01-09-2022 The Asian Independent

24 01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022 NEWS
www.theasianindependent.co.uk
40th anniversary of celebrations of
Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha (Vancouver)
Burnaby : “On behalf of Shri
Guru Ravidass Sabha (Vancouver),
it is my pleasure to congratulate
our members, supporters, and the
congregation on the 40th anniversary
of Shri Guru Ravidass
Sabha”, announced Bill Basra,
president of the organization.
“Forty years ago, our forefathers
developed a vision to provide a
forum to discuss matters of concern
and develop a spirit of brotherhood
and we are very grateful for
their wisdom and farsight”, said
Basra.
The Ravidassia community
started arriving in Canada and settling
on the west coast in 1906.
According to the records found
thus far, Mahmis were the first
family to arrive and their descendents
now live in Victoria and various
other parts of the lower mainland.
Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha
(Vancouver) was established in
1982. Among other social, educational,
and recreational activities,
the Sabha also operates a community
center and offers a place of
worship in accordance with the
teachings of Guru Ravidass, Dr.
Ambedkar, and other Gurus and
saints whose teachings are
enshrined in the Holy Book, Shri
Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The center
is located in Burnaby (BC) and is
integral part of the social fabric of
the city and the lower mainland.
To celebrate the fortieth
anniversary, the management of
Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha of
Vancouver plans to;
Host a sports tournament on
September 11.
Capture history and Ravidassia
heritage in a souvenir and documentary
video.
Honor and recognize families of
Ravidassia pioneers and founders
of the organization.
Re-construct a multi-purpose
complex to meet the growing and
evolving needs of its members,
congregation, and the wider community.
Community is invited to be
involved in the planning of these
events and participate in the celebrations.
Members are also invited
to submit photos or stories that
highlight the contribution of
founders and supporters over the
past forty years.
Special guest who attended the
press conference was Mr. Hari
Banga, Deputy Director (Retired),
Survey of India Mr. Banga
presently lives in Pittsburgh,
California. Organizers welcomed
Mr. Banga and honored him for his
community services.
FUGITIVE DIAMANTAIRE
Nirav Modi's HCL House
to be auctioned on Sep 23
Mumbai : The Debt Recovery
Tribunal-I (DRT-I) has ordered the
auction of a prime property belonging
to absconder diamantaire Nirav
D. Modi in one of the cases filed by
Punjab National Bank (PNB) to
recover a part of their whopping
dues of more than Rs 2,133-crore.
As per the Mumbai DRT-I's
order, HCL House in Marol shall be
put up for e-auction on September
23, with a reserve price of Rs 52
crore, against the massive amounts
outstanding since nearly five years
to the PNB and 15 more banks.
"Proclamation of sale under
Rules 38, 52(2) of the second
schedule to the Income Tax Act,
1961 read with the Recovery of
Debts Due to Banks and Financial
Institutions Act, 1993," said the
August 11 order by Recovery
Officer Ajeet Tripathi.
The case pertains to PNB plus 15
public and private sector banks versus
Nirav Modi's group company
Firestar International Ltd. and other
known or new entities from whom
the dues are recoverable.
The latest auction comes in the
recovery process initiated by various
banks after the infamous PNB
scam of over Rs 14,000 crore erupted
in the Indian banking sector in
February 2018 -- almost a month
after Modi, his wife Ami and others
fled the country (January 2018).
Following a complaint by the
PNB, the Central Bureau of
Investigation lodged the first
offences in January 2018, and other
agencies like Enforcement
Directorate, Income Tax
Department also got into the act,
chasing the two prime accused --
Modi, his maternal uncle Mehul
Choksi -- and many others including
bank officers.
The group companies of Firestar
International Ltd, include: Firestone
Trading Pvt. Ltd., Radashir
Jewellery Co. Ltd, and Paundra
Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. -- all three
located in a single office in Bharat
Diamond Bourse, Bandra east.
Some new entities have emerged
for the first time -- Bentley
Properties Pvt. Ltd., Mak Business
Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., ANM
Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., NDM
Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., besides the
Neeshal Trading Pvt. Ltd.
Curiously, all are shown as having a
common address at No. 15,
Nagindas Mansion in Opera House,
south Mumbai.
Firestar International's (Lower
Parel) Directors are Modi, Angelina
Nguyen and Haresh Vrajlal Shah,
while Modi is also a Director with
Radashir Jewelery (Bandra) along
with Hemant Dahyalal Bhatt.
The other companies' Directors,
with most featuring in one or more
entities, are: Ramesh M. Assar,
Ketan C. Solanki, Manish L. Dani,
and Paresh P. Rathod.
Till July 2022, various agencies
like the ED have attached Modi's
properties worth a little over Rs
2,650 crore as he fights extradition
proceedings in London, and certain
assets like bungalows, plots, factories,
luxury cars, expensive artworks,
etc., have been periodically
auctioned by various probe agencies
to recover part of the stupendous
dues to the banks.
Modi's uncle Choksi of the
Gitanjali Gems Group, also the
prime co-accused in the PNB bank
scam, is currently in Antigua &
Barbuda.
For the September 23 auction of
HCL House, the DRT-I has stipulated
a refundable EMD of Rs 5.20
crore with the property physical
verification of the property kept for
September 19, and the last date for
submitting EMD/Bids with an
incremental value of Rs 20 lakhs,
by September 21.
However, no details of revenue
assessed on part or the full property,
other liabilities, encumbrances or
claims on the asset are available.