Greetings Curry Lovers!

This issue is devoted entirely to men (bless them!). Former cricketer Imran Khan was in London on Friday night collecting a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Asian Jewel Awards 2004. Earlier in the week, David Blunkett was urging us all to sideline political and religious extremists. He intends to make it an offence to incite religious hatred.

IMRAN KHAN IS AN ASIAN JEWEL	SIDELINE THE EXTREMISTS
Former cricketer and Pakistan team captain, Imran Khan, won a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Asian Jewel Awards 2004 (Southern Region) last night. Other winners included Baroness Usha Prashar (Lifetime Achievement) and Gurinder Chadha. read more	Religious extremists are a scourge of modern society who prey on the most vulnerable and insecure, Home Secretary David Blunkett said today. He intends to introduce an offence of incitement to religious hatred. read more
****MORE NEWS STORIES ****
STOP & SEARCH USED INDISCRIMINATELY AGAINST MUSLIMS Today's Home Office figures revealing a huge 302% increase in the number of Asians who were stopped and searched by the police in 2002/2003 serve to confirm the impression that since 9/11 "institutionalised racism in the police force has gradually been morphing into an institutionalised Islamophobia" claim the Muslim Council of Britain. read more BEACON HUNTS FOR ASIAN CHARITY HEROES The Beacon Fellowship has launched its search for this year's winner of the Beacon Prize which is awarded to any individual who has made a significant contribution to charity, whether through resources, time or specialist skills. The winner will receive £20,000 to donate to the charity of their choice. read more CALL FOR LOCAL ASIAN HEROES A search for people across England and Wales who have taken a stand against vandals, thugs and noisy neighbours was launched by Home Office Minister Hazel Blears today. The 'Taking A Stand Awards 2004' will recognise individuals and local groups who have shown commitment and bravery in tackling problems in their communities. read more

I am all in favour of inciting fervour and none more so than when a man strips off down to his boxers.....all in the name of art, of course! Atta Yaqub has done just that in the forthcoming 'Ae Fond Kiss' by Ken Loach and I can't help wondering if we are seeing a new cinematic star in the making. Salman Khan also bares his muscles in 'Garv' a cop thriller that opened on Friday.

AE NEW STAR IN THE MAKING?	GARV, UK RELEASE 9 JULY
This September sees the release of Ken Loach's 'Ae Fond Kiss' starring Atta Yaqub and Eva Birthistle. Casim (Atta Yacub) is a second generation Pakistani from Glasgow. read more	Garv is an action packed, high tension drama that revolves around the life and times of officers in the Mumbai Police Force, spearheaded by Samar Singh (Amrish Puri), Arjun Ranawat (Salman Khan) and Hyder Ali (Arbaaz Khan). read more
50 NEW BURSARIES	ASIAN SCREENWRITING TALENT
£40,000 of bursaries were announced today by Film London in response to the findings from a research project within the film and television sector. read more	Film London is launching a new writer’s programme for Black and Minority Ethnic screenwriters designed and implemented by Arista Development, the renowned development agency and training house. read more

New Books out now include 'Demons of Chitrakut' by Ashok Banker, the third in a series which re-enacts the Ramayana. Raise the Lanterns high is Lakshmi Persaud's new novel which makes ideal summer reading.

Isn't it strange how a need for a summer break brings about a "shopping list" style of writing? A lot has been happening "behind the scenes" at Redhotcurry, but more about that in the next few newsletters. 'Behind the Scenes' is also the title of the debut CD by Canadian artist Joti Dhillon.

DEMONS OF CHITRAKUT	RAISE THE LANTERNS HIGH
The original Ramayana was written three thousand years ago by a reformed thief-turned-sage named Valmiki. Now recreated with stunning imagination by Ashok K. Banker read more	Lakshmi Persaud's new novel 'Raise the Lanterns High' brings to mind a direct comparison with V S Naipaul. 'Raise the Lanterns High' is a hauntingly bittersweet novel about female emancipation in 18th century Indian and modern-day Trinidad. read more
BEHIND THE SCENES BY JOTI DHILLON	ASIA: BODY MIND SPIRIT, 13 OCT - 12 DEC
Joti Dhillon has made a very ambitious step forward into the limelight with his debut solo production 'Behind the Scenes - Tere Nakk Da Koka' which is released on 20 June. read more	Asia House and The Wellcome Trust are presenting a new exhibition on the subject of well-being. 'Asia:Body Mind Spirit' explores Asia's holistic approach to medicine, which advocates a balanced relationship of body, mind and spirit. On show will be more than 200 objects. read more

I'm now off to refresh Mind Body and Spirit. Pity that the exhibition of the same name doesn't open until October 13th in London!

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

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