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High Commissioner of India hosts a reception for the Indian cricket team
www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 26th July 2014
Rupanjana Dutta
The High Commissioner of India, H.E. Mr. Ranjan Mathai organised a reception at his residence, 9 Kensington Palace Gardens, London, in honour of the visiting Indian cricket team on Tuesday 15 July 2014, as they readied for their historic win at the Lord’s. The ambassador's garden looked beautiful with a marquee as people gathered, enjoying the balmy evening with drinks and canapes, anticipating the arrival of the Indian cricket team led by captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The evening was graced by many important dignitaries including Mr Kamlesh Sharma, 5th and current Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations with his wife, Deputy Indian High Commissioner Dr Virander Paul and wife Rachel Paul, Head of Chancery and Minister for Press and Information, Indian High Commission, Mr Prashant Pise, Matthew Hancock, Minister of State for Business, Enterprise and Energy, Rt Hon Keith Vaz, MP, cricketer Farokh Engineer, journalists from
HE Mr Ranjan Mathai addressing the guests
neurs like the Hindujas, Kartar Lalvani and many others. HE Ranjan Mathai, welcoming the guests said, “I would like to say I am very honoured by the presence of so many friends, including the Indian cricket team. Indian cricket team will play these 5 test series for the first time since 1959. Geeta and I are greatly honoured to be joined by our friends. I
The Indian cricket team with Mathew Hancock MP and Rt Hon Keith Vaz, MP
the Indian Journalists’ Association, Mr CB Patel, Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, representatives of the British South
Indians, several Indian representatives, bank MPs, Peers, former cricketers, former tennis players, organisation and community leaders, entrepre-
would like to invite the Captain of the team to address the gathering.” MS Dhoni, in his usual charming way said, “As soon as we entered as a
team, The High Commissioner asked me if we have been here before. I wanted to tell him, Sir it feels like we own the property. Jokes apart, we take immense pride to meet the community. So we will try and make this a very entertaining Rupanjana Dutta, Associate Editor, evening- with plenty Asian Voice and CB Patel, of photographs and Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice and autographs. I would Gujarat Samachar with Indian cricket also like to request team captain MS Dhoni my team members to countries. I was honoured introduce themselves one to attend the Cabinet for by one”. the first time today, since While all his team being put in this position. mates shyly introduced We believe strongly in the themselves one by one, Indian skills of enterprise bowler Bhuvneshwar and strength of family. Kumar got the highest India has a great relationnumber of applauds for ship with Britain, and “I am saying, cricket has definitely Bhuvneshwar Kumar. I played a part in it.” would like to say here that Rt Hon Keith Vaz, MP I am an Indian rather than said: “I was honoured to saying which part of India meet the Indian cricket I am from.” team. I know that the Test Chief Guest Mathew Series between England Hancock, Minister of and India will be a hardState for Business, fought contest and will Enterprise and Energy produce some entertaining said, “It is a huge pleasure and top-class cricket. I to welcome you, the playwish both teams well for ers and all the supporters. the Series.” We in British government believe passionately and Photo courtesy: strongly about the relaRaj D Bakrania, PRMediaPix tionship between the 2
FAST launches campaign urging young Britons not to travel to Syria and Iraq Tanveer Mann
Since the conflict in Syria began three years ago, an increasing number of young Britons have left their British lives behind and have gone to fight in Syria. Recently, the situation in Iraq has intensified, meaning more and more young people are travelling to both Syria and Iraq and are feared to have joined extremist groups such as ISIS. With immediate effect, a new nationwide campaign, urging British Muslim families across the UK to take action if they suspect a loved one might be planning to travel to Iraq or Syria, was launched on Monday 21 July at the Home Office. The launch was attended by Home Secretary Theresa May to highlight the importance of the issue and the devastating impact those who do travel have on their families back home in the UK. The campaign, called Families Matter, highlights the power families have, to make a difference by reaching out to seek help if they suspect a family member might be planning on travelling to a conflict zone. The hard hitting campaign, which has been developed by UK communi-
Home Secretary Theresa May speaking at the Launch
ty support group FAST (Families Against Stress and Trauma) reveals the trauma, pain and suffering felt by those family members who have lost a loved one to a conflict zone as well as provides practical information and advice for families in need of help. At the launch, Home Secretary Theresa May regretfully said, “The events in Syria have produced one of the world’s most devastating humanitarian crises. Over 9 million people have been displaced and many, including children, are suffering hugely from the conflict.” She continued by saying that though many want to help, the instinct has regrettably led some people to travel to Syria in the hope that by fighting, they are
helping the cause. “The result and effect on these people, their families and often on the communities they are trying to support is very destructive indeed.” Saleha Jaffer, founder of FAST, expressed her thoughts at the launch and urged everyone across all communities to unite together and engage in open dialogue in order to combat this worrying issue. She said, “every life is precious and if because of our short film and campaign efforts, just one or two people think twice about traveling to these conflict zones and leaving their families and country to go and fight, then we will consider it as a success. As the loss of one life, is one too many.” The short film, displayed at the launch,
showed three families talking candidly about the devastating impact it has had on their lives since discovering a loved one had travelled to Iraq or Syria. The film is being supported by a nationwide poster campaign as well as leaflets drawing attention to the various specialist support services families can turn to for help. Saleha said, “It is only when you hear it for yourself do you realise the pain. We hope that those affected will reach out, reach out to our website, reach out to a friend, a family member or any other organizations ready to help. Everyone has a choice. There are many many other ways you can make a difference without traveling to these areas as well as causing any heartbreak to your loved ones.” Theresa May concluded the launch with a strong message: “No one should be travelling to Syria. I welcome and support this campaign which highlights the impact on families of those who chose to travel for whatever reason. I also support this campaign, which says ‘reach out’ if you think that your family or a friend could be affected by the stories shown in this film. Families matter and families make a difference.”
Happy 1st Birthday Prince George!
He melted hearts a year ago and it seems he has stolen hearts a year later, after new pictures were released ahead of Prince George’s first birthday. A year ago, Prince George was welcomed into the world at the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in London and the adorable young Royal has been working his charm on all since then. Fitting for a prince, baby George has experienced more than any baby in his first year, from his first public appearance the day after he was born, to his first royal tour when he overshadowed his parents and stole the hearts of royal fans in New Zealand and Australia. Prince George Alexander Louis of
Cambridge was born at 4.24pm on July 22 2013. Weighing a healthy 8lb 6oz, George arrived at the same Paddington Hospital that his father, Prince William, was delivered at 31 years earlier. Some of his most proudest moments include stealing the show when his family touched down in Sydney. As soon as he descended of his private plane, a lineup of dignitaries, including the country’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott, were all excitedly waiting to meet the Prince. Also, his visit to Taronga Zoo, Sydney, where he was seen to be very excited to meet the bilby, one of Australia’s best-loved and most endangered species, was a highlight.