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Published every week from Ontario - Canada serving all Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton & the world. To promote your business via TV, Radio & Newspaper with us call Akbar Warris at 416-371-9849 or email us: canadianpakistanitimes@gmail.com
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Canadian Pakistani Times Thursday may 9, 2013 Volume 1, 57
LAHORE: Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf
(PTI) chief Imran Khan who was injured
in a stage fall on Tuesday evening told
newsmen today that although he was
feeling better, he would not be able to cast
his vote in his hometown of Mianwali as
he had previously planned.
Khan had sustained head and back injuries
after he fell from a lifter during a public
meeting in Lahore. He received stitches on
his head.
PTI spokesman Shafqat Mehmood told
media on Tuesday night that Khan would not
be able to continue his political campaign for
the elections on the advice of the doctors and
added that it was not a political decision.
The campaign was scheduled to end on
Thursday night prior to Saturday’s elections.
Lying on his bed at the Shaukat Khanum
Hospital, which he had built and named after
his mother, Khan urged his supporters to
ensure voting in big numbers.
“11th May is the day of change,” he told
reporters.
Earlier in a video message to his
supporters from his hospital, Khan had said
that he had done what he could in the last
several years.
“Now it is your (people’s) turn to take
charge and ensure the making of ‘naya’
Pakistan,” he said.
Imran says feels better, would not be able to cast vote.
Breakfast meeting to discuss the
recently announced Ontario Budget
2013 three Mississauga MPP’s Dipika
Damerla Mississauga – Crooksville,
Bob D el an e y Mi s s i s s au ga –
S treet svi l le & Amri t Mangat
Mississauga –Brampton South and an
expert were at hand to give an overall
view of the provincial budget and
answer any questions or concerns.
The half empty hall did not have
very many keen participants eithe...r.
When asked about why the change of
hearts is been shown by Ontario liberal
party on automobile insurance
reduction now....!
Were polices before faulty or not
well thought of?
We could not get a clear answer so
very normal as this issue has been
discussed before but we never ever
could get a straight answer.
Positive thing mentioned about the
new budget is that no new tax. But the
credit goes to all as all questions were
entertained.
Ontario's New Budget ONTARIO CAN HAVE A BETTER FUTURE – IF WE ACT TODAY
BRAMPTON – The solutions to
Ontario’s problems aren’t hard to
figure out, they’re just not easy to
do. The only way to put our
province on the right track is a
new team with a new plan and the
courage to put it into action, PC
Leader Tim Hudak said today.
“Too many people in Ontario are
having trouble finding work and
losing hope in our great
pr...ovince,” Hudak told a
Brampton community meeting.
“Yet the Liberal government has
chosen to continue down a path
that will only dig a deeper hole for
O n t a r i a n s . ”
Hudak’s comments followed
Thursday’s release of a Liberal
budget that increases spending and
debt, and entrenches the damaging
anti-jobs policies of the McGuinty
- W y n n e g o v e r n m e n t .
Ontario can do better, Hudak
stressed: “It’s time to change the
direction of our province. And for
that to happen, we need to change
the team tha t l eads i t .
“We have a choice to make
between continuing down the
same path that has us struggling to
keep up, or taking a new path that
surges ahead toward a strong,
confident and prosperous
O n t a r i o , ” Hu d a k a d d e d .
Hudak said only the PCs have a
plan to take bold action for
growing our economy and
stopping reckless overspending.
“Our plan includes ideas to
modernize our labour laws to
compete for jobs, lower taxes,
affordable energy and building a
government that lives within its
m e a n s .
“If we make these decisions now
we can bring back jobs and
investment, give hope to small
business owners, and ensure our
children have a bright future right
here in Ontario,” Hudak
c o n c l u d e d .
“So let’s not wait any longer.
02 May 9, 2013
Brampton's new business Opening of INet Computers in Brampton on the corner of Steeles & Mavis (opposite no frills) chief guest was area
MP Kyle Seeback seen here in the photo along with other guests, community leaders & members of Punjabi Press Club
of Canada. Brampton has a new business ready to cater high tech needs of local
Rockets fired from Syria fall in Israel-occupied Golan
JERUSALEM: Two rockets
fired from Syrian territory
exploded inside the Israeli-
occupied Golan Heights on
Monday, without causing
casualties or damage, an Israeli
army spokeswoman said.
The rockets exploded in a field
near the ceasefire line in the
southern Golan, she added.
The rocket fire was “apparently
connected to the situation inside
Syria,”she added, suggesting Israel
was not targeted but that it was a
spillover of fighting between the
Syrian regime and rebels.
“The Israeli army combed the
sector the rockets fell in and
informed the UN forces deployed
in the Golan,” the spokeswoman
said.
The rocket fire came as
tensions between the two countries
soared after Israeli air raids on
targets in the Syrian capital on
Sunday.
The Golan has been tense since
the beginning of the conflict in
Syria more than two years ago.
However, there have been only
minor flare-ups in the region to
date, as Syrian shells have crashed
in the occupied Golan and Israel
has fired at the source in
retaliation.
Israel, which is technically at
war with Syria, has occupied 1,200
square kilometres (460 square
miles) of the Golan Heights, which
it has annexed, since 1967.
The international community
neve r r eco gn i sed I s r ae l ' s
annexation of the territory.
T h e U n i t e d N a t i o n s
Disengagement Observer Force
(UNDOF) has been stationed in
the Golan since 1974 to oversee a
ceasefire .
MANILA: One of the Philippines' most active
volcanoes spewed huge rocks and ash early
Tuesday after a 3-year calm, killing at least five
climbers and trapping others near the crater,
officials said.
Rescue teams were sent to Mayon volcano in
the central Philippines to look for four climbers
and guides trapped after the mild eruption, Albay
provincial Gov. Joey Salceda said. Clouds have
cleared over the volcano, which was quiet later in
the morning.
The four climbers who died were struck by
huge rocks, guide Kenneth Jesalva told ABS-
CBN TV network by cellphone from a camp near
the crater. Another man was critically injured
from a group of eight that included five foreigners
and three Filipino guides. One of those killed was
Filipino. The nationalities of the foreign climbers
included a German and an Austrian.. No bodies
have been retrieved yet.
Jesalva said he was in the group that spent the
night on the picturesque mountain, known for its
almost-perfect cone, when the volcano rumbled
back to life early in the morning and rocks ''as big
as a living room'' came raining down on them. He
rushed back to the base camp to call for help. The
head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology
and Seismology, Renato Solidum, said Tuesday's
eruption was normal for the restive Mayon, about
340 kilometers (212 miles) southeast of Manila. It
has erupted about 40 times during the last 400
years.
In 2010, thousands of residents moved to
temporary shelters when the volcano ejected ash
in an 8-kilometer (5-mile) zone surrounding the
crater.
Solidum said that no alert was raised for the
volcano following the latest eruption and no
evacuation was being planned. Climbers are not
allowed when an alert is up, and the recent calm
may have encouraged this week's track.
Philippine volcano spews rocks, killing five climbers
Madonna sold an abstract painting by French artist Fernand Leger for $7.16 million to raise funds for girls’
education projects in Afghanistan, Pakistan and elsewhere.
03 May 9, 2013
Meet the new Brampton's Page3 group
A grand "Brampton Local" event hosted by Babia Kholi of Page3 which was enjoyed by all an all night event which
provided quality entertainment to a very well mannered crowd. Our very own Gugni Gill was the guest of honor.
04 May 9, 2013
Linda Jeffrey Ontario Minister of municipal affairs says when she was a Brampton City Councillor she tried her best to bridge gaps amongst
all Brampton communities - Nagar Kirtan 2013 Malton - Ontario - Canada.
OTTAWA, May 8, 2013 -
Today, the Honourable
Vic Toews, Minister of
Public Safety; David
Sweet, Member of
Parliament for Ancaster-
Dundas-Flamborough-
Westdale, and Senator
Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu;
a n n o u n c e d t h e
Government of Canada’s
support for Bill C-479, An
Act to Amend the
C o r r e c t i o n s a n d
Conditional Release Act
(Fairness for Victims).
Bill C-479, the Fairness for
Victims Act, introduced in
the House of Commons by
MP David Sweet, proposes
to increase the period
within which the Parole
Board of Canada (PBC)
must conduct detention
reviews following a
detention order and parole
reviews following a denial
of parole. It also provides
additional support to
victims.
“Supporting this legislation
is in keeping with the
Government’s plan for safe
streets and communities,
which focuses on tackling
crime, victims’ rights, and
fair and efficient justice
system,” said Minister
Toews. “I would like to
commend my colleague for
his strong commitment to
putting the rights of victims
ahead of those of the
offender.”
“I am proud to have
introduced a Bill that will
provide help to victims and
their families,” said MP
Sweet. “By modernizing
the Corrections and
Conditional Release Act,
we are giving victims a
greater voice in the parole
process and respect for the
ordeals they have to endure
by extending the mandatory
review periods.”
“Our Government has
pledged to Canadians that
we will work hard to
address the needs of victims
of crime and their families.
I’m proud to say we have
made significant progress,”
said Senator Boisvenu.
“This Bill continues to
fulfill our commitment to
protect and support victims
of crime.”
The Bill proposes to:
extend mandatory review
periods for parole whereby
if a violent offender is
denied parole, the PBC
would have to review the
case within five years rather
than the current two years;
increase the period, to
within five years, in which
the PBC must review
parole, following the
cancellation or termination
of parole; emphasize that
the PBC must take into
consideration the victim’s
need and the need of the
victim’s family to attend a
hearing and witness the
proceedings; require that
the PBC consider any
victim impact statement
presented by victims;
require the PBC to provide
the victim, if requested,
with information about the
offender’s release on
parole, statutory release or
temporary absence; and
provide victims with
information about the
offender’s correctional
plan, including progress
towards meeting i ts
objectives.
Harper Government reinforces support for victims of crime
Murtaza Haider
Pakistanis have a poor risk perception. Many
preventable deaths and injuries occur because of it.
Imran Khan’s fall from a forklift truck, which could very
well have been fatal, speaks volumes of the poor risk
perception of the event planners.
While campaigning late in the evening, Mr.
Khan was being lifted to the stage from an unsecured
forklift truck. Footage of the incident reveals that the
plan was a recipe for a disaster waiting to happen. The
makeshift platform on the forklift was not secured.
When yet another well-meaning PTI worker tried to
climb on the forklift, he inadvertently pushed Mr. Khan
and others off the forklift to the ground.
Risk perception and preparedness are key to
avoiding unnecessary disastrous outcomes. Risk
perception is a subjective judgement one makes about
the probability of a negative or an adverse outcome. For
instance, trying to have a better understanding of the
odds of one falling off a makeshift platform on a forklift
could be categorised as risk perception. Obviously, those
who came up with the brilliant plan to use an unsecured
forklift to hoist Mr. Khan to the top of yet another
unsecured container did not think of the risks involved.
Unfortunately, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI)
organisers are not alone with poor risk perception.
The tragic death of the former prime minister
Benazir Bhutto in December 2007 was also a case of
poor risk perception. Having been explicitly warned of
the threats against her, Ms. Bhutto failed to remain
seated in the secured vehicle as she was leaving after
addressing a political rally. She died of trauma to her
head after a bomb blast while she stood though the
vehicle’s sunroof. Apparently her head hit the hard metal
used to secure the vehicle against bomb blasts. Others
seated within the car with her remain unscathed. It is
safe to assume that had she remained seated within the
secured vehicle, she would have escaped harm like the
rest of the passengers.
Every time I see people hanging from a moving
bus or train, or a family with kids riding a motorcycle, I
am reminded of two things. First, Pakistanis have poor
risk perception.
They seldom factor in the probability of
negative outcomes, such as an infant falling off a
moving motorcycle. At the same time, I am reminded of
the fact that the lack of means may force many
Pakistanis to assume risks that they could not avoid. If a
family could afford a car or a ride on secure and reliable
public transit, the children could be spared a hazardous
ride on the motorcycle.
But what to say of avoidable risks and risk
preparedness. Take fire or emergency drills as an
example. While I was a live-in director of a student
residence at McGill University, we would regularly hold
surprise fire drills. We would trigger the fire alarm in the
middle of the night and evacuate the building as per set
protocols. We would monitor the evacuation time for
each floor and look for individual students who failed to
follow the evacuation procedures. We would then follow
-up with the students who may have taken the wrong
path to exit the building or took too long to evacuate. At
the same time, the local fire department monitors its
response time to the University residence that is situated
on the mountain, offering picturesque views of the
beautiful Montreal.
It is rather odd that a country that faces severe
natural hazards, floods and earthquakes to name a
couple, is least prepared to cope with them. This is a
direct result of poor risk perception and planning. It was
not always like this in Pakistan. I grew up in a Pakistan
where such preparedness existed to some extent.
The British indeed left Pakistan with the
foundation for risk preparedness. Parts of Murree that
were built by the British had proper provisions for fire
hydrants. There is one fire hydrant still installed, most
likely not functional, on the Lower Mall in Murree,
reminding of the prudent planning British planning
traditions.
At the first Pakistan Urban Forum in Lahore in
March 2011, I asked the participants if they had ever
seen a fire hydrant in Pakistan. Not a single participant
of the hundreds present in the audience replied in
affirmative.
As a child, I recall seeing the civil defense
volunteers in Rawalpindi during the monsoon season.
Before the heavy rains would set in, civil defense
volunteers would prepare for flash floods.
Their teams were equipped with rescue boats
and other equipment. Alarms were tested in advance to
ensure that in case of a flash flood, the vulnerable
communities could be warned by sounding alarms.
Years later, when flash floods inundated large parts of
Rawalpindi, no such preparedness existed. People lost
their life savings and belongings to flood waters that
crept into their homes without warning.
While some risks may be unavoidable, most are.
The widespread use of Kohl (surma or kajal) in South
Asia is one example of an avoidable risk whose risk
perception is poor. Kohl often contains large amounts of
lead.
Women in South Asia, and not just in Pakistan,
apply kohl as eye makeup. Many unsuspecting mothers
apply it to their infants, exposing them to lead poisoning.
Introducing any foreign object to one’s eyes should be
considered risky, let alone lead.
Pakistanis can avoid the excessive burden of
disease, injury, and death by having better risk
perception and preparedness.
This will not happen if even the foreign-
educated political leaders assume unnecessary risks and
thus set poor examples.
From Benazir Bhutto to Imran Khan: A tale of poor risk perception
05 May 9, 2013
SPORTS
Pakistan's Aamir Atlas Khan brushed
aside Kuwait's Abdullah Al Mezayan in
three sets to become the first Pakistani in 14
years to win the Asian Squash
Championship on Sunday at the Islamabad
Sport Complex.
Khan triumphed over Al Mezayan after
an impressive performance with figures of
11-9, 11-3, 11-8.
Speaking to Dawn.com, Khan said the
victory was the result of his hard work and
he was happy to have won a title for
Pakistan.
"I am very happy and I am sure that after
this victory, squash in Pakistan will see
better days," Khan said. The twenty-two
year old had earlier said that he was using
the home advantage to his benefit.
"I knew I had advantage of home glass
court and crowd, and I took advantage of
both," he said.
Khan had beaten Asyraf Azan of
Malaysia 11-5, 11-6, 11-6 in the semi-final
on Saturday.
He added that his expectations before the
start of the tournament were low because he
had just recovered from an injury; however,
his goal was to win the Asian title for which
he worked hard.
In the women's final, Hong Kong's Annie
Au beat Malaysia's Low Wee Wern 5-11, 11
-8, 11-7, 11-1.
JOHANNESBURG: The International
Cricket Council was urged by the
international players' body to investigate
allegations of vote “fixing” on Tuesday
after an Indian candidate was elected onto
one of the ICC's committees amid
accusations that voters were pressured
into choosing him because of the influence
of the powerful Indian cricket board.
The Federation of International Cricketers'
Association said it was “formally” calling on
the ICC to instigate an ethics committee
enquiry into former India spinner Laxman
Sivaramakrishnan winning a place on the
ICC's Cricket Committee, which was
announced by cricket's governing body on
Monday.
“The ICC's actions in this matter cast serious
doubt, if not on their ability, certainly on
their willingness to adhere to proper
governance,” FICA president Jimmy Adams
said.
Sivaramakrishnan beat out FICA chief
executive Tim May in a poll the players'
body says was flawed because some of the
10 test captains who voted were allegedly
pressured to change their initial selections
and back Sivaramakrishnan, the preferred
candidate of the Board of Control for Cricket
in India.
In a statement, FICA legal advisor Ian Smith
referred to media reports that the national
boards of five ICC member countries applied
pressure on their captains to switch their
votes from May to Sivaramakrishnan after
May won an initial ballot and the BCCI then
became involved.
“FICA's official stance is that these
allegations must warrant careful and
independent scrutiny, especially because we
understand ICC specifically instructed the
boards not to interfere in the voting process,”
Smith said.
The vote is seen as another example of
India's dominance of cricket's leadership and
decision-making bodies _ as well as other
international cricket boards _ because of its
commercial might. The ICC has not yet
commented either on the initial concerns
expressed by FICA over the vote last week or
on Tuesday's statement calling for an ethics
committee investigation.
Like football's ruling body, FIFA, the ICC
has come under recent pressure to reform,
with critics saying it is subservient to the
BCCI and India and the allegedly flawed
vote to select Sivaramakrishnan is just the
latest example.
“The actions, allegedly instigated by BCCI,
are a timely and stark reminder of the very
serious shortcomings in governance at (the)
ICC highlighted more than a year ago by the
Woolf report and about which (the) ICC has
done nothing in the intervening period,”
Smith said.
Smith also said referring to the influence
being merely “lobbying” in the voting
process was misleading as “there should be a
very clear distinction made between a
candidate lobbying for a vote and an
employer threatening an employee to change
their vote.”
On calling for a full and independent
investigation of the vote, FICA president
Adams was scathing in his criticism of
cricket's top body, saying “executives have
stood aside while apparently watching their
own process corrupted by their own board
members.”
“In the meantime, (the) ICC constantly tells
the world it has a 'zero tolerance' approach to
corruption in cricket and constantly tries to
impress the 'Spirit of Cricket' on
participants,” Adams said.
“How can the players of the world look to
(the) ICC for leadership in these
circumstances and how does the spirit of
cricket apply to the organization itself?
Board members didn't like how their captains
intended to vote, so they apparently ordered
them to change that vote.”
FICA slam ICC vote ouster of May
The Federation of International Cricketers' Association said it was ''formally'' calling on the ICC to instigate an ethics committee enquiry into former
India spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan winning a place on the ICC's Cricket Committee. -Photo by AFP
06 May 9, 2013
MUMBAI: India's movie industry
toasted its 100th birthday on Friday with the
release of two films celebrating its humble
origins in the silent era and the influence of
glamorous modern-day Bollywood.
“Bombay Talkies” comprises four
short stories inspired by India's love of
cinema and the impact of the movies,
created by some of the country's leading
filmmakers.
“You usually celebrate birthdays and
that's what we are doing today. Indian
cinema turns 100 and we are
acknowledging that,” said Zoya Akhtar,
who directed the film along with Karan
Johar, Anurag Kashyap and Dibakar
Banerjee.
The acclaimed cast includes
Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Rani
Mukherjee, with a cameo from acting
legend Amitabh Bachchan.
The film's theme song features
Bollywood A-listers that include Aamir
Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Vidya Balan,
Priyanka Chopra and Kareena Kapoor.
The movie will have a special gala
screening at the Cannes film festival this
month, where India is to be honoured as the
“guest country” in its landmark year.
“The four short stories are about passion
for cinema and ingredients like drama,
music, dance and entertainment. All of these
ingredients are a huge part of our films and
culture,” said co-producer Ashi Dua.
Its release comes 100 years to the day
since the opening in Bombay (now Mumbai)
of “Raja (King) Harishchandra”, the first all-
Indian feature film, based on the tale of a
virtuous king from the Hindu epic
Mahabharata.
It marked the birth of one of the world's
most vibrant film industries, which produced
almost 1,500 movies last year in various
corners and languages of the country, with
Hindi-language Bollywood leading the way.
While “Bombay Talkies” explores life in
the present, the second film opening on
Friday is the award-winning “Celluloid
Man”, which pays tribute to the founder of
the National Film Archive of India, P.K.
Nair.
The documentary, so far only shown at
festivals, showcases Nair's lifetime
dedication to preserving films that
date back to the silent era, and it is
peppered with clips from historic
black-and-white productions.
Thanks to the efforts of 80-year-old
Nair, nine silent films out of 1,700
made in India have been preserved,
although no records remain of many
others.
“Almost 70 per cent of the films
made before 1950 are lost, including
some real gems like the first 'talkie',”
Nair told AFP, referring to the first
Indian film with sound, 1931's
“Alam Ara” (The Light of the
World).
Also on Friday, Indian president
Pranab Mukherjee will join stars and
filmmakers at the annual National
Film Awards in capital New Delhi,
following a six-day festival
showcasing the colourful history of
Indian cinema.
Award-winners, already announced,
include “Paan Singh Tomar”, a Hindi film
starring Irrfan Khan about the Indian soldier
Contributed by Salim Shaikh
Email: mhd7866@hotmail.com
Shamshad Begum turned 95 years old on
14th April 2013. She died after a protracted
illness on 24th April, 2013 in the suburb of
Mumbai where she was living with her
daughter Usha Ratra and son-in-law Col.
(Rtd) Yog Ratra of Indian army. She was
born in Bhatti Darwaza, Lahore in undivided
India on 14th April 1919 in a very
conservative Muslim family.
Her talent in singing was first spotted by
her teacher in primary school who noticed
enchanting depth in her voice. Her teacher
asked her to sing Naats, Nazams, and Hamd
in classroom. At the age of ten she started
singing traditional and folk based songs in
marriages and other religious functions. She
enthralled everyone with her endearing style
of singing by waiving her one hand in the air
and displaying a free wheeling spirit of
freedom. Luckily she had an uncle who was
very supportive and used to encourage her
singing.
He requested her father to allow the little
girl to go for audition at Jenophone Record
Company, Mall Road, Lahore.
The Jenophone Record Company was
looking for fresh and young voices but her
orthodox father was not musically inclined
and refused the permission.
However, after arguments he agreed on
some conditions. He imposed some
restrictions on her, first that she should wear
a burqa and should not be photographed.
By this time Shamshad Begum was
already a much sought after and established
singer in marriage and religious functions.
Her uncle took her in burqa for an audition
to Jenophone Record Company, Lahore.
At that time she was thirteen years young
and was auditioned by famous music
director Master Ghulam Haider. She was
instantly selected and got the job at
Jenophone Record Company.
At the age of fifteen in 1934 she got
married to a barrister Ganpat Lal Batto.
Shamshad Begum sang for many years with
Jenophone Record Company, Lahore and
recorded more than 200 songs mostly
composed by Master Ghulam Haider, who
was the most versatile and famous composer
of undivided India.
These songs were only broadcast on All
India Radio, Lahore but not released on
gramophone records. Shamshad Begum
became known in the music circle in Lahore
and was offered to sing for Punjabi films
which were produced in Lahore. Her first
Hindi/Urdu film was ‘Khazanchi’ which had
nine songs.
All songs were sung by Shamshad
Begum and composed by Master Ghulam
Haider. After the release of Khazanchi
Shamshad became a well known singer
throughout undivided India and became
much sought after singer of the forties.
Mehboob Khan, the Bombay based
famous film producer/director was
impressed by her distinctive voice and lured
her to come to Bombay to sing for his next
film ‘Taqdeer’ in which he was introducing
Nargis (mother of Sanjay Dutt and wife of
Sunil Dutt) as heroine.
Besides Master Ghulam Haider, in
Bombay soon Shamshad Begum started
singing for other well-known and popular
music directors of that time such as: Rafiq
Ghazanvi, Amer Ali, Pandat Gobindram,
Pandat Amarnath, Balu C. Irani, Rashid
Atre, M.A. Mukhtar to name a few in the pre
-independence era.
After partition of Indian sub-continent
Master Ghulam Haider migrated to Pakistan
and around the same time yet another
famous composer took her under his wings.
He was Syed Naushad Ali who made a big
difference to Shmshad Begum’s illustrious
career.
He used her unique voice which has
youthful and buoyant spirit and swayed her
way into the hearts of the music lovers.
After she became favourite of Naushad, she
sang variety of songs in super hit films like
Aan, Babul, Mela, Deedar, Anokhi Ada,
Dard, Andaaz, Mother India, and Mughal-e-
Azam.
In all these films which were made after
partition of Indian sub-continent, Shamshad
Begum showed full confidence and faith in
herself and held her forte against the then
upcoming, melodious, professionally, and
classical trained Lata Mangeshkar in many
number of duets with her. Besides Ghulam
Haider and Naushad, yet another music
director who gave Shamshad Begum a new
identity in fast numbers and gave her
renewed commercial success was O.P.
Nayyar.
As a young music lover and struggling
music director, O.P. Nayyar was in love
with Shamshad Begum’s voice. He used to
say that her voice is bold and bright which
has bell like clarity and river like fluidity.
When O.P. Nayyar became successful and
famous composer he made her his most
favourite singer.
She sang super hit, effervescent and beat-
oriented songs in films like Aar Paar, Mr. &
Mrs. 55, CID, Naya Daur and many other
films. All these songs starting from pre-
partition days to 1950-60’s golden era of
Indian film industry had their own speciality
and requirements necessitating Shmshad
Begum to resort to unimaginable tonal
articulation and modulation, outstanding
vocal gimmicks and acrobatics.
She never failed her composers who had
full faith in her expressive prowess. Some
time they put the mike at a distance in view
of her bold and bright voice, but she always
hit right note, gave the right expression and
touched the right chord. She commands
great respect and love amongst the
musicologists, music lovers, and her
admirers throughout the world.
Her husband died very young in 1955
and ever since she has been living with her
daughter Usha Ratra and son-in-law Col.
(Rtd) Yog Ratra, in the suburb of Mumbai.
In 2009 she was given the prestigious award
of Padma Bhushan by the government of
India for her outstanding services to music
and entertainment. May she be rest in
eternal peace, and may God grant her the
highest place in Janat-ul-Firdaus for
entertaining and putting smile on the faces
of millions of people around the world.
Shamshad Begum – The original Nightingale: Singer Par Excellence
07 May 9, 2013
Beyonce, J.Lo to headline London charity concert for women
Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez and Florence
& The Machine are teaming up for a
four-hour charity concert in London
next month to benefit women’s health
and education projects around the
world.
The “Sound of Change Live” concert on
June 1 in London’s Twickenham sports
stadium could fund at least 120 projects
supporting girls and women in more than
70 nations, if all the tickets are sold,
organisers said on Wednesday.
Organised by the Chime for Change
campaign, founded by Italy fashion house
Gucci, every ticket buyer will be able to
choose which project their ticket will fund
in what organisers said was a world first
for such a venture.
Beyonce, currently on a European tour,
will play a 45-minute set. She will be
joined in the venture by singer and dancer
Lopez, R&B artist John Legend, British
indie sensation Ellie Goulding and rapper
Timbaland, with more performers still to
be announced.
US actors James Franco, Blake Lively and
Jada Pinkett Smith will be among the
presenters.
“Our goal is to have a great time together
while we unite and strengthen the voices
of girls and women around the world,”
Beyonce said in a statement.
Rock promoter Harvey Goldsmith, who
helped put on the Live Aid and Live Earth
charity concerts, will produce the concert
which will also be broadcast
internationally.
Helen Mirren gives noisy drummers a royal rebuke LONDON: Silence for the
queen, please.
A troupe of street drummers got
a shock when Helen Mirren,
dressed as Queen Elizabeth II,
emerged from a London theater to
berate them for disrupting her
show.
Mirren is starring in ”The
Audience”, a drama about the
weekly meetings between the
queen and Britain’s prime ministers
over her 60-year reign.
Mirren told the Daily Telegraph
newspaper that she used less-than-
royal language in the rant during
the intermission of Saturday’s
performance.
”I’m afraid there were a few
‘thespian’ words used,” Mirren was
quoted as saying on Monday.
”They got a very stern royal ticking
off but I have to say they were very
s w e e t a n d t h e y s t o p p e d
immediately. I felt rotten, but on
the other hand they were destroying
our performance so something had
to be done.”
The drummers were marching
through London’s West End to
promote As One in the Park, a gay
music festival being held later this
month.
”Not much shocks you on the
gay scene,” parade organiser Mark
McKenzie told the Telegraph. ”But
seeing Helen Mirren dressed as the
queen cussing and swearing and
making you stop your parade –
that’s a new one.”
Festival spokesman Mark
Williams said organisers ”are
terribly upset if we caused her any
distress. If she’d like to let her hair
down and attend the festival she’d
be more than welcome.”
Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen. —Photo (File) AFP
Beyonce, currently on a European tour, will play a 45-minute set during the concert. -Photo (File) AFP
08 May 9, 2013
Spring Fish Stocking is Underway
Ontario Supports Recreational
Fishery
Across Ontario, millions of fish from
provincial fish culture stations are being
loaded onto trucks, boats and aircraft for
stocking into public waters to help support
a recreational fishery valued at more than
$2.4 billion per year.
Ontario operates nine fish culture
stations in the province. Each year, these
facilities produce and stock approximately
8.5 million fish into more than 1,200 lakes
and rivers, including the Great Lakes.
Fish stocking creates more angling
opportunities, rehabilitates degraded fish
populations and helps restore biodiversity.
Fish are also indicators of environmental
change and fish populations provide early
warning signals about potential problems
in the environment.
Protecting and enhancing local
biodiversity is part of the Ontario
government's plan to enhance quality of
life for families and ensure a strong, green
economy for future generations.
Quick Facts
Ontario invests approximately $5.5
million a year in fish culture and
stocking activities.
Each year, about 1.3 million anglers
spend an average of 16 days fishing in
Ontario.
The province manages 24 per cent of
Canada's fresh water, including 40 per
cent of the Great Lakes and countless
rivers and streams.
Species stocked include Atlantic
salmon, aurora trout, brook trout,
brown trout, splake, lake trout, lake
whitefish, rainbow trout, walleye,
muskellunge and Chinook salmon.
There are approximately 250,000 inland
lakes in Ontario.
KARACHI: At least 20 people,
including two women and six
children, were injured in an
e x p l o s i o n i n K a r a c h i ’s
Mehmoodabad neighbourhood
just after midnight on Thursday,
DawnNews reported.
Initial reports suggest the
ongoing elect ioneering in
Mehmoodabad No.6 near Sitara
Bakery was the apparent target of
the unknown miscreants.
The blast spread fear among
local residents which was so loud
that it was heard from far
distances. Nearby shops and
vehicles were also damaged in the
incident.
Exact nature of the blast is
yet to be ascertained. However, a
completely destroyed suspected
motorcycle was found from the
site.
DIG Police Karachi South
Dr Amir Sheikh told a private TV
channel that the bombing was
carried out through an Improvised
Explosive Device (IED) which
was planted in a red colour car.
Meanwhile, owner of the
suspected car has been taken into
police custody from the city’s
Gulistan-e-Johar locality.
Sources told Dawn.com that
the car owner is a clearing and
forwarding agent. The car in
question was parked at the
bombing site for last three days,
sources added.
Most of the injured were
shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate
Medical Centre. Dr Seemien
Jamali told the media that around
20 injured people including two
women and six children were
brought to the hospital.
Police and Rangers forces
cordoned off the area as an initial
probe of the incident was
underway.
Initial findings of the bomb
disposal squad suggest that around
two to three kilos of explosives
was used in the IED.
No group has claimed
responsibility of the bombing so
far. However, the outlawed Tehrik-
i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has
vowed to target the secular
political parties of the country,
naming PPP, ANP and MQM.
Around 100 people have
been killed in the Pakistani
Taliban attacks on election
campaign of the said parties along
with few others across the country
since April 11.
The historic May 11 polls
will witness the first ever
democratic transition of power in
Pakistan.
Blast injures at least 20 in Karachi’s Mehmoodabad - DAWN.COM
KARACHI: At least 20 people, including two women and six children, were injured in an explosion in Karachi’s Mehmoodabad neighbourhood just after midnight on Thursday, DawnNews reported.
LAHORE: Firing has taken place at an election rally of former Punjab Assembly deputy speaker and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Rana Mashood, DawnNews reported.
Mashood was however not hurt from the firing incident in Lahore’s Gulshan Ravi.
Initial reports say that one party worker has been injured.
The former deputy speaker has had an attempt made on his life in February 2012, when unknown gunmen opened fire on his car as he was returning to Lahore from Multan.
Firing at PML-N rally in Lahore
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) politician Rana Mashood. -PPI File Photo
09 May 9, 2013
Open for Business: Refocused NRC will Benefit Canadian Industries
The Government of Canada launches refocused National Research
(May 7, 2013, Ottawa, ON) – The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) has transformed into an industry-focused research and technology
organization. The refocused NRC will work with Canadian industries to bridge technology gaps, helping build a more innovative Canadian
economy.
“NRC plays a pivotal role at the heart of Canada’s innovation system,” said the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and
Technology). “The refocused NRC will provide Canadian industries with access to strategic research and development, technical services and
specialized scientific infrastructure they need to succeed.”
“The Government’s top priority is jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for all Canadians,” said the Honourable Claude Carignan, Deputy Leader
of the Government at the Senate. “By refocusing the NRC into a research and technology organization, our Government is ensuring that Canadian
firms have the instruments and tools they need to become even more successful on the global stage.”
The refocused NRC will support Canadian industries by investing in large-scale research projects that are directed by and for Canadian business. It
will also develop international networks to ensure timely access to primary research and will open the doors to world class scientific infrastructure,
technical expertise and people.
“We are very excited about this change. Our organization is now easier for business to understand and access,” said John R. McDougall, President
of the National Research Council. “We are committed to being a strong partner for innovation, and focused on achieving the concrete outcomes
that will contribute to a stronger and more prosperous Canada. We will measure our success by the success of our clients.”
Research and technology organizations are mission-oriented providers of innovation services to firms and governments, dedicated to building
economic competitiveness and, in doing so, improving quality of life. The refocused NRC will strengthen Canadian industry by encouraging more
business investment to develop innovative products and services.
KARACHI: An ally in the
outgoing coalition government
led by the Pakistan People’s
Party (PPP) Wednesday
announced to withdraw all its
electoral candidates in the Sindh
province except Karachi and
Hyderabad cities in favour of the
latter.
One National Assembly
contestant and eight candidates for
the Sindh’s provincial assembly are
withdrawn from the election race,
said a press release issued by the
Awami National Party (ANP).
However, all the party candidates,
contesting from Karachi and
Hyderabad, will partake in the May
11 general elections with zeal and
fervour, it added.
The ANP, along with PPP and
Muttahida Qaumi Movement
(MQM), had been threatened by
the outlawed Pakistani Taliban for
having secular views.
The banned Tehrik-i-Taliban
Pakistan (TTP) has vowed to target
the said parties in the run up to
historic May 11 polls, which will
mark the first ever democratic
transition of power in Pakistan.
The president of ANP’s Sindh
chapter, Senator Shahi Syed said
that a conspiracy is being hatched
to halt progress of all liberal forces
of the country. Alliance of all
enlightened forces of Pakistan is
the call of the hour, he added.
The ANP leader further said the
party will continue its journey
along with the PPP towards
strengthening of democracy,
eradication of extremism and
restoration of peace in Sindh.
Moreover, Syed urged all the
withdrawn party candidates to
extend an all-out support towards
the success of PPP contenders in
the general elections.
“Restoration of peace has always
been one of our top priorities….we
have played our role for the rights
of Sindh in the past and will
continue to do so in he future,” said
the ANP senator.
ANP withdraws Sindh candidates in PPP favour
DAWN.COM and Asif Mahmood
However, all the party candidates, contesting from Karachi and Hyderabad, will partake in the May 11 polls as before, said a press release.
10 May 9, 2013
Nagar Kirtan (Khalsa Day 2013) Malton -Ontario - Canada
DHAKA, Bangladesh: Thousands of
security officers patrolled the streets of
Bangladesh’s capital Wednesday trying to
prevent violence during a general strike
called by 18 opposition parties.
The strike was ostensibly organized to
demand changes in electoral law and to
protest the deaths of 29 people, many of
them Islamic hardliners, on Monday during
street demonstrations calling for new anti-
blasphemy laws. But many Bangladeshis see
the protests as continuing gamesmanship
between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and
her archrival former Prime Minister Khaleda
Zia ahead of elections next year.
“These politicians have gone mad,” said
Dildar Ahmed, a 50-year-old taxi driver.
“They are fighting to gain power over our
dead bodies.” Rioting has swept Bangladesh
since late February when a war crimes
tribunal convicted Delwar Hossain Sayedee,
a top leader of the small opposition party
Jamaat-e-Islami, of committing atrocities
during Bangladesh’s 1971 war for
independence against Pakistan. Clashes
between police and Sayedee’s supporters
killed more than 70 people. War crimes
trials of other opposition leaders are
pending.
The opposition has accused Hasina of using
the tribunals to try to weaken her opponents
ahead of the elections, which she denies.
Jamaat-e-Islami is a key Zia ally that was a
coalition partner in her government from
2001 to 2006. The opposition also is
demanding the restoration of a constitutional
provision that mandated elections be held
under a neutral caretaker administration. The
system was abolished two years ago after the
Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional.
Fearing arrest by the war crimes tribunals,
Jamaat leaders have gone into hiding.
But a new group emerged in its place.
Hefazat-e-Islam, led by a respected
octogenarian Islamic thinker Shah Ahmed
Shafi, says it is a non-political organization
fighting those who want to undermine Islam.
It accused the government of tolerating
blogs ridiculing the country’s dominant
religion and has called for a harsher law
against blasphemy. The government rejected
the demand, saying current laws were
sufficient and reaffirming the nation’s
secular character.
Many in Bangladesh suspect Shafi’s group is
a Jamaat proxy, pointing to its roots in the
country’s thousands of Islamic schools,
reported financing by Jamaat and backing by
Saudi Arabia.
“The blasphemy law is not the real issue
here. This group of fighting for Jamaat to
protect the war crimes suspect.” said
Anwarul Azim, head of a university in
southeastern Chittagong, where Shafi has his
headquarters in an Islamic school. Analysts
also see the latest street fights as prelude to
the show of power ahead of next year’s
general election.
“In the final analysis, the game is all for
power,” said Hassan Shahriar, a political
columnist. “Zia is supporting the hardliners
not out of love for them, but for their support
in the next elections.” Jamaat and the
Islamic groups command nearly three per
cent of the vote.
Last week, Hasina offered to hold talks with
Zia to try to end the unrest.
“Strikes and deaths on the streets are not a
solution,” she said, “Talking to each other is
the best way to settle political differences.”
Zia has turned down the offer, saying the
government must first agree to appoint a
caretaker administration to oversee the
election.
Bangladesh opposition enforces nationwide shutdown
Islamic activists block a road in Dhaka, Bangladesh during a protest to demand that the government enact an anti-
blasphemy law. The government in this Muslim-majority nation has rejected the groups’ demands, saying Bangladesh is
governed by secular liberal laws.—Photo by AP
11 May 9, 2013
PARIS: France has identified its first
case of a new strain of coronavirus
emerging from the Middle East in a
person recently returned from the
United Arab Emirates, the health
ministry said on Wednesday.
The ministry said it had opened an
investigation into what it said was the
first and only confirmed case of the virus
in France and would hold a news
conference later in the day.
“The person has been placed in isolation
in an intensive care ward,” the ministry
said in a statement.
The Geneva-based World Health
Organization (WHO) said it had been
informed of the French case but had no
further details.
Worldwide, there have been 30 laboratory
-confirmed cases of the virus, including
18 deaths, since it came to scientists’
attention in September, according to
WHO data.
The coronavirus is from the same viral
family as the common cold and triggered
the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS) that swept the world
from Asia in late 2003, killing 775
people.
There is no evidence yet of sustained
human-to-human spread of the new virus,
but there are concerns about clusters of
cases reported by the WHO in Saudi
Arabia, Jordan and Britain.
France reports first case of new SARS-like virus
Worldwide, there have been 30 laboratory-confirmed cases of the virus, including 18 deaths, according to WHO data. -Photo by Reuters
PESHAWAR: More than 96,000 law
enforcement agencies personnel, including
22000 army soldiers, have been deployed
across Khyber Pakhtunkhawa and Fata to
ensure peaceful elections.
This deployment has been made keeping in
view the law and order situation in the area.
Director General Inter Service Public
Relations Major General Asim Saleem
Bajwa briefed the media about the high level
meeting on security for elections chaired by
Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervaiz
Kayani in Peshawar.
He said that COAS special visit to Peshawar
was aimed at reviewing security for the
general elections and the army chief was
apprised of the detailed security plan for the
polls.
He said that 52000 police personnel and
other law enforcement agencies personnel
will also be on guard duties to provide
security during the polling process.
He added that the transportation of ballot
papers in KPK had started on May 5 and has
been completed successfully.
Bajwa also said that apart from four districts
and agencies, ballot papers have been
transported by road under the army’s
protection and would also be under
protective cover until they reach polling
stations.
“The meeting has been attended by all the
planners and executors.
“The army chief has stressed upon the
holding of peaceful elections and has also
stressed upon the need to keep the security
plan well coordinated,” General Bajwa
remarked.
He added that it was also the law
enforcement agencies priority to help and
ensure voters transportation to polling
stations under strict security vigilance to
ensure the peaceful and fair elections.
“It has been made clear to all the
stakeholders to ensure implementation and
success of the security plan,” General Bajwa
said.
He also adding that the deployment of troops
at polling stations is according to the
sensitivity of polling booths that has been
designated by the Election Commission and
law enforcement agencies.
He remarked that the army is here and
everywhere to assist the security plan and we
want a well coordinated security tear works
and ensure safe elections
“Its our plan to put in place the security
cordon ahead of polling,” he said responding
to a question about immediate security plans.
He added that the FR and the suburban
Peshawar is being combed and miscreants
are being hunted down About militant
threats to candidates, voters and election
staff, he said coordination centers have been
set up where all such information would be
communicated and timely action would be
taken against the elements involved.
He said that the quick response force had
already identified their points and their
response would be prompt, effective and in
time.
“The number, deployment and distribution of
the force has been made according to needs
and requirements,” he added.
Army unveils security plan for polls in Fata and KPK -Zahir Shah Sherazi
DG ISPR Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa said 96,000 law enforcement agencies personnel, including 22000 army soldiers, have been
deployed to ensure peaceful elections.
DG ISPR Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa. -Photo provided by Zahir Shah Sherazi
12 May 9, 2013
Afghan minister vows punishment for girls feigning illness
KABUL: Afghanistan’s education
minister has threatened to punish
schoolgirls who claim to suffer from
alleged “poisonings” that many officials
believe are actually temporary
psychological illnesses.
Scores of girls’ schools over recent years
have seen mysterious mass faintings, nausea
and similar symptoms that are often blamed
by police and the local media on poisoning by
Taliban insurgents or toxic gas leaks.
But no laboratory evidence of poison or
other toxins has ever been found at schools
and no deaths have occurred, with the girls
often released from hospital after only a few
hours.
In the latest case, 200 girls were reported
to have been “poisoned” at a school in Kabul
on May 1, causing an outbreak of screaming,
stomach aches and vomiting.
“From now on, if I find anyone saying
‘I’m poisoned’ and the poisoning is not
proved by the hospital, I will punish the
student,” Education Minister Ghulam Farooq
Wardak told a press conference on Tuesday.
“I will punish the teacher, I will punish
the head teacher and I will punish the school
director,” he added.
The education department said the
government was determined to crack down on
the causes of outbreaks of psychological
illnesses among young girls.
“When one student faints, it spreads
around and everyone might think it’s
poisoning,” Mohammad Kabir Haqmal,
spokesman for the ministry, told AFP.
“If tests prove it is mass hysteria or any
other natural cause, of course no one will be
punished. What the minister said was that we
will pursue those who disrupt the classes.”
Wazhma Frouqh, a female education
activist, criticised the minister’s stance and
said that previous cases of “poisonings” had
dissuaded families from sending their
daughters to school.
“The minister should not have said that he
will punish schoolgirls,” she told AFP. “His
job is to find out what has happened and
protect schools.”
Girls were banned from going to school
under the Taliban, but numbers have risen
since the extremist regime was ousted in 2001
and the government says 40 per cent of pupils
are now female.
—File Photo.
WASHINGTON: More prisoners have
joined a hunger strike to protest their
indefinite detention at the US-run
Guantanamo military prison, with 92 out
of 166 detainees refusing food, a
spokesman said Wednesday.
Among them, 17 are on feeding tubes and
two are hospitalised but do not have “life-
threatening conditions,” Lieutenant Colonel
Samuel House said in a statement.
The rapidly growing movement began on
February 6, lawyers for the detainees said.
Prison authorities began releasing figures on
the strike on March 15, saying 14 inmates
were participating.
Lawyers for the detainees say the official
numbers are still too low.
David Remes, a lawyer who represents 15
prisoners, said some 130 prisoners have
been on strike since February.
“At first, GTMO denied that there was a
hunger strike. Since then, its count has risen
from 0 to 92. Soon they’ll hit the mark
despite themselves,” he told AFP.
House also confirmed to AFP that two
prisoners had attempted suicide on or
around April 13, when some 60 detainees
were transferred from communal cells into
individual ones after guards fired non-lethal
shots to quell prisoner unrest.
House said only “10 to 15 are still in
communal” cells, indicating that many
detainees refuse to comply with prison rules.
“Some of them are continuing to throw
feces, urine and blood at the guards,” he
said.
The spokesman said “as soon as the
detainees show a proper compliance with
the rules, then we will move them back into
communal.”
“It’s all up to the detainees,” he added.
He said the separation also allowed the
guards, accompanied by doctors, to ask
inmates “on an individual basis: do you
want to be a hunger striker?” far from the
influence of the leaders in the cell blocks.
The hunger strikers are protesting their
incarceration without charge or trial at
Guantanamo in the 11 years since the prison
went into use for terror suspects detained in
Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The hunger strikes began February 6, when
inmates claimed prison officials searched
their Qurans for contraband. Officials have
denied any mishandling of Islam’s holy
book.
92 of 166 Guantanamo detainees on hunger strike: official
– File Photo by AFP.
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