Greetings Curry Lovers!

As Tony Blair has just announced that the UK General Election will take place on 5 May 2005 (as largely predicted), we can now expect countless emails from all major political parties. The last few weeks have already seen OBV demanding 'Equality in their Lifetime' for Black (& Asian) voters. The alternative Muslim Agenda has been launched and the Lib Dems are proclaiming an overhaul of the deeply suspect postal voting system.

UK GENERAL ELECTION - 5 MAY 2005	POSTAL VOTING SHAM NEEDS REDRESS
Tony Blair has announced that the UK General Election will take place on 5 May 2005. Blair said "This will be a tough campaign and we will have to fight for every seat and every vote." read more	The damning verdict by Judge Richard Mawrey QC today on the widespread election fraud in six Birmingham seats brought the issue of postal only elections into the spotlight with accusations of a Government being “in denial”. read more
MUSLIM AGENDA FOR THE ELECTION	BLACK VOTERS DEMAND MINISTER FOR RACE
Nearly a thousand Muslims attended a conference on 2 April 2005 for the launch of an agenda for Muslims in Britain in the run up to the election. read more	A coalition of Black organisations today launched a manifesto demanding that the next government ensure that Black communities are afforded basic equality. They call for 'All Black shortlists' and a Minister for Race. read more

In a piece of shameless self-publicity, I am pleased to be shortlisted for the Asian Women of Achievement Awards 2005. Writing about myself (largely for myself...I hasten to add!) has created a peculiar sense of deja-vu. You'll really have to worry when I start speaking about myself in the third person. Pinky Lilani, the founder of the Awards is a far more newsworthy story, running a unique business combining culinary expertise with motivational seminars.

EDITOR ON AWA AWARDS SHORTLIST	PINKY'S SPICE MAGIC - AWA AWARDS 2005
Mrs Lopa Patel, Editor of Redhotcurry.com has been shortlisted in the Asian Women of Achievement Awards 2005 'Media Professional of the Year' category. read more	Pinky Lilani, founder of the Asian Women Of Achievement Awards, is very much like the women whom she seeks to promote. She's a skilled entrepreneur and mentor exuding positive energy. read more

Adeeba Malik of QED-UK in Bradford has become the Chair of the Ethnic Minority Business Forum and Olympic boxer Amir Khan has helped raise a phenomenal £107,000 for Asian Tsunami victims.

NEW CHAIR FOR THE EMBF	AMIR KHAN HELPS RAISE £107,000
Trade and Industry Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, today announced the appointment of Adeeba Malik as the new Chair of the Ethnic Minority Business Forum (EMBF) and the appointments of five new members. read more	Olympic silver medallist Amir Khan helped raise £107,000 for Asian Tsunami victims when he took up a friends challenge. The boxer and his friend, Nabeel Chowdery, were amongst 4,500 runners taking part in the half-marathon. read more

Last weekend's Sunday Times published the definitive 'Rich List' 2005 that put Indian Steel Tycoon, Lakshmi Mittal as Britain's Richest Man. Could anyone named "Lakshmi" be otherwise?

MITTAL IS BRITAIN'S RICHEST MAN	SHORTAGE OF HINDU PRIESTS
Indian Steel Tycoon, Lakshmi Mittal has topped The Sunday Times Rich List 2005 and is Britain's Richest Man with a fortune estimated at £14.8 billion - 4 times last year's estimate. read more	New visa regulations requiring Hindus to pass English language tests could lead to a shortage of priests (who are usually recruited in India), claims the Hindu Forum of Britain. read more

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

PS. Our special free gift offer for new users who sign-up is simmering nicely, so why not tell a friend to sign-up? They might be grateful for the suggestion.