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MIDLANDS VOICE
Asian community grieves the untimely death of RAF officer
A 29 years old RAF officer, Flight Lieutenant Rakesh Chauhan from Leicestershire has been named as one of five servicemen killed in a Lynx helicopter crash on Saturday morning, in Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan. The late officer's parents live in Cropston, north of Leicester, and his family run Milan's Sarees, a shop in the city's Golden Mile, in Belgrave, founded by Rakesh's grandmother. Flt Lt Chauhan died alongside fellow non-commissioned Intelligence officer Lance Corporal Oliver Thomas, and Captain Thomas Clarke, Warrant Officer Class 2 Spencer Faulkner and Corporal James Walters from the Army Air Corps. An investigation has been launched into the cause of the crash, which the Ministry of Defence is calling a "tragic accident". The MoD said Flt Lt Chauhan, who was born in Birmingham, was on his third tour of Afghanistan. Colleagues have paid tribute to a charismatic and loyal young man with a "contagious" sense of humour. Flt Lt Chauhan is survived by father Kishore, mother Jyoti and older brother Kesh, 31. Originally from Bardoli, South Gujarat, his grandparents Karsanbhai and Vijyaben migrated to Britain from Machakos in Nairobi. His devastated father told the Daily Mirror that his son had lived for his job. “The air force has been my son’s passion since he
Rakesh Chauhan
was 11. He loved it, and I took comfort from seeing him happy in what he was doing. "He was very patriotic about Britain, for which he made the ultimate sacrifice.” Flight Lieutenant Chauhan had attended the private King Edward's School in Birmingham and was a graduate of the prestigious St Andrews University in On Monday, Scotland. Reverend Duncan Raynor, Edward’s School King Chaplain paid tribute. His brother Kesh told Asian Voice, that Rakesh was extremely proud to serve his country, especially proud of his RAF appointment and commission. The family is also very proud of his achievements and believes that he accomplished much more than many in his short 29 years. The Leicester Mercury reported that his Commanding Officer said: "Flt Lt Chauhan, or Rak to his friends, was an outstand-
www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 3rd May 2014
ing Royal Air Force officer in every respect. "Bright, articulate, charismatic and loyal, he was a pleasure to be around. "Certainly the best Intelligence Branch officer I have known, his presentations were considered essential viewing by aircrew and others alike." "A rising star of the Royal Air Force, Rak was a team player in every respect and worked passionately for those around him. "He would unselfishly take on additional work, safe in the knowledge that his peers would do less as a result. "His positive attitude was infectious and he would always be seen with a bright smile on his face. "His sense of humour was contagious and you could guarantee he would be at the centre of any laughter in the room. The wider Belgrave community devastated by this death, sent messages of support and condolences to his family. Neighbouring business owner Naseem Anwar, of Fashion Ghar, reportedly said: "It's very sad news. The family is very patriotic and were very proud of what their son was doing." Vikram Lakhatariya, owner of Mohan's Hair Salon opposite the Chauhans' business, told the Leicester Mercury: "I'm very sad to hear this. They are a very good family, excellent people.
Tragic house fire kills 5 people Five people, including a nine-week-old baby girl and her two brothers, nine and seven, have been killed in a Sheffield house fire. The children died along with their grandmother Shabina Begum, 54, and their aunt Anum Parvaiz, 20, after the fire broke out in the terraced house in Wake Road, Sharrow, shortly after midnight. The boys were named locally as Amaan Nazim, seven, and his brother Adhyan Nazim, nine, who died in a bedroom with
their nine-week-old sister. The children's father, Nazim Parvaiz, was out working when the fire broke out and their mother, Razia Nazim, survived the blaze. The Daily Mail reported that witnesses said the grandmother escaped the fire only to go back inside - but died trying to save her trapped family. Distraught relatives have said the deaths are a 'tragedy beyond description' because 'within five minutes
The burnt out Sheffield house
Amaan Nazim, 7 (left) and Adhyan Nazim, 9 (right), pictured with their father Nazim Parwaiz (centre)
five precious lives were lost'. The cause of the fire is being investigated, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue has said. The cousin of one of the grandmother who died, Ishfaq Hussain Kayani, said a nine-weekold baby girl was among the children killed. He said the other children were aged nine and seven.
"Kishor is a good man and is active in the Belgrave Business Association. He always helps out organising things at events like Diwali." Dharmesh Lakhani, owner of Bobby’s Restaurant and chairman of the Belgrave Business Association, said: "Rakesh's father Kishor is a committee member on the business association and I know him and his wife well having attended many social functions together with my wife and I. "I was shocked to hear of their tragic loss, as we all are. It's so very sad." Mr Lakhani added: "You see on TV the devastation on the faces of the families of servicemen who have died out in Afghanistan. "It's very difficult. And losing a brave young man from our community like this really brings it home to you. "Everybody feels for Rakesh's family at this terribly sad time, and for the families of his comrades who died alongside him." City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, who is acquainted with the Chauhan family, told the local paper: "I know the family as their shop and business is such a well established and respected part of the local business community in Belgrave. "I'm very saddened to hear of the loss of a dear son and such a fine young man. "Our hearts go out to the family." He added: “This tragic incident reminds us of the sacrifice made on our behalf by young men and women serving with the armed forces overseas.”
Trojan Horse ringleader writes document promoting radical Islamisation School governor Tahir Alam, who is allegedly the ringleader of the Trojan Horse plot in Birmingham, wrote a 72-page document on “Islamising’ a set of secular state schools, teachers and the curriculum. Tahir Alam, pictured, chairman of governors at Park View school in the city, reportedly called for “girls [to] be covered except for their hands and faces”, encourages boys to be separate from girls during school activities and attacked a “multicultural approach” to collective worship. In the document, he describes how state schools must be changed to “take account of Muslim sensitivities and sensibilities with respect to sexual morality” with “girlfriend/ boyfriend as well as homosexual relationships” treated as “not acceptable practices according to Islamic teachings”. These statements come after staff at Park View said a boy and a girl in their GCSE year have been suspended after being spotted holding hands, only weeks before they were due to take their exams. It has also been revealed that this month, a section of the Department for Education was proposing to give Mr Alam’s Park View Education Trust another
Vaisakhi celebrated in Birmingham - Dhiren Katwa
Nasir Awan, the President of the Institute of Asian Businesses, or IAB, which is part of Birmingham Chamber, formally announced that he was to step down this month after three years in the role. Speaking at the IAB’s annual Vaisakhi Dinner, Mr Awan, pictured, choked back tears as he thanked everyone for their “tolerance and support”. The round-table function at the National Motorcycle Museum last Thursday evening brought together representatives from a wide range of ethnic minority businesses. Guests included MEP Philip Bennion, Solihull MP Lorely Burt, both Lib Dem, Rashmi Swain and Sher Bahadar Khan, from the India and Pakistan Consulates, ethnic business guru Professor Monder Ram, photographer Jas Sansi and Daljit Jagait from Jaguar UK. The evening featured a range of exhibitor stands, a threecourse meal, presentations and networking. The new Committee, to be sworn in this month, were also introduced. Mr Awan mentioned that earlier in the day he’d attended the funeral of Dr Naseem Mohammed, the 90-year-old GP, an influential and straight-talking Muslim leader and Chairman of Birmingham Central Mosque. Separately, the annual Vaisakhi Mela, led by The Council of Sikh Gurdwaras in Birmingham, at Handsworth Park last Sunday attracted hundreds of people from all walks of life and race backgrounds.
Sounds for the Soul
The popular Sounds for the Soul annual event takes place in Birmingham next weekend. The round-the-clock lively song and dance festival, a melody of spiritual music, is organised by the Hare Krishna Movement, also known as ISKCON, or the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. The non-stop free event, now in its 15th year, will begin at 2pm on Saturday (10 May) and end at 7pm on Sunday (11 May). It will feature singers and musicians from home and abroad, speeches, discourses, chanting and prasad, or blessed food. All welcome. Credit to all volunteers in ensuring the success of this incredible event, one which I have attended each year for over a decade. Hats off, in particular, to ardent devotee Mohan Nandi who always goes the extra mile, selflessly, to make sure every attendee, VIP or otherwise, leaves with a memorable experience. Sounds for the Soul will take place at Radha Swami Rasila Satsang Centre, Wharf Street, Hockley (B18 5HS). To find out more contact Karan Veer Mohindru on 07531350006 or visit www.iskconbirmingham.org
Birmingham school to run – even though another part of the department was mounting emergency inspections of the three it runs already. The investigation, referred to as the Trojan Horse plot, involves the alleged takeover of secular state schools and the removal of secular head teachers in Birmingham by radical Muslim staff and governors. Twenty-five Birmingham schools are currently being investigated by the council and 18 have already been inspected by Ofsted of which at least six, including Park View, were rated “inadequate”.