Asian City Issue 1 by Thufayel Ahmed

AsianCity BRITAIN’S BEST ASIAN NEWSPAPER

Issue 1 • July 5 - July 18, 2012

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Priyanka Chopra in town

THE SUPERSTAR ON LIFE, LOVE AND LONDON Greetings City-zens! WELCOME to the first ever issue of Asian City, the newspaper designed with the modern British Asian in mind. From Birmingham to Bombay, Leicester to Lahore, Durham to Dhaka – we’re here to serve you the best in Asian news and entertainment from across the world. Dedicated to uniting British Asians everywhere, this is the paper for the New Gener-Asian...

Proud to be British Asian

A NEW research has found out that people of South Asian origin feel more ‘British’ than their white counterparts. Surprisingly, Muslims are the most likely to identify with the concept of ‘Britishness’, which goes against the accepted notion that they do not want to integrate.

Continued on Page Four

SALMAN SAYS NO KHAN DO The Khans refuse to pay compensation to family of woman killed by their car

The Khan family will not pay a rupee to the “pavement dweller” mowed down and killed by one of their cars, after it emerged the deceased woman had been disowned by her family.

by SHIMA SHASTRY

“The accident happened by mistake. I spoke to my driver and he said when he was driving, he saw something like a black polythene bag on the road, but it was the lady who was completely The death of the 70-year-old in black. I would request woman, who was killed by actor everyone not to sleep on the Sohail Khan’s driver in a Land road,” Salman told reporters at Cruiser belonging to his brother their Galaxy apartment home in Arbaaz Khan, was an “accident”, Bandra. insisted Salman. TURN TO PAGE TWO

FULL STORY: PAGE 22 & 23

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“It’s easy to entertain people but extremely difficult to make them laugh. You can jump around and smash things up and people will be entertained, but if you get a joke wrong, you will fall flat on your face and simply look like a fool” AKSHAY KUMAR •ARREST The Khan driver Dhananjay Pimpale

•NOT IN CAR Sohail Khan expressed his symapthy over the tragedy

SALMAN SAYS NO KHAN DO FROM PAGE 1

woman, also hinting that the fault lay with the deceased woman, saying: “It was most “We are not paying any compensation to unfortunate. The woman suddenly came in the family members of the victim as we got front of the vehicle and fell. The driver to know that her family had disowned her,” immediately applied the brakes and reported the matter to the police.” he added. Salman Khan has justified the Khan The police said that the driver of the car, Dhananjay Pimpale surrendered the vehicle family’s decision to not pay Ms Bala’s family, straight after the accident, and confessed that suggesting they were responsible for the he lost control of the vehicle while incident as they had “forced her to live on negotiating a turn and hit the woman, who the streets.” has been identified as Chandra Bala. Negligent The Khans immediately put an end to the original rumours that suggested Sohail Khan was present in the vehicle. He told reporters The incident is eerily reminiscent of the he was “shocked” when he came to know Salman’s own “rash and negligent” driving about the accident. in September 2002, when his car ran into “I was at home. I did not know what was bakery in Mumbai, killing one person and happening. Only driver was there in the car. injured another three people sleeping rough. The car was coming home and they did not He was charged with culpable homicide, know who the family was,” he told reporters. but the charges were later dropped. Sohail added: “The news has been hyped He now defends his decision to deny the a lot. victim’s family compensation by saying “Instead of focusing on who was in the car, said: “Whatever happened was a sad people should focus on the fact that a women incidence. She was sleeping on footpath. It died. I got to know about this incident after seems that her family had abandoned her an hour. This accident happened by which is sad, so I will not help her family mistake.” members.” Arbaaz’s father Salim Khan also In a final reminder that the fault lay with expressed regret over the death of the Ms Bala and not the Khan’s driver, he

•NOT OUR FAULT Salman Khan added: “People sleeping on the footpath need to be careful.” He later hinted the Khan family would pay for Ms Bala’s funeral, confirming: “Our family will be present for her cremation.” an accommodation allowance. David Cameron said he was satisfied the report had found Lady Warsi did not at any point use her office for personal financial gain. Lady Warsi, who has apologised to Mr Cameron, said it was time to “move on”. She is still facing a probe by a parliamentary watchdog over her claim for an accommodation allowance. probe by a parliamentary watchdog over her claim for an accommodation allowance.

©Manchester Evening News

THE NOT SO SECRET MILLIONAIRE

A FAKE “businessman” has been jailed for nearly 15 years after following his arrest in 2008 for a number of drug related crimes, all of which he masterminded. In public, Mohammed Farid, 38, was considered a respectable businessman, owning several properties, expensive cars and living a lavish lifestyle, when in fact, for three and a half years, he had been supplying illegal drugs heroine, cocaine and cannabis. A street value work over £2.5 million was recovered from the house he rented

after the landlord became suspicious and reported him. Farid, along with eight other gang members have been jailed for a total of over 46 years. Det Sgt Martin Hopkinson, of Greater Manchester Police’s Drugs Unit, said: “Farid was the top dog at the head of this drug gang and the sentences prove that regardless of the level you are at, if you are involved in the production, sale or supply of Class-A drugs you face a very lengthy prison sentence.”

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

SO BLOODY WHAT?

•TORCH SONG Gurinder Chadha

Handle it like Begum BEND It Like Beckham director Gurinder Chadha has spoken about her Olympic torch relay run, describing the experience as “a complete and utter exhilarating experience.” The star, who has been busy working on a sequel for her cult teen hit Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging, got all girlie when she admitted: “My goodness, I don’t think my parents would have ever imagined I’d have such honours showered on me when they first arrived here in the sixties. When I took hold of the flame I said to myself ‘Bole Sonihal’ (whoever utters, shall be fulfilled).” She added: “I am honoured and blessed to have been selected as one of only a few out of Britain’s 56 million population to run with the Olympic flame. I shall treasure my torch and display it in my house next to my OBE!”

BB’s Desi Deana sparks mass debate over periodgate

©Reuters

by SHIMA SHASTRY •OVERSIGHT Baroness Warsi

Warsi ‘did not misuse her office’ CONSERVATIVE Party cochairman Baroness Warsi has been cleared of any serious breach of the ministerial code over an official trip to Pakistan. She was accompanied on the trip by her former business partner, who runs a company the Baroness had been a director for. But the investigation found her trip was not business related, or at the expense of the taxpayer, with the ministerial code adviser putting her secrecy on the matter down to an “oversight”. David Cameron said he was satisfied the report had found Lady Warsi did not at any point use her office for personal financial gain. Lady Warsi, who has apologised to Mr Cameron, said it was time to “move on”. She is still facing a probe by a parliamentary watchdog over her claim for an accommodation allowance.

‘I WON’T LET MARRIAGE RUIN MY CAREER’

•HAPPY Ks Khan and Kapoor

KAREENA Kapoor has given the strongest indication that her imminent marriage to long time beau Saif Ali Khan will not go the same way as other stars whose careers went on the wane following wedlock. The star, who has revealed she will not be converting to Islam, indirectly refered to the likes of Madhuri Dixit and her sister Karishma, saying: “It might have been a problem if I were marrying someone who did not understand the industry, but with Saif and I, we both share a common goal when it comes to our careers.” Meanwhile, sister Karishma has fuelled further speculation that her relationship with husband Sanjay Kapoor is on the rocks by spending her birthday in London without him last week. It is rumoured the businessman is having an alleged affair with socialite Priya Chatwal. Currently on holiday in the UK with her sister and soon to be brother-in-law, both she and Kareena refused to comment on the state of Karishma’s marriage.

PERIODS are not a topic to be discussed in polite company. At least that seems to be the popular consensus among the Big Brother housemates, who sided with Lydia Louisa when she admonished Deanna Uppal for talking about periods over the dinner table.

After the dancer called the current Miss India UK’s choice of dinner conversation “disrespectful”, a shocked Deanna revealed she could not understand how anyone could “possibly be insulted by that”. The debate has divided the Twitterati, who have dubbed the incident a “bloody period drama”, with one commentor saying: “Some things you just need to keep to yourself. Period.” But others disagree. Priya Kundra, who writes the Asian Feminist blog, said: “Women have been made to think having a period is a dirty thing. It’s a perfectly natural thing that every woman should be proud of. Good on Deanna for putting the topic on the table!” The public showed whose side they were on earlier this week when both Deanna and Lydia were up for eviction, and the latter got voted off to a chorus of boos.

•FIRST BLOOD Lydia & Deanna battle it out during ‘Periodgate’

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

Proud FROM PAGE 1

The world leading study, called Understanding Society, surveyed the socio-economic circumstances and attitudes of 100,000 individuals in 40,000 British households. When asked to rate their Britishness, Pakistanis scored the highest with an average of 7.76, followed by Bangladeshi and Indian groups who came second and third respectively, while the white population scored the lowest with an average of 6.58. The study also found that identification with Britishness is higher among the children and grandchildren of migrants. Dr Alita Nandi will present the research this week at the Economic and Social Research Council Research Methods Festival in Oxford University.

KEEP YOUR BOTTOM UP! Down in the dumps Shobna back on top form SHE may have had to turn her back on Twitter following “violent, vitriolic” abuse, but the public have rallied behind SHOBNA GULATI to show their appreciation from the bottom of their hearts by voting the actress Rear of the Year.

Shobna, 45, who plays Sunita Alahan in Coronation Street, announced last week she was forced to quit her beloved social networking site after a racist hate campaign had been launched against her. Explaining her decision to cancel her Twitter account, she admitted she felt TERRIFIED by the abusive comments, often accompanied by mutilated photos of the actress. Likening her ordeal to being in a horror movie, she revealed: “It put me in mind of a psycho.” The hateful trolls, whose words were

by KULDEEP DARANI described by the actress as “violent, vitriolic hatred”, inundated her Twitter side with messages such as “You have got to be the ugliest f***** I’ve ever seen”, and “You’re not British, you’re foreign”. A distraught Shobna admitted: “Being racially abused really shook me up. It felt like I was going back in time to the 1970s.” She added: “I tried to ignore it but it started to affect my confidence.”

Boost Last week, she got just the tick up the backside her confidence needed – and without the boost of a Buttock Lift! Voted REAR OF THE YEAR, a title she shares with actor John Barrowman, she

topped the bottoms list in a public vote organised by the award’s sponsor Wizard Jeans. A delighted Shobna revealed: “I am really honoured and flattered to be a winner of this year's competition and for my bum to be etched into the history of the award’s alumni - a list which includes so many other distinguished bottoms.” In contrast to the derogatory comments about Shobna on Twitter, Sally Allen of Wizard Jeans, said: “"Shobna's slim but womanly silhouette is a fine example of the happy, healthy female form for 2012.” Accepting the award, Shobna told the gathered press: “Winning this has helped put all the Twitter stuff behind me. “If people are in the public eye it seems to provoke hatred from some people. It makes me very sad. I miss Twitter and miss the banter with people. “It’s really sad that I’m not on it, but with all the stuff that kept happening I just thought I don’t want to have to keep reading that kind of thing.” Don’t worry Shobna. We’ve got your back!

•REARING TO GO Shobna Gulati has won her confidence back

Rochdale rape ringleader THE Rochdale rape gang scandal finally came to end when the ringleader of the gang could finally be named, after he was convicted of 30 more horrific rapes in a separate trial. Shabir Ahmed, 59, who forced the vulnerable girls to call him ‘Daddy’, was formally identified as the mastermind who led the notorious child exploitation ring. He had established a system whereby he would win his teenage victims’ trust, before plying them with cheap vodka, rape them, and then pass them around for sex. Ahmed was one of nine Pakistani men jailed at Liverpool Crown Court for a total of 77 years last month for the horrific sex attacks. The divorced takeaway worker and former taxi driver was given a 19-year sentence for conspiracy, two rapes, aiding and abetting rape, sexual assault and sex trafficking. But he could not be named because he was awaiting trial on separate child rape charges. During

•CONTROLLING Shabir Ahmed the trial, Ahmed had tried to dismiss the allegations against him as “white lies” made up by girls who had built up a profitable business empire by working as prostitutes. He also blamed the white community for allowing teenage girls to go around unsupervised, so that at a young age they were “trained” in both sex and drinking. But last week, he was convicted of 30 counts of rape by a jury at Manchester Crown Court and Judge Mushtaq Khokhar lifted reporting

restrictions on naming him. The court in the new case heard he also repeatedly raped and sexually abused a young Asian girl for more than a decade, treating her as a 'possession' to use for his own sexual gratification. Rachel Smith, prosecuting, said: “She tried to make him stop, but it was to no avail. The defendant was a violent and controlling man.” One of Ahmed’s victims in the original grooming case said his public namingand-shaming had finally brought her some closure. The girl - who was herself raped by Ahmed after he plied her with vodka above the Tasty Bites takeaway in Heywood said: “I’m just glad people can know who he is and what he’s done. He’s just such an evil man. I know what he's done to me – it’s obvious now from this second trial that he's been doing this for years and ruined a lot of lives. 'If anybody deserves to spend the rest of their lives in prison, it's him. I’m just relieved it’s all over – it’s some kind of justice.”

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Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

SWORN TO SECRECY... OR FRAMED?

•HIT & RUN Tragic Radwan

`Boy killed by reckless gang

©Manchester Evening News

A LITTLE boy from East London has been killed after a gang ran him over while he was playing in the streets. Nine-year-old Radwan Uddin, from East Ham, was riding a bicycle with his brother Mufhuz, 12, when three Asian men in a Mazda collided into them, smashed into another car and assaulted a passer-by who tried to stop them before fleeing the scene on foot. The driver, a 21-year-old, who has not yet been named, handed himself in later that evening. He has been released on bail until August. Radwan, who friends described as “a really lovely boy”, was admitted to hospital with head injuries but died after suffering a heart attack. His brother Mahfuj suffered minor injuries. Also this week schoolboy Umar Hussain, 12, was “tossed in the air like a ragdoll” and killed when a car crashed into him in Rochdale.

•BARRED For covering up

Niqab mum refused entry A MOTHER was turned away from a parents’ evening because staff feared she posed a security threat. British born Maroon Rafique, 40, was born in the UK and has been wearing the niqab for seven years. She had hoped to check on the progress of her son Awais, 18, who studies business at The Manchester College, but was refused entry, despite offering “to sit at the back so that I didn’t offend anyone”. The college defended the policy, citing “safety” and “security” as their priority. Branding the decision authoritiarian, a spokesman for the Muslim Council of Britain said: “We understand if teachers are forbidden from wearing it. as it can sometimes interfere with communication during the lesson. Children may also have to follow a particular dress code, but for a parent to be stopped doesn’t make sense.”

THE PARENT TRAP by NAZMUL HUDA

Soon after she joined the sixth form, Shafilea was absent from school and when Mrs Code THE trial of murdered telephoned the family home, she schoolgirl Shafilea Ahmed was “surprised” to hear Shafilea took a dramatic new turn say she wanted to leave college when her teacher claimed •SISTERS Shafilea and Alesha and “burn her books”. Mrs Code told the jury: “It she saw her ‘covered with really did not stack up at all with bruises from beatings by the student that I knew and her her parents’. aspirations for what she wanted The teenager’s parents, to be.” Iftikhar, 52, and Farzana “She came in and she had Ahmed, 49, who stand accused bruising to her neck and a cut on of murdering Shafilea in 2003, her lip,” the teacher said. have been standing by the claim She added: “She told me her that the case against them has mother and father had beat her been lodged in an act of revenge and that they had taken it in by Shafilea’s sister Alesha, 23, turns to do so while one held her who the prosecutor accused of down and then vice versa. concocting a “wicked lie to save “She said it happened prior to her skin” after being caught out being stopped coming into school by her parents after helping to (when) her parents had found organise a robbery in their home •ACCUSED Iftikhar and Farzana out she had been texting boys.” involving four masked men, a Mrs Code added: “Shafilea crime she has admitted to taking a friend she was beaten by her parents and that they threatened was frightened and she was part in. Earlier, Alesha told the court to kill her if she ever revealed concerned about her brother and sisters. her parents suffocated Shafilea, the truth. “She was worried about what whose decomposed remains Fear would happen to them. It always were found in Cumbria in 2004, came back to her brothers and with a plastic bag in front of her brothers and sisters for the crime But evidence given by sisters.” Shafilea disappeared in of becoming “westernised”. Shafilea’s teacher Joanne Code The plot thickened when suggested Shafiela was in fear of September 2003 and her body Shafilea’s youngest sister her safety, and was worried she was found on the bank of the Mevish Ahmed, 21, appeared to would not be allowed to go to River Kent in Cumbria the take their parents side when she university where she hoped to following February. The prosecution claim she dismissed evidence of her earlier study to become a barrister, written account of Shafilea’s because she was certain “they was killed by her parents mistreatment and murder as are going to marry me off in because of her ‘Western’ ways. The trial continues. “fiction.” She also denied telling Pakistan”.

The stars come out to play THE THIRD annual London Indian Film Festival started off with a bang with the sold out UK premiere of Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur. Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma made a surprise appearance at the opening night. The Band Baaja Baraat actress who is in London filming for Yash Chopra’s movie alongside Shah Rukh Khan, snuck into the cinema anonymously. Other celebrities

that graced the red carpet were Raghu Dixit, Ta n n i s h t h a Chatterjee, Riz Ahmed (ill Manors, Trishna), Upen Patel, Rez Kempton, Junaid Khan (Hollyoaks) along with Directors, Asif Kapadia (Senna), Michael Winterbottom, Q (Gandu) and Sidharth Sharma (Arjun and Alison) Anurag Kashyap who flew in especially for the

UK premiere of his acclaimed film praised the festival saying: “The London Indian Film Festival is lucky for me. My Dev D played in year one. That Girl In Yellow Boots premiered in year two and got UK distribution and now I’ve opened the festival. It’s a great platform.”

• TRUTH OR FEAR? Mevish Ahmed denied telling a friend of Shafilea’s murder

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

AsianCity LETTERS www.asiancity.co.uk

COMMENT

BRITAIN’S BEST ASIAN NEWSPAPER

Email: letters@asiancity.co.uk

Loving it or hating every minute of it, this is your platform to express yourself to thousands of fellow Asian City-zens in the same boat as you. Tell us your points of view or simply vent your spleen, don’t hold back... we’re here to share your joy and pain

New City-zenship test Welcome to the very first edition of Asian City, a new newspaper for the modern British Asian. According to the latest Census figures, there are over 3,200,000 of us British Asians living in the UK today – and that figure excludes another 500,000 soon-to-be British Asians (at the moment they’re just Asians living in Britain). It’s a pertinent time to redefine who we are. Asians or British? We enjoy fish and chips, along with lamb curry with rice as much as the next Briton. We love watching Johnny Depp and Megan Fox as much as Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone. And we’re equally comfortable running around in our jeans and t-shirts as we are in our desi gear. All this are precisely what makes us so unique, and diverse. Asian City is here to reflect that diversity in all its unique glory. Whether it’s celebrating the success of our entertainers (or just revealing juicy gossip about them), or bringing serious issues that affect our communities into the spotlight, you can rely on us to keep you up-to-date and entertained with the best stories from both home and back home! Asian City can only work with your input. We want you to have your say too. Tell us what works, what’s needed, and what doesn’t do it for you. As our cherished City-zens, we are at your service...

A new arrangement A lot has been said in the mainstream media about the thorny issue of forced marriages, for once positive. David Cameron’s decision to make the practice a criminal offence is one every fair-minded British Asian apllaud whole-heartedly. But the papers fail to tell the whole story. The picture they have been painting is one where all Asians, or in the more agenda-driven cases, all Muslims, are supporters of forcing young women into marriage. Whether the family is Indian, Pakistani or Bengali, educated or backward, the impression being created is that we’re somehow all “in it together”. What keeps getting omitted time and time again, is that there is a huge difference between a forced marriage and an arranged marriage. Nor have they mentioned the fact that the vast majority of Asian marriages, whether conducted here or “back home”, have been with the full consent of both bride and groom, who were involved in the arrangements right from the start. One look at the countless Asian bridal glossies on the shelves stand testament to the fact that when it comes to getting married, we know how to do it in style. Just as the wedding itself needs planning, organising and “arranging”, Asians sometimes like to apply the same principles when finding a suitor. It’s just the way we are. The majority of British Asians love our families. We love getting married. We love our weddings. No one has to force an Asian City-zen to do the things we love!

CAN YOU SPOT THE FAKE?

As a TV drama fan, I must confess that recently my favourite tv ‘soap’ is no longer EastEnders or Corrie, but UK Border Force. The trials and tribulations of our fellow countrymen trying to sneak into Britain, some via the back door, some through the

Doctor, doctor Just like the NHS’s crisis with doctors and nurses shortage, the education system is in crisis with a teacher shortage. And just like the NHS, schools are turning to the Asian sub continent. For decades we’ve seen Asian doctors being lured into Britain’s NHS. Indeed, even my own doctor;s an Asian. Now it seems that schools are touting Indian ma she/he is off sick half the term. It’s also a fine thing if you’re a maths teacher in Delhi where you’re on a few thousand rupees a month, you can now earn a bit more loot. But it’s not a fine thing if you’re an Indian school with an ever depleting supply of teachers who keeping buggering off to Britain to teach for more money. And every Indian school teacher fresh from abroad should be given a thorough re-training here to cope with the unruly school kids of Britain. Because unlike back home where kids give untold respect to teachers, here teachers face a harder time with pupils. Also, while we’re on the subject, Asian teachers should be allowed to bring their canes with them too. After all, an unruly child back home is given a few slashes of the sinlah to sort them out and it could be just what our British kids need. Sonia Kaur Leicester

front, albeit with a fake passport keeps me glued to my telly. Of course, it’s not really a fictional drama but in fact a documentary. Its easy for us sitting at home watching this circus/gameshow – who’ll get in and who’ll

But I’ve come to the conclusion that though it’s cheaper to call our homelands than ever before, it’s not saving us any money at all. Oh no, on the contrary it’s costing us a bomb. You see, every time we call back home, a relation of some sort manages to grovel a bit of loot from us. It’s either a case of helping out with a wedding or funeral of some sort or a request to send over some British item. On my last conversation to a nephew, he talked me into helping him start a new shop in our village bazaar, the cheeky bandar. Well, I’ve learnt my lesson, I only call home when it’s an emergency. And I see my mum has bought a dozen Vick’s Vapour Rubs from the chemist... I wonder who they’re for? Shaheena Salahuddin Manchester

Go away, England!

I don’t know about you but i’I was gutted England lost to Italy, absolutely gutted! But I was more gutted when my mates were routing for the Italians, now that does’t make any sense to me at all. Why do us Asians scream and shout for Chelsea, Man U or Liverpool, yet come the International games they cheer another country? Is it because the’re embarrasssed by the way we play or the fact we don’t win anything? Eitherway, we’re British - so if we’re I remember the time when calling back not shouting for England, then at least we home was such an expensive business that could cheer on the Scots, Welsh and Irish... only births, deaths and marriages warranted Rahesh Mohini a quick telephone call to India, Pakistan and Birmingham Bangladesh. But nowadays it costs next to nothing to speak to a relation back home for hours thanks to competition in the communication industry. Even BT has cut it’s international call rates. It appears my ghor will earn even more next But it’s thanks to cheap calling centres month. And it’s not very funny either, popping up in every Asian part of Britain because at this rate, no one is going to be and the introduction of cheap phones cards able to afford to buy my house when I that has led to this new wave of decide to sell it and move back home to international communication. And the retire to live the life of luxury, attending my brilliant thing is a £5 card costs us only £4 chickens and sheep on my village, only to My mum is now constantly on the phone visit Britain once in a while to pick up my to my aunts and uncles in Bangladesh. free prescription and get a new hip Whereas in the old days she’d rarely call her replacement and see my grandchildren... cousin in Manchester let alone her friends in Parveen Bibi Sylhet. Middlesex

YOUR

E R E H S R E T T LE

A good rubdown

Gran theft auto

get caught – but the fact remains, if we British Asians weren’t so, well, er, British, we too would be trying to get into Britain through the back door. Giash Uddin East London

PUBLISHER Thufayel Ahmed GUEST EDITOR Shihab Salim ART DIRECTOR Virchand Pindoria ENTERTAINMENTS EDITOR Sohail Anjum MARKETING MANAGER Shuhed Miah CONTRIBUTORS Hannah Ahmed, Azeem Hussain, Shima Shastry, Sarwar Ahmed, Dobir Hussain, Kolba Ali, Momtaz Begum-Hossain, Jaz Kaur, Ariana Jamila Ayesha Ahmed, Avni Pindoria, Poonam Patel, Lisa Sage, Mandy Jandoo, Neelam Jannat, Jerin Rahat, Mohammed Adam, Asya Ahmed, Faizah Faheem, Rafia Rahman, Tanvir Ahmed, Paul Williams, Ibrahim Ahmed, Amanda Harrison, Mike Singh DISTRIBUTION Newstrade: Postscriptum Ltd Non-newstrade: Surma Media PRINTED BY Newsfax Ltd ASIAN CITY MEDIA LTD Unit 103, Greatorex Business Centre 8-10 Greatorex Street, London E1 5NF T: 0207 247 3537 E: info@asiancity.co.uk W: www.asiancity.co.uk

Like us on Facebook facebook.com/asiancity Follow us on Twitter @asiancity The design of advertising and contents produced by our company remain the copyright of Asian City Media Ltd and may not be reproduced in any other publication without our express written permission. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form what so ever without the express written permission of the publishers. Copyright © 2012 Asian City Media Ltd

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

A CHANCE TO BOUNCE BACK

Renewed hope of justice for Dubai hunger striker jailed for writing two fake cheques by KULDEEP DARANI

A former property tycoon imprisoned in Dubai for signing a bounced cheque ended his hunger strike following a dramatic U-turn by the Dubai courts, which had earlier refused him the right to appeal against his conviction.

The controversial case of British businessman Safi Qurashi, who is serving a seven-year sentence despite insisting he had cleared the debts and that his cheques were written to secure were banked fraudulently by his former business partners, a claim verified by two court experts, has been causing the Dubai government significant embarrassment. The seven-week hunger strike by Safi, who once received an award for Trusted Real Estate Partner from HH Sheikh Manea Bin Hasher Al Maktoum, ended following a move by attorney-general Essam Humaidan agreed to pass his case to the court of cassation, the highest court in the United Arab Emirates. According to experts, Dubai, where important restructuring deals are taking place in the hope to giving a boost to its debt-laden economy, the decision made by its courts has come as a result of the

negative exposure the hunger strike has been generating, partly fuelled by the powerful campaigning website justiceformydad.com run by Safi’s 13year-old daughter Sara Qurashi. This week, she tweeted: “My dad has been granted a re trial we now need to get bail while he waits.” Her mother Huma echoed Sara’s renewed sense of optimism, adding: “We really hope that the cassation court judges will identify with the facts of the case that prove my husband’s cheques were misused by his complainers.”

Improper To help their cause further, the US government intervened last week to demand bail for fellow hunger striker, US businessman Zack Shahin, whose trial and conviction is also widely regarded as being conducted improperly. In Safi’s case, who was imprisoned within a “matter of minutes”, the court has failed to establish whether he had, in fact, committed an actual crime. It is hoped that the negative attention caused by the hunger strikers will see the ruler of Dubai use his powers to pardon criminals during Ramadan. While knowingly writing a fake cheque is illegal in the UK, the average penalty for bouncing a cheque is £25.

•FURTHER CHEQUES Sara Qurashi (centre left) campaigning for the release of her father Safi, once a successful businessman seen below with Sheikh Manea Bin Hasher Al Maktoum and Piers Morgan

Granny killers at large •BROTHERS Nawad & Bahaud

‘Follow my rules or I will kill you’

AN IMAM has been found guilty of assaulting and threatening to kill his daughter for refusing to marry her first cousin. Abid Hussain, 56, from Manchester, grabbed Rabiyah by the throat and ordered: “Follow my rules or I’ll kill you”. Her brothers Nawab Uddin, 23, and Bahaud Uddin, 21 were convicted of beating her so badly she needed to wear a veil. They set upon her after finding out she was seeing a student she met on Facebook. The prosecution called Hussain was “a devout man retaining traditional values”, concluding he had reacted violently “because his daughter was not going along with his wishes in following (her) cultural duty.” A local Imam, who chose to remain unnamed, denounced both Hussain’s actions and the prosecutor’s assessment, saying: “Forcing your daughter into marriage is NOT a cultural duty.”

THE killers of the British grandmother beaten to death in Pakistan may never be caught, her family fear. Fukraz Begum, 75, from Lancashire, who went on holiday to Pakistan for a family wedding in April, was murdered in a “sustained and violent attack”. She was beaten to death by a heavy, blunt object, and was alone in the kitchen at the time of the attack. Her son, Nadeem Rafiq, revealed: “My mum was on the phone to my sister but she had to go because of a knock on the door. “A few hours later so one of my cousins went to check. He climbed over the wall and noticed the doors were open so he went in and found her lying dead in the kitchen, which is when the alarm was raised. “She was really beaten badly. Some of the details were horrific.” The suspects, thought to be two men who Rafiq alleges are members of the extended family, are yet to be bought to justice. But the family members back in the UK are concerned that no arrests have taken place almost three months since the attack. The family have now urged the Foreign Office and British Embassy to support their plight. Rafiq said: “My mum came to this country when she was 15, she has lived here virtually all her life and raised all her children here. All we want is justice and we want the British Embassy to help us to make sure we get justice. A spokesman for the police in

•BATTERED GRAN Fukraz Begum Sarai Alamgir confirmed they had made no arrests so far, saying: “Several people have been under investigation but we have found no evidence against them, so the investigation is still going on.” The family are hoping the police will be able to trace the culprits when the gold they stole from the house is sold on, but are also wary that the notorious police corruption in Pakistan might mean that very gold may well be the killers’ ticket to freedom. A deflated Rafiq sighed: “We want the people who did this to be locked up, but we are almost sure it will not happen. We don’t want our mum’s killers to get away with it.” Ms Begum leaves behind nine children and over 20 grandchildren.

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

VEGGIE MIGHT

A Bollywood short story THINGS are looking down in Bollywood, due in no small part to the arrival of pint-sized Brit legend Warwick Davis. Best known for playing Professor Filius Flitwick in the Harry Potter movies, he has also starred in cult fantasy films like Merlin, Chronicles of Narnia, Star Wars, and Willow. Davis has announced he’s off to Bollywood to play a journalist in Chingari, a film based on the sensational Champa Biswas rape case that rocked Bihar in the 90s. The actor, who actively encourages short jokes (as seen in Ricky Gervais’ Life’s Too Short and his autography Size Matters Not) has not yet confirmed whether he’s playing a lead or a small role...

INDIAN restaurants in Birmingham have launched an application for the name “Birmingham Balti” to be given EU protected name status, meaning only curries conforming to a precise recipe and cooking method can use the name. The very first Balti dish, which is named after the pot it is cooked in, is believed to have been served by Mohammed Ajaib in Birmingham in 1977. Today, the Balti is a staple dish at Indian restaurants nationwide. The Birmingham Balti Association claims that because the Balti originated in the city, it has the right to protect the name, similar to other protected goods such as the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie.

Picture: Matt Crockett

Britain’s got Balti talent

•NO MEAT & TWO VEG Sangram Singh

ALL THAT RAZA ‘THE whole world, it’s all show business,’ famously said Billy Flynn, the unscrupulous, truthbending lawyer from awardwinning musical Chicago, and RAZA JAFFREY, who’s just stepped into the twinkling shoes of the original media spin doctor, has certainly had a lesson in the twists and turns that business brings. After the new producer of hit US television show Smash unceremoniously axed Raza, who played nice guy Dev Sundaram, in a shock shake-up (alongside many of the other leading members), it seemed like he’d be headed back jobless to his hometown in Liverpool. But in a coincidence that can only happen in showbiz, Chicago producer Barry Weissler happened to be a fan of Smash, a behind-thescenes drama that centred around a fictitious Broadway

production of a musical about Marilyn Monroe, and immediately, snapped him up. Before Raza could say all that jazz, he was whisked off to the West End to treat us to the old razzle dazzle. Raza, who has starred in hit TV shows such as Spooks, Mistresses, and Life isn’t all Ha Ha Hee Hee, and appeared in Hollywood blockbusters like Harry Brown and Sex & The City 2, is no stranger to the musical stage. After winning rave reviews for his performances in shows including Mamma Mia and Oklahama, he came into the public eye in 2002 by playing the lead in Andrew Lloyd Webber and AR Rehman production of Bombay Dreams opposite Preeya Kalidas. A tale of murder, greed, adultery and exploitation, Chicago drips with glamour,

chorus girls, feathers and some very slinky outfits (the production has so far used up over 14,000 pairs of tights and over 136,000 hairpins!) Officially the most successful Broadway export ever and the world’s longest running American musical, Chicago sees Raza play the coveted role of sly but oh so suave Billy Flynn, the character which Richard Gere previously brought to life by turning in a Golden Globe winning performances in the movie version. But Raza, has been rising to the challenge in style, receiving rave reviews for doing what Billy Flynn does best: “Give 'em an act with lots of flash and the reaction will be passionate.” There’s no business like it, folks! Showing now at The Garrick Theatre in the West End.

Wrestler is world’s sexiest vegetarian by SHIMA SHASTRY

PROVING that eating your greens keeps you lean, and carrots make you hot, wrestler Sangram Singh has been named as their sexiest ever brand ambassador by PETA , leaving meat eating hunks like John Abraham and Shahid Kapoor bleating in defeat.

The all-round Indian strong man, who has practiced vegetarianism since childhood, won the title after he fronted a PETA campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of not eating meat, in which he posed in the nude, covering his modesty with a crispy leaf. Speaking of the campaign, he said: “I’m flaunting my body, for all to see, so that they too can make a body like mine by sticking to a vegetarian diet.” Singh, who was born premature and developed many ailments including arthritis as a child, turned his life around when he decided to follow a healthy, vegetarian lifestyle. Singh won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Wrestling Championships held in South Africa and earlier this year starred in the hit reality series Survivor India. Meanwhile, singer Jay Sean has become the latest celebrity to join the PETA camp, urging pet lovers to adopt from shelters instead of buying from a store. In his campaign, Jay expresses his dismay over the “awful” way people treat animals in the name of fashion or as accessories they grow out of. He says: “Just because they’re animals, you can’t treat them any less than you would a human being.” See the video now on www.peta.org

aSIaN CITY

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

FROM BOMBAY TO BRICK LANE, DOWN THESE MEAN STREETS SHIHAB SALIM MUST GO

e: shabbs@asiancity.co.uk

Time to chew pun again

Back when I worked on Asian Xpress newspaper, we had one rule. Find a new image of Aishwarya Rai to put on the front page strapline… as often as possible. More often than not, the story inside was merely a filler – the important thing was her picture on the cover sold papers. After all these years, I still love the woman and vow to feature her image on this page as often as possible. Although considering how much space she fills up these days, I might need a few more pages…

Taking the P out of Pakistan

Let the poor men stay at home POOR? Lonely? Male? Bad news, I’m afraid. The ConDems are here to make sure you die alone. The new ‘minimum income threshold’ means your chances of getting a good old-fashioned arranged marriage with someone from back home just flew out the window. Unlike your spouse, who won’t be flying anywhere. At least not until you become worthy, which in Tory speak basically means ‘rich’.

Poor you. All crumpled in your tatty clothes made in China (because you can’t afford the brands made in India), wishing you had the means to subscribe to shaadi.com where a wealthy woman from right here in the UK dreams of whisking you away from your life of microwave meals for one. I feel for you buddy, I’ve been there. Who I don’t feel so sorry for is the breed of backward moustached village oafs who’ve been coming over here for years to cream off their British Asian wives and repay them with sociopathic beatings. You won’t see many tears being shed by young women over this new policy. While it’s undeniable that this cold, unjust and prejudiced Tory ruling will bring untold pain for thousands of people who’ll find their loved ones in exile, I’m yet to meet a

single British Asian woman who hasn’t breathed just the smallest sigh of relief at this. The ones who earn over the decreed annual salary of at least £18,600 are rarely the type to opt for an arranged marriage to someone on the other side of the pind, and now will be less inclined to do so seeing as it’s her income, not his, that will be under scrutiny and used as their combined leverage. Plus she’ll need to earn an extra £3,800 for her first kid and a further £2,400 for every child thereafter, not to mention the pressure of knowing that should her earnings suddenly be reduced (as is the norm with maternity leave) during the ‘probationary period’ of 60 months, he’s likely to be sent straight back home. What would she do then? Leave the kids fatherless, or pack up to live with a man in a faraway country even he didn’t want to live in?

Freedom You’ll find it’s the young women who aren’t allowed to make their own living that have the biggest call to rejoice. Seeing as they haven’t the means to earn the requisite £18,600, many of them are likely to be looked after by the family and, in the stricter cases, are the prime victims of getting married off to someone from the homeland. Sorry, but that free passport your grandmother

Picture: Dmitry Berkut

IT’S been over a decade since my days at Eastern Eye and Asian Xpress newspapers saw me dabbling with puntastic headlines, which left me forever marvelling at how the red-top tabloids could work in a curry or Bollywood reference to any story that was remotely Asian, usually with precious little to do with the actual story. Which meant a story about, say, the rise of successful women in India would be reported in our paper with a simple THE RISE OF THE INDIAN SUPERWOMAN, The Mirror would go for INDIAN WOMEN CURRY FAVOUR, while the The Sun would announce TIKKA LOOK AT US NOW: Indian Women Take it Away. The Daily Star would settle for the more straightforward BOMBABES! Now that I’m back in newspaper mode, I must say the last place I expected to find the trend still at large would be The Financial Times. Their sombre article on how the tension between PM Manmohan Singh and the nation’s leading industrialists has been contributing to India’s growth slump came bearing the headline: BOLLYGARCHS AT BAY! Korma Blimey, folks. Looks like it’s time to take this Bolly good show on the road again…

IF you’ve been grumbling over your website provider blocking filesharing sites like Pirate Bay or terrified they’ll go ahead and do the same to all those flesh-baring ones, spare a thought for all the surfers in Pakistan under threat from the government’s bid for a system that can ‘handle and block’ a list of up to 50 million URLs with a processing delay of not more than one millisecond. According to The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, already about 13,000 sites are now inaccessible. So it comes as joyous news that when Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology demanded that Google immediately delete six videos satirising its army and senior politicians, the portal have turned around this week to say: no. As a satirist – which basically means I take the P for a living – I wouldn’t be doing my job properly unless I offended someone, with the worst that can happen there is a sack full of hate mail or just the sack. Hats off then to the rising number of Pakistani satirical bloggers who are risking more than a loss of connection by going all out to express their right

to point out that their government is a bit useless, and who all stand by the adage: “So you’re offended? So what?” One of the best examples out there is by Beygairet Brigade (meaning dishonour brigade, a pun to counter Pakistan’s moral police – the Ghairat Brigade), whose anti-establishment Aalu Andey track became a global YouTube sensation this year (check them out on ghairat.tumblr.com). But my personal favourite has to be the Welcome To Pakistan blog, featuring reparteeists of the ilk of Salman Qureshi who offers gems like: “In the tradition of banning Facebook, motorcycle double sawaari, and kite flying, the Pakistan government is now proud to introduce to you the new ban – the Taliban. A peace deal has been brokered by this year’s PhD winner Rehman Malik (for making ‘peaces’ of Karachi) between the government and the Taliban. The group has accepted and are now in talks with the PPP to form a coalition government in which the Taliban will have sole rights to making all the decisions for Pakistan.” Keep on taking the P, kids.

betrothed to the elders of the cousin you’re destined to wed now suddenly comes at a price. For the record, I have absolutely nothing against arranged marriages. In this day and age of online dating, every union is arranged in one way or another anyway. But the only way to ensure that tenuous line between arranged and forced isn’t blurred is this: boy gets to meet girl, girl gets to meet boy. A few times, like any dating couple. Not the kind that’s been the norm for so many years, where the first meeting between a British Asian girl and her intended is in a foreign village that’s already busy preparing Commuters in a Dadar-Borivli fast local had for their wedding. to share their compartment with an escaped Yes, forced marriages have been monkey. The Times of India reports: “The sight of outlawed in this country, but they the monkey sparked fear among take place all the way over there, commuters. Those in the don’t they? Cold-hearted as this compartment alleged that The story of the ‘minimum income threshold’ while cops at Dadar had odious old man Ogad Singh may be, if it makes even one noticed the monkey, who beheaded his 20-year-old abuser-in-waiting think they did not make daughter in Jaipur because he marrying to come to the any such disapproved of her lifestyle is truly UK isn’t a free meal ticket, announcement at despicable. But I’m afraid I must then it’ll have been worth stations, because of confess I am guilty of the very same the time I’ve spent here which women kept crime. The other day I told my 15degrading myself by finding getting into the year-old daughter that she was not virtue in a Tory policy. coach and getting allowed to leave the house in I’m off to have a shower shocked. Some even such a short skirt. She and cleanse myself. And you, screamed in fear.” laughed her head off… young man, not you in the Actor Ranbir Kapoor lonely old bedsit, but the one was unavailable for with the moustache and a comment last night. backward attitude, looks like you’re staying at home.

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

KILLER OF DAUGHTER REFUSES TO APOLOGISE

In the shame of the father by SONIA D’SOUZA

find husbands for her two unmarried sisters. Kanwar left her husband from THE Indian father who an arranged marriage two years beheaded his daughter with ago and recently began seeing a ceremonial sword because other men which “disgusted” he did not approve of her her father, deputy police relationships with men superintendent Umesh Ojha remains unrepentant and said. “Oghad said he was fed up refused to apologise. with the lifestyle of his After killing his 20-year-old daughter,” Ojha said. daughter Manju Kanwar, Oghad When Manju eloped with one Singh, 46, paraded the head man two weeks ago, her father through the village of Dungarji forced her to return on Sunday in Rajasthan, before handing and killed her. himself in to the police. He was charged with murder. Extreme Residents of Dungarji village expressed shock as they Dungarji residents described performed the last rites for the how Singh, his shirt soaked in 20-year-old woman, who was blood, holding the sword in one killed on Monday. hand and the head in the other, Police said Singh, a marble boasted as he paraded the victim miner, had accused his daughter through the village. of bringing dishonour to the A coroner stitched Kanwar's family and making it hard to

•UNREPENTANT Oghad Singh

Other daughters killed by their dads in the twisted name of ‘honour’ AQSA PARVEZ

Killed in Ontario, Canada in 2007, for refusing to wear a hijab. Despite her father Muhammad Parvez originally admitting killing her, there remains controversy surrounding the conviction of her brother Waqaz, whom many say took the fall to protect him. The judge said: “I find it profoundly disturbing that a 16year-old could be murdered by a father and brother for the purpose of saving family pride.”

Amina, 19 and Sarah, 17

The sisters were shot repeatedly in the back of their father Yaser Said, with Sarah “intentionally left to suffer a slow death” to repent having a boyfriend. Even before the tragedy, the sisters were repeatedly beaten and denied medical assistance, all because they were “drifting further from the culture he had intended for them.”

head on to her body for the funeral. About 100 men, many of them relatives wearing ceremonial Rajput warrior clan turbans, surrounded her muslinwrapped body, and her brother lit the funeral pyre. Women wailing in grief lined the dusty road of the village in Rajasthan state as a procession carried Manju Kanwar’s remains to her funeral pyre. As in many north and west Indian villages, the women, including her mother and four sisters, were not allowed to attend the funeral.

CITY FACT

According to Amnesty International, more than 20,000 women around the world are killed by relatives because they were considered to bring ‘dishonour’ upon their family.

Amrit Kaur Ubhi, 24

Killed in 2010 by father Gurmeet Singh Ubhi in their family home in Leicesrer because she was dating a non-Sikh man. Gurmeet, who was jailed earlier for attacking his second wife with a chisel, sparked the debate that in many cases, these killings are less to do with upholding traditional Asian values and more the deranged acts of sick individuals.

New citizenship rules THE test taken by foreign nationals who wish to become British citizens is to be rewritten by the Government, according to reports. Immigrants will have to learn the first verse of the national anthem and be tested on key historical facts as part of the overhaul designed to place a greater focus on the nation’s culture and past. A new handbook, expected to be issued in the autumn, will be issued to prospective citizens and form the basis of the modified 45minute exam all aspiring British citizens must pass. It will tell immigrants the UK is a Christian country with a “long and illustrious history” and include sections about key battles as well as British inventions, discoveries and culture. A section on the Queen will also be included, with would-be-Britons also expected to memorise the profiles of famous artists,

•FORGET HISTORY Theresa May writers and playwrights such as William Shakespeare. But Home Secretary Theresa May believes it places too much emphasis on the practicalities of daily living in Britain rather than the country’s history, according to the newspaper. She is understood to have scrapped sections dealing with claiming welfare payments, borrowing money and the Human Rights Act.

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

SAY HELLO TO BARBIEWOOD

•TAXED Kashmera Shah

Lolly loot of Bollywood

Pornstar Ayesha does Tinseltown British Asian glamour model Ayesha Carmela is following in the footsteps of pornstar turned Bollywoood actress Sunny Leone by becoming the latest adult entertainment star to appear in a big Hindi blockbuster.

Referred to by her army of fans as the ASIAN BARBIE DOLL, the regular face (and body!) of new adult chat channel Masti Chat, Ayesha has been signed up by a big name Indian movie producer to play a pivotal role in a forthcoming movie. Asian City has checked with the producer in question, but for now, the details of the project are being kept under wraps (unlike Ayesha’s clothes...) The Masti Babe told us: “I was quite taken aback when I

world that we are just normal people at the end of the day and should not be seen in a different light just because we have chosen the glamour industry as our profession. I look forward to seeing her in Jism 2 and hope to emulate her success in India. If she can break the Bollywood stigma and pave the way for glamour models, then what’s stopping a Masti Babe? “Trust me, NOBODY entertains like a Masti Babe.” Masti Chat is the first Asian interactive adult chat show in the UK dedicated to the Asian community. People can call up the girls and talk over the phone, or simply sit back and watch them in Thrilled action. From Masti Babe to Ayesha adds: “I’m thrilled Bombabe, Ayesha Carmela’s that a pornstar like Sunny career, like her clothes, is Leone will be able to show the taking off!

was approached. Performing has been in my blood from an early age, but Bollywood was something that had never crossed my mind. Then I learnt that Indian pornstar, Sunny Leone is starring in her first Bollywood feature film coming out this year and has also been signed up for a second film, and thought: why not?” The busty beauty of Indian/Italian descent is in her twenties and has become talk of the town after setting screens ablaze with her sizzling presence on the adult one-to-one talk channel Masti Chat. As word of her signing spreads, more casting agents and producers are lining up to snap her up.

•KILLED Javaid Ali

Shopkeeper dies in attack FRIENDS paid tribute to murdered grocer Javaid Ali yesterday as police stepped up the hunt for his killer. The 48-year-old dad of three lost his fight for life, two weeks after he was stabbed in the neck at his shop in Paisley, Scotland. Javaid was attacked on June 15 and died in the Royal Alexandria hospital. Two years ago, he bravely defended his shop against raiders carrying a knife and crossbow. Several bouquets were left outside the shop yesterday. One bore the message: “You were a lovely man.” Police have set up an incident van near the shop. Detective Chief Inspector Duncan Sloan said: “We are looking at CCTV and we would like to speak to anyone who was in the shop that day.

•SHERPA TEHSEEN Feeling peaky with sister Maria

NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH by MINA OMAR

RISING majestically above the African planes, at 20,000 feet, Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest peak in the African continent and the highest freestanding mountain in the world; and Tehseen Mirza, a student at Manchester Metropolitan University, plans on climbing it. Tehseen’s sister Maria was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in January last year when she was just nine years old, but she’s not the first in their family to suffer from cancer. Tehseen explains: “We’ve lost other family members to cancer and a close family friend has recently been diagnosed with Leukaemia – my climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro is for all of them.”

Tehseen has been training solidly for the past year, culminating in completing the Manchester 10k last weekend, in preparation for her epic climb commencing on July the 15th. She has already exceeded her fundraising targets for Macmillan Cancer Support and has raised more than £5,650 in less than six months. Tehseen has also worked with Plan UK, a global children’s charity whose goal is to create a build a better future for young people. Plan UK Coordinator, Holly Middleditch said. ‘It’s no surprise that Tehseen is taking on this incredible challenge. We’re very proud of her and will be behind her every step of the way.’ You can support Tehseen by donating online by visiting www.justgiving.com/ tehseen-mirza

•PORN IDENTITY Ayesha Carmela

BOLLYWOOD stars have reacted angrily over the government's announcement of service tax to be levied on actors. Bollywood and TV actors will be charged 12 per cent service tax from thismonth on their earnings from acting assignments and endorsements. This will be in addition to their income tax obligations. Actress Kashmera Shah fumed: “I think we are a dying breed and very few of us actually make money. Why don't they tax the labs and doctors who charge a bomb to treat a malady like fever. We only entertain people, so spare us!” Rakhi Sawant added: “We are not SRK or Aamir Khan, who are earning in crores. Despite working so hard, we have no savings because there are so many overheads and EMIs to be paid. Now the government is forcing us to tread the wrong path! Should we loot the banks? After farmers, stars will now commit suicide!”

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

WORLD NEWS ‘Killed byTaliban’ for songs of peace

•UNDER SEIGE Lakshar-e-Taiba caused mass carnage in Mumbai in 2008

MUMBAI BOMBER BEHIND BARS Terrorist Jindal brought to justice THE MAN accused of planning the terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008 has been named as Abu Jindal and arrested by police in Delhi.

Jindal, who also goes by the name of Sayed Zabiuddin, an Indian member of the Pakistan militant group Lashkar-eTaiba is thought to be the key figure who arranged for 10 men to carry out the tragic attacks in India’s most populous city. The attacks in November 2008 killed 165 people, while nine gunmen also lost their lives during the

•CAUGHT Abu Jindal 60 hour siege. The 10th gunman who survived the attack was convicted of murder and given a death sentence. Worst hit were luxury hotels and the main railway station. Jindal has been living in the Middle East since the attacks took place and was arrested at Delhi International Airport.

The only survivor of the attack force, Amir Kasab, has been convicted of mass murder in India. Hafiz Saeed, the founder of Lashkar-eTaiba is thought to have masterminded the attack, is still at large and thought to be living in Pakistan, where he regularly appears on television and routinely addresses large antiAmerican rallies. The US, who now consider the Lashkar-e-Taiba “more dangerous than Al-Qaeda” are offering a $10million reward for any information that can lead to his conviction.

Bangladesh back in business again A FOUR-DAY shutdown at more than 300 Bangladeshi clothes factories ended after workers called off violent protests over pay, officials and witnesses said. A long closure at the factories, which represent around 8 percent of the country’s garments manufacturing base, would have further threatened its biggest export earner, demand for which has already suffered as a result of the global economic downturn. “We decided to reopen the factories after the government assured us of adequate security while the workers agreed to ensure peaceful operation and the owners said they will consider the workers’ demands,” said Muhammad Iqbal, managing director of clothes maker the Skyline Group. Owners closed the factories in the Ashulia industrial zone, north of the capital Dhaka, on Saturday after nearly 250 people

including police were injured in several days of clashes. Workers are demanding a 50 percent wage increase to meet rising food and rent prices, but factory owners say they are unable to afford pay rises as a consequence of the impact of global downturn on exports. They said they would consider the workers’ demands when appropriate.

A YOUNG ghazal singer and her father were murdered last week when they were shot dead by gunmen on motorbikes. Ghazala Javed, in her mid-twenties sang in her native language of Pashto. Although from The Swat Valley, she was forced to flee three years ago as Taliban activity in the area increased. The incident happened in her new home, in the north-western city of Peshawar. Many of Ghazala’s songs, which were popular in Pakistan and Afghanistan, were about peace. It was reported she had received several death threats asking her to stop making music. Over the last few years several musicians have been murdered by the Taliban who say music is ‘un-islamic.’ But despite the threats to Javed and her family, the police are refusing to confirm the shooting was linked to the Taliban. A spokesperson said: “As yet there is no specific motive for the attack, but it may be linked to a family dispute.” •GUNNED DOWN Ghazala Javed

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

WORLD NEWS Police say no to pro-opposition SRI LANKAN police have sealed off an office that runs independent and proopposition news websites, arrested nine workers and seized computers and documents, the government and a media rights group said in one of the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists. A statement sent out by the government said that “police officers, acting on a court order, searched and sealed off the office” on Friday and that the “websites had published erroneous information about people recognised in society” and had “tarnished Sri Lanka’s image.”

Rain damage continues FIVE days of heavy rain in Bangladesh have led to tragic flash floods and landslides, reported to have killed at least 110 people, and leaving a further 200,000 people stranded and homeless.

• DEVASTATION 200,000 people have been left homeless by the floods

Different parts of the country have been affected, though coastal areas have been worst hit with 30 people reported to have died in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and 24 along the coast of Cox’s Bazar. In Sylhet three children have died after water rose to over 1m. Most deaths have been the

FLASH FLOODS DEVASTATE LAND flash floods water recedes as soon as the rain stops so hopefully there will not be too much damage.’ The cost to lives however, is much more difficult to assess. The intensity of the rains are some of the worst in recent years and many people are still marooned without any access to result of landslides leading to food, medical supplies or walls collapsing as well as large clean water. This week, rescuers called off surges of water. Agricultural experts assessing efforts to find people still missing the damage are not yet sure how or trapped. Relief workers are the floods will affect the farming distributing rice and water to industry. One official said: ‘In those displaced.

Jewel course of action

•DISQUALIFIED Yousuf Raza Gilani

NO, PRIME MINISTER PAKISTAN’S top court has disqualified Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani from holding office, after convicting him of contempt of court. The Supreme Court ruled he had “ceased to be the prime minister of Pakistan”. In April, the Supreme Court convicted Mr Gilani of failing to pursue corruption charges against President Asif Ali Zardari. The legal case is part of a bitter feud between Pakistan’s civilian government and the judiciary. In April, Mr Gilani was given only a token sentence and spared a jail term. Last week’s court ruling disqualified him from office and from parliament. “Since no appeal was filed... therefore Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani stands disqualified as a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora [parliament],” Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry told a packed courtroom. He added: “He has also ceased to be the prime minister of Pakistan... the office of the prime minister stands vacant.”

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JUST when prospects of more trade between arch rivals India and Pakistan appeared to have reached a stalemate, a glimmer of hope has emerged: the two countries are looking to boost their gem and jewellery trade. Last week, an Indian gem and jewelry trade delegation travelled to Pakistan on an official visit and in turn invited their Pakistani counterparts to participate in the India International Jewelry Show in August. Perhaps most remarkably, Pakistan provided visas within 36 hours to the 19member Indian delegation. And this despite the fact that last month the two countries failed to reach an agreement to make it easier to grant visas. “It was a dream come true,” said Sanjay Kothari, vice chairman of The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council of India. “We are overwhelmed by the amount of hospitality, warmth, friendship they have shown us,” said Mr. Kothari, who led the Indian delegation. During the year that ended March 31, India exported gem and jewelry worth $17.69 million to Pakistan and imported precious metals worth $310,000. However, direct trade between the two countries was very limited and most of the trade took place via Dubai due to several restrictions. Mr. Kothari said trade between India and Pakistan may rise five-fold from the current level in the next few years if visa and tax issues are addressed.

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

ISSUES How to avoid the date rapist No one expects to get raped – hence it’s hard to prepare yourself for it; especially when you have a good time in mind. But it’s always a good idea to play it safe just in case…

RAPED BY A MATE Thousands of women get drugged by someone they know YOU go out with a guy you like, you’re dressed up for action, you’ve been flirting madly with him all night – tons of people have seen you all over him, some have even assumed you must be gagging for it. Then behind closed doors, he rapes you.

Those who mutter ‘you asked for it’ are as insensitive as they are ignorant. What you asked for was a good time with someone you trust, maybe a kiss and a cuddle, perhaps even a little bit more – not to be physically and emotionally forced into painful penetration in the most humiliating, soul-destroying way imaginable. When we think of rape, we envision strangers jumping out of dark alleyways brandishing a weapon. But the sad truth is 78% of young women are victims of rape at the hands of someone they know. By definition, date rape is a forced or coerced intercourse administered by partners, dates, friends or general acquaintances. And because most women come out of the ordeal feeling guilty and confused, twinned with threats, apologies or assurances from a familiar face – the crime all too often goes unreported, which is why many dub it ‘hidden rape’. A lot of acquaintance rape has less to do with threats of violence, and more to do with emotional bullying and blackmail – particularly prevalent in the Asian community where a girl’s

‘honour’ can be put at stake – but it can also come as a result of badgering, duping and simply, taking advantage. After a drunken night with a prospective boyfriend, Suki, 24, had let her date sleep in the same bed as her – they were in the early stages of courtship and a few kisses and passionate embraces notwithstanding, sex was definitely not on the cards. She recalls: “After a good night out, he asked if he could sleep on the floor as he was too drunk to go back to his place and, because I was drunk and thought he was nice enough, let him. I passed out but in the middle of the night I suddenly realised I was being penetrated. At first I couldn’t decide whether it was a dream or a nightmare or what, but by the time I’d realised what was going on, he was forcing himself so hard I just lay there and took it. I was too confused at the time to remember whether I’d agreed to it or not and when it finished I sort of fell back asleep. When I woke up in the morning the full horror of what had happened hit me and I screamed at him to get out. He said I was overreacting and that we were both at fault because we were both drunk, that he’s not normally like that, all that rubbish men say – but the fact still remains, he had sex with me without my consent. He violated me, raped me. But he convinced me that wasn’t the case.” For the record, if a girl is so drunk that she cannot say no or passes out

and he has sex with her anyway – it is still legally rape. But because it doesn’t fit the scenario of ‘man jumps on woman, woman screams for help’, many victims are left wondering whether they are, as they say, overreacting. It’s an undeniable fact that alcohol is a very large factor in date rape – but as Suki points out ‘saying alcohol is to blame is like saying it’s our fault. Why shouldn’t girls be allowed to drink and have a good time? It’s not a crime and certainly not punishable by rape.” Sadly, there are plenty of sexual predators out there who manipulate the effect of alcohol on potential prey by hook or by crook. As easy targets go, a woman who is drinking is likely

• Plan your night out, including the journey there and back. • Make sure someone knows where you are and what time you are expected home. • When going to a pub, club or party avoid going alone. Friends can watch out for each other. • If there is a group of you, appoint a nominated drinks-watcher, preferably the designated driver. • Remember, alcohol affects your actions and your reactions as well as your ability to be alert. The worse you are for drink the less likely you are to spot something suspicious. • Stay aware of what is going on around you and keep away from situations that you do not feel comfortable with. • Never accept a drink from anyone you do not completely trust. • If you do accept a drink, make sure you go to the bar with him to see the drink being served. • Do not share or exchange drinks. • Drink from a bottle – it is easier to spike a glass than it is a bottle. • Never drink left-over drinks, or drinks disguarded by someone else. • Don't leave your drink unattended when going to dance or to the toilet. • Think very carefully whether you should leave the pub, club or party with someone you've just met. • If you think you may have been spiked, try to phone someone close to you to come and fetch you. It is very important to get to a place of safety as soon as possible.

to get tipsy or disorientated, so if she gets her drink spiked, it is not immediately apparent she has been drugged and not just had ‘one too many’. Armed with odourless and tasteless date-rape drugs such as rohypnol, GHB, ketamine or roofies, men chat up unsuspecting females, spike their drinks and when the effects of the drugs kick in, ‘help her’ outside. As far as everyone around is concerned, the pair leave the premises on what appears to be a mutual agreement to take things further. It is as commonly used by men taking a girl out on a first date as it is on a guy ‘picking up’ a girl on a night out. If she seems happy to be in his company and goes off with him without putting up a

fight, there’s no reason for anyone else – even friends – to worry. But there is a very real reason to worry. According to the Roofie Foundation, 5,878 women reported being victims last year, 2,036 of those cases taking place in pubs, 1,368 in clubs. Out of the numbers who reported the assault to the Roofie Foundation, less than 15% officially reported the crime to the police. It’s time for everyone to become aware of date rape and date-rape drugs, otherwise you or someone you know might just end up as yet another sorry statistic… • If you have been a victim of date rape, contact the Roofie Foundation, on 0800 783 2980

DATE RAPE :: THE MYTHS AND THE REALITY

•SPIKED beware of Roofies

Fiction A woman who gets raped usually deserves it, especially if she has agreed to go to a man's house or somewhere alone with him. Fact No one deserves to be raped. Being in a man's house or car does not mean that a woman has agreed to have sex with him. Fiction :: If a woman

agrees to allow a man to pay for a date, then it means she owes him sex. Fact Sex is not an implied payback for a good time, no matter how much money has been spent. Fiction Acquaintance rape is committed by men who are easy to identify as rapists. Fact Women are often

raped by acquaintances who appear normal to onlookers. Fiction Women who don't fight back haven't been raped Fact Rape occurs when a woman is forced to have sex against her will, whether she has decided to fight back or not. In many instances, she is too frightened to resist.

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

Hot in the City YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO ASIAN ENTERTAINMENT

e: sohail@asiancity.co.uk

JAM WITHOUT BAM Jamila Jameel keeps her assets covered for her new fashion range

Time to get digital again

WHILE every fashionminded girl is going ga ga for Jameela Jamil’s stunning new fashion range, redblooded males are in for a disappointment after the sexy presenter vowed not to model clothes that reveal her famous curves.

festival chic, as being “designed to make every woman feel beautiful”. Though a big fan of another bootylicious sex symbol BEYONCE, who she’s cheekily offered her clothes to on her Twitter •VERY NICE The new Jam range page, she won’t be seen showing off her famous girl,” she revealed at the rear this summer. Jameela launch of her new line sighed: “'If I could change JAM, styled in collaboration with e-tailors anything about myself, it would be my arse. very.co.uk. Enough stretch marks to “I’m a D cup and when She describes the look like an A-Z of you have a large cleavage, flattering new range, I think it’s really a bit over which works as well in the London. I’d never show you. That would be the top to show it off too glamour stakes as it does weird.” much. I'm more of a legs to suit the summer’s

AFTER the success of Dil Dhak Dhak Sohniye, Tarli Digital presents fans with a second single Mittran De Naa Karde taken from his 4th studio album #DigiTaal. Out this week, it’s a slab of infectious, upbeat, and straight down the line bhangra, complete with the dulcet tones of Dalvinder Singh and accompanied by the inimitable JOHNNY KALSI of the internationally renowned Dhol Foundation. Penned by Happy Bains, (Dhol Jageero Dah by PMC, Dang Ditha Akhian Ne by SAHOTAS) this up-tempo party and dance inducing new single, is a sure fire classic. Time to get digital again, kids.

In memory IN A poignant farewell to their beloved brother KULY, who passed away recently from a brain tumour, RDB and record label Three Records will release a special song and memorial video to remember the international musician. The song, entitled Yaadan (Memories) has been written by Kuly’s father Harjog Singh and sung by Kuly’s brothers Manj and Surj along with a verse sung by their father. The music and production of the track was composed by Kuly last year. In a further tribute, Urban Bhangra songstress NINDY KAUR will release a track featuring Kuly’s vocal and a hook line produced for her by Kuly before he passed away.

GANDU ATTITUDE IT’S unlikely you’ve seen the controversial Indian movie Gandu, unless you were there to watch Mercury nominated singer Susheela Raman bring it to life as part of an interactive performance at BFI Southbank last week. Playing alongside acclaimed filmmaker and rapper Q, and featuring special guest star Steve Chandra Savale from Asian Dub Foundation on guitar, the show, entitled Gandu Circus, brought the movie to life in all its glorious gore. Festival director, Cary Rajinder Sawhney said: “The film was never publicly released in India,

Arjun back on the mix especially due to the blatant drug usage, expletives and full frontal sex. The live Jungle-rap rock, guitar and Raman’s powerful voice, intercut with stunning visual imagery, made the experience transcendental.” Q, who directed the movie, added: “It was very intense to observe the

morphing of the music, from punk rock to electro, and the establishment of a confident tone. It was as if Gandu leaped out of the film and decided to get on with it.” Susheela Raman said she loved the “fearlessness” and “taboo-shredding edginess” of the project.

FRESH from the success of his remixes of Why This Kolaveri Di, Kabhi Kabhi and Chammak Challo, the super talented singer, songwriter and producer ARJUN brings you his latest Bollywood reworking, a heartrending rendition of Teri Meri from the hit movie Bodyguard. The song is produced and sung by Arjun,

and also features the exquisite Hindi vocals of upcoming singer PRITI MENON. Back from his worldwide tour and working in the studio with US super-producer Jim Beanz and Timbaland’s writing team, Arjun tells us: “It’s good to be back working on making exciting new sounds again.” Keep mixing it up, Arjun.

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

KEE TO WEIGHT LOSS

MUSIC CITYIR WITH SAM

BACK with a svelte new figure, KEE is ready to blow us off the scales with her heavy bassed new offering Dil Lagda Nai. With an edgy dubstep battling it out with a Punjabi groove in the fusion arena, this is bound to have the dancefloors heaving this summer. Brought to life by the take-no-prisoners production giants TIGERSTYLE, it hits you from the word go. Says Tigerstyle’s Raj: “Pure energy from start to finish, this track picks you up, bounces you around and throws you against the wall. It’s the sort of sound that makes the dancefloor literally come to life.” And it certainly sounds like a must for your workout playlist. Kee, who first pumped up our stereos a couple of years ago with Crazy, has shed 15 kilos since we last saw her. She tells us: “Being in the studio means I haven’t had much time to work out in the gym, but dancing to the track seems to have done the trick!” She promises the vibe of song “definitely showcases a flavour of what to expect from the album.” If she carries on dancing to her own beat the way she has, we’re worried she’ll shed so much weight she might disappear! The track is written by Bittu Denowalia of Britain’s Got Bhangra fame, who recently wrote the hit single Dil Mera sang by RAHAT FATEH ALI Khan for PANJABI HIT SQUAD. It’s the first single taken from her forthcoming album, featuring top producers and collaborations from across the globe, due for release later this year. • Dil Lagda Nai is available on iTunes

GREETINGS Asian City-zens! Welcome to the first instalment of Music City, your first port of call to find all the latest and greatest news from the music world. Whether it’s breakthrough British Asian acts, the best of Bhangra or the banging sounds coming from Bollywood... this is where it’ll all unfold, folks! July kicks off with a bang, with the return of the mighty H-DHAMI. Evidently spending more time touring than he has been in the studio these past few months, performing all his hits to fans around the world has clearly left him feeling his back catalogue still has plenty of power to keep him charging forward. His latest release Tenu Nachdi Vekhna is actually a song off his 2008 album, a song that sounded like a filler to me at the time. But it’s been reworked with a new sound by PANJABI BY NATURE – a great dancefloor filler and stereo blaster with a great video, it sounds as fresh as if it were made tomorrow! Another artist back in action is JAY SEAN, with his track I’m All Yours, featuring another heavyweight US act, PITBULL. Still awaiting an official UK release date, it’s been getting lukewarm reviews, and it’s easy to see why. Having followed Jay’s career over the past decade, I’m a little surprised at the direction it’s gone in. This track is dripping with melted cheese, and more a Miley Cyrus Disney-lite offering than the R’n’B/soul train we were hoping he’d be riding back on, but then the American market loves its squeaky clean pop, so I suppose we can’t blame him for extending his cash hauling net. According to the Twitterati, Jay has buried the hatched with RISHI RICH by working on an Asian remix of the new track, their first collaboration in several years, and I daresay we’ll behold the tune in a much better light afterwards. Elsewhere, I’m loving the way ARJUN takes Bollywood tracks and reworks them with English lyrics to mke them his own. After his versions of Kolaveri Di, Kabhi Kabhi and Chammak Chalo went down a storm on YouTube, his new track Teri Meri also looks set to hit all the right like buttons. SHIDE BOSS has just dropped his new track Involved, an edgy, urban track featuring UK MC MARGER. With his trademark flawless delivery, if I were to put money on the next Asian act to crossover to the mainstream, Shide would be my best bet. On the Bhangra side, exciting new sounds come courtesy of fresh talents like BUPPS SAGGU (Punjabi Hurr), GV (Brick) and my personal favourite, the pioneering producer DJ SANJ’s new best friend JAY STATUS, whose track Katal Kare stormed to the top of the Asian music charts last month. Also keep an eye out for Punjabi singer JOGA, who recently worked his magic on Surinder Rattan’s massive hit Has Has. See you on the dancefloor, folks. • Connect with Music City now via Twitter @samirsamir

MY OH MIA

SINGER, fashionista and political activist MIA made a welcom return to the stage over the weekend, when she appeared at The Hackney Weekender, as part of Jay-Z’s hugely anticipated set. M.I.A, has now officially joined the ranks of Rihanna and Shakira by signing up to the rapper’s label Roc Nation Management. Even though a technical glitch meant her microphone didn’t work during Paper Planes, the star soon had the whole crowd jumping to Bad Girls. After taking a break from the scene to concentrate on art projects and being a mother, she was last seen on stage flicking the world the finger while performing with Madonna at the Superbowl. She is currently in the studio polishing off her fourth studio album expected to be released this summer with a live tour to follow. Remember to check your mic works though, eh MIA?

BACK WITH A BANGER TAKE cover. The BANGER is about to go boom again. The loud (both in sound and look) Bhangra star is back to make some noise with his dhol-bashing new offering Patandra. The star, who stormed into the scene earlier this year with his debut single Soorma (feat the late KULDEEP MANAK), is on a mission to take Bhangra back to its roots. He told Hot in the City: “Even though there’s a lot to like about the experimentations new artists are playing with, I’m here to promote the essence of Bhangra. That means turning up the volume, both in terms of the music and my wardrobe.”

He adds: “It’s time to remind everyone that Bhangra is, first and foremost, all about the fun.” Penned by Bhangra heavyweight LALLY, produced by SUKHI CHAND, nd featuring the dulcet tones of JASSI, Banger certainly is in good company. The star, who is gearing up to perform with Sufi legend Master Saleem in his first ever UK tour next month, has been in the game since the age of 14 playing percussion for many artists, including the late Kuldeep Manak, who encouraged him to pick up the microphone. We’re loving what he’s been banging out with it so far...

•H DHAMI Something old, something new

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

BOLLYWOOD

‘I still love the UK, but India

by SUNNY MALIK THERE are few things that makes us laugh more than anecdotes about an aunt mispronouncing words in English, and it seems the same is true in Bollywood. In fact, the makers of hit films like Cheeni Kum and Paa have centred an entire movie around epic Indian fails of the English language. English Vinglish, which sees the glorious return of SRI DEVI, tells the story of a woman who does not know English and is made to feel insecure by her family and society at large. A pastiche on New India’s preference for English over Hindi when it comes to assessing their status. The film promises to be a light-hearted yet touching tale, that charts the and transformational journey of character who moves from rural Indian to New York. The film, produced by Eros International and R. Balki., will mark the return of Sridevi, popularly known as Roop ki Raani, after a 15 year break from the industry. You can see a teaser of her back in action in the innovative theatrical trailers of English Vinglish where she is seen reading and innocently trying to understand the censor board certificate in her broken English. It gets it UK release later this year. We literally cannot be vaiting.

Tiger, tiger, burning bright THE pairing up of ex lovers Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif for Yash Raj’s new movie Ek Tha Tiger was always going to be a roaring success. Shot extensively across the globe in places such as Ireland, Cuba and Thailand, the film has already created a huge buzz, with its first teaser trailer getting almost three million views online, making it one of the most anticipated movies of this year. Directed by Kabir Khan and Produced by Aditya Chopra, the film is guaranteed to pack a tigersized bite when it’s released in the UK next month.

YOU’VE been shooting for your new movie Thaandavam in London for quite some time now. How has it been for you shooting here and to live here in the UK again after being in Mumbai for a few years ? It has been fantastic. I was born and brought up in the UK. It is a comeback and to be shooting an Indian movie here is the best way to do it, I suppose. I got to see family and friends and obviously I have been shooting my movie with A L Vijay (the director). It is a whole package in one.

Pictures: Masud Ahmad

Lost in translation

Miss Teen World Amy Jackson talks to Sunny Malik about her way you pronounce the words, it is something I have never done before. But Vijay is brilliant and has helped me a lot. I don’t feel conscious on set which is good. I feel very comfortable and I don’t stress about it. Although, the pronunciation is probably terrible, it works. Your co-star Vikram said at the press conference that you actually feel like a Tamil girl. (Laughs) Do you feel at home in India? That is definitely my home now. I feel strange being in the UK. I feel like a tourist and did all the tourist things. I went on the London Eye and took all the tourist pictures. Mumbai is now my home and the way the Indian audience, especially down south have welcomed me is phenomenal. I think, if I did not have the support of the people, then I would not be living there. It would be horrendous. I would not know anybody and people would not be comfortable with me doing Indian movies. It has been great the way I have settled in.

You made your Hindi debut in Ekk Deewana Tha. Were you disappointed that it didn’t do well? Obviously, I was disappointed with the box office and some reactions. But I was very proud of my performance and me and Prateik put in a lot of effort into the movie. Unfortunately, the movie was not adapted from the Tamil and Telegu version. It was just a South Indian film in Hindi with Hindi actors. Everything else was very South Indian. That’s just the way it is. I am not ashamed of the movie or how it did. I am very proud of it. Gautham Menon is a great film I remember someone angering you director. I would love to work with on Twitter after they said you him again in the future. shouldn’t be working in Indian movies because you’re not Indian. Did it put you off from doing Hindi There is a concept amongst people movies? Maybe think about that only Indian people should returning to your acting and work in the Indian film industry. modelling career back in the UK? What is your take on it ? I am going back to Hindi movies at I have a very strong take on that but I the end of the year. I have signed won’t get into it too much. (Laughs) another Hindi movie and it has You get that everywhere all over the definitely not put me off. I am living world, not just in India. I accept that, in Mumbai and all my friends are however, I am embracing the Indian based there. I have had success in the culture and I am loving it there. It’s South but that does not want me to terrible when people try to just stay there. I don’t want to be a discriminate others because of being fish in a big pond. I want to expand part of another country. My doctor is and take it to Bollywood. I definitely Pakistani and my dentist is from think that I am able to do it and I am Mumbai. You hardly find that an issue putting in a lot of effort into it. I do in the US and UK. It’s not acceptable my dance classes and Hindi lesson to say those things. But in India, everyday. I am very determined to freedom of speech is something else. succeed in it. How do you deal with it? How much time does it take you to To be honest, at first it affected me. I learn Tamil and Hindi dialogues? was shocked that people were saying You know I thought, Hindi was things like that. There are whispers difficult because I did not know the about it and there will always be. I am language but Tamil is whole different not going to be ashamed and hide story. It feels like gibberish to me. The behind things. I understand that some

Mistakes, madness & solitude THE undisputed king of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan celebrated 20 years in the Indian film fraternity last week. Celebrating a career which kicked off with Deewana in 1992 starring opposite Divya Bharti and Rishi Kapoor, he has since has made over 70 films including Baazigar, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Dil To Pagal Hai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Mohabbatein, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Kal Ho Na Ho, Veer Zaara and My Name is Khan. He tweeted to his fans “20 uninterrupted years of serving. Not enough talent or looks or

game plan. Thank you all. I guess I got lucky, lucky to be working all the time.” He added: “I made mistakes, still continue to do so. A little madness. A bit of solitude. Too silly to realize it’s impossible and maybe that’s why it gets achieved. Mom said only to feel and say positive things. Your angels are always listening and fulfill your words. My angels work overtime…” He will next be seen in Yash Chopra’s yet untitled film in London starring with Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma. Here’s to another 20 glorious years, Rukhstar!

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

is my home now’

BOLLYWOOD

brand new life as a big Bollywood star people say foreign girls should not be playing a part of an Indian girl, but then look at the likes of Leonardo Di Capri oho played a South African character in a film. It’s just an issue that a minority of the audience has. It is not something the mass population has a problem with. Thank God! So what’s Thaandavam about? The movie is an action thriller and has a lot of great action sequences. I have got a few action sequences myself. There is romance, comedy and there is a lot of everything in the film. I have comedy and romance scenes myself in the film.

ADVERTISE IN

Prateik (Babbar, Amy’s actor boyfriend) also came to visit you in London. You must have had fun showing him around ? I did. I was in London for modelling and I moved here from Liverpool for a while, but I didn’t actually see the city properly back then. Me and Prateik went on days out and we did the guided tours here. He has been to London before but that was ten years ago. He needed an update on the city and my mum was here during the same time and we spent a lot of time together which was really nice. He also met Vijay and the whole crew. You are also quite open about your relationship with him... Yes, I don’t see the point of hiding things. We are very committed to each other in a serious but easy going way. We share a great relationship. I know a lot of actresses and actors, especially in Bollywood, who hide their relationships. In the UK they are more open about these things, I think that’s why I am open about it. Prateik is also very open about our relationship. I don’t see that changing. We have a very good bond with his family and my family. We are good friends even though we are partners. Even ten years down the line, we will still be friends no matter what the situation is. What are you looking forward to doing in Bollywood ? There is a whole list of people I want to work with. Kareena Kapoor is someone I would love to star in a movie with. Ranbir Kapoor is my

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favourite actor and I would love to work with him. I would love to share the screen space with either of the two. Also, I don’t want to get stuck in the typical British girl in Indian film roles. I don’t mid them at all but I want to play a different variation of roles. I think, a lot of actresses in Bollywood tend to go down the line of doing glamorous roles. I would like to play a role like Vidya Balan in The Dirty Picture.

DISHUM TASHUM IT’S the kind of issue that makes Asian City-zens get into fights. Which of these normally clean shaven stars wore a moustache the best? Drop us an email with your answer to sohail@asiancity.co.uk Answer will be revealed in the next issue.

• Salman Khan (Dabangg)

www.asiancity.co.uk

• Akshay Kumar • Aamir Khan (Rowdy Rathore) (Mangal Pandey)

She had a really meaty role and she even put on weight for the role. Would you put on weight for a role like she did? Yes, of course. That is important for an actor, to change for the movie. It will otherwise be just the same.

New lease for Nargis

WHEN Nargis Fakhri made her debut in ROCKSTAR (a film Deepika wishes she’d starred in), we all thought she’d had it made. But then she was dropped from KHILADI 786 for not looking convincing enough to play Mithun Chakraborty’s sister, it looked like it was game over. But now she’s sprung back by bagging the lead in the new movie by Rajshri Ojha who directed AISHA, the Jane Austen adaptation of Emma. Nargis fans can breathe a sigh of relief!

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Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

BOLLYWOOD

The film with no name YASH Raj Films has clarified that Yash Chopra’s next is still untitled and NOT called Yeh Kahaan Aa Gaye Hum. In a press statement, the production said that “It is unfortunate that despite several denials, large sections of the media have begun to call Yash Chopra’s as yet untitled film starring SHAH RUKH KHAN, KATRINA KAIF and ANUSHKA SHARMA as Yeh Kahaan Aa Gaye Hum. This is completely baseless and the movie still remains untitled.” Yash Chopra resumed shooting in London earlier last month and the film has already created a huge interest and buzz all around. This film also brings together the award-winning pair of A. R. Rahman and Gulzar, who along with Yash Chopra, are working on creating some wonderful and meaningful music. The film is scheduled for a Diwali 2012 release, Yash Chopra’s favourite time to unleash his blockbusters onto the world.

Cocktail shaker WHILE we await the release of the Deepika-Saif romcom Cocktail, the soundtrack from the movie has already been hailed a surefire hit. With the unconventional lyrics penned by Irshad Kamil getting the thumbs up from listeners and critics alike, the music itself, composed by Pritam with vocals by Neha Kakkar, Miss Pooja and Nakkash Aziz, create an exciting amalgamation of talented voices and flawless music. The video for the song is as funky as it gets and gives a brilliant taster of what to expect from the movie when it is released later this month. The album is a perfect ensemble of songs, it has a song to meet every mood and has already gained tremendous appreciation. The entire album has created ripples across the Hindi cinesoundscape. Get ready to shake to it.

WRESTLE ASSURED

Ajay Devgan comes to grips with his new role in Bol Bachchan After the action film Singham, you are teaming up again with director Rohit Shetty in the comedy Bol Bachchan... Bol Bachchan is an entertaining movie. It is a Rohit Shetty film. The audience will get all the things they like to watch the most in Ajay Devgan-Rohit Shetty movies. It also has drama and mind-blowing action. Tell us more about your character you play in the movie... This is the first time that I have played a pehelwan (wrestler). It is good for an actor to keep playing different types of roles. Also, today’s audience doesn’t want to see an actor play the same role time and again. How long can you entertain the audience with the same type of character? The basic idea is to entertain the audience. I can assure you my character will entertain the audience from the beginning to the end. Yes, kids love characters like these, but who says older people don’t? Don’t they watch wrestlers on WWE, whom you can also call ‘modern Pehelwans’? This film is for people of all ages. Singham released in July 2011 and now Bol Bachchan exactly a year later. Was the timing deliberate? People say if you deliver a big hit in a particular week, one should follow that trend. It is something we have been following for years. It is not a superstitious thing but where’s the harm? We released Singham within a stipulated time frame. But Bol Bachchan is a bigger film made on a bigger canvas, but luckily we managed to finish the film in time to make it our big July release. At the end of the day, the audience decides the fate of a film. If they were with you for your last film, they will be with you for your next film. If you give them what they want, they will stand by you. Bol Bachchan is one such film, made purely for the audience and their entertainment.

Who doesn’t want their film to do well? I want my films to do better than my previous ones. I’m always competing with myself Will Bol Bachchan become your third film that crosses the Rs 100-crore mark? Who doesn’t want his or her film to do well? But I’m not among those who are, like, ‘Iski 100 huyee, uski nahin’. I want my films to do better than my previous ones. I’m always competing with myself.

Everyone’s loving the title track with Amitabh Bachchan – was this always part of the film or added as an afterthought? People associated with the project always knew this song was part of the film. From the inception itself, we had decided to have this song with Amit-ji. It is just that we shot it after we completed the entire What kind of response has the song, film. Obviously, the presence of Amit-ji, the trailer and the look of the film even in the song, enhances the prospects drawn so far? of the film. The title of the film is Bol In these times, when there’s no long-term Bachchan and it also has Abhishek for a film, its first look and trailer play a Bachchan. So how can this film be comvery vital role. Today’s audience decides plete if we don’t have Amit-ji? whether to watch a film or not from its look and trailer. We took our own time so Looking back… Rohit Shetty started that the first impression of the film is ap- his career with Zameen, which had preciated. The response has been over- Abhishek Bachchan and you in the whelming and much bigger than lead? expected. We wanted to communicate Sometimes, things just fall into place and that it is an entertaining film made on a a project happens. This was not the first much bigger and much more entertaining time Rohit thought of bringing us tocanvas this time. gether. Before this, either the character

Bol Bachchan bowls over Bollywood YOU can always rely on Rohit Shetty to come up with original ideas. The idea of casting Abhishek Bachchan in a movie called Bol Bachchan has been sparking rumours ever since the title was released, and we find he is indeed playing a real life Bachchan, but that’s not all. His primarily role is playing a young boy from Delhi, Abbas Ali, who is saved from his spiralling debt by a well wisher who invites him and his sister (played by Asin Thottumkal) to a village in Ranakpur. After Abbas breaks into a temple, fearing the villagers’ wrath to find a Muslim had

dared to do such a thing, he comes up with the first Hindu name he can think of to save his skin – Bachchan. This is where the fun and mayhem begins. A series of cover-ups, goof-ups and lie after lie (including the claim that he has a twin brother) lead to comic situations a-plenty as he tries to maintain acting as two different people. Flexing his comedy skills for the first time since Dostana in 2008, it’s good to see Abhishekh’s capering is laugh-outloud stuff. The film is showing in cinemas now.

didn’t suit Abhishek or there was another reason why we didn’t work together. But this time, with this title, naturally it had to be Abhishek. And everything worked just right. Since Abhishek and I have known each other for years, the chemistry on screen is outstanding. So many people have told me that we look good together on-screen. Real-life bonding helps on screen. After Bol Bachchan, your only other release this year will be Son Of Sardaar. Are you slowing down? In the recent past, I have been limiting myself to having two to three releases a year. I believe this is the best way to go. Son Of Sardaar will release during Diwali and, after that, I will have my next release in 2013. Do you think comedy and action in a film will make it a success at the box office? Making a good film is a safe bet at the ticket counter. Action and comedy always entertain but just gags and punches on a villain’s face don’t make a film entertaining. You need to have a base, a good story. Yes, comedy and action enhance the fate of a film. • Bol Bachchan releases in cinemas this week

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

ARTS TECH CITY N WITH EM KWA

BATTLE OF THE SMARTPHONES

iPhone Killers

When we talk about smartphones the most common brand that comes to mind that many people immediately think of is apple’s highly successful iPhone. However there are many great alternative phones on the market that can arguably be called credible competitors to the highly successful iPhone. We’re going to take a look at the top two contenders currently: Samsung Galaxy S3 from £570 samsung.com/uk Announced last month in London with much fanfare, the Galaxy S III sports a huge screen—4.8 inches—and an 8 megapixel rear camera. But it’s thinner and lighter than the iPhone 4S, even though the latter has a 3.5-inch screen. So the Samsung feels a bit smaller than it is. The phone has a whole range of cool features and runs the latest version of Android, called Ice Cream Sandwich. What we like: • Excellent battery life, for that ever busy worker or socialite. • Superb vibrant screen, giving clarity to what you see. • Quad core speed, for speedy apps. • Top media management to show off your summer photos and videos. • Integrated S voice- speak to your phone to get what you want done, personal assistant anyone?! What we didn’t like: • Poor build material. Glossy Plastic quality makes the phone feel cheap. • 4.8 inch screen may be a little too big if you’ve got nimble fingers. HTC ONE X from £450 htc.com/UK The HTC One X brings the best processor, an HD screen and a sublimely thin chassis to the market. With a 4.7-inch screen that is such a stunning feature of the One X - it’s a 720p HD display packed into a chassis that’s only 8.9mm thick. Plus it’s also using the Super IPS LCD 2 technology that, while it lacks the vivid colour reproduction of Samsung’s Super AMOLED range, really brings games and movies to life.The One X is running a quad core CPU (Nvidia’s Tegra 3), ideal for running applications and media at super fast rates. What we like: • Great screen, vivid clarity and colours to show off your summer photos and videos. • Stunning design, easy in the hand and good build quality. • Powerful processor, means running media and apps is easy and fluid. • Quality camera, take great photos this summer, rain or shine. What we didn’t like: • Iffy battery life, may need to consider becoming friends with the nearest plug. • No microSD slot, restrictions to storage of your media and content. • Video grainy, gets the job done but lacks lustre. • Connect with EM KWAN now via Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn

MUSIC SALIM-SULAIMAN Sunday 15th July HMV Hammersmith Apollo, Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith, London W6 Watch as the stage sizzles with Salim-Sulaiman’s popular hits from Bollywood Movies Kurbaan, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Fashion, Chak-de-India, Jodi Breakers. SOUMIK DATTA AND JASON SINGH Saturday 21st July Rich Mix, 35 - 47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA 28 year old ‘British Sarod Maestro’ (Time Out), composer, and artist in residence at Southbank Centre (London), Soumik Datta is fast being recognized as “one of the biggest new music talents in Britain” (Vogue). 8pm - FREE HANS RAJ HANS - LIVE IN CONCERT Sunday 29th July HMV Hammersmith Apollo, Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith, London W6 Come see the Sufi Maestro classics such as “Silli Silli Aundi Hai Hawa”, “Nit Khair” & “Aaja Ve Mahi” amongst an extensive collection of Sufi, Qawalis and Ghazals. A special tribute to the Great Jagjit Singh will be also featured.

WITHOUT FURTHER ALOO

Thursday 26th July - Saturday 15th September Meera Syal in William Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire Box Office: 0844 800 1110 Saturday 22nd September - Saturday 27th October Noel Coward Theatre, 85-88 St Martins Lane, London, WC2N 4AU Box Office: 0844 482 5141 This vibrant and colourful production transposes Shakespeare’s vivacious, and at times unsettling, comedy of love and deceit to an Indian setting. Much Ado About Nothing is directed by Iqbal Khan whose credits include Broken Glass (Tricycle Theatre, 2011) and The Killing of Sister George (Arts Theatre, 2011). Actress, comedienne, writer and singer, Meera Syal, will play Beatrice.

NASEEBO LAL Saturday 1st September The Drum, 144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham B6 4UU Naseebo Lal is regarded as a mega super star within Pakistan. She has recorded over 1500 songs, produced over 100 albums and as a playback singer, she has dominated the Punjabi film industry, with her first film being ‘Desa da Raja’ in 1999. Come and celebrate Eid in style up close and personal with a living legend of Pakistan. Book early to avoid disappointment as DESI CENTRAL we expect this concert to sell out! Tickets £12 Sunday 30th September Glee Club, The Arcadian, 70 Hurst Street, (£10) Box Office 0121 333 2444 Birmingham B5 4TD Desi Central returns to Glee Club, Birmingham EXHIBITIONS with another comedy line-up ready to have you splitting your sides all night. EAST END OF ISLAM Thursday 5th July - Sunday 29th July THEATRE Rich Mix, 35 - 47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA The East End of Islam is a black and white LADDOO SINGH DA VYAH (IN PUNJABI) photographic exploration of the Muslim Friday 27th July - Sunday 29th July community in Tower Hamlets and their Watermans, 40 High Street, Brentford TW8 0DS relationship with the East London Mosque. The Laddoo Singh is a fun loving, innocent, mosque’s expansive building programme and hardworking man who dreams about his incorporation of the London Muslim Centre marriage all the time. He is in love with a girl qualifies it as being the largest capacity purpose Jalebi Kaur who loves him the same. They sing and dance together like Indian Film actors and built mosque in Europe. FREE look forward to their beautiful and happy days ahead but Jalebi’s father Ex army officer Habshi COMEDY Singh plans to break all their dreams. For more information call Box Office on 0208 232 1010 PAUL CHOWDHRY Saturday 22nd September CINEMA HMV Hammersmith Apollo, Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith, London W6 Paul Chowdhry star of Channel 4’s Stand-Up For JAI BHIM COMRADE The Week brings his latest show ‘What’s Saturday 7th July Happening White People’ to the world famous Rich Mix, 35 - 47 Bethnal Green Road, HMV Hammersmith Apollo for one night only London E1 6LA to record his debut DVD for Universal Pictures. Shot over 14 years, veteran director Anand For tickets and information call the Box Office on Patwardhan explores the plight of the Dalits, an oppressed caste in India more commonly known 0483 221 0100 in the west as ‘Untouchables’. Exploring 2000 years of oppression through the creative resistance that has sprung up against it and the 1997 protest suicide of leading activist, poet and singer Vilas Ghogre, this is a monumental achievement for both documentary and Indian cinema. Tickets £8.50, Box Office 020 7613 7498 RUNWAY Sunday 8th July Rich Mix, 35 - 47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA A tale of a teenager who lives with his family under the shadow of the runway of Dhaka International Airport, who in his frustration and struggle for purpose falls in with a group of violent extremists, Runway is the final, touching and humane film from revered director Tareque Masud, who tragically died in a car accident last year. Tickets £8.50, Box Office 020 7613 7498

DANCE SUMITA GHOSH Saturday 14th July The Bhavan Centre, 4a Castletown Road, West Kensington, London W14 9HE Visiting artiste Sushmita Ghosh will be wowing audiences in this first event of the series. Also don’t miss the chance to see our own homecoming dancers and disciples of Bhavan’s resident Kathak teacher Abhay Shankar Mishra. Tickets £10 and £7.50 call box office on 0207 381 3086 ESHA BANDHOPADHYAY Sunday 15th July The Bhavan Centre, 4a Castletown Road, West Kensington, London W14 9HE Second in the series showcasing the visiting Hindustani Vocal teacher taking this year’s summer school and talented students of the department here in the UK. Esha Bandhopadhyay is a brilliant teacher and skilled performer of khayal, thumri and bhajan whose passion for her art is unmistakable. . Tickets £10 and £7.50 call box office on 0207 381 3086 M. S. SHEELA Saturday 21st July The Bhavan Centre, 4a Castletown Road, West Kensington, London W14 9HE Another weekend of music and dance featuring this year’s summer school teachers visiting from India. The Karnatic department is fortunate to have M.S Sheela teaching this year. She is a leading vocalist who has made her mark in classical, light as well as devotional genres. Tickets £10 and £7.50 call box office on 0207 381 3086 SURYA RAO Sunday 22nd July The Bhavan Centre, 4a Castletown Road, West Kensington, London W14 9HE The final performance by a visiting summer school teacher will be a Bharatanayam performance like no other by Surya Rao, who is back by popular demand. Audiences will be treated to a performance by talented upcoming artiste of the Bhavan, Lakshmi Kuhendran. A senior disciple of resident teacher Prakash Yadagudde. Tickets £10 and £7.50 call box office on 0207 381 3086

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

FEATURE

I’m loving every second of it The pair, who return to the big screens three years since they sizzled in Kaminey, were greeted by their UK fans with loud cheers after the premiere of Teri Meri Kahani, directed by Kunal Kohli. The film premiere took place at Feltham Cineworld where there were scenes of failed crowd control as the stars were “mobbed”. Fans and the media reacted angrily to these scenes however smiles were across faces as the cast signed autographs and took pictures with their beloved fans. Priyanka wore a fabulous strapless black dress down the red carpet rocking voluminous hair and looking every bit as the former Miss World that she is. Shahid wore a pleasant grey suit with contrasting lapels with his cheeky smiled that kept the females hearts glowing throughout the night. I think its safe to say the pair looked hot as a couple as they wowed their way through the crowd. Working with your alleged ex lover would be deemed as obviously hard to combine however Priyanka and Shahid showed no signs of struggling as the pair were all smiles and laughter during shooting locations in England and Mumbai. Priyanka stated “I hope that as a love story, people really enjoy seeing us together again.” Below, Priyanka reveals other things that are on her mind.

Priyanka says As a girl, it’s not right to put myself out there. People keep speculating about my personal life because I am evasive about it. When there’s an announcement worth making, I will talk. I don’t like being under the microscope constantly and having to explain myself, being subjected to that sort of judgment. It upsets me, but I don’t think it's right to put myself out there, especially as a girl. Maybe if I were a man, I would have been a philandering Casanova. As a girl, I am this stupid, emotional, very loyal, sort of believein-values-and-principals sort of girl. It’s very irritating. And I’m a Cancerian. We’re kind of like that. It’s not fair for people to judge. People quickly decide the good, bad and ugly, and say, “Oh, she looks nice with him; oh she shouldn't have done that”. I don’t come into your bedroom and ask you what you did last night. I understand that we’re celebrities, but we’re also human beings. A little bit of yourself is important to keep to yourself. Like I tweet the things I want people to know.

PRIYANKA CHOPRA GIVES HER VERDICT ON GREAT BRITAIN

There are cliques in Bollywood, but I am not a part of them I have lived my life on my terms. I have never had issues with anybody in the industry, so I don’t know if it's sorted or not, or if there was an issue to begin with. Of course, there are cliques in Bollywood and people stick together, but I never had anybody backing me. I have been thrown out of films for reasons unknown to me, I have been cast in films for reasons unknown to me. I think it’s destiny and hard work. I don't cry about my losses.

I didn’t have time to think about what being a celebrity meant. I wasn’t even prepared to be an actress. I was 17 when I came out of high school, and suddenly became Miss World and then I became an actress. I didn’t have time to think that “oh this is what celebrityhood does”. Thank God, I had my mum to slap me in my face and ask me to calm down. When I suddenly became famous, I didn't know what was going on. I was like a zombie robot. Thankfully, I was a little quick-witted, so I

•CHEMISTRY Priyanka & Shahid could deal with the world media and have an opinion on the economic crisis of Zambia or something. I knew how to wing it at that time, but it took me a while to get on my feet and understand who I am. My parents told me, “you'll be back to college in two minutes if you let this get to your head”.

Pictures: Swani Gulshan (Swani.com)

ARRIVING in the UK to promote their new film Teri Meri Kahaani. Priyanka Chopra and Shahid Kapoor gave us the thumbs up by declaring:“We love this country!”

TERI MERI KAHAANI, tagged as “Thrice Upon a love Story” is set in three different lifetimes with the couple destined as soul mates to fall in love with each other. Director Kunal Kohli said: “It was three times more difficult to write Teri Meri Kahaani. I wanted to connect these three stories and keep some of it in the past and still make it youthful and modern. I wanted it to appeal to everyone. So I have created humour and situations which would be liked by everyone.” The film has so far received lukewarm reviews in both India and the UK.

It’s not fair to only think of the 100 crore club as successful. Ever since the first 100 crore thing happened, it’s like people follow the Pied Piper and everybody wants to talk about only the 100 crore club. Of course, the more the money, it’s fantastic. I am lucky to have two of them, but I don’t think it’s fair to say, “oh only if I have a 100 crore film will I be a success”. Professional Singing is a risk. I never even thought about singing professionally, but then, this opportunity of the album came. I’ve always loved singing. My dad sings. And when this idea came up, it seemed interesting. I thought it’d be pushing the envelope, taking a risk. It’s important to remain within convention and yet tear at its seams. For instance, I am doing a pop album, which will be conventional and it'll have music that people will love. It’s not some acoustic-guitar-poetryniche thing. It’s commercial and conventional in that sense, but you will see me tearing at it since I am an actor. I think the only other person who has done that is Jennifer Lopez. I am not saying I will be the next pop icon or whatever, but I always aim for the best. • Teri Meri Kahaani is showing now

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

FEATURE

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

PAPARAZZI

HELLO SEXY!

The hottest boys and girls in town HUNDREDS of sexy singletons from all over the UK fought it out to be crowned the coveted title of Asiana Bachelor & Bachelorette 2012; announced at a starstudded ceremony at the exclusive Supper Club in Notting Hill on Sunday. 40,000 votes were cast to whittle down the 50 candidates to just 10 in each category, whose final fate lay in the hands of a panel of celebrity judges.

RUNNERSU P

• UP

UP •RUN ERS NE NN

Radio 1 and Asian Network DJ NIHAL hosted the spectacular night, along with TV presenter TASMIN LUCIA KHAN who introduced some of the finest musicians and entertainment talent to the stage… starting with a live rendition of One Pound Fish by the Internet sensation Muhammad Shahid Nazir, a fishmonger from Pakistan who’s seafood themed ‘market cries’ have attracted over one million views on You Tube. This year two celebrity panels offered their expertise on who deserved to win the prestigious awards. The female judges KIRAN SHARMA, SONALI SHAH, MANRINA RHODE REKHI, SHIVANI GHAI and SHAZIA MIRZA had the tough decision of picking the hottest hunk, while on the men’s panel RISHI RICH, AMEET CHANNA, MARK RAMPRAKASH, UPEN PATEL and PAUL CHOWDHURY were given the difficult task of crowning the first ever Asiana Bachelorette. The lucky 20 candidates strutted their stuff on stage with the girls modelling stunning outfits by Phulkari and jewellery by Kyle’s Collection while the men were kitted out in opulent sherwanis designed by Ziggi Studio. Make-up artist Sara Aziz worked her magic to beautify the contestants and Bal Chohan from My Signature Style S R U E P N •R styled the show. UN As the judges : U •R d lor 2n c onferred, e h c a B zbaris : O h s a d Y lor 3r Baches Hotai a ik V 2nd: lorette Bache a Judge : Amrit lorette 3rd Bache vi Jhalla Pur

urban music starts METZ AND TRIX hit the stage, followed by bhangra super star HDHAMI whose performance was hijacked by several fans eager to flaunt their moves. Then to his surprise, he was presented with a birthday cake, baked by Deelicious Nazish’s Kitchen. The crowd sung happy birthday, followed by a Hindi rendition by H-Dhami for Nihal, who both shared their special days on June 1st. The atmosphere hotted up in round two when the final shortlists were announced, giving the judges a chance to grill the contestants. Highlights included a belly dance between Bachelorette Shivani Bhatt and judge Upen Patel, a romantic film scene performed by actress Purvi, a dirty dance between bachelor Daljinder and comedian Shazia Mirza and press-ups by personal trainer Vikas Hothi.. Boxer Sohail Ahmad, 23 from London was crowned Bachelor 2012 and celebrated by whipping off his shirt to a screaming room of fans. Bachelorette 2012 went to Dharshika Devi, 28, from Manchester who wowed the judges with her fiery moves to Bollywood item song Shelia Ki Jawani.

WINNERS: DHARSHIKA DEVI AND SOHAIL AHMAD

RUNNER UP• S RS

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

FASHION Clashing prints ABSTRACT prints, animal prints and tribal prints, to name a few, are just what the style doctor ordered to hail in spring with a burst of vibrant, confident colours for a bright new season. Jazz up an understated outfit with a daring print handbag or statement bangle. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different prints for one look – this trend is all about going for bold and looking fabulously fierce!

Great Snakes E V E RY T H I N G f r o m python to sea snake is in. Either opt for a stylish snake statement piece to spice up an outfit or go all out with an outfit and accessories to match – but don’t over-do it. The key to getting this trend right without looking tacky is to mix up fabrics; light printed outfits matched by thick leather accessories will make this style both wearable and chic to boot.

Gold’s back!

IT’S OFFICIAL, gold is the new silver as we sail into the prettiest season of the year. These decadent accessories, courtesy of Amishi, are the glam choice of the versatile fashionista and simply perfect for your ensuing sunkissed glow. Experiment with rainbow colours for the eyes and tinted lips to keep it ultra feminine and bold as brass! Necklace, Amishi £170 Bag, Amishi £200

Raishma is all the rage again THE incredibly talented Asian fashion designer, Raishma, who shot to fame 10 years ago when she designed stunning outfit for the likes of Mel B from the Spice Girls and FFion Hague, amongst a host of other celebrities, today announced the launch of her new Ready ToWear Collection (Raishma RTW).

The new RTW Collection will be launched at an exclusive preview and showcase of the creations on Saturday 14th July at Raishma’s Green Street boutique and features a range of fashion-forward fusion Day to Evening-wear outfits. The fresh and creative styling allows the range to be worn both as separates with jeans or leggings and then to be transformed in to Asian ensembles at night. The collection which includes churidars, trouser suits and dresses have been created for today’s modern woman, living a busy lifestyle and juggling practicality and glamour at the same time. Raishma says of the new collection: “Asian women have the best of both worlds when it comes to fashion – being able to switch from Asian to Western fashion. But actually I wanted to create a collectionthat fuses the two worlds – bringing practicality and comfort together with the exotic and glamorous. Creating couture bridal outfits has been my focus for the past 15 years, but my customers have been asking me to design outfits that also fit their daily lives, rather than just for special occasions. The RTW Collection, I believe will do just that, whilst also being incredibly affordable.” Raishma, who has been based in London’s Green Street for the past seven years, has become a celebrated personality in her own right, and last year made the headlines when she created an outfit for Shozna Begum, to wear at the Royal Wedding. Shozna was personally invited by Prince William, after meeting herthrough Centre Point; the charity for which he is a patron. Raishma is also a campaign ambassador for International charity Hashoo Foundation and its 500 for 500 Appeal. The appeal aims to empower women living in the remotest regions of northern Pakistan by training them to become bee-keepers and thus run their own sustainable business. A simpledonation can help change a woman’s life and give her back control over not just her life but improve the lives of every member of her family. As part of her commitment to the Foundation, Raishma will be donating 10% of sales from launch of her RTW collection to the 500 for 500 Appeal. Raishma adds: “I was incredibly honoured to have been invited to support the Hashoo Foundation’s 500 for 500 Appeal. If my work can in some way help support and change the lives of these women living in the remotest parts of Pakistan, then I feel privileged to be able to help.” • Raishma 37 Green Street, London, E7 8DA. t: 020 8552 6751 www.raishma.com 1. Hat: Nigel Rayment • Necklace: Clare Hynes Gloves: Vintage Modes • Ring: Konplott • Shoes: Faith 2. Hairpiece: Nigel Rayment • Jewellery: Oceanic Jewellers • Gloves: Vintage Modes • Shoes: Bourne 3. Hairpiece: Nigel Rayment • Necklaces: Jon Richard Gloves: Vintage Modes • Earrings: Oceanic Jewellers Shoes: Bourne 4. Hairpiece: Nigel Rayment • Jewellery: Oceanic Jewellers • Gloves: Vintage Modes • Shoes: Dune 5. Hairpiece: Nigel Rayment • Earrings: Clare Hynes Necklace: Opium • Long Necklace: Konplott Bracelet: Jon Richard • Gloves: Vintage Modes

PREVIEW EVENT

The event, which will be attended by a host of celebrities is open to the public, and takes place on Saturday 14th July from 4pm to 8pm. To reserve a place please contact designs@ raishma.co.uk

ELEGANT

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

FASHION

DESIGNER PROFILE:

ALIA QADIR

Every summer wardrobe needs a top from The English Tee Shop Congratulations on your new label The English Tee Shop that launched earlier this month, tell us more! The English Tee Shop fuses fashion with the English language through a range of luxurious printed tees. The prints are thought provoking and fun and serve as a cheeky reminder of things that are sometimes overlooked in our use of English. The first collection features 10 styles hand printed with idioms, adjectives or definitions and is designed with simplicity in mind. Each tee is made from super soft fabric and manufactured in England using supplies only from Britain. How did you become a professional tshirt designer? I studied Product Development for the Fashion Industries at The London College of Fashion; a course that focused on the design, development and realisation of fashion clothing. It gave me a great understanding of all aspects of fashion; from concept to carrier bag. Why is it so important to support the British manufacturing industry? This is something very close to my heart. Britain has so much to offer in terms of quality and craftsmanship and was once the manufacturing envy of the world. Competition from overseas means that there are very few manufacturers left here now, as a British designer I would like to do my utmost to support them and help put the ‘Made in England’ label back out there. T-shirts…aren’t they’re already enough around? Mine are designed for cool women! Also, if you have an appreciation of quality, want something fun and easy to wear then these are definitely the tees for you! And as for the cold weather we face here – my motto is that it’s never too cold for t shirts. We’re also branching into a few more lines soon like cotton tote bags and we’re also open to our customers telling us what they want to see more of.

•DOWN TO A TEE Alia Qadir Tell us about the slogans that feature on the tees? All the prints are about the English language. They are there to stop people in their tracks, scratch their heads a little and think oh yeah! Sometimes I don’t think we fully appreciate our knowledge of English! Have you received any flack for the fact they aren’t Asian enough? No, but I could give them an Asian twist! I could do a similar range for Punjabi or Urdu, not quite the same but interesting nevertheless.

How should the tees be styled, what should they be worn with? Everyone should have at least one white tee in their wardrobe – they are wardrobe staples Can a t-shirt really be considered as a which means there is no rule to how they luxury item? I think it’s hard to assign t can be worn. My favourite way to wear shirts to a specific category; when and them at the moment is over my maxi how you wear them is a personal choice. dresses teamed with bright accessories! Our tees serve a multipurpose; you can wear them during the day, in the evening What’s been the most important thing or all the time! They are made from a light you’ve learn't about being a designer so and airy material called micro modal. It far? It may sound a little obvious but it has feels so beautiful against the skin that you to be to write things down! It’s easy to may not want to take them off; that for us forget ideas you have on the train or advice someone’s given you, so now I Tdefines luxury. carry a notebook with me all the time! I do almost everything, from designing to processing orders. I’d love an extra pair of hands but ca’t justify this expense just yet.

HOUSEWIVES

What are your trend predictions for the Autumn – can your tees still be worn then? Oh yes! I’m excited about Autumn already, we’ve got some interesting things coming up! T -shirts are not exactly season specific, it’s just how you wear them that changes. For Autumn I’ll be wearing mine with my mannish trousers and over-sized jacket. OK, we’re sold! Where can we get our hands on your fab designs? All our tees (and soon to be launched bags) are available through our website at www.theenglishteeshop.com and cost from £12-£55.

•TEE TOTAL Complete glamour

• www.theenglishteeshop.com

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

WEDDINGS

A REAL GEM

How to make your sparkling wedding jewellery match your natural glow EVERY bride wants to sparkle on her Big Day.Your jewels work as an ambassador for your sense of style and measure of taste. Your in-laws may have got you an expensive set of jewellery from back home, but does it go with the rest of your look? Will heavy, chunky jewellery really do justice to that beautifully crafted ethereal outfit? Quite simply, your choice of jewellery needs to be a winning one – game, set and match!

With colour co-ordination becoming de rigueur for any contemporary wedding celebration, it’s only natural your jewellery should follow suit. For the stylish bride, glittering gemstones are the subtlest way to deepen the vivid hues of her lengha or enhance the gleam of intricate embroidery adorning her blouse. Whether it’s a gorgeous scattering of sapphires intricately set in silver around your neck or a cluster of blood red rubies elegantly kissing your wrists, multicoloured gemstones can set your wedding aglow, while reflecting a world of colour in every flawless facet. The real beauty of coloured gems lies in their versatility. Lavish creations with beautiful large stones set in filigree gold and silver illuminate even the simplest outfit, while a delicate piece with a hint of colour often proves to be the missing touch to an ornate outfit. And with you as the most exquisite centrepiece in the room, your jewellery should add a dazzling gleam to your ensemble rather than forcing you to compete with it for attention. Gemstones allow that extra bit of attention to detail, giving you the flexibility to design your entire wedding outfit around it. Silver or gold, antique or contemporary, semi-precious or precious; the only thing holding you back from creating your dream wedding set is your imagination. Purists tend to go for jewels set in gold, while those wanting to re-use their jewellery tend to buy pieces set in silver. Antique wedding creations like those from Amrapali, offer divine pieces carved with priceless craftsmanship, while contemporary pieces can be melted down and re-set if you grow weary of the design. But while quality affects the price of gemstones as with gold, silver and diamonds, the similarities stop there. Stones such as rubies, emeralds and sapphires are more valuable the older they are, as their rarity and the craftsmanship used to cut them brings greater value. Gorgeous wedding sets don’t have to break the bank; you can pepper your pieces with affordable and stunning stones such as garnet, blue topaz and amethyst. Now all you need to do is make sure you know exactly what to look out for in a good stone. The same rules of colour, clarity, cut and carat apply to gemstones, but some of the rules are different. A lot of people assume the darker a gem the better it must be, but for instance, in the case of

sapphires, this isn’t the case. Even though the gems are coloured, if the stone is too dark it won’t be able to pick up the flashes of colour from your outfit or the décor. Don’t worry – you don’t need to be a jewellery expert to find a good piece! A general rule of thumb is to go with the brightest, richest and most vivid in colouring, and make sure it is mediumtoned with the colour saturated all the way through; something you can see for yourself by holding it up to a light. While clear gemstones should have no flaws within them, it’s extremely rare to find red tourmaline or emerald without any. In fact some gemstones are valued for their inclusions, for instance the star in star sapphire. The clarity of a gemstone can dramatically increase or decrease its value, as can its cut, which determines how beautiful the rock is. A well-faceted gem reflects the light back evenly across its surface area; if it’s cut too narrow the gem is too dark, if it’s cut too shallow it

will look lifeless and flat. When sold, the value of a gem is gauged by its weight, not its size. Large gemstones are more rare so the price per carat will be higher, but generally it usually revolves around how beautiful it is.

CHOOSE YOUR STONE

Every type of stone has different properties and colour variations. It’s up to you to decide what suits you best: Garnet Rich red stones often found in gorgeously wrought antique jewellery, garnet is brilliant if you want a fabulously elaborate piece but can’t quite afford the price tag of rubies. Formed under high temperatures, garnet is durable, brilliantly transparent and possesses rarities called atones or asterism which change their colour under daylight and artificial light.

owners from misfortune. Said to have an inner flame that burned eternally, rubies are judged on the fineness of colour, which should be a pure sparkling red with a faint nuance of blue. When choosing your rubies you may want to take your outfit with you; Emerald stones like sapphires, emeralds and Your mother-in-law will be glad to know colourless gems rarely clash with other wearing emeralds helps fertility and colours, but a pink ruby will look cures ailments, according to legend. A strange if you’re wearing a blood red stunning stone when combined with outfit. Rubies mainly come from diamonds, it is one of the more Thailand and Burma, although India expensive precious stones. With an and Sri Lanka have produced a lot of increasing number of brides moving beautiful antique pieces in the past. away from traditional reds and moving towards greens and purples, an emerald Moonstone necklace would be the finishing touch to It’s easy to see why Indians consider an exquisite outfit. The most sought- moonstone to be sacred and the after emerald is pure ‘grass green’ and Romans thought it was created from they’re often characterised by crystals threads of moonlight; with an iridescent trapped within. Flawless emeralds are sheen reminiscent of moonbeams, its extremely rare and usually only found pearly glow creates the illusion of in small sizes, so if you’re putting mystical properties. It’s the most together a set use smaller clear stones valuable form of feldspar and is usually rather than bigger, flawed jewels. cut in a smooth dome shape to maximise its clarity; the best type of Rubies stone is one with a blue sheen. Worn Known as ‘Lord of the Gems’ because with a dark coloured outfit, moonstone of its rarity and beauty, it was once looks luminous on the skin and glows believed rubies would protect their better than a set of pearls.

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

WEDDINGS

Citrine The most affordable of earth-tone gemstones, citrine has soothing and calming properties – perfect for frazzled nerves on your wedding day! It does appear naturally but the most commercial way of obtaining citrine is by heating amethyst, so make sure you ask your jeweller about its origins. Cut as a gemstone, it is rare to find in nature but you can tell commercial citrine from natural because the latter tends to be more yellowish. Topaz Derived from the Sankrit word ‘tapas’, topaz, particularly of the blue variety, is renowned for both its sparkling and metallic brilliance. Whether you choose red, orange, peach, pink, yellow or blue, if a stunning colour-intense set is what your heart desires, then topaz is ideal. There’s a common misconception that topaz is a fairly cheap stone; in fact it has been prized throughout the ages by ancient civilisations, including the Egyptians who believed it was infused with the golden glow of the powerful sun god Ra. It’s a very hard gemstone but it shares similar qualities with diamond, in that in can be split with a single blow.

since a lot of time and effort goes into choosing the right pieces. It doesn’t matter if your emeralds are exquisite one-off pieces from the forests of Brazil, if you don’t look after them you’ll devalue the set. There are different rules for various stones, but the general rules are: • Always remove your jewellery if you’re engaging in sports as any heavy impact could shatter the stones. • If you’re doing housework and can’t Fire Opal remove your jewellery, wear gloves In ancient times across the Indian and because chemical cleaners have an Persian empires, fire opals were abrasive effect on certain stones. cherished as the ultimate symbols of • Rings and bracelets are the usual love. What better way to revive an old victims of everyday wear and tear but tradition than asking your future necklaces and earrings can suffer from husband for a gorgeous fire opal set? chemical damage, if you spray perfume Endless romantic legends surround the and apply make-up while wearing them. stones; some believe they originated in • Anything with beads – such as garnet the waters of paradise, Aztecs believe it – should be re-strung every two years to formed the eyes of the Bird of Paradise. prevent the string from snapping when They can form to the size of a fist – you wear them to a function. perfect for elaborate pieces – but can be • Try to avoid pulling your gemstones scattered amongst other jewels, creating when taking them off because you can flashes of fire on the skin. risk loosening them from their settings. • Always check for loose stones before Gem care you put your jewellery on; if any look a It seems a shame to treat your jewellery bit feeble don’t take the chance and carelessly, particularly with gemstones, wear it in the hope it will stay on. Iolite A brilliantly violet stone, iolite was first discovered by the Vikings who called it the ‘Vikings Compass’ because they used it to determine the position of the sun on overcast days. It must be cut properly otherwise the colour looks dull, rather than the soft hue it should give off; the richer the shade of blue the better. It’s readily available and is usually mined in India, Sri Lanka and Brazil.

GEM WORKOUT Amethyst and Citrine Strong heat may turn these gems colourless and abrupt temperature changes may cause fractures. Avoid storing them in the sunlight which makes them prone to fading. Emerald As a general rule, treat with extreme care and only use warm soapy water to clean. Do not boil or use ultrasonic cleaning and keep away from sunlight. Garnet Fairly durable but avoid cleaning with concentrated hydrofluoric acid as this is likely to cause fractures. Generally safe to boil, but avoid thermal shock. Iolite Although it can ruin other gems, acids are particularly damaging to iolite. It’s relatively safe to boil and to use ultrasonic cleaning; however be aware of existing inclusions. Opals Opals are highly sensitive to heat and you should avoid all solvents and acids. This stone is

extremely high maintenance and can crack if exposed to too much sunlight. Peridot Uneven or sudden heat may result in fracturing or complete breakage. Ruby Is very resistant to damage, and is safe to wash and boil if necessary. But to be on the safe side, exercise some caution with rare and expensive pieces. Sapphire With a similar structure to rubies, sapphires are generally safe to boil and use ultrasonic cleaning. Topaz Although boiling is possible, it is not recommended. Wash with soapy water.

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

WEDDINGS

ICE WORLD

You want your venue to sparkle and drip with glamour. Renowned ice-sculptor Jamie Hamilton reveals how you can make your wedding reception the coolest on the block THE IMAGE of an extravagant ceremony with red-carpet fanfare is incomplete without that most glorious of additions – the ice sculpture. Intricate, elegant and always striking, they give your venue a sparkle of sophistication that is guaranteed to leave your guests overwhelmed.

With ice, there’s no chance the word ‘cheap’ will cross anyone’s minds – despite the fact that ice sculptures have come within the reach of even the most modest of budgets these days. Whether you go for a simple sculpture or a lavish display, ice never fails to create a sense of decadence. A beautiful contrast to the permanence of the newlyweds’ relationship, the temporary brilliance of ice sculptures symbolise just how much effort has been put in to making this single day so special. After all, anything that’s here today but gone tomorrow suggests today is a day truly worthy of your appreciation… An extremely technical medium, ice is as volatile as it is beautiful, and requires patience and genius in equal measures to ensure maximum impact. Which means anyone offering a hand-crafted bespoke service can’t get away with being a shoddy craftsman. Unless you go for moulded ones (which tend to be cheaper and less intricate in detail), professional ice sculptors creating art with a chisel have to excel at what they do. Quite simply, if they can’t cut it, they won’t be in business. But as with any skilled art form, there’s a huge difference between a prolific artist and a substandard one. How can you tell? Simply look through their portfolio, references and website – if you don’t like what you see, move on to one that does dazzle you. You’re paying good money, you deserve the best. It’s fair to assume not many people reading this know exactly what to look for, so allow us to make it crystal clear…

HAVE AN ICE DAY

Ice is one of those things where taste plays a big part – there are as many exquisite designs out there as there are tacky ones, so make sure you spend a lot of time selecting the right type to suit your theme, décor and, of course, your personality. There are an abundance of designs on offer, with sizes ranging from mini shot glasses and tabletop centerpieces to larger-than-life three-dimensional ornaments. Take a moment to think about the type that speaks for you. If you consider yourself a sweet little couple celebrating your union in a small, intimate venue, an imposing unicorn guarding the mandap may seem somewhat out of place. If on the other hand, you want to exude glamour on a grand scale in a huge venue, a paltry little replica of the Taj Mahal in the corner won’t really do you any favours. With ice, impact is everything. Do you want a solitary eyecatching centrepiece, or a series of smaller ones dotted around the focal

points of the venue? Does the design of your choice complement the floral display and the detail of your outfit or will it look like it’s just been placed there without much thought (we know of an ice-sculptor who was commissioned to recreate a motorbike that the couple picked from his portfolio, but bizarrely, neither bride nor groom rode a bike). Before you chip in to the ice-block, mould a good idea in your head about design, concept and meaning. A good ice-sculptor will be able to help you shape your thoughts and translate them into his masterpiece. There are some classic symbols of love and unity at your disposal: swans and doves and, of course, religious designs are extremely popular. Another popular trend is to incorporate your sculptures into functional items, such as vases holding your floral displays or ice platters serving chilled buffets. Ice is a medium where the only restriction affecting its impact is your imagination.

THE ICE IS RIGHT

As you can imagine, sculptures made with a mould come much cheaper but we believe if you’re going to splash out on a bit of solid water, you may as well get the best. After all, you wouldn’t settle for inferior flowers when, for a few pounds more, you could get ones that make you go wow! The sculptures are made from pure water in order to make it perfectly clear. A reputable ice-sculptor will have refined the techniques necessary for controlling the number of bubbles and fractures contained in blocks of ice. Since carvings are hand-sculpted to different designs, the time it takes to make a piece varies and a composition might take anything up to three days. With ice, you get what you pay for. Here are a few questions that might be on your mind while you decide to take the icy plunge…

supposed to melt and often look their best after a few hours at room temperature – they do not need to be refrigerated when they are presented. An average sized sculpture will last at least 6-7 hours in good condition. Will they drip everywhere? A drip pan is placed under the sculpture with a hose attached beneath. It is unlikely your guests will notice them dripping until much later in the evening, when the occasion is drawing to a close.

Can I have anything I want? Original one-off designs are agreed between studio and client, with budget and size in mind. A sculpture has to be strong enough to support its own weight as it melts and very delicate designs may have to be achieved in inlay or relief if necessary. Joins But doesn’t ice melt? between pieces of ice can be made An essential characteristic of ice is its almost invisible, so there is no limit to transitory nature. Carvings are the size a carving can be.

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

WEDDINGS

Can you colour the ice? Ice carvings look fabulous with coloured artwork incorporated into them, but it’s not a good idea to go over the top. If you add dye to the water during the freezing process in order to colour an entire carving, it creates a murky effect that takes the light and sparkle out of the finished piece. The best way to colour your sculpture is with lights.

What will you need from me? Supply artwork, provide information and times of your wedding ceremony, provide a strong table (no single central leg) or staging as agreed beforehand, under or behind which drainage can be concealed, provide a power outlet for lighting.

When do I put my order in? The sooner you book one, the better. You want your ice-sculptor to give you time and patience, someone who can fit you in on a day’s notice doesn’t sound like quality.

What can I expect in return? Design and consultation; complete How much will it cost? carving including plinths, bases, crushed A typical bespoke ice-sculptor will offer ice and so on; delivery and presentation; How will the carving be presented? original designs to meet your needs and drainage and lighting; collection of Sculptures are usually delivered to the quotations are given on an individual equipment. And of course, ice cool venue an hour before guests arrive and basis. Main sculptures start at around memories to last you a lifetime… set up with underlighting and drainage. £650, with many in the region of £1000 To ensure they don’t break or melt to £25,000. Carvings will set you back beforehand, ensure (and insure) they are around £350, while miniature sculptures • Jamie Hamilton co-runs Duncan packed in cooler boxes designed to keep cost between £80 and £120. Delivery Hamilton Ice Sculptures. 020 8944 them fresh and intact. will cost extra. 9787 www.icesculpture.co.uk

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Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

BEAUTY

TOXINATION Time to get it out of your system Depending on your skin type, moisturizer is a necessity. In reality, nearly all skin types can benefit from some sort of moisturizer. Dry skin types can certainly benefit from this. Without a daily dose of hydration your skin would be flaky, itchy and tight. Luckily, this list of the best face moisturizers includes products that deliver intense hydration that lasts all day without causing breakouts or greasiness. Oily skin types might use moisturizer less often, but they actually need it just as much. Because people with oily or acne prone skin often put drying products on, their skin may start to produce more oil to balance it out. But using a light moisturizer (even one with oil-control properties) can help keep skin in balance and actually cause it to produce less oil over time. Thankfully, this list also has light moisturizers that are perfect for oily skin -- they don't cause breakouts or extra shine but do offer some hydration. And if you have sensitive skin, you know that a good moisturizer can calm redness or flare ups of skin issues like eczema. Most sensitive skin will benefit from a basic moisturizer without a lot of added chemicals or preservatives, and there are plenty of products that fit that bill perfectly on this list. • Clinique Superdefense SPF 25 Age Defense Moisturizer, £26 • Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturizer Dry/sensitive, £18.75 • Dermalogica Active Moist Lotion, £21 • Boots Skin Clear Oil Free Mattifying Lotion, £3.05 • Nivea Visage Daily Moisturizer normal /Combination £3 • L ‘Oreal Dermo Expertise Triple Active Day Moisturizer Skin £4

Hair rules for the summer Dry and Dull Hair Your hair becomes dull and dry for a variety of reasons — over styling with blow-dryers or hot irons, too much chemical processing, and exposure to sun, salt water, or chlorine. It’s all about how we treat (or over treat) our hair that makes it drier than the Sahara. Rescue and revitalise your dry hair with these simple tips and home remedies. • Beer is a wonderful fix for dull, dry hair. Instead of drinking it, about pour it over on your head! The protein in beer helps repair damaged cuticles, which makes your hair shiny and smooth. Lather your hair with a bottle of dark beer or stout, let it sit for a few minutes, and then rinse with cold water to add shine and eliminate any residual beer smell. • Eggs not only rid your hair of any buildup, they also leave hair silky and shiny. Whip one egg in warm water (not too hot — you don’t want to cook the egg!) and lather the mixture into your hair. Rinse with cool water and style hair as usual. For especially dry

or dull hair, mix three eggs with two tablespoons of olive oil and a teaspoon of vinegar. Spread over hair and let sit for a half hour, rinse, shampoo, and shine! • To give your dull, dry hair a treatment that smells as fresh as a garden herb, mix a teaspoon of jojoba oil with three drops of essential rosemary oil. (You can find these products in many health-food stores.) Massage into hair and rinse with cool water.

your scalp with an eyedropper or a cotton ball after shampooing and conditioning and leave it on. • Don’t condition your scalp. To condition only your hair, I recommend this trick: Put conditioner in the palm on your hand, then use your thumb to lift a section of hair, close your hand around it, and run it down the length of your hair. And pick a conditioner that doesn’t have a lot of oils in the ingredients.

TY TIP • EAU BE B •

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TY TIP • BEAU AU

When it comes to the art of face washing, us ladies take it pretty seriously. We carefully select our skin care products and practically give ourselves a facial in the a.m. and p.m. We do this ritual in the morning to look and feel refreshed and awake (even when we likely got less than six hours of sleep). And then we wash the day off of our faces in the evening, removing all traces of makeup, as well as any dirt and excess oil. This list of skin care products has got something for everyone. There are formulas for all different skin types from sensitive to acne-prone to combination to dry to oily and even those of us with rosacea. • Clinique Liquid Facial Soap, £14 • Ponds Cold Cream Cleanser, £4.07 • Anew Rejuvenate Revitalizing 2-In-1 Gel Cleanser, £7.00

Moisturizers

BEAUTY TIP

Cleansers

• Dr, Nick Lowe Purifying Foaming Cleanser, £10.16 • Liz Earle Cleanse And Polish, From £5.10

P• TI

One of the easiest things you can do to detoxify includes drinking one lemon squeezed in 12 ounces of warm filtered water in the morning. Lemon activates the liver to release toxins and cleanses and removes roughage that stays behind in your intestines. Also start the day by eating oat bran cereal or other whole grain cereal that is unbleached and doesn't contain sugar or chemicals. Make sure to not ruin the detox with regular milk, instead, pair with soy milk, or my choice, rice milk. Take a supplement of 1 tablespoon of flax seed oil, walnut oil or deep-sea fish oil. Drink green tea, which is a strong antioxidant, but make sure it is decaffeinated. Milk thistle is also a great restorer of the liver. You can find it at most natural health and food shops. And of course, the obvious component of detox is several servings of fresh green vegetables and fruits such as apples and beets. As for meats and protein, try fresh fish, organic chicken and turkey. If you are really into soy, all the more power to you because soy is great for detox

by Hannah Ahmed Beauty Editor

• BEAUT TIP Y TY

SOME recent developments in my life, including fatigue, a few skin breakouts and a month of sinus problems have lead me to one conclusion: I need to detoxify.

pH level. • Mayonnaise and Avocado Conditioner. Here is a recipe is a very effective natural conditioner for dry, frizzy hair. Mix 1 cup of mayonnaise with 1/2 avocado until you have a paste. Rub it on your hair and cover your head with a plastic cap. Wrap a hot towel around it. Leave it on for 20 minutes and wash. Repeat once a week for better results. • Coconut oil or olive oil. Oil is your frizz-free friend—maybe Oily/Greasy Hair Curly/Frizzy Hair even your best no-frizz friend. Oils Oily hair can go from healthy and Try some home frizzy hair are a great sealer or conditioner. wonderful to lank and greasy in a remedies for keeping the spring Check out this recipe for oil matter of hours. To keep oily hair in your curls. These remedies can conditioner: begin by heating up under control, careful attention help you have no-frizz curls with one cup of olive oil or coconut oil needs to be paid to your daily hair items picked up from your local in a glass jar. Apply this mixture routine and your daily grocery store. Here are our tips to throughout all of your hair, evenly diet choices. repair dry hair now! distributing it. Cover your curly • Use a vinegar rinse. Apple- • Carbonated water rinse. If you hair with a shower cap and wrap cider vinegar rinses can be often let your curls air dry, this is a a hot towel around your head to helpful for oily hair and great remedy to eliminate hair increase moisture absorption. recommends using a diluted frizz caused by humidity. After Keep on for around 30 minutes, solution as a post shampoo, you wash your hair, give it a final rewarming your towel as needed after-conditioning rinse. rinse with carbonated or (you’ll need constant heat). • Apply witch hazel to your scalp. sparkling water. The reason Shampoo and rinse your hair with Another natural remedy is witch carbonated or sparkling water cold water. Do this three times a hazel. Apply a diluted mixture to reduces frizz is because of its low week for the best results.

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

BEAUTY

MODEL WATCH:: ARMEENA RANA KHAN HOW did you get into modelling? Well there is a story. I have always felt that the media has been my calling. The cameras have followed me from a very young age. I say this because this is precisely how the media lured me once and for all. A very good friend of mine wanted me to “live” model with him as a favour for a local channel. I was scouted from there for 'acting' after that and the rest just followed on including modelling.

What struggles did you initially go through to become a model? I am an actress first and foremost and the product endorsements have followed as a result of this, so in a way I have circumvented much of the struggle involved in the world of modelling. Modeling highlights? I have just finished a whole years

endorsement for a major linen brand Is there pressure to be a size zero in in Pakistan. I was on billboards all the industry? over; I was also heading up their Size zero was a prevailing standard in T.V/media/print campaign. This has the western industry but it did not been my highlight so far with much survive long here. Now the size zero craze seems to have been passed on to bigger campaigns in the pipeline. the developing world and I hope that Model stereotype that frustrates you it is short-lived there too. So in answer to your question, the pressure is on the most? There is a general belief amongst the when I undertake a modelling public that models are a little 'dim', assignment in those parts of the world. this is a very unfair observation as to succeed in this industry one has to be How do you keep fit? intelligent, aware and strategic. This is Good question, it is a combination of the one aspect that frustrates me a lot! exercise, diet and self-control. So this You seem to prefer the moody means, I have a gruelling exercise regime, I eat only good food such as look… Au Contraire! The client specifies greens/whole foods and lean meat. I the ‘look’ and I can categorically tell stay away from sugar, caffeine and you that it is not ALWAYS 'moody', 'bad' fats. There you have it, the secret though in high fashion it is the to feeling good physically. preferred look but again it strictly depends on the product and the How image-conscious are you? I would say that I have to be as my brief. image is my product. Dream modelling job? There is so such thing for me as every modelling assignment that I undertake is my 'dream' job. It's like stepping on a higher plateau each time. Wardrobe essential? I am really loving the blazers and wedges these days. I think these two items are definitely a wardrobe essential this season. www.armeena.com

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

BEAUTY

NIP IT IN THE BUTT

If plastic is your idea of fantastic, good tuck to you! IT’S TERRIBLE, isn’t it? Women changing themselves to look better. Shock, horror, yawn. We have been artificially bettering ourselves since the day we discovered clay cleared the skin and berry-stained lips got the hot blooded boys bubbling. It’s what we do.

The horror stories of going under the knife are few and far between and the majority of women who have turned to cosmetic surgery have given their treatment a perfectly sculpted thumbs up. A recent survey revealed that 40% of Asian women between the age of 18 and 35 have or are considering having some sort of plastic definition done to their body. If a woman feels more confident having big boobs instead of the fried eggs she’s carried on her chest all her life, or wants her thighs to stop resembling banyan trees, it’s her choice. If the idea tickles your cheekbones, give yourself a lift by all means. Just make sure you know exactly what to expect before you nip into a surgery and tuck in. Liposuction We’ve seen the scare stories where an obese woman is left with huge batwings of loose flesh. Unless you’re clinically obese, liposuction is a simple and quick op that whisks away hard-to-reach fat deposits in your body. Liposuction only fails when viewed as a replacement to exercise and a healthy diet. Just because the fat is sucked out it doesn’t mean it’s not coming back. Even after the op, you should continue with a diet and fitness routine to keep yourself in shape. If done properly, liposuction helps you get rid of ‘abnormal’ fatty deposits, by sucking fat through a metal tube. Facelift The anti-ageing cream might give you hope, but it isn’t helping keep your chins up. Once those tiny little lines arrive, there’s precious little you can do. You don’t have to go wacko and do a Jacko – a subtle lift can take years off without being too obvious. The traditional facelift starts with an incision above the ear in the temple and moves down in front of the ear, then into the crease behind it, extending into the hair. If this sounds too drastic, opt for the short-scar techniques that are less invasive, which result in less scarring, bruising and swelling. Nose job The whole point of a nose-job is to subtly adjust the shape to make it look natural. If you’ve ever seen it look fake and plastic – it was done by a bogus doctor. There are two types of ops. Primary rhinoplasty

refers to operations on noses that have not had previous surgery, while secondary rhinoplasty is surgery on noses previously operated on. While it may not be possible to make a big nose small, adjustments can be made to sculpt the bridge of the nose to adjust the balance and make it look more natural. But adjustments can be made. The distance from face to the tip of the nose can be altered, or you can add to a small nose to make it seem bigger. Your skin type and bone structure play a big part in determining how successful your recovery will be. Lip implants Collagen implants are the fast-food version of cosmetic surgery – you can nip in and out in a day. You have a reasonable variety of choice – so depending on how long you want your implants to last, talk to your surgeon about the different types available. You might not be able to get rid of the wrinkles around your lips, but it’s worth a shot.

Pre-surgery :: While surgery will correct loose skin and tighten the neck, fat injections may be necessary to get the best results. You also need to report any heart, kidney or blood pressure problems, and avoid any analgesics beforehand. Surgery :: Expect to stay one or two nights in hospital – surgery to your face is far more delicate than any other type of surgery. You’ll be put under general and local anaesthetic, after which incisions will be made in the hairline. Depending on your surgeon, you may have pull-out sutures, and metal clips in the scalp can be taken out after five days. Post-op :: You’ll be quite limited for the next two weeks – don’t bend down for the first three days after surgery, and avoid exercise for one week after. Use mild shampoos and simple moisturisers – you don’t want anything that can aggravate your wounds. Unlike other operations, facelifts are probably the least painful, but your bruising can last for up to three weeks. Cost :: Slightly more pricey – expect to pay £5,000 - £8,000 plus hospital and anaesthetist charges.

LIPOSUCTION

Pre-surgery Think carefully whether this is the only way to lose weight, read up on the possible dangers. Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen for three weeks before surgery and smokers should quit two weeks before. Surgery There may be small scars near the areas being treated, and the sutures should dissolve after a couple of weeks. Be prepared to look like a mummy – you have to wear a supportive bandage for two or three weeks after.

FACELIFT

Post-op Friends may steer clear of you – you can’t shower until day two, and even then you need to wear the dressing for five days. Exercise is forbidden for six weeks, but gentle massage after two weeks will help reduce hardening and lumpiness. Prepare yourself for numbness and in cases of large volume liposuction, oozing from wounds that will stop after two days. Cost £2,000 for a small area, which can increase to £7,500 plus for large areas.

LIP IMPLANTS Pre-surgery :: You’ll need to decide which implant is best for you – collagen and hyaluronic acid (a sugar molecule that is found naturally in most body tissues) make the lips look fuller but they gradually dissolve, so they need to be re-injected every three to six months. Grafts of fat from the buttocks or abdomen can be injected, but are eventually absorbed by the body, or you can have a small piece of tissue taken from the lower layer of your skin or from muscle covering and threaded through your lip from one side to the other. Collagen injections need an allergy test first. Surgery :: Performed under local anaesthetic, your surgeon will either use liquid or a sheet form for surgery. If sheets of material are used, then small incisions will be made at the corners of your mouth. Don’t worry about scarring – the cuts are usually made on the inside of the mouth. Unless you’re sedated, you can return to your normal routine as soon as possible. Post-op :: You won’t be able to show off your new pout just yet, expect swelling and bruising to last for three to seven days. But unlike other procedures you won’t have to rely on painkillers, since discomfort is minimal. Cost :: Collagen is the cheapest, starting at around £250, with fat grafts setting you back at least £1000.

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

The bitter sweet reality FREQUENTconsumption of high amounts of sugar can lead to a severe blood sugar imbalance, and weight gain which in turn may lead to diabetes, a condition that has been on the rise among Asians – with an increasing number of young people being diagnosed with the illness.

Kamlesh Khunti, a Professor of Primary Care Diabetes at the University of Leicester and a GP, said: ‘Type 2 diabetes was not something that teenagers and children would get. It was something that adults in their 30s and 40s would be diagnosed with. But now children, particularly from the South Asian population, are getting type 2 diabetes at a younger and younger age. This is a shocking trend that is a timebomb waiting to explode.’ What is diabetes? Diabetes is a condition where the amount of the sugar glucose in the blood is high due to the body’s inability to use it properly – meaning it cannot utilise insulin effectively or produce sufficient amounts. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. Its job is to carry glucose out of the blood and into cells, where it is used as fuel for energy. If the insulin does not do its job properly or there isn’t enough insulin about the result is too much glucose in the blood and not enough for the cells. There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 (also known as insulindependent diabetes) because it results from the body’s failure to produce insulin and requires daily insulin injections. Type 2 results from insulin dependence, where cells fail to use insulin properly.

Symptoms As a result of too much sugar in the blood, the rest of the body has to compensate for it. This can lead to symptoms such as raging thirst and frequent urination as the body tries to dilute the excess blood sugar by stimulating us to drink and eliminating surplus via urination. Other symptoms include weight gain or weight loss, thrush or genital itching, blurred vision, tiredness and slow healing of wounds. Who is at risk of diabetes? The chances of developing diabetes

depend on several factors; ethnicity, genes, obesity and lifestyle. Ethnicity plays a big role in terms of susceptibility. Diabetes, especially the type 2, is up to six times more common in people of South Asian descent. According to the Health Survey for England 2004, ‘doctor-diagnosed diabetes is almost four times as prevalent in Bangladeshi men and almost three times as prevalent in Pakistani and Indian men compared with men in the general population. Among women, diabetes is more than five times as likely among Pakistani women, three times as likely in Bangladeshi women and two-and-a-half times as likely in Indian women, compared with women in the general population’. Genes can increase the risk of developing the illness – if one or both parents have diabetes, the risk of a child developing it ranges from 2% to a staggering 75%. Obesity has a strong association with diabetes. The build up of fat can stop insulin doing its job properly resulting in too much glucose in the blood stream. Other factors, such an inactive lifestyle can also contribute to a development of diabetes and its associated complications such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart attack, stroke, blindness, diabetic kidney disease, diabetic nerve disease, diabetic ketoacidosis, erectile dysfunction, infections of the skin and urinary tract. Prevention and treatment Prevention is better than cure. If you have any of the above-mentioned symptoms, see your GP. The following blood tests are used to diagnose diabetes: fasting blood glucose level, oral glucose tolerance test and nonfasting blood glucose level as well as urine analysis. Once the type of diabetes has been diagnosed by your doctor you will be prescribed necessary medication. In the case of type 1 diabetes this will mean daily insulin injections, which are critical for the proper management of this condition. Type 2 diabetes usually involves prescription diabetic drugs. This type of diabetes is usually a consequence of poor eating habits and inactive lifestyle and as such can benefit immensely from dietary and lifestyle changes. • For more nutrition and wellbeing advice, log onto www.akcelina.com

Seeing as the age limit of Asians with diabetes is getting lower, it’s time, says ultimate wellbeing specialist Akcelina Cvijetic, to curb the sugar rush…

HEALTH

Diabetes Action Plan Top 10 dietary tips 1. Eat less and often Space your main meals out evenly and try to have them at the same time every day. Snack on oatcakes, berries, nuts and seeds in between meals to keep the blood sugar levels balanced throughout the day. 2. Exercise portion control The bigger the plate, the more food you eat. The easiest way to lose weight is to have less food in front of you. Downsize food portions. 3. Wake up to porridge Porridge oats are a good breakfast choice for a diabetic. Choose organic, rough oat flakes, and spice it up with chopped apples and cinnamon powder. Delicious! 4. Use cinnamon & spice Research shows that having half a teaspoon of cinnamon a day has a great effect on balancing blood sugar levels. Turmeric is another great spice choice. 5. Eat whole foods Avoid white processed grains (white rice, white pasta and white bread). Choose whole grains, lentils, peas, beans, chickpeas, nuts, seeds, fresh fruit and vegetables. 6. Mix and match for best sugar control For example, eat your rice or potatoes with lentils, paneer or meat, never just with vegetables. If you are having something sweet, have some almonds or yoghurt with it. 7. Watch your drinks Drink plenty of water daily and dilute all fruit juices. Keep your alcohol and stimulant intake to a minimum. 8. Go for fish Cut out saturated fats and aim to eat oily fish such as mackerel, salmon and sardines three times a week. They contain healthy omega 3 fats, which help protect against heart disease. 9. Limit sugar, sugary and processed foods Keep any form of sugar and sugary foods to a minimum. To help curb your sugar cravings, try a chromium supplement. Always consult your doctor before starting any supplements, especially if on prescribed medication.

•SUGAR RUSH Better without it

10. Keep active Exercise speeds up your metabolism which means you burn more calories. Find the exercise you enjoy and you will be more motivated to keep it up. Even 30 minutes of exercise a day can yield great results!

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

FUN CITY

THE BOULEVARD GITA

by Sandeep Sood

HOROSCOPES March 21 - April 20 ARIES Even though you’re in the social whirl of things, there’s a sense that there is something special that you need to do. In trying to indentify it, you may stumble across circumstances that point you in a new direction that you hadn’t been aware of. Take the risk and see what’s beyond the horizon.

April 21 - May 21 TAURUS This is the time to pull aside the curtain of self-delusion and see things as they are. Rather than drownin in your sorrows, realise that all that this is not just a time of endings but, in a larger sense, a time of discovering the path you were meant to follow, even if it isn’t the one you thought it would be. May 22 - June 21 GEMINI Your intuitive skills are helping you understand the spiritual motivation behind a romantic situation. By focusing on the all important ‘big picture’ you can take the outcome you visualise and make it a reality. Combining idealism and practicality, you can provide the inspiration for both parties involved. June 22 - July 22 CANCER While you are justified in being protective of the material gains you have made, don’t lose sight of the needs of those closest to you. There may be some unexpected expense next week that could leave you feeling a bit insecure. In spite of this, ‘paying it forward’ will reap you benefits both in the long term. July 23 – August 23 LEO Being direct is not always the best approach particularly in matters involving work or career. Remember the power of words; they can move minds and hearts in positive or negative ways. Draw upon your innate ability to say the right things at the right times, and you’ll get through the week just fine. August 24 - September 22 VIRGO No one is perfect (including you) and fussing over trivial matters, particularly on the home front, will actually slow you down on meeting those self-imposed deadlines this week. Remember to listen to that instinctual voice and remember that home truly is where heart and spirit can renew. September 23 - October 23 LIBRA This week is about identifying your role in your relationships and what exactly you should and shouldn’t be responsible for. Try to be consistent in your actions even if the relationship is ‘casual’ since you would expect the same behavior in return. This can also help clarify the direction you want things to go. October 24 - November 22 SCORPIO With the Uranus Pluto square in motion, every Scorpio is involved in a personal battle for self-realisation. Most important to grasp is that this battle is not a destructive one, but a call to ’fight the good fight’. If you’ve been meaning to your bit for the world, there couldn’t be a better time.

DID YOU KNOW? NAME THE STAR She started her Bollywood career with a BOOM and is about to bring out the TIGER in her. Can you tell who it is yet? Find out the answer on Twitter @asiancity

Presenter Melanie Sykes is a quarter Indian. The star, who is currently giving lonely men on social networking sites hope after announcing her love for the buildre she met on Twitter, was born to English father and an Anglo-Indian mother. She once revealed: “There’s nothing that makes a woman feel instantly elegant than when wearing a sari”.

TO TWEET. TO WHO?

Amitabh Bachchan@SrBachchan “Those fighting the copyright issue, something to ponder: For every $1,000 in music sold, the average musician makes $23.40.” Anupam Kher@AnupamPkher “When someone talks about self discipline, it usually means they want to control someone.”

The stars to follow on lonely nights

Dia Mirza@deespeak “God's timing is always perfect. Even if we don’t know it at the time...” Bipasha Basu@bipsluvurself “In Dubai n watching the euro 2012 finals with commentary in German! Think I will pick up the language soon! Wishful thinking!”

November 23 - December 21 SAGITTARIUS You are going to become an unwitting confidant to personal information involving someone close to you. How you choose to use this information will have major implications for both of you. Balancing the need for personal growth with learning to share control is going to be the challenge. December 22 - January 20 CAPRICORN Two plus two is not adding up to four this week and you will need to do some digging to get to the bottom of this mystery. What you discover could lead to a drastic change in your current situation. Ulterior motives become clear and may require you to make some difficult choices. January 21 – February 18 AQUARIUS Romantic relationships are under pressure this week. Your reluctance to compromise, even on the smallest issues, could result in some serious arguments towards the beginning of the week. The key is to overcome the instinctive desire to lash out when you think you are being criticised. February 19 - March 20 PISCES Career and emotional/romantic matters are in flux this week. Trying to decide on the direction you want to go in has you vacillating from one idea to the next with no clear resolution. Recognising that the ‘inner you’ are at odds with the ‘public you’ will help reduce the tension between mind and heart.

ask Neelam

My man acts like a lout Dear Neelam,

Four months ago I started going out with a doctor. He's 31 and a gentleman in every way. But there's one thing about him that is at odds with the rest of his personality. On Saturdays, he watches football with his medic mates, wearing a Manchester United shirt, screaming at the TV, drinking beer and swearing at the referee. Why does a grown man, who is clever and also mature enough to save lives have to act in such a ridiculous way? I like him so much but seeing him like this really puts me off .

Neelam says..

Unfortunately, just because your boyfriend knows 50 different Latin terms for toenails, it would be denying him his basic instincts to assume he won’t act as if he’s taking part in some form of tribal warfare on Saturday afternoons. Your dilemma is one you’ll face whether you’re dating a doctor or a dustman because when men watch football they all act the same. So if you want to avoid weekly arguments for nine months of the year it’s something you’ll have to learn to tolerate. When football’s on, there’s no point in competing for his attention when the game’s on. Nor is there any mileage in trying to reason with him about how infantile he’s behaving because he just won’t see it. Ever. The only way to keep your sanity is show him the red card and send him off to the pub with his mates so you won’t have to witness his transformation from a healer to a hooligan. But it’s not all defeat. Your boyfriend watching football like a Neanderthal could be good for your relationship. It acts as a 90 minute vehicle for him to offload any anger and frustration he’s accumulated during the week. Not only does it mean Sir Alex and Wayne Rooney get it in the ear instead of you, he’ll have had enough of his mates by five o’clock so you can enjoy a romantic Saturday night together. And you can always get your own back. The new series of Footballer’s Wives should be on soon…

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

GOT SOMETHING ON YOUR MIND? SHARE IT, HALVE IT, LET NEELAM SORT IT e: neelam@asiancity.co.uk

Isn’t Internet dating just for losers and freaks?

Dear Neelam,

I’ve never had trouble meeting guys and when I have in the past, it’s always through the traditional method – you know, just going up and saying hello! But out of curiosity I joined an Internet dating agency and I seem to be falling for this guy. He seems really nice, but I can’t help thinking that he’s flawed because he's looking for a woman in this way.

Neelam says..

There are lots of freaks who look for love online, but seeing as you’re not one of those, it's unfair to assume straight away that he must be. A lot of lovely, genuine people go on the net because they just don’t have time to find love the traditional way. The trick to Internet dating is to weed the losers from the potential partners by emailing each other for as long as possible before meeting up. That way any weirdness will pop up in your inbox instead of in your face. Start off by asking for his phone number (if he won’t give it to you, why not?). People can pretend to be anyone they like on the web, but not so easily when you’re on talking terms. And when you arrange to meet him, make it public and spy on him from a distance. If you like what you see, stick to tradition – go up and say hello!

Life’s not hair

Dear Neelam,

hated it then as much as she hates it now! And if she really is as cool as you say she is, why not let her be your personal guru and see if you don’t like the difference? Take it from a girl, changing your hairstyle is always worth it! She obviously cares about you to want you to look your best. If she was trying to change your personality or your friends, then by all means freak out, but there are only two things to conclude from her fixation with your hair. a) Your girlfriend fell for you it really is a crap haircut, for all sorts of reasons – and b) she fancies the your hairstyle wasn’t one pants off you. Get a of them. Trust me, she haircut young man. I'm really in love with my girlfriend but there's one thing that keeps causing friction between us… she keeps messing with my hair. It's come to the point where I feel she only initiates touching me to restyle my hair. It bugs me because I had this same hairstyle when we first met and I never complain about hers. In fact, I think she looks cool just the way she is.

LOVE FACT

When a person falls in love, the ventral tegmental area in the brain floods the caudate nucleus with dopamine. The caudate then signals for more dopamine; the more dopamine, the higher a person feels. The same system becomes activated when someone takes cocaine.

Neelam says..

BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO LIVE TOGETHER Housekeeping Us women know the days are long gone when cleaning up is solely our job. But does he? Agree and delegate chores. If he’s the great cook, you do the washing up. If he can’t iron, I’m sure he can push a vacuum cleaner around. Each of us have habits the other won’t understand. Top of the list for fellas – channel hopping! Allow your man to be himself, but at the same time, he should be considerate of what does and doesn’t make you comfortable in your home.

Disagreements Remember, no two people will always agree on everything. But if you and your boyfriend cannot discuss things calmly and maturely without one of you threatening to walk out, think very carefully about living together. Even with the spare bed being utilised, you won’t be able to escape the bad atmosphere. Make sure you can both communicate and listen to each other. There’s no room for blaming and being defensive when you live together.

Boundaries It’s easy to imagine that things will stay the same when you live together, but everyone has their own house rules. Will you need ‘permission’ to go on a girls night out? Will he need it to go out with the lads? Can you have time with your best friend alone? Be honest with each other. The last thing you want is to keep each other prisoner. Both of you should retain your independence whilst living together and give the other one the space, privacy and freedom they need.

Finances Come to an agreement on how much rent both of you will pay (if he earns twice as much as you, it is fair that he contributes more). When it comes to bills, work out roughly how much your household expenditure will be and then set up a joint account where you both put the same amount in each month. Then organise your bills by direct debit. That way you won’t be regularly chasing after him demanding he produce his cheque book every time a bill comes in.

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

STOCKISTS Can’t get hold of the latest ASIAN CITY, no problem, just visit one of our regular stockists listed below: And for those really hard to reach areas, Asian City is on sale at newsagents and mainstream news-vendors like Tescos, WHSmiths, Sainsburys & Asda for a small cover price of 70p.

East London: New Generation 64 Green St, London E7 8JG T: 0208 470 9418 Music Hunters 133B Green St, London E7 8JF T: 0208 586 2304 E: musichunters@hotmail.co.uk Neelam Hair & Beauty 159161 Green St, London E7 8JE T: 0208 552 8008 Krishna Gift House 208 Green St, London E7 8LE T: 0208 552 6716 Puja Silk House 258 Green St, London E7 8LF T: 0208 552 6358

RDC London 181 Ilford Lane Ilford IG1 2RT T: 0208 514 8206 E: info@rdc-online.com Seasons Asian Designer Wear 196 Ilford Lane Ilford IG1 2LG T: 0208 553 3999 E: seasonsadw@gmail.com Guls Style 154 Ilford Lane Ilford IG1 2LQ T: 0208 514 3311 E: info@gulsstyle.co.uk Balo Basha 9 Osborn St London E1 6TD T: 07865 053 716 Geet Ghor Plus 24 Osborn St London E1 6TD

Sarai Sweet Centre 63A Plumstead High St SE18 T: 0208 317 9744 D.G. Electronics 30 Plumstead High St SE18 T: 0208 854 5217 Anand Pan Centre 102 Upper Tooting Rd SW17 T: 0208 762 7576 Style 2000 155A Upper Tooting Rd SW17 T: 0208 672 1115 W: studiostyle2000.co.uk JR’s High Class Butchers 163 Upper Tooting Rd SW17 7TJ T: 0208 682 3949 SD Office Licence 167 Upper Tooting Rd SW17 7TJ

Digital Music 176 Plashet Rd, London E13 T: 07957 126 976

Sangeeta 22 Brick Lane London E1 6RF T: 0207 247 5954 W: sangeetaltd.co.uk

Eastern Styles 302 Green St, London E7 8LF T: 0208 257 8825

Sanam Music Centre 266 Bethnal Green Rd E2 0AG T: 0208 552 8008

Partap Fashion Fabrics 277B Green St, London E7 8LE T: 0208 472 9979

Anand Pan Centre Green St London E7 8LL T: 0208 472 4425

Temptation 1451 London Rd SW16 4AQ T: 0208 679 4900 E: saimajan49@hotmail.com

S.S. Designers 277 Green Street, London E7 8LJ T: 0208 472 9141

Puja Silk House 258 Green St, London E7 8LF T: 0208 552 6358

West London:

Pan Parlour 337 Green Lane, Ilford IG3 8BD T: 0208 597 8328

Digital Music 176 Plashet Rd, London E13 T: 07957 126 976

Quality Foods 118 Ilford Lane, Ilford IG1 2LE T: 0208 514 8888

Eastern Styles 302 Green St, London E7 8LF T: 0208 257 8825

Anand Pan Centre 116 Ilford Lane, Ilford IG1 2LE T: 0208 514 3800

Partap Fashion Fabrics 277B Green St, London E7 8LE T: 0208 472 9979

Imaani London 93 Ilford Lane Ilford IG1 2RJ T: 0208 478 8558 E: info@imaanilondon.com

South London:

Mega Blast 131 Ilford Lane Ilford IG4 5ND T: 07956 931 014

Sangeeta Silk Emporium 107 Plumstead High St SE18 1SE T: 0208 855 0416

Want to become a stockist and do Britain a huge favour? Good on you!

Just call 020 7247 3537 or email your business details to: stockists@asiancity.co.uk You’ll be listed on this stockist page – free publicity – It’s a no brainer!

Yogi Travels Ltd 886 London Rd CR7 7PB T: 0208 665 6080 E: yogitravel@hotmail.co.uk

Videorama Pan Centre 8 Kenton Park Parade HA3 8DQ T: 0208 907 0116 E: videoramapan@hotmail.com Meera Paan House 22 Queensbury Station Parade HA3 5NR T: 0208 952 0412 E: meera_paan_house@hotmail

A-Z Muzik Unit 3, 7 The Broadway UB1 T: 0208 843 2358 E: atozmuzik@gmail.com

Nargis Collection 96 The Broadway UB1 1QF T: 0208 571 2378 E: nargiscollection@hotmail.co.uk

New Khalsa Super Store No.4 South Rd, UB1 1RT T: 07427 675479

New Fashion House 2-4 King St Southall UB2 4DA T: 0208 574 4133

Santoshi 41A South Rd, Middx UB1 1SW T: 0208 843 2461 E: info@santoshi.net

North London:

Parampara 79 The Broadway, UB1 1LA T: 0208 571 4697 E: parampara.xd@gmail.com Milan Video 75 Station Rd Harrow HA2 7SW T: 0208 861 4971 Indian Music4U 718 Kenton Rd Middx HA3 9QX T: 0208 204 5000 E: indianmusic4U.co.uk Shivan Pan & Sweet Mart 443 Kenton Rd HA3 0X T: 0208 206 2225

Anand Pan Centre 542 Kingsbury Rd NW9 9HH T: 0208 204 4440 DVD Zone 74 Turnpike Lane London N8 T: 0208 881 5522

South East/Kent: Bahaar Collections 56 Arthur St Kent DA11 0PR T: 01474 326 363 Ambica Fashion 63 Wrotham Rd Kent DA11 0QB T: 01474 327 740

Prabu Pan Shop 5/8 Dominion Parade HA1 2TR E: yunushmir@yahoo.co.in

Bollywood Video 17 Milton Rd Kent DA12 2RF T: 01474 534 537 970

Sonas Haute Couture 48 Ealing Rd Middx HA0 4TQ T: 0208 795 1100 E: sona@sonacouture.com

Midlands:

Panachand Pan House 238 Ealing Rd Middx HA0 4QL T: 0208 902 9962 Muzik Zone 105A Ealing Rd Middx HA0 4BP T: 0208 795 1265

Tip Top Entertainment 152 Pinner Rd, Middx HA1 4JJ T: 0208 427 4777

Prabha Paan Shop 129 Ealing Rd Middx HA0 4BP T: 07402 682586

Royal Collection 105A The Broadway UB1 1LN T: 0208 571 5554 E: info@royalmusic.co.uk

New Fashion House 88 The Broadway UB1 1QF T: 0208 843 0969 E: newfashionhouse@gmail.com

Midlands Representative: Ziggi Studio 223 Ladypool Rd Birmingham B12 8LG T: 07814 429 428 E: ziggi@asiancity.co.uk

North West: North West Representative: Mr M Ahmed 2 Sylvan Street, Oldham 0L9 6LX T: 07949 177 392 E: thespicecity@gmail.com

WANT TO SUBSCRIBE TO ASIAN CITY?

It’s still FREE, just pay for the stamp! Fill in the form and post to: Asian City Newspaper, Subscription Dept, Unit 103, Greatorex Business Centre, 8-10 Greatorex Street, London E1 5NF Please make cheques payable to: ASIAN CITY You can also do this by calling the Subscription Dept on 020 7247 3537. Name: Address: Tel: Asian City (6 Months - 13 issues) £10.00 q

Email: (1 Year - 26 issues) £20.00 q

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

RECIPES Kashmiri onion and coriander chicken

Kashmiri Pulao Legendary for their wonderfully aromatic rice dishes, this recipe has been simplified to save time in the kitchen. The distinct flavour of Kashmir comes from a dried spice paste which is sprinkled on dishes. Kashmiris dry the bounty of summer in preparation for the winter, hence the abundance of dried nuts. SERVES 6 PREP: 5 mins COOK: 20 mins

NORTHERN DELIGHTS Bring the magic of Kashmir to your kitchen LAMB and chicken have a central role in most Kashmiri cooking, but this dish has been given a contemporary makeover.

Most meals consist of meat and vegetables cooked together as one dish, which is fine for the bitter winters of Kashmir, but can be too stodgy if you want a relatively light evening meal. This recipe is brilliantly low-fat, particularly if you trim all the fat off the fillets. Fresh coriander always adds a complementary, soft flavour to chicken, but make sure you don’t overdo it. Rather than serving it with rice, potatoes have been suggested as a much lighter accompaniment along with a refreshing mango and cucumber salad. This dish is a good way of introducing Kashmiri cooking to your family, particularly if you are entertaining guests who don’t like overly spicy food.

SERVES 4 PREP: 30 mins + marinating COOK: 25 mins Ingredients: • 4 (150g/5oz) skinless chicken breast fillets • 4 tbsp Geeta's Onion Chutney + extra to serve • handful fresh coriander leaves + extra to garnish • 3 tbsp Geeta's Kashmiri Curry Creation Cooking Paste • 3 tbsp lemon juice • 2 tbsp sunflower oil • roast new potatoes and mango and cucumber salad to serve (see Cook's tip) Preparation: Cut a slit lengthways along the side of each chicken breast to form a deep pocket. Stuff each pocket with 1 tbsp of

onion chutney and a few coriander leaves. Using thin cook's string, tie the stuffed chicken breasts in several places to hold in the filling. (Alternatively, use cocktail sticks to seal the pockets together.) Place the Kashmiri curry paste, lemon juice and oil in a large non-metallic bowl; mix well. Add the chicken breasts; gently turn to coat. Leave to marinate for 1 hr. Preheat the oven to 190C/Fan 170C/Gas Mark 5. Remove the chicken from the marinade; place in a large roasting dish. Cook in the oven for 20-25 mins until the chicken is completely cooked through. Remove the string (or cocktail sticks). Serve the chicken with roast new potatoes, onion chutney and mango and cucumber salad. Garnish with fresh chopped coriander and a grinding of black pepper.

Mango & Pistachio Ice Cream Moving away from heavy Indian sweets, which tend to laden the palate after a heavy meal rather than lighten it, home made ice cream sits very sweetly on the tongue. Lime rind adds an invigorating zest to the dish along with mango chutney which deepens the intensity of the flavour. Pistachios are usually favoured in Kashmiri tea, but are a brilliant and delicious

way to decorate divine dessert.

this

SERVES 6 Prep: 10 mins + freezing Cook: none Ingredients: • 1 ripe mango, stoned, peeled and cut into chunks • Finely grated rind and juice of 1 lime • 1 x 400g can condensed milk • 300ml/Half pint double

cream, whipped • 2 tbsp Geeta's Mango Chutney • 3 tbsp unsalted pistachios, chopped • Sliced mango and strips of lime rind to decorate

Fold the whipped cream, mango chutney and pistachios into mango mixture. Divide between 6 individual pudding basins or kulfi moulds; freeze for 4-6 hours until firm.

Preparation: Blend mango, lime rind and juice in a food processor until smooth. Transfer to a bowl. Add condensed milk; mix well.

To serve, dip pudding basins or kulfi moulds into warm water; turn out onto serving plates. Serve decorated with mango slices and lime rind.

COOK’S TIPS

MANGO AND CUCUMBER SALAD

In a large bowl, mix together 1 mango, peeled, stoned and sliced, 1/4 cucumber, halved and thinly sliced, and 1 (70g) bag mixed salad leaves. In a separate bowl, whisk together the juice of 1 lime, 2 tbsp olive oil and 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard. Pour over the salad; mix well to serve.

Ingredients: • 350g/12oz basmati rice washed and soaked for an hour • 1 tsp salt or to taste • 1 cup frozen peas • 1 x 205g jar Geeta's Kashmiri Curry Creation Cooking Paste • 2 tbsp oil • 1 large onion, peeled and sliced. • 100g/4oz unsalted cashews Preparation: Heat oil in a saucepan, add the rice and peas and stir fry for a minute or two. Add Geeta's Kashmiri paste and stir fry. Add 1 1/2 pints (900ml) of water. Bring to the boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 20-25 mins, stirring occasionally, until the rice is cooked and liquid is absorbed. Whilst rice is cooking, heat the oil in a frying pan. Add onion; fry over a moderately high heat for 5 mins until brown and drain. Add cashews; fry for 2-3 mins until the nuts are golden. Transfer rice to a warmed serving dish. Garnish with onions and cashews over the top.

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

TRAVEL Our top destinations If you can’t afford that two-week getaway to a faraway land this summer, you still deserve a short break. Pack light, fly high and still have enough change left to send us a postcard…

Bermuda Escape the downpours of home and head for this diminutive 21 square mile spot that boasts year round sunshine and a contagious sporting spirit. www.bermudatourism.com Nicaragua A perfect get away for the adventurous traveller Nicaragua offers unspoilt terrain to slough away the sluggish hum-drum of winter days. www.nicaragua.com Goa Head for one of the in vogue ‘heritage hotels’ like the Nilaya Hermitage, which means ‘blue heaven’ in Sanskrit and join the stylish in Goa’s version of St Tropez www.goa-tourism.com Morocco Leave the office behind and get some alternative retail therapy in the open air markets of Marakesh and infuse your mind with the cultural offerings of Morocco. www.morocco.org Mauritius Whether you have a man in tow or simply want a girlie weekend, pop across the channel and lose yourself in elegant clubs, gorgeous frenchmen and a wealth of culture. www.mauritiusmagic.com

ARUBA SOUL Where does a girl go to relax, rejoice and revel in everything that’s missing on these shores? Shagun Kaul finds the answers in Aruba PACKED with a sense of fun and freedom from stress in my bag, I wanted to go somewhere I’d never heard of and picked Aruba, pretty much for no reason other than it comes high up on the alphabetically listed names of places in the world!

Dutch rule, don’t be surprised to find windmills scattered around all over the place!

When to go The most popular times to visit Aruba are between mid December and mid April. If you’re looking for a bargain, You’ll find Aruba a stunning and accommodation is often half price picturesque island blessed with perpetual outside this busy period. But there’s mild sunshine and the perfect destination for a weather all year round Culture vultures relaxing festive break. The main should head to Aruba in February to attraction is its endless stretches of pure sample the vibrant annual carnival. white Caribbean beaches famed for being among the most beautiful in the Getting There world, although my most cherished Travelling from the UK, the most memories, come from the sheer warmth convenient routes are to fly to Miami and and friendliness of the locals. This small take a short flight to the island. island is a popular destination for Alternatively, there are direct flights from couples wishing to create lasting Holland. Arrive at Queen Beatrix memories an unforgettable and serene airport on the south coast and take a setting. For the unattached girl, a buzzing short taxi ride to the resort area. nightlife and casino scene abounds into the small hours and you’ll find the Places to Eat numerous salsa-dancing classes will come The restaurants in Aruba feature almost in handy for getting the attention of the every type of cuisine, from fiery pretty fine Arubian boys! Venezuelan and Brazilian food to rustic Aruba’s tourism sector is highly Dutch and German restaurants. Pacific developed and organised, making it an Rim such as Japanese is popular due to ideal destination for a last minute the abundance of fresh seafood. Indulge holiday. The domination of luxury in a romantic meal watching the sun go resorts scattered along the southern down on one of the beautiful beaches. Turquoise Coast gives plenty of choice regarding hotels, most of which have Places to Go private beaches. However, if you want to Oranjestad go off the beaten path there are some In the capital city pastel coloured untouched areas on the rugged northern Caribbean style houses jostle for coast. The myriad activities on Aruba attention with colonial style Dutch include deep-sea fishing, dolphin buildings. Hotel buses deposit tourist to watching, water-skiing, parasailing, this shopping mecca. Stroll around the scuba diving, windsurfing, jet skiing, and many malls and promenades and don’t sailing. If you tire of lying on the beach forget to visit the countless jewellery or snorkelling and sailing in the crystal stores selling high-end diamonds, pearls clear and calm blue sea, the adventurous and gold. The Archaeological Museum amongst you can explore the somewhat is worth a visit to learn about the native surreal interior landscape. Here you will Arawak Indians who originally inhabited find unusual desert plants such as aloe the islands. and cacti set amongst a landscape of dramatic rock formations. Arikok National Park It’s a strange mix of cultures in Aruba. The centre of the island has a national The language is a mixture of Spanish, preserve which contains a riot of tropical Dutch and a Creole dialect called flowers and a variety of interesting plants Papiamento that’s a mixture of Dutch, and animals and such as the divi-divi and Spanish, English, French, Portuguese, kwihi trees, rare cacti and aloe, colourful some African languages and Arawak birds, and iguanas. If you go hiking in Indian. And thanks to 300 years of the park be wary of the Aruban

rattlesnake, one of welcoming inhabitants.

Aruba’s

less

California Dunes & Lighthouse This isolated and rugged northern side of the island features some unusual scenery. Large rolling sand dunes lead to the sea and there is an old lighthouse to explore. The water can be dangerous so diving here is reserved for the experienced.

If you like your nights to be energetic and are feeling adventurous, you could hop on to a party bus and head to down town Oranjestad at the entertainment strip and learn some hot salsa dance movements.

Scuba Diving and Snorkelling The sea here is brimming with life including manta rays, barracuda and the rare green moray, with a visibility of up to 100 feet. 42 major dive sites offer a Crystal Casino wide choice and apart from the incredible The Crystal Casino features elegant aquatic wildlife, there are many wrecks Austrian décor, replete with marble and to explore. chandeliers, in which to while away the hours gambling. This huge casino Getting around: features 355 slot machines, 29 gaming Aruba's Queen Beatrix Airport is located tables, Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, on the southern coast around 4 miles Baccarat, Let It Ride and Caribbean Stud southeast of Oranjestad. You'll need a car Poker. to explore the interior or northern windward coast, try and rent one. Dirty dancing There's a frequent bus service between At night, Aruba really comes to life. Most Malmok in the island's northwest and hotels provide entertainment and San Nicolas in the southeast, passing mambo shows around the pool and through Oranjestad and the hotel beach actually encourage visitors to participate. strip, and runs right by the airport.

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

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Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

CAREERS

CASE STUDY: FULL TIME

PLAYING BY YOUR OWN RULES The ins and outs of running your own business Most people have entrepreneurial dreams and ideas that never come to fruition, but increasingly, women are pursuing their passions by creating work that fits around the lifestyle they want. Starting out part time is an ideal way to experience working for yourself.

Have no illusions – this is a risky game. Before you start, make sure you know all the ups and downs of the challenges that face you…

Business plan Whether you’re planning on working for yourself one day or seven days a week – the concept is the same. At the basic level it records your business idea, the market research you’ve done to prove your business will make money, have your costs broken down and explain how you’ll monitor its success…if things are going wrong you should be able to identify it at an early stage. Finances One of the benefits of starting out part time is having a steady income to support your set up. It also allows you to get used to managing your

time, balancing your personal life and finding out if working for yourself suits your personality. Before you go into business full time you need to have enough savings, usually six months salary to cover your living costs before you can take a wage from the business. Location Decide where your business will be based. If you’re working from home you need to be disciplined – the distractions are endless from housework to switching on the TV, try and make sure you’re following a normal working day with set breaks. Hub working is common where you can rent a desk or space once a week to have client meetings, or you may want to rent a space full time within an office of other independent workers. If your business requires a shop front, than the market research in your business plan would have helped you find the right location. Marketing Marketing is about everything you can do to get your business on other people’s radars from having business cards, a website, advertising and general PR. Any photos you have produced must

be professional looking and when you’re choosing a name for your online presence, keep it memorable, easy to spell and consistent. Equal value should be placed on marketing whether your business is part time or full time. Working for yourself In the beginning you may be completely alone, including entire days where you don’t speak to anyone. This isn’t an ideal scenario for outgoing people who love socialising although these needs can usually be met through active business networking. Joining your local Chamber of Commerce is a good way to meet other local businesses for whom you may be able to provide services. Within your network, develop contacts in every field; it’s worth knowing someone in PR, a caterer, a printer, a builder – all people who may prove useful later down the line. If you’re moving from a full time contract into working alone, some of the realisations may not set in until later – say goodbye to benefits like a company pension, paid holidays and healthcare insurance. But once you receive your first hard earned pay packet, you’ll never experience the pleasure of what it’s like to be your own boss.

Successfully running her own business since 1991, Imtaz Khaliq was recently the first female tailor in over 20 years to be honoured with an MBE. She has numerous awards and a celebrity client base under her belt What was it like starting out in business when you were so young? I started my first fashion line when I was 18 and just out of college. I found an empty shop near my home and it spiralled from there. After a few years I decided to further my education, so I moved to London where I studied at the London College of Fashion. How was it working for other people? I did a stint as a Personal Shopper in Harrods and then at a store in Philadelphia. In the early 90s I was still working in retail tand was made redundant. It gave me a push to getting back into going it alone. The accolades must help… I’ve won the Precious Awards 2008 for Best Creative Business, and the Mayor of Hackney Award for Best Womens Business. I was also selected for the Woman of Achievement 2010, and appeared in The Times Top 20 Muslim Women Power List.I teach to transfer the skills and let other people gain from such a pleasurable pastime as tailoring, which can benefit others in such a positive way – like making the perfect interview suit or wedding dress. The best advice you’ve been given? To enjoy what you are doing and don’t look over your shoulder all the time to see what others are doing. Only you know what you are capable of and what you will gain satisfaction from. Keep focused!

CASE STUDY: PART TIME Balvinder Kaur Kanwal from Leicester works full time in financial services and is studying for an Open University degree. Her passion for make-up spurred her to set up her own enterprise as an Avon Lady... How do you juggle a part time business with the work and study commitments? Choosing a business that was flexible was the most important aspect for me. It’s something I do to break up work and college. On average I put in five to six hours a week, spread out over the evenings and weekends. Being able to take clients orders via email also makes it much more convenient. I’m lucky that I also generate sales at work, which makes deliveries so much easier!

How do you find a client base? A lot of my business is from local, and returning customers, so I don’t have to spend too much time on marketing myself. Although I’m aware that once I’ve sold a product, a client won’t need it again for a while so I need to find strategies to sell something else to them. What are the benefits of running a part time business? My business relies on different skills to those in my main job, I

especially enjoy interaction with people – I don’t get that from my financial job. Because make-up is more of a hobby, it’s a privilege to make money from it. The high points of being your own boss? Earlier this year I was selected from thousands of Avon ladies to star in a television campaign. I was told I’d be spending a day filming in London but then they flew me out to Tel Aviv! It was incredible, especially meeting their global ambassador Reese

Witherspoon, a real heroine of mine. Do you ever switch off? I always carry an Avon brochure in my handbag as I never know when I may meet a potential client. So can anyone do it? Working for yourself requires immense self-motivation so you should only go into something if you’re truly passionate about it. And you have to be prepared to work your lifestyle around your goals.

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

BUTT YOUR HONOUR Cricketer pleas with court to reconsider •COMING SOON Abdur Rehman

All set for Somerset

ABDUR Rehman is set to join Somerset for the remainder of the 2012 season. The left-arm spinner, 32, has played 16 Tests for Pakistan and took 19 wickets in their 3-0 series victory over England last winter. “It just remains for Abdur to sort out a visa,” said Somerset’s director of cricket Brian Rose. “Once that is done, we hope he will be with us in time for our Championship game with Warwickshire on 18 July.” It will be the first time that Rehman, who has also featured in 23 one-day internationals and seven T20 matches for his country, will have played in English county cricket. ‘He was always high on the list,” Rose added.

FORMER Pakistan captain Salman Butt will appeal against a minimum five-year ban imposed on him by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for spot-fixing and has called for an open retrial by a court in his own country.

The 27-year-old returned to Pakistan from the Britain last week after serving seven months of a two-and-a-half year jail sentence for his involvement in the ‘cash for no-balls’ scandal that engulfed Pakistan’s tour of England in 2010. “I will be appealing in the international court of sports arbitration (CAS) in Switzerland to get the remaining years’ ban removed,” Butt told a news conference in his hometown of Lahore last week. “I don’t think I got justice in the trial that sentenced me to a jail term. I want a trial in the Supreme Court of Pakistan because there was no evidence confirming I did spot fixing,” Butt said. Butt was found guilty of orchestrating the deliberate delivery of no-balls by Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif in the fourth Test at Lord’s in return for money from their Pakistani agent, Mazhar Majeed. All three cricketers were banned by the ICC in early 2011 and late last year a crown court in London sentenced them to jail for corruption and cheating. Majeed pleaded guilty to conspiracy to cheat and conspiracy to making corrupt payments at a pre-trial hearing and is still in jail. Butt, who played 33 tests and 78 one day internationals before the scandal, denied asking Amir and Asif to bowl no balls and said he had remained silent throughout the process for the good of Pakistan cricket. “I didn’t want to take (name) names because that is not my style. But I didn’t get justice and now I want justice from our courts. “The people who did spot fixing in that match should be asked about it.” • APPEAL Salman Butt

I’M IN THE DHONI

•SCORE Sandeep Singh

India 4 France 0

INDIA overcame a defensive France 4-0 to make a clean sweep in the two-match friendly hockey Test series here ahead of next month’s London Olympics. Ace drag-flicker Sandeep Singh converted two penalty corners in each half for the Indians, while VR Raghunath and Danish Mujtaba were the other goal-getters for the visitors in Le Touquet Saturday. India had earlier defeated France 8-2 in the series opener in Ville. The Indian team are joining in on the Spanish Euro 2012 football victory celebrations, in the Spanish city of Santander this week. India will train for a fortnight in Santader before competing in a tri-nation tournament featuring Spain and Great Britain from July 14 to 18.

HE holds the most prestigious title of any sportman in India – the captain of the Indian Cricket team, and now he’s proved he’s not just a leader on the pitch. MS (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni has been ranked as the highest paid athlete in the the country earning $26million in the last year. Just $3.5 million of the figure was generated by his salary and prize money while a staggering $23 million came from endorsements. Sangeet Shirodkar who signed him up to represent Rhiti Sports said: ‘Because he has such a simple Indian background, brands are attracted to him as he represents the average middle-class Indian man.’ Over the last few years Dhoni has also signed up for deals with over 20 brands including drinks company Pepsi and sportswear giant Reebok.

•THAT’S RICH M S Dhoni

SPORTS SPORTS CITYH WITH NISHAT

The Asian Sports Fan’s Conundrum WHO’S your favourite football team? What about your favourite international cricket team? No doubt, your favourite team is one of the big Premier League clubs, but your favourite cricket team is a sub-continental one. Why is this? Why do British Asians support the country of their forefathers in cricket, but the country of their birth in football? It’s an interesting dichotomy to see British Asians come out in force to support Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in cricket yet support the England football team. It’s made even more confusing by the fact that several Asians have broken through into the English cricket set up yet few Asians have played in the country’s top division, let alone represent England. There is probably more institutionalised prejudice in football than in cricket, yet we continue to support the way we do. Cricket has broken down many barriers in recent years and this is reflected in so many Asians breaking through to play for England. Football however, still seems stuck in the past with very few Asian professionals let alone players in the Premier League. A lad I knew was at West Ham’s Academy and was asked how tall his mum and dad were. There’s still that perception that we’re not strong enough or big enough. Yet, Amir Khan’s done alright beating people up for a living. Many Asians support Liverpool FC, a club who have the loathsome Luis Suarez play for them. He was found guilty of calling Patrice Evra a ‘negrito’. His defence was that saying ‘negrito’ is perfectly acceptable in Uruguay. It’s worth pointing out that ‘Pacquito’ is also a common name in Spanish speaking countries. God knows what would’ve happened if he’d called ex-Fulham defender Zesh Rehman something like that – “But, señor, Paqui is a very common name in my country!” In the days when there were few Asian role models in the sporting world, it was understandable that many first and second generation Asians in the UK would support cricket teams from the sub-continent. Imran Khan and Kapil Dev were heroes for many after all. It still doesn’t account for why we declare our love for the likes of Rooney. And he’s got a face that only a mother would love. Or a grandmother, maybe. Who hasn’t seen the Sikh Man United fans sitting behind Fergie, their bright red shirts matching the colour of Fergie’s nose? What about the Sikh bhangra band that follow Sunderland? Do they follow England at cricket? I doubt it, even with Monty Panesar in the team. OK, maybe that was a bad example. I don’t have any answers to this conundrum. I’m pretty symptomatic of what I’ve just mentioned. Only, it’s probably worse than most symptoms. I’m a regular at Millwall, follow England’s plight in World Cups and Euros and support Bangladesh in cricket. At least no one can accuse me of being a glory hunter. Perhaps it’s simply representative of the British Asian experience, with our hearts in both continents, that justifies it all.

Asian City July 5 - July 18, 2012

AsianCity Sport

•DISHEARTENED Leander Pass

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AND SO IT CAME TO PASS

VETERAN Leander Paes has finally agreed to take part in the London Olympics, ending days of suspense over his participation after he threatened to pull out due to a selection row that engulfed Indian tennis ahead of the mega-event. After days of maintaining a stoic silence on his Olympic participation, Paes confirmed his participation at the post-match press conference of the ongoing Wimbledon Championships here, a statement which is likely to put a lid on the selection controversy. “I am looking forward to representing my country with the teams that the All India Tennis Association have selected,” Paes said after winning his first-round

men’s doubles match with regular Czech partner Radek Stepanek. “I am here to play sport and not politics,” he asserted. The 39year-old had threatened to withdraw from the Olympics despite being India’s number one doubles player after being paired with a lower-ranked Vishnu Vardhan for the big event against his wishes. Paes’ partners of choice – Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna – refused to combine with him and insisted on being sent as a team themselves. The All India Tennis Association ultimately bowed to their insistence in a compromise formula of sending two teams, leaving Paes furious.

Paes was given the mixed doubles slot with Sania Mirza, breaking her Grand Slam winning combination with Bhupathi. In an extraordinary attack shortly after getting her Olympic wildcard, Sania hit out at AITA, Paes as well as Bhupathi, claiming that she was used as a “bait” to pacify the disgruntled veteran. Paes, however, chose to stay mum on Sania’s outburst. “Unfortunately, I see the games being played within games, and as much as that is very disheartening, I am looking forward to playing my sixth Olympics for my country as I have played for 22 years for the people and the flag.

CORRUPTION

•ALMOST THERE Mohammad Hafeez

Maiden double rained off OPENER Mohammad Hafeez missed out on a maiden double century as Pakistan’s march towards a mammoth first innings total against Sri Lanka was halted by rain on the second day of the second test. Sri Lanka managed to snap up two wickets during the curtailed afternoon session when they dismissed Younus Khan (32) and Azhar Ali (157), both wickets falling to the spinners. Younus’ innings was ended by left-arm spinner Rangana Herath who trapped him lbw on the sweep to a straight ball pitching on middle and off. Azhar equalled his career best test score of 157 but his marathon knock came to an end shortly before the rain came down when he tried to reverse sweep a delivery from Suraj Randiv. The resulting top edge was held at backward point by Nuwan Kulasekera ending a 7-1/2 hour innings that included only nine boundaries and spanned 295 balls.

OUT Spot-fixing top Indian cricketer TP Sudhindra is banned for life

•MOHNISH MIISHRA

•ABHINAV BALI

•SHALABH SRIVATSAVA

•AMIT YADAV

THE Indian cricket board banned cricketer TP Sudhindra for life and handed out lesser punishments to four others for involvement in corruption in domestic cricket.

The five Indian cricketers were provisionally suspended last month following allegations of corruption, made by a local television channel. Footage from India TV appeared to show one cricketer negotiating a fee for bowling a no-ball, while another said he received under-the-table payments above his contracted fee. A three-member disciplinary committee decided to ban fast bowler TP Sudhindra from all cricketing activities for life. “The committee held Sudhindra guilty of actually receiving a consideration to spot-fix in a domestic cricket match, and hence imposed exemplary penalty on him,” a BCCI statement said. Paceman Shalabh Srivastava, who played in the IPL for the Punjab franchise, was banned for five years. “Shalabh Srivastava was held guilty of agreeing to fix a match and negotiate terms for the same, even though no actual match-fixing or spot fixing took place,” the statement said. Mohnish Mishra, Amit Yadav and Abhinav Bali were each handed one-year bans. “The three players, through loose talk and unsubstantiated bragging, brought the game into disrepute,” the BCCI added. Last year, Pakistan players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were jailed in Britain for their role in a spot-fixing scandal relating to a test match against England in August 2010.

•CAUGHT OUT TP Sudhindra has been bowled out for life