AV 04th May 2024

SEE PAGE - 11 Indians are the primary victims of modern slavery, study finds

India protests against Trudeau taking part in pro-Khalistan event

Mahesh Liloriya

Mahavir Janma Kalyanak (birth anniversary) was celebrated at 10 D

9 April The Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP, Deputy Prime Minister,

Lancaster and Secretary of State in the Cabinet Office hosted the celebration

in tourists from China Recent data shows a remarkable 305 4% growth in foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in 2023, reaching 9 23 million visitors While still shy of the pre-pandemic level of 10 93 million in 2019, experts foresee crossing this milestone in 2024 Amidst geopolitical challenges, the nation foresees a promising growth of over 10% in inbound tourism, fueled by strategic initiatives and global trends in travel preferences

Shefali Saxena

Subhasini Naicker

Women from Chhattisgarh cast their vote

Deputy PM Oliver Dowden addressing guests

He

UK committed to increase defence spending

Migrants drown in Channel shortly after the UK adopts Rwanda policy

T

next six years, including £10 billion for munitions replenishment and expansion, partly due to commitments to Ukraine Sunak

c h a l l e n g e d o t h e r N AT O members to commit to the 2 5% target, suggesting that achieving this benchmark could lead to an additional

£ 1 4 0 b i l l

o n

n d e fe n c e spending annually across

Europe

ro m cutting the size of the civil ser vice to pre-Brexit levels,

g h increased government borr o w i n g Ho w e v e r, economists warn that this c o u l d m e a

cuts to other government

tions could reach £8 billion by 2028

O

Labour has been criticised

national security in a "dangerous world," as they have not supported the government's proposal Labour's

they would only decide on this commitment after the general election

Currently, UK defence spending stands at about

£500 million allocation for

Sunak

within his party, particularly from the right wing, ahead of challenging local election results

London opens first Sikh court

British lawye rs ha ve inaugur at ed the world's f irst Sikh court , re spon ding t o claims t hat secula r judges la ck t he e xpe rtise to han dle the r elig ion s se nsitive ma tt ers

This new court will function as an alternative dispute resolution venue for British Sikhs involved in family and civil disputes The opening c e r e m o n y fe a t u r e d Si k h chants, marking a signif icant moment likely to stir debate

a k i n t o t h a t s u r r o u n d i n g religious courts like Sharia and Beth Din, which ser ve the Muslim and Jewish communities respectively

Despite concerns, Baldip Singh, a 33-year-old barrister from London and one of the c o u r t 's fo u n d e r s , c l a r i f i e d that this was not a religious tribunal Unlike Islam and Judaism, Sikhism does not

have its own legal code He

e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e c o u r t aims to support Sikh families during conflicts and disputes by aligning with Sikh principles

T h e m o t i v a t i o n fo r establishing this court stems from the f inancial barriers that prevent expert religious opinions in secular family courts Singh cited a case

involving a Sikh couple disputing over their son's hair length in accordance with their faith costs prevented

t h e m f r o m b r i n g i n g a n e x p e r t

mother was favoured due to her role as the primar y caregiver

The new Sikh court will offer both remote and inperson sessions and will consist of 30 magistrates and 15 j u d g e s , p r e d o m i n a n t l y women These off icials will mediate disputes and guide parties towards settlement and specif ic support courses d e a l i n g w i t h i s s u e s l i ke domestic violence and substance misuse, available in both Punjabi and English Should mediation fail, a Sikh court judge can issue a l e g a l l y b i n d i n g j u d g m e n t under the Arbitration Act

mig rants, including

child

hig hlighted the urg ency

f addressing m igration issu es, acco rding to Prim e Minister Rishi Su nak

engine failed after hitting

departing from a beach in northern France Of the 112 people on board , only 49 were rescued back to shore This incident occurred just

hours after Sunak's Rwanda bill, aimed at deterring such crossings by deporting asy-

passed its f inal parliamentar y hurdle

Meanwhile, three arrests have been made in connection with the incident The Na t i o n a l Cr i m e A g e n c y reported that two men from Sudan and one from South Su d a n ,

tioned on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration and entering the UK illegally

Habib, a deputy leader of Reform UK, suggested during a TalkT V inter view that people should not be rescued in the Channel if they d e l i

t h e i r small boats and reject new dinghies because they need to face the consequences of their actions W

Julia Hartley-Brewer, asked if this meant he would let t h

w n , H a b

c

f irmed, saying that people cannot be treated in such a way that puts others at risk

King Charles III resumes public duties

King C harles made his f irst public app earance since his c an ce r d ia g no s i s i n Fe bru a r y, re as su r i ng patients at a L ond on treatm e nt c ent er th a t h e w as "alrig ht"

B u c k i n g h a m Pa l a c e announced that the 75-yearold king's positive response to cancer treatment allows h i m t o r e s u m e p u b l i c engagements

T h e f i r s t e n g a g e m e n t i n v o l v e d t h e k i n g a n d

Queen Camilla visiting the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre

Up o n a r r i v a l , t h e k i n g appeared cheerful, waving to those gathered outside He t a l ke d t o p a t i e n t s

receiving chemotherapy at a day unit, including 60-yearold Asha Millen, who has bone marrow cancer

“I said, ‘How are you?’ and he said, ‘I’m well’,” she told reporters after wards

Another patient, Lesley

Wo o d b r i d g e , 6 3 , s a i d t h e king sympathised with her,

and added: “I’ve got to have my treatment this afternoon as well ” David Probert, the chief executive of the University Col le g e L o n d o n Ho s p i t a l s

Charles made a concerted effort to meet with numerous staff and patients during his visit He told the media that patients were "delighted" to see him and described t h e v i s i t a s

y uplifting "

The visit also signif ied Charles assuming the role of t h e n e w p a t r o n o f t h e Cancer Research UK charity, aiming to raise awareness a b o u t t h e s i

early disease diagnosis

Legal fight against ban on care workers' family entry

A g ro up ad vo c a ti n g for m i g ra n t w or ke r s ha s launc hed a legal challenge against a new UK government policy that bars care workers from bri ngi ng their spouses and chi ldren to the country

S adiq Kha n, t he Mayor of L ondon, has issued an apol-

o g y t o C h i e f R a b bi S ir Ep hr a im Mi r v is a ft e r sugg esting that the Rabbi's cr iticism of his call for an immed iate cea se f ire in Ga za might

h a v e be e n in f lu e n c e d by Kha n s Muslim id ent it y Rabbi Mir vis had previously expressed concerns on

social media that an immediate ceasef ire could lead to further acts of terrorism by Hamas During a YouTube inter view with broadcaster

y Burnham, who made a similar call, did not face compar a b l e c

D e s c r i b e d a s a p o l i c y that "tears families apart" by the organisation Migrants a t Wo r k , i t fo r c e s c a r e workers to choose between their family life and a career in the UK’s health or social c a r

accord-

James Cleverly has defended the policy, stating that it aims to tackle issues of non-

Sadiq Khan apologises to chief rabbi over Islamophobia hint Top personal honours

Me h d i H a s a n , K h a n expressed disappointment at t h e re a c t i o n f ro m " Je w i s h leaders and Jewish friends" following his ceasef ire call, n o t i n g t h a t G r e

, and abuse within the care sector Fu r t h e

by the Migration Advisor y Committee has indicated a n e e d fo

Accounts Committee highlighted a concerning shortfall of 152,000 vacancies in the sector, underlining serious workforce shortages

l e n g e claims the policy is discriminator y, violating equality obligations and overlooking the welfare of care workers

e same quarters

possible bias linked to

Khan remarked on the differing responses, hinting at

them to come back in the

mayor of London and the

bestowed on British Indian medic

Ki ng Charle s III unv

Manchester? I’ll give you a clue

he’s not called Ahmed

y Burnham, whereas I’m called Sadiq Khan ” Realising the impact of his comments, Khan formally apologised, acknowledg-

remarks He acknowledged that the pressures of being held to different standards due to his faith were frustrating, especially during a contentious election period, but admitted it was unfair

an d musi cia n Lord An drew Lloyd We bbe r a s his n ew Kn ight Companion s of the Mos t Nob le Order of the Garter Lord Kakkar, aged 59, has been selected for one of the nation's oldest ceremonial orders in recognition of his public ser vice and

ours, these appointments

ministerial

College London, and

focused his medical career on the prevent

venous and arterial thromb

Palace

“Lord Kakkar is presi-

Research Institute, chair-

h Partners and chairman of The King’s Fund, a charitable healthcare organisation of which His Majesty [King Charles], when Prince of Wales, ser ved as president He is also chairman of the Royal Commission for the 1851 Great Exhibition and of UK Biobank,” it noted In the 2022 New Year Honours bestowed by the

t h , Kakkar received the title of Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) for his contributions

Rishi Sunak

Baldip Singh

Lord Ajay Kumar Kakkar

When an immigrant falls, the society falls

"We now live in a UK that has a British Hindu prime minister, a Muslim mayor of London, a black Welsh first minister, and for a little while longer a Scottish Asian first minister of this country,” said the outgoing first minister of Scotland, Hamza Yousaf who departed from the political stage in a dramatic exit and rupture with the Scottish Greens “So for those who decry that multiculturalism has failed across the UK, I would suggest that the evidence is quite to the contrary and that is something we should all celebrate,” Yousaf added Yousaf’s parents are immigrants - Pakistani and Kenyan, but all the zeal around an ethnic minority member’s appointment to a prestigious position in the government tanked with unexpected twists and fatal miscalculations When an immigrant falls, the future of immigrants also becomes questionable with one wrong step by one fellow immigrant Yousaf’s downfall coincides with the release of the latest report endorsed by Michael Gove, which suggests that only top-performing universities should issue visas to foreign students to curb net migration to sustainable levels This recommendation follows an alarming rise in asylum claims from visa holders, reaching a record 21,525 in a year

Neil O'Brien, co-author of the report, advocates for a parliamentary "lock" on migration numbers, aiming to reduce net migration below 100,000 as promised by the Conservatives The report also calls for tougher pointsbased visa systems and increased visa salary thresholds It highlights the need for a migration policy focused on Britain's best interests, attracting high-skilled migrants who contribute positively to the economy

Robert Jenrick, author of a separate report, echoes the call for a migration cap set by parliament, challenging Rishi Sunak's Rwanda bill and advocating for stronger measures to deter illegal immigration The release of these reports signals internal challenges within the Conservative Party, with potential implications for Sunak's leadership amid growing discontent over migration policies

Interestingly, The Education Committee has launched an inquiry into international students in English universities The inquiry will examine the changes in the numbers of international students in recent years, the impact of international students on university funding and availability of places for domestic students, and whether universities are achieving an appropriate balance between international and domestic students The Committee will also look at recent and proposed changes to student visas and the Graduate Route to understand the impact of these changes on international student numbers, as well as the effective-

ness of the Government’s International Education Strategy

While the British economy heavily depends on the contribution of immigrants, including two key Indian-origin business families such as the Hindujas and Mittals, international students from South Asia continue to play a pivotal role in not just the economic upliftment of the UK, but also the cultural diversity of Britain Yet, British citizens are increasingly grappling with the cost of living crisis To blame immigrants for the exploitation of resources and narrowing visa routes is one temporary hack to control immigration woes, the larger political turmoil is more toxic

The number of economically inactive individuals has surged to 9 4 million, with 2 8 million attributing their status to health-related reasons, marking an increase of 850,000 since the 2020 lockdown

A larger health crisis intertwines with economic concerns, prompting Rishi Sunak's call to curb disability and health benefit costs, projected to reach £100 billion by the decade s end The government seeks welfare reforms, potentially affecting payments for mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, prioritising alternative support such as therapy and social care In his final days in office, Yousaf (the son of immigrants) attempted to salvage his legacy, announcing £80 million for affordable housing during a public appearance in Dundee However, these efforts were overshadowed by the escalating political turmoil and the irreparable damage to his credibility Healthcare access and public transport deficiencies exacerbate economic stagnation in areas like Knowsley The pandemic's toll on mental health underscores the community's struggle to cope As we navigate political unrest, the decline of social services, and post-pandemic PTSD, shoplifting incidents in England and Wales rose by 32% amid the cost of living crisis Usdaw warns of the impact on shopworkers, with 60% of abuse incidents linked to theft Despite government inaction, Labour promises legislative changes to protect retail staff, mirroring Scotland's laws Socioeconomic pressures fuel the problem, highlighting the urgent need for action to safeguard frontline workers

In this unusual but interconnected narrative, the rise and fall of political figures like Yousaf reflect broader societal challenges and the need for comprehensive reforms to address immigration, healthcare, and economic inequalities As the UK navigates these complexities, safeguarding the rights and well-being of all citizens, regardless of their background, remains paramount

Surge of economic growth under Modi’s reign

With two phases of general election completed, the political arena heats up The campaigns intensified further as both the incumbent and the opposition sought to secure the seat of prime minister During the first phase, the estimated turnout was around 62% India recorded nearly 61% voter turnout during the second phase of the election for 88 seats that were spread across 12 states and union territories The north-eastern states of Assam, Tripura, and Manipur concluded with the average voter turnout surpassing 75% On the other hand, the pursuit of garnering more votes has t a k e n a q u e s t i o n a b l e t u r n U t t a r P r a d e s h , B i h a r , a n d Maharashtra recorded notably low voter turnouts, standing at 54 85%, 55 08%, and 56 32%, respectively

Nonetheless, this year has seen a notable decline in voter turnout Amidst the democratic chorus, a dissonant note has emerged the fading resonance of voter engagement The drop in turnout during both the first and second phases underscores a concerning trend of waning enthusiasm among voters, contrasting with previous electoral cycles One of the primary reasons contributing to the decreased voter turnout in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is the relentless heatwave sweeping across the country This natural obstacle has made the act of voting, which often involves waiting in long queues under the scorching sun Another significant contributor to this trend is a growing apathy among first-time voters, a demographic critical for revitalising the democratic process Then there is harvest season in many states, keeping many voters in rural areas away from polling stations In urban areas, many chose to make an extended weekend plan

D e s p i t e l o w e r v o t e r t u r n o u t , m a n y s t i l l a n t i c i p a t e Narendra Modi's victory for a third term as India's prime minister, solidifying his position as the nation's most significant leader since Nehru The BJP has already won one parliamentary seat from Surat in Gujarat state, where the Congress party candidate was disqualified Of the seats that went to the polls, the NDA won 65 in the 2019 general elections, and the INDIA bloc won 23 It is worth noting, however, that foreign policy, economic growth, and India’s rising stature in the world are percolating down to the masses to become hot topics at election rallies And Prime Minister Narendra Modi is at the forefront of this change

Before 2014, India grappled with financial turmoil, finding itself among the economically challenged nations Weak capital markets exacerbated three major issues: financial and balance-of-payments instability, a lack of accessible savings

options for ordinary citizens, and elevated capital costs for businesses Additionally, the country faced high inflation rates and a mounting burden of non-performing loans within state-run banks

India has transformed into one of the world's fastestgrowing major economies, boasting annual growth rates of 6-7% Recent data indicates a surge in private-sector confidence to levels not seen since 2010 Currently the fifthlargest economy globally, projections suggest it could climb to third place by 2027, trailing only the United States and China India's influence is evident across various sectors; American companies employ 1 5 million workers in India, the highest outside their home country The Indian stock market ranks fourth in the world, and its aviation market stands at third Additionally, service exports, now constituting 10% of GDP, are a growing pillar of the economy, fueled by the growth of global trade in services and the establishment of "global capability centres" by Indian IT firms, offering multinational corporations research and development as well as various services such as legal and accounting support

In India, politicians facing jail time due to corruption have been an exception rather than the norm, especially during the previous government's tenure, led by the Congress party from 2004 to 2014 Under this regime, mandated investigations into money-laundering and foreign exchange violations rarely made headlines Their track record on combating money laundering, a significant issue in India, was particularly poor, with only 112 raids conducted and zero convictions secured However, there appears to be a shift Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren both experienced swift repercussions, with Kejriwal's imprisonment occurring within two years of irregularities surfacing in his liquor policy, and Soren facing similar consequences from the filing of the first FIR to incarceration

Under Narendra Modi's leadership, the Enforcement

formidable agencies Since he assumed office as prime minister in 2014, ED has conducted over 3,000 money-laundering raids, resulting in 54 convictions PM Modi's anti-corruption efforts not only cleanse the current political landscape

According to a UBS India report if Modi secures another fiveyear term means further progress towards digitalisation and a continued policy push towards manufacturing/exports can be expected, given India’s increasing footprint in global value chains and much more

“Speak

your mind, even if your voice shakes ” Maggie Kuhn

Why did Nixon’s campaign team burgle the W atergate buildi ng when he would have won the election so easily, and yet ended up havi ng to resign from offi ce? As UK’s

and that our job is not to mess things up Keir Starmer gets it

The statements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an election rally, where he suggested that the opposition Congress party would distribute national wealth to "infiltrators" and those with "many children" widely interpreted as a reference to India’s Muslim

Jazeera) ammunition needlessly

We’re very used to seeing this among Western politicians – think of comments in France around the Hijab, or post Islamist terror attacks, or in the Nordic countries and Koran burning, or in the UK, or Trump banning people from Muslim countries from entering the country

Of course, in the UK a Parliamentary debate on lim-

Islamaphobic Indeed some Peers had no issue with that

These remarks are seen by many as Islamophobic, targeting a community often stereotyped in such terms

The opposition and rights groups have criticized these comments as discriminatory and indicative of a broader pattern of rhetoric aimed at marginalizing Muslim citizens under PM Modi's administration

Just accept you ’ re going to win Win big Don’t mess it up

In determining whether these comments constitute hate speech or are just a part of election campaigning, (remember during Brexit debates on Turkey joining the EU and open borders with Islamists from Syria as a result?) it's essential to consider the broader context of Modi's political messaging and the history of communal relations in India

India led the West in limited free speech if it could harm community relations Calling it hate speech is a Western term for what India has long legislated against

The legal and ethical definitions of hate speech typically include communications that spread, incite, promote, or justify hatred, violence, and discrimination against a person or group based on aspects like religion, ethnicity, or nationality PM Modi’s speech had no consequences, other than for the Washington Post

Furthermore, the response from opposition leaders, who have labeled the comments as "hate speech" and an attempt to distract from political failures, suggests a significant concern about the impact of such statements on communal harmony and electoral integrity No disharmony followed, no riots, no lynchings, none of the things we’d been promised for over a decade by the antiModi shrill shouting brigade

The criticism reflects fears that such rhetoric could not only influence the election's outcome but also deepen social cleavages But do the critics care about that? Or do they actually care about hating PM Modi

The hate speech, in trying to divide global and Western opinion about PM Modi, come from the papers trying to make more of it

The potential for lasting harm from divisive rhetoric, in the international left-wing media, makes it a matter of serious ethical and political scrutiny This episode serves as a critical reflection point on the state of political discourse in the media and its implications for democratic values of press freedoms

The UK has for one, long battled with press freedoms and the negative impact of power without responsibility India should not be more like the West with its rife Islamaphobia Just ask the Mayor of London this past week

Alpesh Patel

School crash inquiry delayed over expert shortage

T he parents of Nuria Sajjad and S elena L au, bo th eight years old, w ho w ere tragically killed when a L and Rov er crashed into their s c h

inform

tig atio n du

elays in

to

rtage o

crime-scene experts with in th e M etro politan Police

T h e i n

, w h i c h occurred last July beside Study Prep School in Wimbledon, also

death by dangerous driving has since been released under investigation Nuria s father, Sajjad Butt, expressed to the BBC the

attributing the prolonged delay

to a lack of specialised investigative resources "Asking critical people to wait nine months for t h i n g

impact us getting justice for our girl? It might," he stated

Children in the UK being sexually abused online

A n ew report has highli ghted

t he se ri ou s e x ten t of o nl in e s exua l a buse a nd grooming of child ren un der six

T h e f i r s t a n a l y s i s o f i t s k i n d b y t h e I n t e r n e t W a t c h Foundation (IWF), the report has revealed widespread online sexual abuse of three to sixyear-old children while they are using household devices In response, the Security Minister

a n d t h e I n t e r n e t W a t c h

F o u n d a t i o n h a v e d e m a n d e d urgent action from technology firms

According to the IWF, chil-

d r e n a r e b e i n g m a n i p u l a t e d into “disturbing” sexual acts including penetration, mastur-

bation, bestiality, and sadism on camera These images and videos have been shared on the open internet in the UK, by perpetrators

2,401 individual self-generated images and videos of children aged three to six were disc o v e r e d a c r o s s 2 0 2 3 , 9

cent of which were of girls 15

(Category A) forms of sexual abuse

W h i l e t h e c h i l d s e x u a l abuse content hosted in the UK is relatively little, it is the third-largest consumer of such c o n t e n t a c c o r d i n g t o t h e

National Crime Agency (NCA)

response, Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley acknowledged the delay in a letter to the families'

solicitor, Trevor Sterling, admitting that the investigation had n o t p r o g r e s s e d a s q u i c k l y

hoped Rowley explained that the force prioritises investiga-

hampered by the limited availability of trained forensic collision investigators Rowley added that over 150 witnesses had been

vehicles tested, and the driver questioned

Meanwhile, in an open letter to London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Sterling highlighted that these resource shortages significantly slow down police investigations into road deaths, emphasising, "Delay is the enemy of justice "

Fresh Heathrow strikes planned

Hea th row A ir por t i s b r aci ng for si gni fi can t di srupti ons as 80 0 s taff members prepa re to strik e in re spons e to plans to outs ource hundre ds of job s T h e s t r i k e s , i n v o l v i n g employees from passenger services, trolley operations, and campus security, are scheduled to begin just after midnight on Tuesday, May 7, and will cont i n u

u

i l 1 1 : 5 9 p m o n Monday, May 13 This follows earlier strike actions due to Heathrow Airport Ltd's decision to outsource these roles as part of a cost-cutting move, disregarding established consultation processes The planned outsourcing,

set to take effect by June 1, has sparked concerns among various airport workers, including firefighters and airside operations staff These groups fear that they might be next to face o u t s o u r c i n g , a m p l i f y i n g t h e dispute over job allocations to third-party companies, changes to employment identity under Unite the Union's membership, and HAL's refusal to agree to collective bargaining for groups of workers at the airport

The industrial action aims to address these issues and highlight the broader implications of outsourcing on airport operations and worker security

Hinduja Group and King’s College announce healthcare partnership

The Hind uja Group an d Kin g ’ s C ollege Lon don have an nounce d

a n e w colla bor a t ion a i me d at impr oving he althcare outcomes in both Ind ia and t he UK

This partnership is centred on strengthening training and research capabilities, as well as providing scholarships to Indian students King’s College London,

G u y ’ s a n d S t T h o m a s ’ N H S Foundation Trust, the Hinduja Foundation UK, and Mumbai’s P D Hinduja Hospital and Medical

R e s e a r c h C e n t r e u n d e r t h e National Health and Education Society are all crucial players in this strategic alliance, focused o n a d v a n c i n g c o l

efforts in training, education, and research

This collaboration will result

CNHC is seeking two Lay Board Members

Are you interested in setting standards in the public interest?

CNHC is the independent regulatory body for complementary healthcare practitioners. The Board meets for a half-day four times a year. Meetings are held in London. There is no remuneration for attendance at Board meetings, but travel costs are reimbursed.

More information and application packs are available at: www.cnhc.org.uk/board_vacancies

Deadline for applications: 5pm on 8 May 2024. Interviews will be held on 19 and 20 June 2024.

For more information about CNHC visit www.cnhc.org.uk

Hinduja-King’s Health Partners

pelling the advancement of new

technologies aimed at tackling global healthcare challenges “ T h i s c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i l l strengthen the UK’s close links t o I

research capacity in healthcare engineering, clinical innovation, and advanced training,” said UK Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden after a visit last week to t h

r Healthcare Engineering (LIHE)

s C o l l e g e London, Guy’s and St Thomas’, and the National Health and E d u c a t i o n S o c i e t y s i g n e d a memorandum of agreement at LIHE

Amnesty accuses UK for undermining global human rights

Amnesty Int ernat iona l has a ccused the UK of int entional ly de sta bilisin g hum

l st age for its pol it ical a genda

report, the organisation stated that Britain was undermining human rights protections both domestically and internationally, amidst a near breakdown of international law

“The UK is deliberately destabilising the entire concept of universal human rights through its appalling domestic policies and politicking,” s a i d S a c

International UK’s chief executive

highlighted that the UK govern-

seekers, migrants, and protesters

in brief TRADITIONAL LANDLINES TO BE DISCONTINUED

BT has announced significant changes impacting millions of households using traditional landline phones, as they prepare to switch to internet-based services This shift, marking the biggest change in phone lines for decades, aims to modernise communication but will maintain the familiarity of use, allowing customers to keep their existing numbers While families are assured of minimal disruption during the transition, BT acknowledges one major drawback: the new system will not function during power outages or broadband failures preventing even emergency 999 calls This raises concerns for those in areas with weak mobile signals For households without an existing internet connection BT has recognised the challenge and is exploring solutions ensuring that these customers will not be left without phone service or face additional costs due to the enforced change to internet reliance

LABOUR PLANS SAVINGS TO FUND 13,000 POLICE OFFICERS

Labour has proposed the creation of a national police savings body aimed at standardising procurement for items like police cars, IT equipment, and forensic services across all forces This centralised body would address the significant disparities currently seen in the costs different forces incur for essential equipment The proposed procurement body would unify purchasing for the 43 police forces in England and Wales aiming to save over £360 million annually These savings would fund an additional 13 000 neighbourhood police officers fulfilling Labour’s commitment to enhance local policing reduce antisocial behaviour and shoplifting, and address serious street crime

TIGHTER SPENDING WINDOW FOR THE TREASURY

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that public sector borrowing for fiscal year 2023-24 exceeded projections by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) by £6 6 billion, totalling £120 7 billion Despite being £7 7 billion less than the previous year, the figure still surpassed forecasts This overshoot has raised doubts about Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's ability to offer further tax cuts before the next election and posed challenges to the budget plans for government departments outlined in last month’s Spring Budget The ONS highlighted that a significant increase in central government spending which rose by £71 8 billion to £1 138 3 billion overshadowed a £57 6 billion increase in income

report noted that new legislation has additionally undermined the freedom of assembly and expression The UK’s Illegal Migration Act and government rhetoric around it conflicted with the UN refugee con-

Amnesty said

The report also criticises the UK f

position within the UN to prevent human rights violations in Gaza and for its lacklustre support for the International Criminal Court (ICC)

DVLA GIVES UK DRIVERS 'FIVE MINUTES' NOTICE

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has issued a new reminder to all UK drivers, emphasising the importance of taking just "five minutes" to facilitate vehicle management As the agency tasked with maintaining the UK’s database of drivers and vehicles, the DVLA ensures that motorists keep their vehicle tax current unless their vehicle qualifies for exemption Drivers who neglect to tax their vehicles may face significant penalties, including substantial fines legal action and the potential for their vehicle to be clamped or seized The DVLA notes that compliance rates are high with fewer than 2 per cent of vehicles being untaxed

Selena Lau

Nuria Sajjad

Gopichand Hinduja, Professor Shitij Kapur (Vice-Chancellor and President King s College London) and The Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP (Deputy Prime Minister)

children from each particip a t

Canada in 2021-22, revealed

drinking and getting drunk

by the age of 15 in England, Wales, and Scotland

The data underscores a concerning trend, with alcohol consumption being norm

, potentially leading to long-

w

University, who coordinated the study, expressed concern about the increasing number of children drinking from a young age She noted that

g i s a part of growing up, the longterm health effects of alcohol are serious Factors contributing to this trend could include greater exposure to

parental attitudes, and the

Migrant laws leave 115,000 in limbo, costing £17m daily

Forecas ts i ndicate that b y the en d of thi s year, over 115,000 asylum seek ers w ill rem ain in defini tely i n the U K, re sulti ng in a daily c os t to taxpayers of £17 m illion, a s outl in ed i n a re ce ntl y releas ed report

The Refugee Council's

a n a l y s i s o f H o m e O f f i c e figures reveals the potential consequences of three gove r n m e n

s s i n g t h e small boats crisis over the past two years The charity

c a u t i o n e d t h a t e x t e n s i v e asylum reforms outlined in

t h e N a t i o n a l i t y a n d

B o r d e r s A c t 2 0 2 2 , t h e Illegal Migration Act 2023, and the anticipated Safety

o f R w a n d a B i l l r e c e i v i n g royal assent, could lead to a " s y s t e m m e l t d o w n " a n d incur significant costs to

t a x p a y e r s , a m o u n t i n g t o billions

The report projects that i f t h e i n f l u x o f i l l e g a l arrivals remains similar to the past two years, approximately 10,000 individuals would qualify for repatriation to their home countries The study anticipates

t h e s e m i g r a n t s b e i n g r e t u r n e d h o m e , w i t h a n additional 2,000 individu-

a l s b e i n g d e p o r t e d t o Rwanda by year-end

H o w e v e r , e v e n i f t h e Home Office manages to deport 12,000 individuals, a significant number, 115,575, would still be left stranded in the UK Unable to be

r e m o v e d b y t h e H o m e O f f i c e , t h e y w o u l d b e excluded from the asylum system and designated as having "illegal" status

Tata Steel declines union job-saving plan at Port Talbot

T ata S teel has d ec lined a p rop osal by unions to m aintain o perations o f a blast furnace at the Port Talbot s te el w o rks , d as h i ng a ny rem aining hop es of averting u p to 2,8 00 job losses

D u r i n g a m e e t i n g i n

L o n d o n o n T h u r s d a y , unions made a final appeal to the company, urging it

n o t t o p r o c e e d w i t h i t s plans, which will eliminate the production of steel from iron ore in south Wales by S e p t e m b e r a n d r e s u l t i n thousands of layoffs The company plans to initiate a

v o l u n t a r y r e d u n d a n c y scheme starting 15 May

Owned by Indian con-

g l o m e r a t e T a t a S t e e l , t h e firm announced in January the closure of two of the UK’s four remaining active

b

Talbot,

lights that early drinking can lead to more severe alcoholrelated problems later in life

By the age of 13, 12% of girls and 9% of boys in England reported having been drunk at least twice These figures rose sharply by age 15, with a third of girls and a quarter of boys experiencing drunkenness, and more than half of the girls reporting they had

report calls for countries to

measures to protect children

with alcohol consumption

Rayner slams 'obsessed' Tories, calls PM a 'pint-sized

A ng ela Rayner has reiterated

stance

C onserv atives of fixating on

abe ll i ng Rishi S unak as a "p int-sized loser"

The deputy Labour leader is under scrutiny as senior T

loser

by September, with construction expected to begin by August 2025

The move to adopt new furnace technology, poten-

Angela Rayner

London gang jailed for car insurance scam

S i x m en h av e b ee n se ntenced to over 1 5 years in total for th eir roles in a £2 m i ll i o n f ra u d s c h em e

i n vo lv in g l u x u ry ve h i c le s

l i ke P o r s c h es , M e rc ed es , and BMWs

The scheme operated by

u s i n g f

shameless by the investi-

u s e d forged identity documents

t o e s t a b l i s h c r e d i t a g r e ements under the names of unsuspecting victims The cars were then collected by

'strikers,' from various locat

parks, using these false identities

From February 2020 to July 2022, the group successfully stole 75 vehicles worth over £2 million The case was c

Investigation Team, in col-

Girl arrested for stabbing pupil, teachers

A tee n ag e gi rl ha s b ee n arr es ted for attempted murder foll ow in g a stabbing i n c i de n t a t a s c h oo l i n A m ma n f o rd , C armarthenshire, which l eft two teachers and one studen t injured

The attack prompted a lockdown at Amman Valley School, with hundreds of students confined to classrooms while c o n c e r n e d p a r e n t s g a t h e r e d o u t s i d e

Following the incident, which occurred at about 11:20 am yesterday, two air ambulances arrived at the scene and a significant police presence was established

FATHER CRUSHED TO DEATH AT HEATHROW AIRPORT

(IFB) and National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS), which helped to

national scope of the criminal activity

East London paedophile sentenced

A rif A zad, a 21 -year-old man

f ro m New h a m , E as t

L ond on, h as been sentenced to fou r years in prison after p leading g ui lty to ch arg es related to the m aking, d istrib uti on, a nd po s sess io n o f indecent im ag es of ch ild ren, as well as engaging in sexual com munication w

a nd p os ses si on

d ophile m anual'

I n M a r c h 2 0 2 3 , Metropolitan Police specialists were alerted to Azad s activities and discovered he had accessed nearly 6,000

Investigations revealed that Azad had received some of

prior to his arrest, he downloaded a manual providing advice on committing sexual offences against children

as young as two months old

communicated online with children T h e M e t ’ s N o r t h E a

Online Child Sexual Abuse

On April 19, 2024, Azad was handed down his sentence

a t S n a r e s b r o o k C

o w n Court, receiving two years for the images and communications, and an additional two years for the manual possession

H e a l s o f a c e s l i f e l o n g

Sex Offender Notification R

Prevention Order

Man arrested in India linked to London mission attack

I nderpal Singh Gaba, a resident of Hounslow in west

L on d on , w a s a rr

b y I n di a ' s N at

on

I nve sti gati on Agen cy ( N IA)

o n Th ur s d ay ( 2 5) f or hi s i nvolvement in illegal ac tivities linked to attacks on the I ndi an H igh Commi ssion i n London in March 2023 Gaba had previously been detained at the Attari border while crossing from Pakistan into India in December of the previous year The arrest followed incidents on March 19 and 22, 2023, where violent protests occurred outside the Indian High Commission in London

Additionally, an NIA team

seizures were made D

Gaba's mobile phone was seized, and the extracted

unveiled that the protests in London were

Indian missions and officials

WFH doctor with cancer wins compensation

A 75-yea r-old doctor with ca ncer , who was dismissed by t he Kuwaiti gover nme nt for re fusing t o wor k from its London office d uring t he ea rly stag es of th e pan demic, has been awa rde d £332,590 in com pensat ion Samir Mohamed, a medical auditor for

t h e K u w a i t H e a l t h O f f i c e , i n f o r m e d a n employment tribunal that in May 2020 he was instructed to either work from the office or face a pay cut Mohamed, suffering from prostate cancer, presented a letter from his GP advising him to shield from COVID-19 due to his condition Despite this, he was terminated from his position, with his employer

expressing hopes for his health in his forthcoming retirement

At the tribunal, Mohamed expressed that he had planned to continue working until the age of 80 He filed a lawsuit against the Kuwaiti government, citing age and disability discrimination Judge Emma Webster supported his claim, ruling that Mohamed was unfairly disadvantaged by the mandate to work from the office The tribunal, held in central London, described the ultimatum given to Mohamed as “intimidating” and “hostile,” leading to the award of substantial compensation for his claims

One teacher reportedly sustained a neck injury and was transported to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, a major trauma centre located 50 miles away Although the injuries were serious, they were not life-threatening, according to police, who also recovered a knife at the scene Deputy headteacher Fiona Elias, 48, was among the victims, suffering superficial hand injuries She was treated and released from the hospital the same afternoon During the chaos, students took drastic measures to ensure their safety, including one who leapt over a 7ft fence as the school’s alarm system announced a “code red ”

The suspect was reportedly subdued and disarmed by Darrel Campbell, the head of year 11 and a local rugby club c

unharmed As the news spread, one parent shared her daughter's frantic call about the school going into lockdown As a safety measure, a neighbouring primary

would remain closed the following day, with classes moving online

The teenage suspect is currently in police custody Following the incident, Vaughan Gething, the First Minister of Wales, expressed his concern on social media, highlighting the gravity of the situation for the school community and the local area

Asian hotelier under investigation for speeding

m i lli o nai re h o teli er of A s ian d esc ent, Ru ch ir G up ta, is un der inv esti g atio n by Police Scotland after a vid eo su rfaced sho wing him alleg ed ly sp eeding on a High land road

The Press and Journal reported that Gupta, owner of Kincraig Castle Hotel in Invergordon, claims the footage was doctored In the video, initially shared on his YouTube channel 'Richie on Tour,' Gupta is shown flying to the Highlands in a private jet before driving a Bentley sports car near Alness, close to Invergordon During the video, he is heard describing the car as the f a s t e s t f o u r - s e a t

e world," and appears to accelerate to more than 100mph, significantly over the 60mph speed limit, to overtake other vehicles

The complaint was brought to police attention by a local resident, referred to only as John, who argued that Gupta’s actions endangered other road users After reviewing the footage, John submitted it to the police, prompting an investigation

Police Scotland has confirmed that the matter has been referred to their local traffic officers for potential action Meanwhile, Gupta has responded to the allegations by accusing John of illegally obtaining and a l t e r i n g t h e v i d e o

actions

The traffic offences unit is currently examining the video as part of their investigation

An aviation company has been fined £160,000 following a fatal accident where a worker was crushed to death at London Heathrow Airport The incident, which took place on February 23, 2022, involved an employee of Dnata Limited a company providing ground handling and cargo services at Terminal 3 The worker hailed as a legend by his family tragically died while collecting baggage containers from an Emirates Airbus A380 that had arrived from Dubai While manoeuvring around the trailers and under a high-loader a type of scissor lift used to lower containers to the ground the high-loader operator inadvertently lowered the platform, crushing him beneath it

KILLER SENTENCED FOR STABBING TEEN WIFE

A husband, described as coercive and controlling, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his 19-yearold wife Sahil Sharma, 24 fatally stabbed Mehak Sharma in the neck multiple times at their residence in Croydon, south London After the attack he contacted emergency services and told the 999 operator: "I have killed my wife " During the call, Sharma falsely accused Mehak of infidelity and claimed she was to blame for her death Earlier that day, Sharma had menacingly texted Mehak warning her: "Come home and see what I can do to you " When officers arrived at their home on Ash Tree Way they discovered Mehak unresponsive with severe knife wounds Despite emergency medical efforts she was declared dead at the scene on October 29 of the previous year

MARKETING FIRM FINED FOR 'AGGRESSIVE CALLS’

A London telemarketing firm received a £100,000 fine for placing over 80,000 nuisance calls in just over a year The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) imposed fines totalling £240 000 on Dr Telemarketing Ltd (DRT) in London and Outsource Strategies Ltd (OSL) in Cardiff These fines were issued due to the companies collectively making close to 1 43 million calls between February 2021 and March 2022 An ICO investigation revealed that all recipients of the calls were registered on the UK s 'do not call' register, the Telephone Preference Service Evidence uncovered during the investigation indicated that both companies targeted elderly and vulnerable individuals A total of 76 complaints were lodged with recipients reporting aggressive tactics and highpressure sales pitches urging them to sign up for products Dr Telemarketing Ltd, based in London, made 80,240 unwanted marketing calls during the 13 months to numbers registered with the TPS

CHILDREN GROOMED AT HOME VIA PHONES, CHARITY ALERTS

A charity has raised concerns about children as young as three being targeted for "disturbing acts" via phones and tablets at home The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) disclosed that in 2023, they discovered 2,401 "self-generated" images and videos of child abuse, with a focus on children aged between three and six Analysts noted instances of abuse taking place in domestic settings spanning from bathrooms and bedrooms to kitchens and dining rooms In the background of images portraying some of the most severe forms of sexual abuse they observed the presence of soft toys games books, and bedding adorned with cartoon characters

Ammir Mukhtar, Mukhtar Ibrahim, Emmanuel Dwamena, Samad Miah, Sadiq Miah and Mohammed Jeilani

Arif Azad

Inderpal Singh Gaba

Humza Yousaf resigns

S c ot t i s h Fi r s t M in i s t e r H um z a

Yousaf has stepped down just a y ear after takin g office, following the unexpec ted di ssolution of his c oali tion government

This development, sparked by a rift with Green Party lawmakers over climate policy, has plunged Scotland’s leading pro-indepen-

d

breakup occurred last week when Yousaf ended a coalition agreement with the Greens, prompting them to threaten a no-confidence vote against him His departure was announced during a Monday press conference, where he also r

National Party (SNP) would soon conduct a leadership election to find his successor

Yousaf assumed leadership of the SNP last March, aiming to

continue the party’s dominance in Scottish politics and push for

devolved government and spearheaded the 2014 independence

Scotland choosing to stay in the United Kingdom The call for a new referendum was influenced by Brexit, which Yousaf argued altered the situation since Scots

European Union

Westminster and have been further complicated by an ongoing

financial irregularities, diminishing public support for the party

Meanwhile, the SNP has initiated the process to elect a new leader Aspiring candidates have until the upcoming Monday to officially enter the race, with key SNP members John Swinney and Kate Forbes’ names doing rounds as potential candidates

Sword-wielding man arrested, five hospitalised in London

P olice have app rehended a 36-yearo ld m an armed with a swo rd after h e reported ly stabbed sev eral peop le during a serious incident in northeast London near Hainault train station on Tu esday

According to the Metropolitan Police, the suspect was arrested following reports that a vehicle had been driven into a house in the area The suspect attacked members of the public and two officers

"This must have been a terrifying incident for those involved I know the wider community will be feeli n g s h o c k a n d

Adelekan He reassured the public, saying, “We do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the wider community ” The police clarified that the incident does not appear to be terror-related and that no additional suspects are being sought Britain’s interior minister James Cleverly commented on the situation via X,

Hainault Station this morning My thoughts are with those who have

been affected

announced that Hainault underground station is currently closed due to the police investigation The London Ambulance Service

scene, all of whom were transported to the hospital

expressed his devastation over the

i c e officers and emergency services for their bravery: “running towards danger to protect others ”

Record shoplifting surge in England and Wales

Shopl ifting offen ces in Engl and an d Wale s hav e rea ched t he hig he st leve l in two deca des, a ccording to t he l ate st figur es from t he Office for Na tiona l Stat istics (ONS)

Last year, police recorded over 430,000 incidents, marking a significant increase of more than a third from the previous year, the highest since police records began in 2003 Retail organisations argue that these figures only represent a small portion of the actual incidents occurring The ONS crime survey also highlighted a spike in personal thefts, with levels not seen since 2004 A retailer in South Wales reported to the BBC that she had suffered tens of thousands of pounds in losses due to shoplifting last year alone, necessitating the installation of costly anti-theft technology to sustain her business

James Lowman, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores, commented that while the ONS figures were not surprising, they only show "a fraction of the true picture of shop theft " Home Secretary James Cleverly expressed concern over the "corrosive effect" shoplifting has on public confidence and emphasised the importance of police responding to every incident He stressed the seriousness with which the government views shoplifting and its commitment to rigorous law enforcement

In response to the rising crime rates, the government plans to increase the use of facial recognition technology and mandate electronic tagging for repeat offenders

Depressed, anxious face losing benefits

Millions o f ind ividu als receiv ing d isability benefits are set to face the m ost significant w elfare reform s in decad es, potentially im pacting those with depression and anxiety by discontinuing their payments

Ministers plan to argue that many receiving sickness benefits for such conditions should instead be offered "meaningful support" like talking therapies and social care packages Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride stated that the system should not compensate individuals for the ordinary difficulties of life He is preparing to unveil plans that would likely end routine payments for a range of mental health issues and other conditions

Stride highlighted that welfare reform will be a crucial issue in the upcoming general election, expressing surprise at Labour leaders' reluctance to state their position on his proposals He believes that many voters fundamentally agree with his approach Stride, invoking the spirit of the Beveridge Report which established the welfare state in the 1940s, called for a "Beveridge reset moment " He noted that the tendency to over-label everyday stress as more significant issues has contributed to a record increase in long-term sickness, reaching 2 8 million people

Humza Yousaf

The Institute of Jainology and Jain All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) celebrates the birthday of Lord Mahavir at the House of Commons

The Institute of Jainology (IOJ) and the Jain AllParty Parliamentary Group celebrated the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir at the House of Commons

Known as Mahavir Janma

Kalyanak, this day celebrates the birth of the 24th Jain Tirthankara (enlightened teacher) This year's event was particularly significant, marking the 2,550th anniversary of Lord Mahavir attaining Nirvana

The annual celebration at the Palace of Westminster g a t h e r e d J

leaders as well as a diverse a

P

h communities, and the academic world The event commenced with Jain prayers led by Paarul Shah Dr Mehool H S

M

e Managing Trustee of the IOJ, warmly welcomed the attendees, emphasising the miles

importance to the Jain community

Mahavir and her apprecia-

Jainology’s work in supporting Jain communities

The evening also include

y

Samir Juthani, who is currently analysing the 2021 UK Census data to better advocate for the Jain community's needs in regions with significant Jain populations Sonali

evening was the announcement and symbolic restitution of the Jain manuscripts h e l d b y t h e W e l l c o m e Collection, represented by Dr A d r i a n P l a u , t o t h e I O J W e l l c o m e h a s c o n f i r m e d their intention to resituate their entire 2,000 plus Jain manuscripts to the IOJ This gesture was described as an effort to "right a historical

U

, thereby enhancing its role as a premier Jain research institution outside of India

U

Charlotte Hempel, provided insights into their ongoing research and innovative educational programs designed t

with the Jain manuscripts They assured the audience of

with the Excellence in the Community Award for her d

vice in Manchester, and Suraj B

Young Persons Award for his

The Deputy Chair of the Jain APPG Bob Blackman MP for Harrow East, presented the annual OneJAIN awards for significant contributions to the Jain community This

Shah received a high commendation for his extensive community involvement A

Achievement Award was presented to Nemu Chandaria OBE for his pivotal role in raising the profile

decades of passionate service, earning him a standing ovation

A special message from Baroness

was read, reflecting the legacy of Lord

Tribute to Vinubhai Nagrecha: He was a strong pillar in building and strengthening religion and spiritual values

T h i s P ra rth n a S a bh a w as o r gan is e d to c h eri s h th e memories and remember the legacy o f the wo rk of the L ate V i no dra i ( V i nu bh a i ) Bachubhai Nagrecha o n 25 April 2024 at Nagrecha Hall, L eyto n Road

T h e f u n e r a l c e r e m o n y was held at City of London Cemetery and Crematorium

o n 2 8 A p r i l , S u n d a y Vinubhai (78) passed away on 22 April 2024 In Prarthna

S a b h a , V i n u b h a i ’ s y o u n g e r brother Hasmukhbhai said, “He was a father figure to me and all I promise in front of you that I will follow his f o o t p r i n t J u s t l i k e B h a r a t placed Ram's paaduka (san-

d a l s ) s y m b o l i c a l l y o n t h e

t h r o n e , I w i l l k e e p t h e Paduka of Vinubhai on my head

The Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms, MP East Ham said, “Vinubhai Nagrecha was a very fine and generous member of the community He

s u p p o r t e d e v e r y o n e v e r y generously and never asked for anything in return We were completely dependent on his generous giving dur-

40 years

ing the hard times of the pandemic ”

N a r e n d r a b h a i T h a k r a r said, “Vinubhai was not only a s u c c e s s f u l e n t r e p r e n e u r but he was a strong pillar in building and strengthening religion and spiritual values

His kindness and generosity were second to none ” A j a y J o b a n p u t r a s a i d , “Vinubhai’s involvement was not limited to London, he was generously supporting the community and culture in the UK, Uganda and India

Unmesh Desai AM said, “Vinubhai’s contribution to t h e c o m m u n i t y w a s l e gendary His legacy will be carried forward by Nagrecha Charitable Trust

H a r s h a d K o t h a r i s a i d ,

“The life story and his con-

of Iyengar Yoga

tribution to the community cannot be told in a day or two The Nagrecha Family was very helpful and generous with all communities

The most important thing was that they didn’t forget

t h e i r r o o t s V i n u b h a i a n d H a s m u k h b h a i w e r e

w when Vinubhai is not with us, there will be a huge vacuum in the community The showman has gone but the show must be carried on ”

V

Umiben Radia, Jaybhai

i , Rinaben, Sushma Ji and repr

Samaj, Gayatri Parivar and community members from the UK, Uganda and India a

Vinubhai

London Centre in Maida Vale

Abhijata Iyengar, granddaughter of the late BKS Iyengar, will make her inaugural visit to the Iyengar Yoga London centre in Maida Vale on May 3, 2024 This visit coincides with the 40th Anniversary of the centre's establishment, commemorating its founding by BKS Iyengar in 1984 as the first purpose-built yoga facility in Europe

Shah, a celebrity known for h e r r o l e i n t h e T V s e r i e s "Pilgrimage" and as a present e r o n " E s c a p e t o t h e Country," spoke about her s p i r i t u a l j o u r n e y w i t h i n

J a i n i s m , h i g h l i g h t i n g h o w

h e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n d

a c c e p t a n c e o f J a i n v a l u e s have deepened over time

T h e h i g h l i g h t o f t h e

w r o n g " , w i t h K a t h e r i n e

Knowles discussing the care a n d p r e s e r v a t i o n n e e d s o f these manuscripts Dr Adrian Plau & Katherine then went o n t o p r e s e n t a s y m b o l i c m a n u s c r i p t t o N e m u Chandaria & Jaysukh Mehta both IoJ Directors The IOJ announced a long-term loan of these manuscripts to the

serving and promoting these valuable cultural artefacts

T

with remarks from the Mayor of Harrow, Ramji Chauhan,

fostering peace and harmony Lastly, Niraj Sutaria of the

OneJAIN large-scale celebration of the 2,550th anniver-

expected to attract around 2,000 participants, demonstrating the vibrant legacy of Lord Mahavir and the unity of the Jain community

Bhadran Bandhu Samaj UK celebrates four decades of selfless service and nurturing the community

B h adr an B and h u S a maj U K ( B BS UK ) c el eb rat ed i ts remarkable journey which has spanned o ver fou r decades of unwavering dedication, selfless s er vi ce , an

community spirit

Buckinghamshire

The event, aptly themed Unity in Giving, Honouring Our Champions, served as a poignant reminder of the coll

Esteemed community leaders, including CB Patel Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Asian Voice, shared their insights and vision for BBS UK's continued growth and impact, inspiring all present to renew their commitment to serving with dedication and compassion

I

Bimalbhai Patel said, “BBS UK stands as a beacon of hope and service Through numerous events and activities, it not only celebrates cultural heritage but also empowers the youth to connect, learn, and grow, ensuring a strong foundation for the future ”

Samarpan Meditation Discourse at the

House

of Lords

Swami talked about an ancient Himalayan practice which develops positive spiritual values and creates inner peace The Rt Hon the Lord Dholakia OBE DL hosted the event A report of the event with photographs will be published in the upcoming issue

A vote of thanks was given by General Secretary Nirupaben Patel and Vice President Nitinbhai Patel

Shree Shivkrupanand Swami describing ancient Himalayan practice

Hasmukhbhai and Nagrecha Family

Standing left to right Kamal, Nyan, Kanakumar, Jigna, Josh, Alisha, Bharvi, Jigna, Aailesh, Pravinbhai, Laurie, Ragini and Anushka

Standing second from left: Jagdishkaka and Indiramasi

Seated: Jyotiben Shushilabaa Nilaben and Bimal Patel

Devikaben Bhadranwala, Jyotiben, CB Patel, Nilaben and Snehlataben

First ever Mahavir Jayanti celebrated at No 10

Continued from page 1

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said, “I am delighted to host this reception It is the first-ever celebration of Mahavir's Birth Anniversary here at 10 Downing Street My constituency Hertsmere is wonderfully diverse We have the Oshwal Centre in the Potters Bar and the SRMD Centre in Bushey

"Today, it is a moment to select Peace, Equality and the ideologies of Reserving Nature on the birth anniversary of Mahavir The principles of Mahavir inspire us to serve others and to respect every living being The Jain community has made tremendous contributions in all fields We have Yogesh Mehta, Bharat Shah and many more who have contributed to the overall growth of this country ”

Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Rwanda, Uganda and DRC Lord Dolar Popat said, “I warmly welcome all to this historic building and the home of our Prime Minister Rishi Sunak For the first time, Bhagwan Mahavir s

Dowden is a good friend of the Jain community His constituency has the largest population of the Jain community and the largest Jain Temple in the UK having a true representation of the British Jain Community From Y

Bharat Shah, Chairman of Sigma, the Jain community has created a new benchmark for hard work, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, faith and values " Priest Jay Shah offered prayers and recalled Mahavir’s principle of Ahimsa He said this year's event was particularly significant, marking the 2,550th anniversary of Lord Mahavir

attaining Nirvana

Shasanam Trishala Nandan Veer ki, Jay Bolo Mahavir ki

Some of the key dignitaries who joined the celebration were High Commissioner of India to the UK HE Vikram Doraiswami, Yogesh

Chandaria, Rajesh Jain, Niraj Sutaria, Dr Vinod Kapashi OBE, Dr Mayank Shah, Mayur Mehta, Rumit Shah, Dr Adrian Plau, Dr Ajay Shah, Leena Shah, Dr Abhay Chopra, Atul Shah, M

, Ushaben Maheta, Rajnibhai Mehta with the special presence of CB Patel Publisher and Editor in Chief of Asian Voice, Gujarat Samachar

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's political adviser at No 10, Cllr Ameet Jogia MBE welcomed the guests

William and Kate share unseen photo on anniversary

Celebrating rich traditions of Jainism

Oliver Dowden, Deputy Prime Minister

Ac ro

medic in e, jo

rnali sm, bu si nes s, entertainment and more, British J ai ns c o ntri b u te a tre men do u s amount to our lives in Britain I was lucky enough this week to be part of the celebration to mark the day of Lord Mahavir’s birth and to again stand in the presence of those committed to his wise teachings, of peace, truth, humility, and a belief in all souls - and for all that is living around us

As I stood to introduce the priests from the Oshwal Centre to conduct the sacred prayers of Mahavir Jayanti, I was reminded again how much we can learn and live by so many of those beliefs

I k n o w f

Hertsmere and meeting the members who put their own needs to one side in the service of others, whether that is helping elderly members of the community, or supporting local animal welfare charities

That respect for every living being really does shine through everything

And it is one of the reasons that I am so proud to represent my constituency, home to so many faiths and communities, with one of the most prominent, Jainism

And it is a great privilege to have both the flagship Oshwal Centre in Potters Bar and the SRMD Centre in Bushey, at the heart of life in my constituency

Jainism is one of the world’s oldest religions, originating in India some 2,500 years ago and worshipped through the ages to bring peace and harmony and ultimately salvation

As the special ceremony ended and the pace and familiarity of the day ahead returned, I was left with the thought that whatever personally held beliefs we share, or don’t share, whatever struggles we endure, that shape and move us, the simplicity of Jainism - to embrace all that is good and compassionate - is surely enlightenment we can and should, learn from

South Asian women debut on Sunday Times Young Power List

The Su nday Times s inaugural You ng Power Lis t s howcas es rising stars from various

in

me nt, spor ts, ent repreneu rship, technology, and politics Chosen by the publica-

impactful contributions and enduring potential, these UK

leveraging the advantages of

Jenrick urges parliamentary 'lock' on migration

Robert J enrick h as p roposed that the UK government sho uld establish a parliamentary "lock" to ca p t h e nu mb er o f migrants entering Britain, ai mi ng to red u ce n et migration to tens of thousands

In his report, "Taking Back Control," the former immigration minister suggests setting a "migration budget" to limit o

number through visa routes, with these caps being set and approved by parliament

The report recommends that

update Parliament on the impact of migration on housing, infrastructure, and public services, including the NHS It also calls for a tougher points-based visa system, labelling the UK as the "grammar school of the Western world," to ensure visas are predominantly granted to highly

tighten foreign student visas and raise visa salary thresholds by over 50%, Jenrick's report suggests these thresholds should

urges Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to reinstate the Conservative commit-

migration to below 100,000 a target not achieved during Cameron's tenure and later abandoned by Boris Johnson Despite a slight decrease from 2022, last year's net migration to the UK was 672,000, significantly higher than pre-pandemic figures

authored by Neil O’Brien, a former levelling up and health minister, was produced for the Centre for Policy Studies think tank

from the

Chapter) hosted a vibrant "Run for Modi" event in London on Sunday, which turned into a leisurely walk, symbolising solidarity and support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's re-election campaign

Despite the drizzly weather, the event drew a significant turnout with over 500 enthusiastic participants demonstrating the Indian Diaspora's strong backing for Modi and the BJP, according to the organisers Starting from Westminster Pier and concluding at the iconic Tower Bridge, the route showcased London's scenic beauty, with participants decked out in colourful attire, adding to the festive atmosphere A release from the event organisers highlighted the unity and enthusiasm among the walkers, who displayed their support for Modi with great zeal

A flash mob at London Bridge was the event’s centrepiece, capturing the attention of both bystanders and participants with its dynamic and spirited performance, symbolising the unity and camaraderie within the UK's Indian community

Kensington Palace has released a never-before-seen photo to celebrate the 13th wedding anniversary of the Prince and Princess of Wales Captured by Millie Pilkington, the black and white photograph from their 2011 wedding day depicts William and Kate in a candid moment at Buckingham Palace The image, shared on the couple's social media accounts with the caption "13 years ago today!" shows the newlyweds smiling and relaxed after their ceremony

Deputy PM Oliver Dowden with Bharat Shah Chairman Sigma and Jain community representatives

Deputy PM Oliver Dowden with Yogesh Mehta Chairman Pickfords, IOJ

Director Amit Lathia, Gujarat Samachar’s Consulting Editor Jyotsnaben Shah and Jain community representatives

Lord Dolar Popat

Devotees offering prayer to Lord Mahavir

Ahana Banerjee

Ambika Mod

Robert Jenrick

Does money grow on trees?

Everyone knows that anyone brought up in the lap of luxury, never gone to bed on an empty stomach, a glass of water or had to walk on hot tar without shoes while going to school, will never know the true value of money that ordinary people like you and me value and cherish these printed papers as if it is a pot of gold and yes, it is a pot of gold for most of us

This weekend on Out & About, brace yourself for a blend of classical, contemporary, and folk dance performances at Bhartiya Vidhya Bhavan in central London, on the occasion of the World Dance Day

Out About & Upcoming show

Watch the programme Sunday 05 May, 6 00 PM BST, only on Zee Tv

Perhaps our PM brought up in a lap of luxury, falls in this catenary, as he spends our money as if there is no tomorrow! His involvement in the Ukraine War where he has committed some two and a half billion pounds, increasing our contribution by half a billion without a second thought, as if it is petty cash, makes me wonder whether he has ever suffered a financial crisis where-by he has to choose whether to put food on the table, heat the freezing home or avoid paying rent and become homeless

Then PM is not alone Most of our politicians come from the so called upper-class designation, with private schooling, education with jobs on offer as soon as they complete education, so often in family-run professional firms and businesses

So how could ordinary, down-to-earth persons like us have faith in these high-flying politicians who want to monopolise headlines on the international stage, at the expense of neglecting on home front? PM’s pledge to increase the defence budget to 2:5% of the national GDP by the year 2030 is the prime example of their priorities, make war, not get educated or get healthy when they should be promising higher spending on education, health and social care budget, not the “Defence Budget!” Then they live in isolation, in the lap of luxury, in a fort with the bridge raised

I t s e e m s t h e P M i s m o r e o f a “ C o m f o r t C h a i

Commander” rather than down to earth politician with an understanding of the brutal history of war with unpredictable outcomes So often victors on battlefields are losers on home and economic fronts Japan and Germany are prime examples of flourishing economies and the highest living standards that were the losers in WW2

May I urge the PM to follow Germany and Japan rather than to hang on the US dream of world supremacy, disassociate us from Ukraine or any other war where we are not directly threatened or intimidated and leave policing the world to those whose economies are flourishing, can afford to spend 2:5% on defence budget without denting their living standard! For most of us home front, our economic wellbeing and our living standard should take priority over our international standing or the imaginary threat of Russian soldiers landing on our beaches

Bhupen dra M Gan dhi

Exercise your franchise

People often choose not to vote because they feel their vote does not count But one vote does count in many ways Your choice to vote or not will have far-reaching consequences on people all over the world, many of whom do not have the right to vote themselves In local and national elections, l a w m

n d appointments that will have effects for years to come The most common reason people say they do not vote is, one vote does not count If everyone used an excuse and did not vote, what kind of government would we have? As citizens of the country, it is our right to vote Think twice because every vote counts I am an Indian and I am going to cast my vote this year too

Jubel D'C ruz

Revision to the immigration policies

The revisions to the UK's visa policies, particularly the substantial increases in salary thresholds, raise concerns about potential labour shortages and their consequences, especially in critical sectors like health and social care

Certain professions are exempt from the changes, but Indian migrants, who make up a large part of yearly migrants to the UK, might be affected more than others Changes to family visa rules, like needing English skills and higher income, raise worries about families being apart and making it harder to reunite

Additionally, increases in visa fees and requirements for post-graduation work visas might make the UK less appealing to foreign students Policymakers need to find a balance between controlling immigration and attracting skilled workers and students to help the UK's economy and society Diksh a Yadav

Child obesity

The recent article on childhood obesity struck a chord, highlighting the urgent need for action in combating this pressing public health concern It's clear that addressing childhood obesity requires a collaborative effort, involving government, healthcare, education, and community sectors

The expert’s opinions stress the many sides of the probl e m , l i k e h o w m o n e y a f f e c t s i t , t h e n e e d f o r l a s t i n g behaviour changes, and how ethnicity plays a role in health risks As a society, we must prioritise childhood obesity on the public health agenda, ensuring that every child has the opportunity for a healthy future Salo ny Dav e

This weekend on Out & About, brace yourself for a blend of classical, contemporary, and folk dance performances at Bhartiya Vidhya Bhavan in central London, on the occasion of the World Dance Day.

Watch the programme Sunday 05 May, 6.00 PM BST, only on Zee Tv

Sky 707 Virgin 809

Soneri Sangat

In the latest episode of 'Soneri Sangat', we hosted an interactive audience discussion featuring the esteemed Dr Jayshree Mehta as our guest speaker

Dr Jayshree Mehta, MBBS, MS(Surgery), FICS, was the First woman President of the Medical Council of India She offered valuable insights on women's health and wellness, along with practical advice Our discussion also covered simple tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and lot more

For detailed report of this event, see pg 18 of Gujarat Samachar this week

For those who m issed it, catch up on this event and previou s episod es by visiting our Yo uTube channel @abp lg roup 8772

Stay tuned for m ore exciting content coming yo ur way!

Remote working husbands

I read with great interest the article highlighting the innovative index developed by Beikecelltherapy com to recognise the invaluable contributions of stay-at-home parents It's refreshing to see a company acknowledging the vital role played by these individuals in our society

Indeed, the findings of the index shed light on the significant time investment made by stay-at-home parents and underscore the considerable financial implications of outsourcing their responsibilities Their ability as parents balancing professional and household duties is commendable and truly reflects the essence of shared responsibility and partnership within a family

In a world where remote work has become increasingly prevalent, it's heartening to see individuals embracing this flexibility to actively participate in family life Nikita Chand ola

First Minister Vaughan Gething at Holi in Cardiff

Minister

Telugu Association of London (TAL) hosts Ugadi event

The Telugu Association of London (TAL) hosted its 19th Ugadi celebrations, marking the Telugu New Year, on

Sattavis Patidar Centre, Wembley, London The event was graced by the

Chandrabose as the Chief Guest Seema Malhotra, MP for Feltham and

S ome of the most fearless ind iv iduals from man y nati onalities and backgrounds have come togeth er to put the v ery con cept of ‘Sharia’on trial at the United Nati ons O n 8

Women's Day, champions for women ’ s human rights came together to lodge a formal complaint to the United Nations

The complaint (Ref: WHRC 5964) is titled, ‘Thematic complaint to the Human Rights Council, United Nations on the worldwide and consistent patterns of gross, reliably attested, and continuing violations of women's human rights caused by sharia’

This must be one of the most important developments internationally in recent decades The complaint covers issues such as violence against women, the role of Sharia and the role of Islamic culture These warriors fighting for the rights of women must be commended In the world we live in, we have witnessed how the voice of women and those who fight for their rights are so often stifled Those who stifle this voice are leaders of many of the world’s leading institutions The United Nations is one such organisation that provides rhetoric and platitudes on human rights and women ’ s rightswith great ease, but in practice andin my opinion, it is probably one of the worst culprit that remains silent whilst women are abused mentally, physically, and emotionally by some cultural, religious, andideological practices

I asked some of the signatories for their reasons for supporting the complaint and their responses bring light and hope to women everywhere

Leslie S Lebl- Former Foreign Service Officer with the U S D e p a

Challenge of Sharia in the West (June 2023) said, ‘I doubt that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will respond, as called for in the Complaint; after all, many of its most prominent members are currently promoting the worldwide adoption of Sharia However, one must start somewhere, and the Complaint is an excellent place to do so It highlights the discrepancy between what the "international community" says in public and what actually happens Its arguments stand on very firm ground and no one should under-estimate the power of simply saying the truth in public’

Another signatory, Soraya M Deen the Founder of Muslim Women Speakers and co-chair of Women’s Working Group (International Religious Freedom Roundtable DC) said, ‘I strongly believe that Sharia laws(that are manmade) disfavours women Women's bodies have always been controlled and valorised by most religions Patriarchy is a disease where men assume moral superiority in religious matters In the Muslim world it is mainstream And Religious Freedom issues have always trumped gender discrimination And I strongly believe it is high time that we challenge, question and change those laws’

Every signatory has a story to tell, a view to share, an inner strength to stand up for women, the power and the resilience to challenge tyranny and be the voice for those without a voice Millions of Muslim women right across the world are silently praying that the United Nations will find a spine to investigate this complaint properly and expeditiously

The truth however if often very different The United Nations are known for appeasing to Islamists Even worse, leading nations sitting at the top table often turn a blind eye So the challenge I have today for every member state is, will you demand formally that the UN investigates this well-articulated complaint immediately and with full transparency?I have read the complaint and let me assure you all, if an independent jury sat on the evidence presented, they would find Sharia guilty as charged It is incompatible with the rights of women – full stop

Mathew Giagnoriofrom Ontario, Canada and Founder of A Further Inquiry put it nicely: ‘I proudly add my name to the list of signatories because, unlike previous UN Human Rights Complaints that address a single case, this complaint is the first to present a detailed case study to address the worldwide harmful effects of Sharia on Muslim and non-Muslim women ’ a

Human Rights which includes Women's Rights as understood by the UN Declaration of Human Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights, liberal secular democratic countries, and how it is understood by Sharia’

Community College and of City University of New York made an important observation stating, ‘I was horrified and appalled by UN’s silence even after learning about the horrific nature of barbaric rape, abductions, and sexual assault on Israeli women on October 7 Since I felt so strongly about it, I decided to be a signatory to this petition’

The sentiments expressed by Leslie S Lebl, Soraya M Deen, Mathew Giagnorio and Dr Lakshmi Bandlamudi are shared by millions of people right across the globe They have thrown the gauntlet down to the United Nations, it’s time to eradicate the abuse and violation of women by those imposing Sharia The motto forthis campaign for truth and justice is, ‘# I Stand with Her’ So today I decare that, ‘I Stand with Her’ The question I pose to you all, with whom do you stand? The victims of Sharia? Or with the perpetrators?

Kapil Dudakia

Heston, and Nandita Sahu from HCI London, were among the distinguished VIP attendees

First

Vaughan Gething embraced the spirit of the Holi celebrations at Cardiff Castle Covered in bright coloured paint, the 50-year-old politician joined hundreds of devotees in the courtyard

Above, third from left Raj Aggarwal, fourth from left Vaughan Gething at Holi Celebrations in Cardiff

Indians are the primary victims of modern slavery, study finds

Shefali Saxena

Arecent report by antislavery charity Unseen has revealed concerning trends in modern slavery, with Indians emerging as the most common nationality among potential victims for the first time

The report highlights a 30% increase in potential

various industries In 2023, victims originated from 106 countries, up from 99 the previous year, with Indian,

Vietnamese, and Chinese nationals among the most

support, ongoing concerns persist regarding the hostile environment towards

tance The report emphasises the urgent need for enhanced efforts to combat modern slavery and pro-

v i d e s u p p o r t t o v i c t i m s

modern slavers to take this opportunity to exploit people who are in desperate need of a job What is at

broken NHS and care in care homes (public and private) and the community, a huge section in dire need of carers, a poorly paid workforce that the locals do not

who are not warned of the

'Gujarat Samachar' celebrates 52 years

underscoring the severity of the issue While efforts

modern slavery, continued collaboration and support are crucial to protect vuln

crime

Dr Bashabi Fraser, CBE

told Asian Voice, “The ris-

brought into Britain for the care sector, is an indicator of the need in this country

Labour abuse remains the p r e d o m i n a n t f o r m o f exploitation, with a notable increase in cases within the care sector Alarming new trends include forced surr

likely to face here in the UK Also, the high unem-

world, forces the young to

India Both the Indian and

resolve it The recruiters who are responsible for this

beings, need to be brought to account and exposed, to send a warning message to those who have fallen into their trap or could fall into this hell of modern slavery in the near future ”

Ministers urged to cut migration by restricting student visas

A report endors ed by M ic hael Gove s ugges ts that only toppe r f or m i n g u ni v er s it ie s should b e all owed to is sue vis as to f oreign s tudent s This recommendation is part of a strategy proposed by O n w a r d , a c e n t r i s t

C o n s e r v a t i v e t h i n k t a n k , aiming to cut net migration to tens of thousands annually

b y " r a d i c a l l y r e f o r m i n g " immigration rules

T h e t h i n k t a n k a r g u e s that the current net migra-

t i o n l e v e l , w h i c h e x c e e d s 700,000 a year, discourages automation and the proper remuneration of UK workers

T h i s p r o p o s a l e m e r g e s amidst reports revealing that

tens of thousands of foreigne r s h a v e b e e n u s i n g t h e i r visas to lodge asylum claims for permanent residency in

B r i t a i n A c c o r d i n g t o t h e

D a i l y M a i l , o f f i c i a l d o c uments indicate that in the year to March of last year,

increase in asylum claims by v

21,525 a record high

over 102,000 have sought to remain in the UK after their initial temporary admission

Former Tory minister Neil O’Brien described these figures as “incredibly shocking

September, over 486,000 student visas were issued, with an additional 152,980 granted to partners and relatives

The Onward report sug-

visas, except for those with

restricting visa sponsorship for PhD students to only the most prestigious universities

Transport is key concern for older Londoners

their m ain c on cern The y ex pres sed a des ire for the n e w M a y or

o pr i o ri ti s e addres sin g thes e is sues Lifting restrictions on travel concessions, enhanci n g a c c e s s i b l e t r a n s p o r t , a n d e x p a n d i n g t h e U l t r a Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) are key priorities for older Londoners in the upcoming mayoral election, sign

improvements in the city's transport system O v e r 6 2 0 i n d

Dear valued readers,

Gujarat Samachar is set to achieve another golden milestone on May 5, 2024, in its journey of Gyanyagna and Sevayagna, as your favorite newsweekly enters its 53rd year.

With the grace of God, we have been fortunate to receive valuable support from our readers, advertisers, columnists, writers, artists, distributors, well-wishers, and patrons at every stage.

Gujarat Samachar, distinguished as the most widely circulated Gujarati newsweekly outside India, has upheld a continuous bond of engagement with the community. Your trust and confidence over the years have elevated our sense of responsibility.

We, our editorial team are dedicated to upholding your trust in the times ahead. Gujarat Samachar, Asian Voice, and our other publications have consistently been, and will remain, steadfast in serving the Indian community residing in the UK and other parts of the world.

A special project to commemorate Gujarat Samachar's ongoing publishing journey is planned. Stay tuned for more details in the days ahead. We are delighted and honored by your consistent love, support and blessings, considering us as your own without which this milestone was not possible. Once again, we are eternally grateful to all our readers and supporters.

Yours sincerely, CB Patel (Publisher and Editor-in-Chief)

abolishing the Ultra Low E

Several mayoral candidates

address these concerns

Abi Wood, CEO of Age UK London, commented, “Older people have campaigned vigorously for the

i d u a l s aged 50 and above responded to a poll asking for the top priority in improving the lives of older Londoners for the next Mayor Among the key demands were reinstating pre-9 am travel for F r e e d o m P a s s a n d 6

London With many older individuals grappling with the cost of living, access

can alleviate some of these financial pressures

Older Londoners

, addressing issues with ebikes and e-scooters, tackling rubbish on pavements, filling potholes on roads,

knife crime They called for increased police presence to enhance safety on the streets

Michael Gove

s

Essence of chai: Mira Manek's journey through history, stories, and recipes

Mira Manek, author, health and wellness coach, and

publishing her two books “ Saffron Soul” and “Prajna”, she launched her third book “The Book of Chai: History, Stories and Recipes” The book celebrates chai, the beloved spicy beverage deeply ingrained in Indian life. Exploring its rich history and cultural significance, it w

author's personal memories, showcasing how this drink unites family, history, and culture.

In an interview with Asian Voice, Mira spoke about the inspiration behind her new book, history of chai, diverse range of chai recipes and many more

1Can you share with us the inspiration behind your new book, "The Book of Chai: History, Stories and Recipes"?

I have always had a love affair with chai, and more specifically with spices that are always a part of my chai brew In this book, I bring together my love not only for chai, but for India, for spices, for storytelling, and of course history The book brings ancient stories to life, those of my grandmother growing up in a village in Gujarat with her nani (maternal grandmother), stories of migration and of festivals and train journeys in India, an ode to writing, to India, to culture – all centred around cups of chai

2Your book promises to delve into the rich history of chai while also incorporating personal stories from your own life and family. Can you tell us how these elements come together to create a unique reading experience?

When I started writing the Book of Chai, the stories came first, without planning it My travels around India, the calm of the villages and the frenetic streets of cities, the old and the new, theatre of chaiwalas, the ghats of Varanasi, trip to Kailas, train journey to Bihar, my grandmother’s trousseau of memories and her travels – the list goes on The history, which I found incredibly fascinating, came after, even though it is the first section of the book This required more research and reading, as well as i n t e r v i e w i n g h i s t o r i a n s , u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e

‘classification’ of chai, as one historian in India called it This book gives an insight into journeys across India, flavours of chai, how and when masala chai was born, and of course a plethora of delicious recipes

provide us with nto some of the ories from your that are e book?

h e r e a r e r a l s t o r i e s featuring my grandparents, f o r w h i c h I a s k e d m y

Fusion of culture and data in 'The Accountants' by Keith Khan

Subhasini Naicker

grandmother extensive questions, from her blissful childhood in a village in Gujarat, growing up with her own nani while her mother, father and brothers were in Mombasa; and how she eventually had to go to Mombasa – a story I loved listening to And then later in the book, I delve into their eight month pilgrimage back to India with my grandfather and three young boys, of the one trunk they carried with them, a miracle that occurred in Varanasi when a bull hit my uncle’s head and her memories of drinking chai at a train station late at night while the three boys slept on their single trunk or suitcase Chai features in all the stories, but it is also just a tool to share these beautiful stories, capture the essence of our culture and history and pack and unpack this treasure trove of memories

4With over 60 recipes included, how did you go about selecting and curating these diverse options? Are there any particular favourites you'd like to highlight?

The recipes firstly cover the diverse range of chai you can make at home, from the regional chai recipes of India to different combinations of spices to boil in your cup of chai, each of which radiate such different flavours There’s also a melted dark chocolate gingery chai, a way to combine spices which chocolate, which I love! There are lassis with different spices, again highlighting the different ways to use spices in drinks I also show how to use spices in food, from saffron oats to aniseed nut butter balls, from traditional kheer to crumbles and a masala chai bake Lastly, I have added recipes of snacks that can complement well with chai, an easy to make handvo recipe, pakora, chilli cheese toast, tofu bhurji and more I’ve also explained the history of Parle G biscuits and why they have become so iconic both in India and with Indians abroad

5In

what ways do you hope your book will resonate with readers, both those familiar with chai culture and those who may be discovering it for the first time?

The Book of Chai is a delightful fusion of history, narrative, and travelogue, it pens my own passion for this diverse country It brings together a whole array of drink and food recipes, all easy to make and all full of flavour, mostly very healthy but a few more indulgent ones to give that balance as well as portray famous pairings like chilli cheese toast and pakora and chai

Hollywood to remake Sikh short film 'Kaur'

T he accla imed s hort fi lm K aur, w h i ch pr

Briti sh s treamin g platforms I TVX a n d Br i t Bo x , i s s l a t e d f or a f eature- leng th remake

Starring Parvinder Shergill in t h

claims to be groundbreaking as it explores the journey of a British Sikh woman (Shergill) who defies her father's wishes by choosing to wear a turban for the first time

D e s p i t e h e r m

h e r ' s ( N i n a Wadia) support, tensions arise as they navigate the implications of her decision

Shergill said the new version o f K

writing it with Juggy Sohal, who wrote the original short film with her Talking to the media, she

Born in London, of Indo-Caribbean heritage, Keith Khan began his career in designing carnival in Trinidad and the UK. He created a company, called “Moti Roti” which existed from 1989 (closing in 2011) presenting work with diverse audiences, particularly South Asian They produced a range of thoughtful offerings, grounded in cultural omission or popular tropes

Covid may have eased the transition for some, the core concept remained challenging Throughout the process, Terence worked from Mumbai, while Xie Xin operated out of Shanghai Coordinating between two choreographers across different time zones presented logistical hurdles

Moreover, bringing 12 individuals from these countries to the UK posed its own set of challenges

Keith is coming up with a hightech, multimedia stage production “The Accountants” based on the data, stereotypes and cultures of India and China The production is choreographed by global dance icons Terence Lewis and Xie Xin, scheduled on May 4 to 11 In an interview with Asian Voice, he

Despite these obstacles, the experience has been immensely rewarding Embracing remote work has become integral to the project's development, offering a modern and efficient approach to collaboration

What was experience like collaborating with globally renowned dance icons Terence Lewis and Xie Xin and how did their expertise contribute to the production’s artistic vision?

spoke about the characters in the production, challenges, working with the choreographers and much more

Inwhat ways do the characters in the play grapple with the clash of cultural values between China and India, and how does this impact their personal journeys?

The journey began with a focus on data, but soon evolved with the collaboration of Terence Lewis from India and Xie Xin from China, along with their respective dance companies Recognising the need to infuse humanity and storytelling into the show, they transformed it into a mixed-media spectacle, enriched with video elements The narrative delves into the rejection of data, particularly concerning women's treatment in India and China, and questions of identity

Both Terence and Xie Xin proved to be remarkable collaborators

My first encounter with Terence was in 2018 during a research trip to China and India to find partners for this ambitious project It took time to identify collaborators who not only understood the theme but also embraced the online collaboration method Both dance companies demonstrated exceptional dedication and creativity, recognizing the rarity of such opportunities for Indian artists to engage in international productions of this calibre Working closely with them, we utilised platforms like Vimeo to share ideas, provide feedback, and refine our vision Xie Xin, who recently collaborated with the Paris Opera, showcased a similar level of commitment and adaptability It was inspiring to witness the enthusiasm and willingness of both Chinese and Indian dancers to collaborate, embodying the essence of the project's theme uniting two economic powerhouses

remake of the South Asian drama w o u l d h a v e a “ l o t m o r e characters”

“There’s going to be so much more opportunity for us brown people It’s going to be amazing –I really want to open up the doors in Hollywood for all of us behind and in front of the camera, ” she said

Shergill further said that the plot of the movie centres around a “ n a t u

l c o n v e r s

i o n t h a t happens in a Sikh household at s o m e p

i n t ” “ H

f a t h e r i s against her taking this path it’s not an easy path There’s a lot of honour and respect with owning your turban, but speaking to a lot of people, my father included, there’s been a lot of racism and discrimination, and we can’t hide away from that,” she added

The first half of the show remains data-heavy, gradually transitioning into a space where the relevance of data is questioned The story unfolds through the interactions of two characters: Kash, a British Asian woman, and Liam, a mixedrace Chinese boy Their exchanges, depicted solely through text messages and voice notes displayed on stage, reveal a conflict between perspectives Kash emphasising data-driven insights, while Liam advocates for lived experiences

This debate forms the framework of the narrative, exploring themes of cultural identity and societal norms

Whatchallenges have you encountered during the production of “The Accountants” that have shaped its development?

The project posed a significant challenge from the outset, as it was conceived as a collaboration with individuals from different countries, working remotely While the shift to remote work due to

What do you hope audiences will take away from the experience of watching “The Accountants”?

The audience is likely to be surprised by the wealth of knowledge about India and China that the show will impart For instance, they may discover lesserknown facts, such as India's greater representation in space with more Indian-origin women astronauts compared to China This aspect adds depth to the cultural exploration offered by the production The show is designed to provide a contemporary perspective on our relationship with data, questioning whether we are overwhelmed or controlled by it The second half delves into this theme with a more emotional approach, complemented by stunning dance performances and visually captivating video design It's important to note that the show doesn't follow a traditional storyline; rather, it offers an immersive experience akin to a music video or a website, inviting viewers to explore and engage with the content on a deeper level

Mira with her grandmother and mother, Hema Manek

Keith Khan

Still from rehearsals

Dementia UK raises vital funds for the leading cause of death in the UK

Shefali Saxena

Someone develops dementia every three minutes in the UK – that’s the time it takes to boil a kettle This May, Dementia UK, the specialist dementia nursing charity, is inviting the nation to make Time for a Cuppa

The charity’s dementia specialist Admiral Nurses, provides life-changing advice and support to anyone affected by dementia However, with rising numbers of families

i m

people are not getting the support they need Between 1st – 8th May, Dementia UK is encouraging people across the country to get together at home, at work, or in the local community to host a Time for a Cuppa event to help the charity continue delivering vital support to families with dementia

Friends, families, and neighbours can come together to enjoy a cup of tea and a slice of cake in return for a donation to the charity Every cuppa poured and penny raised will help the charity grow the number of specialist dementia nurses so more families can access their support

Over the past 14 years, Time for a Cuppa has raised over £1,600,000 which has helped to fund numerous Admiral Nurse services around the UK to support families with dementia

Sunita Devi, Diverse Admiral Nurse

Lead at Black Cou ntry Health NH S Tru st, told As ian V oice, “A 2022 study showed that the number of people from a South Asian background living with dementia is set to increase by 600 per cent within the next three decades, but we know this community is less likely to get access to treatment and support when diagnosed This is why events like Time for a Cuppa are so

Dementia UK’s Time for a Cuppa event also enables the charity to continue building the number of dementia specialist Admiral Nurses to reach more families who urgently need support ”

Dr Hilda Hayo , Chief Admiral Nurse and CEO o f Dementia UK said, “One in two of us will be affected by dementia in our lifetime Either by caring for someone with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both It is a huge and growing

y affected by dementia should have the support of a specialist nurse – but right now, we can’t reach everyone who needs us By taking part in Time for a Cuppa, you can help us recruit more Admiral Nurses which provide a lifeline to families Although there is no cure for dementia, there is care ”

Sarees go global

British Women in Sarees is p artnering with Uma Global to celebrate cultural diversit y an d h er it age th ro u gh music, dance, and th e timeless elegance of the saree in the heart of New Yo rk City

a t T i mes S q u are , fo r th e i c o ni c S a ree G o es G lo b al event on May 4th

On the heels of internationally acclaimed events by B r i t i s h W o m e n i n S a r e e s

s u c h a s t h e R o y a l A s c o t

L a d i e s ’ D a y , t h e h i s t o r i c S a r e e W a l k a t h o n a t Trafalgar Square in London, Venice Masquerade Festival,

t h e T u l i p G a r d e n s o f Holland, and Hot air balloons in Turkey, on May 4th they will come together to experience the vibrant pulse of Times Square as it beats to the rhythm of our Saree

W a l k a t h o n a s p e c t a c l e reminiscent of an Olympicstyle parade Over 500 participants from at least nine

d i f f e r e n t s a r e e - w e a r i n g

c o u n t r i e s h a v e a l r e a d y signed up to attend This promises to be an unforgettable celebration of cultural diversity, community, and c r a f t s m a n s h i p s u p p o r t i n g artisans in rural India

W i t h t h i s , B r i t i s h Women in Sarees is embarking on a remarkable journey to celebrate cultural diversity and heritage through the majestic symbol of the saree

On Saturday, 4th May, at noon, the vibrant pulse of

F a t h e r D u f f y S q u a r e i n Times Square will beat to

t h e r h y t h m o f S a r e e Walkathon, a spectacle reminiscent of an Olympic-style parade

Women in Sarees extends

Ascot Ladies’ Day and the historic Saree Walkathon at Trafalgar Square in London

These endeavours not only celebrate the saree but also serve as a beacon of hope for the handloom industry and artisans in rural India

As they bring the Saree Goes Global movement to the iconic Times Square, the women anticipate the participation of representatives

music, dance, and the timeless elegance of the saree L a s t y

Indian women by wearing the traditional Bandhani Art and walking to the famous

Illustrate the importance of Gujarati heritage and traditions by bringing attention to Garbas and Dandia raas throughout the walkathon!

Gujarat group Lead - Anjie Chhapia’s and the partici-

cities of Gujarat, famous for

weaving, recalled the intricate hard work the artisans put in to create this wonderful art on fabrics turned into

and so much more

Grandparents dip into savings to cover private school fees

Befor e a potent ia l VAT addition by a Labour gove rnment po

schools ar

hik ing fees by as mu

surge is pressur in g grandparents to dip into their pe nsions and savings to cover the costs S

costs at certain schools by over 20 per cent compared to three years ago The addition o

double this surge Financial advisors noted

that clients are resorting to tapping into pensions and other savings to pre-pay fees, aiming to circumvent poten-

the state education system, has prompted this preemptive action

have made up for freezing fees during the coronavirus

increases over the last two

years and the same is expected in September Schools acknowledge the

and

A survey conducted by The

Muslim Aid celebrates commitment to real living wage

Living Wage

UK employees will earn a minimum hourly wage of £13 15, exceeding the gove r n m e n t ' s c u r r e n t m i n im u m w a g e o f £ 1 1 4 4 f o r those over 21

Based in London, the UK charity employs most of i t s s t a f f i n t h e c a p i t a l , where around 574,000 jobs, or 13 3% of all positions, pay l e s s t h a n t h e r e a l L i v i n g Wage Muslim Aid ensures

t h a t e v e r y U K e m p l o y e e

e a r n s a t l e a s t £ 1 3 1 5 p e r

h o u r , a l i g n i n g w i t h t h e L o n d o n L i v i n g W a g e , which surpasses both the n a t i o n a l m i n i m u m w a g e and the Real Living Wage in other parts of the UK, set at £12 per hour

Zakya Hussain, Head of P e o p l e & C u l t u r e a n d S e r v i c e s a t M u s l i m A i d , c o m m e n t e d , “ P a y i n g t h e

Real Living Wage is a comm i t m e n t t o e x i s t i n g a n d

The organisation also offers p r o f e s s i o n a l d e v e l o p m e n t training to help employees a d v a n c e t h e i

shops that focus on stress management and health ”

f u t u r e e m p l o y e e s t h a t working for us means that they’re part of an organisation that lives by its values a n d t r e a t s p e o p l e w e l l , ensuring they will earn a good living for themselves and their families as well as doing good for others in society It’s part of several o t h e r i n i t i a t i v e s M u s l i m Aid has in place to enhance work-life balance, including extra paid days off on the two Muslim festivals of Eid every year, paid pilgrimage leave, hybrid working, flexible working hours, remote work options, and mental h e a l t h s u p p o r t t r a i n i n g

Continued from page 1

According to the 2022 revision of the World Population Prospects, India has more than 50% of its population below the age of 25 and more than 65% below the age of 35 That makes India one of the b

with a large young population This young population is all set to

power to vote and elect the leader of the country India’s political landscape and rapidly developing

ground to make tourism and travel a major category that would contribute to the rise of the nation as one of the top destinations for travelling

tourism appeal lies in its cultural diversity, epitomised by its myriad

r

l i g i o n s , l a n

, a n

t i o n s T h i s d i v e r s i t y c r e a t e s a tapestry of experiences, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the vibrant customs and rituals of different regions The inaugura-

t i o n o f t h e R a m t e m p l e i n Ayodhya is poised to significantly elevate temple tourism in India, with projections suggesting that at least 100 million visitors will flock to the site annually, as per

f f

renowned global religious centers

l i k e t h e V a t i c a n C i t y , d r a w i n g comparisons to its annual visitation figures Similarly, Mecca, a significant pilgrimage destination

f o r M u s l i m s , a t t r a c t s a p p r o x imately 20 million visitors each year

According to recent statistics, India has emerged as the top destination for UK patients seeking

a f f o r d a b l e h e a l t h c a r e a b r o a d , accounting for over 10% of all medical tourism cases from the UK In the UK, lengthy waiting times for non-emergency treat-

m e n t s d r i v e p a t i e n t s t o s e e k quicker solutions through medical tourism in India

Patients gain timely access to

h e a l t h c a r e , c h o o s i n g t r e a t m e n t dates and bypassing waiting lists

The Covid-19 pandemic boosted telemedicine adoption, enabling remote consultations with Indian doctors UK-India hospital collab-

o r a t i o n s e n h a n c e p a t i e n t c a r e continuity, with customised packages offering comprehensive services Positive patient testimonials

a m p l i f y I n d i a ' s r e p u t a t i o n f o r medical tourism, driving demand

t h r o u g h w o r d - o f - m o u t h a n d

o n l i n e p l a t f o r m s T h i s t r e n d underscores the growing appeal and accessibility of Indian healthcare services for UK patients

India's tourism industry set to surpass pre-pandemi c levels in 2024

D i p a k D i v a , M D o f T r a v e l Corporation of India, predicts sustained double-digit growth for the next few years, citing the recent

s u r g e i n i n b o u n d t o u r i s m a n d r o b u s t h o t e l p e r f o r m a n c e T h e acquisition of over 1000 aircraft by Indian airlines and the doubling of airports in the last decade are expected to further bolster the t o u r i s m s e c t o r , p r o v i d i n g increased accessibility and connectivity for foreign tourists

New and emerging destinations like Varanasi and Ayodhya are witnessing a surge in foreign

India’s tourism boom

tourist arrivals, with attractions like the construction of the Ram temple drawing international visit o r s I n d i a ' s d i v e r s e o f f e r i n g s , from cultural heritage to scenic beaches and delectable cuisine, contribute to its growing popularity among global travellers

C h i n a s d e c l i n i n g t o u r i s m d e m a n d

n opportunity for India to attract more tourists, further enhancing its appeal as a preferred destination With the government's initiatives like the Visit India Year 2023 and participation in internat

aims to position itself as a holistic destination in major global markets

Projections indicate a bright future for India's tourism industry, with revenue expected to surpass $59 billion by 2028 and FTAs estimated to reach 30 5 million As s

investments and initiatives like the "Incredible India" campaign

tourism landscape on the global stage

The Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with overseas Indian missions, has actively participated in major international travel exhibitions like FITUR and served as a partner country for events like the JATA Tourism Expo These efforts aim to showcase India's tourism potential and attract visitors from key international markets

By 2028, India's tourism and hospitality industry is projected to generate revenue exceeding $59

t e d t o reach 30 5 million In 2023 alone, f o r e i g n e x c

n g e e a r n

n g s amounted to USD 28 07 billion, underscoring the significant economic impact of tourism

W i t h h i g h e x p e c t

, industry stakeholders are gearing up for a transformative period in I n d i a ' s t o u r i s m l a n d s c a p e Strategic investments, combined w i t h i n i t i a t i v e s s u c

"Incredible India" campaign, are poised to elevate the country's profile as a premier travel destination As India continues to capitalise on its diverse attractions and cultural richness, the tourism sector is set to play a pivotal role in driving economic growth and fostering international exchange and cooperation

Indi a's ri sing status in medical touris m amid global healthcare c hallenges

T h e N H S i n t h e U K f a c e s i s s u e s l i k e a g e i n

, digitalisation needs, resource constraints, and staff retention difficulties, worsened by the Covid-19 p

is a cornerstone of its success, renowned for world-class facilities specialising in areas like cardiology, orthopaedics, and organ transp l a n t s T h e s e e s t a

h m e n t s adhere to international standards, earning accreditations that inspire c o n f i d e n c e i n p a t i e n t s s e e k i n g treatment abroad

“Government initiatives such as 'Heal in India' and 'Advantage H e a l t h c

n g

healthcare infrastructure shines,

trained medical professionals, and c

Government initiatives and tech-

bolster India's position in medical tourism, promising growth in specialised healthcare services and enhanced patient care delivery

For instance, in the UK, residents in Knowsley don’t have dentists to reach out to for their dental care

The NHS is under extreme strain and many people are going without the care they need In July 2023, the waiting list for routine hospital treatment in England had grown to nearly 7 7 million –

390,000 people waiting more than a year

More than a third of cancer

g potentially deadly delays, leading doctors have said, with thousands of people forced to wait months to begin treatment

There has also been a significant surge in people experiencing long waits in A&E, though the overall NHS waiting list continues to fall, according to the latest performance data for England An estimated total 7 6m health treatments were waiting to be carried

December, relating to 6 37 million patients, down slightly from 7 61m

patients at the end of November

In 2022, India's travel healthcare sector was valued at $9 bill i o n , w i t h a r o u n d 2 m i l l i o n patients from 78 countries visiting f

V F treatments, contributing $6 billion annually With government initiatives like Heal in India, this figure is expected to reach $13 billion by 2026 India attracts medical tourists from various countries, including Australia, Canada, China, Russia, the UK, and the US

S p e a k i n g t o A s i a n V o i c e , R Venkatesh, Senior Management E x e c u t i v e a t N a r a y a n a H e a l t h , “India's healthcare infrastructure

h e growth of the medical tourism sector These initiatives streamline visa processes, promote the industry globally, and provide relia b l e p l a t f o r m s f o r p a t i e n t s t o access information ”

While India's medical tourism s e c t o r h a s m a d e s i g n i f i c a n t strides, challenges remain, including infrastructure improvements and policy support Despite these hurdles, India's medical prowess a n d a f f o r d a b i l i t y c o n t i n u e t o attract patients worldwide, signalling a promising future for the country's healthcare landscape

Transformi ng healthcare: The impact of medic al tourism agencies

M e d i c a l t o u r i s m h a s w i tnessed remarkable growth, with India emerging as a leading destination due to its superior medical facilities, skilled healthcare prof e s s i o n a l s , a n d c o s t - e f f e c t i v e

t r e a t m e n t o p t i o n s S p e c i a l i s e d medical tourism agencies play a crucial role in promoting India's healthcare services globally and ensuring a seamless experience for international patients

A n n u P u r i , c o - f o u n d e r a n d director at IndiCure spoke the n e w s w e e k l y a n d e m p h a s i s e d transparency and clear communic a t i o n t h r o u g h o u t t h e m e d i c a l tourism process She routes for offering comprehensive information on procedures, costs, and o u t c o m e s , I n d i C u r e p r i o r i t i s e s i n f o r m e d d e c i s i o n - m a k i n g f o r clients

S i m i l a r l y , A n u r a g S i n g h , founder & CEO of Yapita Health, highlighted their AI-driven serv i c e s t h a t e x p e d i t e t r e a t m e n t plans and provide second medical opinions from top global doctors Leveraging India's reputation for high-quality care at lower costs, Yapita Health facilitates personalised and affordable healthcare

s o l u t i o n s f o r i n t e r n a t i o n a l patients

I n d i a s a l l u r e a s a m e d i c a l t o u r i s m h u b s t e m s f r o m i t s a d v a n c e d m e d i c a l f a c i l

e s , s k i l l e d p r o f e s s i o n a l s , a n d c o s teffectiveness, attracting patients

s e e k i n g w o r l d - c l a s s h e a l t h c a r e without the financial burden As more individuals opt for treatm e n t i n c o u n t r i e s l i k e I n d i a ,

Turkey, and the UAE, the future

o

promising, driven by the pursuit of quality care and affordability

A yodhya new religious tourist hub

According to analysts cited by R

n

o f Ayodhya as a new religious tourist hub, coupled with enhanced conn e c t i v i t y a n d i n f r a s t r u c t u r e , i s expected to yield substantial economic benefits Currently, India's tourism sector contributes $200 billion to the economy, accounting for 7% of the nation's GDP

The government's financial backing of pilgrimage sites across the country is anticipated to further propel tourism growth

The transformative impact of such initiatives is exemplified by the resurgence of Varanasi following the inauguration of the Kashi V

Government data cited by Reuters indicates that over 130 million

marking a significant surge from the city's previous annual footfall of 7 million Moreover, local businesses and hotels in Varanasi have experienced a notable uptick in revenue, with some witnessing an increase of up to 65%, underscoring the positive ripple effects of

tourism and the local economy

excellence, including infrastructure deficiencies, safety concerns, and sustainability issues To fully

India must prioritise infrastruc-

safety measures, promote sustainable practices, and streamline visa procedures

India holds immense promise as a global tourism powerhouse, with its cultural richness, historical landmarks, adventure offer-

attracting travelers from far and

cement its position as a top-tier destination on the world tourism map

India has always been renowned for its cultural depth and historical splendour, and is now being recognised for its progressive healthcare services As a leading destination for medical tourism, India attracts hundreds of thousands of medical tourists annually The country's healthcare system uniquely blends its rich traditional practices with modern medical innovations

Read our special feature on Health and Tourism from P14-17

New hope emerges for children with tumours

The NHS has approved a new treatment that could allow chil-

chemotherapy

This treatment is particularly suited for young patients with e a r l y -

them to receive care at home They will be administered a combination of the drugs dabrafenib

e necessity for frequent hospital visits for chemotherapy

Children with more aggres-

sive tumours might still require chemotherapy but can benefit

new therapy is designated for children with the Braf V600E gene mutation, which leads to the production of abnormal proteins that contribute to tumour growth in the brain The drugs f u n c t i o n a s c a n c e r g r o w t h blockers," targeting these proteins to slow or halt the tumour development

Traditional treatment metho

removal of the tumour followed b

m

t h e

a p y s e ssions The new drug combination offers a less severe alternative, available in both tablet and liquid forms, and can be administered at home, making the treatment process considerably less taxing for the patients and their families

T h e d r u g s , d a b r a f e n i b a n d trametinib, marketed as Finlee and Spexotras respectively, are produced by Novartis

Anusha Singh

summer not only brings longer days and warmer weather but also shifts our food cravings and meal preparations This change offers a perfect opportunity to refresh our diets by embracing the

foods of winter

I

Voice, nutritionist and board-certified Lifestyle Medicine professional Rohini Bajekal (MA Oxon, MSc Nutrition and Food Sciences, D

) discusses how to adapt our eating habits for summer

we transition from winter to

dietary preferences?

In the UK, a staggering nine out of ten people do not meet the recommended daily fibre intake of 30 grams of fibre, a crucial nutrient that protects against chronic health issues such as type 2 diabetes and c

l y , South Asians in the UK face up to six times the risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to their white counterparts To increase the fibre content of your diet, I recommend adding more whole plant foods to your plate Raw foods are particularly good to include in the spring a n d s u m m e r w h e n y o u r b o d y craves cooling, crunchy, hydrating foods High-water-content foods like watermelon, cucumber, tomato and leafy greens such as lettuce

are ideal

Additionally, herbs and spices are excellent additions to any diet due to their high antioxidant content the highest among all food groups You can easily add basil to pasta, coriander to dal, or fresh mint leaves to salads and raita It is beneficial to consume a diverse range of at least 30 different plant f o o d s w e e k l y I f y o u u s u a l l y choose regular potatoes, try sweet potatoes, quinoa instead of rice and radishes instead of carrots

Could you explain the roles of probiotics and prebiotics in gut health?

u t microbiome flourish by populating it with beneficial bacteria In contrast, prebiotics act like fertilisers; they create a healthy envi-

bacteria to thrive Prebiotics are a type of fibre found in foods such as green bananas, onions, garlic,

foods such as sauerkraut and fermented raw cabbage are potent sources of probiotics, gut-loving good bacteria Studies on probiotic-rich foods suggest that those w

y improve their anxiety levels, perception of stress and overall mental well-being Other healthy probiotic-rich foods options include soya yoghurt and fermented foods such as idli and dosa

Whatare healthy eating tips for children during the summer?

Avoid labelling foods as "good" or "bad," which can lead to a negative mindset and unhealthy eating

cycles Instead, engage in creating healthy snack plates Assemble a vibrant array of vegetables such as carrots, red peppers, cucumbers, and radishes resembling a rainbow, with hummus as a nutritious

arrange a diverse fruit plate and add almond or peanut butter for

nutrition Include a bit of melted chocolate to add indulgence without excess

homemade ice pops by pouring fruit and vegetable smoothies into

Other healthy snack ideas include

, homemade popcorn, homemade

sesame seeds, almonds, or chia seed pudding Remember, snacking wisely is beneficial, boosting energy levels and promoting overall health

Whatadvice can you offer for maintaining a healthy weight without resorting to restrictive diets?

Focus less on the scale and more on making practical shifts toward a healthier lifestyle Simple swaps can make a significant dif-

usage by cooking with an air fryer or incorporating more raw foods into your diet Opt for whole plant foods such as fruit, vegetables, beans, and intact whole grains like oats, quinoa, red rice, and traditional grains like jowar and bajra, which are rich in micronutrients such as magnesium and iron

Eating foods in their whole form is also beneficial For example, consuming 10 oranges would take much longer than drinking a glass of orange juice, and eating the whole fruit retains fibre, which helps you feel full Aim for at least half of your plate to be fruits and vegetables, a quarter to be proteinrich foods like tofu, beans, and lentils, and the remaining quarter to include intact whole grains like sweet potatoes, quinoa, and oats Enjoy a handful of nuts and seeds daily – moderate consumption of raw, unsalted nuts has been shown to help with weight management

Whatare some common nutritional mistakes people make during the summer, and how can these be avoided?

C o m m o n d i e t a r y m i s t a k e s often stem from frequent snacking and unstructured meal times It’s crucial to establish a routine of sitting down for well-defined meals, which helps signal to our bodies that it’s time to eat and prevents m

error A fibre-rich breakfast is vital as our bodies are most equipped to p r o c e s s c a r b o h y d r a t e s i n

morning due to increased insulin s

eaters tend to manage their weight better than those who skip it Ideal meal timing should fea-

moderate lunch, and a light dinner to align with our body’s natural circadian rhythms, as eating large meals later can hinder digestion a n d s l e e p q u a l i t y A

during warmer months, it's impor-

and drinks like herbal teas over high-calorie beverages like sodas

Lastly, what are some general tips that one should adhere to shift towards a healthier lifestyle?

Start by overcoming feelings of guilt and avoid extreme thinking, like indulging completely because you had one biscuit As much as possible, try to treat yourself with compassion and set realistic, nonjudgmental goals Focus on divers i f y i n g y o u r d i

counting calories aim to include 30 different plant foods each week and make simple swaps, such as adding more fruits and vegetables t o m

P l a n n

a l ; schedule meal prep, workouts, and social walks like you would any appointment Keep a journal to track progress and reward achievements

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‘Ophthalmology Made Easy’: Addressing gaps in eye health education

to the very specialised nature of ophthalmologywhich does not traditionally get as much exposure in medical school compared to other specialities

Dr Twishaa S heth, a sp ecialist reg istrar

o phthalmolog ist in the East o f England Deanery, has g arnered notable achievements in her field S he w as recognised with the Marie Comer Ophthalm ology Prize at C am bridg e U niv ersity Hosp itals and received the p restigio us Harcou rt Gold M ed al in 20 23 for achiev ing the highest m ark in the final Fellowship o f the Royal Colleg e of Ophthalm ologists Exit Examinations on her first attempt

Her passion for teaching Ophthalmology is evident as she strives to make the subject accessible to newcomers Collaborating with Dr Michelle Attz, a post-Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, Dr Sheth has co-authored a guide on detecting eye problems as part of the renowned 'Made Easy' series

In an interview with Asian Voice, she shares the importance of eye health and the need to make the understanding of ophthalmology easier for the common masses

What inspired you to cowrite "Ophthalmology Made Easy," and what gap in existing resources were you hoping to address with this book?

My co-author Michelle Attz and I were inspired to co-write "Ophthalmology Made Easy" by recognising a gap in ophthalmic medical education There are so many books that cover the 'nitty gritty' science of ophthalmic medicine superbly in terms of anatomy, physiology and pathology However, we wanted a practical, go-to, easy-to-read, user-friendly guide that would be useful to those outside the field, or new to the field

Vision is so incredibly important Ophthalmology has grown into one of the highest-volume specialties for hospital clinic attendance and cataract eye surgery is one of the most common operations carried out in the UK

Despite this, we know that many non-Ophthalmic medical practitioners, including GPs, A&E doctors, and medical students, often lack confidence in managing eye problems due

This book aims to fill that void by providing essential skills for initial assessment, basic management techniques, and guidance on when to refer to ophthalmology specialists We hope that it will be helpful for medical students GPs, A&E doctors, Optometrists and budding Ophthalmologists We also hope those who work in non-medical fields in Ophthalmology: such as receptionists and secretaries, can enjoy the book - feeling more engaged with their work and being able to relate to patients even more In your opinion, what are the most common misconceptions or challenges healthcare professionals face when dealing with eye emergencies?

One common challenge non-ophthalmic healthcare professionals face is the misconception that all eye problems require immediate specialist intervention - which we feel stems from underexposure to ophthalmology in undergraduate curricula In reality, many conditions can be managed effectively in primary care settings with the right knowledge, ensuring the patient is cared for in the appropriate setting - or, if referral to the hospital eye service is required - that this is more streamlined, efficient and appropriate

Another challenge is identifying red flags that indicate sight- or lifethreatening conditions amidst a wide array of less urgent cases This book aims to help arm the reader with this knowledge to help improve overall patient outcomes

With the rise of digital devices and prolonged screen time, what advice do you have for individuals to prevent eye strain and protect their vision in today's digital age?

With the increasing prevalence of digital devices and prolonged screen time, preventing eye strain and protecting vision is crucial in today's digital age Simple measures such as taking regular breaks, adjusting screen brightness and contrast and ensuring proper lighting can help alleviate eye strain Those who are prone to dry eye can try lubricating eye drops, readily available over the counter It is important

to ensure sight tests with your optician regularlywho can refer you to a hospital eye doctor or surgeon should there be any cause for concern

Whatwere some of the biggest challenges you faced in writing "Ophthalmology Made Easy," and how did you overcome them?

Writing "Ophthalmology Made Easy" presented several challenges, including simplifying complex concepts without oversimplifying critical information and ensuring relevance to a diverse audience of healthcare professionals Overcoming these challenges involved meticulous research, collaborating closely with our publishers, and thorough revision to ensure clarity and accuracy

Could you provide an overview of the essential skills and knowledge that readers can expect to gain from the book, particularly in terms of managing eye emergencies in various clinical settings?

The book covers essential skills such as performing initial assessments, understanding basic management techniques, and determining when to refer to ophthalmology specialists It includes a glossary of common ophthalmic terminology and medications, a triageready reckoner for symptom sorting, and a systems-based approach to common conditions Additionally, it offers guidance on interpreting investigations and highlights red flag warnings for critical conditions With symbols indicating tasks suitable for primary care versus specialist intervention, this book is a valuable resource for medical students, junior doctors, nurses, and other healthcare (and nonhealthcare) professionals working with patients with eye problems

How to let go

Psychologist Mamta Saha

Dear Readers, Today, I'm excited to explore the transformative journey of letting go and the peace that accompanies it Just as we discussed unlocking our potential, letting go is

growth that can lead to a more fulfilling and balanced life Have you ever found yourself clinging to something whether it's a past mistake, a toxic relationship, or

move forward? Letting go is about shed-

allowing yourself the freedom to flourish

In our Asian culture, there is a strong emphasis on familial duty, societal expectations, and preserving tradition While these values hold great significance, they can also create pressure to conform and uphold certain norms, even at the expense of individual happiness and well-being As a result, many individuals within the Asian community may find themselves feeling guilty, obligated and reluctant to let go of beliefs or behaviours that no longer serve them Letting go is not a sign of weakness; it's an a c t o

requires us to confront our fears, acknowledge our vulnerabilities, and embrace the unknown with open arms

How can we begin the process of letting go? Here are some simple ways to get started:

Practice Acce ptan ce : Acceptance is the first step towards letting go Acknowledge what has happened and make peace with it

Embrace the present moment with g r a t i t

openness

resentments only harms ourselves Practice forgiveness, both for yourself and others

Release the weight of past grievances and allow healing to take place

Le ttin g Go of Ex pecta tions: Life doesn't always go as planned, and that's okay Let go of rigid expectations and embrace the fluidity of life Trust in the journey and allow things to unfold naturally

Embr ace Cha nge : Change is inevitable, b

change as an opportunity for growth and renewal Let go of the need to control every outcome and trust in the process of life

Letting go is a journey, not a destination It's a daily practice of self-reflection, self-love, and self-discovery It's about cont i n u o u s l y r e l e a s i n g t h

longer serve us and embracing the everchanging rhythm of life with an open heart and mind Remember that it is not a onetime event but a continuous process of release and renewal Just as the trees shed their leaves in autumn, you too can shed that which no longer serves you, making room for new growth and possibilities R

ebook at www mamtasaha com and reach out to find out more about coaching and workshops

Healing the Indian way

India has becom e a prominent player in the m ed ical tou ris m ind us try, off ering h ig hquality h ealthcare services at costs significantly low er than those in Western nations

To capitalise further on this sector the Indian government is promo ing traditional medical system l i k e A y u r v e d a , Y o g a , N a t u r o p a t h y , U n a n i , S i d d h a , Psychology and Homoeopathy to travellers These unique areas of expertise are poised to propel India's medical tourism boom a more people turn to alternati medicine for chronic illnesses

ity Homeopathic remedies, and vast experience of clinical homoeopaths here, where it is widely accepted and used are areas where such a concept would work for patients and doctors alike ” reference fo r cu lturally sensitive p sych iatric care

Dr Mukul Choksi

T he g row ing international demand for ho meopathic treatment

Homeopathy has seen a lot of turbulence in recent years but has stood its ground in offering a gentle, holistic mode of treatment for a wide variety of ailments such as chronic conditions, allergies, auto-immune disorders and lifestyle-related diseases, according t o D r A rv i n d K i sh o r e, a w e l l - k n o w n homoeopath doctor with decade f experience He said, “A lot mor people are now open and enthusiastic in approaching alternative systems of therapeutics to l o n g - t e r m a m e l i o r a t i o n a n d cure As a consequence patients from abroad are willing and keen to get Homeopathic treatment i India

P s y c h i a t r y i s a p r o m i s i n g field for medical tourism, especially for South Asian families abroad Non-Resident Indians, despite adjusting to new envionments, often find it difficult to ccess culturally sensitive psychological support in their adopted countries due to a lack of understanding of their cultural nuances

According to Dr Mukul Cho ksi, a prominent Psychiatrist based in Surat, “Several Indians living abroad are turning to their homeland for medical assistance, where there is a deeper understanding of their cultural context and needs Additionally, factors such as cost-effectiveness and the faling healthcare systems in some oreign countries make India an attractive option ” He shared his opinion on the scope of medical tourism in psychiatry, he said, “In the realm of medical tourism, psychiatry presents unique challenges Unlike t h

Dr Arvind Kishore

“An important reason for the international patients being attracted to seek Homeopathic treatment here is the cost-effectiveness as the economics of long term, constitutional treatment especially for chronic ailments may involve protracted treatment and follow-up in India, that is a d i s t i n c t a d v a n t a g e t h a t r e l i a b l e

Homeopathic medicines are quite readily available, definitely less expensive and even follow up course of treatments can be maintained and pursued upon conveniently ” About the future scope of international demand for homoeopathy, Dr Kishore said, “ M e d i c a l T o u r i s m i n H o m e o p a t h y , although in its infancy, has opened up and is soon to be, a very acceptable and approachable mode of therapeutics which would in itself, attracting patients to India Rigorous standards of prescribing, availability of qual-

dentistry, which often require just one-time interventions, mental health care is more intricate and typically demands ongoing treatment The complexity lies in initiating treatment in person and then attempting to manage it remotely, which can be quite challenging India is currently more adept at handling short-term wellness issues rather than long-term mental health care ”

However, Dr Choksi has been focusing on a particular issue, which is the professional aspect of handling seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a disorder that stems from a lack of biochemical comfort due to insufficient sunlight, leading individuals to seek treatments such as light therapy Given this scenario, there's an untapped opportunity in medical tourism that India could capitalise on

Anusha Singh

India: The rising star of medical tourism

care Historically, this

nations that were not

countries However, recent trends show

medical treatments

T r a v e l h e a l t h c

i s a burgeoning industry in India In 2022, the sector was valued at approximately US$9 billion Each year, around 2 million patients from 78 different countries visit India to seek medical, wellness, and IVF treatments, contributing about $6 billion to the industry

W i t h s u p p

n m e n t ' s H e

g o v e

o m t h

n I n d i a initiative, this figure is projected to rise to $13 billion by 2026 India attracts a significant number of medical tourists from countries

c l

Kingdom, and the United States

A strained NHS and India’s booming medical tourism

When it comes to the UK, like

m a n y g l o b a l h e a l t h c a r e

o r g a n i s a

N H S

navigated numerous challenges over the past few decades Today, the NHS faces pressing issues like an aging population, the urgent need for digitalisation, resource c o n s t

c o m p l e x

a m o n g p a t i e n t s , o n g o i n g s t a f f retention difficulties, and primary h e a l t h c a r e s h o r t c

re a t m e n t A mong the leadi ng desti nations i n this rapidly growing m arket is I n di a, re now ne d f or i ts w orldc la s s m e d i c a l f a c i li t i e s , h i g hl y trai ned healthcare profe ssionals , a n d c os t- e f f e c t i v e t r e a tm e n t o p ti o n s A t t h e f o r e f ro n t of p r om ot i n g I n d i a a s a p re m i e r m edical tourism des tination are

s pe c i a l i s e d m e d i c a l t ou r i s m agen cies The se agen cies play a pivotal role i n mark eti ng In dia's h e al th c a re s er vi c e s to a g lo b al a u d i e n c e , f a c i l i t a ti n g s e a m l e s s a c c e s s to t o p- n ot c h m e d i c a l f a c i li t i e s , a n d e n s u r i n g a c om f o r ta b l e e x p e ri e n c e f or patien ts travelling from a broad

hospitals are equipped with

n d communication breakdowns are exacerbated by backlogs in clinic appointments and procedures, a situation further worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic Covid-19 has also deepened existing problems, pushing the NHS into a severe staffing crisis and causing significant delays in patient care due to backlogs This crisis is compounded by chronic underfunding and exacerbated by c u r r e n t

stagnation, leading to an exodus of both junior and senior staff to o v e r s e a s

care also seem to be missing

excels where all others lack The country has become a premier destination for medical tourism, bolstered by several compelling

hospitals have been trained or

from leading medical institutions in the U S , Europe, and other developed regions

Additionally, the majority of medical professionals, including doctors and nurses, are fluent in

E

conglomerates

The nursing staff in India is

year Furthermore, India

allowing

as 'Heal in India' and 'Advantage H e a l t h c a r e I n d i a ' h a v e b e e n i n s t r u m e n t a l i n n u r t u r i n g t h e growth of the medical tourism

s e c t o r T h e s e i n i t i a t i v e s s t r e a m l i n e v i s a p r o c e s s e s , p r o m o t e t h e i n d u s t r y g l o b a l l y , and provide reliable platforms for patients to access information

“Additionally, India's medical tourism landscape has expanded t o i n c l u d e t r a d i t i o n a l w e l l n e s s practices like Ayurveda, catering to a broader range of patients

s e e k i n g h o l i s t i c h e a l t h c a r e

s o l u t i o n s T e c h n o l o g i c a l advancements like telemedicine

monitoring, will enhance patient c

Telemedicine platforms will ”

“There is a need for improved infrastructure and more robust policy support”

According to Dr K unal S arkar, S en

Cardiac Heart S urgeon & Head M I CS a t th e Me di c a

erspeciality Hosp ital, cardiac treatment has been

c a s e m a n a g e r s p r o v i d e continuous support and address concerns promptly We prioritise i n f o r m e d

amenities “India is likely to see significant growth in specialised healthcare services” A c c o r d i n g t o R V e nk a tes h , Senior Management Execu tive at

facilities specialising in areas like c

international standards,

treatment abroad

“Government initiatives such

h a v e f u r t h e r e n h a n c e d accessibility and convenience for p a t i e n t s s e e k i n g t r e a t m e n t i n India ” M r V e n k a t e s h h a i l s c o s t

e f f e c t i v e n e s s , q u a l i t y o f c a r e , technological advancements and minimal waiting time to be the key factors contributing to the rise of India as a medical tourism

d e s t i n a t i o n T h e g o v e r n m e n t ’ s s u p p o r t o f v i s a p o l i c i e s , r e g u l a t o r y f r a m e w o r k , investment in infrastructure, skill

d e v e l o p m e n t a n d p r o m o t i o n a l campaigns are also significant in s u p p o r t i n g t h e g r o w t h o f t h e m e d i c a l t o u r i s m s e c t o r , i n h i s opinion

A b o u t t h e f u t u r e p o t e n t i a l I n d i a h o l d s , h e s a i d , “ I n d i a i s likely to see significant growth in s p e c i a l i s e d h e a l t h c a r e s e r v i c e s , s u c h a s a d v a n c e d s u r g i c a l p r o c e d u r e s , o r g a n t r a n s p l a n t s , c a n c e r t r e a t m e n t , a n d regenerative medicine Hospitals and clinics specialising in these areas will attract patients seeking c u t t i n g - e d g e t r e a t m e n t s n o t readily available or affordable in their home countries

“ T h e i n t e g r a t i o n o f t e c h n o l o g y , i n c l u d i n g telemedicine; enabling patients to consult with Indian healthcare

definitive, predictable outcomes According to him, “The allure of reliable results has historically

orthopaedics, cancer treatment, and brain surgery also began to play

medical

improved outcomes today, even

of

Transforming healthcare: The impact of medical tourism agencies

s e s t o o f f e r t o p - n o t c h

e x p e r i e n c e s W i t h w o r l d - c l a s s m e d i c a l f a c i l i t i e s a n d s k i l l e d p r o f e s s i o n a l s a c r o s s s p e c i a l t i e s , i n c l u d i n g p l a s t i c s u r g e r y , cardiology, and oncology, India provides advanced care Patients can also enjoy India s rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty during r e c o v e r y L e v e r a g i n g t h e s e

s t r e n g t h s , w e p r o v i d e

c o m p r e h e n s i v e p a c k a g e s , including personalised treatment

p l a n s , t r a v e l a s s i s t a n c e , a n d

c u l t u r a l o r i e n t a t i o n

with top global doctors based on their symptoms, diagnosis, and reports, ensuring that they receive p e r s o n a l i s e d a n d h i g h - q u a l i t y medical care in India We also help with the visa, flights and other logical needs ”

care at a fraction of the cost than other western countries, he said, “India's renowned reputation for

compared

Speaking about the medical tourism process and offering in her organisation, A nnu Puri, one of the co-founders and director at I n d i C u r e s a i d , “ W e p r i o r i t i s e t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d c l e a r communication to guide clients t h r o u g h o u t t h e i r m e d i c a l journey "We offer comprehensive information on procedures, costs, a n d o u t c o m e s t h r o u g h o u r website and materials Dedicated

one sessions to explain customs and etiquette Our team assists

maintain transparency in costs,

staff remains available to address

comfortable experience for our clients,” she added Speaking about India being an attractive destination for medical tourists, she said, “India's allure

C o l l a b o r a t i n g w i t h a c c r e d i t e d h o s p i t a l s a n d e x p e r i e n c e d p r o f e s s i o n a l s , w e e n s u r e a

s e a m l e s s j o u r n e y f r o m

c o n s u l t a t i o n t o f o l l o w - u p , delivering exceptional value and satisfaction to our clients ” Speaking about his medical agency, founder & CEO of Yapita Health Anurag Singh said, “Yapita

H e a l t h o f f e r s a w i d e r a n g e o f services to international patients

s e e k i n g m e d i c a l t r e a t m e n t i n I n d i a W e p r o v i d e t h e f a s t e s t t r e a t m e n t p l a n a n d s e c o n d medical opinion using AI from top global doctors, catering to the specific needs of foreign patients

U s i n g o u r A I p l a t f o r m , w e facilitate the matching of patients

The

cost of medical treatments in India, combined with the expertise of

R Venkatesh

Dr Kunal Sarkar

Dear Financial Voice Reader,

Alpesh Patel

Dear Financial Voice Reader,

This week, standing outside the venerable Lincoln's Inn where I qualified as a barrister decades ago, I hosted clients from my Great Investments Programme

As I guided our discussion under the gothic arches steeped in history, I couldn’t help but reflect on the journey that brought me here

In my 20s, I was a young barrister with a corner office at 7 Stone Buildings It was in that very room, one late evening much like tonight, that I realized my passion lay not in the law that surrounded me but in the financial markets that beckoned me with their complexity and dynamism

That moment marked the beginning of a pivotal shift in my career, from law to finance

Over the years, my path has taken me through roles as a

K

Government representative and more, and eventually to where I stand today running a campaign to teach a million people how to add an extra million to their pensions over their lifetimes

This isn’t just a career; it's a calling

The pursuit of purpose and passion isn't linear What matters to us in youth can transform dramatically as we age My youthful fascination with the precision of law has matured into a profound commitment to empowering others through investing

As we age, our definition of success evolves It's no longer about personal accolades but how we can contribute to the greater good

For me, the transition from barrister to investment guru wasn't just a career change; it was a transformation in understanding what I was truly passionate about helping others achieve financial independence

So, to those wondering if it’s too late to chase a new dream - it’s about finding what ignites your spirit and aligns with your evolving purpose

Whether you're in the law, finance, or any other field, remember: the most fulfilling path is the one that resonates with your deepest passions and the impact you wish to make on the world

Here's to finding and following your passion, no matter where you are in your journey - keep the fire burning

Lloyds faces profit squeeze amid mortgage competition

Increased co mpetition in the d ep osits and m ortgages market, co upled with elevated costs, resulted in a decline o f over a quarter in profits fo r L loyds Banking Grou p during the first three month s of the year

Pre-tax profits at the UK's largest domestic lender, Lloyds Banking Group, fell by 28 percent to £1 63 billion compared to the previous year This decline serves as a clear indication that the banking industry's favourable momentum from higher interest rates is diminishing

The FTSE 100-listed group ’ s net interest margin, which is the difference between the interest it pays on deposits and charges on loans and is a key measure of a bank’s profitability, fell to 2 95 per cent from 3 22 per cent a year ago William Chalmers, the Lloyds finance chief, said this margin decline reflected “keen pricing in the mortgage market and savings moving into higher rate accounts”

In the past year, commercial banks capitalised on the Bank of England's prompt interest rate hikes targeted at addressing inflation This strategy allowed them to expand their margins by increasing interest rates for borrowers at a faster pace than for depositors

Hunt's tax cut plans questioned amid borrowing

Official figu res reveal that th e government borro wed £6 6 billion more than anticip ated in the p ast year, raising doubts abou t Jeremy Hunt's ability to implement significant tax cu ts ah ead of an expected general election this year

The UK deficit hit £11 9 billion in March, down by £4 7 billion from the same month last year and up from £9 5 billion in February this year, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) March’s borrowing figure was above City analysts’ expectations of £10 3 billion

The ONS's financial borrowing estimate for the fiscal year 2023-24 was £120 7 billion, surpassing the £114 1 billion projection by the Office for Budget Responsibility in March This highlights the limited scope for the chancellor to reduce taxes without further straining public finances

According to the ONS, the debt-to-GDP ratio stood at 98 3 per cent, marking a 2 6 percentage point increase from the previous year This rise has been driven by heightened government spending to address the repercussions of the 2008 financial crisis, the pandemic, and the energy price shock

discove

Bank of England warns of private equity risk to lenders

in dustry could pose

risk to the

fin ancial

Rebecca Jackson, a regulator at the Bank of England, emphasised the importance

ducting stress tests on their

noted that "hardly any banks do it well "

“Many banks are unable to uniquely identify and sys-

credit and counterparty risk

equity sector,” she said in a letter to lenders’ chief risk

officers Jackson, a BoE executive director, added in a speech that “ very few firms carry o

comprehensive stress test-

equity firm] related expo-

banking industry’s lack of knowledge over their exposure to private equity sponsors to their problems dealing with Archegos Capital,

March 2021 cost six banks more than $10bn and contributed to the downfall of

Credit Suisse Jackson’s remarks echo previous warnings that the BoE has issued about the impact on the broader economy of a private equity bubble In the last decade, banks have evolved into a one-stop destination for buyout firms, exerting a growing influence

deals and organise loan and bond offerings for portfolio companies owned by private equity groups to refinance debt, resulting in lucrative fee streams

c

Record £100 bn tax grab hits

in

London, South-East

South-East have surpassed £100 billion in a single year, as per th e latest o fficial figures L

£59 3 billion, while residents of the South-East contributed £41 4 billion, collectively accounting for just over half of England's total income tax bill of £198 billion This increase is largely driven by the Chancellor’s policy of

thresholds, which, accord-

result in approximately one

London and the South-East being pushed into a higher tax bracket by the 2027/28 tax year

Notably, 20 of the top 25

London The highest bills

n Kensington with £3 37 billion, followed by the Cities of London and Westminster a

o

,

d Hampstead and Kilburn at £3 06 billion This financial year marks the first instance of the Chancellor's freezes on income tax and National Insurance thresholds, sugg e s t i n g t h a t t h e a m o u n t s have likely risen since

Moreover, London taxpayers face the highest average income tax bills in the country at £3,650 annually, surpassing the South-East's a v e r a g e o f £ 3 , 0 1 0 T h e

Treasury has seen a significant revenue increase from these regions, with a rise of £13 1 billion to £100 7 billion in 2021/22, which represents a nearly 15% increase from the previous year This pattern has been

these areas

a bo u t £10 0 billion are on the way ou t o f th e L o nd on S toc k Exchange so far th is year, either by being bought up or via mov ing th e m ain ho me fo r t h ei r s h are s o v e rs ea s, and

S

Research by the Evening

e n t bank Peel Hunt shows that companies worth over £26 billion have already agreed to be sold in 2024, to other listed firms or private equity Alongside, there's a total combined value of £38 billion for companies relocati n g t h e i r p r i m a r y l i s t i n g o v e r s

takeover bid yet, dismissing BHP's £31 billion offer as "undervalued" and "opportunistic "

Incorporating the current headline figure from t h i s d e a l b r i n g s t h e t o t a l market capital involved in t h e e x o d u s t o £ 9 5 b i l -

nveiled prop osals

£31 bn acquisition

, potentially accelerating th e departu re o f Britain's lead-

The proposed acquisition of London-listed Anglo would stand as one of the largest deals in the global

comes as mining companies vie to dominate the market for copper, a highly soughtafter commodity within the clean energy sector Within

emergence, criticism of the

South African government

obstacle to BHP's plans S

Minister Gwede Mantashe expressed opposition to the takeover, citing the coun-

However, he clarified that this stance did not represent an official government position The state-owned

mines are situated in South Africa

Shareholders in London dismissed the BHP offer as too low Legal & General I

one of its largest investors, described the approach as “highly opportunistic” and “ u n a t

t undervalued the long-term

, B H P relocated its primary listing from the UK to Australia If the takeover of Anglo A m e r i c a n g o e s a h e a d , i t would result in one of the L o n d o n S t o c k E x c h a n g e ' s 2 5 l

lion 40,000 companies near

than half a million UK companies are in “significant” financial distress, and more than 40,000 in “critical” distress, according to insolvency experts Begbies Traynor’s latest “red flags” report The report found that 554,554 companies were in distress, up more than 30% from last year, and up a little from the fourth quarter of last year The count of firms classified as being in "critical" distress was marginally lower than at the close of the previous year, but still historically high, standing at 40,174 E l e

have posed challenges for businesses, making borrow-

Additionally, certain sectors have encountered recruitment difficulties

Barclays' profits drop 12% on UK interest rate impact

Barclay s sa w a 12% de cli ne in p rofi ts du ring the fi rst qua rte r, pri mari ly du e to red uce d d emand f or mortgag es a nd lo ans resulti ng fr om h ig h er UK i nt er e st rate s Additionally, economic uncertainty impacted the performance of its investment bank The UK bank reported a decrease in pretax profits to £2 3bn for the first quarter, down from £2 6bn the previous year T h i s d e c l i n e f o l l o w e d a period of robust quarterly profits in 2021, driven by multiple interest rate hikes by the Bank of England D e s p i t e U K i n t e r e s t r a t e s r e a c h i n g 5 2 5 % , enabling banks to charge higher rates for loans and m o r t g a g e s , t h e r e s u l t i n g strain on households has led to reduced borrowing appetite Barclays noted a 1% decrease in loans and a d v a n c e s t o c u s t o m e r s d u r i

mortgages Executives confirmed that the bank was increasing the proportion o

mortgages offered to customers,

Rebecca Jackson

a

India set to sign trade deal with Oman to expand its West Asia ties

India and Oman

g overnment o fficials said, as New Delh i seeks to expand its ties in the Midd le East, w

Cooperation Council (GCC), India has pivoted to seeking

Emirates The planned deal

competitive edge as GCC

Jio beats China; becomes world's largest mobile operator

products and textiles, the

agreed to reduce duties on

imports of such goods, the officials said

As

IndiGo orders 30 Airbus aircraft

at $9.5 billion to

fly long-haul

Come 2027 and IndiGo w i l

flights

u l

B ha t i a -f ou n d e d m e g a

b udge t ca rr ier said it “ha s a greed” to place a fir m order for 30 twin aisle Airb us A35 09 0 0 v a l

with an option for 70 more of t hese b ig b ir ds With Tata Group’s Air India already operating twin aisles (Vistara merges into AI

t h i s y e a r ) , I n d i a n globetrotters will be spoilt

f o r c h o i c e w i t h t w o d e s i airlines - AI and IndiGooperating medium to ultra

l o n g - h a u l r o u t e s o n t w i n aisles, along with the option of taking numerous foreign

c a r r i e r s I n d i G o h a s a l s o “agreed to order” 60 Rolls-

Royce Trent XWB engines for its 30 A350s T h e B 7 8 7 D r e a m l i n e r was considered by IndiGo b u t t h e u n e n d i n g nightmares at Boeing made it stick to its trusted Airbus

w

aisles on order and is the largest operator of this bestseller globally While Airbus dominates India’s single aisle market, troubled Boeing is no longer the sole wide body with Indian airlines as its E u r o p e a n c o m p e t i t o r h a s started getting orders for big b i r d s t o o s i n c e l a s t y e a r , starting with AI

Axis pips Kotak Bank as 3rd most valued pvt bank

on boarding cust omer s digita lly and issuin g cr edit cards, citing repeat ed failure s to fix “serious deficie ncies” in its IT sy st em Kotak Bank shares closed 11% lower at Rs 1,643 apiece on the BSE Its shareholders together lost nearly £4 bn as its market capitalisation fell to £33 bn Axis Bank, with a market cap of £35 bn, replaced Kotak Bank as the fourth most valued lender in India The top three in the pecking order are HDFC Bank (£115 bn), ICICI Bank (£78 bn) and state-owned SBI (£73 bn) The last time Axis Bank was valued more than Kotak Bank was in Sept 2016, Refinitiv data showed For the bank’s founder Uday Kotak, the crash resulted in a $1 2-billion wealth erosion Kotak, former MD & vice-chairman of the bank, also the main promoter, currently holds 25 9% in the bank As the bank’s market cap dipped, Kotak’s holding in the lender dipped by about £1 03 bn (about $1 2 billion) to £8 55 bn (about $10 2 billion), BSE data showed

Indian firms face French barrier for generic deal

The French government is pl anning to bl oc k the s al e of ge ner ic drugs fir m Biogaran t o potential foreign bidders, whi c h in c l u de t wo In d ia n p ha r m a com panies , ac cording to French m edia reports

A

T o r r e n t P

a s p o t e n t i a l b i d d e r s , a l o n g w i t h o t h

entities, including a foreign PE firm, i

industry minister Roland Lescure has been pretty vocal recently about his government’s decision to block the sale, indicating a thorough examination of all bids The French government has cited

pharma company

s critical supply chain as well as national interest B i o g

primarily generic drugs, has added bio

markets its drugs in Africa, Europe and Latin America, according to its website Further, Biogaran is one of the first c o m p a n

development of bio similar drugs and launched its first bio similar drug in F

including oncology, and has not made a final decision on the sale, amid govt

Group’s consolidated revenue for 202223 (year ending September 30, 2023) increased by

to 5 3 billion euro compared to 2021-2022

The company was put on the block at the end of 2023 No commercial offer has been made, while Servier has not officially confirmed the information as

strategic importance in France, while the issue of Europe’s pharmaceutical sovereignty has been a subject of raging debate, particularly in the wake of the Covid crisis and recent drug shortages

spices are among the most popular in India and are also sold in Europe, Asia and North America India's

food regulator, the Food

Authority of India (FSSAI), is now checking the quality s

h e t w o companies, following the moves in Hong Kong and Singapore In 2019, a few batches of MDH's products were recalled in the US for salmonella contamination

Vodafone Idea got a new lease of life, says Birla

Adity a Bir la Gr o up c h airm a n Kumar Mangalam Birla s aid the £1 8 b n f u nd- ra is e h as giv e n Vodafo ne I dea a “fres h leas e of lif e ” , and s et th e s tage fo r a “ s mart turnarou nd” “Vi is not ju st a teleco m com pany, it’s a national asset with 215 m ill io n u s e rs an d ab o u t 8, 000 M Hz sp ec trum,” said Birla Investors in Vo daf one Idea made a 2 6% return w ith in a week as the shares o f the telecom services com pany, w hich were off ered at Rs 11 ap iece in an F PO , c los ed at Rs 13 9 o n the BSE

The proceeds from the fund-raise, which was garnered through a follow-on public offering, will be used to upgrade the l o s s - m a k i n g f o r m ' s n e t w o r k ’ s i n f r a s t r u c t u r e , w h i c h w i l l enhance operational efficiencies leading to better performance

“The cycle of investment will trigger the cycle of growth,” said Birla at the company ’ s FPO listing at the NSE He added that “ on the back of this fund raise and continued support from banks, Vodafone Idea will stage a smart turnaround This moment in some ways, marks the beginning of Vodafone Idea 2 0 I believe that a revitalised Vodafone Idea is important for India” “The successful conclusion of (this fund-raise), India’s largest FPO, marks one such turning point for the industry,”

“A

of

people deserves three private telecom players,” said Birla

Tesla’s shift throws India factory plans in limbo

Te sl a said t hat it wil l use it s e xisting factories t o b uil d new and more a ffor dabl e v ehicle s as ea rly as lat e t his y ear, l eaving in vestments in new fact or ie s in Mexico and India unlikel y in the near t erm

The world’s top EV maker said it plans to raise production by 50% from 2023 to its current capacity of close to 3 million vehicles before investing in new manufacturing lines

“This update may result in achieving less cost reduction than previously expected but enables us to prudently grow vehicle volumes in a more capex efficient manner during uncertain times,” the company said Investors cheered the decision of not taking the risk of building new models in new factories, with Tesla shares jumping 12% in after-hours t r a d i n g d e

s m i s s i n g targets “I think it’s a positive that he’s not just barrelling ahead with an expansion plan, ignoring the challenges in the market and the fact that he’s doing a cheaper vehicle from the existing product line,” said Elliot Johnson, chief investment officer at Evolve ETFs, which manages nearly $6 billion in assets, including investments in Tesla and other EV makers

Aditya Birla

US warns of sanctions as Pakistan inks deals with Iran

I S L A

Tehra n agr eed to “ ex pe dit iously final ise” a free t rade agre ement (FTA) and hold t he nex t se ssion s of busine ss and tr ade b odies soon a fte r t he US cautioned Pakistan of the r isk of sa nct ions for enga ging in busine ss deal s wit h Iran F

Ebrahim Raisi’s three-day visit to

P

issued a joint statement stating that they reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations “They (Pakistan and Iran) reiterated the importance of cooperat

Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project,” a joint Iranian-Pakistani

statement said, recalling their aim to increase the volume of bilateral trade to $10 billion over the next five years from the current $2 billion “There was con-

between the two sides to facilitate economic and commercial activity ” The gas pipeline pro-

than a decade because of politi-

sanctions

Lanka to hand management of China-built airport to

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka will h and o ver management o f its $209 millio n Ch inese-built airpo rt to Indian and Russian companies, a cabinet statement said, as th e i sland natio n attempts to reduce losses from its state enterprises

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), funded by China EXIM Bank, has stoked controversy since its opening in 2013 due to a low number of flights, environmentally sensitive location and persistent financial losses

The airport’s management will be handed over to Shaurya Aeronautics (Pvt) Ltd of India and Airports of Regions Management Company of Russia for 30 years, a cabinet statement said, without mentioning the deal value

S

EXIM Bank to restructure the airport loan,

India, Russia firms

infrastructure projects

The airport was built during the tenure of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa who shifted the country closer to China and away from its traditional neighbour India The airport is located in Rajapaksa’s home town

Sri Lanka defaulted on its foreign debt in May 2022 after the island nation’s foreign exchange reserves fell to record lows triggering the worst financial crisis in more than seven decades

Sri Lanka is working to reduce losses made by dozens of state owned companies after securing a $2 9 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has helped stabilise the economy and move it closer to returning to growth in 2024 after two years

China evacuates entire town as record rains, winds lash its south

BE IJIN G : Rel entl ess rains, hail an d winds of n ear hurr icane in tensity b atte red sout he rn China, forcing the ev acuat ion of an en tire

t o w n of m or e t h a n 1 , 70 0 pe o p l e in t h e pr ovince of Guangdong, media sa id Buses and helicopters ferried to safety all the residents of the township of Jiangwan in the Shaoguan region as a new round of floods arrived, the reports said, citing local authorities

"I have never seen such heavy rain in my life, nor have people older than me," said Jiang, a 72-year-old resident who gave only his surname, according to state-run China

Daily Power lines were downed and mobile

t

region, as the rains set off dangerous mud-

bridges Since the arrival of powerful storms last week, scenes of havoc have played out across the province, once dubbed the "factory floor of the world", as dozens of local rainfall

records have been shattered for the month of April In a restaurant in the provincial capital of Guangzhou this week, customers gazed in horror as winds became hurricane-like gales and tore down trees, while fast-moving sheets of rain pounded the street outside, videos on social media showed

The province prone to summer floods had its defences tested in June 2022 with the heaviest downpours in six decades, which forced the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people

The latest storms, which have killed at least four people, were brought by the El Nino weather phenomenon and a strongerthan-normal subtropical high, a semi-permanent high pressure system circulating north of the equator

The associated warmer temperatures drew in more moisture-laden air from the South China Sea and even as far away as the Bay of Bengal, weather officials said, leading to more rain and winds

warned Islamabad of the risk of s

considering business deals with Iran to be aware of the potential risk of sanctions But ultimately, govt of Pakistan can speak to their own foreign policy pur-

spokesperson Vedant Patel said during a news briefing

The implied threat of sanctions, observers said, comes at a difficult time for Pakistan, which is struggling economically and is looking to its allies for financial

allies like the US, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates, three nations that are seen as Iran’s adversaries

Pak businessmen ask Sharif to initiate trade with India

I S L A MA BA D : P ak i st an ’ s bu s in e ss community has urg ed PM Shehba z Shari f to i niti ate tra de wi th In dia and “ s hake han ds” wi th j ailed former PM and PTI found er I mran K han as s teps to b rin g e conomic an d poli ti ca l sta bili ty to the coun try

At a meeting with business leaders in Karachi, Sharif assured them he would consider their suggestions seriously and, in consultation with them, would form a c o m p r e h

e Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserve crisis PM sat down with business leaders as his country is seeking a new, longer-term and larger IMF loan Islamabad, according t o f i n a n c e m i n i s t e r M u h a m m a d

A u r a n g z e b , c o u l d s e c u r e a s t a f f - l e v e l agreement on the new programme by early July

Following the PM’s brief address, the house was opened for a question and a n s w e r s e s s i o n w h e r e b u s i n e s s l e a d e r s made more demands

“You have made a few handshakes after taking charge that have produced good results and progress on the IMF deal is one of them,” said Arif Habib, a top Pakistani entrepreneur “I suggest you do a few more handshakes One of them is regarding trade with India, which would greatly benefit our economy Secondly, you should also patch up with a resident of Adiala Jail (a reference to Imran) Try to fix things at that level as well, and I believe that you can do it ” The PM avoide d r e s p o n d i n g d i r e c t l y t o q u e s t i o n s aimed at political stability, but claimed to have noted down his proposals for economic growth Pakistan had downgraded its ties and suspended trade relations w i t h I n d i a a f t e r t h e M o d i - l e d g o v t changed the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in Aug 2019

45 die in western Kenya after flood waters sweep across villages

NA I RO B I: Flash floods and a landslide swept through houses

a nd cut off a ma jor road in Kenya, killi ng at leas t 45 people and leaving dozens mis sing on M onday, the Interior Mi nistry

s aid

Operations have led to the rescue of some 110 people The survivors have been dispatched

t o v a r

n Nakuru county

Reports initially attributed the tragedy to the burst of the Old Kijabe Dam, located in the Mai Mahiu area of the Great Rift Valley province However,

c o n f l i c t i

emerged

Vehicles were entangled in the debris on the roads and paramedics treated injured as waters submerged large areas O n

y a have caused flooding that has already killed nearly 100 people and postponed the opening of schools Heavy rains have been

Meteorology Department has warned of more rainfall

Kindiki ordered the inspection

of all public and private dams and water reservoirs to avert future incidents The ministry said recommendations for evacuations and resettlement would be done after the inspection T

Highways Authority issued an alert warning motorists to brace for heavy traffic and debris that blocked roads T

region is experiencing flooding due to the heavy rains, and 155 people have reportedly died in

INDIAN STUDENT TRAPPED UNDER FROZEN WATERFALL DIES

An Indian MBBS student from Andhra Pradesh died in Kyrgyzstan after he got trapped in a frozen waterfall there Dasari Chandu (21), from Madugula village in Anakapalle, went on an outing with his four friends on April 21 after they finished their secondyear exams But Chandu got trapped in the ice of the frozen waterfall and died His parents were informed about the death by Kyrgyzstan authorities The parents have approached Anakapalle MP B Venkata Sathyavathi for help in getting the boy’s mortal remains back to India Union minister G Kishan Reddy has also assured the family that he would speak to MEA regarding this

INDIAN DATA SCIENTIST IN CANADA FIRED

An Indian origin data scientist working at TD Bank in Canada was fired after he shared a video detailing how he obtained free food from food banks meant for students He had boasted in the video that he saved hundreds of bucks every month by exploiting the food banks The man, identified as Mehul Prajapati, was employed by TD Bank It took action after people criticised him on social media Food banks in Canada are run by charities and provide essential food items to people in need They are typically used by low-income families or students facing financial difficulties Prajapati claimed in the video that he saved "hundreds of bucks" each month on groceries by using the food banks

INDIAN RESTAURANTS ACCUSED OF DUPING INVESTORS

Two Indian restaurants in Colorado have duped investors to the tune of $3 80 000 state regulators have alleged and are now seeking to recover the amount from them In a lawsuit the Colorado Division of Securities has alleged that the owners of Indian restaurants Bombay Clay Oven and Saucy Bombay used half-truths and lies to sell investors on their grandiose plans for a nationwide expansion before spending the USD 380,000 that shareholders invested on rent, operating costs and Ponzi-like payments The restaurants were owned by The Bombay Group, which entered into an agreement with securities broker Michael Bissonnette Both defendants declined offers to discuss the allegations with “BusinessDen”, the daily reported

INDIAN SIKH PILGRIM VISITING PAKISTAN DIES

A visiting Indian Sikh pilgrim died in Lahore last week due to cardiac arrest a Pakistani official said Some 2 400 Indian Sikh pilgrims who arrived here via Wagah Border on April 13 to take part in Baisakhi festival left for their homeland "Sardar Jangir Singh, 67, a resident of Patiala, died of cardiopulmonary arrest," Evacuee Trust Property Board spokesperson Amir Hashmi said He said Singh suffered a heart attack during his stay in Gurdawara Dera Sahib Lahore "He was immediately shifted to Mayo Hospital Lahore where doctors pronounced him dead upon arrival," Hashmi said The body was handed over to the Indian security forces at the Wagah border, he added

Burundi

A boat capsized in Kenya's n

Sunday night, and the Kenyan Red Cross said it had rescued 23 people but more than a dozen

Kenya’s main airport was flooded on Saturday, forcing some flights to be diverted

More than 200,000 people across Kenya have been hit by

and people seeking

in schools

COP GUARDING SIKH DOCTOR IN PAK KILLED

A policeman deployed to guard a Sikh medical practitioner was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Pakistan's northwestern city of Peshawar The victim, identified as 45-year-old constable Farhad, was on security duty of herbal medical practitioner Baba Surjeet Singh in Dheri Baghbanan - a suburban locality of Peshawar district Farhad was sitting on a chair outside the shop when unidentified gunmen opened fire at him, killing him on the spot, police said The police have cordoned off the area and started the investigation

Ebrahim Raisi and Shehbaz Sharif

INDIAN FAMILY PERISHES IN CAR ACCIDENT

A tragic car accident claimed the lives of a Malayali family of four, including two children, in a devastating incident in California The deceased have been identified as Tarun George, his wife Rinsi, and their two sons The fatal collision occurred when the electric car they were traveling in collided with a post and subsequently crashed into a tree on Foothill Road near Stoneridge Drive Tragically, the vehicle caught fire following the impact, resulting in the untimely demise of all four family members

INDIAN WANTED FOR ASSAULT SHOT DEAD

A 42-year-old Indian origin man was shot dead by police in San Antonio after he struck two officers with his vehicle as they were trying to apprehend him in connection with an assault case Sachin Sahoo was pronounced dead at the scene after police officer Tyler Turner shot at him on April 21 According to a preliminary investigation officers were dispatched to a home in Cheviot Heights in San Antonio for a report about aggravated assault with a deadly weapon Upon arrival, officers found a 51-yearold female who had been intentionally struck by a vehicle The suspect, Sahoo, had fled the location Hours later, neighbours informed police that Sahoo had returned to the original location Officers arrived and attempted to contact him when he struck two officers with his vehicle

SINGAPOREAN GETS LIFE TERM FOR DEATH OF INDIAN ORIGIN

A Chinese-origin Singaporean national was sentenced to life imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane by a court for murdering a man of Indian descent during a fight outside a nightclub in Singapore in 2019 The prosecution did not seek the death penalty according to a Channel News Asia report The penalty for murder is death by hanging or life imprisonment The incident happened on July 2, 2019, outside the Naughty Girl Club in the hotel and tourist belt of Orchard Road Tan Sen Yang, now 32, was found guilty of the murder of 31-year-old Satheesh Noel Gobidass during a fight outside the club in July 2019

INDIAN ORIGIN MINISTER GETS EXTORTION LETTER

Singapore s Indian-origin Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and several members of Parliament have received extortion letters containing fake photos of themselves in obscene situations Balakrishnan said in a Facebook post that several other MPs and himself received letters containing a “fake distasteful image accompanied by a threat” This conduct is deplorable and totally contrary to the values and good practices that we are trying to inculcate in our society We have filed police reports and will take appropriate legal action he said

ARMED MEN KIDNAP SENIOR PAK JUDGE

Armed men ambushed and kidnapped a senior judge in Pakistan’s restive northwest a police official said Around 15 men on motorbikes intercepted Judge Shakirullah Marwat s vehicle as he was travelling toward Dera Ismail Khan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said police official Faheem Khan The assailants set the car on fire before fleeing with him The driver was not harmed, Khan said There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the assault, but suspicion is likely to fall on the Pakistan Taliban, or TTP, who made the province their stronghold It’s unusual for militants in the northwest to target a judge of Marwat’s seniority, who usually travels with tight security A search operation has been launched

3 Gujarati origin women killed in US as speeding SUV goes airborne, crashes into trees

killed in a h orrifi c car accident in the US Rekha Patel, Sangita Patel, and Manish a Patel, all residents of Gujarat's Anand district, died as their SUV careened o ff th e ro ad, h urtl ing over a br i dg e i n G re en vi l le Co u nt y, So uth Carolina

According to the Greenville County Coroner's Office, the SUV, traveling northbound on the highway, veered across all

ment, and soared at least 20 feet into the air before crashing into trees on the opposite side of the bridge

"It is obvious they were trav-

eling above the posted speed limit," Chief Deputy Coroner Mike Ellis said He also clarified

involved

The car was found stuck on

6 Indian American students win Paul & Daisy Soros fellowships

NE W YO RK : S i x I n d i an

Am erican students are amo ng the 30 winners of the 2024 Paul & Daisy S oro s Fellowship s for New A mericans, a merit-based g ra d u ate s c

i m m

g

nts a nd c

ld ren o f immig rants S elected from 2, 323 ap plicants, th e 3 0 Paul and Daisy

So ro s F ello w s are ch os en fo r th ei r ac h ie v em ent s and th ei r potential to make meani ng ful co n tri b u ti o ns t

Th

$90,0 00 in fu nd ing to suppo rt their g raduate studies at institutions across the country

The six Indian Americans

w h o

K a n n a

b h a y u B h a t t a c h a r y a y , a n d A n a n y a

Agustin Malhotra

S i n c e t h e F e l l o w s h i p ’ s

founding 26 years ago, the program has provided more than $ 8 0 m i l l i o n i n f u n d i n g , a n d recipients have studied a range of fields from medicine and the arts to law and business

impressive new Fellows to our c

w i t h pride and hope for the bright futures they will have professionally and as they give back to o u r c o u n t r y T h e i r s t o r i e s demonstrate the strength and vitality inherent in the immigrant identity - they aren’t afraid t o t a k e r i s k s a n d t h i n k b i g , ” Daisy Soros, co-founder of the program, said T h e a l u m n i n e t w o r k includes US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, who is the first s u r g e o n g

d t h e national response to Ebola, Zika, and the coronavirus

W A S HI N G T O N : A t o t a l of 6 5, 9 6 0

Indian s officia lly became US citize ns, mak ing Ind ia the second-larg est source count r y for ne w cit ize n s in A mer ica afte r Me xico, accordin g to t he lat est Cong ressional re port

Emergency response teams, including the South Carolina Highway Patrol, Gannt Fire and Rescue, and multiple Greenville County EMS units, rushed to the scene

The sole survivor of the accident was reportedly injured and hospitalized, with uncertainty

a tree, shattered into multiple pieces, a testament to the velocity at which it collided with the surroundings "Very seldom do you see a vehicle that leaves the roadway at such a high rate of speed that it jumps 4-6 lanes of traffic and lands in the

South Carolina

Indian origin student arrested in US for joining pro-Palestine protests

N E W JE R SE Y: In dian -or igin st uden t A chin thy a Siv alin gam has be en ar re st ed an d ba nne d fr om Pr incet on Unive rsity in t he US, pen ding a discip lina ry process, for par ticipatin g in a n un author ise d stude nt-led pro-Pa le st ine en ca mpmen t prote st w it hin the campus pr emises The de velopmen t comes amid con tinued prote sts at ma jor univ ersitie s acr oss the U S a gain st the Isra el-Hama s wa r in Ga za

Sivalingam, who was born in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, and raised in Columbus, Ohio, was arrested along with another fellow student, Hassan Sayed, the Princeton Alumni Weekly reported, citing a document by the protest organisers that identified the two

Student protesters had set up tents in the University's McCosh Courtyard despite warnings from authorities Within minutes, the two students were arrested, which led to the protesters packing up their tents while continuing to stage a sit-in demonstration The sitin protest, which initially saw a crowd of about 110 people, increased to some 300 later Confirming the development, Princeton University spokesperson Jennifer Morrill said the two graduate students were arrested "after repeated warnings from the Department of Public Safety to cease activity and leave the area ” They “have been immediately barred from campus, pending a disciplinary process ” , she said, adding that the remaining tents in the encampment area were “voluntarily taken down by protesters"

In an email sent to students this week regarding the pro-Palestine protests on campus, Rochelle Calhoun, Vice President for Campus Life at Princeton University, said demonstrations that involve “occupying or blocking access to buildings [or] establishing outdoor encampments and sleeping in any campus outdoor space ” were prohibited

Almost 66,000 Indians became American citizens in 2022

(27,038)

An estimated 46 million foreignborn persons resided in the United States in 2022, approximately 14 per cent of the total US population of 333 m i l l i o n , a c c o r d i n g t

n

Community Survey data from the US Census Bureau

Of these, 24 5 million, about 53 per cent, reported their status as natu-

S Naturalisation Policy” report of April

1 5 , t h e i n d e p e n d e n t C o n g r e s s i o n a l Research Service in the fiscal year 2022, a total of 969,380 individuals became naturalised US citizens

“Individuals born in Mexico represented the largest number of naturalis a t i o n s , f o l l o w e

Dominican Republic,” it said

Based on the latest available data, CRS said in 2022, as many as 128,878, Mexican nationals became American citizens They were followed by Indians (65,960), the Philippines (53,413), Cuba ( 4 6 , 9 1 3 ) , t h e D o m i n i c a n R e p u b l i c (

According to CRS as of 2023, a total o f 2 , 8 3 1 , 3 3 0 f o r e i g n - b o r n A m e r i c a n nationals were from India, which is the second largest number after Mexico s 10,638,429 Mexico and India are followed by China with 2,225,447 foreignborn American nationals

However, as many as 42 per cent of the India-born foreign nationals living in the US are currently ineligible to become US citizens, the CRS report said As of 2023, as many as 290,000 India-born foreign nationals who were o n G r e e n C a r d o r L e g a l P e r m a n e n t Residency (LPR) were potentially eligible for naturalisation

C R S s a i d i n r e c e n t y e a r s , s o m e observers have expressed concern over USCIS processing backlogs for naturalisation applications Although there continues to be a backlog of naturalisation applications since FY2020 the agency has reduced the number of applications pending completion by more than half

As of the end of FY2023, USCIS had approximately 408,000 pending natur a l i s a t i o n a p p l i c a t i o n s , d o w n f r o m 550,000 at the end of FY2022; 840,000 at the end of FY2021; and 943,000 at the end of FY2020

Sunita Williams set for 3rd space mission aboard Boeing’s

Starliner

Williams, a former Navy test pilot who rose to the rank of captain before joining NASA, has an impressive spaceflight record She has spent a total of 322 days aboard the International Space Station (duing Expeditions 14/15 and Expeditions 32/33 Notably, she has commanded the space station and completed seven spacewalks

The upcoming mission, scheduled to launch from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on May 6, will see Williams and fellow NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore lift off aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft They will dock at the ISS for about a week, testing the end-to-end capabilities of the Starliner system, including launch, docking, and return to Earth

Williams’ spaceflight experience began in 2006 with Expedition 14/15, during which she set a record for females with four spacewalks totaling 29 hours and 17 minutes Her second mission,

Sunita L Williams

After SC rap, Ramdev, Balkrishna issue new ‘public apology’

P a ta n j a li Ay ur v ed a c o-

f o un de r s Y og a gu ru

R a m d ev a n d B al k ri s h n a

i ssued a new publi c apology

i n newspapers on April 2 4, a

d a y a f te r t he S up re m e

C o ur t, w hi l e h ea r i n g a c ontempt case, asked them

w h et he r t h e s i z e of th e a pology was of t he sam e s ize as its adverti sements or not

“In wake of an on going matter before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, we in our individual capacity as w e l l a s o n b e h a l f o f t h e Company, unconditionally

a p o l o g i s e f o r t h e n o ncompliance or disobedience of directions/orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of I n d i a , ” t h e n e w p u b l i c apology by Patanjali said Patanjali Ayurveda had

i s s u e d a n a p o l o g y e a r l i e r

w h i l e s t a t i n g

e y would not commit any such

mistake in the future This came ahead of the Supreme C

case of the misleading ads a g a i n s t t h e m e

company

Hearing the misleading advertisements case against Patanjali Ayurveda, Ramdev and Balkrishna last week, t

Government must wake up

action on the matter

Justice Kohli, while hearing the case, said, “I want to see the actual

judge further asked if the size of the apology was the same size as its advertisements or not “

looking at everything

women, and no one can be taken for a ride and the

wake up to this,” the bench said

contempt notice to Ramdev and Balkrishna for engaging in distributing misleading health cure advertisements and barring Patanjali from p

h unsubstantiated claims of curing diseases like heart conditions and asthma

Uttarakhand govt suspends licenses of 14 Patanjali products

gov ern men t has suspended manufac turing licenses for 1 4 pr od uc t s of B a b a R amd

Pa tanj al i, ci ti ng misleading advertis ements Of the 14 products, 13 are of D

v y a Y o ga Pha r m ac y , a subsidiary of Patanjali This action comes amid g r o w i n g s c r u

n y o v e r allegations of false claims

by Yoga Guru Ramdev The

Ramdev’s enterprises amid concerns over questionable advertising practices O n A p r i l 2 7 , t h e

U t t a r a k h a n d S t a t e

L i c e n s i n g A u t h o r i t y s a i d that it has filed a criminal complaint against Patanjali Ayurved and its founders Baba Ramdev and Acharya

China continues build-up along India border, shows latest satellite imagery

F o u r ye ars i n to t h e f ac e- to - f ac e m il i tar y c o nf ro nt ati o n i n e as

L ad akh, w hich also triggered tensions all along th e Line of A ctual C ontrol, there has been no let-up in the way

C h i na c o nti nu e s to b ui l d bo rd er infrastructure and dual-use ‘Xiaokang’ v illages, strengthen military positions and deplo y ad ditional aircraft at its airbases facing India

L a t e s t s a t e l l i t e i m a g e r y , intelligence reports and other inputs show this ongoing Chinese activity in all the three sectors of the 3,488-km

L A C , s t r e t c h i n g f r o m L a d a k h t o

A r u n a c h a l P r a d e s h , d e f e n c e a n d security establishment sources said “People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is relentlessly consolidating its military positions and support infrastructure in various depth and staging areas along the LAC, including near the buffer

disengagements in eastern Ladakh,” a sources aid C h i n a , f o r i n s t a n c e , r e c e n t l y completed construction of a road from t

Galwan Valley, providing the PLA with a 15-km shorter alternate axis to rapidly build-up troops in the area

A no-patrol buffer zone was created around Patrolling Point-14 in Galwan Valley three weeks after the violent clash in which 20 Indian soldiers and a n u n s p

troops were killed there on June 15, 2020 S i m i l

military and transport infrastructure to the rear of the other buffer zones on both banks of Pangong Tso, including t h e K a i l a s h r a n g e , a n d G o g r a - H o t

HC upholds Syedna Saifuddin as valid successor to Bohra leadership

The B omba y high court settl ed a

1 0 -y e a r l e g a l b a t t l e ov e r t he q ue st io n of s uc ce s sio n t o t he Sy edna, the spiritual lea der of the m i l l i on - pl u s D a wo od i B o hr a community A single judge bench of Justice Gautam Patel dismisse d a suit fil ed in 2014 by t he half-brother o f t he l a t e Sy e d n a M o ha m me d B ur h a n ud d in , t h e 5 2n d D a ’ i a lM ut l a q , c l a i mi n g h e h a d b e e n a ppointe d successor to the highe st posit ion for t he Shia se ct T h e n o w d e c e a s e d K h u z a i m a Q u t b u d d i n h a d c l a i m e d t h a t t h r o u g h d i r e c t , p r i v a t e c o m m u n i c a t i o n , h e h a d b e e n conferred ‘ nass ’ - the procedure by which a Dai declares his successorin 1965 But based on evidence of witnesses, HC held the ‘ nass ’ , first conferred by the 52nd Dai on his o w n s o n , M u f a d d a l B u r h a n u d d i n Saifuddin in 1969 and then thrice after, as valid “I only addressed the question of proof, not faith,” Justice

P a t e l s a i d T h r o u g h a p r o c e s s marked by deposition of witnesses

a n d c r o s s - e x a m i n a t i o n o f b o t h plaintiff and the defendant over the years, the verdict on who will assume

the title of Syedna is intended to resolve the leadership imbroglio to a spiritual order that dates back to the 12th century The line is said to have begun in 1132 in Yemen The court had set out five issues i n t h e s

preliminary issue on whether it was maintainable It held that the suit w a s m a i n t a i n a b l e b u t d i d n o t a c c e p t t h e

c o n f e r r e d o n Q u t b u d d i n v i a a private communication on Dec 10, 1 9 6 5 w a s v a l i d A ‘

h i s successor, making him the next Dai f o r 1 5 m i l l i o n m e m b e r s o f t h e Bohra community across the globe S y e d n a M u f a d d a l S a i f u d d i n claimed he was conferred ‘ nass ’ in 1969 and again twice in 2011 and o n c e i n b e t w e e n T h e H C h a s confirmed this in its findings The reasoned judgment will be available in due course The suit hearing had concluded in April 2023 and the judgment was reserved since then

R e f e r r i n g t o t h e v e r d i c t , J u s t i c e Patel, who has presided over the civil trial since 2014, said, “I have kept it as neutral as possible ”

Balkrishna, for violating the D r u g s a n d M a g i c

R e m e d i e s ( O b j e c t i o n a b l e Advertisements) Act

A n a f f i d a v i

c o m p l a i n t w a s f i l e d i n response to the plea by the Indian Medical Association

( I M A ) a g a i

smear campaign carried out

b

founders Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna against t h e C o v

medicine T

Ramdev for not complying

misleading advertisements of some of his traditional a y u r v e d

manufacturing permits of Ramdev’s companies were

suspended in an April 15 order by the drug regulator of traditional medicines in Uttarakhand T

Springs, all of which have largely come up in areas that India considers its own territory PLA has also been focussing on last-mile connectivity through roads, bridges, tunnels and helipads to its f o r w a

c o n s t r u c t i n g n e w b u n k e r s , c a m p s , u n d e r g r o u n d s h e l t e r s , a r t i l l e r y positions, radar sites and ammunition dumps in other stretches of the LAC “ T h i s i n c r e a s e d P L A a c t i v i t y i s especially being seen in the eastern sector, across Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh and Naku La in north Sikkim,” another source said I n d i a , o f c o u r s e , c o n t i n u e s t o match the PLA with “mirror military deployments”, while it has also majorly c r a n k e d u p i n f r a s t r u c t u r e a n d

c a p a b i l i t y d e v e l o p m e n t a l o n g t h e frontier, an earlier report said

Delhi

cops

call Telangana

CM

over doctored video of Shah

The special cell of Delhi Police h as serv ed a notice on T elangana C M Rev anth Redd y in c on nec ti o n w i th i ts i nv es ti g ati o n o v e r th e circulation of a doctored video o f Union h ome minister Amit Shah that w as sh ared on social media hand les of T elangana Congress

Reddy has been asked to come to Delhi on May 1 with his mobile phone and join the probe Failure to comply with the summons will attract penal/ coercive criminal proceedings, the notice adds Delhi Police teams are camping in Hyderabad and other places and are in the process of sending out notices to at least six more people Those already served notices are Satish Manne, Telangana Congress chairman ( s o c i a l m e d i a ) ; s

C

y Shivakumar Ambala; and Asma Tasleem, TPCC spokesperson, sources said

On Sunday, police registered an FIR after its special cell’s cyber unit received a complaint from Union home ministry Forming a team of Intelligence Fusion & Strategic Ops (IFSO) unit, cops are trying to ascertain the identity of the accounts that uploaded the “deepfake” video in which Shah is purportedly heard saying that all reservations, including of SCs and STs, will be scrapped Cops have also written to ‘X’ and other social media platforms seeking details of the video as they look for the originator and the individual who made this clip go viral, the sources added

Drugs worth £60 mn seized at sea from Pakistani boat

Th e I ndi an C oas t Guard (ICG) alon g wi th Gujara t A n t i - T e r r or i s t S q u a d (A T S) a n d N a r co ti cs C o n t r o l Bu r e a u (N C B) , O pe ra t i on s , D e l h i , co n d u c te d a s uc ce s s f u l an ti- narcotics operati on a t se a in the wee hours of A p r i l 26 , s e i z i n g a P a k i s t a n i b oa t ca r r y i n g a p p r ox i ma t e l y 8 6 k g of h e r o i n , e s ti ma t e d t o b e worth £ 60 mn, coas t guard offi ce rs s aid

The operation resulted in the arrest of 14 crew

m e m b e r s , a l l f r o m Balochistan in Pakistan

Nasir Hussain, 62, the captain of the drugs-laden Pakistani boat “Al Raza”, was injured after a bullet hit his right bicep when a j o i n t t e a m o f t h e t h r e e agencies fired at him The firing was carried out after the accused allegedly tried t o h i t t h e s m a l l b o a t o c c u p i e d b y a g e n c i e s ’ o f f i c e r s , s a i d a s e n i o r

Gujarat police officer

L a t e r , H u s s a i n w a s medically evacuated by an

I C G s h i p , a n d w a s a d m i t t e d t o a h o s p i t a l w h e r e h e u n d e r w e n t a surgery to have the bullet removed from his body

This is the second big operation against the illicit d r u g m a f i a w i t h i n t w o

days Earlier, the Gujarat A T S a n d N C B j o i n t l y busted three mephedrone l a b s - a t P i p l a j o n t h e outskirts of Gandhinagar, in Amreli and at Lotiwara i n S i r o h i d i s t r i c t o f Rajasthan - and arrested 13 p e o p l e T h e y a l s o s e i z e d mephedrone with a street value of £23 mn

T h e I C G s h i p w i t h NCB and ATS officials on b o a r d i d e n t i f i e d t h e suspect boat despite its attempts to escape The expert team on the ICG

Sahay told the reporters that prima facie the drugs seem to be heroin packed in 78 packets All the crew members

Pakistan and the heroin consignment was sent by

mafioso named Haji Aslam alias Babu Baloch ATS officers said that

and

Baba Ramdev

India protests against Trudeau taking part in pro-Khalistan event

I ndi a s min is try of exte rnal af fairs

s ummone d the C ana dian de puty

hi gh commis si oner and stron gly prote sted the un aba shed chant-

i n g of s e pa ra t is t pr o- K ha li s t an s logan s at a n even t a ddres sed b y C ana dian PM Justin Trude au Trudeau addressing a ‘Khalsa Day’ gathering in Toronto, which flaunted ‘Modi wanted’ banners, has left the Indian intelligence establishment alarmed, sources said The banners were allegedly

p

Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), which has called for the killing of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June last year to be avenged, and has incited violence against Indian diplomats in Canada

A d d r e s s i n g t h e e v e n t , Trudeau vowed to protect the r i g h t s a n d f r e e d o m s o f S i k h s I n d i a h a s i n t h e p a s t b l a m e d Trudeau’s “vote-bank politics” for Canada’s reluctance to rein in pro-Khalistan leaders who continue to target Indian interests in the country

A huge banner at the event identified PM Narendra Modi, defence minister Rajnath Singh and external affairs minister S Jaishankar as “Nijjar’s killers”

Trudeau pushed bilateral ties into a downward spiral by saying Canadian law enforcement had uncovered a “plot” by India to eliminate Nijjar, wanted for terrorist crimes and who has been blamed for the killing of a Sikh for taking control of a rich gurdwara

Trudeau, who also raised his allegation with Modi, is yet to back the claim he made in public t h a t R o y a l C a n a d i a n M o u n t e d P o l i c e

y Intelligence Agency had got evidence of India’s hand in Nijjar’s killing and had identified those who pulled the trigger

The latest incident triggered a n a n g r y p

f r o m M E A which conveyed govt’s “deep concern and strong protest” as dist

n g allowed to continue unchecked at

the event The govt said the unchecked separatist activity

political space that has been

ratism, extremism and vio-

expressions not only impact I n d i a - C a n

also encourage a climate of v i o

Canada to the detriment of its own citizens,” it added

the prosecution of Indian high commissioner Sanjay Verma for “orchestrating the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar” In a video of the event released by SFJ, Trudeau was seen smiling at the chants of “Khalistan Zindabad” I

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said, “Trudeau’s address is reassuring that pro-Khalistan Sikhs’ right to campaign for liberation of Punjab from Indian occupation was protected under Canadian Charter of Rights and the liberal govt will a l w a y s s t a n d w i t h C a n a d i a n Sikhs ” SFJ claimed it will continue Phase III of Khalistan referendum voting in Calgary on July 28

Lawyer withdraws defamation case against Mahua Moitra in Delhi HC

L aw yer Jai Anant Dehadrai withd rew h i s d e fa m ati o n su i t f i led a g ai n st T r i nam oo l C o ng res s ( T M C ) l ead er M ah u a M o i tra befo re the Delhi high court

“Learned counsel for the plaintiff upon instructions seeks permission to withdraw the suit, the suit is dismissed as withdrawn,” a bench of justice Prateek Jalan said in the order

The withdrawal of suit against Mahua comes a day after Dehadrai assured before a coordinate bench that he will not make any allegations against Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Pinaki Misra’s being involved in hatching a criminal conspiracy against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, till August 12

In his suit, Dehadrai sought for restraining Moitra from making allegedly defamatory statements against him on social media platforms and using allegedly derogatory terms for him asserting that

the TMC leader had embarked a ceaseless campaign of slander and a b u s e , u t i l i s i n g v a

u s s o c i a l media platforms and mainstream media outlets after he had filed a Central Bureau of Investigation ( C B I ) c o m p l a i n t a g a i n s

October 14

regarding the lawyer making statem

issuance of summons in his suit

h

Moitra had the right to defend herself in public domain with regards

to the cash for query allegations which were being levelled against her by her e

d lawyer Dehadrai as long as h e

s t a t e m e n t s a r e n o t objectively false

D u r i n g t h e h e a r i n g , D e h a d r a i r e p r e s e n t e d through advocate Raghav

A w a s t h i s u b m i t t e d t h a t his client was ready to withdraw the suit subject to the TMC leader making a statement that she would not make “palpably false” statements against him

Considering Awasthi’s proposa l , J u s t i c e J a l a n r e m a r k e d t h a t Dehadrai’s suggestion was positive and thus recommended the counsels to arrive at an agreed wording of the order which he could pass,

a d d i n g t h a t i s s u e s b e t w e e n t h e parties was getting escalated and they should figure out a better way to resolve the same

Plea to bar PM Modi from polls for 6 years devoid of merit: HC

Term ing it “thoroughly mi scon-

c eived” Delhi hi gh c ourt M onda y di smi ssed a petiti on that s ought d i r e c t i o n s t o d i s q ua l i f y PM N arendra Modi from contesti ng elec tions for s ix years for allegedly seeki ng vote s in the name of dei ties

Justice Sachin Datta said the plea was “devoid of any merits” and pointed out that the petitioner had approached court while his plea before Election Commission is pending

Petitioner Anand S Jondhale, a lawyer, had urged the court to

a c t a g a i n s t M o d i f o r a l l e g e d l y seeking votes in the name of gods and places of worship, saying this

amounted to violating the model code of conduct and committing an offence under the Indian Penal Code and Representation of the People Act But HC said his plea is thoroughly misconceived and listed multiple reasons, including that once the petitioner submitted a c o m p l a i n t t o E C o n A p r i l 1 0 , there was no reason for him to invoke the extraordinary jurisdiction of HC “The petitioner presupposes that there has been a violation of the model code of conduct This presupposition is completely unjustified It is not p

direct EC to take a particular view

Iran set to release Indian crew members of seized cargo ship

Iran said it h as g rant ed consul ar access to 16 Indian cr ew memb er s o n b o a r d a P

o n ar y G u ar d o n Apr il 1 3 seized the Israel i-aff iliated ship, manned by a crew of 25, including 17 Indians, near th e S trait of Ho rmu z as a result of a series of attacks between Iran and Israel

In Red Sea, Houthi missiles

c a u s e d ‘ m i n o r d a m a g e ’ t o a n I n d i a - b o u n d t a n k e r ; a n o t h e r ship was also hit, US military said

I r a n ' s p a r a m i l i t a r y

Revolutionary Guard on April 13

s e i z e d t h e I s r a e l i - a f f i l i a t e d , Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries, a c o n t a i n e r s h i p , m a n n e d b y a crew of 25, including 17 Indians, near the Strait of Hormuz as a r e s u l t o f a s e r i e s o f a t t a c

between Iran and Israel

A

Ministry of Foreign Affairs said P

Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel had a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian and exchanged views on the bilateral relations & the situation in the region, with the developments in Palestine standing out in their talks It was during this telephonic c o n v e r s a t i o n t h a t b

exchanged their latest views on

ship seized by Iranian forces

“We (will) seriously consider the release of the ship's crew as a humanitarian issue and we have announced to their ambassadors in Tehran their access to consular services, release and extradition,” Amirabdollahian said Ann Tessa Joseph, the sole w

MSC Aries was released on April 18 following “concerted efforts” by the Indian mission in Tehran and the Iranian government

Earlier, in New Delhi, the M

said there are certain “technicalities involved” in the return of the remaining 16 Indian crew members

I

during his weekly media briefing, Jaiswal said the 16 Indians are in “good” health and that the Indian mission was given consular access to the Indian crew by Iranian authorities Indian officials had met the crew and are in constant touch

adding, “As far as their return is

technicalities involved, there are

, once that is done, it will depend on that, when they will return ”

MEA slams US report alleging rights violations as ‘deeply biased’

The Centre has hit bac k at the US over its State Departm ent report alleging signi fican t human ri ghts v i ol at i on s i n I nd i a , s a yi n g i t’ s d e e pl y b i a s e d a n d t ha t go v t attaches no value to i t

The govt also took a swipe at the US, which has been raising concerns over what India sees as its internal affairs, on the issue of pro-Palestine protests in major US universities, saying that “in every democracy, there has to be the right balance between freed o m o f e x p r e s s i o n , s e n s e o f responsibility, and public safety and order”

Calling upon democracies to s h o w t h i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g w i t h regard to other fellow democracies, govt said, “countries are all judged by what they do at home and not what they say abroad”

on the petitioner complaint or any other complaint for that matter and issue peremptory directions as sought by the petitioner,” the court noted I t u n d e r l i n e d t h a t E C i s obliged to take an independent view on the complaint of the petitioner and if he is aggrieved by it, he is free to take the recourse of a p p

under the law

During the hearing, advocate Sidhant Kumar, representing EC, said the commission is receiving complaints every day and is processing these Similarly, appropriate orders will be passed on the current plea

The US’ annual human rights assessment released earlier this w e e k a l l e g e d e x t r a j u d i c i a l killings, rights abuses in Manipur last year and attacks on minorities, journalists and dissenting voices in the rest of the country

Spokesperson of the ministry

o f e x t e r n a l a f f a i r s R a n d h i r Jaiswal said, “This report (State Department) is deeply biased and reflects a poor understanding of India We attach no value to it and urge you to do the same ” The report, released by secretary of state Antony Blinken, also a l l e g e d t h a t I n d i a n g o v t t o o k minimal credible steps or action to identify and punish officials who may have committed human

r i g h t s a b u s e s A s k e d a b o u t protests at Columbia University and other universities in the US, the official said the govt has been getting reports on the matter and following related events Interestingly, responding earlier in the day to media queries about the protests, a US embassy s p o k e s p e r s o n s a i d , “ S t u d e n t s ’ safety is of paramount importance to the United States and to US schools and universiti es Law enforcement and campus security play an important role in protecting students and maintaining s p a c e f o r p e a c e f u l p o l i t i c a l speech ” On the issue of human rights, the State Department document had noted r eports that “govt or its agents committed a r b i t r a r y o r u n l a w f u l k i

including extrajudicial killings” The report also talks about alleged transnational repression by Indian authorities and mentions Canada’s allegations about the involvement of Indian agents in the murder of pro-Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar

Asked about the probe into US allegations about the role of an Indian official in the foiled

Indian official recalled that the govt had formed a high-level

y Washington because it concerns India’s security too and said the

into it

Jai Anant Dehadrai &Mahua Moitra

Siddaramaiah leads protest against Centre over drought relief fund

Indian heart gives Pak teen a new lease of life

l on Sunda y, a llegi

r elea si ng d rought re lief f und s

During the protest, which took

Minister Narendra Modi’s Lok Sabha c a m p a i g n i n t h e

C

n g

e s s leaders stated that the £345 4 mn released by the central government is not sufficient

According to the Chief Minister, the state had sought £1 82 bn for drought relief However, following the direction of the Supreme Court, the Union Finance Ministry agreed to release only £345 4 mn “ Y e s t e r d a y , t h e c e n t r a l government released only £345 4 mn, which is less than one-fourth of our request This is an injustice to the state, and we protest against this injustice,” Siddaramaiah wrote on X, sharing visuals of the protest which was held within the state Assembly premises

i

D e p u t y C h i e f M i n i s t e r D K Shivakumar, who also participated

h e p

n

followed a "step-motherly" policy by releasing only £345 4 mn We are not begging before the centre; we are demanding the rights of Kannadigas

The BJP leaders and JDS leaders who are doing politics without standing with the farmers in the matter of drought relief are real traitors”

Randeep Singh Surjewala, who led the protest in Bengaluru, wrote, the Centre’s decision “ proves that Modi Govt is seeking revenge against 65

Rythu Bandhu [a farmer investment scheme]”

Congress leader declared

which, according to them, symbolise emptiness and deception

Last year, Karnataka witnessed severe drought across the state The state government declared 226 out of the total 236 Taluks in Karnataka as drought-hit and reported crop loss in 48 lakh hectares of land As per the official estimate, financial loss due to drought was around Rs 35,000 crore

CH E NNA I: An Indi an heart h as given a new lease of life to a yo ung woman from Karach i in P akistan, and her family, after a transplant surgery at Chennai's MG M H e al th

rema rkab

rgeo

perfo rmed the procedu re free, thanks to the city-based Aish waryan Trust

The 19-year-old Ayesha Rashan, the transplant recipient, wants to study fashion design Her family s

without the support of the trust and the Chennai doctors

"I feel good after the transplant," Rashan said as her mother thanked the doctors, the hospital, and the medical trust Rashan's condition is stable, and she can return to Pakistan

According to the doctors, Rashan was admitted with severe heart dysfunction Following heart failure, she was put on ECMO, which is a form of life support for people with life-threatening illness or injury that affects the function of their heart or lungs

However, her heart pump then developed a leak in a valve, necessitating a full heart transplant

A heart transplant can cost over Rs 35,00,000 In Rashan s case, this bill was covered by the doctors and the trust

The donor heart came from Delhi, and the young girl was lucky, Dr KR Balakrishnan, Director (Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant), and Dr Suresh Rao (CoDirector (Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant), said They said Rashan received the heart rapidly since t h e r e w e r e n o c o m p e t i n g c l a

foreigner can't get an organ

Sikh separatist Amritpal to contest from Khadoor Sahib in Punjab

BA TH I ND A/ A M RI TS A R: Self -

c

, s epa ratis t an d “Wari s P unja b

De ” chief A mri tpal Sing h h as d

Kha door Sa hib Lok Sabh a s eat i n Pun jab as an Ind epend ent can didate

H i s c o u n s e l , f o r m e r M P Rajdev Singh Khalsa, made the announcement after meeting him in Assam’s Dibrugarh jail, where he is lodged along with o t h e r s u n d e r t h e U n l

u l Activities (Prevention) Act and National Security Act Rajdev Khalsa said, “I had g

Dibrugarh jail where I made a

He gave his consent to contest as an Independent candidate Now, further formalities to file his nomination papers will be completed ” Amritpal was arrested on April 23, 2023 from a gurdwara at Rode, native village of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the 14th head of Damdami Taksal and m

killed in Operation Blue Star

SC questions Bengal govt for challenging CBI probe into Sandeshkhali case

NEW D EL HI : Supr eme Court

o n M on da y q u est io ne d We st B engal govt for cha lle nging a Ca lcut ta H C order for a CB I pr ob e in to a lle gations of l and gr ab, sexual assault and violence

i n S a n de s hk h a l i a n d a sk e d w he the r th e st at e wan t ed to pr ot ect private per sons accused in the case

A t t h e o u t s e t o f t h

advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for West Bengal, sought adjournment saying the state wanted to place some important information regarding the case before the court which was very relevant A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, h o w e v e r , a s k e d t h e s t a t e w h y i t h a d challenged the HC order “Why should the state come as a petitioner for protecting the i n t e r e s t o f s o m e p r i v a t e i n d i v i d u a l ? ” t h e bench asked

Responding to the court’s query, senior advocate Jaideep Gupta, also appearing for the state, said HC had made adverse remarks against the state govt and that was the reason for challenging the verdict He said it was unfair on the part of HC to pass observations because the govt had taken full action The court, however, asked him why the state did n o t a p p r o a c h H C t o g

expunged The bench deferred the hearing to

after the summer recess in July

h a t pendency of the state's appeal in the SC would not be used as

which means the CBI probe

Trinamool Congress’ Sheikh

suspended from the party

While adjourning the hearing to July, the

atmosphere would be more conducive for hearing at that time, referring to the fact that general elections would be over by then On April 10, Calcutta high court had ordered a CBI probe into the Sandeshkhali case It also decided to monitor the investigation Challenging HC order, the state said in its appeal, “The actions of the state govt in the p

overlooked, while political voices have been given supremacy in a court proceeding, which not only vitiates the matter at hand, but further will lead to biased investigation HC

numerous affidavits of alleged victims to pass the directions, whereas the said report is not conclusive as the state is permitted to file its objections against the report

SC ADJOURNS FORMER TN MINISTER'S BAIL PLEA

The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned till May 6 the hearing on the bail plea of former Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji, arrested by the Enforcement Directorate last year in connection with a money laundering case A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan deferred the matter after a lawyer appearing for the agency sought an adjournment saying Solicitor General Tushar Mehta was not available Senior advocate Aryama Sundaram appearing for Balaji urged the bench to hear the matter and contended that he had been inside jail for 320 days The bench said it has not gone through ED's reply in the case and posted the matter for hearing on May 6 The top court on April 1 sought a response from the ED on Balaji's bail plea while issuing notice to the agency

TWO SUCCUMB TO SUNSTROKE IN KERALA

parliamentary elections from T a r n T a r a n i n 1 9 8 9 w h i l e lodged in Bhagalpur jail Amritpal’s father, Tarsem Singh, said in Amritsar: “We haven’t decided anything so far Tomorrow I will be going t o D i b r u g a r h t o m e e

Amritpal, then we will take

pointed out that if Amritpal decides to contest, he would do so as an Independent

Supreme Court refuses to stay HC order to sack Bengal teachers

N E W D E LH I: Suprem e Court did not st ay Calc utta HC decision to junk appointm ent of ov er 2 5 ,000 t ea c her s in We s t Be nga l b ut s t o pp ed f ur t he r p r ob e b y C B I i n t o t h e r e c r ui t m e n t s c a m a s a s po ok e d s t a t e apprehended that the central agency would des tabilise the TM C govt by a rresting the entire cabinet during e lectioneering

A bench of Chief Justice D YChandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra stood firm in its prima facie view about m a s s i v e i r r e g u l a r i t i e s i n r e c r u i t m e n t , a s pointed out by an HC division bench, and brushed aside spirited arguments from an array of senior advocates - Rakesh Dwivedi, N e e r a j K K a u l , D u s h y a n t D a v e , M u k u l Rohatgi, P S Patwalia and Jaideep Gupta - who sought a complete stay of HC order cancelling the entire teacher selection process Dwivedi and Kaul, egged on by the state’s counsel Astha Sharma, argued that one of the 14 directions issued by HC -“CBI to undertake f u r t h e r i n v e s t i g a t i o n s r e g a r d i n g p e r s o n s involved in the state govt approving creation o f s u p e r n u m e r a r y p o s t s t o a c c o m m o d a t e illegal appointments If necessary, CBI will interrogate such persons involved” - would lead to arrest of all ministers as the cabinet h a d a p p r o v e d t h e n o t e o n c r e a t i o n o f

s u p e r n u m e r a r y p o s t s o n h u m a n i t a r i a n grounds for waitlisted candidates

Two people – a man in his 50s and an elderly woman – have succumbed to sunstroke in Kerala as the state grapples with severe heat conditions, disrupting daily life, officials said Heat-related fatalities were reported in the north Kerala districts of Kannur and Palakkad As Kerala battles severe heat, the meteorological department has issued a maximum temperature warning for 12 districts for the upcoming five days A Palakkad district health official stated that the 90-year-old woman was found dead on Sunday The woman, a dementia patient had suffered a sunstroke after venturing out of her home A health official in Kannur district said a 53-year-old man who was being treated at a private hospital for sunstroke died on Sunday

SUPREME COURT ISSUES NOTICE TO GOVTS OVER MSP

The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Centre, Punjab and Haryana governments on a petition seeking minimum support price (MSP) and procurement by the government, including periodic increases in MSP, for every crop grown by farmers A Bench led by Justice Abhay S Oka on April 26 asked the Centre, governments of Punjab and Haryana, Central Pollution Control Board, Punjab Agriculture University, Central Ground Water Board, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI) to respond to the petition filed by advocate Charanpal Singh Bagri and posted the matter for hearing on July 12 The petition also seeks guidance financial assistance to farmers locality-wise for producing crops according to settled principles by fixing MSP of each crop

HC ADMITS PLEA AGAINST MAMATA, HER NEPHEW

A day after Mamata Banerjee called Calcutta HC a pilgrimage site for BJP while stressing that HC could have given some other advice in the cash-for-jobs case instead of scrapping the appointment of 25,757 people by SSC, the court admitted a petition against West Bengal chief minister for “making accusations against the judiciary” The petition was admitted on a day when Mamata’s nephew Abhishek alleged that a section of Calcutta HC was in a nexus with BJP and is delivering verdicts based on BJP s instructions” At a poll meeting in Purulia, Abhishek spoke about Calcutta HC’s verdict scrapping the SSC’s appointments “Those who are involved in match-fixing predict how bowling or batting would be done and that is what exactly happened We knew about betting but it has been taken to another level by a section of Calcutta HC BJP is betting and they are being backed by some of the judges,” Abhishek said

Amritpal Singh

Musk makes surprise China visit, week after putting off India trip

T esla CEO Elon Musk made

a n u n an no u nc e d tri p to

Ch ina on Su nday and met

P remier Li Qiang, a week after he scrap ped a planned visit to India to meet with P M Modi, c iting “ very h eavy

T

n olo gy i n th e bu rgeon ing E V market in China

The visit comes during a volatile time for Tesla, with slowing EV sales prompting

reduction of over 10% of its

g

week, he was scheduled to be in India, where elections are underway, for a mucha

t h b i l l i o n s o f d o l l a r s around a greenfield electric car project, apart from satcom venture Starlink He, however, called it off and said, “ but I do very much

l o o k f o r w a r d t o v i s i t i n g later this year ”

C h i n a ’ s N o 2 o f f i c i a l

met Musk in Beijing just

h o u r s a f t e r h e t o u c h e d

down in the city Li said the nation is always open to foreign companies, adding that Tesla is a successful example of China-US trade cooperation, according to China Central Television

CCTV said Musk told Li that Tesla is willing to deepen cooperation with China

The CEO earlier met the head of the China Council

f o r t h e P r o m o t i o n o f I n t e r n a t i o n a l

d

Deve Gowda's grandson suspended from JD(S) over sex scandal

Th e JD(S ) on Tuesday suspend ed its M P and former

P ri m e M i n is te r HD D ev e

Go wd a's g rand son P rajw al Rev anna from th e party over alleg ations of sexual abuse J D ( S ) l ead er an d f o rm e r

C h i e f M i ni st er HD

K u m a ras w am y sa i d t h e d ecision was taken as th e party w as ag ainst "injustice" towards w omen

Indicating a conspiracy

c l i p s a l l e g e d l y i n v o l v i n g

investigation over the

Revanna also said he and his

charges were proved

Women (NCW) has sought

meet officials to discuss the roll out of Tesla’s driverassistance system, a person with knowledge of the matter said Tesla is working on getting the system it calls Full S

, approved for new markets I

banned from China’s military compounds and some o

past over cameras used for

tems, which aren’t capable of autonomous driving

A d v a n c e d

v e r - a s s i stance systems, or ADAS, are becoming increasingly common in China’s EV market, where Tesla is losing share Many local players includi

H

w e i u s e

p h i s t i c a t e d technology as a selling point f o r t h e i r v

c l e s , w h i l e industry-wide price cuts by rivals add pressure for the US company to do the same

AstraZeneca admits Covishield jab has rare side-effect

T hr ombosis T hr ombocy t ope ni a S yn dr om e ( TTS ) - a blood clot d isor der - is a r are sid e e ffe ct of Astr aZen eca's Covid vaccine , a nd t he risk s far out weigh the be nefits of t he jab, d oct ors sa id

T h i s c o m e s a f t e r r e p o r t s s a i d t h a t AstraZeneca has for the first time accepted in court documents that its vaccine, developed in partnership with Oxford University, can raise the risk of a rare and serious blood clot

The Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine, sold as Covishield in India and Vaxzevria in Europe is a viral vector vaccine developed using the modified chimpanzee adenovirus

C h A d O x 1 C o v i s h i e l d m a n u f a c t u r e d a n d marketed in India in partnership with Serum Institute of India (SII), was widely administered in the country - to almost 90 per cent of the Indian population

" T h r o m b o t i c T h r o m b o c y t o p e n i c Syndrome (TTS) is one of the rare but very serious adverse effects that has happened as p a r t o f V

i c T h r o m b o c y t o p e n i c P u r p u r a

(VITTP) The incidence has been as low as one in 50,000 (0 002 per cent), but in a huge population, the number becomes sizeable," infectious disease expert Dr Ishwar Gilada, said

"It is a very rare condition resulting from an abnormal immune response Although it has several causes, it has also been linked with adenovirus vector vaccines and the WHO published a report on May 27, 2021 about it, Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, co-chairman of the Indian Medical Association s National Covid-19 Task Force, said

SC seeks reply from ED over the timing of Kejriwal's arrest before election

The Supre me Court t hrew a question t o the Enforce me nt D ir ect or ate (ED ) on why Delhi Chief Minister Ar vin d Kejr iwal wa s ar rested j u st b e fo

Ke jri wal had cha ll e nge d his ar re st in t he D elhi liquor pol icy case

Explaining the reason behind why the question of the timing of the arrest arose, Justice Sanjeev Khanna told the ED to make it clear whether the central agency can take up criminal proceedings without having gone through judicial proceedings in the case

T h e b e n c h a l s o c o m p r i s i n g J u s t i c e

Dipankar Datta asked Additional Solicitor General SV Raju to reply on the question of the timing of the arrest, and said, "Life and liberty are exceedingly important You can't deny that "

"No attachment action has been taken so far in this case, and if it has been done, then

show how Kejriwal is involved in the matter," Justice Khanna said "Tell me, why the arrest before the general elections?" he said

The Supreme Court noted that in the matter linked to former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, the investigators have claimed they have found material, but in Kejriwal's case nothing has been brought up

T h e S u p r e m e C o u r t t o l d t h e E D t o

explain why there has been such a huge gap between the beginning of proceedings and the arrest The court then ordered the ED to respond on Friday

Kejriwal, who has decided to continue as Chief Minister from jail, is being kept in Delhi's Tihar under judicial custody after his arrest on March 21 The Supreme Court had issued notice to ED on April 15 and sought its response to Kejriwal's challenge against his arrest

a g a i n s t t h e J D ( S ) ,

K u m a r a s w a m y s a i d t h e

o b s c e n e v i d e o s w e r e released just five days before p o l l i n g i n H a s s a n c o n -

stituency Prajwal Revanna

w

from Hassan, which went to polls in the second phase on April 26

" T h e v i c t i m s h a v e n ' t complained to the govern-

m e n t t i l l n o w T h e s t a t e

w o m e n ' s c o m m i s s i o n h a s written a letter to the Chief M i n i s t e r o n t h i s m a t t e r

a n n o u n c e d a n S I T , " K u m a r a s w a m y , P r a j w a l Revanna's uncle, said A s t h e e x p l i c i t v i d e o

Prajwal started making the rounds in Hassan, the JD(S) MP reportedly left the country for Germany The videos depicted Revanna allegedly engaging in acts of sexual a

women Amid the controversy, a

father - JD(S) MLA and former minister HD Revannao f s e x u a l h a r a s s m e n t

complaint, a case has been registered against the duo

from the Karnataka police on the matter

allied with the BJP for the

Minister HD Kumaraswamy

squab-

between the JDS and the

national party's leaders distancing themselves from the state party and calling for a rethink

Alleging there was "politics" behind the issue, HD Revanna, the elder son of JD(S) patriarch Deve Gowda,

Supreme Court rejects pleas to return to ballot papers

Supre me C ourt di sm is s ed doub ts a bout hac ki ng and man ipulati on of E lec troni c Voting Machi nes ( EVMs), termed pleas for return to the paper ballot system as “foible and unsound” and rejected the prayer for giving voters physi cal access to VVPAT s li ps, and for 100% counting of paper slips

The court was unequivocal in attesting to the integrity of EVMs, saying the possib i l i t y o f h a c k i n g o r t a m p e r i n g w a s unfounded “ The suspicion that EVMs can be configured/manipulated for repeated or wrong recording of vote(s) to favour a particular candidate should be rejected,” it said

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, however, passed directions to further strengthen the integrity of the system and said like EVMs, symbol loading units shall be sealed and secured after symbols have been loaded in VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) machines

It also granted an option to the runnerup and the candidate finishing third to get burnt memory/microcontroller in 5% of

EVMs - control unit, ballot unit and VVPAT unit - per assembly constituency/assembly segment of a parliamentary constituency checked and verified after the announcement of results for any tampering

The verdict marked a big blow to the h i

Narendra Modi pulled off

stunning victory The SC examined threadbare the administrative and technical safeguards in EVMs and concluded that there was no substance in the allegations “Repeated and persistent doubts and despair, even without supporting evidence, can have contrarian impact of creating distrust This can reduce citizen participation and confidence in elections, essential for a healthy and robust democra-

court, as an arbiter and adjudicator of disputes and challenges, must render decisions on facts based on evidence and data,” the bench said

India dismisses US media report alleging RAW officer's

role in Pannun plot

India's external affairs m inistry d ismissed a re p o rt b y t h e W as h in g to n P o st , w h i c h alleg ed Indian spy ag ency ’ s involvement in wh at is thoug ht to be a failed assassination at tem p t a g

Gurp atwant Singh Pannun and ev en nam ed a Research and Analysis Wing (RA W) official wh o it said orch estrated th e purported plan

“The report in question makes unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations on a s e r i o u s m a t t e r , ” M E A s p o k e s p e r s o n

Randhir Jaiswal said

“There is an ongoing investigation of the H i g h L

Government of India to look into the security concerns shared by the US government on networks of organised criminals, terrorists and others Speculative and irresponsible comments on it are not helpful,” he further added

A report published by US newspaper Washington Post claimed that an officer of t h e f o r e i g

Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) instruct-

Khalistani separatist Pannun

The report says that RAW officer Vikram Yadav gave the instructions to the hit team to eliminate the legal counsel of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) who is a prominent leader of the separatist movement “US intelligence agencies have assessed that the operation targeting Pannun was approved by the RAW chief at the time, Samant Goel,” the report said

transferred back to Central Reserve Police Forces (CRPF) following the unravelling of the Pannun plot The government of India has not responded to these assertions made by the US newspaper American authorities have indicted Nikhil Gupta for the plot and said that he was acting at the behest of an Indian official who was named as CC-1 in

Elon Musk and Premier Li Qiang

Prajwal Revanna

India sees 66% voter turnout in second phase of voting

Continued from page 1

Almost 1 billion people are eligible to vote in the seven-phase general election that began on April 19 and will conclude on June 1, with votes set to be counted on June 4 Modi is seeking a

r e c o r d - e q u a l l i n g t h i r d straight term on the back of his economic record, welfare

s m , a n d personal popularity Surveys suggest he will easily win a comfortable majority

H i s c h a l l e n g e r s h a v e formed an alliance of more than two dozen parties and a r e p r o m i s i n g g r e a t e r a f f i r m a t i v e a c

autocratic rule A total of 88 seats out of the 543 in the lower house of parliament went to the polls, with 160 m i l l i o n p e o p l e e l i g i b l e t o vote across 12 states and the Union Territory of J&K

c o m p r e h e n s i v e p o s t - p o l l

surveys

However, it is evident t h a t v o t e r t u r n o u t h a s decreased compared to 2019, even in the first phase This has prompted the Election

C o m m i s s i o n o f I n d i a t o i n v e s t i g a t e w h e t h

h i s decline While this could be a factor, it is also possible t h a t v o t e r s a r e l e s s e n t h u s i a s t i c a b o u t t h e i r choices this time around, as

I n t h e s e c o n d p h a s e ,

o v e r 1 5 8 8 m i l l i o n v o t e r s , i n c l u d i n g 8 0

males, 78 million females, and 5,929 third gender were e l i

Approximate voter turnout data at the end of polling put second phase turnout at 66, lower than the 68% recorded i n t h e s e c o n d p h a s e f

v e years ago

C o n c e r n s a b o u t l o w e r t u r n o u t h a v e b e e n r a i s e d d u e t o u n s e a s o n a b l y h o t

w e a t h e r a n d w e d d i n g s i n

c e r t a i n r e g i o n s S p e c i a l a r r a n g e m e n t s , i n c l u d i n g

s h e l t e r s , d r i n k i n g w a t e r , medical aid, and fans, were m a d e t o e n s u r e v o t e r comfort Analysts attribute the lower turnout to a lack of a single dominant issue and potential complacency among the BJP s committed Hindu nationalist base

T h e t h i r d p h a s e o f polling for 94 seats in 12 states and union territories will be held on May 7

Analysis of low v oter turnout

A c o m p a r a t i v e assessment of polling in the

s e c o n d p h a s e s h o w s t h a t h i g h t u r n o u t ( m o r e t h a n 70%) in the East and the N o r t h E a s t ( A s s a m , Manipur, Tripura, and West

B e n g a l ) a n d l o w t u r n o u t (less than 60%) in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have followed

e a r l i e r t r e n d s K e r a l a , M a d h y a P r a d e s h , Maharashtra, and Rajasthan also experienced relatively lower turnout, although a d e t a i l e d a n a

system

eyes

Telangana, along with the

Lakshadweep This region contributes over 30 per cent

Modi's claims of economic

states More than half the seats in the second phase

Rajasthan

Kerala is the only major Indian state where Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

h a s n e v e r w o n a parliamentary seat, though it has seen a steady rise in its voter support from 1 75 per

cent in 1984 to 13 per

c e n t i n 2 0 1 9 I n February, Modi said the state gave a “two-digit vote share to the BJP” in 2 0 1 9 “ T h i s t i m e , t h

p a r t y w o u l d w i

from

election rally C

constituency of Kerala for the second time after being defeated in the 2019 elections by Smriti Irani, a BJP leader, in the northern I n

the Nehru-Gandhi family

In Kerala, traditionally

the BJP-led NDA aims to make its mark, with turnout levels suggesting a story of p

opportunities or unforeseen

voter mobilisation efforts

Moving to Tamil Nadu

changing loyalties In Tamil Nadu, where the BJP aligns

reduced turnout may reflect discontent with national

opposed to 2019

I n u r b a n c i t i e s l i k e

Bengaluru or Chennai, the v o t i n g w a s c o n d u c t e d o n Friday, which created a long weekend, prompting people to plan getaways rather than prioritising their civic duty

S e v e r a l c o m p a n i e s i n

Bengaluru aimed to boost voter turnout in the general election by offering various incentives, such as free food, taxi rides, and health checkups Despite initiatives like free beer and discounted cab rides, the turnout remained l o w , h i g h l i g h t i n g t h e persistent challenge of voter e n g a g e m e n t i n t h e c i t y M o r e o v e r , B e n g a l u r u ’ s u r b a n l i f e s t y l e a n d s i g n i f i c a n t m i g r a n t p o p u l a t i o n a d d e d t o t h e v o t e r a p a t h y , w i t h s o m e r

c a l politics

A n o t h e r i m p o r t a n t factor in this trend is the c h a n g i n g a t t i t u d e s o f t h e electorate There's a clear lack of interest among firstt i m e v o t e r s , w h o p l a y a crucial role in revitalising the democratic process

C o n s i d e r i n g t h e f a c t t h a t t h e B J P w o n a comfortable majority and its highest vote share in 2019 coincided with the higher v o t e r t u r n o u t , a l o w e r turnout could be a sign of w o r r y f o r i t , e v e n i f , c o n v e n t i o n a l l y , a h i g h e r turnout has generally been a m e s s a g e a b o u t a n t iincumbency in earlier polls before the BJP became the p

Ahmedabad filmmaker wins at Beijing film festival

“Umbro” at th e ReelFocu s F resh Blo od short film programme, a segment o f th e Beijing International Film F estival T

Huairou district of the Ch inese cap ital last week

Shot in Bajania’s hometown of

friendships among women, routinely

, conflicts and most of all routine acts of rebellion

“I’m thrilled that my film won at the festival it was premiering at That it won in a South Asian country is a b o n u s , g i v e n o u r c o m m o n s o c i ocultural backgrounds and cinematic traditions,” Bajania said “I spent time with my mother and h e r f r i e n d s d u r i n g t h e l o c k d o w n Alliances between women unfurled in safe spaces that they had discreetly created I saw their resilience and camaraderie and felt their responses w e r e p r e c i o u s m a t e r i a l f o r d o c u m e n t a t i o n , ” s a i d B a j a n i a Mumbai-based cinematographer Sejal Kothari and recordist Sneha Sundar were also part of the film

B a j a n i a , 3 5 , a n a l u m n a o f t h e National Institute of Design (NID) and the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), is currently working on

educational institutions T

Beijing was led by film critic

actors Yu Shi, Qu Chuxiao and Zu Feng They picked the winners of 14

countries

4 students write ‘Jai Shri Ram’ in exam, get 50%

Four DP harma (Diploma in Pharmacy)

marks The probe panel has recommended that two teachers who gave the

Anandiben Patel approves the action as chancellor, a senior official of the varsity said Divyanshu Singh, a former student of the university, filed the RTI plea questioning the marks of four and complained to the governor, triggering the probe

Voters from Raima Valley came to polling stations through boats to cast their vote

Woman of the Kamar PVTG voted for first time

Voters were assisted to cross the Kadana Backwater voters polling station

A s w i n t e r g i v e s w a y t o

temperatures start to rise, many Britons are flocking to the coast in search of sunshine The UK is home to an expansive array of stunning coastlines and countless beaches, choosing where to visit first a tough one

T

here's a list of must-visit beaches

Kynance Cove, Cornwall Nestled at the edge of the rugged Lizard Peninsula, Kynance Cove is a breathtaking natural wonder that has enchanted visitors f o

turquoise waters and pristine white sands

f

formations, this Cornish treasure remains as captivating as it was in Victorian times T h e c o

otherworldly landscape of towering rock stacks, caves, and islands, each uniquely named like Asparagus Island, The Drawing Room, and The Parlour These distinctive r e d a n d

, characteristic of the Lizard Peninsula, have

b e e n s c u

n t

spectacular shapes that contribute to the cove's stunning beauty

Benllech Beach, Wales

Benllech Beach, known for its gently

s l o p i n g s a n d s b a c k e d b y h i g h , g r a s s -

c o v e r e d c l i f f s , d r a w s f a m i l i e s w i t h

exploration opportunities The beach is

kayaking, and sailing Positioned along the A n g l e s e

families with young children It has been awarded a Blue Flag for its cleanliness and safety Just behind the beach, the small town offers an array of shops, services, c a f e s , p u b s

include toilets and paid parking, and there are dog restrictions from May through September Filey Beach, Yorkshire Filey, a traditional seaside resort on the East Coast, offers a quieter alternative to its more commercial neighbours, making it

Sun, sand, and surf: Britain's best beaches

perfect for young families or those seeking a peaceful beach retreat Its stunning 5-mile golden sandy beach stretches from the rocky Filey Brigg in the north down to

located At low tide, the beach extends

space for walking, kite-flying, horse riding, and building sandcastles The rock pools along this expanse are a particular delight for children, teeming with marine life Filey proudly preserves its fishing roots, with visitors often able to see local fishermen working with their traditional "coble" boats along the shoreline The town's seafront is adorned with artworks that pay homage to

charming promenade

Lunan Bay, Scotland

premier beach, offering a stunning expanse of sand complemented by natural features such as a cave, an arch at the northern end, and the ruins of a castle The Lunan Water r i v e r b i s e c t s t h e b e

distinct halves and providing a natural break in the middle where visitors can enjoy a cafe stop This beach draws surfers and horse riders alike, thanks to its broad, open sands Beyond water sports, Lunan Bay is also a prime spot for bird watching in t

' s n

uncommon to spot Bottlenose Dolphins a n d t h e o c c a s i o n a l H a r b o u r P o r p o i s e

frolicking in the bay, adding to the area's natural allure

West Wittering Beach, West Sussex

N e s t l e d n e a r t h e e n t r a n c e o f

Chichester Harbour, the twin villages of East and West Wittering boast pristine

s

vacationers alike who are drawn to its e x p a n s i v e s a n d s a n d s h a l l o w w a t e r s Renowned for its long, soft sand stretches, the beach is particularly family-friendly due to the shallow waters, yet it also caters to water sports enthusiasts West Wittering is celebrated as a prime spot for surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and other water activities, making it a versatile beach for all types of visitors

"We Are

narratives, Zayyan navigates themes of

tradition, and the enduring ties that connect individuals to their past and present

The novel follows Sameer, a young lawyer in London, as he grapples with questions of identity and heritage amidst the complexities of family expectations and societal pressures Through Sameer's journey to Uganda and his exploration of his family's history, Zayyan reveals the intricate web of connections that shape his sense of self and belonging

Interwoven with Sameer's narrative is

whose life is irrevocably altered by political t

experiences offer a window into Uganda's diverse cultural landscape and the bonds of community that endure in the face of adversity

Zayyan s prose is lyrical and immersive, transporting readers to the bustling streets

neighbourhoods of London With vivid descriptions and heartfelt emotions, she

inviting readers to experience the sights, sounds, and textures of both worlds

A

o f Uganda" is a story about the search for identity and the power of community in shaping individual destinies Zayyan deftly e

identity, highlighting the tensions between tradition and modernity, East and West, and the past and the present

Moreover, the novel offers a poignant reflection on the legacy of colonialism and its enduring impact on individuals and communities Through the lens of Sameer and Hasan's experiences, Zayyan examines the intergenerational trauma and inherited histories that shape their identities and connections to their communities

In conclusion, "We Are All Birds of Uganda is a masterful debut novel that

storytelling and richly drawn characters make

All Birds of Uganda" by Hafsa

Kynance Cove Cornwall

West Wittering Beach, West Sussex

Priyadarshan set to begin work on fantasy horror film with Akshay Kumar

Priyadarshan and Akshay Kumar are gearing up for their next collaboration after a hiatus of 14 years Their previous films together, like the iconic "Hera Pheri" (2000) and the thrilling "Bhool Bhulaiyaa" (2007), have etched a memorable mark in cinema history With this upcoming project, anticipation is high for another round of their magical partnership, sure to ignite excitement among fans and critics alike

He shares, “Now that I am done with my docus e r i e s o n t h e R

, m

m

s

important film on which I am beginning work is the one with Akshay, produced by Ekta Kapoor It is a horror fantasy with humour ”

This new project will explore fantasy and black m a g i c , a d e p

psychological thriller theme Priyadarshan is thrilled to team up with Akshay Kumar again, praising his emotional depth They anticipate another successful collaboration

C o i n c i d e n t a l l y , t w o c u l t c l a s s i c s m e n t i o n e d earlier, "Bhool Bhulaiyaa" and "Hera Pheri," are set to receive third instalments in their respective franchises: "Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3" and "Hera Pheri 3 "

The 67-year-old is not a fan of remakes, “The first one is always the best, like Hera Pheri It will always be good, you can make whatever second or third parts People will always say they liked the original In sequels, makers exploit the success of that market There’s nothing wrong in doing that The world over people make sequels Terminator 2 was bigger than Terminator 1, the former was made by another director I, somehow, don’t like to do sequels ”

Vidya Balan says 'it

felt like bullying' for

her Heyy Babyy costumes during awards night

Despite her current status as a powerhou industry, Vidya Balan has encountered challenges, including the pervasive issue of episode of the podcast Unfiltered with Sam being a victim of nepotism, notably when sh Na-Real award at the 2008 Filmfare Awards costumes in Sajid Khan's 2007 buddy comed Heyy Babyy

“When they told me they're going to me the Na-Real award, I said, ‘Why me My clothes are not just my choice, right?’

At that time, I was too new to have an opinion on anything So they said, ‘No, we ’ re just doing this fun segment so we're going to give you this award ' So I said, ‘Fine, but I’m going to share it with the costume designer and the director and they said, ‘No, you mustn’t do tha And that, I think, is not nice,” said Vidya

Vidya Balan initially took the Na award in stride, but upon realising she w sole target at the event, she spoke out, me her director and costume designer whe the award This action caused controvers from friends and supporters in the film in

Amitabh Bachchan awarded with Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar

Amitabh

Bachchan was honoured with the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar and the megastar said he is fortunate to receive the award in the memory of the singer whose voice connected listeners to a higher power

The award was established by the family and trust in honour of the late melody queen, the eldest of the Mangeshkar siblings, who passed away in 2022 due to multiple organ failure

"I'm fortunate to receive this award I never really regarded myself worthy of such an award, but Hridyanath ji tried hard so that I could come here He even invited me for this ceremony last year

"Hridaynath ji, I apologise to you for last time I had then told you I was unwell I was healthy but didn't want to come here This year I had no excuse, so I had to come here," Bachchan said in his award acceptance speech

The actor said his father and celebrated Hindi poet Harivansh used to liken Lata Mangeshkar's voice to "shehad ki dhaar"

Ruslaan star Aayush Sharma recalls being compared to a dog by a troll

Aayush Sharma has gradually carved a niche for himself in the hearts of audiences as an actor He made his Bollywood debut with "Loveyatri," produced by Salman Khan, and later appeared in "Antim: The Final Truth," released in 2021 Now, he's preparing for the release of his next action-packed film, "Ruslaan."

The teaser has garnered praise, with even Salman Khan expressing admiration Aayush is now actively promoting his upcoming venture, staying on his toes to spread the word

recalled how he was trolled after the release of his first film Talking to Siddharth Kannan, Aayush Sharma got tearful as he spoke about

Responding to a comment suggesting Salman Khan should have launched a dog instead of him, Aayush Sharma reflected on how hurtful

challenges, he found motivation in ensuring his children would read positive things about him in the future, wanting them to feel proud of their father rather than encounter derogatory comparisons

He added that he would like to thank all as the harsh comments pushed him to be the person that he is The actor now wants to make a legacy that he would like to leave behind for his children Earlier, Aayush Sharma spoke about how he felt bad and apologised to Salman Khan when Loveyatri failed at the box office

"The sweetness in her voice was honey and as the flow of honey never breaks, her 'swar' (vocal ) never breaks Whenever someone hits the right chord, our soul meets with 'parmatma' And Lata Mangeshkar ji's 'swar' joins us with God," Bachchan said

Parineeti Chopra recalls being an intern at YRF

Parineeti Chopra, earning acclaim for her role in Imtiaz Ali’s "Amar Singh Chamkila" alongside Diljit Dosanjh, recently reflected on her early days in the film industry Speaking with Raj Shamani on his podcast, she fondly recalled her journey from interning in YRF's marketing and PR department to becoming a soughtafter actor

Hadippa, Deepika Padukone and Neil Nitin Mukesh for LafangeyParindey, and Anushka and Shahid Kapoor for t h e i

f

l m B a d m a a s h C o m p a n y I would line up interviews for these actors and order coffees for them My final film as an intern at the studio was Band BaajaBaarat " She shared

l e b r i t y interviews for during her time at YRF, are now interviewing her about her own projects

After working at Yash Raj Films for one and a half years, Parineeti decided to quit her job However, her career took a turn when she received a phone call from Aditya Chopra, the head of YRF "A few days after I left the job, I got a call from Adi, and I w o n d e r e d w h y h e w a s c a l l i n g , " Parineeti shared

Aditya expressed his interest in signing her for a three-film deal at YRF after watching her audition tape with casting director Shanoo Sharma, r e c o g n i s i n g h e r p o t e n t i a l T h i s marked the beginning of Parineeti's journey as an actor, culminating in her debut in Ladies vs Ricky Bahl a month later

“I like to challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone”: Taapsee Pannu on taking up challenging roles

Taapsee Pannu has consistently amazed audiences with her stellar performances in female-led films, demonstrating her versatility and depth as an actor. Her portrayal of strong, multifaceted women with unwavering conviction has firmly established her as a powerhouse in Indian cinema. Through her roles, she continually challenges societal stereotypes, delivering powerful performances that resonate deeply with audiences.

Recently the actress said, “I like to challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone This way each day on set is an exciting adventure When it comes to acting, I thoroughly enjoy the process of getting to live so many lives I get to view things from another character’s perspective And I like seeing that story as an output on screen I enjoy the fact that we ’ ve been able to create a world from only words and pure imagination ”

Taapsee consistently delivers memorable performances, showcasing her versatility and talent as an actress Her commitment to challenging roles sets her apart in the Indian film industry Next, she ll grace the screen in "PhirAayi Haseen Dilruba" and "Khel Khel Mein "

Imran Khan to make comeback after 9 years with ‘Happy Patel’

Afteran absence of almost nine years, Imran Khan is poised for a spectacular comeback to Bollywood. This return holds sentimental significance as Khan reunites with his maternal uncle, Aamir Khan, who played a pivotal role in kickstarting his career. Khan has recently inked a deal for a whimsical comedy named "Happy Patel," under the direction of Vir Das.

As per a Peeping Moon report, the movie will be backed by Aamir Khan Productions, marking a significant moment for the actor Aamir initially introduced Imran to the big screen as a child artist in the 1988 film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak Fast forward two decades to 2008, Aamir Khan Productions propelled Imran into stardom with the successful romantic comedy Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na

While specifics about Happy Patel are being kept confidential, insiders portray it as a uproarious comedy unfolding in a distinctive yet recognisable setting Described as reminiscent of Imran's past comedic hits, the film promises a blend of humour, relatable characters, and heartfelt narratives Filming for the project has already commenced in Goa

Adding another exciting layer to the project is the directorial debut of Vir Das Khan and Das previously co-starred in the critically acclaimed 2011 black comedy Delhi Belly While Das has experience of directing a web series (yet to be released), Happy Patel will be his first feature film directorial venture

Continuously delighting fans, veteran actor Dharmendra frequently shares nostalgic snapshots on social media, featuring himself, his family, and esteemed colleagues. His latest post unveils a rare photograph capturing him alongside his elder son, Sunny Deol, and Dharmendra's late father, Kewal Krishan

The actor turned to his X handle and unveiled an old photograph depicting himself and Sunny seated on opposite sides of Kewal Krishan, who clutches a walking stick In the snapshot, a youthful Dharmendra dons a peach T-shirt, while a young Sunny opts for a

captured wearing a white T-shirt

, “kaash! MAA BAAP ko aur waqtdiyahota!" (Wish I'd devoted more time to my parents)

Fans of the actor left several comments on t h e p o

hmebtaiyekaisekhushrkhe maa baap ko aur time de unko” (Sir, please tell us how to keep our parents happy and devote more time to them) Dharmendra responded to the query by writing, “Treat them the way you treat your kids,,,,,,,if you don’t have kids Be their loving kid ” On the work front, Dharmendra will be next seen in Sriram Raghavan's army movie Ikkis

Aditi

diti Rao Hydari returns to the screen with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazar,' marking her comeback six years after 'Padmaavat ' In the Netflix series, she portrays Bibbojaan, a mistress who etly rebels Aditi reveals that while both she and her characters are termined, their approaches to seeking love diverge Talking to the media, Aditi said that Bibbojaan is soft-hearted Born into conflicting desires and aspirations, she grapples with the tension between her origins and her aspirations Despite harbouring immense love and stability within, she channels them towards a greater cause However, personally, she struggles to reconcile these emotions due to her deep sense of responsibility towards her mother Her journey is marked by intriguing complexi-

Rao

Hydari reveals she 'believes in love' ahead of wedding with Siddharth

Samantha Ruth Prabhu announces new film ‘Bangaram’ on her birthday

As fans and industry friends shower Samantha Ruth Prabhu with birthday wishes for her 37th birthday, the South icon pleasantly surprises them with an exciting announcement. She unveils her upcoming project "Bangaram," which signifies her debut as a producer in feature films. Additionally, the actor unveils the first-look poster of the project. In the captivating still, Samantha is depicted in a fierce avatar, holding a gun and aiming it towards the camera, her face smeared with blood While further details about "Bangaram" remain undisclosed, the poster hints at a gritty and intense narrative The Telugu film is anticipated to begin shooting soon and is slated for release in 2025

Taking to Instagram to share the news, Samantha captioned the post with a thought-provoking message: “Not everything has to glitter to be golden #Bangaram @tralalamovingpictures Starting soon ”

amantha is presently preparing for the eagerly awaited debut of "Citadel: Honey Bunny," a spy thriller helmed by Raj and DK This series, an adaptation of Priyanka Chopra's "Citadel," is set to premiere on Prime Video and stars Varun Dhawan alongside Samantha

heart's desires and societal expectations

Describing herself as an idealistic lover,

approach to love She embraces the concept wholeheartedly, symbolising it with unicorns and rainbows In a delightful turn of events, she recently got engaged to

Samudram' in March of this year

'Heeramandi: Diamond Bazaar' set in pre-independence India, blends beauty and grandeur in its 8-episode storyline The series follows Mallikajaan, played by Manisha Koirala, and Fareedan, portrayed by Sonakshi Sinha, as they compete for control of Heeramandi, a realm ruled by courtesans

Nayanthara says portraying empowering women is more than a creative choice

Fromher commanding on-screen performances to her offscreen endeavours, Nayanthara remains a pioneering presence in cinema, motivating women to break societal barriers and embrace their inner strength. Whether in her Bollywood debut in Atlee’s "Jawan," alongside Shah Rukh Khan, or her 75th film "Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food," Nayanthara consistently selects roles that empower women and defy conventions. For the actor, this isn’t just a creative choice but a personal commitment to amplify voices often overlooked or silenced

In a recent conversation with media, Nayanthara emphasised the importance of portraying empowered women in her films “Portraying empowered women who choose to defy social stigmas is not just a creative choice, but also a personal commitment to amplifying voices that are often overlooked or silenced,” she said In recent years, Nayanthara has shifted her focus from commercial projects to supporting and participating in films with a social conscience In 2017, she portrayed a district collector in "Aramm," followed by a crime comedy centred around her character in 2018's "Kolamaavu Kokila," and a police officer in "Imaikkaa Nodigal" the same year Her latest film, Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food, features her as an aspiring chef, while her upcoming projects, Test and "Mannangatti Since 1960," underscore her dedication to socially relevant storytelling

With acclaimed performances in films such as "Malik," "Super Deluxe," "Joji," and "Vikram," Fahadh Faasil has reached new heights of popularity in the film industry Despite being an inspiration to many aspiring actors, Fahadh remains humble, stating that he doesn't believe his films have significantly impacted anyone's life. In the conversation, Fahadh also shared a list of films that have personally changed his life

, Fahadh discussed the movies t

him, naming the Italian film Cinema Paradiso as having the most profound impact He said, “Cinema Paradiso changed my life I still wish to give my audience what I felt while watching Cinema Paradiso ” When asked if he believes his films have had a similar impact on his audience, Fahadh

that Not anywhere close to I haven’t changed anybody’s life but Cinema Paradiso changed mine I have not met anyone who has said that to me Also,

other films What I wish is that what these films did to me before I quit with at least one of my films I want to give that experience to the audience " Basking in the tremendous success of his latest gangster comedy "Aavesham," Fahadh is now preparing for the release of director Sukumar’s "Pushpa 2: The Rule " In this sequel, he will once again portray the main antagonist from "Pushpa: The Rise The film, featuring Allu Arjun in the lead role, is set to premiere on August 15, 2024

'Manthan' starring Smita Patil to premiere at Cannes 2024

Ayushmann Khurran Dua Lipa, Sofia Coppo among others to gra TIME100 Gala

Bollywood

luminary Ayushmann Khurrana is poised to grace the TIME100 Gala in New York City Hosted by TIME Magazine, the gala celebrates the world's most influential individuals This marks Khurrana's latest accolade from TIME, adding to his list of recognitions In 2023, he was honoured with the TIME100 Impact Award, and in 2020, he was named one of the magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World

Khurrana's invitation to the TIME100 Gala underscores his position as one of the world's foremost disruptors

commitment to social causes as a UNICEF ambassador, he has made a significant mark on Indian cinema Last year, he was honoured as the sole Indian recipient of the TIME100 Impact Award

The upcoming gala promises to be a star-studded affair, with Khurrana expected to rub shoulders with some of the biggest names in the world Pop superstar Dua Lipa is

filmmaker Sofia Coppola, actor Elliot Page, singer-songwriter Kylie Minogue, Formula One champion Max Verstappen, actor Michael J Fox, actress Taraji P Henson, and fashion designer Tory Burch

The Film Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organisation established by filmmaker and archivist Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, has partnered with Gujarat Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. to undertake the restoration of veteran Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal’s national award-winning film "Manthan," featuring the late iconic actress Smita Patil.

The 4K restoration of the 1976 film has been chosen for the official red-carpet world premiere at t h

selected for the Cannes Classic section this year The premiere will be graced by Naseeruddin Shah, the family of the late Smita Patil, the film's producers, and Shivendra Singh Dungarpur of the Film Heritage Foundation

"Manthan" is a fictionalised portrayal of India's remarkable dairy cooperative movement, inspired by D

Revolution It depicts the nation's transition from a milk-deficient country to the world's largest milk producer Notably, "Manthan" is India's inaugural

farmers who each contributed Rs 2 towards its production

S h i

Heritage Foundation states, “I'm thrilled that Film Heritage Foundation will showcase another restored Indian classic at Cannes Restoring a Shyam Benegal film has been a long-time goal, given his stature in India's Parallel Cinema movement Collaborating closely with Benegal and Govind Nihalani to revive the film has been incredible Nearly fifty years later, the narrative's power and the actors' performances, notably Smita Patil's, still shine I only wish she could see the restored beauty herself ”

Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘Jawan’ nominated for Taurus

World Stunt Awards

Shah Rukh Khan's actionpacked film, "Jawan" maintains its dominance on the awards circuit, earning a coveted nomination at the Taurus World Stunt Awards. The film's thrilling stunts, praised by audiences globally, have been acknowledged in the Best Stunts category

grossing over Rs 1159 crore, but also received widespread critical

director of Jawan clinched awards at both the 2024 Filmfare Awards and Zee Cine Awards

action filmmaking Jawan

including Hollywood blockbusters

Gauri Khan served as producer, while

project Released on September 7, 2023, the film captivated audiences across India with its Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu language versions

Diljit Dosanjh wows 54,000 fans at DilLuminati concert in Vancouver

After captivating his fans in Mumbai, singer-turned-actor Diljit Dosanjh, currently basking in the success of his latest film "Amar Singh Chamkila," has made waves in Canada with a live performance His Vancouver tour, "DilLuminati," illuminated BC Place stadium, bringing joy to his fans Diljit delivered a memorable performance, enchanting an impressive crowd of over 54,000.

Dressed impeccably in an all-black ensemble, the singer showcased some of his biggest hits, including

“GOAT” As he performed,

Kolkata beat Delhi by 7 wickets

Led by spinners Sunil N arine and Varu n C h akrav arth y ’ s attac kin g spells, KKR restricted DC to 153 for nine befo re reco rdi ng a sev enwicket at the Eden Gard ens on Monday In the chase, Phil Salt

co nti nu ed h is o nsl au g ht , smashing 68 off 23 balls before ski p p er S h rey as Iy er an d Venkatesh Iyer led the team home

On the other hand, with four wins in their last five matches, the Rishabh Pant-led side is gradually

a s s e m b l i n g t h e i r p i e c e s a n d starting to look like a force to be reckoned with Pant is also making rapid progress with every match as the DC top-five in Fraser-McGurk, Abhishek Porel, Shai Hope, Pant

a n d S t u b b s w i l l b e a c a u s e o f concern for KKR bowling Barring

s p i n n e r S u n i l N a r i n e , w h o returned with 1/24 from his four overs, none of the KKR bowlers made any impact

C SK catapult to third in table

Chennai Super Kings posted a

7 8 - r u n w

H y d e r a b a d a t t h e M A

C h i d a m b a r a m S t a d i u m

Chennai on Sunday to leapfrog to third place in the league standings

Chennai put up a 212-run total

before Tushar Deshpande starred with a four-wicket haul to wrap Hyderabad up for 134 CSK were put to bat as Gaikwad and Ajinkya Rahane walked out to begin the innings SRH managed to dismiss Rahane early as the veteran fell for 9

Mitchell replaced the Indian in the m

G

p

boundaries in a consistent manner as Chennai reached the 50-run mark in the powerplay overs

Royal Challengers thrash Titans

Royal Challengers Bengaluru thrashed Gujarat Titans by nine wickets at Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday Virat Kohli and centurion Will Jacks starred as RCB chased down 201 without any hassle Meanwhile, the likes of Sai Sudharsan and Shahrukh Khan hammered fifties for GT, albeit in a losing cause

couldn't do much either as GT were reduced to 45/2 Sudharsan

(

Shahrukh (58) as the duo added 86 runs before the latter departed The southpaw, who went berserk toward the end, added 69 runs

finished at 200/3 Samson, J urel fashio n another RR win

Sanju Samson scored five runs less than his opposite number KL Rahul, but his unbeaten 71 off 33 balls had more impact compared to Rahul’s relatively sedate 48ball-76 Samson’s knock, and that of Dhruv Jurel, helped Rajasthan Royals take a giant leap towards t h e p l

b l y beating Lucknow Super Giants by seven wickets here on Saturday Samson and Jurel came together after the Royals had stumbled from a brisk start to hand the a

putting on a robust stand of 121

Indian athletes win 29 medals at Asian U20 Athletics Championships

India clinched seven go lds, 11 silvers and 1 1 bronze medals to finish second at the Asian U20 Ath letics Championships 2024 h eld in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates from April 24 to 27 A total of 60 Indian ath letes - 31 m en and 29 w o me ncompeted at the 21st edition o f the co ntinental meet

The People's Republic of China topped the medal tally with 16 golds, 10 silvers and three bronze Though India matched China's total haul, they won fewer gold medals and c o n s e q u e n t l y f i n i s h e d s e c o n d i n t h e standings

Deepanshu Sharma won India's first gold medal in the men ’ s javelin throw with a distance of 70 29m Anurag Singh Kaler (men’s shot put), Pavana Nagaraj (women’s

winning gold medals on the second day of the competition Ekta Dey also went on to clinch the silver medal in the 5000m race

men's hammer throw, won the only gold for

relay team of Anushka Dattatray Kumbhar,

Sangeetha Dodla and Sandramol Sabu also topped the podium on the final day of the competition

Laxita Sandilea, who won the gold medal at the Asian U20 championships last year in 1500m, settled for a silver medal in Dubai

The Asian U20 Athletics Championships was also a qualifying event for the World U20 Athletics Championships which will be held in Lima, Peru from August 27 to 31 Aarti, competing in the women's 10,000m

standard for the U20 World Championships with her time of 47:45 33 The entry standard was 49:00 00

Yastika, Renuka star in India’s 44-run win over Bangladesh

Riding o n Yastika Bh atia’s 36 and Renuka Singh Th akur’ s 3-18 , India defeated Bangladesh by 44 runs in th e opening game of the five-match T20 I series at the Sylhet International Cricket S tadium o n Sunday

Electing to bat first, Yastika, Shafali Verma (31) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (30) crossed 30s But after Harmanpreet fell, Bangladesh pulled things back to keep India at 145/7 In reply, Bangladesh lost four wickets quickly and eventually made 101/8 in their 20 overs Apart from Renuka, fast-bowler Pooja Vastrakar took 2-25, while Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav and Deepti Sharma took a wicket each in a tight bowling show to ensure India now have a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, which is crucial from a T20 World Cup preparation point of view

Earlier, good knocks by Yastika, Shafali and Harmanpreet ensured India got a decent total on a slow pitch India’s innings

b e g a n w i t h S h a f a l i a n d S m r i t i M a n d h a n a h i t t i n g f o u r boundaries between themselves in the first two overs But Smriti, who got a reprieve in the second over, couldn’t capitalise on it and inside-edged a delivery onto her stumps Debutante all rounder Sajeevan Sajana made 11 before falling to Rabeya, while Richa Ghosh hit two fours and a six in her 17-ball 23 before holing out to long-on off Marufa’s bowling in the final over

runs in just 62 balls

s t a n d f o r t h e unconquered fourth wicket to take their s i d e o v e r t h e l i n e

C h a s

1 9 7 , Rajasthan finished at 199 for three to win w i t h a n o v e r t o spare Punjab pull off reco rd chase P u n j a b K i n g s e t c h e d t h e i

with eight fours and nine sixes, provided the impetus needed for P B K S

breathtaking display of batting prowess, pulling off the highest s u c c e

e shortest format on Friday Their monumental feat came against Kolkata Knight Riders, as they surpassed the daunting target of 262 runs with remarkable ease, s

wicket victory Spearheaded by an

Jonny Bairstow, who remained unbeaten with a scintillating 108 o

Kings showcased their explosive b a

Gardens Bairstow's innings, laced

Impact Player Prabhsimran Singh also playing a crucial role with a blistering 54 off 20 balls to set the tone early on

Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson in India's T20 World Cup squad

Rohit S harma will lead India’s q u es t fo r t h e lo n g- aw

t ed gl o ry as B CCI a nn o un c ed their squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 20 24 squad

swirled around the wicket-keeper selection, with numerous contenders vying for the role Ultimately, India has entrusted Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson with the gloves

This will mark the return of Pant to international cricket for the first time since a near-fatal accident in December 2022 that kept him on the sidelines for more than a y e a r S h i v a n D u b e ’ s I P L f o r m m a d e i t difficult for him to be left out as he kept his place in the squad after featuring in the recent T20I series against Afghanistan The 30-year-old has been in scintillating form for the Chennai Super Kings, amassing 350 runs in nine matches at an impressive strike rate of 172 41 I n d i a h a v e o p t e d f o r a s p i n - h e a v y bowling lineup consisting of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra

Sailor Nethra earns Paris Olympics quota

Indian sailor Nethra Kumanan secured a quo ta fo r the P aris Olymp ics in the w omen ’ s one-p erso n dinghy ILCA 6 event in the Last Chance Regatta in Hyeres, France By finish ing fifth with 67 net points, she qualified via the Emerging Nation Program (ENP) quota Th e quota is handed to the sailor who has the best finish o utside the top-three among th e ENP countries

A total of 33 sailors competed in the final qualification tournament, which had three Paris berths on offer (excluding the ENP) Outside the top three, Nethra was the best-ranked sailor among the ENP countries in the competition

In the Last Chance Regatta, Nethra did not push hard for the top-three spots knowing that there was an ENP berth up for grabs, but focussed on staying in contention for a quota She finished inside the top-10 in nine out of 10 races Nethra’s best result came in the fifth race, where she came fourth Although she did not finish in the top-three even once, Nethra made sure that she did enough to qualify for Paris 2024

“This time, she was trying to play safe and did not want to lose points at the start She tried to stay in the top-10 consistently, which helped her in the end She could have finished higher, but she did not want to take that risk,” he added

Chahal while the pace battery will be led by Jasprit Bumrah with the support of Arshdeep S i n g h , M

S i r a

n d vice-captain Hardik Pandya

There were no surprises in the selection of the batters, with Y

d Suryakumar Yadav all expected to shore the top order alongside captain Rohit Shubman Gill and Rinku Singh only find a place among the reserves along with pacers Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan

A big name missing from India's list is that of KL Rahul, who was part of India's last two T20 World Cup campaigns (2021 and 2022)

India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, A

d

a Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd Siraj

Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan

Pakistan rope in Kirsten and Gillespie as coaches

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed Worl d Cupwin nin g coach Gary Kirsten as their head coach for ODIs and T20Is, while former Australian pacer Jason Gill espie will take over that role in Test cricket Alon g with them, former Pakistan all round er Azhar Mahmood was appointed as the assistant coach of the team across the formats

All appointments have been made for a duration of two years and the coaches will not be subjected to evaluation before their term comes to an end

“The appointment of (Gary) Kirsten and (Jason) Gillispie who are high-profile coaches shows how much value is given to the Pakistan cricket team and how much potential foreign coaches see in our players,” PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi said during a media conference

“We want to give the team the best facilities and that is why we have gone for Kirsten and Gillispie,” he added Kirsten, who is currently the mentor of IPL side Gujarat Titans, is expected to take over from Pakistan’s tour of England from May 22 Asked if Kirsten and Gillespie would be available with the Pakistan team all the time, Naqvi said the coaches will mostly be with the team and take their vacations as agreed in their contracts “We also want their expertise to improve our domestic cricket and help our local coaches ”

Rishabh Pant &Sanju Samson