Greetings Curry Lovers!

We're back on our favourite subject on the curriculum, "meeja" studies! As the merger between Carlton and Granada goes ahead to form the new multi-million pound ITV plc, we asked Parminder Vir, Cultural Diversity advisor at Carlton TV, for her views on what this might mean for the representation of ethnic minorities on TV. There is a new research report that shows that ethnic viewers would like the next Director General of the BBC to be black or Asian. Yeah, right....like that's going to happen in this century!

The current DG, Greg Dyke, was on hand at the BECTU Open Day last week for those working in film and television. The aim of the event was to improve accessibility to all areas of production and programming. Watch out for a new BBC documentary 'From Raj to Rhondda - How Indian Doctors Saved the NHS', currently scheduled for screening on 26 November 2003. Wannabe stars can also have a crack at a Bollywood movie - to be directed by Karan Johar - courtesy of C4's 'Bollywood Star' contest.

TV MERGER - DEATH FOR DIVERSITY?	ASIAN DIRECTOR GENERAL FOR THE BBC?
As two of the nine members of the Cultural Diversity Network, the merger of Carlton & Granada will have an impact on how Britain's ethnic minorities are represented on TV. Parminder Vir Diversity Advisor at Carlton TV gives us her view. read more	Black & Asian viewers feel truly multicultural broadcasting will remain elusive unless more of them are in positions of power. They would like to see the appointment of the first black or Asian Director General of the BBC! read more
UNION OPENS UP THE WORLD OF TV	HOW INDIAN DOCTORS SAVED THE NHS
Several hundred black and Asian film and TV producers, writers, directors and film-makers today took part in a unique event organised by entertainment union BECTU. read more	Documentary, 'Raj to Rhondda' tells the story of a generation of doctors who came from the Indian Sub Continent in the 1960's to become the backbone of the NHS for the last 40 years. read more
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WANT TO BE THE NEXT BOLLYWOOD STAR? (11/03) Bollywood films are huge, have enormous cultural crossover appeal and have never been more fashionable - but there has never been a British Bollywood superstar. Many Bollywood directors don't believe that Brits look the part - so now Channel 4 is turning its attention to finding the first British Bollywood superstar. read more

Someone who is already a star, at least in the volunteering arena is Kiranjit Kaur Sidhu who won the 'Young Volunteer of Year' Award for her work at The Citizens Advice Bureau. The Asian Jewel Awards, launched this year, have now announced a call for nominations for next year's heats.

The diversity debate continues in other areas, like towns and cities. The Mayor's Respect Conference shared best practice and was so successful that Ken Livingstone has thrown open the doors of City Hall and invites Asian Londoner's to debate topical issues with him and other key leaders on 29 November 2003.

The flip-side of the diversity coin, at least in business terms, is the issue of Outsourcing. Datamonitor's new report on Indian Call Centres predicts a big shakeout in the industry just as UK and European Companies prepare to grab a slice of the action.

YOUNG ASIAN GIRL WINS CAB AWARD	MAYOR INVITES ASIANS TO A DEBATE
Working to get people their rights has won a volunteer from Redbridge CAB a top national award. Kiranjit Kaur Sidhu, has won the Young Volunteer of the Year Award from Citizens Advice. The award was presented by the Princess Royal. read more	The Mayor's London Conference is an opportunity for Black and Asian Londoners to put their views to the Mayor and take part in informed discussion and debate about important issues affecting ethnic minorities in the capital. read more
BIG SHAKEOUT IN INDIAN OUTSOURCING	DIVERSITY IN TOWNS & CITIES IS CRUCIAL
Newcomers to the Indian outsourcing market are utilising aggressive strategies, such as significantly discounting services, to grab a piece of the $400 million market. However, this will result in big shakeout says Datamonitor. read more	The first national 'Respect' conference, organised by Mayor Ken Livingstone at City Hall, brought together public authorities from across the UK to share best practice about celebrating diversity, and combating racism. read more
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NOMINATE A GEM FOR THE ASIAN JEWEL AWARDS 2004 (11/03) The nationwide search for the high achievers of the British Asian community has started, as Lloyds TSB and the Institute of Asian Professionals announced the launch of the Asian Jewel Awards 2004. The Awards recognise achievement by Asian people across the UK and will culminate in three awards ceremonies next year. read more

Fresh from his success at the Carlton Multicultural Awards 2003, Rishi Rich is back in the music news. He has agreed to produce for 'Live the Dream's' new "boy band" formed from national auditions that are open to all YOUNG MEN. Rishi has also remixed Britney Spear's new single 'Me Against My Music' and I have to say....the remix sounds a heck of a lot better than the original! Mr Rich also gets a look-in on the new CD 'Essential Asian Flavas - The Future Cutz'.

Theatre fans will be pleased to hear that apart from Tara Arts new production 'A Taste for Mangoes' being staged at Wilton Hall, London from 18th November, there is a new play 'Dancing Within Walls' by Rani Moorthy. Starring Shobna Gulati, best loved for her role in Coronation Street, the play is based on the true-life story of Rukmini Devi.

ASIAN BOY BAND SEARCH BEGINS	DANCING WITHIN WALLS, 4 - 13 DECEMBER
'Live the Dream' in association with Choice FM will offer five lucky young MEN the opportunity of a lifetime! The chance to become part of the UK's hottest new group. read more	Fusing drama, dance and music, Dancing Within Walls tells the true-life story of dancer Rukmini Devi who was one of India's most fascinating women. She made history becoming the first high caste woman to dance on a public stage. read more
BRITNEY SPEARS 'ME AGAINST MY MUSIC'	ESSENTIAL ASIAN FLAVAS - THE FUTURE CUTZ.
Britney Spear's new single features a bombastic remix by Rishi Rich who has added distinctive Punjabi elements to create a club hit. read more	2003 was the year that British Asian/Urban music broke into the mainstream and with the success of 'Essential Asian Flavas Vol 1 & 2' you now have 'Essential Asian Flavas - The Future Cutz'! read more

As 'Asian Art in London' draws to a close, art fans will be interested to hear about Oldham's exhibition of works by prominent Bangladeshi artist, Abdus Shakoor. 'Songlines' features over 40 of his paintings and runs until 24 January 2004. The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in London is showing 'Multiple Originals - an Exhibition of Fine Art Prints' by Indian artists from 3 -14 December 2003.

MULTIPLE ORIGINALS, 3 - 14 DECEMBER	SONGLINES, 11 OCT 2003 -24 JAN 2004
Multiple Originals features Fine Art prints by Manjula Padmanabhan's and Pratibha Dakoji's. Runs in London from 3-14 December. read more	Songlines features over 40 paintings by Bangladeshi artist Abdus Shakoor. These colourful and vibrant works were inspired by folk art and folk stories known as the Mymensingh Ballads. read more

Those with more Epicurean tastes will be keen to hear about RV2 - a new South Indian restaurant in London's Soho, founded by five twenty-six year olds! And just in case you were getting a little too comfortable with thoughts of fine art and food....don't forget that this is still Mouth Cancer Awareness Week. Leading expert Dr Vinod Joshi is warning Asians, particularly women, to "Watch Your Mouth!", especially if you are rather partial to paan.

RV2 - IN LONDON'S SOHO	CANCER EXPERT WARNS AGAINST PAAN
Situated on the corner of Shaftesbury Avenue, RV2 is a new £2m, 160 cover bar & restaurant. The brainchild of five young entrepreneurs, it opened its doors on 1st November 2003, offering a stylish twist to South Indian food. read more	Leading mouth cancer expert Dr Vinod K Joshi is warning Asians, particularly women, about the dangers of chewing paan. Dr Joshi said, "Watch your mouth! Mouth cancers have a higher proportion of deaths per number of cases than breast cancer, cervical cancer or skin melanoma." read more

I'm now off to partake more or less of everything else.

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

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