Greetings Curry Lovers!

Curry King, Sir Gulam Noon collected another honorary doctorate, this time from Kingston University. Apart from popularising Britain's favourite dish, Sir Gulam is also a firm enthusiast for education, particularly of women. He believes in the Indian saying that 'if you educate the girl, you educate the family'.

It would be nice to think that the same principle of equality would hold true in the Asian Community when it comes to the issue of forced marriage. The Government is getting tough on forced marriages and marriages to non-British Citizens. It has formed the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) to be its central point on the issue.

CURRY KING GETS ANOTHER DOCTORATE	FORCED MARRIAGE UNIT LAUNCHED
Sir Gulam K Noon, the man who made chicken tikka masala Britain's favourite dish, has just received an Honorary Doctorate from Kingston University. He adds this doctorate to a collection of degrees. read more	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Home Office today launched the joint Forced Marriage Unit. The FMU will act as the Government's central point for forced marriage casework, policy and projects. read more

The business scene is not that great at the moment, particularly if your name is Patel. The SFO has once again raided Goldshield CEO, Ajit Patel's home as part of an ongoing investigation. Dr Chai Patel also faces a General Medical Council Panel looking into his Professional Conduct when he was CEO of a residential care home business. Although no statement has been issued, Dr Patel has said that he has not practised medicine for twenty years.

Business Link for London is pointing out the obvious this month, Black & Minority Ethnic Companies are helping to regenerate large parts of London it states. Meanwhile, the Government has deemed February 'Scam Awareness Month' and listed Top Ten Scams that we should watch out for. I would like to nominate premium rate telephone numbers promoted by Kids TV Programmes as my favourite scam.

TOP TEN SCAMS TO LOOK OUT FOR	ASIAN BUSINESSES REGENERATE LONDON
At the launch of a month-long campaign, the OFT lists the top ten scams targeted at UK consumers to alert the public to the swindles that may part them from their money. read more	Minority ethnic entrepreneurs make a vital contribution to effective race relations in London through their promotion of inclusive citizenship, wealth and job creation according to the Business Link. read more
DR CHAI PATEL FACES GMC PANEL	SFO RAIDS GOLDSHIELD CEO'S HOME AGAIN
Dr Chai Patel, CEO of Westminster Health Care, faced a General Medical Council Panel in relation to complaints that he failed to provide proper care for elderly patients at Lynde House, a residential care home owned by his company. read more	The Serious Fraud Office stepped up its investigation of price-fixing by pharmaceutical companies supplying the National Health Service by raiding the house of Ajit Patel, CEO of Goldshield Group Plc. The SFO case was opened in 2002. read more

The rather posh Tatler Restaurant Awards 2005 have awarded Vineet Bhatia's 'Rasoi' restaurant the accolade of Best Newcomer and recognised Namita & Camellia Panjabi, of of upmarket eateries like Amaya, Chutney Mary, Veeraswamy and Masala Zone as Restaurateurs of the Year.

TATLER RESTAURANT AWARDS 2005	INDIAN CHEF OF THE YEAR 2005 SHORTLIST
The Tatler Restaurant Awards 2005 saw Vineet Bhatia pick up an award for his new venture 'Rasoi' and Namita & Camellia Panjabi and Ranjit Mathrani collect the 'Restaurateur of the Year' award. read more	Finalists for The International Indian Chef of the Year 2005 competition, founded by Edinburgh entrepreneur Tommy Miah to promote innovation and quality in Indian cuisine, have been announced. read more

There is oodles to do this month. The Festival of Partition Films, featuring great non-Bollywood films like Garam Hava, Pinjar and Khamosh Pani runs from 11-13 Feb at Watermans. Cobra beer has launched a huge competition offering budding filmmakers two five-second slots as part of its sponsorship of ITV2 & ITV3 movies. With winners receiving up to £3000 and free tickets to India and a draw every month....I'm already dusting off my camcorder. If you are better with a stills camera, then take a look at Mencap's new 'Snap!' photo contest which could see your winning entry shown at the V&A in London.

Sadly professional Asian Film & TV companies do not have same opportunities. New research shows they face significant barriers to entry in the sector.

FESTIVAL OF PARTITION FILMS	COBRAVISION LAUNCHES FILM CONTEST
In August 1947 the British divided colonial India and created an Independent India and Pakistan. The Festival of Partition Films, looks at how the event impacted on people. read more	Cobra Beer has launched 'CobraVision', a groundbreaking competition giving budding filmmakers the chance to have their short films showcased as part of the ITV2 & ITV3's broadcast of blockbuster movies. read more
ASIAN FILM COMPANIES FACE BARRIERS	'SNAP!' PHOTO CONTEST
Minority ethnic led (MEL) independent production companies face barriers to success in the film and television. This is the finding of new research conducted by Pact & the UK Film Council. read more	Mencap is inviting people from the Asian community to enter Snap! the photo competition for people with a learning disability. Winners could have the chance to see their work exhibited at the V&A in London. read more

In the performing arts sector, Bombay Dreams actor Raj Ghatak and friends have been showing East End youngsters how to get onto the West End Stage and Khaayal Theatre Company's 'Tales of Muslim Lands' is staging dramatisations of four short stories until 12 Feb.

Very rarely do I feel envy of those living in the West Midlands. Just the thought of Birmingham's spaghetti junction and the dearth of quality Indian restaurants has me pining for London. But I do envy Brummies their rather excellent line-up of Asian Artists for the Collide -WM 2005 festival. One has even written "I am interested in pouring, dabbing, smearing and dripping various substances from water, eggs, honey, milk, vermillion, ash and other organic and non-organic substances on a few seated or standing performers/people" as his biography. Yum!....sounds like my kind of a great food fight...sorry I meant performance art!

EAST END YOUNGSTERS IN THE WEST END	'TALES FROM MUSLIM LANDS', TILL 12 FEB
A group of Asian actors and actresses came together to introduce youngsters from the East End to the West End stage. Actor Raj Ghatak (Bombay Dreams) was joined by actresses Pooja Shah, Bindya Solanki and Nila Aalia. read more	'Tales from Muslim Lands' is an eclectic collection of four short stories dramatically interpreted for your entertainment. The plays explore iconic Muslim works and characters such as Rumi's Masnavi and Gizo the spider. read more
COLLIDE 2005, 7 MAR - 30 APR	FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE, 9-13 MARCH 2005
Collide WM 05 is a festival to showcase the work of artists from culturally diverse backgrounds in Birmingham. The festival runs from 7 March - 30 April. read more	The first Black astronaut to walk in space, Dr Bernard Harris, is to visit the National Space Centre as part of the Festival of Science and Culture that will take place from the 9 - 13 March at the National Space Centre, Leicester. read more

Those interested in Science should also check out the Festival of Science & Culture in Leicester.

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.