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UNICEF said today it is concerned that children throughout the tsunami-devastated region have been orphaned or separated from their families and are in critical need of basic care. Executive Director, Carol Bellamy said:"It is hard to imagine the fear, confusion and desperation of these hildren."

BOLLYWOOD WANTS TO HELP TSUNAMI VICTIMS

While some Bollywood celebrities have already reached out to victims of the tsunami disaster in India, others are still shell-shocked and wondering how they should help. Says Raveena Tandon: "I can't believe so much human life has been destroyed in one sweep. It's just too much to digest. We all must come forward to do our best."

BRITS LOVE THEIR NEIGHBOURS

The vast majority of people in England and Wales trust their neighbours according to the main findings from the 2003 Home Office Citizenship Survey. It suggests that neighbourliness is on the rise, with two out of three people socialising with neighbours at least once a month and an increasing number feeling that people in their neighbourhood could be trusted.

AMITABH BACHCHAN READY TO HELP TSUNAMI VICTIMS

Indian superstar Amitabh Bachchan, moved by the human tragedy unfolding in the aftermath of Sunday's tsunami, says he would love to do whatever he can to help."Whatever is expected from me, whatever the government wants me to do, I'm ready to do, no question about that," says Amitabh. Expressing grief and concern over the destruction and death, Amitabh, says, "It's so painful and such a tragedy.... To see the visuals on television is extremely painful."

INDIAN CELEBRITIES LEND SUPPORT TO TSUNAMI VICTIMS

Bollywood Director Subhash Ghai is to meet Indian Chief Minister, Vilasrao Deshmukh, to discuss how the film industry can help Tsunami victims.

Several celebrities in Mumbai are pitching in to help victims of the tsunami tragedy. Businessman Viren Shah has decided to donate all the money that he was to spend on his New Year bash to help victims. Bollywood Director, Subhash Ghai, has announced that he is meeting Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh to chalk out a plan on how the film industry can do its bit to help victims.

HINDU FORUM LAUNCHES DISASTER RELIEF TASK FORCE

Swami Nirliptananda, spiritual leader of the Hindu Forum of Britain

At a prayer meeting held at Bhaktivedanta Manor temple on 28 December 2004, the Hindu Forum of Britain launched the Disaster Relief Task Force (DRTF) to build a unified strategy for aid organisations in the UK working with national calamities in the Indian subcontinent. Organisations that are members of the DRTF include the Hindu Forum of Britain, SEWA International, VHP UK, ISKCON and many others.

TSUNAMI SURVIVORS FLOOD CAMPS IN INDIA

UNICEF is providing 2,475 water storage tanks to the camps and hospitals in the hardest-hit areas. © UNICEF India/2004

UNICEF is sending emergency items and staff to various relief camps and hospitals in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. An estimated 200,000 people are in relief camps in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Pondicherry. The south of India has been gravely impacted by this weekend’s 9.0-magnitude earthquake and resulting deadly tsunamis.

CHILDREN ARE SUFFERING IN OVERCROWDED RELIEF CAMPS

UNICEF's supplies are loaded into trucks to be sent into relief camps in Tamil Nadu.© UNICEF India/2004.

Sahai Radhika has her eyes wide open, but she is not talking. She has been lying either on the sand or in her father’s lap at the relief camp in Nagarcoil, the district headquarters of Kanyakumari district, where it is estimated thousands of people have been killed and around 700 fishermen are missing.

UNICEF AID FLIGHTS TO DISASTER ZONE

UNICEF workers pack emergency supplies into boxes for transportation to the disaster zone © UNICEF/HQ04-0865/Lars Bech.

A UNICEF-chartered plane carrying essential aid supplies for children and families affected by the quake disaster is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka on Thursday morning. The cargo plane, which left Copenhagen on Tuesday night is carrying 15 emergency health kits.

THE STRUGGLE TO REACH REMOTE ISLANDS IN THE MALDIVES

Homes have been completely destroyed by the tidal waves. © UNICEF Maldives/2004/Shah.

The 1,200 coral islands of the Maldives were devastated by tsunamis that struck on December 26. Some of the country’s uninhabited islands were completely washed away. Two-thirds of the Maldives population, some 300,000 people, have been affected. UNICEF Maldives reports that 14,000 children, women and men have been displaced.

LANDMINES RISK AFTER FLOODING IN SRI LANKA

The devastating tsunamis that struck south Asia have displaced thousands from their homes. These survivors face new dangers -- disease, lack of clean water and sanitation facilities. UNICEF says that landmines are also a deadly risk.

DEC LAUNCHES TSUNAMI APPEAL

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) representing 12 leading aid agencies, has launched a television and radio appeal to deliver emergency aid to hundreds of thousands people caught up in the tsunami quake. Donations can be made by calling Telephone: 0870 60 60 900 or online.

UN AIDS ASIAN TSUNAMI SURVIVORS

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland

With deadly diseases now stalking the survivors of the massive South Asian tsunami that has already claimed an estimated 40,000 lives, the United Nations today turned to the urgent task of providing clean drinking water for millions of people. The destruction of water & sanitation systems "is causing a humanitarian disaster," said UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland.

UNICEF CALLS FOR AID FOR ASIAN QUAKE VICTIMS

UNICEF's P.T. Sesharadri inspects water tanks being loaded at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, for tsunami affected coastal areas.

UNICEF is rushing relief assistance to the countries hardest hit by massive ocean flooding following Sunday's earthquake, working to meet the urgent needs of hundreds of thousands of people who survived the tsunamis but now need shelter, water, medical supplies and other urgent assistance.

CHILDREN ACCOUNT FOR ONE THIRD OF TSUNAMI VICTIMS

Children are likely to account for more than a third of those killed when massive waves smashed into coastal communities across Asia, UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy said today. “Virtually no country has a population with less than a third of its population aged eighteen years or below and in some of the countries up to 50 per cent of the population is young".

ASIA EARTHQUAKE APPEAL LAUNCHED BY WORLDVISION

Worldvision Asian Quake Survivors Appeal - donate online now.

International relief charity World Vision is delivering aid to communities in south and east Asia after massive tidal waves were triggered by the world's strongest earthquake for 40 years. The massive quake, measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale, struck off the coast of Sumatra sending a wall of water across sea.

ASIAN QUAKE - TSUNAMIS HIT SOUTH ASIA

One in, all in: fishing boats on the beach. Photograph by Greg Elms.

A series of massive tsunamis, caused by an earthquake in the Indian Ocean, hit South Asia on 26 December 2004. Sri Lanka is worst effected hit with thousands feared dead and countless others left homeless. More than 18,700 people died in Sri Lanka, more than 4,400 in India and more than 1,500 in Thailand, with numbers expected to rise.

HFB SEEKS POLICE MONITORING OF RELIGIOUS HATE CRIME

At a dinner hosted by the Metropolitan Police for British Hindus on 13 December 2004, the Hindu Forum of Britain asked the Police Service to monitor religious hate crime by recording the faith of the victim in addition to the present practise of recording the ethnicity of the victim. “Religious hate crime is as important to tackle as race hate crime" stated the HFB.

MAHIMA CHAUDHARY URGES FANS TO KICK THE MEAT HABIT

Mahima Chaudhary in PETA India Ad campaign

Shown walking in the clouds and holding a basket of flowers and fruit next to the tagline “Be an Angel … Go Vegetarian”, Bollywood star Mahima Chaudhary appears as a celestial being in a brand-new ad for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Mahima, who gained national recognition with her debut film Pardes, wants her legions of fans to know that they too can be “angels” by adopting a vegetarian diet.

MORRIS INQUIRY CALLS FOR MODERNISATION OF THE MPS

Image courtesy of the Metroplitan Polcie Service.

The Morris Inquiry is calling for root and branch reform of the way the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is managed. The independent inquiry, set up to look into standards and employment matters in the MPS, makes its call in its report, published today. Sir Bill Morris, Chair of the Inquiry, said: “This is a radical and ground-breaking report setting out a reforming pathway to change both within the MPS and nationally”.

MUSLIM SCHOLAR'S USA VISA REVOKED

The Mayor of London's human rights adviser Yasmin Qureshi has expressed concern about the treatment of Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan, after he resigned his professorship at an American university following the withdrawal of his US visa.

HFB DEFENDS NEASDEN MANDIR & VHP

At a Home Affairs Select Committee hearing on 14 December 2004, the Hindu Forum of Britain (HFB) vehemently refuted all allegations made earlier by Jagdeesh Singh of the Sikh Community Action Network against the Swaminarayan Hindu Mission Neasden and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad UK (VHP). Singh's inaccurate statement had caused outrage in both the Hindu and Sikh communities.

MAYOR APPOINTS MUSLIM HUMAN RIGHTS ADVISER

Yasmin Qureshi has been appointed human rights adviser to the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone.

Ken Livingstone has today appointed Yasmin Qureshi as his new human rights adviser. She replaces Assembly member Graham Tope, who held the unpaid post during the mayor's first term. Ms Qureshi, a barrister whose experience includes two years as part of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), will champion human rights issues on behalf of the mayor.

REDBRIDGE CELEBRATES FOURTH COMMUNITY AWARDS

The fourth Redbridge Cultural Association’s Awards night was held on 10 December 2004. The Community Awards honour the borough’s unsung heroes and promote Redbridge as a diverse London borough.

GAS ENGINEERS CAN NOW SPEAK 100 LANGUAGES

A ground-breaking new initiative - which enables engineers to 'speak' in over 100 different languages - has been announced by British Gas. The new "Language Line" is a translation service for households visited by its 8,000 strong engineering workforce. The service has been welcomed by Parmjit Singh Gill, MP for Leicester South.

HIDING WOMEN IS BACKWARD MUSHARRAF TELLS BBC

Hiding women away in the home hidden behind veils is a backward view of Islam and is absolutely wrong, President Musharraf of Pakistan told BBC Newsnight. Presenter Kirsty Wark asked the President of Pakistan about issues on ntegration following Pakistan High Commissioner Dr Lodhi's criticisms of some sections of the British Pakistani community.

BACHCHAN APPOINTED AMBASSADOR BY NELSON MANDELA

Indian megastar Amitabh Bachchan was appointed by Former President Nelson Mandela as a 46664 Special Ambassador today. The appointment was announced by Chief Executive of The Nelson Mandela Foundation, Mr John Samuel at the screening of the film 'Yesterday' at the International Film Festival Of India. Mr Bachchan is widely known for his activism against HIV / AIDS in India, however, his global profile would add a new dimension to the 46664 campaign.

HONEY KALARIA AWARDED A DOCTORATE

The UK's Bollywood Ambassador, Honey Kalaria, was awarded a Doctorate of Arts from The University of East London on Wednesday 24 November. The Bollywood choreographer, dancer, singer, model and actress, was presented with her Honorary Doctorate of Arts by the Chancellor of UEL, Lord Rix, in recognition of her services to the arts as a leading exponent and teacher of modern Indian dance.

CITIZENS ADVICE WELCOMES NEW EQUALITY COMISSION

Citizens Advice has welcomed the Government's response to its proposals for the establishment of the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR). The problem-solving charity believes the new commission will provide a major opportunity to tackle discrimination and promote a culture of rights in the UK, particularly in gender and racial equality.

A BETTER LIFE FOR DISADVANTAGED ETHNIC MINORITIES?

A new project to improve the life chances of disadvantaged adults - including disabled people and those with long term health conditions, people with poor basic skills and some ethnic minority groups - was launched today by Jeff Rooker, Social Exclusion Minister in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

ATTACKS ON BANGLADESHI HINDUS CONDEMNED

The Hindu Forum of Britain has asked British MPs to condemn the attacks on Bangladeshi Hindus during the recent holy festival of Durga Puja. The attacks took the form of demolition of Hindu temples, destruction of Hindu deities, arson & personal attacks on Hindu worshippers. “We seek reassurance that they will do everything in their power to protect the rights of all faith communities" said Ramesh Kallidai the HFB.

VANISHING HERDS BALL RAISES £25K FOR INDIAN WILDLIFE

Virginia McKenna at the Vanishing Herds Charity Ball 2004.

Virginia McKenna was the guest of honour at the Vanishing Herds Foundation (VHF) Charity Ball held on 13 November 2004 in London. Virginia paid tribute to Diwali by lighting a special candle in front a deity of Ganesh, ‘the remover of obstacles’. Jeffrey Archer and Rula Lenska were among the stars at the ball that raised over £25,000 for charity.

WREATH LAYING FOR SOUTH ASIAN ARMY VOLUNTEERS

Baroness Flather lays a wreath for South Asian Army Volunteers.

The Memorial Gates Committee held its second annual wreath laying ceremony on 12 November 2004 at the Memorial Gates on Constitution Hill. The ceremony paid tribute to the five million men and women from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Africa and the Caribbean who volunteered to serve with the Armed Forces of Britain during the two World Wars. The Prince of Wales sent a magnificent wreath.

OBV LAUNCHES COUNCILLOR SHADOWING SCHEME

Bristol City Council mentors and shadowing scheme participants at the Councillor Shadowing Scheme launch.

Operation Black Vote in partnership with Bristol City Council launched the country's first Councillor Shadowing Scheme. The aim of this groundbreaking project is to ensure that Bristol has more Black and other minority ethnic councillors. A welcome reception to launch the scheme was held on Thursday 4th November 2004 at the Lord Mayor's Office at Clifton Down, Bristol.

BARNARDO'S WINS AT THE BRITISH DIVERSITY AWARDS 2004

L-R: Richard Blackwood, Bhaggie Patel (Barnardo's) & Errol John (Barnardo's).

Children's Charity Barnardo's picked up the Fellowship Award at the British Diversity Awards on Friday 22 October 2004. Barnardo's representatives Errol John and Bhaggie Patel received the award - described as 'the highest accolade' - from HRH the Duke of Gloucester.

RAGHAV HELPS NSPCC PROTECT ASIAN CHILDREN

Asian pop star Raghav is backing the NSPCC’s 'someone to turn to' campaign this autumn. The campaign encourages Asian youngsters to call the free NSPCC Asian Helpline if they have any worries or concerns, and not to suffer in silence. NSPCC research has found that young people who suffer from abuse, bullying and violence may bottle things up and be reluctant to share their problems.

NEW MEASURES TO END FORCED MARRIAGES

New laws and a specialist taskforce to promote human rights and protect victims are at the heart of a Government drive to prevent forced marriages, the Home Office announced today. The new measures build on existing work with public agencies, the voluntary sector and community leaders to raise awareness of forced marriage and to encourage victims to seek support and advice.

BALDEV SINGH WINS TOP TEACHING AWARD 2004

Baldev Singh was announced as the Teaching Awards 2004 National Winner for Innovation in Education on 24 October 2004. Baldev was presented with his gold plate and a prize package for John Cabot City Technology College worth £25,000. The Teaching Awards are the ‘Oscars’ of the teaching profession and aim to celebrate excellence in education.

CIVIL SERVICE NUMBERS UP AGAIN BUT DIVERSITY ON TRACK

Diversity in the Senior Civil Service continues to increase according to new figures. Overall, the number of Civil Servants has also increased by 2.6 percent despite earlier government assurances that numbers would be reduced. At 1 April 2004, the number of permanent Civil Servants was 523,580 (full-time equivalents), up 13,460. Representation of staff from ethnic minority backgrounds, women & disabled people has increased.

AMITABH BACHCHAN - ‘HOTTEST VEGETARIAN ALIVE’ </