Greetings Curry Lovers!

Have you noticed how every time there is a public outcry about racism, the government threatens to dismantle the framework used to combat it? The recent BBC documentary 'The Secret Policeman' showed racism at a Police Officer's training college. The very next day, David Blunkett vented his anger on the BBC for commissioning the documentary. And there are perennial rumblings about the funding of this public television service. On the same day that the CRE announced that it is to initiate an investigation into the Police Service, Patricia Hewitt announces the proposed new Equality Commission that will roll-up the CRE, the EOC and the Disability Rights Commission into one singly body to represent everything under the "human rights" banner. Is this simply a case of bad timing, or has the government really lost touch with those it governs?

Thankfully, the National Health Service (NHS), which employs a high proportion of ethnic minorities, is to get a stronger voice from black and ethnic minorities with the announcement that the Royal College of Nursing and the NHS Confederation are to launch a new forum. The VSO's recent report into "Multiculturalism" - a word that threatens to trigger a thousand yawns - showed that only are the majority of the public failing to connect with other communities, most don't even see that this is a problem!

Thank heavens then, for the slew of Awards Ceremonies. Whilst some of them are seemingly gratuitous, many like the Carlton Multicultural Achievement Awards, provide an important platform for Britain's ethnic minority communities.

FORUM FOR ETHNIC VOICE IN THE NHS	HEWITT - NEW EQUALITY COMMISSION
The NHS Confederation and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) are to launch a new national forum to drive the development of black and minority ethnic (BME) leadership and to provide a stronger voice for BME leaders and managers in the NHS. read more	A new Equality Commission to fight discrimination and challenge inequality wherever it occurs was announced today by Patricia Hewitt and Lord Falconer. Under the plans, the work of existing equality commissions will come together to give advice. read more
CRE TO INVESTIGATE THE POLICE SERVICE	POLICE FORCE PULLED DOWN BY OFFICERS
The CRE today announced its intention to launch an investigation into racism in the police service. Trevor Phillips said: "Yesterday I went to see the Home Secretary and told him that I intend to instigate a formal investigation". read more	Five suspended police officers have resigned after a BBC1 documentary 'The Secret Policeman' exposed racism in the ranks. One of eight officers was seen wearing a home-made white Ku Klux Klan hood. read more
CARLTON'S AWARDS 2003	SO YOU THINK YOU'RE MULTICULTURAL?
Among the winners of this year's Carlton Multicultural Achievement Awards were Asian re-mix genius Rishi Rich and presenter Zubeida Malik. read more	A new report provides a unique picture of attitudes to, and experiences of, multiculturalism across Britain. It reveals that the majority of the public don't connect with other cultures & don't see this as a problem. read more
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BRITISH ASIAN GIRL WINS BEACON FELLOWSHIP (10/03) Born to British-Pakistani parents, 15-year-old Londoner Sarah Francis has been nominated for the 'Young Philanthropist' of the year award and a Beacon Fellowship for raising over £12,000 for Afghan Refugees. read more NAZIA HASSAN FOUNDATION HONOURS ASIANS (10/03) Muniza and Basir Hassan and Zoheb Hassan, the parents and brother of singing sensation the late Nazia Hassan, officially launched a foundation in memory of the singer who was the pioneer of Pop and Disco music on the Indian sub-continent. read more

Of course, for Asians, when the news seems all "black", we can always turn to Business for some welcome relief. Green Street jewellers are to get a boost with the launch of the Sonar project that aims to firmly place East London at the heart of the UK Asian Fashion, Textile and Jewellery trade. And if your mind is envisaging "sweat shops" and "child labour", then you will be pleased to hear that British Asian business is as fervent about Corporate Citizenship as profit. A recent National Conference on the subject debated "people, planet and profit" with valuable input from a broad cross section of the UK's Asian Business community.

SONAR - A JEWEL OF EAST LONDON	BRITISH ASIANS & CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP
The launch of the SONAR project, by CIPS and the Newham Chamber of Commerce, may ensure a sparkling future for East London's new and established jewellery designers, retailers and manufacturers. read more	Issues such as the role of business in society, the behaviour of global firms, the contributions of ethnic minorities, and the prospects for racial integration and community cohesion were discussed at a National Conference on 15 October 2003 in London. read more
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"BRINGING SPACE DOWN TO EARTH" While most of us have high tech dreams of one sort or another, few are able to translate their dreams into reality but Mohan Ahad, Candace Johnson, and Partha Dey demonstrate that they reach beyond the skies for their gratification. read more

If you're wondering what to do in November, now that October has come to an end, don't forget that The Times London Film Festival is still running. Bollywood releases include 'Sssshhh' and British Asian gangster flick 'Triads, Yardies and Onion Bhajees' has scheduled several screenings in November. If you prefer to stay in, the newly launched DVD box set of The Mahabharat will keep you occupied until......about.... year 2006. An abridged and digitally re-mastered version of the original BBC TV series, this is a great educational tool. 'Sita & Rama', based on the other classic 'The Ramayana', is playing at the Croydon Clocktower on 22 November and could prove to be an excellent outing for a young audience.

October was designated as Black History Month, and if you have not yet had a chance to visit the Hendon RAF Museum's tribute to Asians who fought in World War II, this exhibition runs until 14 November. The National Archives is hosting a special Remembrance Day performance on November 11 of 'Across the Black Waters', which is adopted from a classic novel by Mulk Raj Anand and stars actor Vincent Ebrahim from 'The Kumars at No 42'.

'SSSSHHH...' - OPENS 24 OCTOBER 2003	MAHABHARAT - DVD BOX SET, OUT NOW
Actor Ajay Devgan and his wife Kajol were assigned the honours at the launch of 'Sssshhh' which is an edge-of-the-seat thriller and spine-chilling murder mystery. The film, starring Kajol's sister Tanisha, opens in the UK on 24th October. read more	This 15-hour digitally re-mastered, abridged version of 'Mahabharat', the epic Indian television series is available in a five-disc digi-pack (in Hindi with English subtitles) and includes an 8-page glossary of the many characters. read more
ACROSS THE BLACK WATERS, 11 NOV	SITA AND RAMA - 22 NOVEMBER
A special Remembrance Day performance to commemorate the role of Indian soldiers in the First World War, "Across the Black Waters: Indian Voices from the Western Front" will be staged at The National Archives, Kew, on 11 Nov. read more	Interplay has again teamed up with children's writer Mike Kenny to produce a version of the classical Indian story of Sita and Rama which draws upon the rich aromas, textures, colours, imagery and music of the Indian continent. read more

'Asian Art in London' is also on from 6-14 November and Waterman's in Brentford are staging 'The Maharaja's Daughters' from 6- 9 & 13-16 November. If this is beginning to sound like a quick trot through a host of South Asian Arts events.....then that's probably because it is! Why not just plan a regular visit to the Redhotcurry.com Entertainment section and Events Calendar so you don't miss anything?

If your taste runs to music, the 3-CD box set of 'The Music of Bollywood' has been re-released after a sell-out limited edition launch earlier this year, and the Classical Indian Music collection may prove to be one of this year's best stress busters.

THE CLASSICAL INDIAN COLLECTION	THE MUSIC OF BOLLYWOOD - OUT NOW
The Classical Indian Collection is a unique double CD exploring the many subtle connections that bridge Indian and Western Classical music. It draws on strong arrangements. read more	A definitive anthology of Bollywood music, this CD box set is a MUST HAVE for all filmi fans. Bollywood was really born with the advent of sound. The first Indian "talkie" was released in March 1931. It created a trend that we follow to this day! read more

East London recently played host to the book launch for 'The Sari' by Mukulika Banerjee and Daniel Miller. Rarely does an academic book excite much fervour, but 'The Sari' draws on a host of experiences from villagers in Bengal to scientists in Bangalore. It explores the beauty, adaptability and personality of India's most iconic garment and makes for absorbing reading. You may, of course, prefer to absorb other Asian flavours and scents. The juniper berry, that gave rise to Gin, is one such example. But in Sagarika Ghose's debut novel 'The Gin Drinkers' it is not the drink, but what it represents, that forms the basis for a look at India's contemporary class hierarchy.

THE SARI BY MUKULIKA BANERJEE	THE GIN DRINKERS BY SAGARIKA GHOSE
It's not often that a largely academic book captures the imagination, but 'The Sari' breaks this rule. Richly illustrated and thoroughly researched, it explores the relationship women have with the sari. read more	Sagarika Ghose, gives the reader a glimpse of life among the rich and educated elite India and how the more dynamic and aggressive working population now threaten their way of life. The final denouement matters little, because by this time you are too busy with the array of characters. read more

I'm now off to absorb more......Asian culture.....and gin!

Until next time,
Lopa Patel (Editor - redhotcurry.com)

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