Your Voice
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The Royal Message Eighty years after the Queen’s grandfather, King George V, said on 25 December 1932 “I speak now from my home and from my heart to you all” and marked the beginning of a tradition, the Queen has embraced the latest technology for her address this year. For the first time in her 60 years on the throne, she made use of modern technology and delivered her Christmas message in 3D thus giving an added dimension to her speech which focussed on the theme of “ strength of fellowship” apparent at her Jubilee celebrations and paid tribute to the British sporting heroes like Olympic and Paralympic athletes who inspired the nation. After witnessing many tragedies in her personal life, what with the untimely death of her daughter-in-law and her sister, she had some comfort when she participated in the wedding of her grandson last year and celebrated her diamond jubilee on the throne this year. On this 40th anniversary of the arrival of Ugandan Asians in the country let us wish her well for it was during her rule that we found shelter in this country after being expelled by the ruthless ruler like Idi Amin from Uganda. Having spoken with Her Majesty at a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace which I had the privilege to attend at the invitation of the Lord Chamberlain, I must say that I was struck by the grace and dignity with which she carried herself. I also had the privilege of speaking with Princess Margaret, the Queen’s sister, when she made a whistle stop visit to my place of work at the then Department of Education and Science accompanied by Margaret Thatcher, who was at the time Education Secretary, and she too oozed charm and dignity Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford
Respecting Women With regards to the recent sad and shameful incident of the Delhi Rape case where a 23 years old medical student was brutally raped and tortured by 6 men in a bus and then thrown away from the moving bus without an inch of cloth on her body. The male accompanying her was also hit on his head and thrown out of the bus while unconscious. There is a strong reaction both from the media and the public on the issue to push the Govt. to introduce a new law and to punish these 6 devils. This is one of the many incidents that happen to women in India quite often. Every now and then we get to hear about some woman/girl been raped, beaten up, faced acid-attack, etc. Stricter laws have to be introduced in order to stop people treating women in an unsuitable way. Women don’t get the respect they deserve. And then figures like Aamir Khan would debate on Satyamev Jayate that “why do we have more men than women in India?”. To me, this is just one of many incidents that got highlighted by the media. We actually need to make sure that none of these sort of incidents hap-
www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 5th January 2013
Rape and death of the young girl in Delhi
Asian Elite reject positive discrimination
No words can express horror about the rape/death of an aspiring young girl, by some barbaric men. Sordid torture has drawn national attention and outrage. Our heartfelt condolences must be with family of the victim. Culprits must be given harshest, swift and merciless punishment even at the cost of national/global outcry/opposition. Juvenile involved must be punished mercilessly. Simultaneously, pending cases of rape must be expedited. Those judges or police and relevant enforcers, who drag their feet, must have their promotion deferred till target is reached. Sentences must range from maximum jail, maximum fine, death, with no clause for appeal/clemency at all. Shifting victim to Singapore was diplomatic, strategic/damage control move rather than humane/medical one. Last year we witnessed 4 cases of patients removed from ventilator, sent home and died soon. Delhi’s rape-victim was given two ventilator sessions, suffered cardiac failure, brain damage, and multiple organ failure. How can such person be clinically alive? Safdarjang Hospital and victim’s family were tightlipped, prove the death suspicions. Police must be vigilant towards crimes by criminals rather that preoccupied by VIPs and VVIPs. Such diversion aided by corrupt police has made criminals fearless. Criminals bond with VIPs and VVIPs for protection against police investigation, legal and punitive procedures. Bollywood must also refrain from making films that groom criminals and rapists. Moral policing and nanny state must be imposed against import of foreign crime/sex films, magazines and promiscuous celebrations. Moral and ethical catharsis at national level can be best tribute to the victim of brutal rape and death. Ramesh Jhalla Via Email
Support truth We all know about the 23 years old who was brutally raped in Delhi, has recently died. In this day and age I can not trust that it was not possible to save this woman. May I ask Indian Officials that why they did not bring her in Britain? I am sure the woman could have been saved here. I was brought up in Amritsar between 1946 to 1966 and we all know what sons of political leaders used to do. We are starting the New Year 2013, let us pledge that we all will be brave enough to take actions in our life to support the truth. Dharam Sahdev Ilford pen in the country. We have got to make a difference. Devang Bhatt, Harrow, London
The trustees of Diversity UK would like to point out the positive discrimination was not debated as an issue at our launch event on 12th December 2012 (report in AV, 22nd Dec 2012)- there were personal comments made by the two speakers, Chris Hyman and Bala Mahendran in their addresses to the audience – but it was not an agenda item for vote, either formally on informally. Diversity UK as a think tank will be researching prevailing opinion from diverse communities on affirmative action, the results of which will be available in mid 2013. The trustees also reject the notion of “Asian Elite”. We all have many years of experience working for and with diverse audiences and consider ourselves very much part of the communities we are from. Indeed, the very concept of “Asian Elite” would belie the need for an organisation like Diversity UK which aims to highlight underrepresentation in the public and private sector. I absolutely did not “lambast Goldman Sachs for their poor record on ethnic variety at its higher echelons”. I actually said that it was not a criticism of Goldman Sachs, which has progressive policies on diversity and inclusion, but the comparison between the ten, mostly Asian, apprentices that it took as part of the Evening Standard’s ‘Ladder for London’ campaign was a stark contrast to their boardroom representatives and that the 25 to 30 year span between apprenticeship to the boardroom was one of the issues that Diversity UK would like to research. I affectionately described Bala Mahendran as the “Godfather of Essex” for his unwavering support of the Asian community. Mr Mahendran suffered an industrial accident at the age of 22 and was not “maimed as a child” as reported. He said that despite this life-changing experience, when interviewed for the post of CEO at Basildon Council ““no favours were asked, none were given. I don’t want to be anyone’s token”. Diversity UK is a collaborative think tank that will undertake research and illicit public opinion to proactively tackle the root causes of under-representation - an issue that I hope all your readers will be able to support. Lopa Patel MBE Via Email On behalf of the Trustees of Diversity UK: Dilip Joshi MBE, Sushila Khoot, Hashmukh Pankhania, Reema Patel, Shanthi Waas
Eve Teasing In online Times of India (ToI), dated 28th December, apart from that horrific and barbaric gang rape of that medical student on a moving bus in Delhi, there were also several articles on rape, eg, (i) minor girl raped and murdered in UP; (ii) teenager gang-raped for 7 weeks, 7 arrested. Only a few days prior to 28th December. In that same paper, I read about a girl under 10 raped by her neighbour in Hyderabad. There was also a case in Patiala, where a 17 year old victim who reported her rape to authorities, committed suicide, because of Police harassment of her, instead of apprehending the culprits. What justice did she receive? Suspension of the officers involved after her death. ToI of 28th December also printed an article on a woman claiming she was raped inside a BJP Office in MP. In fact this one does not even surprise me, because only few moths back in 2012, in one of the state assembly, legislators were too busy passing around gleefully a pornographic video on a mobile. According to a survey carried out by another Indian paper “The Mail”, 582 rape cases are reported in Delhi so far this year. Delhi Police figures shows that rape is reported on average every 18 hours and some form of sexual attacks every 14 hour. If this is only in Delhi, I dread to think how many such cases are not reported at all either in Delhi or in India as whole, due to stigma, police inactions and narrow minded thinking of the victims and their relations about their honour instead of bringing severe punishments to the culprits. Rather than keeping up the pressure by media and peti-
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Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman ensure victory for India in first test
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Consultative Conference, (and a member of the politburo of Communist Party of China), Modi showcased Gujarat as a destination with a conducive environment to invest and work. He also explained Gujarat becoming a major tourist destination. He brought out the richness of Buddhist culture in Gujarat which solicited very keen interest among Chinese leadership. He also dwelled upon the ancient Indian and Chinese ethos, relationship, friendship, cultural and business ties. While showcasing
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tioning the legislators to bring in a stronger legislation to outlaw and class “Eve-Teasing” as a criminal offence and a very severe punishments, such as total surgical castration or hanging to rape crimes, the ToI of 28th December, had a poll on Indian cricket and the captaincy. That is more important, it seems. Mohindra Master Via Email
Rape Victim Support The Indian media has reported about the death of ‘Nirbhaya’ very vividly. Let’s hope that all party political leaders get together and come out with a stronger legislation and severe penalty for rapists. This tragic incident and official statistics report that every 20 mins a female is getting raped. That is reported crime, but in reality it could be every 10 minutes a girl or a woman is getting raped. India needs a fast track court to resolve rape cases quicker and sentences should be so severe that persons involved or likeminded learn a lesson of a lifetime. We in the UK used to ask our girls travelling to places to be careful. But that never included streets of India. Now even the UK government has apparently suggested places in India that need to be avoided. This year my wife and I decided not to celebrate on the New Year’s Eve but donate that money to a rape victim support charity. I would be happy to know if any charity been set up after her death. If not then let’s hope someone can set up a charity in her name. Mahendrasinh C Jadeja London Continued on page 11