small contribution. After all it is a myth that NHS is free at the point of delivery, as we all pay for prescription medicine, dental treatment and eye examination, with minor exceptions.

Kumudini Valambia By email

Iran's nuclear deal crisis The Iran nuclear deal was a historic agreement reached by Iran and seven other world powers on 14 July, 2015 aimed at reducing Iran’s ability to produce key components in nuclear weapons - in return, crippling economic sanctions on the Middle Eastern country were to be lifted. The deal said that if Iran abided by the deal it would receive relief from the US, European Union, and the United Nations Security Council on all nuclear-related economic sanctions.

The unilateral withdrawal of Iran’s nuclear deal by President Donald Trump on 8th May, 2018 will have detrimental effect on the economies of the world. He did not even take the permission of the US Congress to take such an important decision nor did he consult the other signatories of the agreement: China, France, Russia, United Kingdom United States of America, Germany and the European Union. What Donald Trump is doing is throwing the baby with the bath water.

It took 12 years by all the parties concerned to negotiate and to get an acceptable multinational nuclear agreement, which went down the drain by President Donald Trump announcement of withdrawal. He even ignored the advice given by his own security advisors not to withdraw from this deal. President Emmanuel Macron of France and Chancellor Angela Merkel specially visited White House to convince Donal Trump not to withdraw from the deal at this stage when Iran was fully complying with terms of the agreement and rigid UN inspections were in place. Even British Prime Minister Theresa May spoke to him on the phone pointing out the repercussions it will have on businesses in UK. But it was like water off a duck's back.

After meeting with President Trump last week, French President Emmanuel Macron made two predictions: The United States would pull out of the Iran nuclear deal — and that decision would lead to war.

He could soon be proved right on both counts. Just hours after President Trump reimposed sanctions on Iran on Tuesday, dealing a body blow to the nuclear agreement, tensions escalated between Iran and Israel. The former President Barack Obama has called the withdrawal “misguided” and warned risks eroding America’s credibility.

If appropriate action is not taken by the International community, it will push Iran to start enriching uranium which is required to make nuclear weapons. So this action by Donald Trump will be fruitless and will make the situation worse rather than improving it in any way.

Baldev Sharma Rayners Lane, Harrow

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International endeavors Mr Dinesh Sheth is right about earlier low prestige days of Indians/Asians in U.K. As late as 1982, trend was that Asians/Indians were fit only for factories or corner shops. But this happened because migrants from India and Pakistan were as different as cheese and chalk as compared to local folks. Differences of language, social inter action and differing values gave a cultural shock to migrants. Those from East Africa who had mingled with colonial Englishmen and Europeans had no such shock.

Next generations educated in U.K. felt no such shock too, in any society. Second and third generation of migrants these days compete on equal footing, and excel, to the envy of local folks.

Thus Mr. Sheth’s speculation may as well be realised on very near future. Many Asians have made heavy inroads on pecking order all over U.K. From mere shopkeepers and factory labourers, Asian/Indians have progressed to levels of industrialists, business tycoons and Lords in Parliament. Free mingling of local and migrant dynasty may cause heavy reduction in snobbery, acceptance of migrants, and support such candidates for top post of Prime Minister.

If it happens in U.K. it will not be a surprise as Indians have reached level of Prime Minister in India and also in Mauritius (Sivoosagar Ramgulam), British Guyana (Chedi Jagan), Ireland and many countries in Far East.

But I have poor hopes of Indian/Hindu reaching this level. Hindus’ lack collective strength and discipline. Their agenda is to build temples rather than strengthening their footing in country of domicile.

Hindu youth need to be more streetwise, and wrench what they want from competing rival. God helps those who help themselves and not to those who feel content at scraps thrown by rivals. Such resigning attitude is the cause why we Hindus always have less advantage in any national or international endeavors.

Ramesh Jhalla By email

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Asian Voice-Gujarat Samachar along with Maa Krupa Gujarati School, organises elocution competition for GCSE students For the first time in UK history, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, with association and support from Maa Krupa Gujarati School will hold elocution competitions for this year's GCSE students from across several Gujarati medium schools, on June 17, Sunday, 10.30 am to 12.30 pm, at Canons High School, Edgware, HA8 6AN. All participants, who should be between the ages of 11 to 17, will have to speak on the topic 'My Father in My View' for 5 to 7 minutes.

Winners will receive iPad and other attractive prizes.

Dear Readers, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, over the years, has made constant attempts to maintain the dignity of Gujarati language and our mother tongue. While there are several schools in Britain, and other countries, that take Gujarati classes. However, the number of students appearing for Gujarati GCSE and A Level examinations are deteriorating by each passing day.

So, we have taken it upon ourselves to encourage Gujarati speaking, and enlighten the youth about the language.

In a series of activities scheduled for the future, this elocution competition is the first.

With the competition, we hope to bring together all students under one roof and urge them to share their views and thoughts with each other. Each child participating, will have to fill in an entrance form. All final participants will receive a Certificate of Appreciation.

Please send in your filled in forms by the May 31, to the Asian Voice-Gujarat Samachar office.

For further details please contact Kalpesh Pandhi- 0789 49 89 103 kalpeshpandhi@yahoo.com Kokila Patel- 07875 229 177 kokila.patel@abplgroup.com Kamal Rao- 07875 229 211 kamal.rao@abplgroup.com

Entry form for Competition organised by Gujarat Samachar in association with Maa Krupa Gujarati School Strictly for students who have completed GCSE Gujarati Exams in Summer 2018 Subject: “My Father” in My View (in Gujarati) Venue: Maa Krupa Gujarati School Canons High School, Shaldon Road, Edgware, HA8 6AN Date & Time: 17th June 2018 - 10.30am to 12.30am Name of the Student: Mother’s / Father’s Name: Address:

Postcode: Phone Nos: Landline:

Mobile:

Email Address:

Student’s Date of Birth: Name of the Student’s Gujarati School: Gujarati School Address:

Postcode: Last day of Entry: 31st May 2018 There is no entry fee for this competition but there are certainly attractive prices for the winner.

For competition details, please see the attached insert published in Gujarat Samachar.

Completed application should be sent by email to the following people on or before 31st May 2018.

Kamal Rao: kamal.rao@abplgroup.com Mobile No: 07875 229 211 Kokilaben Patel: kokila.patel@abplgroup.com Mobile No: 07875 229 177 Kalpesh Pandhi: kalpeshpandhi@yahoo.com Mobile No: 07894 989 103 For any enquiry related to the competition, please contact any or the above person.

Sharp rise in under-11s referred for mental health help

There has been a sharp rise in the number of children under 11 referred for mental health treatment by schools in the last four years, figures show.

Data obtained by children's charity the NSPCC shows that schools in England have made a total of 123,713 referrals for specialist help since 2014-

15. But more than half of these came from primary schools. The youngest child referred for help was three years old.

The government says its reforms will transform services for children.

The figures were released under Freedom of Information laws to the NSPCC by 53 of the 66

health trusts known to provide mental health support to children.

Issues children were referred for included depression and anxiety, sometimes these were so severe that it can lead them to the brink of suicide, said Esther Rantzen founder and president of NSPCC's Childline.

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19th May 2018

Boarding school 'sorry' for 'blacked up' slave photo A boarding school has apologised after a group of boys "blacked up" and dressed as slaves for a photograph.

Sixth-formers at the Oratory School in Oxfordshire, wore the make-up and costumes for their leaving pictures, which were published on social media.

The pupils were stopped from taking part in an "informal" photo shoot, but took their own picture, which was posted online. The school has apologised "unreservedly".

"The pupils involved have been punished as part of our disciplinary process.

"We will strengthen our tutorial programme to ensure that it is understood by all our pupils that such representations are utterly unacceptable," a spokesman said.

The school, which has fees of over £11,000 per term, told the BBC it takes a formal leavers' photo of its sixth-form students.

It also takes an informal photo, where pupils dress up in costumes.

A group of the boys had created "a tableau of a slave gang, with the white boys dressed as black slaves and the black boys as white slave owners".

The images were condemned on social media.

The headmaster and senior staff were present when the group tried to join the formal photo.

"The headmaster refused to allow the offensively-dressed pupils to participate, and the photo was taken without them being included," said the spokesman.

"The photo that was taken and posted on social media was taken unofficially and was in no way with the consent or blessing of the school."

The school said it was "extremely shocked and saddened" about the incident and apologised "unreservedly for the offence caused".

Grammar schools and faith schools get green light to expand

Grammar schools in England are being given the chance to create thousands of new places in a trimmed-down selective school expansion programme.

The expanded wholly selective schools will have to set out plans to admit disadvantaged pupils, perhaps by lowering the entrance requirements.

It comes after Theresa May's scheme for a new wave of grammars was abandoned due to lack of Parliamentary support.

Plans for new faith schools have also been announced. But instead of making it easier for religious groups to open free schools, ministers will invite councils to open faith schools jointly with religious groups, as

they have done in the past.

As with other faith schools in the state sector, they will be allowed to recruit 100% of pupils from particular faith groups. Grammar schools are controversial as they select all their pupils on the basis of ability tests, known as the 11-plus, which children take at the age of 10 or 11.

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MEDIA WATCH

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19th May 2018

Kashmir’s Shopian district was ablaze again following mob violence in the wake of a shootout between armed jihadis and Indian security forces. Five jihadis and five civilians died and 30 injured in the encounter.. The dead jihadis included Hizbul Mujahideen commander Saddam Padder. Also among the dead was a Kashmir University academic, Mohammed Rafi Bhatt by name. In a message to his father, Bhatt said: ‘I am sorry if I have hurt you. This is my last call as I am going to meet Allah.’ Separatist Hurriyat leaders called for a general strike and a demonstration in front of the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar.

Rampaging mobs in Kashmir Valley

Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti has called for a national dialogue. An innocent tourist from Chennai was killed by a stone-throwing mob in Srinagar (Hindu May 8).

As many as 42 men from the Kashmir Valley joined jihadi terror groups recently, according to government data.

Recruitment of jihadis gained traction following the death of Burhan Wani, killed by Indian security forces. Instead of targeting the recruits, security agencies now concentrate on eliminating the recruiters.

Security forces have recently carried out multiple operations in the Shopian and Anantag districts of Kashmir. The State’s ruling Popular Democratic Front (PDF) led by Chief Minister Mufti, and other mainstream parties including the National Conference have called for peace talks with the Centre to begin without delay (Hindu May 10).

It is worth recalling the ethnic cleansing of the Hindu Pandit community from their ancestral homeland in the Valley in the early 1990s. The true goal of the separatist leadership there is the establishment of an Islamist state in Kashmir and its surrounds.

The larger regional picture includes Afghanistan where 6 Indian national employed in a power project were abducted by armed men on their way to work.

Further information on the incident and the whereabouts of the group is awaited, said India’s Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi.

The Afghan government has assured India it will put its best effort, including an approach to the country’s tribal elders to trace the abducted men (Hindu, Times of India May 7, 8).

Mehbooba Mufti

years after the tragedy, the Pakistan authorities have yet to bring conspirators to justice.

Pakistan’s involvement with jihadi terrorism had weakened its standing global standing, said Sharif (Times of India May 13.

‘Continuing threat from Islamist terrorists’: EU official British diplomat Julian King, appointed European Commissioner for Security sope to an Indian newspaper in Brussels.

Apart from highlighting threats posed to Europe by Islamic State and kindred terror groups, Mr King, although coy about identifying Pakistan as a terror funder and trainer, spoke positively of EUIndia ‘information exchanges’ on terrorism and hoped this would deepen into all spheres of counter-terror operations (Hindu May 9).

Haryana, Delhi Storm alert A major warning of thunderstorms and rain led to a two-day closure of schools and government offices in Haryana and Delhi. Recent violent dust storms across Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh led to 90 deaths.

More such storms have it the area again.

A fierce Thunderstorm swept Assam killing three people (Hindu, Times of India May 7, 8).

Sharif’s admission

India poised for faster growth

Former Pakistan Prime Minister in an interview with his country’s Dawn newspaper admitted that Pakistan’s ‘nonstate actors’ bore responsibility for the Mumbai bombings of November 26, 2008, in which 167 innocent civilians died. Ten

India’s top companies, Adani Ports & SEZ, Dabur, Godrej Properties, Hero MotoCorp, Interglobe Aviation, UltraTech etc opine that India is poised for 8 per cent rise in GDP in the second half of the 2019 financial year. The predictions from

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figures in recent company balance sheets (Economic Times May 8).

NITI Aayog, Google In AI partnership NITI Aayog, the government’s planning body, is to partner tech giant Google to work on a range of initiatives on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in ecosystems across the country.

Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog, said: ‘India is embracing future technologies such as machine learning and AI to augment its capacity in healthcare, improve outcomes in education, develop innovative governance systems and improve overall productivity of the nation. NITI’s partnership with Google will unlock massive training initiatives, support start-ups and encourage AI research in AI through Ph.D scholarships, all of which contribute to the larger idea of of a technologically empowered New India.’ (Business Line May 8).

IIT Delhi to set up research parks The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi is to set up three research parks to facilitate design and development of advanced technologies, incubate more startups and promote collaboration with industry.

These parks will come up on the IIT Delhi campus and in Sonepat and Jhjjar in neighboring Haryana. The parks are to be funded and managed by the Foundation for Innovation Technology Transfer (Business Line May 8).

IIT-Madras in pact on machine learning Indian Institute of TechnologyMadras has teamed up with global automotive supplier Continental for advanced research in machine learning.

IIT-Madras has built capability in machine learning and bioinspired neutral networks, will contribute to Continental’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems business that provides drivers and passengers better safety and greater comfort.

BVio-inspired neutral networks are becoming increasingly important for industry and business. They help solve problems based on biological knowledge of how the human brain learns and processes information (Business Line May 5).

Akash missile

within five seconds of launching the first.

amazing government-led effort, said Michael Dell.

Improved seeker installed

State Bank of India’s Achievement

After failing to meet the Army’s st6ringent requirements, the state-owned Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) designed an improved seeker to enhance Akash’s capability, which the Army, following further tests, now says been achieved. The Akash system has also been inducted into the Indian Air Force, but the IAFFF and Army commands operate independently of each other. DRDO has designed the anti-tank Nag missiles and a range of Agni missiles for the IAf fron intermediate range to intercontinental range, and also the short range ground to ground Prithvi missile and its air to ground variant for the IAF(Business Line May 5).

The State Bank of India won the ‘Trail Blazer Award’ for its cloud computing-based data storage and for their innovation centre scheme to integrate Artificial Intelligence, blockchain to surmount red tapism and a Kafkaesque customer service.

The change in the past five years was once considered unthinkable. The government had become a torch-bearer of technology-driven solutions, sai Bell.

Dell technologies hail India’s record In an annual ceremony at Las Vegas for customers, Michael Dell, Chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies complemented India on its effort to transform the country and society digitally.

He felt inspired by the kind of initiative the Indian government had taken up to stimulate technological progress across India.

‘IndiaStack, for example, is a world-leading concept, and as a techie, I get very inspired by what India is doing. IIt is an

Congress mea culpa The Congress Party withdrew its impeachment proceedings against the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Dipak Misra - a foolhardy move in the first place.

Rahul Gandhi, the party President, should have stopped party advocate Kapil Sibal in his tracks. Mr Gandhi, who hopes to become his country’s next prime minister after the next general election in 2019, has never looked the part. He doesn’t fit the bill, and on current form as as a vacuous talking head, never will. (Times of India May 11).

However, stranger things are known to happen. Donald Trump is the incumbent of the White House, while centuries ago the Emperor Caligula sent his horse as his representative to the Roman Senate.

Modi on Karnataka campaign trail

‘Enhanced’ Akash missiles for Army Enhanced surface-to-surface defence systems will be acquired by the Indian Army, cancelling the order for Israel’s quickreaction missiles. An Indian Defence Ministry official said the ‘greatly enhanced’ Akash missile would perform to their fullest capability to the satisfaction of the Army. Akash can fly at supersonic speeds of 2.8 to 3.5 Mach [twice or thrice times the speed of sound] up to a range of 30 km. The missile’s kill probability is 88 per cent, now enhanced to 98.5 per cent by launching a second missile

Prime Minister Modi with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his sidekick, BJP President Amit Shah have been on the election trail rampaging across Karnataka, hectoring the electorate and vilifying the Congress P:arty and its record down the decades. Jawaharlal Nehru’s ghost, it would appear, continues to haunt the prime minister as he pours tones of manure over his distinguished predecessor’s reputation. Former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh chastised Mr Modi for language unbecoming of a prime minister. Mr Modi scorns the healing touch of Mahatma Gandhi, whom he reveres for public consumption. He views the Congress Party and its following as treasonous, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi chimes in about the BJP in almost similar vein. India is more polarized today than it ever been since Independence in August 1947. Such is the sorry state of Indian politics at the present time. O tempora O mores (Hindu May 6).

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India Inc announces action-packed 'UK-India Week' programme to accelerate global partnership The programme for the inaugural UK-India Week (18-22 June 2018) has been launched, featuring a series of events to celebrate the strong partnership between the UK and India, and act as a catalyst for promoting opportunities for future collaboration between the two global powers.

UK-India Week will feature a series of events and symposia organised by India Inc., including the 5th annual UK-India Leadership Conclave, a landmark event for identifying ways to grow and transform the strategic partnership between ‘Brexit Britain and Global India’.

UK-India Week will launch with the release of the second edition of ‘The 100 Most Influential in UK India relations’.This index honours and celebrates the achievements of individuals making a huge impact in strengthening the bilateral relationship between the UK and India.

In addition, UK-India Week will feature The High Commissioners’ Cup, an invitation-only, one-day golf tournament that will, for the first time, bring together key diplomatic and business figures from across the Commonwealth, taking place on 19 June 2018 in aid of HRH Prince Charles’ British Asian Trust.

UK-India Week’s events and proceedings

Manoj Ladwa

will close on 22 June with the prestigious UK-India Awards. The UK-India Awards are adjudicated by a panel of business and political leaders including: ● Lord Marland, Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council ● Hon. Barry Gardiner MP, Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade ● Rt. Hon Priti Patel MP, former Secretary of State for International Development ● Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises ● Barkha Dutt, Author and Broadcaster ● Edwina Dunn, CEO, Starcount Organisers of the very first UK-India Week seek to highlight the possibilities for the UK and India to have a transformational role in global business, international relations and innovation.

Manoj Ladwa, the British Indian entrepreneur and political strategist, Founder of UKIndia Week and Editor of

Winning Partnership: India-UK Relations Beyond Brexit., said: “In a time of redefinition around the world, the UK and India remain closelyconnected. UK-India Week is a catalyst to unleash the potential for business and cultural exchange between these two global powers and to spur them to further tackle global challenges together.

“India is fast becoming a driving force in global growth and the UK is starting to manoeuvre its bilateral ties on a new footing.

Working together strategically, the two partners can drive transformation in industries and international relations. To do this, we must rise to meet a number of challenges. The UK must consolidate its role as India’s gateway to Europe and tackle new barriers to free trade with India.

“As economic partners, the UK and India can be more than just transactional partners – they can have a transformational throughout the world.

Together they can forge even deeper partnerships on research and education, unleash the potential of the next generation, collaborate on new technologies and unlock new funding for growth. For those who want to be a part of these discussions and high-impact networking, UK-India Week will be unmissable.”

Cllr Kansagra becomes only Asian Tory councillor in Brent Cllr Suresh Laxmidas Kansagra has become the only Asian Councillor from Conservative party in Brent, having retired as Justice of the Peace after 27 years.

Suresh who was born in Tororo, Uganda on 10 May 1948, came to England in 1971 for further studies but political situation in Uganda prevented it. His family joined him in 1972 when all Ugandan Asians were expelled from the country.

He started working in DIY shop. Then joined civil service as Assistant Collector of Taxes with Inland Revenue. He start-

ed his family DIY business in 1977 which they closed in 2001.

He was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1991 and served the community as a Magistrate for 27 years retiring in May 2018. He is a founding member and currently Chairman of Kadwa Patidar Center. Kansagra is also an approved person to register marriages at Kadwa Patidar Centre and has registered about 300 marriages.

He was first elected a Councillor in the London Borough of Brent in 1998 from Barnhill Ward. He is a Kenton Councillor since

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19th May 2018

Lord Loomba CBE and Dr Mohan Kaul joined hands to build strategic ties with the State of Haryana

Ambassador Dinesh Patnaik, Dr Mohan Kaul, CM Manohar Lal Khattar, Lord Loomba, CB Patel and guest

Lord Loomba CBE hosted a dinner at the House of Lords in honour of Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Haryana. During the dinner, Hon’ble Chief Minister met a number of investors and dignitaries, including Ambassador Dinesh Patnaik, Deputy High Commissioner, Mr A S Rajan, Minister Co-ordination, Mr C B Patel, Mr Sarosh Zaiwalla, Mr Ravi Mehrotra CBE, Mr Vijay Goel, Mr Manish Tiwari, Mr Rajat Kapoor and many more.

It was an event to celebrate strategic ties with the State of Haryana, as 5 investors - GoodBox, Pontaq, Relmatech, Xelba and Zap Go, who were invited by Dr Mohan Kaul, President of Indian Professionals Forum (IPF), signed MoUs with the Haryana Government in the presence of the

Hon’ble Chief Minister.

Shri Manohar Lal Khattar mentioned that, “Haryana is open for business and is continuously improving on attracting companies to establish their foot print in the state. We have moved up the ranks in terms of ease of doing business from 17 to 6 across various states in India. It is in our interest to ensure that we support these businesses as we continue to demonstrate a growth that exceeds the national GDP”. Honourable Chief Minister also mentioned that he was extremely pleased about the MoUs being signed and has invited the British businesses on a delegation to Haryana to further crystallise the partnership.

Ambassador Dinesh Patnaik, Deputy High Commissioner mentioned that India is third largest

investor in UK and Indian Companies are the largest employers. He also mentioned about the Indian High commission’s new initiative to assist UK companies to access opportunities and partners in India.

Dr. Mohan Kaul, President of Indian Professionals Forum (IPF) said that, “IPF is so pleased to have crystallised the plans for launching a £50M UK India Innovation Fund. The fund is set up by a team of seasoned entrepreneurs and venture capitalists with experience in cross border technology transfer, specifically in the UK India corridor. The execution of these MoUs with the state of Haryana is a key milestone to strengthen the opportunities in UK India corridor following the recent agreement between the two Prime Ministers”

Sardar Patel Memorial Society UK had a Special General Meeting on 13th May 2018 at the Sattavis Patidar Centre in Wembley, London.

After the nominations and election, Mr. Kanti Nagda as the returning officer, declared the following as the elected Executive committee memebrs: Bhanubhai Pandya , CB Patel, Deepak Patel, GP Desai, Ghanshyambhai M Patel, Hemesh Patel, Jairaj Bhadranwala, Jayant Patel, Kalaben Patel, Mahendrasinh Jadeja, PG Patel, Rajesh Patel, and Sulochana Sethi.

Following three members were elected as Trustees: Jitendra Patel, Sharad Parikh and Sumantrai Desai.

Mr. CB Patel was,

unanimously, elected as Chairman of the Society.

Mr Patel will be selecting the Office bearers form the elected committee and would be co-opting four more members on the executive committee to

make the society more vibrant and representative of all Indians.

For further information please contact Kamal Rao on 07875 229 211 or by email: kamal.rao@abplgroup.com

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Asian Voice |

www.asian-voice.com 19th May 2018

Indian-origin entrepreneur conferred the Science Museum Group Fellowship

On Thursday 17 May at Tavistock Square, Dy High Commissioner of India to UK, Ambassador Dinesh Patnaik, r e p r e s e n t a t i ve s from the Camden Borough Council, Chairman of India League, Senior officers of India House and other dignitaries will pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi with garland and Bhajans at 11am to celebrate Golden Jubilee of the installation of the statue. All are invited. For further information, please contact: kamal.rao@abplgroup.com or call 07875 229 211.

Photo courtesy: Jody Kingzett of the Science Museum

Dr. Kartar Lalvani, the Indian-origin entrepreneur who founded and chairs Vitabiotics, has been conferred with Britain's prestigious Science Museum Group Fellowship in recognition of his contribution to the scientific world and philanthropy. The conferment took place at the Director's Annual Dinner at the Science Museum on the 10th of May. London-based Lalvani, whose company became the first ever vitamin company to receive the Queen’s Award for Innovation, said on receiving the Fellowship, “Even more humbling is the honour of joining such a distinguished group of truly remarkable fellows including some of the world's greatest scientists, from Professor Stephen Hawking to NRI Nobel prize winner Sir Venki Ramakrishnan." The recipients of this fellowship also includes Queen Elizabeth II, the longest serving monarch in British history as well as His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. He also fondly recalled his time at the Science Museum, and said that it was an ‘immense honour’ and ‘truly one of my life’s greatest privileges’ to accept the Fellowship. Dr. Lalvani added that “to be honoured by this renowned, iconic institution is the highest affirmation and accolade of my life's work that I could imagine”. He praised the museum for ‘continually works to engage and inspire new generations of scientists’.

Dame Mary Archer DBE, Chairman, Science Museum Group, presented a Fellowship to the Museum, its highest accolade offer, to four individuals who have made

Golden Jubilee of Mahatma Gandhi statue at Tavistock Square

Anand Mela 2018

has it all!

Kartar Lalvani receiving Britain's prestigious Science Museum Group Fellowship from Dame Mary Archer DBE, Chairman, Science Museum Group

key contributions. The first fellowship was awarded to HRH Princess Royal for her tireless efforts in encouraging young people, especially women. The second went to Dr. Lalvani. Sir Mark Walport, Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation, UKRI, was the third recipient . The final fellowship of the evening was awarded to Dame Margaret Weston in absentia, a former Director of the Science

Museum and the first woman ever to direct a national museum.

The Science Museum Group Fellows Programme was launched in 2009 as part of the Museum's centenary celebrations, to recognise some of the scientists and individuals who have changed the world through academic research, design and technology as well as scientific, communications and philanthropy.

Vyman Solicitors marks one year of strategic acquisition

Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar's annual Anand Mela will be held on 9 and 10 June this year. One of UK's most thriving culture festival for charity returns, the 8th edition of the grand two-day event will take place at the Harrow Leisure Centre. Anand Mela attracts thousands of people every year, and flaunts a variety of stalls for food, fashion, wedding, beauty, property and investment, health and wellbeing and others.

Assets India Property Show 2018 For those aspiring to buy property and homes back in India, Anand Mela will showcase the Assets India Property Show this year. In this segment, top real estate dealers and property developers from all across India will present prime flats, pent houses, villas, and plots, for your to buy or invest. There is something for everyone. Property specialists from Assets India will help you find your dream property with proper guidance and advise. Those looking for a loan to buy properties, will find assistance in this year's Anand Mela.

Anand Mela Health and Wellness Expo

Anup Vyas (director) in the middle with colleague of Vyaman and Borttrill Co solicitors

Vyman Solicitors celebrated their one year anniversary on acquiring Bottrill Co Lt., a private client Family Law Practice in Pinner, North West London. Last year, the firm welcomed Bottrill Senior Partners Michael Bottrill and

Zharna Sutaria to their team. The anniversary celebration took place on the 4th of May at the Batchworth Golf Club in Rickmansworth.

Vyman Solicitors have offices in Harrow, Pinner and Kent and provide services in a wide range of

areas including Commercial & Business Law, Litigation, Dispute Resolution, Property Services (Commercial and Residential), Secured Lending, Family Law, Wealth Management, Criminal Law & Motoring offences.

Call for Family Business entries Are you a family business in the Midlands? Then consider entering the annual Midlands Family Business Awards. The competition was formally launched at a breakfast event at the Opus Restaurant in central Birmingham last Wednesday. The Awards, now in

their 9th year, are the UK’s only independent and not-for-profit initiative for family businesses, created and organised by Wilson’s, a third generation family business providing insurance and financial advice. Again this year there are 10 Award categories

and each has its own judging panel. The initiative has to date raised around £32,000 for good causes.

Winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony in Leicester on November 22.

To find out more visit www.familybusinessawards.co.uk

Health and fitness has for ever been one of our prime focuses, and this year is no different. With support and association of Meditouria, the Anand Mela Health and Wellness Expo this year will be the service you never knew you needed. Specialist consultants and doctors from major super speciality hospitals and health centres from Gujarat will be present at the expo to help you better yourself. They will provide consultations on physical ailments and any kind of sicknesses. Not only Gujarat, all states in India provide the best in health care today. They boast of state-of-the-art machinery, and prime technology, increasing human life rate. UK's Meditouria connects itself with these hospitals and hearth care centres and provides help to those in need. For further details, please visit www.meditouria.com.

Every year, religious, and social communities from London and neighbouring boroughs participate in large numbers. It has been brought to our attention that this year too, organisations and communities are keen on participating. If you or your organisations are interested in associating with Anand Mela, please let us know on a prior basis, so necessary arrangements can be made.

Not only your client base, this will also be a unique chance to advertise your own venture. You can reach out to the vast Asian community in a short span of just two days, with Anand Mela. For more details on stall booking, contact us on 020 7749 4080.

Contact: Kamal Rao: kamal.rao@abplgroup.com 07875 229 211 Kokila Patel: kokila.patel@abplgroup.com 07875 229 117 Kishor Parmar: kishor.parmar@abplgroup.com 07875 229 088

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 19th May 2018

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NHS failure to call for breast cancer screening may have caused hundred of women to die, revealed Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

He told the Parliament that 450,000 women aged 68 to 71 weren't invited for their last mammogram between 2009 and the start of this year. It is believed the lives of about 130 to 270 women have been compromised due to the “administrative incompetency”. Hunt said the colossal error was only caught by officials earlier this year, almost a decade after it happened.

“A serious failure has come to light regarding the national breast cancer screening programme in England. The latest estimates suggest that as a result between 2009 and the start of 2018, 450,000 women aged 68 to 71 were

not invited for their final breast screening. At this stage it's unclear if any delay has resulted in avoidable harm or death.

Our best estimate is that 130 to 270 women's lives may have been shortened as a result. We recognise it is incredibly distressing for the families,” Hunt said. He said 150,000 of the total women affected have died. The 309,000 who are still alive, will be invited for a catch-up mammogram if they are under 72, and those over 72 will be given advice.

Women in Scotland are not thought to be affected as they use different IT systems north of the border. Even though Wales and Northern Ireland use similar systems to England, Hunt said, “neither believe they are affected”.

Serial killer Dennis Nilsen dies in prison aged 72 Mass murderer Dennis Nilsen has died in prison.

The Ministry of Justice said the 72 year old is understood to have died of natural causes at HMP Full Sutton maximum security prison in Yorkshire. Nilsen went on a murderous spree between 1978 and 1983, during which he is believed to have killed at least 15 young men, most of the homeless homosexuals. He was convicted at the Old Bailey in 1983, of six murders and two attempted murders.

Nilsen's victims would be lured to two addresses in Muswell Hill, north London, through guile and murdered by strangulation, sometimes accompanied by drownings. The deaths only came to light when a drain outside his home in Cranley Gardens, Muswell Hill, became blocked by the human

Dennis Nilsen

remains he tried to flush away. A spokesman for the prison service said, “Dennis Andrew Nilsen, date of birth 23 November 1945, died in custody at HMP Full Sutton on Saturday, 12 May 2018. As with all deaths in custody, there will be an independent investigation by the prisons and probation ombudsman.”

Thomas Cook to call time on Club 18-30 In yet another business shut down by millennials, Thomas Cook may reportedly pull the plug on sun, sea, sex and debauchery.

The tour operator, which has owned the brand since 1998, is currently “exploring options” that could include selling it. After catering to the youth for almost 50 years, the club has seemingly failed to match up to the present generation's taste. A report this month said that half of 18 to 25 year olds believe good-looking

social media posts are a factor in choosing breaks, in what is called “ego travel”.

Thomas Cook is now focusing more on the 'Cook's Club' brand, which launched last month, in a bid to cater for millennials. It will concentrate on its ownbrand hotels by providing a different experience for young tourists, with poolside DJs, extravagant cocktails and the much demanded- Instagramable food.

TLIGHT

Obayed Hussain

UK

NHS IT glitch costs 270 women their lives

15

THE SALTLEY STALLIONS FC AND GRASS-ROOTS COMMUNITY CHANGE Sunetra Senior

F

ootball coach of the Saltley Stallions and Equality Officer for the Birmingham FA, Obayed, recently took home a phenomenal victory with his plucky, young team, winning 5-0 at the Birmingham Communities League final, last Saturday 12th May. Before the big game, Obayed told us: “we have been training in a grass-roots sort of way, and it’s always great to play in a stadium and give team members the feeling of *** professionalism that they deserve.

He is also the co-founder of West From my side, it’s about focussing Midlands Active Citizens: an extenand giving the players a great opporsion of his footballing with the tunity that allows them to show their Saltley Stallions. He works with difincredible talent, to their families ferent organisations and groups in and the fans.” You see, though amahis regional homestead, including teur, the Saltley Stallions are no ordiyoung offenders, to teach those who nary football squad. Established back might not be interested in a formal in 2011, Obayed uses the platform to education to qualify as football help otherwise aimless youth claim coaches, and widely discusses a varitheir confidence, reducing crime and ety of communal issues. Here, gang culture and extremism in the Obayed demonstrates yet another area as well as helping lost youth unique facet to his unusually pracinto employment and beyond.

“Personally, I have always loved physical education, and while I may not have been the most academic, I’ve always had the drive,” the spirited coach shared. This is what seems to have given Obayed the extended sympathy to some of the youngsters in his area, who had made alternative choices: “just before I graduated, I remember ticed background. Before becoming a seeing some kids stealing from a football coach, he studied to become store. I decided to stop and ask them an Islamic scholar. “I’d have twelvewhy. They seemed apathetic: there hour days, and football was my was no one helping them so they’d release. After successfully completlost all direction.” Sure enough, upon ing my initial schooling, instead of enquiring after a class he might be going down the traditional route of able to lead in South Birmingham to becoming an Imam or teacher, I make a difference, Obayed found chose to demonstrate my wisdom there to be no sufficient youth through the more extrovertcentre at all. “I then started ed form of football.” As a football team because well as youth guidance, it’s what motivated me.

Obayed’s model also “my footballers It is also a popular promotes deep culhave gone from sport where I live.” tural integration.

Now 2018, Obayed’s having no prospects to “When we go out starter team has becoming managers after games and at expanded into a our press conferand directors of buzzing football club. ences for example, I companies" The various teams answer questions in a cover different ageway that will counteract groups and include a the bias of the mainstream women’s faction. “Seeing media. I’ll answer from a very these young people’s confidence authentic Islamic point of view, grow with participation, enjoyment wherein the scriptures are not taken and the like-minded bonds that are out of context.” The sport itself also created out of the sport has been a allows people to really bond with massive highlight.” So much so that each other and for friendships to the BBC has even covered Obayed’s flourish. “I had a young guy join the immense social success. “I was actuteam who seemed to have an averally working for Birmingham City sion to Asians after his mother had Council as well as running the team,” left the family for an Indian man. the young motivator elaborated.

Now, after interacting with youth of “There were some vacancies going different backgrounds, he’s made a and I asked if the organisation would best friend on the team who’s Asian.” give sixteen of my footballers a Bringing together different ethnicichance in the office – they have all ties and religions in the community stayed on.” Obayed has witnessed his then, Obayed not only shows the “footballers go from having no proactive power of football but also prospects to becoming managers and of interpersonal social initiatives as a directors of companies.” whole. Indeed, much bigotry and

hatred is misplaced anger at a difficult situation rather than the arbitrary notion of skin colour, and becomes explosive when it remains aggravated and unchallenged. “The model certainly allows you to loosen up and work well with other individuals,” Obayed commented. “I’ve helped those who’ve come over from Syria too. They begin to feel more confident and settled into a new culture. When you first come over, it’s daunting to even go down to the shops! “Thus, empathetic and energetic in equal measure, Obayed shows us that kicking down social walls doesn’t just mean aiming for a more functional society, but a fairer one too.

Tell us more about your additional roles?

As an Equality officer, I’ve created the Midnight League. This helps more Muslims engage in the sport at a time of fasting and late prayers. As part of the West Midland Active Citizens, we use sport to actively engage all corners of the local community. Approximately 500 young men, aged between 16-30-year-old turn up for the weekend sessions.

What’s the best part of your diverse, sporty job description?

There are many, but big ones are: being proud of my footballers and their inevitable success and being able to preach and show my religion and culture via sport in a positive manner.

Do you think that football, especially as an intense sport, really builds the confidence of youth which then gets them into suitable jobs?

Absolutely – it socialises people.

That gives you confidence from within which comes in very useful at interviews. It boosts everyday morale too so you’re likely to stay on an even track.

Football is often seen as aggressive and antisocial and you’ve also turned that stereotype on its head. Would you say it’s the attitude behind it that allows football to be treated as the rewarding and gripping sport that it is?

Yes, I think the kind of individuals involved always determine a certain approach and by extension, the culture. There have been plenty of good, clean games, free of the hooliganism.

What’s your favourite part of the game?

For me, it’s like art because you have to be very strategic and think through your plays in great detail. I enjoy the tactical outwitting of the opponent combined with spontaneity. A favourite system of mine is the 3,5,2 attacking style.

T: @SaltleySFC

16

UK

Asian Voice |

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

19th May 2018

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MPs to support campaign against tricolour desecration - Rupanjana Dutta - Charusmita British MPs have come forward to support the Indian diaspora, campaigning for action against perpetrators behind the desecration of the Indian flag and attack on a tv journalist during anti-India protests at the Parliament Square last month. Around 22,000 people have signed a petition on change.org, initiated by Friends of India Society International (FISIUK) demanding, “an action against the culprits who brought down Indian flag and torn under the watchful eyes of British police.”

The diaspora are seeking justice from the UK government over an incident on 18th April, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UK to participate in Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

On the fateful day, the Indian flag was taken down and ripped off by pro-Khalistani protesters in front of the Metropolitan Police at Parliament Square.

They even climbed over Mahatma Gandhi's statue, wrapping it with Khalistani flag and intimidated Ms Loveena Tandon, an Indian journalist from Aaj Tak tv, who raised her voice against their actions.

Labour MP Virendra Sharma and Chairman of Indo-British All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) hosted a meeting in the Parliament on Monday for members of the public and politicians, in order to discuss the Indian flag desecration incident.

He was joined by Conservative MP Bob Blackman, Labour MP Seema Malhotra and Lord Ranbir Suri.

On last Thursday, E V Venugopal, a Supreme court advocate from India, criticising the British government's lenient approach to the incident told a press conference in London, “We have decided to take this to its logical end... This criminal activity should be curbed.”

Mr Venugopal thereafter wrote to the UK Prime Minister

Lord Suri, Virendra Sharma and Bob Blackman at the House of Commons Committee Room meeting

Theresa May as well as the High Commissioner of India to UK, His Excellency Y K Sinha, saying, “The desecration of the Indian flag- a symbol of India's pluralism- by the votaries of racist ideologies in the heart of London was a profound insult to all who believe in tolerance...It is clear that these purveyors will never limit their actions to non-violent protest. Their ideology invari-

action against those who espouse radical views...” He handed over the letter from the diaspora to MP Bob Blackman outside 10 Downing Street on Monday, urging him to take up the matter in the Parliament, especially with Prime Minister May. He addressed his concerns to Blackman and said, “we want you to pilot our cause”.

He also warned that if the UK

comprised of politicians, journalists, representatives of Indian organisations, members of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union UK (NISAU) and the Indian diaspora, who had written to their respective MPs requesting justice over the desecration incident.

Indian-origin MP Virendra Sharma said, “We are very concerned by this incident, which involved damage to property and a violation of freedom of speech involving an Indian journalist. It is important that community groups take the lead on this and pursue this issue... This is a community matter rather than a parliamentary matter”. A Fellow Labour party MP Seema Malhotra had also joined in briefly, to express her concerns regarding the incident.

Conservative party MP Bob Blackman revealed that he might initiate a cross-party Early Day Motion (EDM) in the House of Commons to raise this issue in the Parliament. He said, “It is vital that all the physical evidence available is gathered together and lodged with the police in the form of a criminal complaint, including videos, photographs, and statements from witnesses”.

Lack of action against perpetrators and instigators

Advocate E V Venugopal handing over a letter to Bob Blackman MP for the UK Prime Minister Theresa May

ably culminates in violence against the innocent. The failure of British government to condemn them and act against them sends the signal to India and to other nations that UK does not take the threat from violent ideologies known to promote terrorism seriously...We called on the Prime Minister of the UK to make a representation against terrorism on behalf of civil society activists in Britain and India, and urged her to take visible

government did not take necessary actions within three weeks, they would consider approaching the International Criminal Court “to take cognisance of the agents of violent and radical ideologies that threaten the peace of nations and all of us."

Meeting in the Parliament The meeting hosted by Mr Sharma in the House of Commons Committee Room,

While evaluating the steps for justice, a recurring issue raised by the attendees was the lack of action on the crime scene by the Police. Sumeet Jalan, who was present at the Parliament Square when the desecration took place, said, “I immediately went to the police force team deployed just meters away from the square. I told them what had happened.

The police man told me that there were too many people who wanted the flag down and they could cause trouble if they intervened. When I told him if there were 400 protestors who wanted the flag down, there were 4000 people (Indians) who would want to see it held up high, he asked me if I had a gang (of people) that I was threatening him with, it made me wonder if I was rais-

ing my concern for the right cause”.

While the Police was also criticised heavily by Mr Venugopal, none of the MPs or Peers present in the room addressed Lord Nazir's role behind this incident. It is widely believed that Pakistani-origin peer Lord Nazir Ahmed was behind bringing together the perpetrators (who are clearly identifiable from the captured videos), as part of the "Minorities Against Modi" group.

Devshi Chandegra, a member of the Labour party, wrote to his MP, Mike Gapes, seeking his reaction and support regarding the incident. Gapes' response allegedly stated that he saw no problem in “peaceful demonstrations” and was “proud” to belong to a democratic nation.

Taranpreet Singh Khanduja, a student of the University of Warwick and a representative of the NISAU, offered to help spread awareness among the Indian students regarding the violent nature of this incident and urge them to sign the petition, to get this issue debated in the Parliament. The MPs have called upon the Indian diaspora groups to unite over this issue and present all the documentary evidences to the Police to push the investigation forward.

Reportedly, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office has issued an apology to the High Commission of India, London, in which they expressed "disappointment" over the incident but failed to address the key incidents of flag desecration and a physical and verbal abuse of an Indian-origin broadcast journalist. The journalist herself was presented at the meeting on Monday and informed that her case is registered with the Met police as a 'hate crime'. A Metropolitan Police statement regarding this reads, “We received an allegation of assault on 19 April relating to an incident in Parliament Square on 18 April. No arrests. Enquiries continue.”

Singing star Navin Kundra announces his latest single and first solo UK concert UK Asian singing star Navin Kundra has just released his latest single ‘Ishq Humara’ (Our Love) and has announced the date for his first solo UK Concert, “Voice Of Legends”.

2018 has already been a busy one for Navin. It has seen him complete shooting for his first ever Bollywood movie, being nominated for the ITV Soap awards ‘Best Scene of the Year’ for his BBC Doctors feature and scoring his 3rd consecutive Top 15 UK Urban Charts Hit with ‘Burning Slow’. However, Navin refuses to rest on his laurels and has been busy putting the finishing touches to the new single as well as organising the concert.

“Ishq Humara” is a melodious love song sung in Hindi with an international feel. The song has been written by upcoming songwriter and composer, Zain Khan who has also written for Rahat

Fateh Ali Khan. The music has been performed by renowned ‘Coke Studio’ musicians from Pakistan as well as British musicians, directed by Navin Kundra and Italian producer Mauro Caccialanza.

“It has been a great experience collaborating with Zain on ‘Ishq Humara’ and I think we’ve produced a real gem”, says Navin.

“Working with Mauro who is the producer behind some of the biggest hits to ever come out of the British Asian music industry helped take the song to a whole new level and I cannot wait for the world to hear it.”

The “Voice of Legends” Concert is Navin’s first venture into event organis-

ing and promoting. The date announced for the concert is 22 June 2018 at Beck Theatre in Hayes, London.

The concert has already been a success in Holland. It is a 3 hour live music extravaganza featuring dances and classic songs from Hindi cinema from the 1960s to the 1980s, along with Navin’s own hit songs including “Ishq Humara”. Navin will be supported by his live band, The 515 Crew, Bollywood celebrity choreographer Shiamak Davar’s

dance troupe and surprise guest singers.

“It’s a dream project for me to perform these classic songs that inspired me to become a singer and they will forever hold a special place in people’s hearts.

We’ll sing, dance, laugh and even cry together as I perform this grand homage to some of the greatest singers in the world at ‘Voice Of Legends – The Concert’. See you there!” says Navin.

Tickets go on sale next week. To register for priority tickets, email contact@navin-online.com.

“Ishq Humara” is now available for download from iTunes, Amazon Music and for streaming on Spotify – http://smarturl.it/IshqHumara. The official lyric video was released recently and is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K xG19_V3v_A.

INDIA

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Thunderstorms kill 94 in six states Thunderstorms across India have killed more people since April 11 than all of last year. Since Sunday, thunderstorms claimed 94 lives across six states, taking the death toll in storms since April to 278. Fatalities in the first two weeks of May stand at 223, while 55 people died in April. Last year, storms claimed 197 lives, while the toll in 2016 was 216.

Met department scientists said the storms in north India in the past five weeks were unusual both in number and severity.

Outside of the monsoon season, rain and storm activity in north India take place under the influence of western disturbances, waves of air currents coming in from the Mediterranean. "We are seeing the winter pattern of western disturbances in summer this year. Ten western disturbances have affected north India in April-May, while it is usually three-four," said M Mohapatra, director general (meteorology), IMD.

During winter, the pattern was the reverse. January, which usually gets the maximum number of western disturbances (WD) of about seven, saw just four this year. In

December, when the second highest number of these disturbances rolls in, there was just one. In February, five WDs struck against a normal of six.

So, the country got just 33% of its normal rainfall in January and February. "It's not just the number of WDs that's important. Whether a WD makes an impact or not depends on its position and intensity.

Most of the WDs during the winter months struck in a northerly position, which impacted J&K at most.

In the past five weeks, WDs have come in the right direction and intensity to have a big impact," Mohapatra said.

What caused this reversal of pattern is not clear, but the reasons probably lie in largescale weather features. Since the WDs originate around southern Europe, air currents in that region and in the Atlantic Ocean become important. "The reasons need to be studied. One factor that could be coming into play is the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), which is currently in the positive phase," Mohapatra said.

Karnataka verdict hangs in the fray Continued from page 1 Vala, who vacated his Rajkot II seat in Gujarat Assembly for PM Modi to win his first Assembly election from Gujarat in 2001, was appointed Karnataka's governor in September 2014 soon after the BJP stormed to power. The old BJP hand who is considered close to the Prime Minister, has put all appointments on hold till all results are out.

By simply giving his time to one party, he can affect the overall outcome of the fiercely contested election as the crucial time between declaration of results and a party staking claim can make or break governments.

Congress puts Plan B into effect In an overturn of expectations, the Congress was rejected by Karnataka, only to prompt the party to run to Rahul Gandhi's residence in Delhi. It was during this gathering that they have decided to make an urgent overture to Deve Gowda. Sources in the party said the Gandhis authorised senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad to phone Gowda with their offer, which said that his son HD Kumaraswamy could head a coalition gov-

Constituency map

ernment if the government got to choose his deputy. Gowda responded favourably to the offer.

Both, Kumaraswamy and BJP's Yeddyurappa were seen rushing to the Vajubhai Vala asking for the first shot at forming the government. The Congress' overture to JD(S) is a desperate attempt from stopping Modi from making a base in the state. Ahead of the election, the Congress was visibly hostile to a pact with Gowda. In fact, Rahul Gandhi had even chided him in February, calling him the “B-Team” of the BJP in an undercover arrangement with Modi's party. Back then, Gandhi and his Congress believed they had an upper hand in the campaign.

Karnataka has not re-elected an incumbent for almost three decades. Opinion polls had however, forecast a fractured result. The Congress adjusted itself to the political expediency by suggesting it would not insist

that Siddaramaiah remain chief minister in the new government.

How the key constituencies performed The CM faced an embarrassing loss as he had to let go of Chamundeshwari district by a whopping 32,000 votes to incumbent JD(S) MLA GT Deve Gowda. What was, a battle of prestige between Siddaramaiah and Gowda, saw the former suffer a stinging defeat. He however, received some solace when he won in Badami, defeating BJP “rising star” B Sreeramulu and ensured a significant victory for his son Yathindra from Varuna.

JD(S) proved its mettle by holding onto the old Mysuru region and increasing their numbers “slightly” in north Karnataka districts. Party state president HD Kumaraswamy won both his seats of Ramanagara and Channapatna, surpassing his rivals Sreeramulu and Siddaramaiah from BJP and Congress who also contested from the two seats. Sreeramulu lost against Siddaramaiah in Badami, but won the Molkalmuru seat by 25,000 votes. Lingayat ministers proved to be some of the biggest losers, other than Siddaramaiah, of course.

Chamundeshwari JD(S) leader GT Deve Gowda will return as MLA in the constituency as he won by 36,042 votes. As early trends favoured a win for him, he claimed that the people have “rejected” the CM. Party workers began celebrating outside Gowda's residence as the victory comes at a high price. As he had said earlier, “When you beat the sitting chief minister, it sends out a strong message.”

All eyes were on Chamundeshwari from where Siddaramaiah was seeking re-election in a keenly-fought electoral battle. He was also contesting from Badami in Bagalkot.

The chief minister had earlier said he would win “easily” in the region. Previous election results are proof that the Congress has always had a consistent vote share of around 35-38 per cent in the constituency.

Varuna The constituency witnessed a triangular contest between Siddaramaiah's son Yathindra, BJP's Thotadappa Basavaraju, and JD(S) party leader Abhishek S Manegar.

Yathindra's victory by a margin of 58,616 votes helped the Siddaramaiah family retain the seat for the third time, after 2008 and 2013. Yathindra had recently said that the people of his constituency were happy with the Congress government and its developmental works.

A state Assembly constituency in Mysore

Karnataka Election Results

district and southern Karnataka region of the state, Varuna was touted to be a contest between the first sons of Karnataka politics, Yathindra, and Yeddyurappa's Vijendra.

However, the BJP's sudden decision not to field Vijay put the big showdown on a backlog. The Indian National Congress (INC) had won the seat in 2013 with a margin of 29,641 votes (18.45 per cent) securing 52.53 per cent of the total votes polled.

Shikaripura In an impressive victory, Yeddyurappa won Shikaripura by an impressive margin, as he defeated Congress' Goni Malatesha. He was “100 per cent” sure of forming the next Karnataka government after 2008.

Yeddyurappa has been contesting from Shikaripura in Shivamoga district since 1983, having lost only once. He won the seat in 2013 as well, by 69,126 votes, against Congress' HS Shanthaveerappagowda.

The constituency has a total of 1,84,956 voters, including general voters, NRI voters, and service voters. Amongst the general voters, 93,923 are male, 90,958 female, and 15 others.

BJP won the seat in the 2013 elections, with a margin of 24,425 votes securing 49.89 per cent of the total votes polled. That year, the seat witnessed a voter turnout of 80.24 per cent.

Badami Badami saw a close race, as Siddaramaiah defeated BJP strongman B Sriramulu by a margin of 1696 votes. The CM had chosen the region as his second option at the last moment. Badami has a huge presence of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, Muslims, and other backward castes. It saw a close contest between the two leaders. JD (S) candidate Hanamant Mavinmarad stood no where close in the race with 24,004 votes.

2018 vs 2013

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Walmart picks up 77% stake in Flipkart for $16 bn

In the world's biggest-ever e-commerce acquisition, India's largest e-commerce company Flipkart agreed to sell 77 per cent stake to US retail giant Walmart for $16 billion. Walmart also plans to put in $2-3 billion as fresh equity into the company to strengthen its hold on the firm. The largest investor in the e-tailer, SoftBank confirmed that Walmart-Flipkart agreement was made. Analysts believe the trade would pit Walmart head-to-head against Amazon, one of the world's fastest growing markets. As the e-commerce battle in India hots up even further with the latest development, Amazon, meanwhile, put in £260 million into its main India unit, Amazon Seller Services, taking the total capital infusion into the entity to over £1.07 billion in a little over a year.

Walmart CEO Doug McMillion arrived in Bengaluru to make the announcement of the deal. He asserted that Walmart's cash-and-carry business was intended to help the farming community in India. He added that the company's operations could help with both, the supply chain as well as the cold chain. “Make in India is something exciting for us,” McMillon said. He also said that 95 per cent of what Walmart sells in India is procured locally. He said he sees cashand-carry and online retailing as two different types of businesses and pre-

Walmart CEO Doug McMillion and Flipkart’s co-founder Sachin Bansal

dicted that India would have more than two major players vying for a share of its rapidly expanding e-commerce market. He pointed to the differences in the nature of Walmart's existing operations in India and Flipkart's business, when asked whether a merger of the two companies' current operations was on the cards.

SoftBank in talks with Walmart Flipkart's largest shareholder, SoftBank, may come to a deal with Walmart in the next few days to sell its stake, people close to the development said. "SoftBank and Walmart have agreed on a price and a final decision is expected in 7-10 days," they said. This comes a day after the Masayoshi Son-led telecom and internet company was suddenly having second thoughts about selling its

stake in Flipkart at this point of time.

SoftBank is the largest shareholder in Flipkart, and when Walmart announced that it would buy a 77% stake in Flipkart, there was no question that it included Soft-Bank's 22.3%. Since then, there is said to have been a debate within SoftBank over the advisability of selling now because of the steep 40% short-term capital gains tax it would have to pay.

SoftBank acquired Flipkart shares less than a year ago for $2.5 billion, and according to Son, that stake is currently worth $4 billion.

SoftBank would thus have to hand over about $600 million to the Indian taxman - out of a profit of about $1.5 billion. "Walmart wants to make sure that a higher price is not asked for at a later date by SoftBank," a person privy to the matter said.

HDFC Bank to start search for Puri’s successor in a year HDFC is all set to look for a successor for Aditya Puri in a year. It plans to finalise someone to work alongside and then takeover from the CEO, when he retires in October 2020. With this, the boards of three large private banks will be looking for new CEOs. Following the revision in retirement age in June 2015, the HDFC Bank board approved the reappointment of Aditya Puri as the managing director of the bank for a period of five years ending November 2020, when Puri turns 70. The board will now look for a CEO both within, and outside the organisation.

The succession plan was confirmed

Aditya Puri

in a research report by Edelweiss Securities, which was published following a post-results interaction with the bank's management. The report

attributed to the announcement that the process to identify his successor will start 18 months before he retires in October 2020. It also states that the CEO designate will join the bank a year prior to Puri's retirement. Hand-picked

by HDFC chairman Deepak Parekh to launch the new private bank in 1994, Puri built HDFC to become the most valuable private bank in India, achieving a market cap of £10 billion within 10 years of its launch. India's longest serving bank CEO, he has grown the bank in the last 24 years through a series of acquisitions and organic growth.

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Tatas to divest five steel business units in Europe

Tata Steel has announced it has started a process of seeking buyers for five of its business units housed under its European arm.

The units, spread across the UK, Germany, Sweden, Canada, and Turkey, employs 1,000 people. The $18 billion company had sold the speciality steels and long products businesses to Liberty Group and Greybull Capital respectively. The proposed sale of the five assets will leave Tata Steel to channelise its resources on its strip products business which is in the midst of forming a joint venture with Thyssenkkrupp.

Tata Steel's strip products facilities are based in

Port Talbot, UK, and Ijmuiden, Netherlands. The unit's CEO Hans Fischer said, “The customer bases for the businesses being sold are distinct from the rest of Tata Steel Europe.

These potential sales would enable Tata Steel Europe to focus investment and management resource on the core strip products business and strategic markets.” The five business units include an electrical steels manufacturing and, processing facilities in the UK, Sweden and Canada, an aluminium roofing and cladding business in Germany, a steel coating outfit in the UK, an engineering steels service centre also in the UK and a metals company in Turkey.

Google asked to pay tax on 'royalty' remitted to Ireland

In a major setback for Google India, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal said payments made by it to the parent firm Google Ireland constitute a royalty under the Indian law, as well as under the IndiaIreland Double Tax Avoidance Treaty (DTAA), and therefore, are subject to withholding tax. A Google spokesperson said the company would file an appeal in the high court as “this ruling is an inaccurate representation of our business operations in India”. Google said it complies with all tax laws in India and pays all applicable taxes.

“The order is also a clear departure from previous judgements on the issue and is not in line with India's double taxation

avoidance agreement,” it said. The latest ruling came on an appeal made by Google India against the decision of the Bengaluru bench of the ITAT. Founder of tax advisory firm KR Girish & Associates, KR Girish described it as a very “interesting judgment,” with implications for other companies too. He said adjudicators around the world are beginning to distinguish between mere form and going into the substance of a product or service being offered.

Under a distribution agreement in 2005, Google India was granted the marketing and distribution rights of the Adwords program to advertisers in India.

This program enables advertisers to provide a relevant keyword.

£900 mn sops to push eco-friendly cars in India

As part of a £940 million package for electric and hybrid vehicles, the government may offer incentives of up to Rs 2,50,000 to those scrapping old petrol or diesel-fired vehicles along with sops for investment to manufacture parts such as motors in the country. A draft policy formulated by the government has proposed that buyers of electric two-wheelers that cost up to Rs 1,50,000 will receive incentives of around Rs 30,000. There

are more incentives for cab aggregators and bus fleet owners to go green. Buyers of electric cars, which will operate as taxis, are expected to get sops of Rs 1,50,000 to 2,50,000 for vehicles that cost up to Rs 15,00,000.

Sources said the same sops will be available to individuals buying electric cars provided they scrap their pre-BS III vehicles and get a certificate from the approved scrapping centre. While sops for pas-

senger vehicles and twowheelers are expected to

cost around £150 million over the next five years,

around £100 million spending is planned to set up charging stations across the country.

A proposal circulated by the department of heavy industries (DHI) stated that at least one charging point is planned every 9 sq km in all metros, millionplus cities, and identified smart cities while a charging station on both sides of the highway is planned every 25 km along the Delhi-Jaipur, DelhiChandigarh, Chennai-

Bengaluru, and MumbaiPune stretches.

One of the major focus areas of phase-II of Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid & Electric) Vehicles (FAME) will be on public and intermediary transport, which includes taxis and three-wheelers. The plan awaiting the government approval is expected to come as a major setback to the automobile industry, which wanted sops for all types of electric vehicles.

REAL ESTATE VOICE

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19th May 2018

DEFINING THE OBJECTIVE Every so often, I will get a client who wants to purchase a property for their children rather than having them rent, and filling somebody else’s pocket with rental income.

Suresh Vagjiani Sow & Reap London Property Investment

Only yesterday a client approached me, who wanted to invest but also wanted to purchase a property for his daughter to live in. They were constrained in regards to what they could afford due to the sizable deposits required, and therefore restricted to only new builds; and not any new builds, but only to those who have signed up to the Help To Buy scheme.

This meant they were putting themselves in a position of scarcity, where they are almost held to ransom in regards to what they could purchase.

It is difficult to satisfy multiple objectives when

making investment decisions. When you invest, the aim is mostly to make as much money as possible, in the shortest possible time period.

When you are purchasing to live in a property, the aim is not the same.

The above may happen.

In fact, it probably will.

But it is a by-product of the aim, it’s symptomatic.

A: Preparing your property for tenants is of the utmost importance, as failing to do so gives the impression that you may not care as a landlord. Good presentation increases the value and let-ability of your property and first impressions count! If the property is in bad condition during a

viewing, there’s not much of a chance that the tenant will want to live there unless they have the ability to see past this. Preparing your property for tenants may seem an easy task, such as a quick clean, but actually this is no small task. Preparing a property is about a lot more than just cleaning it.

The best place to start is normally with the decor of the property, unless you are amongst the

BUY TO LET OPPORTUNITY Purchase price £365,000 An ideal investment for a medium to long term hold

Specialists in Central London Property Sourcing

We are Indians and, therefore, money leakage is painful, both economically and emotionally. However, one must be able to discriminate, and separate the above issues.

If, for example, the rental is £20,000 per annum, it is better to make this amount – and live elsewhere.

When choosing to live in a property, it needs to suit one’s lifestyle. This involve issues such as security, air flow, outdoor space, the feel and the vibe of the property, and perhaps things that you cannot always put your figure on.

This way you end up having achieved the same goal. The rent is being earned back and therefore the net position is zero, or one of profit.

When investing these are not the primary drivers of a deal. It is one which is more binary, consisting of things like numbers, demand and supply and so forth.

There are many variables in life, therefore by renting you remain adaptable to the circumstances which will inevitably change. When choosing a property to

AGONY AGENT IS HERE TO HELP! Q: I have just brought a property and I want to make sure it is ready for tenants. Do I just need to get a clean done?

Trying to combine the above two scenarios probably will not work so well.

lucky few that have just brought a ready to go apartment. A word of warning, if you are decorating you have to pay no attention whatsoever to your own personal tastes, as what you may like someone might not! So, strong colours and patterns are a no-go.

Bathrooms and kitchens should also have neutral décor, and should have all appliances and installations working.

Make sure you check that

everything such as fridges and ovens work in the kitchen and that all of the taps in the bathrooms are running as normal. One of the most common faults that tenants find in their properties after moving in, is that the shower doesn’t work.

Central heating may need to be looked at if the boiler is over ten years old and has failed more than twice. Remember, if a boiler begins to need repairs it is likely that it will continue. It’s nearly always cheaper to replace a boiler as soon as it

live in, the driving factors will be based on personal whims, which they should be.

Even when investing, the goal must be defined.

Buying a discounted property may be good for the present, but if you are planning to hold on to it for the next ten years, you need to ask yourself where the market will be locally over this period.

There is much gratification to be had from buying something which is say 25% below market. However, if the market flatlines for the next five years, you have only made 5% per annum, and of course the brief feel good factor at the time of purchase.

To see what an area will begins to need repairs, instead of forking out for multiple repair costs, and then replacing it at the end.

As an overall rule everything in the property should be as clean as it can possibly be, even during viewings.

It may seem like common sense to most people, but you would be surprised at the number of tenants that have viewed houses with dirty countertops or baths, amongst other things.

Aside from the look and cleanliness of the

do for the next five plus years, one really needs to dig down deep into the wheels of what moves prices, and does so consistently; a slow, long term burn rather than a brief momentary spurt in price. This type of research is required when looking to purchase and hold a BTL property. We believe we have this nailed, and are currently purchasing in a location which is set to increase.

Most of the mainstream property press will speak about this through the rear view mirror, once the phenomena has occurred. property, it is imperative that you and your property have met all the legal requirements before it is let out. No matter what your experience, it is totally normal to feel overwhelmed with all paperwork and the like, however, it is important to get it right in order to avoid breaking any laws.

If you would rather not have the hassle, or spend the time, then get in touch to find out how we can help you.

Richard Bond Lettings Manager Sow & Reap

● Superb capital growth expectations ● Excellent rental income growth forecast ● Two bedroom Victorian Terrace with rear garden ● Freehold ● Development potential ● Walking distance from a Crossrail station ● 11 minutes into Canary Wharf ● 24 minutes into Bond Street Get in touch now for more information!

0207 993 0103 info@sowandreap.co.uk www.sowandreap.co.uk 27 Gloucester Place, London, W1U 8HU SowandReapProperties

Sowandreapuk

Turning land into cash Get in touch about our land opportunities

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IMF expects India to grow at 7.4% in FY 2018/19

Consultant Editor Financial Voice Alpesh Patel Dear Financial Voice Reader, The lazy way to become a millionaire.

I like looking back on my columns to see if I was accurate…this is what I wrote in 2011 and then the update to today in bold.

“Listen closely, I don’t mean to be rude, but I will only say this once. What I am about to write is what is going to happen in the financial markets in 2011. I am not being arrogant. I am just telling you the way it is. I probably will repeat myself endlessly throughout the year but for now this is it.

How do I know? Am I a forecaster when we know how bad forecasters are? Am I into witchcraft or blackmagic – astrology even? Have I sold my soul to the devil in exchange for market insight?

Maybe. But that’s not how I know. I know because it’s my business to speak to the traders at the biggest banks, the people handling the money for the biggest family offices, their bankers, advisors, the people they inform and the people they listen to. But then I ignore all that and do my own analysis. And in this case it accords with what the smart big money is doing. When that happens and it is rare – I get excited. I am excited.

So here it is. First, world equities are not overvalued. Whether you follow forward or trailing price-earnings ratios (don’t switch off – this stuff can make you money) – which value the price of shares based on the profitability of the company ie earnings – then companies are trading at sombre 1990-92 levels – or 30% below a ‘normal’ non-boom or bust year and half boom year valuation associated with the dot-com era.”

Well, the market has indeed skyrocketed. Boy was I right! I continued…

“Indeed looking at the 2007 peak, equity prices are in the US 20% below there as is their valuations. In the UK they are 20% undervalued to 2007 peak and their prices 10% below. In India they are at those peaks in terms of prices but valuations are 30% below. All this leaves far more room for upside. And Brazil is a case in point. It is above its 2007 peak it is below the valuations those companies carried.

A company in the Dow Jones Industrial Average for instance have their shares priced at about 14 times their profits per share. That is well below the 20 or 25 ‘multiple’ they could easily be at. Consequently I can see much upside.

The other reason for my confidence is that the 10 year cycle of US equity returns shows we have had about a 0% return from US equities in the past 10 years.

That suggests on past experience that in about 5 years you will have about a 200% return from 2005-2015 period! How much has gone between 2005 to 2011?

Good news! Pretty much 0%. So the whole 200% will come from 2011-2015 potentially. (Not in a straight upward line!)”

Take your Amazon investment - £10k when you read my article becomes around £100k or put another way, £100k makes you a millionaire.

Free course on economics and markets on www.alpeshpatel.com/apprentice Alpesh B Patel For a free online trading www.alpeshpatel.com/apprentice

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visit

Bad loans push four public sector banks to £1.17 bn Q4 loss

Four Indian banks reported a combined net loss of £1.17 billion for the fiscal fourth quarter due to a jump in bad-loan provisions following a tightening of Reserve Bank of India rules. Canara Bank Ltd said its net loss was £486 million for the three months to March 31, compared with a net profit of £21.4 million a year before. Allahabad Bank reported a net loss of £351 million and UCO Bank £213.4 million loss. Dena Bank, the smallest of the four, made a net loss of £122.5 million.

Already burdened by a near-record £95 billion of soured loans as of last year, Indian banks were expected to report a further rise in bad loans in the March quarter after the apex bank withdrew half a dozen loan-restructuring schemes and tightened some rules in February. The government owns majority stakes in 21 lenders that account for the bulk of the sector's bad loans, forcing the government to announce a $32 billion bailout package to help the lenders set aside funds for the soured loans and kickstart new lending.

The Indian economy is expected to grow at 7.4 per cent in the current fiscal, and accelerate further to 7.8 per cent as it recovers from the impact of demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax (GST) rollout, International Monetary Fund (IMF) said. Its Regional Economic Outlook: Asia and Pacific (REO) stated that Asia continues to be the main engine of the world's economy, accounting for more than 60 per cent of global growth, three quarters of which comes from China and India alone. It said, “But there are risks and challenges ahead, including from a tightening of global financial conditions, a shift toward inward-looking policies and over the longer run, population ageing, slowing productivity growth, and the rise of the digital economy.”

The report said that Asia is expected to grow at 5.6 per cent this year and next, adding that the outlook was supported by strong global demand, as well as still accommodative policies and financial conditions. “In India, growth is forecast to rebound to 7.4 per cent in FY 2018/19 as the economy recovers from disruptions related to the currency exchange initiative and the roll out of the new Goods and Services Tax.” It said China was projected to grow at 6.6 per cent in the

current year that will moderate to 6.4 per cent next year.

The report said it had seen some upward movement since September 2017 on the back of rising oil prices.

“But core inflation- which excludes food and energy, remains low and below target in many economies. In 2017, headline inflation on average was 0.6 per cent lower than target in Asian advanced economies, and 0.8 per cent under target in Asian emerging market economies.” It further said inflation has become more backwardlooking, meaning that past inflation drives current inflation more than future expectations. It means that if inflation rises, it may persist.

“Further, there is some evidence that the sensitivity of inflation to economic slack has decreased, suggesting that if inflation rises, there may be a large hit to output when reducing it.”

Chidambaram's family members booked under black money law The Income Tax Department has filed four prosecution cases against former Finance Minister P Chidambaram's son Karti, wife Nalini, and daughterin-law Srinidhi, under the tight Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) Act for allegedly failing to disclose properties and investments in the UK and the US estimated to be worth £9,45,000. The tax department listed investments made by the senior Congressman’s family members in acquiring a property in Cambridge worth approximately £5,37,000, apart from two investments made by Karti's Chess Global Advisory Pvt Ltd in the US and the UK estimated to be worth over £4,00,000.

P Chidambaram

Other than the acquisition, Karti allegedly invested over £3,28,000 in a company in the US through Chess Global, which the tax department claims is associated with him. He also allegedly made another investment of Rs 80,00,000 in a company in the UK. A source in

the IT department said Karti, his mother, and his wife had failed to disclose these assets and investments in their income tax returns despite the fact that they were earlier given an opportunity through the one-time amnesty scheme to disclose all their foreign assets. The family was treated as wilful defaulters for not disclosing their foreign assets, a ground to face prosecution under the Black Money Act. If convicted, the act provides for “rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months, but which may extend to seven years and with fine.” Karti's chartered accountant responded to the cases, saying his client had “not defaulted”

in disclosing foreign assets in the income tax returns for assessment year 201617. His wife and mother too filed identical responses and said the disclosures were made in the revised returns filed by them.

Srinidhi said, “Omission, if any, in the original returns under Section 139(1) was corrected in the revised returns under Section 139(5) of the IT Act. The original returns and the revised returns were filed on the advice of her chartered accountant.” The family has demanded that the case be dropped, arguing that “it would be totally unreasonable and perverse to conclude there has been any wilful failure to disclose any information about the foreign asset.”

CBI files charges against 19 in PNB fraud case Jeweller Nirav Modi has been named as "wanted accused" in the first chargesheet filed by the CBI in the £1.34 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud that involved his diamond merchant uncle Mehul Choksi and top bank officials. The chargesheet was filed in a Mumbai court just before the end of the 90-day period to submit charges against the 19 arrested persons. The accused will not be able to apply for bail now.

Usha Ananthasubramanian, Managing Director and CEO of the Allahabad Bank, who held the same position at Punjab National Bank earlier, PNB Executive Directors KV Brahmaji Rao and Sanjiv Sharan, and General Manager (international operations) Nehal Ahad have been named as accused by the CBI. A separate chargesheet against Mehul Choksi will be filed later. According to the CBI, senior PNB officials had not complied with circulars issues by the Reserve Bank of India on the SWIFT control system, a platform for encashing letters of

Nirav Modi

undertaking (LoU). The CBI says they have shown how money raised through Letters of Undertaking issued fraudulently were routed through offshore firms which the agency believes are shell companies used to send the money back to India.

Nirav Modi's wife Ami Modi, his brother Nishal Modi and other family members are likely to be named in the supplementary chargesheets later this week, CBI sources said. The jeweller duo

left the country before the fraud was uncovered and have since denied all allegations against them. As they refused to return to the country, nonbailable warrants were issued against them. PNB, India's second-largest staterun bank, had revealed in February that it has been swindled off over £1.20 billion through the fraud guarantees for Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi. While the CBI probed the fraud, said to be the biggest in Indian banking history, the PNB also conducted a parallel internal investigation and suspended at least 21 officials.

Meanwhile, Nirav Modi, who left India in the first week of January and is believed to be in New York, has been trying to seek political asylum in the UK. He is reportedly still travelling on his Indian passport that was cancelled by the government in February. Mehul Choksi wrote to the CBI in March saying it was "impossible" for him to return to the country as his passport had been suspended.

WORLD

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PAKISTAN

BANGLADESH

Nawaz Sharif admits Pak Bangladesh's first communications satellite launched role in Mumbai attack I S L A M A B A D: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has for the first time publicly admitted that Pakistani terrorists were involved in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, while questioning why Ajmal Kasab and nine others “were allowed to cross the border” to carry out the carnage in 2008.

“It’s absolutely unacceptable (not acting against non-state actors who carry out terror attacks in India). This is exactly what we are struggling for. President Putin has said it. President Xi has said it,” Sharif said in an interview to leading daily Dawn.

The former prime minister focused on the complicity of Pakistan in the 26/11terror assault on India’s financial capital by side-stepping a question on what according to him was the reason for his ouster from public office.

He steered the conversation towards foreign policy and national security.

“Militant organisations are active. Call them

Nawaz Sharif

non-state actors, should we allow them to cross the border and kill 150 people in Mumbai? Why can’t we complete the trial?” the former PM asked.

Although he chose to describe Kasab and others as “non-state actors”, he also seemed to acknowledge the complicity of government agencies in letting the Lashkar-eTaiba terrorists reach Mumbai. Kasab and his fellow Lashkar jihadis had set out from Karachi after they were rigorously trained by Lashkar handlers who included at least

two serving officers of the Pakistan army.

Sharif also stressed that the country had “isolated” itself in the international community by not acting against terror organisations. “We have isolated ourselves. Despite giving sacrifices, our narrative is not being accepted. Afghanistan's narrative is being accepted, but ours is not. We must look into it,” Sharif said.

A Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) stalwart said that when Sharif became PM for the third time in 2013, he was determined to minimize the army’s role in Pakistan’s foreign affairs but had to give up at every step due to the pressure exerted from “hidden quarters”, a euphemism for the military establishment. Keeping the portfolio of foreign minister with himself, the PM was determined to run an independent foreign policy, free from the clutches of the establishment. “But it didn’t work and it backfired,” Sharif’s close aide said.

Pak CJ seeks action against exarmy generals in poll rigging case ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar directed the government to determine what action it was going to take against two former chiefs of army and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) for their role in the rigging of the 1990 elections that kept Benazir Bhutto’s Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) out of power.

Although Pakistan SC gave its verdict in the case after 16 years in 2012, directing the then PPP government to take necessary action against former army chief, General Mirza Aslam Beg and former ISI chief, Lieutenant General Asad Durrani, but no legal action was taken against the convicted generals. The chief justice asked the government to summon a cabinet meeting within a week and decide whether the guilty should be charged under Article 6 of the Constitution or not.

Article 6 deals with high treason.

In 1996, late former air force chief, retired Air Marshal Asghar Khan, had filed a human rights petition in the apex court accusing the ISI for disbursing funds to buy the loyalty of politicians and public figures so as to manipulate the 1990 elections by forming an alliance of parties, Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) (Islamic democratic alliance), a nineparty alliance, under the leadership of former PM Nawaz Sharif. The strategy

WASHINGTON: SpaceX successfully launched Bangladesh's first communication satellite, the Bangabandhu Satellite-1, on Friday from the Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Bangabandhu Satellite-1 mission is the first to use Falcon 9 Block 5 which delivered the satellite to a geostationary transfer orbit. Approximately 33 minutes after lift-off, the spacecraft was deployed.

Bangabandhu Satellite-1 is Bangladesh’s first geostationary communications satellite. Development of the satellite program, known as the “Bangabandhu Satellite Launching Project,” was managed by the Telecommunication Bangladesh Regulatory Commission (BTRC) with technical support from Space Partnership International (SPI). The satellite, which is comprised of 26 Kuband and 14 C-band transponders, was manufactured by Thales Alenia Space on the Spacebus 4000B2 platform and will

be operated by the Bangladesh Communication Satellite Company Limited (BCSCL).

Located at 119.1 degrees east, the satellite has a primary service area encompassing Bangladesh to provide Direct-to-Home (DTH) services, video distribution and Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) communications. Its Ku-band coverage includes India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Indonesia while it will also provide Cband capacity for the entire region.

Rohingya crisis affecting Bangladesh

D H A KA: Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Executive Director Fahmida Khatun said the Rohingya crisis was putting an adverse effect on Bangladesh's economy, society and its environment. In a jointly organised dialogue titled "The Economic Influence of the Rohingya Crisis and the Upcoming Budget" along with local chapter of Socheton Nagorik Committee (SNC -Transparency International Bangladesh), she said, as a result of this crisis, Bangladesh is going through numerous

challenges, as per Dhaka Tribune.

Pointing out outcomes of the ongoing crisis, Fahmida said, "Rohingya Muslims who are taking refuge in Bangladesh have a negative impression on the local Bengalis. It has also led to the rise in population and a hygiene crisis has been observed in the camps." "Beginning from August last year till March 25 this year, $322 million have been donated for the Rohingyas through international donor agencies," she stated.

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SRI LANKA

More than 200 killed in Kenya Lankan President calls for political flood, dam burst N A I RO B I: More than 200 people were killed after weeks of torrential rains led to flooding and mudslides and bursting of a dam in southern Kenya. The private Patel dam, used for irrigation and fish farming, burst in Solai, near the Rift Valley city of Nakuru, regional police chief Gideon Kibunjah said.

"The search and rescue team has recovered 48 bodies from the site of the dam,” Kibunjah said.

A senior police officer said emergency workers had spent the night combing through engulfed houses to retrieve the bodies of the victims and had recovered 48 bodies from the affected area. "Most of the victims are women and children who could not have been able to run fast, and the elderly." The dam is surrounded by an informal settlement housing casual labourers who work on nearby farms. The Kenyan Red Cross esti-

unity after unrest

At least 48 people died after a dam burst in central Kenya, sweeping away their homes while many of them were asleep, police said

mates that up to 500 families were affected by the disaster.

More than 159 people were killed in weeks of torrential rains that led to flooding and mudslides.

Statistics showed that more than 2,20,000 people have been displaced by flooding as heavy rains hit the country after three consecutive years of

drought. Since March, at least 21,000 acres of farmland have been submerged in water with an estimated 20,000 animals perished, the Red Cross said last week.

The floods have also destroyed road networks in some parts of the East African country and in some cases the military has stepped in to airlift

residents from submerged houses. The Red Cross appealed for $5 million (four million euros) to help those affected. The deluge has affected large parts of the country, destroying crops and killing farm animals after a severe drought which had sent food prices and inflation soaring and left millions in need of food aid.

Fresh cases of ebola outbreak in Congo K I N S H A S A: Congo’s Health Minister announced the first death since a new ebola outbreak was declared in the country, as well as nine other cases of people sickened by a hemorrhagic fever that is suspected as ebola.

Minister Oly Ilunga said seven people with a hemorrhagic fever, including two confirmed cases of ebola, were hospitalised in Bikoro. The death happened at a hospital in nearby Ikoko Impenge hospital that also reported four new suspected cases of ebola.

Ilunga said that the patient who died was a nurse. Three other nurses also were being treated for a hemorrhagic fever, he said. The minister clarified that testing still must be done in nine cases, and

Ebola victim being carried

equipment to conduct rapid testing on the patients had been dispatched. “This situation worries us and requires a very immediate and energetic response,” he said.

The two ebola cases were confirmed as the Zaire strain after officials in the capital, Kinshasa, were alerted early this month to the deaths of 17

people from a hemorrhagic fever and travelled to the Bikoro area to perform tests. The deaths occurred over a period of time and ebola, which is not the only virus responsible for hemorrhagic fevers, has not been confirmed as the cause in any of the 17 cases, Ilunga said.

Bikoro Hospital director Dr. Serge Ngalebato

said that nurses at the hospital were among the five suspected ebola cases there. “We have isolated the patients,” Dr. Ngalebato said. “There are no deaths yet, but all of the sick are presenting signs of fever, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and intense fatigue.”

This is the ninth ebola outbreak in Congo since 1976, when the deadly disease was first identified.

Ebola occasionally spread to humans from animals, including bats and monkeys. There is no specific treatment for ebola, which is spread through the bodily fluids of people exhibiting symptoms. Without preventive measures, the virus can spread quickly between people and is fatal in up to 90 per cent of cases.

Congo army, park rangers search for kidnapped Britons BENI ( CONGO ): Congolese soldiers and park rangers have launched an operation to locate two British tourists kidnapped in the country's volatile eastern borderlands, an army spokesman said. Unidentified armed men ambushed the group in north of Goma, the capital of Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu province, inside Virunga National Park. One park ranger was killed during the incident in Africa's oldest national park and three other people, including the British citizens, were abducted.

"With Virunga National Park being within our zone of action, we have joined the park rangers for search operations for the people

were providing support to their families. Eastern Congo has been the scene of successive waves of violence over the past two and a half decades and was at the epicentre of two wars between 1996 and 2003 that killed millions, mainly through hunger and disease.

Rebel groups and militias still control large swathes of the territory. More than 175 rangers have died Soldiers searching for kidnapped Britons protecting Virunga National Park, which is located in the rugged taken hostages," Major Guillaume mountains and volcanic plains adjaKaiko Ndjike, the army's spokesman cent to neighouring Rwanda and in North Kivu, said.

Uganda. It has nevertheless attracted Britain's Foreign Office said it was a growing number of visitors keen to in contact with the Congolese authorvisit its endangered mountain gorillas ities following an incident involving and the active Nyiragongo volcano. two British nationals and its staff

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena called for unity among all political parties after months of political instability in the island country. Delivering a speech on the government's policy at the opening of the 8th session of Parliament, Sirisena also called for an end to the power struggle within his unity government, saying the coalition had made progress in several key areas since being elected to office in 2015.

"The ruling coalition has made progress in several key areas such as restoring rule of law, making the judiciary independent, reconciliation and winning back the goodwill of the international community. But much more still needs to be done," Sirisena said. He said the government had made progress despite a massive debt burden, volatile international conditions and a drought triggered by climate change which hurt

Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena

the farming community in particular.

He added that the government would create better conditions for domestic and international investors and would strengthen further its relationship with the international community. In April, Sirisena suspended Parliament till May 8 after six ministers resigned from the unity government which comprises his Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP).

Rajapaksa's party to go it alone at future polls COLOMBO: Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) chairman Prof G. L. Peiris, said his party would go it alone at provincial council, parliamentary and presidential elections under the leadership of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. PC elections are expected later this year, while the Presidential and Parliamentary elections should be held within the next 1 1/2 years. The Joint Opposition (JO) candidates contested the last local government polls on the SLPP ticket.

Addressing a media briefing held at SLPP headquarters, Prof. Peiris ruled out an electoral pact with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). The JO had about 3,500 grassroot leaders as the majority of the LG institutions had been won by the SLPP, Prof. Peiris said.

Urging the government to go for an early general election to save the country from an economic disaster, Prof. Peiris said that his party only needed three weeks to get ready for an election.

Commenting on the recent fuel price hikes, Prof.

Peiris alleged that they had not been necessitated by

Mahinda Rajapaksa

world market price fluctuations. They had been effected on the recommendation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), he added. The SLPP chairman alleged that even though the government had increased the fuel prices and taxed the people more, it did not seem that the government itself had cut down its wasteful expenditure. He stressed that it cost about Rs. 7 million rupees to maintain a minister a month and Rs. 570 million to maintain the Ministers and Deputy Ministers.

Instead of cutting down and limiting the number of Ministers to 30 as stipulated in the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, the UNP had already demanded six more deputy ministerial posts, Prof. Peiris said.

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US apologises for asking Canada minister to remove turban WASHINGTON: The US administration has apologised after a security agent at a Detroit airport repeatedly asked Canadian cabinet minister Navdeep Bains remove his turban.

Describing the incident in an interview, Bains said that he was returning to Toronto after meetings with Michigan leaders in April 2017 and had already passed through regular security checks. But, since he was wearing a turban, a security agent told him that he would have to undergo additional checks, according to reports.

“He told me to take off my turban. I asked him why I would have to take off my turban when the metal detector had worked properly,” the minister said. The US amended its travel policy in 2007, allowing Sikhs to keep turbans on while

File photograph of Navdeep Bains, Canada's minister of innovation, science and economic development.

passing during the security inspection process. “It was an uncomfortable experience,” said Bains. He refused the agent’s request to remove his turban: “I believed that it was an intrusion into my private life … They would never ask me to take off my clothes,” he said. The agent eventually relented. Bains said that when he travels, he rarely discloses his identity as a cabinet minister, in order to better understand

the travel experiences – and frustrations – of people not afforded similar privileges. When he appeared at his scheduled gate, a second security agent approached him, requesting Bains to return to the security checkpoint – and again telling him to remove his turban. He told me: ‘You have to take off your turban.’ I responded politely that it was not a security threat and that I had passed all the security controls.

Then he asked for my name and identification. I reluctantly gave him my diplomatic passport.” It was the moments that followed which most incensed Bains.

“I was speechless … I was at the point of boarding and they asked me to take off my turban. But upon learning of my diplomatic status, they told me that everything is fine. That’s not a satisfactory response.”

The incident prompted foreign affairs minister Chrystia Freeland to express disappointment to her US counterparts. Both undersecretaries for the homeland security and transportation departments apologized for the incident. “Unfortunately these types of incidents do occur from time to time to minorities in particular. But it should never become the norm,” Bains said in a statement.

Canadians protest against Khalistanis TORONTO: Activists of the Canada Combat Coalition, a Toronto based nationalist organisation, protested against Khalistani separatists, who, according to them, were using their land to carry out terror activities against India. They carried flyers with "Stop Sikh Terrorism in Canada" and "No Khalistan allowed in Canada" written over it.

While condemning the ideology pursued by Sikh terrorists, the activists said that Khalistanis were mushrooming under the patronage of the politicians of the country, and were an imminent threat to Canada and its citizens.

A protester said, "Khalistan is genocide of

non- Sikhs, thousands of people were slaughtered by Khalistan Sikhs, Khalistan Sikhs blew up Air- India jet killing 330 Canadians. The main suspect stated that he wanted to kill 50,000 Hindus. There is a problem here. So, why does this concern Canada? Isn't this only a foreign conflict?

No, it isn't. Tens of thousands of Sikhs claimed oppression in democratic India and received refugee status in Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NDP leader, both have connections with Khalistan Sikh promoters. Canada's

23

image in the world has been tarnished by convicted Khalistani terrorists hobnobbing with Justin Trudeau.

There's no secret." He added that their campaign was not against any religion or faith but against all those who were a threat to the integrity of the country. He sought a stricter policy vis-a-vis foreign nationals seeking

refuge in the country as Khalistanis took advantage of the same laws in order to enter the country and use it as their workshop to plan mayhem in India.

The protester said, "I know we are having a mass immigration problem in this country but it's not all that is happening. Sikhs are a threat, not all of them but the Khalistan ones.

They have been brought into this country indiscriminately. They are very large in numbers and are a threat to Canadians. So it's time for Canadians to stand up and take Canadians back. We must have stricter immigration laws and people coming into this country must be vetted."

First-ever Global Gujarati Award Gala, in Canada, on May 25

Vipul Jani, founder of Global Gujarati Network, announced today the launch of the first ever Global Awards for the Gujarati Community. The Global Gujarati Award Gala, to be held in Mississauga, on Friday, May 25, 2018, will bring together some of the most prominent members of the community, from different parts of the world.

Winners hail from the fields of business, media, healthcare and arts and have made their mark on the world stage, with their unique contributions and achievements. The Award winners represent five major regions where the community has established itself successfully (Canada, US, UK, Africa and India). Recognizing them on a single stage makes it a truly global event that will raise the collective profile of the Gujarati Community globally.

“It was a tough task to put together our first set of winners, looking at the number of worthy and deserving candidates in our community,” says

Vipul Jani. He adds, “But then, this is only the beginning. We are aiming to make this an annual event where we have an opportunity to honour

more achievers every year.” The community in Canada is specially expected to take part enthusiastically as this will be their first major interaction with the larger world community and an opportunity to showcase the rapid growth of the community in Canada.

The winners include C B Patel (UK), Dr. Sudhir Parikh (USA), Sunil Nayak (USA), M. G. Vassanji (Canada), Nadir Patel (Canada/India), Haren Sheth (Canada), Dr. Vikram Shah (India), Dr. Darshini Vikram Shah (India), Siddharth Randeria (India), and Rizwan Adatia (Mozambique).

Malaysia gets oldest leader KUALA LUMPUR: Ninetytwo -year -old Mahathir Mohamad was sworn in as Malaysia’s seventh prime minister following his stunning election victory over the coalition that has ruled the Southeast Asian nation for six decades since independence Mahathir Mohamad from Britain. Malaysia’s constitutional monarch, Sultan Muhammad V, administered the oath of office to Mahathir. the oldest elected leader in the world.

Hundreds of Malaysians were lined up on the road leading to the palace, waving party flags and cheering. The Election Commission announced the result long before dawn and there was some consternation in the capital over the time taken to swear in the new prime minister.

Indian American banned from hanging 'toran' on front door P E N N S Y LVA N I A ( U S A ): An Indian American professor living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been ordered to take down a 'toran,' a Hindu religious symbol, which hangs on the door frame of his condominium. Akhilesh Tripathi filed a lawsuit against the complex, alleging religious discrimination, and violations of the Fair Housing Act. The single father of two adult children has lived at the complex since 2009.

The toran has since remained fastened to Tripathi’s door frame. Kevin Toth, Tripathi’s attorney, said, “it is clear that religion played a role in not allowing Tripathi to display his toran.” Toth said the toran has no adverse impact to anyone else in the building. The homeowners’ association will have to prove that the toran negatively affects the building’s other residents, he said, noting this will be difficult to prove.

Samir Kalra, managing director of the Hindu American Foundation, said, “We are deeply troubled to learn of the

Association's decision to single out Tripathi for hanging a toran on his door frame consistent with his deeply held religious beliefs as a practicing Hindu. Similar to Tripathi, millions of other Hindus across the world adorn their homes with a toran, an auspicious Hindu symbol intended to bless the home and welcome

guests.”

“The selective application of the condo association's policies is particularly troublesome, given that other residents have reportedly been allowed to freely display religious symbols on their door frames in conjunction with their respective religious beliefs. Such religiously discriminatory actions can have a chilling effect on religious freedom by sending a message that members of minority communities, such as Hindus, are not equal members of American society. Moreover, they violate civil rights and fair housing laws, and are inconsistent with our nation's ethos and values,” stated Kalra.

“Accordingly, we hope that Tripathi's federal lawsuit is successful in protecting his religious rights. Alternatively, in the interests of maintaining a welcoming community for all faiths and refraining from religious discrimination, we urge the Association to reverse its decision and allow Tripathi to continue hanging the toran outside his home, as he has been for

the past decade,” he said.

Previously, the association had no objection to Tripathi’s toran. But new rules were implemented in February, stipulating the length of time holiday decorations could be displayed outside a homeowner’s door. Religious decorations that did not conform to a holiday were disallowed, and mandated to be removed immediately. All such decorations had to have the approval of the board before being displayed, according to the new policy.

Notably, the association does allow items affixed to the doorframe of a home; Tripathi noted in his suit that his toran was hung on the doorframe and not on the door. The association also allows a mezuzah, a parchment scroll traditionally placed by Jewish people on their front door. Tripathi did not remove his toran. In April, he received a letter from the association, stating: “The Board voted to allow door decorations during holidays that occur throughout the year.”

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INDIA

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SOUTH

Centre submits draft Cauvery management scheme in SC NEW DELHI: The Centre has submitted a draft of the Cauvery management scheme for implementation of the Supreme Court's February 16 judgment for sharing the river's water. The SC said it won't go into the correctness of the draft Cauvery scheme framed by the government and will examine only one issue, which is, whether the scheme conforms to its judgment of February 16. “We need to examine whether draft Cauvery scheme submitted by Centre is in consonance with our judgment,” the bench said. It fixed May 17 as the next day of hearing.

The Centre, while submitting the draft scheme, said it faced a dilemma about the nomenclature of the body that will be entrusted the task of supervising the sharing of Cauvery water as per SC's verdict.

It said it was unsure whether to call the supervising body a Board, Authority, or Committee.

Attorney General KK Venugopal said the Centre would leave nomenclature to the court. The SC had strongly rapped the Centre for not framing the Cauvery management scheme to implement its verdict on river water sharing between four southern states, even

as Tamil Nadu attacked the union government for its “partisan” attitude saying this was the “end of cooperative federalism”.

The Centre had, meanwhile, told the top court that Cabinet approval for the scheme could not be obtained since Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his cabinet colleagues were busy.

The SC Had raised the 270 tmcft share of Cauvery water for Karnataka by 14.75 tmcft on February 16, and reduced Tamil Nadu's share, while compensating it by allowing extraction of 10 tmcft groundwater from the river basin, saying the issue of drinking water has

to be placed on a “higher pedestal”.

Last week, the Supreme Court had said the Centre was “in sheer contempt of this court”, for disobeying its order to frame a Cauvery water sharing scheme by March 30. It ordered the water resources secretary to be present in court with the scheme's draft at the bench comprising CJI Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud.

Tamil Nadu's counsel Shekhar Naphade said the Centre was taking the state and the court for a ride by playing politics. Naphade said, “Someone should go to jail for this deliberate disobedience.”

AIADMK faces flak for Jaya memorial CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswamy and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam laid the foundation stone for the Jayalalithaa Memorial at Marina Beach last week. The huge and magnificent model which resembles a phoenix, is displayed right next to Jaya's mentor MG Ramachandran's memorial.

While AIADMK celebrations began at 6.30 am with a pooja, the party faced criticism from many. DMK working president MK Stalin, while addressing the media, said, “Those who indulge in corruption are building a memorial for someone who went to prison for corruption.”

Chief Minister K Palaniswami with his deputy O Panneerselvam pay tribute to J Jayalalithaa after the foundation stone laying ceremony

Another member of the opposition party too slammed the ruling government by stating that the state government violated the constitution by performing a puja at a state

event. “Religion and state functions should be kept away from each other. We are a secular, democratic country and this violates the Constitution of the land.

This shows the AIADMK is

closely following the BJP.” To make matters worse, £5.08 million of this year's state budget has been allotted towards the construction of the Amma Memorial on the shores of Marina.

People on the internet began to question the need for spending so much on a memorial.

Many even asked why such a big amount for a memorial when students who had to go out of Tamil Nadu with their guardian to appear for NEET were only given Rs 1,000. Responding to the flak, AIADMK MP Navneetakrishnan said, “A person like Amma has contributed a lot and set an example. Even this amount will not be enough. ’’

PUNJAB-HARYANA

Akalis urge EC to depute team for fair by-poll in Shahkot

SAD asks EC to depute team to Shahkot to ensure free and fair poll

CHANDIGARH: A delegation of the Shiromani Akali Dal met officials of the Election Commission in New Delhi, demanding to depute a “high powered team” in Shahkot segment for “free and fair” holding of the May 28 by-poll. SAD leaders cited action against station house officer (SHO) Parminder Singh Bajwa, who registered a case of illegal mining against Congress candidate Hardev Singh Ladi Sherowalia, to stress that the state's ruling party Congress may misuse official machinery.

SAD spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema released a statement saying the delegation told the EC that efforts are being made by the Congress to “demoralise” officials posted in Shahkot. He said, “Fears have come true. The SHO has been arrested on trumped-up charges because he resisted pressure from the Congress party and registered the case.” SAD, asking the EC to intervene immediately, said this was necessary to put faith in the electoral system among officials on duty in Shahkot.

SC pulls up Yamuna board for failing to do its duty NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court pulled up the Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) for failing to discharge its duty with regard to distribution of river waters among beneficiary states. A Bench of Justice Madan B Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta asked, “Why is the UYRB not doing its job? What is it doing? The board is supposed to do its job. We do not know why it does not want to do its job? Why should we do its job?” It posted the matter for further hearing on May 16, directing the UYRB to give its suggestions or take a decision on water-sharing between Haryana and Delhi.

Haryana counsel said the state was supplying water to Delhi and would not alter status quo. He said there was clear-cut allocation of water and Haryana was supplying water more than what was stipulated to Delhi. The UYRB was set up by the

Centre in 1995, and had been assigned the task of regulating supply of water from all storages and barrages till the Okhla barrage in Delhi in accordance with agreements between Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi.

Meanwhile, workers of the INLD and BJP courted arrest as part of their 'jail bharo' agitation. They demanded early completion of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal. Leader of Opposition Abhay Singh Chautala addressed a rally before courting arrest. He criticised BJP governments at the Centre and states for failing to follow SC directions on the issue.

He targeted Haryana's Manohar Lal Khattar government for shelving the Dadupur-Nalvi canal project, which would have irrigated land and recharged the water table in Yamunanagar, Ambala and Kurukshetra.

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WEST BENGAL

17 killed in West Bengal panchayat poll violence

A vehicle set on fire after clashes between two political parties

KOLKATA: At least 17 people were killed as Bengal villages went to vote for panchayat polls on Monday, making it the bloodiest day of the state’s tradition of violence-ridden election narratives. The first lives lost were that of a couple burnt in their sleep in South 24-Parganas’ Kakdwip, hours before polling began.

Miscreants intimidated voters in queue, snatched ballot boxes and singed ballot papers, opened fire at political rivals, hurled bombs at cops and forced poll officials to leave booths, raising questions over the wisdom of the State Election Commission’s decision to hold the poll on a single day after the 2013 rural election saw a vote spread over five days.

Monday’s toll was easily the highest 24-hour count in Bengal’s recent electoral history, though state officials argued that

the figure was less than that seen during the 2013 panchayat poll, when 24 people died on the five days when polling took place. The SEC took cognisance of just six pollrelated deaths and took recourse to the measuring tape to conclude that six others were “non-poll deaths” as they occurred more than 200 metres away from booths.

Opposition parties hit the street against the SEC. CPM staged a demonstration in front of the SEC office and BJP knocked on Raj Bhavan’s doors to complain against the poll panel.

BJP minister Babul Supriyo said, “Not surprised by all the incidents that are happening since morning. Bengal government is a shameless government. You cannot expect them to follow any kind of constitutional behaviour.” He added, “I demand President's Rule in WB.”

Mamata claims threat to her life KOLKATA: In shocking news, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has claimed that some political parties are trying to get her assassinated. Speaking in an interview, the 63 year old chief of Trinamool Congress said, “ A particular party has given 'supari' (contract) to kill me. The people who are trying to kill me have also carried out recce of my house.

Police has asked me to change the house. Earlier too, attempt has been made to kill me.” She said that her information is reliable and that certain Intelligence Bureau officials have asked her to shift to a government bungalow from her single-story home.

“But I don't fear death. In my absence who will run the government and the party has been mentioned in my will. I spend close to £200,000 for the Kanyashree scheme, but opposition parties are trying to malign it,” Banerjee said.

She accused all, the Congress, BJP, and the CPI(M) of ignoring important issues such as farmer suicides, communal clashes. “Throughout the nation, close to 12,000 farmers have committed suicide. There is a differentia-

Mamata Banerjee

tion between castes and creeds, communal clashes are erupting. Where is CPI(M)?

Congress does not even protest there. BJP is planning for unrest, CPI(M) and Congress will also hurl bombs. Have you ever seen people flashing arms during Ramnavami?

People observed Ramnavami earlier too. They roped in people from Jharkhand to create unrest in Asansol and Raniganj.” Mamata added, “If BJP and Congress think, they can walk this part alone, they are mistaken. Regional parties are powerful. They are also a factor. Congress alone cannot defeat BJP. If regional parties come together, they can bridge the gap between other political parties. I never wanted to be a leader, just wanted to be a supporter.”

HERITAGE HISTORY

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Asian Voice | 19th May 2018

Dr. Hari Desai

Calcutta Congress welcomes the Sardar • Bardoli Satyagraha victory charged the country-wide movement • Rajaji felt Vallabhbhai Patel spoke Lokmanya Tilak’s language Part IV of IV In the previous installments, we discussed the Bardoli Satyagraha under the leadership of Vallabhbhai Patel leading to the situation where the Raj was compelled to reach a compromise. Gandhiji preferred to be at Bardoli on 2 August to take over as “Vallabhbhai’s soldier” in case Patel was arrested. On 3 August itself, the Government of Bombay sent the confidential telegram to New Delhi intimating “it would be desirable to have troops in readiness in Surat to be used only in case of urgent necessity”.

Earlier, in the House of Commons, Lord Winterton confessed the success of

The Hero of Bardoli Satyagraha 1928 who rose to the national horizon

morning and that the Sardar together with 12 representatives of the Bardoli Satyagrahis should meet him there.

The elder brother, Vithalbhai, stood by Vallabhbhai despite being the President of the Central Legislature

Vallabhbhai in Bardoli.

Fretted and fumed Sir Michael O’Dwyer insisted that the law should be enforced with full vigour. On the 13th July, the Governor of Bombay went to Simla to see the Viceroy. Lest the people might say that the Government was surrendering in any way, the Information Department continued to talk about the hardship caused to large number of people due to the Satyagraha. When the Governor was in Simla, the Sardar was attending Ahmedabad District Conference at Ahmedabad.

He received an invitation from the Governor through the Commissioner saying that the Governor was arriving in Surat on the 18th

On 18 July 1928, the Sardar along with Abbas Tyabji, Shardaben Mehta, Bhaktilakshmi Desai, Mithuben Petit and Kalyanji Mehta met the Governor.

For three hours in the morning, the talks went on in most cordial atmosphere.

Afterward the Governor talked to Patel in private expressing his eagerness to resolve the deadlock. He was keen on returning the land to the original owners and release the prisoners. But the Governor insisted that the peasants must make the payment of the revised revenue tax or somebody should deposit the amount with the Government followed by immediate withdrawal of the agitation.

Neither Gandhiji nor Sardar

could accept the conditions put forward by the Governor.

The Sardar insisted on the Government appointing an Enquiring Committee and five points be conceded by the Government: (1) All the Satyagrahi prisoners should be released. (2) All forfeited lands, whether sold or unsold, should be returned to their lawful owners. (3) Proper market price should be given to the owners of cattle and other movable property which, it was contended, had been sold at ridiculously low prices. (4)All dismissals and other punishments of Government servants during the struggle should be cancelled or remitted. (5) As regards the enquiry, even an official Committee would be acceptable so long as it was made clear that the enquiry would be open, impartial and judicial in character, before which it would be open for people to appear by counsel, if they chose.

The Sardar went to Pune to negotiate with the Government. The obstacles to a settlement were removed on 6 August 1928 following long talks in Pune between Vallabhbhai and Sir Chunibhai Mehta, Finance Member of the Bombay Government, who negotiated on behalf of the Governor. Vithalbhai Patel, K. M. Munshi and others actively supported the efforts to reach the settlement. On 1 November, the two members of the Enquiry Committee, the Judicial Officer, Mr. Broomfield, and the Revenue Officer, Mr. Maxwell, commenced their work. On the 5th, Bhulabhai Desai, an eminent lawyer, set out the case on behalf of the people of Bardoli. The enquiry brought out the fact that “the Government records could be inaccurate and misleading”. Not only the Government revenue was revised, even the method of the land revenue assessment was revised. It

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1930. The Sardar was to preside the Indian National Congress convention in March 1931 at Karachi.

Bardoli Satyagraha could bind the northern Indian

Gandhiji preferred to play subordinate role to Vallabhbhai

leaders like Lala Lajpat Ray, who unfortunately died in November 1928, and the southern Indian leaders like Rajaji alike.

Even the Bengal leaders including Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had all praise for Sardar Patel’s leadership leading to Bardoli peasants’ victory, though they decried the usage of a feudal title “Sardar” in the resolution unanimously passed by the Calcutta Congress convention in December 1928.

Vallabhbhai preferred to be the Hanuman of Mahatma Mahatma Gandhiji as “soldier” of the Sardar of Bardoli Gandhi throughout his life time. He devoted himself to “On close association Gandhiji from the day he Satyagraha, the Indian with Vallabhbhai and after met the Mahatma at Godhra National Congress under watching his manner of for the first time in the Presidentship of Motilal speech, his smile and his November 1917.

Nehru (December 1928laughter, his anger and his He could become such Calcutta) and Jawaharlal impatience, one cannot but an important lieutenant of Nehru ( December 1929be reminded of Tilak Bapu that the Mahatma had Lahore) respectively got Maharaj. Both of them creto confess: “Whatever I geared up to launch Purna ated an impression regardcould do was thanks to Swaraj (complete indepening themselves which was Sardar Patel. But for his dence) movement declarthe exact opposite of what support, it was ing 26 January 1930 they in fact were. Both not possible at as Independence Next Column: appeared at first sight to be all.” Hence, Day. Paika Mutiny of arrogant and stand-offish, the least the Mahatma whereas in fact they were Sardarpremis Gandhi took up Odisha against the humble and gentle. Both world-over the Dandi March British gave the impression of being should do is to (12 March – 6 April very complex, obstinate and celebrate the Bardoli 1930) for which stern, whereas in fact they Day i.e. 12 June which Vallabhbhai was instrumenwere simple, straightforbrought a turning point in tal in preparing the ground ward and friendly….If we Indian Independence movework. He was arrested at Ras look at the many speeches ment! village of Borsad Taluka of that the Sardar made at (Concluded) Charotar for the speech he Bardoli, we shall find in did not deliver. He was (The writer is a Sociothem the echoes of those arrested on 7 March 1930 political Historian. historic speeches which and was sent to the E-mail: Tilak Maharaj made in Sabarmati Jail till 26 June haridesai@gmail.com ) Vallabhbhai laid solid foundation for the freedom movement. Following the victory of Bardoli

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also gave confidence to the people in their own strength.

After the victory of Bardoli Satyagraha, while the Sardar was touring from north to south for the awakening of people for the freedom, C. Rajgopalachari, who was to be the first Indian Governor-General after the last British GovernorGeneral, Lord Mountbatten, who was to leave for England in 1948, drew resemblance between Vallabhbhai and Lokmanya Tilak, the father of the Indian freedom struggle.

Mahadev Desai could not resist mentioning the discovery by Rajaji when the Sardar was once speaking in Tamil Nadu.

Ahmednagar or Belgaum.”

By his third victorious Bardoli Satyagraha after Borsad Satyagraha(1923-24) and Nagpur Flag Satyagraha(1923),

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INDIA

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Modi boosts Nepal-India relationship Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi strengthened relations with Himalayan nation Nepal, in his recent two day visit to the neighbour. He said India is ready to be the Sherpa to help Nepal scale the mountain of success, and stressed on the special relationship shared by the two neighbours. Modi admired Nepal's spirit of resilience and commitment towards democracy. Addressing a civic reception programme, he said, “Nepal has covered a long journey from Yuddh to Buddh (War to Peace). You have left the bullet to opt the ballot way... But this is not the destination. You have to go a long way. You have reached the base camp of the Mt Everest and the main climb is yet to be done. As the Sherpas help mountaineers to reach the top of the Everest, India is ready to help Nepal like a Sherpa to achieve development.”

The Indian leader said Nepal must identify its needs and priorities to deliver results. “India will stand shoulder-toshoulder to help Nepal in its development journey. Your success is our success and your joy is our joy. India has always worked for global good. It has taken the lead in mitigating the menace of climate change. The International Solar Alliance has brought together nations from across

Narendra Modi warmly welcomed by K.P. Sharma Oli ahead of the delegation level talks, in Kathmandu

the world,” he said. He congratulated the Nepalese people for their combined

strengths to rebuild the country after the devastating earthquake of 2015.

“There is an atmosphere of hope and optimism in Nepal,” he said. He praised Kathmandu, calling it a mixture of the ancient and the modern. “There is something unique about the beauty of Kathmandu. It’s a special city. It has an important place in the history of the world. Nepal is a country of diversity and Kathmandu is a world in its own. The diversity gives fresh air to any outsider.”

Meanwhile, a combined statement issued by both the countries, said Modi and counterpart KP Sharma Oli have agreed to maintain the momentum generated by the visit by adopting effective measures to ensure implementation of all agreements and understanding reached in the past. They also agreed that proper implementation of the bilateral initiatives in agriculture, railway linkages and inland waterways development, which was signed during PM Oli's recent visit to India, would lead to transformational impact in the areas. Both leaders reiterated their resolve to work together to take bilateral relations to newer heights by strengthening ongoing cooperation in diverse spheres as well as expanding partnership for socio-economic development on the basis of the principles of equality, mutual trust, respect, and mutual benefit, the statement said.

Smriti removed from I&B, Goyal will be FM till Jaitley’s back Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday temporarily assigned charge of the ministries of finance and corporate affairs to railway minister Piyush Goyal till Arun

Jaitley recovers from a surgery for kidney transplant, while controversyscarred Smriti Irani has been divested of the highprofile I&B ministry and sports minister

Rajyavardhan Rathore has been given the charge of the ministry.

Irani’s remit has now shrunk to the textiles ministry, in what is being seen as a second setback for the

In Loving Memory Rajyavardhan Rathore, Piyush Goyal and Smriti Irani

DoB : 5th January 1936 (Karamsad, India)

DoD: 11th May 2018 (London, UK)

Shree Vinubhai Purushottambhai Patel (Karamsad)

Om Bhur Bhuvaḥ Swaḥ | Tat-savitur Vareñyaṃ | Bhargo Devasya Dhīmahi | Dhiyo Yonaḥ Prachodayāt With deep sorrow we announce the peaceful passing away of our beloved Father Vinubhai. He was the dearly loved husband of Srimati Indiraben V. Patel and dear father of Nandish, Jayshiree, Nita, and Delash. Sriman Vinubhai arrived in London in 1965 to build a life for his family, whom he brought here in 1967. One of the few Gujaratis in Southall when he arrived, he made himself available to help forge the community. A lively and jolly personality, he particularly enjoyed taking the stage at the Garba events at Shackleton Hall.

He loved his Garden, where he grew his own vegetables and flowers. He was passionate about his food and his desire was to share it with all who came to visit. He worked tirelessly and conscientiously to support his family. He welcomed retirement, which he spent enjoying the growth and success of his children and grandchildren.

A deep Vaishnavi, he will be remembered for the help and support he gave to all his extended family and friends throughout his life. His home was always open and welcoming to all who knew him. He will be missed by his children as well as son-in-law Ajaykumar, daughter-in-law Urjaben and grandchildren Shivani, Tejus, Vanisha, Risha, Arianna, and Elina.

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

Nandishbhai Vinubhai Patel (Son) Jayshireeben Vinubhai Patel (Daughter) Smt. Nitaben Ajaykumar Patel (Daughter) Ajaykumar Anandibhai Patel (Son in Law) Delashbhai Vinubhai Patel (Son) Smt. Urjaben Delashbhai Patel (Daughter in Law) Grandchildren: Shivani Ajaykumar Patel, Tejus Ajaykumar Patel, Vanisha Ajaykuymar Patel, Risha Nandishbhai Patel, Arianna Delashbhai Patel, Elina Delashbhai Patel Jai Shri Krishna from all the family members.

Our dearly loved Father’s funeral will be held at 2:45pm on Thursday 17th May 2018, at Breakspear Crematorium, Ruislip, HA4 7SJ

Address: 79 Orchard Avenue, Southall, Middlesex, UB1 1LQ

young politician who had earlier lost the crucial human resource development ministry. The fresh demotion comes in the wake of a string of contentious measures by the I&B ministry during her tenure. There had been speculation about her departure from the ministry since the PMO, in an unusual public rebuke, ordered the reversal of the ministry’s controversial guidelines purportedly meant to tackle “fake news”. Sources close to Irani had insisted that the guidelines were never issued and blamed the fiasco on bureaucrats, but her removal suggests that the PMO thought otherwise.

Odds appeared to have lengthened further against her continuation

after her recent run-in with Rashtrapati Bhavan over the handling of the national film awards function. The episode saw the President’s office conveying its unhappiness to the PMO, tipping the scales against the young minister who also took on Prasar Bharti and officers belonging to the Indian Information Service.

Interestingly, Rathore will be the Modi government’s fifth I&B minister in four years. Irani's tenure lasted less than a year.

Yet another boost for Goyal In stunning contrast, the new responsibility marks yet another boost for Goyal. With the addition, although temporary, of the responsibilities of finance and corporate affairs, he will have a

sprawling jurisdiction along with railways and coal. In his new role as finance minister, Goyal will join the Cabinet Committee on Security, an important club which consists of the Prime Minister and the ministers of home, external affairs and defence.

Jaitley, who successfully underwent a kidney transplant, will be a “minister without portfolio until he recovers”. Top sources in the government emphasised that Goyal has been given charge of finance and corporate affairs as a stop-gap arrangement until the time Jaitley recovers.

Rashtrapati Bhavan also said that SS Ahluwalia would be the junior minister for electronics and information technology

Sidhu acquitted of culpable homicide The Supreme Court on Tuesday set aside a lower court's order and acquitted Punjab Congress minister Navjot Singh Sidhu of culpable homicide not amounting to murder in the 1988 Patiala road rage case. However, the bench of Justices J Chelameswar and Sanjay Kishan Kaul found him guilty of causing simple injury and imposed a fine without any jail term.

The cricketer-turned-politician has been convicted under Section 323 of Indian Penal Code which says whosoever voluntarily causes

hurt, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

The court also acquitted Sidhu's aide Rupinder Singh Sandhu in the case. Earlier in April, the Congress government in Punjab has asked the Supreme Court to uphold Sidhu's conviction in the decades-old case. The apex court had granted bail to Sidhu after he was sentenced to three years in prison by the Punjab and Haryana high court.

AHEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

BBC Drama Doctors to air special episodes for Mental Health Awareness

Midlands based daytime drama BBC Doctors will air six episodes that tackle hard hitting stories designed to help raise M e n t a l H e a l t h Awareness and encourage viewers to reach out for support and advice.

The show is popular with daytime audiences and has on average well over a million viewers per episode. Doctors has always been proud to tackle difficult subjects and over the last couple of years has successfully tackled child grooming (which won them a British Soap Award for Best Single Episode), homelessness and gang culture to name a few as well as tackling a range of medical led stories on a daily basis. Doctors strives to explore reallife scenarios that peo-

ple can relate to – situations that they may come across in their own day-to-day lives, offering advice and guidance on how to reach out for help.

Story Producer Nasreen Ahmed says “We certainly aren’t intending to conquer all the myths and concerns around mental health by the end of our week but if we can use our regular characters and our ‘world’ to help viewers understand a little better and reach out for any support that is out there and needed – then we will have achieved what we set out to do.

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Eating yogurt as an appetizer before meals could ease inflammation, hypertension and boost gut health, a new study has found.

Researchers at the University of WisconsinMadison asked 60 premenopausal women - half obese and half normal weight - to eat 12 ounces of low-fat sweetened yogurt every day.

Meanwhile, another 60 ate the equivalent amount of a non-dairy snack.

They found that, even in those who ate plenty of meat and carbs, the yogurt appetizer helped to off-set the inflammation caused by saturated fat.

The study is the latest to show fermented dairy products like yogurt and cheese can have transformative effects on gut health and inflammation, running against the popular health fad of shunning dairy products.

'We saw an immediate effect, that lasted for nine weeks, and we hypothesized that this would improve over time,' lead author Dr Brad Bolling, a professor of food science, told Daily Mail Online.

Chronic inflammation is associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and other diseases.

Inflammation can be good as it is part of the body's innate immune system, our first line of defence against illness and injury. But when it lasts too long it can lead to where the body essentially attacks itself, wreaking biological havoc on our organs and systems.

Anti-inf lammatory medications like aspirin, naproxen, hydrocortisone and prednisone can help mitigate the effects of chronic inflammation but each carries their own

risks and side effects.

So for the past two decades scientists have looked at alternatives, particularly safe, gentle, longterm treatments.

But results have been mixed sparking a debate

whether dairy products are pro-inflammatory or antiinflammatory.

Yogurt, Dr Bolling said, appears to be the most promising dairy product to fight dangerous inflammation.

Avoiding a midnight snack and early breakfast may be the key to staying slim, new research suggests. Mice on a high-fat diet gain less weight when they are only able to eat for half the day, an Australian study found.

Previous research suggests late-night snacking is fueling the obesity crisis, with humans only supposed to eat between 8am and 8pm, or even earlier.

Yet, the researchers argue eating within any 12hour window, whether during the day or at night, helps

regulate signals that control people's appetites.

More than 25 per cent of adults in the UK are classified as obese. Carrying too much weight increases people's risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and even certain cancers. This comes after research released last February suggested scientists may have uncovered why diets backfire.

Slimmers feel hungrier and have a stronger desire to eat up to two years after losing weight, a study found.

Avoiding midnight snack and early breakfast is key to staying slim

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Eat yogurt as an appetizer before every meal

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TV NAMES THE GREAT INDIAN GLOBAL KITCHEN ISHQ MEIN MARJAWAN UTTARAN DIL KI PUKAR TERE SANG YAARA ISHQ MEIN MARJAWAN KASAM BALIKA VADHU - LAMHE PYAAR KE RADHA KI BETIYAAN KARMAFAL DAATA SHANI

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Mani Ratnam and team heading to Dubai

110 avatars for Keerthy in ‘Mahanati’ K

eerthy Suresh, who plays Savitri in the actress' biopic 'Mahanati', will transform into not one, not two, but 110 different looks. The revelation was made by director Nag Ashwin, who said she had to adorn the changes so she could do justice to the role.

O

ne of the very few filmmakers who prefer to shoot his films in India, Mani Ratnam made exceptions for his movies like 'Guru' and 'Kaatru Veliyidai'. And now, the director and his team are reportedly headed to Dubai, where they will be shooting an important portion featuring Vijay Sethupathi and Simbu for upcoming 'Chekka Chivantha Vaanam'. The upcoming is touted to be an action drama and boasts of an ensemble cast that also features Arvind Swami, Arun Vijay, Jyothika, Aishwarya Rajesh, and Aditi Rao Hydari in lead roles.

Actors Prakash Raj, Jayasudha, Mansoor Ali Khan, and Thiyagarajan are also reportedly part of the movie. Swami said goodbye to the team after the Chennai schedule closed, as he was done with his portion. “Just Finished my work in Chekka Chivandha Vaanaam. As always it was privilege to work with Mani Sir, @santoshsivan, and the whole crew. #CCV will be special, can feel it. Now for a day's rest and then promotions for Bhaskar Oru Rascal releasing on May 11th, “ he tweeted. If reports are to be believed, the film is expected to release by the end of this year.

Nayan and Sivan together again

S

ivakarthikeyan and director M Rajesh are joining hands for a Tamil comedy film, bankrolled by Gnanavel Raja of Studio Green. While the project is expected to take off from July, it is reported that the filmmakers have roped in actress Nayanthara to play the female lead. The yet-untitled film marks Siva's second film with Nayan after their massive success 'Velaikkaran'. It is no secret that he is fond of the 'Aramm' actress, and fans constantly float them together.

“I only worked with her for two days. From what I gathered, I found her to be very professional. I think women are going to love her character. She has created space for women-centric films. So many women who want to become actors look up to her. It was a great learning experience to work with her and Fahadh,” Sivakarthikeyan said about Nayan. The upcoming project, touted to be an out-and-out comedy, went on the floors recently after a formal pooja ceremony in Chennai.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Siva and Nayan are busy with several work commitments. While Nayan has recently joined the sets of Thala Ajith Kumar's 'Viswasam' in Hyderabad, she also has films like 'Imaikka Nodigal', 'Aramm 2', 'Kolamaavu Kokila', and 'Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy' in her kitty. Siva, on the other hand, awaits the release of the rural entertainer 'Seema Raja', directed by Ponram.

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20 of the looks were already dropped by the makers through posters, stills and teasers. It will be an understatement to say Keerthy has an uncanny resemblance to the late actress. The bilingual, which is made in Telugu and Tamil, has found profound appreciation by the public and critics alike.

Savitri's daughter Vijaya Chamundeswari, who had her doubts initially, loved the film and texted Keerthy afterwards saying, “If I ever need the warmth of my mom, will come to you Keerthy.”

Keerthy responded saying, “I convinced Savitri amma's own daughter with my performance in the film, what more I need?” About signing up for the character, she said, “I wondered if something like this would even happen.

That's when I said no and it took a few meeting with Nag Aswin to convince me. The narration did the trick, but it made me more nervous. After I said yes, I started to wonder if I could really do it. I wanted to, but how would I?”

Thalapathy to team up with Mohan Raja?

F

ollowing the success of 'Mersal' last year, Vijay announced that he would be collaborating with AR Murugadoss for a soon-tobe-titled project, which will be bankrolled by Sun Pictures. After completing back-to-back schedules in Kolkata and Chennai, makers of 'Thalapathy 62' are likely to resume work from May 12. However, there are some really interesting reports about Vijay's next. If the speculation is to be believed, Vijay will most likely work with director Mohan Raja once again.

Sources said Raja met the actor some time earlier this year and narrated a script, and he gave his nod for the project and also finalised the producer. Also, Raja's latest tweet served as a cryptic message that added fuel to the fire. “Last day of the first phase of discussion :) whatta experience it is always to feel the bliss of putting thought on paper.” An official confirmation is yet to be received.

'Thalapathy 62' meanwhile, is expected to hit the screens later this year.

Nandita to play a young mother in her next

I

n a surprising first, actress Nandita Swetha is all set to play a young mother in her upcoming 'Narmadha'.

Directed by debutante Geetha Rajput, the film will be yet another female-centric moie. “It is a family drama that revolves around the relationship between a mother and her son. Nandita, for the first time, will play a young, bold and energetic mother of a seven-year-old.

When I narrated the story to her, she told me that she hasn't done something like this before. She told me that she will see if she can fit into the role. In 12 days' time, Nandita said she's convinced that she can justify the character that I had written. This will be a challenging role and definitely not run-of-mill role or script,” Geetha said.

The character of her son will be played by newcomer Renesh. Also in the movie are Vijay Vasanth, MS Bhaskar, and Santhosh Prathap in pivotal roles. Geetha said, “Everyone in the team is doing homework for their roles. Renesh is taking some acting lessons, too. Nandita has already lost eight kilos for her role. We will begin shooting from May 15. Most portions will be shot in Chennai, Nagercoil, Tirunelveli, and Hyderabad.”

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Asian Voice | 19th May 2018

Dhol, Drama, and Dandiya: Abhiraj Minawala puts love in Navratri

Mitul Paniker n the king of all debuts, filmmaker Abhiraj Minawala is all set to release his maiden directorial venture 'Loveratri' in September this year. Starring debutants Aayush Sharma and Warina Hussain, the Salman Khan production is one movie to watch out for. A love story in the background of Gujarat's famous and beloved Navratri, Minawala speaks to Asian Voice and tells how he brought everything together. No stranger to Bollywood, Abhiraj 's first stint with the industry was as assistant director in 2009's 'Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year'. He has since then, went on to assist in several major hits, including 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan', and 'Sultan'.

When asked why he took so long to make his directorial debut, Abhiraj says, “The way I had started was I had just gotten out of college and had begun working. I was always interested in making movies. Then came my first day with Yash Raj Films. So did a second film with them, a third, as I kept going along, I learnt more and more things. The one thing I learned when I was there and working with various star casts, was that the more time I'd give into preparing myself, the better was the outcome. With your first film, you only get one chance. And in that one chance, you have to prepare yourself of how

I

Abhiraj Minawala

you're going to go. So I wanted to prepare completely.

This entire time I took was to make sure the first time I come on solo, on my own, I am completely prepared for all comments.

About the script, It appeared as if the true blue Gujarati in him spoke to him. “Naren Bhatt, writer of the film, and I had just met and I found us interesting

Bollywood beauties sizzle on Cannes red carpet

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

T

Padukone, Huma Qureshi, and Mallika Sherawat made their presence felt at the French Riviera in their best avatars. Sonam Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai joined later in the week.

'Queen' Kangana, who was the first to be a part of the festival, debuted in an ultra-glamorous Sabyasachi saree as she nailed her pre-Cannes look in retro style. She walked the red carpet the next day in a resplendent sheer Zuhair Kangana Murad gown. She is part of Vive Ranaut Le Cinema, an initiative by liquor brand Grey Goos to celebrate global cinematic excellence.”It is overwhelming to witness the recognition and appreciation for Indian cinema at international platforms like Cannes,” Kangana said.

Deepika, who had been teasing her fans from the last three days with her different looks, finally shared her red carpet look on social media, blowing several minds. Her second year at the film festival, she went as Kangana the brand ambassador of fashion brand Deepika L'Oreal. Dippy wore a stunning white sheer

because I am also a Gujarati. This was around filming the end of 'Sultan'. Salman Sir had spoken to me a couple of times about what my plans are for the future and I had told him I am working on some scripts and looking for the idea. He told me to let him know if anything comes up. So when the story came, I went up to him. Aayush at that time was assisting me, and on hearing the script, I felt he was very much fit for the character.

About the abysmal and over-the-top, exaggerated portrayal of Gujaratis by the film industry, Abhiraj was quick to state that that was one of the reasons he chose to work on the particular culture. “That was one of my main ideas, you know, to work on a film which was a culture close to me, and I understood,” he said. “Every time, well, most of the time, the way Gujaratis have been depicted in Hindi films is in a caricature way. The way they speak, move, dress. And I have always known that I want to change it, you know, break that. Which is the main thing I told Salman Sir that I want to treat it in a very real way so that there is no larger than life character. Gujaratis are jolly and fun people. So that humour that just comes across, that is important. There is no over-the-top characters who are loud in your face. None of that.” gown with cape detailing designed by Zuhair Murad for her first look. Her second came as a pleasant surprise as the normally demure actress brought out her naughty side on the red carpet. Deepika grinned and playfully stuck her tongue out one Day 2. Sporting a flattering, pink dress by Ashi Studio, the actress was a vision with her green-coloured Lorraine Shwartz diamond jewellery paired with bold eye make up and nude lips. However, it was Aishwarya who yet again proved she is the undisputed Queen of Cannes as she set temperatures soaring with a Michael Cinco gown. The multi coloured gown was sparkling with embroidery and sequins work, and while they worked marvellously on the actress, what added the extra oomph was the long train that accompanied the gown. A simple cat eye and red lips completed the look as Aishwarya reminded us mere mortals that she's the true OG of the red carpet. The last the enter the arena, Sonam Kapoor has only just arrived in the French Riviera, minus her designer sister Rhea.

For her Cannes debut, actress Huma Qureshi ditched the gown and instead, opted for a beige pantsuit, designed by Nikhil Thampi. Mallika Sherawat stunned with her look, as she walked the talk styled by Wil Ariyamethe, one of the leading stylists of Paris, dressed in a gorgeous gown by couturier designer Tony Ward and exquisite Ferragamo shoes. She has collaborated with 'Free A Girl India', an NGO fighting against human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children in India.

he Cannes Film Festival has officially commenced and while the even is all about motion arts, we also have our eager eyes set on the red carpet which, each year, showcases some of the world's best artists.

From directors, actors, to actresses, the Cannes Red Carpet is an whole event in itself. Indian celebs too dazzled at the 71st Cannes Film Festival, as

Ranaut,

Deepika Padukone

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UK

Asian Voice |

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19th May 2018

Coming Events ● 'A Greater Love: Demystifying Detachment', a special event with Sister Jayanti, to be held on May 24, 7.00 pm to 8.30 pm at Global Co-operation House, 65-69 Pound Lane, London NW10 2HH.

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Shree Kutch Leva Patel Community Centre submit plans for new sports centre in Northolt

● Sree Sree Anukulchandra's Satsang to be held on May 19, 6.30 pm onwards, at VHP Hindu Temple 43, Cleveland Rd, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1EE. ● Jain Network London has organised a lecture by well-known scientist Dr Shaileshanandji Mehta on the secrets of human life, self-realisation, and other topics from May 25 to 30, 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm, at Jain Centre, 64-68, Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5DR. ● The 33rd anniversary celebration of the London Peace Pagoda to be held on June 16, Saturday, at 2.00 pm. The programme includes the annual ceremony of Nipponzan Myohoji with various Buddhist traditions, interfaith prayers for peace, messages and speeches, devotional music and dance. This will be followed by an offering of tea and light refreshments.

All interested may also offer incense, flowers, candles, etc. Other events at the London Pagoda include celebration of the 33rd annual Multifaith Pilgrimage for Peace and Friendship on June 23rd organised by Westminster Interfaith, celebration of Hiroshima Day at Tavistock Square on August 6 organised by London Region CND, and celebration of Nagasaki Day on August 9, with a peace walk from Westminster Cathedral to the London Peace Pagoda, followed by the Floating Lantern Ceremony at sunset.

Members of the Shree Kutch Leva Patel Community Centre and Sports Ground based in India Gardens have applied to Ealing Council to demolish all the buildings on the site and replace them with a new community sports building.

The extensive plans feature new changing rooms, a kitchen, spectator seating and viewing areas, multi-use sports halls and function rooms.

Bochasanwasi Shree Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha's head Param Pujya Mahant Swami was in Secundarabad, Bengaluru, on May 7 and conducted his vicharan there will May 14. On May 12, Pujya Yogiji Maharaj Jayanti was celebrated in his presence.

Mahant Swami spoke about Yogiji's life, and urged all Haribhakts to follow his footsteps. During his vicharan in Bengaluru, he met all who called upon him, and spread the message of unity and empathy.

Mahant Swami reached Chennai on May 15, and will continue his stay there till May 20.

A teenage girl accused of plotting ISIS-inspired terror attacks at London landmarks fantasised about killing former US President Barack Obama in online chats with her jihadi fiance, a court heard.

Safaa Boular, 18, was arrested as she planned a gun and grenade suicide attack on the British Museum after being trained online by ISIS member Naweed Hussain, it is claimed.

When her plot to travel to Syria and marry the British-Pakistani man was thwarted last April, she is alleged to have urged her older sister, Rizlaine, 22, to

Sneh Joshi

In an address to community members, its president Mavji Dhanji Jadva Vekaria said: "Achieving a new state-of-the-art centre for our Samaj (group) has always been the dream for our community.

“A new project team was formed in July 2016, which includes architects, planning consultants and associated consultants.

"During the last 14 months, we have been moving forward in a steady but fruitful pace. The plan-

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 The fiery planet Mars, contin-

ues to occupy your Solar 10th house for some time to come. Its influence will help you to maintain a high energy level and achieve positive results in anything that requires drive and initiative. If you are involved in a fairly competitive field of activity, you will be the one who comes out on top.

Mars continues to energize GEMINI May 22 - June 22 your solar ninth house. Others find you easy to be around, as you are courageous and charismatic. You are strong and bold in your beliefs and convictions as well, and others tend to naturally follow your lead. You actively seek out new learning experiences and adventures without any fear.

Mars is transiting your solar eighth house. This is a great time to find out what is important in your life and get rid of unwanted clutter and negative people who are clouding your judgement. Shared finances can come into focus, could lead to disputes and disagreements if you are not careful or insensitive in your dealings with others.

ning team continues to work daily on this challenging work and we are hopeful that by the first quarter of 2018 we will be able to bring you a positive outcome."

A host of activities take place at the sports centre including cricket and football tournaments, family worship events and music festivals. You can find out more at www.sklpc.com.

The plans can be viewed and commented on at www.ealing.gov.uk

Teenage girl accused of plotting ISIS attacks on London landmarks 'fantasised about blowing up Barack Obama' "carry the torch forward" in her place.

Rizlaine and her mother, Mina Dich, 43, went on a reconnaissance trip scouting major landmarks around Westminster, the Old Bailey heard.

The pair purchased a packet of knives and a rucksack on April 26 in preparation for an attack near the Palace of Westminster codenamed the 'Mad Hatter's Tea Party', it is claimed.

Rizlaine has already admitted planning a knife attack on London and her mother has pleaded guilty to assisting her, the jury was told.

On Monday, jurors

Rizlaine

were taken through alleged downloads from one of the phones seized from Boular when she returned to the UK from a holiday in Morocco in August 2016.

Anti-terror police were able to see that the

The UK’s leading Vedic writer and TV personality

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20 The prevailing astrological trend indicates increasing vigour and stamina. At an ordinary everyday level you can expect this to be a pleasant time, indulging in the good things of life. At a deeper level, there does appear to be a new energy stirring within you. This will urge you towards creating greater independence in your lifestyle.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

The existing cricket pitch would be kept and revamped with a new outdoor sports pitch built next to it. There will also be new pedestrian, cycling and vehicle access including a new access route onto West End Road.

The plans are in line with the organisation's mission statement which is to "enhance the quality of life through education, cultural, social and sports activities and instil values that will benefit society".

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23 Mars has just moved into solar seventh house. During this period, personal relationships can suffer as arguments arise due to unresolved issues. Tread carefully as some form of conflict, whether intentional or otherwise can rear its ugly head. On a positive note you are full of energy and ready to compete, so make sure you stay the course and win the battle.

Mars puts a spotlight on your VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23 solar sixth house. This is a busy period that finds you tending to many different aspects of your daily routine and health matters. You are in a very fortunate position to be able to improve your health and diet and also tackle any problems at work, which have been a source of irritation for some time.

With Mars, comes increased creative and romantic energy but be sure to manage this carefully as you want to avoid the trouble that these areas can bring. Your self-confidence will be well-received by others during this period but you are likely to take a few more risks and embrace your competitive nature. Just remember to remain sensitive to the needs of others. projects and activities SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22 Domestic will get a welcome boost during this period with more of a focus on feeling secure and consolidating the home front. However, as you focus more on the home, there can be family conflicts or disputes. Your career may also be frustrated by others but don’t use this as an excuse to re-examine old wounds.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

Mum Mina

teenager installed chat applications like WhatsApp and the encrypted Telegram along with anti-spy applications to guard against surveillance, the court heard.

020 8518 5500

Ideas and plans will come easily to you during this period but with such volume be sure to channel your efforts well.

Pitches and new proposals should be very positive as you will be more articulate than usual. You will also be able to assert yourself more readily but avoid heated discussions and don’t be hasty as it could cost you.

Mars is transiting your solar CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20 second house this time, extra care should be exercised when it comes to new financial initiatives. There may be the need to resolve old, nagging issues regarding personal finances. Take this time to re-budget and rethink how you want to spend your cash during this period.

Mars is transiting your solar 1st AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19 house. This transit helps you to assert yourself more than usual. You have lots of energy and are more enterprising. During this transit you may lose your temper more than usual. Avoid being hasty in your decisions and do not step on anyone's toes. Love affairs may also be pleasurable during this period.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

You may find yourself hard at work behind the scenes, although that may not be apparent to others. You may find yourself caught up in a whirlwind of activity, with opportunities to advance on both the inner and outer level. There’s a sparkle to your social life and you will have fun communicating with others.

SPORT

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ROYAL CHALLENGERS BEAT KINGS XI BY 10 WICKETS

Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 48 as he powered RCB to a 10-wicket win over Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) at the Holkar Stadium, Indore. Kohli was ably supported by Parthiv Patel, who also remained unbeaten on 40. RCB winning the toss put KXIP into bat as the visitors produced a disciplined bowling performance to bundle out Kings XI for a meagre 88 in just 15.1 overs. In reply, Kohli led from the front as RCB chased down the target in 8.1 overs. During his innings, Kohli hit six fours and two sixes, while Parthiv's innings was laced with seven boundaries.

Courtesy this win, RCB improved upon their net run rate and are placed seventh with 10 points, while KXIP are placed fifth with 12 points after crashing to their third successive defeat.

Sent into bat, Kings XI innings never got going as they lost wickets like pack of cards from the onset to be bowled out in 15.1 overs. Backed by some good fielding, Umesh Yadav (3/23) came up with an impressive bowling to destabilise the Kings XI innings.

Besides, Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal (1/6), Colin de Grandhomme (1/8), Moeen Ali (1/13) and Mohammed Siraj (1/17) picked up a wicket each.

Buttler takes Rajasthan Royals to crucial win Rajasthan Royals scored a seven-wicket victory and advanced their chance of progressing further in the playoff position while the defending champions Mumbai Indians were staring at a bleak times ahead. Royals skipper Ajinkya Rahane and Jos Buttler put on 95 runs for the second wicket, before Rahane fell for 37 off 36 balls. Rahane’s fall did not haunt Buttler and he went on clobbering Mumbai bowlers all around the park.

Royals required 55 off the last six overs and there was little to worry as Buttler continued with his aggressive streak. He finished with an unbeaten 94 off 53 balls. Sanju Samson, who joined Buttler at Rahane’s fall, hit 26 off 14 balls. Earlier, Rahane who won the toss asked the hosts to take first strike and MI responded with 168/6.

Earlier, Royals scored a four wicket victory over Chennai Super kings with just one ball to spare thanks to an an unbeaten 95 by Buttler. Faced with a 177-run chase, Buttler proved to be the royal among Royals.

Chennai have one foot in playoffs Chennai Super Kings brightened its playoffs chances with a comfortable eight-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad. They have 16 points from 12 games and with a handsome

Net Run Rate of 0.388, it shouldn’t be too difficult for MS Dhoni’s men to clinch a top-two berth as well, provided they win one more game. The loss to CSK, though, didn’t come as a disaster for SRH, who have already qualified for the last-four stage. The chief architects of CSK’s win on Sunday were openers Ambati Rayudu (100 n.o) and Shane Watson (57). On paper, 180 should have been a difficult chase against SRH, given their track record. But this CSK batting line-up cruised past the finishing line with an over to spare.

Virat, AB ensure comfortable win for Bangalore Royal Challengers Bangalore won by five wickets against Delhi Daredevils but the playoffs still remains an outside chance for them. Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers showed what experience of dominating world cricket for years can do to a rival team. Rishabh Pant's 34-ball 61 and Abhishek Sharma's 19ball 46 take Delhi to post a score of 181/4. All of that was to be undone by the class of Kohli’s unassuming 40-ball 70 and de Villiers’ enterprising 37-ball 72. Their 118run partnership was screaming out the difference between experience and and row power. All of Kohli’s preceding knocks have struggled to take RCB past the finishing line.

On Saturday night, he ensured RCB had this one in the bag by the time he nicked Amit Mishra to wicketkeeper Pant in the 14th over. The job was duly completed by de Villiers.

Delhi fail to cross 245 Kolkata Knight Riders batsmen did everything on Saturday right, hitting boundaries at will against Kings XI Punjab to post 245/6 runs, the fourth-highest total in IPL

and just playing conventional strokes. They used the pace offered by the fast bowlers and used their power and reach to clobber spinners Amit Mishra and Shahbaz Nadeem for sixes.

Crucial win for MI over KKR Mumbai Indians scored an impressive win over Kolkata Knight Riders as they notched up their eighth consecutive win, second in last three days, against them by 102 runs at the Eden Gardens. KKR’s meek surrender saw them slip out of the top-four position on the points table as MI not only caught up with them at 10 points from 11 matches but the huge margin of victory also helped them rise to fourth. It was Ishan Kishan (62) who took the match away from KKR. The KKR pacers haven’t fared well in the powerplay. For the first time this season, the script unfolded differently as MI plundered 75 runs between the 10th and 15th overs thanks Ishan Kishan. The visitors made a sedate start before it rained sixes and fours courtesy Ishan’s bat as MI finished on a hefty 210 runs. KKR were never in the game as they lost wickets at regular intervals to be reduced to 67 for six inside the first 10 overs. The hosts, for the first time in this IPL, were bowled out, for 108 runs in 18.1overs.

Rajasthan Royals score crucial win Rajasthan Royals scored a crucial win over Kings XI Punjab to keep their faint hopes of qualifying for the IPL playoffs alive.

Punjab, who were asked to chase 159, lost wickets at regular intervals to finish at 143 for 7 to lose the game by 15 runs. In-form batsman KL Rahul waged a lone furrow for Punjab with a valiant and unbeaten 95 (70 balls). But he was left to do too much towards the end as the asking rate kept mounting.

Marcus Stoinis was the only other Punjab batsman to reach double fugures as the Royals bowling pack rose to the occasion to throttle the opponents. Earlier, Jos Buttler cracked 82 from 58 balls as Royals reached a below-par 158 for 8 in 20 overs, after being 96 for 2 at the end of 12 overs.

history. Sunil Narine laid the foundation with a 36-ball 75. Giving him company were Chris Lynn (27) and Robin Uthappa (24).

Skipper Dinesh Karthik (50) and Andre Russell (30) then carried on the momentum with some audacious hitting. Chasing 245 was always a herculean task for Kings. When Punjab came out to bat, KL Rahul (66) launched a blistering attack. He again looked in golden touch, while Chris Gayle took his time. The pair was going well when Andre Russell struck twice in two balls. Once Rahul was dismissed, Kings XI were out of the contest, though they managed to cross the 200run mark, posting 214/8.

Dhawan, Williamson shine for Sunrisers It was a night when Shikhar Dhawan’s elegance trumped over Rishabh Pant’s power. Chasing 188, Sunrisers hyderabad opener Shikhar Dhawan rose to the challenge put forth by Delhi Daredevils’ precocious Pant and led his team into the 2018 playoffs with an emphatic nine-wicket win with seven balls to spare. Daredevils’ hopes of progressing in the tournament ended with their eighth loss in 11 games. Dhawan (92*) turned things around in style when his side needed it the most after the IPL, 2018 onslaught from his Delhi Ranji teammate Pant who ham- Teams mered 128 not out off just 68 Sunrisers Hyderabad balls in a total of 188 runs. The Chennai Super Kings IPL 2018 table-toppers Kolkata Knight Riders reached the target with captain Rajasthan Royals Kane Williamson (83*) adding a sixth half-century for the Kings XI Punjab season. The duo compiled an Mumbai Indians unbeaten 176-run stand in 17 Royal Challengers Bangalore overs, never breaking sweat Delhi Daredevils

Rahane dropped from ODI squad; Rahul, Kaul picked

Sunrisers Hyderabad - he picked 16 wickets in 10 games last Ajinkya Rahane has been left out of the 16-man ODI squad season and has 13 in the 10 so far in the ongoing seafor the three-match series in England in July. KL Rahul, son. who is in the middle of a splendid IPL season, makes The spin department continues to be without his way back while 27-year-old Punjab speedster Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, while Siddarth Kaul has been included in both, the ODI impressive Tamil Nadu offie Washington Sundar and T20I squads. has been trusted to take the spot that was previousRahane was tasked with making the No. 4 posily handed to left-arm orthodox bowler Axar Patel. tion his own earlier this year in South Africa, after a Umesh Yadav is back, after last featuring in the host of options since the 2017 Champions Trophy series against Australia last September, while the didn't live up to expectations. The Mumbai batsman likes of Shreyas Iyer and Dinesh Karthik have retained began the six-match ODI series with an 86-ball 79 the place. that involved a match-winning partnership with ODI squad: Virat Kohli (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, but could only manage scores of 11, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Ambati 8, 8 and 34* in the rest of the series. Manish Rayudu, MS Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Pandey, another batsman who was viewed Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, as a potential No.4 candidate, has also Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Siddarth Kaul, missed out.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav BCCI also brought back 32-year-old T20I squad: Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, who last played an ODI Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul,Suresh Raina, Manish in June 2016. Like Rahul and Kaul, Pandey, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Rayudu too has enjoyed a fantastic IPL Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, 2018, topping the batting charts in CSK Washington Sundar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, colours. The faith in Kaul also stems Ajinkya Rahane Jasprit Bumrah, Siddarth Kaul, Umesh Yadav from his exceptional performance for

- Points Table

Mat Won Lost Tied 12 9 3 0 12 8 4 0 12 6 6 0 12 6 6 0 12 6 6 0 12 5 7 0 12 5 7 0 12 3 9 0

Pts 18 16 12 12 12 10 10 6

NRR 0.400 0.383 0.189 0.347 0.518 0.405 0.218 0.478

Shashank Manohar re-elected as ICC chairman

Shashank Manohar has been re-elected as the independent chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) after he was the sole nominee put forward by the ICC Board.

According to an ICC release, Manohar, who became the first independent ICC chairman in 2016, will continue for a second two-year term following his unopposed election.

During the last two years, Manohar has led significant reform of the sport, reversing the resolutions of 2014, introducing a revised governance structure, including the appointment of the ICC's first independent female director and the development of international cricket structures that bring context to the global

Shashank Manohar

game and provide more opportunities for more members to compete.

Commenting on his reappointment Manohar said: "It is an honour to be re-elected as the chairman of the International Cricket Council and I would like to thank my fellow ICC directors for their continued support.

Together we have made big strides over the last two years, fulfilling promises I made to the sport when I was appointed in 2016.

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ECB'S AMBITIOUS ACTION PLAN TO DRAW MORE SOUTH ASIANS TO CRICKET

Cecil Soans On Thursday 10th May the English Cricket Board launched its Action Plan to tap into the unexplored potential and passion for cricket within UK's South Asian community.

Calling cricket a force for good, Tom Harrison, ECB Chief Executive Officer, in a statement to the media, said: “Whilst we’ve long acknowledged the passion for the game in South Asian communities in the UK and had the best intentions, we have never fully understood how to engage with South Asian communities. This report gives us a road map to change that.”

Quoting Lord Patel of Bradford, the ECB Senior Independent Director, the statement read: “As a British Asian who grew up playing cricket in the streets and on the pitches of Bradford in the 1960s, I have first-hand experience of the enormous benefits of our sport.

Cricket gave me the confidence, connections and opportunities to meet new people outside my community, as well as develop lifelong friendships.

The passion South Asian communities in the UK have for cricket remains high but, over 50 years later, there is still so much untapped potential. This plan will help to change that – starting today.”

The ECB, led by Chief Strategy Officer David Mahoney, has put together a South Asian Advisory Group which includes experienced individuals from within and outside the game such as Wasim Khan, Isa Guha, Mark Nicholas, Manoj Badale, Ron Kalifa among many others.

Led by Head of Strategy Vikram Banerjee, a project team conducted the largest ever UK

Lord Patel of Bradford

A group photo during the ECB South Asian Action Plan Launch at Leyton County Ground (Christopher Lee - Getty Images)

Sandwell and Slough. These locations will be the focus of the first two years of the project.

Following this initial period, the plan will expand to engage with a further 300 districts that make up the remaining 39% of the audience.

The Action Plan has made 11 recommended actions which include: • URBAN CRICKET CENTRES-The creation of 20+ new Urban Cricket Centres and the development of 1,000 non-turf pitches and 100 turf pitches by 2024;

Tom Harrison

study into cricket in South Asian communities, analysing tens of thousands of survey responses and hundreds of thousands of database records to understand how these diverse groups view cricket.

Based on the findings the ECB has identified ten ‘Core Cities’ where the majority (61%) of the South Asian population live: Birmingham, Bradford, Kirklees, Leeds, Leicester, London, Luton, Manchester,

• COMMUNITY TALENT CHAMPIONS Piloting the implementation of ‘Community Talent Champions’ to scout talent previously missed by the scouting system; • PRIMARY SCHOOLS - The delivery of cricket sessions to 6,000 primary schools in deprived urban communities through Chance to Shine by 2019; • DIVERSITY IN COACHING - The adoption

w w w . d u b a i h olida y s .c o

of the ‘Rooney Rule’ to support the progression of BAME coaches working in the professional game for all future ECB coaching roles; working with the ten ‘core cities’ to train and develop 200 female coaches; • BURSARIES - The awarding of bursaries to talented young South Asian players.

Manoj Badale, Chairman of the British Asian

Trust, added:“This plan represents a real step change from the ECB. They have invested significant time and energy in understanding how to engage with South Asian communities in the right way.

The British Asian Trust fully supports this plan and is delighted to be a strategic partner.”

Gulfraz Riaz, National Asian Cricket Council (NACC) spoke exclusively to Asian Voice

There is a huge South Asian community up and down the country which has had no proper engagement with county boards or the ECB. They are still playing in the parks among themselves and getting changed under trees and in car parks. In Nov 2017 we held a one-day conference in Birmingham where we invited Chairman of cricketing parks representing the South Asian community and debated if we needed a national body that represents the South Asian cricketing community all around the country. Our aim is to integrate the South Asian community into mainstream cricket not segregate it.

Everyone, from the county boards to the media, especially the British Asian media, has a key role to play in our plans to get our Gulfraz Riaz message across. We have now gained tremendous goodwill from the ECB who are wanting to engage with us, and to be launching this paper today is a massive achievement for the South Asian community. We also have Asian community members who want to become coaches, umpires, scorers and administrators. This paper attempts to fulfil the aspirations of South Asians and if we can achieve that cricket in this country can only be stronger for that.

Driven by peer and parental pressures, historically, the professions such as accountancy, pharmacy and medicine have been the preferred choice for South Asians for several reasons including economic ones. But that does not have to be the case. If you look at T20, at the top end you could earn a few million pounds. A professional playing county cricket can earn around £100,000 a year, close to what a doctor may earn. Asian parents also have a huge role to play when it comes to their children's fitness, dieting, strength & conditioning and other disciplines of cricket. The bursary side of our programme is also very important especially for families in deprived areas. Our strategy is set over 7 years and in the next couple of years we will have a good idea about where we are going.