AV 6th June 2020

FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE PM Modi hails resilience against pandemic SEE PAGE 26

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Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

REPORT FINDS BAME COMMUNITY AT HIGHER RISK

Remains of ancient temples, Shivlinga, idols found at Ayodhya temple site SEE PAGE 25

6 - 12 JUNE 2020 - VOL 50 ISSUE 6

Violent protests engulf US, thousands arrested

NEW YORK: The US remained a tinderbox of anger and emotion as violent protests erupted for the sixth day across the country over the custodial killing of African-American George Floyd, resulting in the death of at least five people, the arrest of thousands and placing of curfew in nearly 40 cities, while forcing President Donald Trump to take shelter in a White House bunker.

Rupanjana Dutta The report which reviews why black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people may be disproportionately affected by Covid-19 by Public Health England (PHE) has confirmed what was already known - that racial and health inequalities amplify the risks of Covid-19.

Those in the poorest households and people of colour are definitely disproportionately affected than White ethnic groups and those living in deprived areas, with the Bangladeshi community being the hardest hit. However they have failed to answer how to reduce this

disproportion and mitigate risks.

These findings largely replicate existing inequalities in mortality rates in previous years, except for BAME groups, as mortality was previously higher in White ethnic groups. These analyses take into account age, sex, deprivation, region and ethnicity, but they do not take into account the existence of comorbidities (combination of pre-existing factors such diabetes, hypertension, obesity etc), which are strongly associated with the risk of death from Covid-19 and are likely to explain some of the differences.

Professions such as those in a

range of caring occupations including medics, social care and nursing auxiliaries and assistants; those who drive passengers in road vehicles for a living including taxi and minicab drivers and chauffeurs; those working as security guards and related occupations are more disproportionately hit.

The highest age standardised diagnosis rates of Covid-19 per 100,000 population were in people of Black ethnic groups (486 in females and 649 in males) and the lowest were in people of White ethnic groups (220 in females and 224 in males).

Continued on page 4

Considered to be the worst ever civil unrest in the US in decades, the violent protests have engulfed at least 140 cities across America in the days following the death of Floyd, a 46year-old man who was pinned to the ground in Minneapolis last week by a white police officer who kneeled on his neck as he gasped for breath.

Some of the protests have turned violent, prompting the activation of the National Guard in at least 20 states. "At least five people were killed in violence that flared as demonstrations in parts of the country devolved into mayhem," The Washington Post reported. Police have arrested at least 2,564 people in two dozen US cities over the weekend. Nearly a fifth of those arrests were in Los Angeles, it said.

The unrest initially began in Minneapolis in Minnesota but has now spread across the country, with reports of violence coming in from across major cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Houston, Philadelphia and Washington DC. In Birmingham, protesters started to tear down a Confederate monument that the city had previously covered with a tarp amid a lawsuit between the state attorney general and the city.

In Boston, a police SUV was set ablaze near the State House, sending up a column of black smoke after a large group of protesters had mostly dispersed. In Philadelphia, police officers in riot gear and an armoured vehicle used pepper spray to try to repel rioters and looters.

In New York, demonstrators marched across the Brooklyn and Williamsburg Bridges, snarling traffic. The Manhattan Bridge was briefly shut down to car traffic. Chaos erupted in Union Square, with flames leaping up two stories from trash cans and piles of street debris.

Continued on page 26

2 UK

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6 - 12 June 2020

with Keith Vaz

MP Duffield steps down for meeting married lover during lockdown

Cellie Gonsalves At the age of 8, Cellie’s Gonsalves family emigrated from Bombay, India to Dar es Salaam, East Africa. In 1965, she relocated to England and attained a business degree. She married Tony and they have two children and four grandchildren ages 16 months to 6 years.

Her successful track record of building market share, developing, and implementing innovative solutions was achieved in the following roles: In Canada, as Senior Vice President at HSBC Canada; Vice President at Royal Trust; Senior Manager at Bank of Montreal and Colgate Palmolive, and in the UK as Marketing Manager at The Co-op.

In 1998 she got out of the corporate rate race and started her own business.

Cyberflowers.com went live in November 1998 and flourished into an international business.

Cellie has been an Executive member of the Inaugural International Goan Convention, Federation of Goans of Ontario, International Goan Organization and Canadian Goan Christian Group.

1

Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?

Although my youth was shaped by my days in Dar es Salaam, England satisfied my quest for education, and idyllic Goa is now our winter escape. Canada’s multicultural policy enhanced my cultural awakening and also afforded me tremendous opportunities to join the mainstream, so I happily call Toronto home.

2

What are your proudest achievements?

I have lived life to the fullest, but nothing compares with the pride in my family.

Being married for almost 50 years, having two wonderful smart successful children, amazing son and daughter-in law, and four too spectacular for words grandchildren, make me proud and humble at the same time.

3

What inspires you?

I am inspired by the good work and achievements of others and I am proudest of my efforts to make a positive difference in every challenge I am faced. I am truly elated when I can see that my efforts have had a positive impact on so many in our community.

The best aspect of my current role is working with people and making a positive impact on my community. Knowing that I am being true to my deep Catholic faith and giving back to the nation to which I feel so indebted is what keeps me motivated each day.

7

And the worst?

Fundraising. To scale up, a non-profit organization needs money and there is never enough of it. I know that overcoming a reluctance to ask people for money is a critical part of every social enterprise leader’s role, but I find this to be the most difficult aspect of non-profit leadership.

8

What are your long term goals?

I aspire to develop and implement initiatives in under-served communities in Canada and India. My long term goal is to help individuals recognize their talents; to foster their skills; to provide them with the toolkit to be self motivated and pay it forward and to have fun in whatever I do.

9

What has been biggest obstacle in your career?

Being a female in a male dominated business world was incredibly challenging. I had to work that much harder to prove myself and be recognized for my achievements while striking a balance between family and career.

If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?

We need to recognize that the US is moving towards a new model of global engagement rooted in self-interest. In response, Canada must become more focused and resolute. Our agenda must comprise of a strategic partnership aligned with American interests, including targeting China’s unfair trading practices and mitigating national security risk.

5

10

4

Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?

My Mom is my greatest influence and I owe my success to her. She taught me the value of determination and how to be frugal. She raised four children while practicing nursing, managing the home and finances, and tutoring children in grade school. She is truly incredible.

If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?

Barack Obama. I am inspired by his ability to successfully overcome obstacles, by his peace-keeping initiatives, by the books he has authored and his outstanding speeches. He is intelligent, innovative and has an infectious personality, and in my opinion is responsible, trustworthy, courageous, respectful and caring.

Labour MP Rosie Duffield has quit her frontbench role after she admitted she met her married partner while they were living separately, in a breach of coronavirus restrictions.

The MP for Canterbury stood down as a party whip and apologised.

Shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds said Ms Duffield was ‘absolutely right’ to have taken ‘immediately responsibility’ and resigned from her former post. The Mail on Sunday said Ms Duffield went for a long walk in her constituency with married father-ofthree James Routh, a TV director, in April and admitted he visited her constituency home.

Ms Duffield, 48, told the paper the pair observed the

An exclusive London casino claims that a Gulf Sheikh reneged on a £2 million gambling debt by sending it 17 cheques that bounced during a spree last year.

The dispute was revealed in the High Court in London when a judge lifted a freezing order on the assets of

Sheikh

Salah

Hamdan

Albluewi, the chairman of a Saudi Arabian construction and property empire, reports The Times Sheikh Albluewi, 52, disputes the debt claimed by the owners of Les Ambassadeurs Club, a Park Lane casino in Mayfair that featured in the James Bond

that during that process, we breached the guidelines. A relationship breakdown is difficult at the best of times, let alone during a pandemic.

‘I hope people can understand why I took the steps I did and know that I take responsibility for the breaches that occurred and for which I apologise.’ Ms Duffield was elected in the 2017 General Election with a majority of 187, winning a seat which had been held by the Conservatives since its creation in 1918.

Pak origin lawyer survives Covid but loses 3 kin, dozens Infected For Mohammed Hussain, a lawyer, five weeks was like James Bond fighting off terrorists to save the country.

In fact he was on a ventilator and in a coma battling to survive the coronavirus.

When he finally came round in Bradford Royal Infirmary earlier this month, he said the Times, : “I thought it was a setup and the people around me were pretending to be nurses and doctors who I needed to escape from.”

Laughing, he added: “It was as if I’d been in a parallel universe. I’d got married again to a younger wife and was doing all these Bondlike things. My youngest son had been stabbed and his dog attacked. As soon as I got a phone, I called my eldest son and told him, ‘You need to come and get me before these guys try something.’ ” Such delirium is common among patients in intensive care, though few survived when they were as ill as Hussain, who spent more than seven weeks in the hospital, with his wife and five children warned to expect the worst. A popular

6 Gulf Shiekh, London Casino at loggerheads over disputed £ 2 million gambling debt What is the best aspect about your current role?

two-metre social distancing rules, but these incidents were before meetings between people from different households were allowed.

Mr Routh has since moved into the MP’s London flat after separating from his wife, the MoS reported.

In a statement, Ms Duffield said: ‘My partner and I have been attempting to navigate a difficult personal situation as responsibly as possible. ‘I apologise

film Dr No and the Beatles film A Hard Day’s Night.

Lawyers for the sheikh have told the court that he denies any wrongdoing or owing money. He had accepted responsibility for the cheques not clearing and warned the casino it would happen.

man who even had nuns in North Yorkshire and the local Jewish community praying for him, as well as his mosque, he made a recovery that friends say was “nothing short of a miracle”.

Hospital staff lined up to applaud his departure.

Now back home in the

Yorkshire countryside with little more than a painful right shoulder and shortness of breath, he has discovered other family members were not so lucky. His uncle, Mohammed Sabir, admitted to the same hospital on the same day, died two days later, and two of his mother’s cousins in Oldham also died. At least 12 relatives had been hospitalised and dozens ill. Like him, they had all attended the funeral of his father, Noor Hussain, at Bradford Grand Mosque on March 10, almost two weeks before the lockdown.

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COMMENTS

UK

3

6 - 12 June 2020

Unprovoked killing of George Floyd Mr George Floyd, 46 years old African-black American died at the hands of a white police officer, Derek Chauvin who on 25 May in Minneapolis, USA kneeled on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes.

Floyd’s last words were: "It's my face manI didn't do nothing serious manpleasepleaseplease I can't breatheplease manplease somebodyplease manI can't breatheI can't breatheplease(inaudible)man can't breathe, my facejust get upI can't breatheplease (inaudible)I can't breathe sh*tI willI can't movemamamamaI can'tmy kneemy nutsI'm throughI'm throughI'm claustrophobicmy stomach hurtmy neck hurtseverything hurtssome water or somethingpleasepleaseI can't breathe officerdon't kill methey gon' kill me mancome on manI cannot breatheI cannot breathethey gon' kill methey gon' kill meI can't breatheI can't breatheplease sirpleasepleaseplease I can't breathe"Then his eyes shut and the pleas stop. George Floyd was pronounced dead shortly after.

Derek has been sacked and charged with murder and

manslaughter but the other three Officers, J Alexander Kueng, Tou Thao and Thomas Lane, who were with him, have gone underground.

The community’s anger has spilled over in not only USA but also world-over and people have marched in solidarity with protesters.

America has not witnessed such wide spread civil unrest since the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King in 1968.

In the UK thousands joined Black lives Matter marches in London, Manchester, Cardiff etc. displaying placards, “The UK is not innocent”. We have seen nearly 40,000 people killed by virus in the UK whereas over 100,000 people have died in the USA fuelling anger over decades of racial prejudius and injustice coupled with anger at the Coronavirus pandemic.

At the time of such unrest one would expect Mr. Donald Trump, the President of USA, to heal the nation instead the bullish President has called the protesters ‘thugs’ and has ordered National Guards to quell the unrest or put thousands of troops on the street to stop the protesters.

Easing of stringent restrictions welcome The union home ministry has issued 'unlock' guidelines allowing phased resumption of social and economic activities across India.

Though relaxation of restrictions had begun in early May, the new guidelines are significant from the notifications issued by the MHA since the lockdown was announced on March 24 - the thrust is on “re-opening” now. Activities can resume in malls, hotels, restaurants, and places of worship in non-containment zones and “unfettered movement” of goods and persons within and between states has been allowed. Given the toll on people’s livelihoods, and the stress on the economy in general, easing the stringent lockdown had become necessary. At the same time, the coronavirus continues to rage in large parts of the country - there have been record spikes in the number of cases in worst-affected states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and Tamil Nadu.

Therefore, as commuters get back on the roads, shopping centres reopen and people give in to the temptation of eating out, the Centre and the states need to keep talking to them about the pathogen that doesn’t have an antidote yet - they should not lose sight of the importance of conveying the message of caution and safety.

The loosening of the restrictions has come amidst a few positive developments. The recovery rate in Maharashtra - the worst affected state in the country - is now at par with the national average. It’s also a matter of some assurance that the doubling rate of the infection in Gujarat - the state with the third-highest caseload

- is much slower than the national rate. But there have also been several worrying developments since last week. Delhi has been adding more than 1,000 cases daily for four days, Kerala has seen a fresh spurt of infections, and returning migrants are adding to the caseload of several states - the number of Covid cases in Assam, for instance, doubled in three days last week. This surge in infections will test the already overstretched healthcare infrastructure of the states and they will have to find ways to deal with the burden on hospitals - framing norms for home quarantine, for example.

The new guidelines continue the trend that began two weeks ago, with Lockdown 4, of giving states the freedom to prohibit activities to contain the pandemic. But the authorities will need to do more than putting curbs in place. Post-lockdown India will require a milieu in which people visit markets, places of worship, restaurants and socialise without letting down their guard against the coronavirus. The Centre and state governments must work towards creating such an environment by constantly communicating and engaging with civil society. States have been given more freedom to earmark different zones, which makes sense as local governments are better placed to judge the ground situation.Unlock is welcome in the context of broader data warnings.

RBI estimates GDP may shrink in the current financial, raising the possibility of the first recession in four decades. The aim of unlock must be to avoid this without losing sight of health protocols.

Track and test: People's support holds the key The government has introduced mass testing and tracing from today. It can be a back through moment, if public compliance is sound.

In the absence of a vaccine, the government’s strategy for easing the lockdown crucially depends on putting in place a contact tracing system.

The new system allows people to break free from constraints they were under the past two months. The scheme is necessary but ambitious. It requires that the sense of civic obligation is evident in the public response so far to the coronavirus be maintained, and even accentuated among many people, so that a wider lockdown can be gradually eased rather than lifted.

The process is quite simple. The government has roped in 25,000 contact tracers and an additional 25,000 to process the tests. The vastly increased capacity for testing for Covid-19, of up to 160,000 a day, means that everyone who exhibits symptoms will be eligible for a test, regardless of age. Those whose tests are positive must then self-isolate for 14 days and, in conjunction with an NHS clinician, work out their movements in the previous two days in the hope of tracing everyone with whom they have come within two metres of for more than 15 minutes without protective equipment. Those people are then asked to isolate, too, so that the spread of the virus can be abated.

At present between two and three thousand people are testing positive each day. The actual figure may be three times that.

If they have been in contact with, say, five people in those two days, that will be many thousands who have to go back into full lockdown. These people will not be allowed out of their homes to shop for food or exercise. This is a much stricter regime than almost everyone is experiencing at the moment. The definition of a close contact is notably tight. It includes anyone you have been within two metres of for more than 15 minutes (so a fellow passenger in the same car), and anyone who has been within a metre of you for any length of time, which could cover interactions with assistants at supermarkets.

As the lockdown begins to loosen further, the experts predict that the number of contacts could be up to 30. That could push the numbers into the hundreds of thousands. And even if a person tests negative, they still have to quarantine for 14 days.

Anyone who has tested positively previously will still have to selfisolate; knowledge of the coronavirus, and immunity to it, is simply not adequate to allow exemptions to that rule.

It can work. Most of the tests are now being processed in a day and the government intends to move rapidly to ensure this applies to all of them. The regulations will be voluntary, at least at first. The public have endured privations in this crisis, and there is no good reason to suppose they will suddenly cease to cooperate now that an end can at least be glimpsed on the horizon.

But it requires a lot more sacrifice of freedoms for a lot more people to get there.

Let's not mix news and views The BBC Charter stands alleged of corporation to “provide impartial news and information”. In a monologue opening Tuesday’s edition of Newsnight, its flagship current affairs programme, the presenter Emily Maitlis failed to adhere to standards of due impartiality. Not just critics: the BBC agrees as well. A seasoned journalist, in a slip she presented an opinion as fact.

The episode has also put the questions for the corporation. Many called it is time for it to examine its ethos and not only an individual error of judgment.

The issue concerned the controversy over Dominic Cummings, the prime minister’s adviser. Maitlis baldly stated that “Dominic Cummings broke the rules, the country can see that and it is shocked the government cannot”; in doing so, she broke a different set of rules herself. Her first full sentence – “Dominic Cummings broke the rules” – pre-empts what the entire argument has been about. In her second sentence, she purports to tell us what the country thinks and feels. In her third –

because of what she said in her first – she implies that Boris Johnson and his ministers lied. And so on.

Mr Cummings’s actions remain subject to hotly contested debate. There are approval and disapproval for his action. Some say he should resign, other urging Prime Minister Borish Johson to sack him.. And while a number may well be feeling “fury and contempt”, as Maitlis asserts, many remain untroubled by either emotion. If there were consensus on the issue, indeed especially if there were, it is not Maitlis’s job to co-opt widespread disquiet into a polemic against Boris Johnson’s “blind loyalty” to his aide.

The role of a news provider is to present the competing sides of an argument in a balanced way, with fact and opinion rigorously separated.To state opinions as facts, and to ascribe those opinions to everyone watching, is presumptuous and damages the BBC. The corporation has acknowledged the breach. She has broken the rules of public-service broadcasting far more unquestionably than ever Dominic Cummings broke the rules of lockdown.

“No matter how big a nation is, it is no stronger than its weakest people, and as long as you keep a person down, some part of you has to be down there to hold him down, so it means you cannot soar as you might otherwise.”

– Marian Anderson

Alpesh Patel

America Burning, World Yearning The worry is inflation is coming. No wonder with the amount of money injected into the system to keep us all drugged up and merry and happy in the middle of crunch. A lot of anything causes it’s value to fall. The value of money falls through inflation rising. Gold prices rise when inflation is coming.

America has additional non-Covid problems of race. 400 years since pilgrims and explorer landed their history of injustice and racial hatred echoes to this day – after all apartheid only ended (legally) not factually in the 1960s. (Brown v Board of Education saw the Supreme Court decide if a little black girl has the constitutional right to sit in a school next to a little white girl – because ‘all men are born equal’ wasn’t clear enough – and you thought it’s hard interpreting Covid rules).

India has a spike in Covid. UK has Brexit.

But there is hope.

Let me quote you from Warren Buffet’s recent annual letter to shareholders and it applies to the people of America, to the people of India and the UK facing Brexit. ‘Money will always flow toward opportunity, and there is an abundance of that in America.

Commentators today often talk of “great uncertainty.” But think back, for example, to December 6, 1941, October 18, 1987 and September 10, 2001. No matter how serene today may be, tomorrow is always uncertain.’ Do not bet against America, UK or India. I’ve worked and studied in all three. I have studied their history and met their people. Do not bet against them. Or as the world’s richest man puts it, ‘Throughout my lifetime, politicians and pundits have constantly moaned about terrifying problems facing America. Yet our citizens now live an astonishing six times better than when I was born. The prophets of doom have overlooked the all-important factor that is certain: Human potential is far from exhausted, and the American system for unleashing that potential – a system that has worked wonders for over two centuries despite frequent interruptions for recessions and even a Civil War – remains alive and effective.

We are not natively smarter than we were when our country was founded nor do we work harder. But look around you and see a world beyond the dreams of any colonial citizen. Now, as in 1776, 1861, 1932 and 1941, America’s best days lie ahead.’

Indians are not less resilient and inventive than in 1947. British are not weaker than in 1945.

Incidentally you know what makes him consistently the world’s richest man, and also the world’s largest philanthropist at the same time. He knows what motivates people in business. Do you know what it is? Bet you don’t. In a new book called ‘Drive’ by an academic researcher, studies show that what motivates is not money. Sure, in the short term for monotonous tasks it does. But for quality creative work money is not the driver. Experiments were done on humans, children and apes. Each given tasks they enjoyed without reward. As soon as reward was offered, their performance dropped.

Find people who in the words of the richest man, ‘Many of our CEOs are independently wealthy and work only because they love what they do. They are volunteers, not mercenaries. Because no one can offer them a job they would enjoy more, they can’t be lured away.’ And that is why the world’s richest man, an American, is gonna stay that way. You can’t get at his people!

Editor: CB Patel Asian Voice is published by Asian Business Publications Ltd Karma Yoga House, 12 Hoxton Market, (Off Coronet Street) London N1 6HW. Tel: 020 7749 4080 • Fax: 020 7749 4081 Email: aveditorial@abplgroup.com Website: www.abplgroup.com

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6 - 12 June 2020

REPORT FINDS BAME COMMUNITY AT HIGHER RISK Continued from page 1 An analysis of survival among confirmed Covid-19 cases shows that, after accounting for the effect of sex, age, deprivation and region, people of Bangladeshi ethnicity had around twice the risk of death when compared to people of White British ethnicity. People of Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Other Asian, Caribbean and Other Black ethnicity had between 10 and 50% higher risk of death when compared to White British.

On Monday the Sky News reported that sources said the delay in publishing this report due on 31 May, was related to the ‘close proximity to the current situation in America’, where protests are flaring following the killing of George Flyod, a black man in the US by a police officer. The social media has been taken by storm as hashtags #blacklivesmatter, #notoracism and #icantbreathe gain momentum, as many took to the streets of London to show solidarity. The Labour party emphasised that the BAME review becomes more relevant now.

Critcism from organisations and politicians Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA council chair, said, “The BMA first called for a review at the beginning of April in order to understand why there were such disproportionate deaths and serious illnesses in BAME healthcare workers and in the community, and so that action could be taken protect them. Two months later, this report is a missed opportunity.

“It is a statistical analysis, which while important, gets us no closer towards taking action that avoids harm to BAME communities.

“More specifically, the report fails to mention the staggering higher proportion of BAME healthcare workers who have tragically died from Covid-19 – with more than 90% of doctors being from BAME backgrounds. The report has also missed the opportunity for looking at occupational factors; the BMA was clear we needed to understand how job roles, exposure to the virus and availability of PPE were risk factors.

“The BMA and the wider community were hoping for a clear action plan to tackle the issues, not a re-iteration of what we already know.

We need practical guidance, particularly in relation to how healthcare workers and others working in publicfacing roles will be protected.

“With the global conver-

sation so focused on inequalities and discrimination it is for the Government to instill confidence that all people will be protected equally. We need action, and we need action now.”

Dr Ramesh Mehta from BAPIO speaking to Asian Voice exclusively said, “I am pleased that the government ordered the review, however

unfortunately the outcome is not helpful. We as a organisation have done two surveys.

First survey revealed BAMEs irrespective of other comorbidities.

Ethnicity itself was a factor for having Covid-19. The PHE report is not saying anything new and we are not sure how is it going to be useful to the government.

“We need some constructive work to ensure that the high morbidity and mortality of BAME population cannot continue as it is.

Although the curve is flattening, it is highly likely there will be a second wave of Covid 19. We hope in the second wave, there is significant protection for the BAME population.

“We will raise this issue again with the government. We are embarking on solution through research – why the mortality among BAME population is high, especially among healthcare workers, who have a very high proportionate number of deaths.”

Marsha de Cordova MP, Labour’s Shadow Women and Equalities Secretary said, “This review confirms what we already knew - that racial and health inequalities amplify the risks of Covid-19. Those in the poorest households and people of colour are disproportionately impacted.

“But when it comes to the question of how we reduce these disparities, it is notably silent. It presents no recommendations. Having the information is a start – but now is the time for action.

“The Government must not wait any longer to mitigate the risks faced by these communities and must act immediately to protect BAME people so that no more lives are lost.”

Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care spokesperson Munira Wilson MP said, "The findings from the report showing that BAME people are being disproportionately affected by the coronavirus crisis are

incredibly worrying and confirm what was tragically already obvious. Many of the consequences of the pandemic are exacerbated by the existing inequalities in our society, yet this report does little to address those issues.

"People from BAME communities, due to socioeconomic inequalities and health inequalities, face an increased risk of contracting the virus. However, this report has failed to analyse those important issues and fails to provide proper recommendations. We need urgent action from the Government to stem the tide of the disproportionate number of BAME people losing their lives to coronavirus.

"The Government must come forward and explain

Munira Wilson

what it will do to try and tackle the factors contributing to this inequality. We know that people from BAME groups make up a significant percentage of those working on the frontline and in other key worker roles, yet this Government has utterly failed to properly protect them from the virus.

Ensuring they have proper protective equipment and access to testing would be a good place to start."

Data collected in hospitals only When this data was analysed, the majority of testing had been offered to those in hospital with a medical need. Confirmed cases therefore represent the population of people with severe disease, rather than all of those who get infected. This is important because disparities between diagnoses rates may reflect differences in the risk of getting the infection, in presenting to hospital with a medical need and in the likelihood of being tested.

As the numbers of new Covid-19 cases decrease, monitoring the infection among those most at risk will become increasingly important. It seems likely that it will be difficult to control the spread of Covid19 unless these inequalities can be addressed.

Occupation not considered?

The report was meant to probe into the disproportionate deaths in the BAME community as 11 out of 12 GPs who have died with Covid-19 in England so far were of BAME origin and practices have been told they should risk assess stuff. But the analyses were not able to include the effect of occupa-

tion. This is an important shortcoming because occupation is associated with risk of being exposed to Covid-19 and we know some key occupations have a high proportion of workers from BAME groups.

These analyses were also not able to include the effect of comorbidities or obesity.

These are also important factors because they are associated with the risk of death and are more commonly seen in some BAME groups. Other evidence has shown that when these are included, the difference in risk of death among hospitalised patients is greatly reduced.

NHS England released updated guidance on risk assessment of BAME workers last week, but has not endorsed a specific risk scoring tool. GPs in Manchester have developed their own scoring system, and primary care experts have supported the suggestion to move away BAME staff from patient facing roles. Speculations suggest that BAME community may face higher chances of Covid-19, due to various underlying health issues which includes Vitamin D deficiency, obesity, hypertension, heart diseases and diabetes.

A study by Surrey and Southampton Universities revealed that people who are overweight or obese and have darker skin tones could be at greater risk of catching Covid-19. It has also been found that vitamin D levels are crucial to determine the effect of coronavirus within the community. Among the Asians, so far the highest number of deaths has been in the Asian community.

Dr Sreedhar Krishna, who is a Consultant Dermatologist in Croydon

University Hospital, has a MPhil degree in Public Health in University of Cambridge and researched on the effects of physical inactivity on the risk of heart attacks. He has also published on the relationship between obesity and high blood pressure in Gujaratis.

Speaking to Asian Voice, Dr Krishna said, “While this is undoubtedly important work which highlights the adverse health outcomes experienced by BAME communities, I cannot help but feel that it doesn't tell the whole story. Due to the woeful testing capacity up until quite recently, many cases of Covid-19 are not recorded in official data - thus any conclusions drawn are lacking

given that we are not dealing with the entire dataset. We still don't have a good handle on the effect of other illnesses (e.g. diabetes) on the risk of dying. Furthermore, many who live in vulnerable populations (e.g. migrant workers living in overcrowded properties or hard-to-reach groups) are not adequately covered by this report.

Members of minority ethnic groups in the UK often have lower socioeconomic status, which is in turn associated with a greater risk of obesity in women and children.

Dr Krishna added, “Moreover anyone from the ethnic minority is disproportionately represented in frontline roles such as medics, retails or in transport. If you are not given PPEs, people from ethnic minority are less likely to report about it. It is often cultural as we don’t want to disrespect higher authority.

As an ethnic group, we don’t make enough fuss, even when we should.”

GMB represents tens of thousands of workers in occupations that Public Health England said today had the highest rates of excess deaths, including care, nursing, security, and professional driving.

Rehana Azam, GMB National Secretary, said, “Matt Hancock has lost valuable time by commissioning a report on facts that were already in the public domain. Either Black and Minority Ethnic lives matter or they don’t, and Ministers have lost valuable time in commissioning a report that doesn't set out how working lives are to be protected.

“This report confirms what we already knew – BAME workers have made a disproportionate sacrifice during this pandemic. In the context of global events, with the spotlight on structural and institutional racism, the publication of this report which carries no recommendations is just going to heighten distrust of the claim that all lives matter to the government.

“People are dying and Ministers have been too slow to protect lives. They say that this virus doesn’t discriminate, but the response to this virus and the lives it has taken most definitely experienced a discrimination that ended in their deaths.

“No plan is in place that gives confidence that the government is going to protect lives of people disproportionately impacted by this terrible disease. That’s why GMB has joined the call for an independent public inquiry into the government’s response.”

Silver Star Diabetes calls for submissions for further review A National Charity dedicated to raising diabetes

awareness in the UK and abroad has welcomed Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision to ask PHE to carry out a review

into the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus on BAME communities in the UK and it has noted the results of the review.

Silver Star Diabetes has asked Dr Radhika Balu, the Clinical Director of Harrow CCG and working at the Covid-19 hub at Harrow to Chair a Committee that will coordinate submissions sent to the Charity. An analysis of the findings will be submitted to the Equalities Minister Liz Truss. Other members of the Committee will include Nura Ali from Birmingham

and Ravi Premananthan from North London.

BAME Communities who have had experience of Coronaviris will be asked to send in their comments to Silver Star Diabetes which will form part of the Submission.

Dr Radhika Balu said "I am delighted to lead this

important initiative on behalf of the Charity and submit the findings to The Equalities Minister. The NHS Review was important but more work needs to be done.”

Silver Star Diabetes was founded 10 years ago by Rt Hon Keith Vaz and has amongst its patrons Amitabh Bachchan and Rev Jessie Jackson. Submissions can be emailed to COVID19@silverstaruk.org.

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Budget airlines customers' wait for refund continues Thousands of passengers have been left in the lurch after the UK's busiest airlines delay refunds for cancelled booking during coronavirus pandemic.

Ryanair is the worst major airline for refunding British customers, with more than eight out of 10 people still waiting for their money back, according to figures from Which?, reports, The Guardian.

The airline's failure to pay refunds, in line with passengers' legal rights, contrasted sharply with British Airways, said Which? It found that 84% of Ryanair customers it surveyed have not received

a refund as requested, compared with 23% at British Airways and 19% at another low-cost airline, Jet2.

Refunds are also being processed slowly at easyJet, with 60% of customers still waiting for their money back, according to the consumer group.

Ryanair has been widely accused of confusing customers, with numerous changes to its approach to

refunds and vouchers.

"Despite initially telling customers it was processing refunds at the beginning of the crisis, customers reported that Ryanair provided refund forms that didn't work, before attempting to force vouchers on passengers who had specifically requested refunds. It also repeatedly changed the timeframe for receiving a

refund, suggesting at one point customers may have to wait up to 12 months for their money back," Which? said.

In mid-May, the Civil Aviation Authority warned airlines that the law was clear and that they had to offer refunds if requested, rather than offering a voucher or credit note.

The CAA said: "Under the law, consumers are entitled to receive a refund for their cancelled flights, despite the challenges the industry is currently facing … it is important that consumers are given a clear option to request a cash refund without unnecessary barriers."

2 PIOs jailed for combined 34 yrs after 20 million pound drug seizure Two people of Indian-origin have been jailed for a combined 34 years after what the Scotland Yard described as ‘one of the biggest drug bust in the country’.

Shakti Gupta (34) from Birmingham and Baldev Singh Sahota (54) from Oldbury in West Midlands were sent to jail after cocaine worth 20 million pound was discovered under the cover of frozen chicken deliveries.

The incident took place on October 24 last year when 16 kgs of the drug were found in a secret compartment of a van in East London. The probe revealed that the van went to Sandwell four times, where Baldev Sahota provided the drug stuffed in cardboard boxes to be taken back to the capital.

In the second incident, another haul of 168 kgs were found hidden inside three pallets of frozen chicken by police who stopped a van Sahota was driving on the A45 last December, reports Birmingham Mail.

Commenting on the seizure, Detective Superintendent Neil Ballard,

CREDIT : met.police.uk

from the Metropolitan Police Specialist Crime Command, said, “This operation has resulted in one of the largest land seizures of cocaine within the UK, ever.”

He said that the volume of Class A drug seized by the cops suggests the level of this organised drug supply, which the Metropolitan Police has successfully dismantled.

On December 11 last year, a team of the Met's

Specialist Crime officers stopped a vehicle being driven by Sahota. As the cops inspected the van, they found a large quantity of Class A drugs (cocaine) weighing 168kgs had been mixed among pallets of frozen food.

After that, officers raided an industrial property rented by both in Hockley where they found Shakti Gupta with more cocaine.

Both were charged with conspiracy to supply Class A

‘Half of closed firms don't know when they will reopen’ Almost close to half of the businesses which have temporarily closed operations in wake of coronavirus pandemic remain unsure about the likely dates for the resumption of trading, a survey from the UK's official statistics office (ONS) shows.

This comes even as UK gradually eases the curbs put down as part of lockdown and the Prime Minister saying that shops which he ordered to close in March can start operations in June again.

After the lockdown, around 20% of businesses in UK went into exile and the

Office for National Statistics (ONS) survey found that 14% of them expected to resume business in the next two weeks. Survey also suggests that another 10% were eyeing a reopening in two to four weeks' time and 31% expected to restart in more than four weeks' time.

However, the largest chunk of 46% said they were unsure when they would resume trading.

Survey also gave hint of how how the shutdown in Britain is slowly easing. It found 73% of people had remained at home or only left for work, exercise, essen-

tial shopping or medical needs between May 21 and May 24, down from 81% a week earlier.

Almost 50% of firms in UK could run out of money within six months, the survey said. The furlough scheme not withstanding, 44% of firms that responded said their reserves would last for less than six months.

As part of easing of curbs, people in England - but not in other parts of the United Kingdom - are now allowed to drive to the countryside or the beach, something banned under the first stage of the lockdown.

drugs, namely cocaine and appeared at Birmingham Crown Court in January this year.

The court in Birmingham was told that Gupta had received orders for 100 kilos of cocaine to be delivered by couriers to various locations across the city.

Both pleaded guilty to the offence and were sentenced by the same court recently.

Commending the work of officers, Detective Superintendent Neil Ballard said, “This sentencing result is due to the hard work and commitment from those involved in dismantling drugs networks that are intrinsically linked to the violence that we have seen playing out on our streets throughout the country,” said Ballard.

PIO academic appointed trustee of Natural History Museum Prime Minister Boris Johnon has picked Indianorigin Yadvinder Malhi as a member of the Natural History Museum trust for a four year term ending in May 2024.

Also picked is Harris Bokhari who was described as a social entrepreneur, public engagement advisor and Yadvinder Malhi chartered accountant by the government agencies. He serves as a board member of Prince’s Trust Mosaic Initiative and as an ambassador for the British Asian Trust.

While appointing both, Lord Green, the Chair of the Trustees of the Natural History Museum was quoted as saying on the Museum’s website: “Yadvinder and Harris bring to the Board an impressive spectrum of expertise from ground-breaking climate science to the championing of diversity and inclusion. I am delighted to welcome them as Trustees and look forward to working with them to steer the implementation of the Museum’s bold new strategy of creating advocates for the planet.”

The 52-year-old Yadvinder Malhi has been described as a Professor of Ecosystem Science at the University of Oxford, Jackson Senior Research Fellow in Biodiversity and Conservation at Oriel College, Oxford, and Director of the Oxford Centre for Tropical Forests and the Oxford University Biodiversity Network.

Reacting to his appointment, Malhi said, “I have been enthralled by the Natural History Museum since my first visits as a child, and I am delighted to be now joining it as a Trustee. I believe no entity in the UK better celebrates the magnificence of the natural world.”

The museum describes Malhi as someone who he has been particularly excited in helping the Museum become a leader and partner in helping address what I see as the great challenges of our time: tackling climate change and the restoration of the natural world, both within the United Kingdom and internationally. The museum brings a wealth of scientific expertise, practical experience and public reach that has so much potential to make a really significant contribution to tackling these challenges,” he said.

Malhi’s research interests have focused on the impacts of climate change and other types of change on the biosphere, and how protection and restoration of the biosphere can contribute to mitigating and adapting to climate change.Malhi also has a keen interest in the many possible forms of ecosystem restoration in the UK and Europe, how such restoration can be scaled up, and how it can best contribute to biodiversity recovery and climate change goals.

Firms can’t top up furloughed workers’ pay Around 25% of companies taking advantage of the government’s furlough plan may not be able to foot the bill of paying their workers, the Institute of Directors think tank says.

The programme which covers 80% wages of the 8.4 million jobs, and is paid by the government, will see downsizing by the Chancellor Rishi Sunak. The changes are likely to allow firms to bring back workers on a part-time basis, but also likely to ask them to pay a greater share of the wages.

The furlough programme which has already cost 15 billion pounds could cross a whopping 80 billion pounds, suggests an estimate by government’s fiscal watchdog. With virtually no chance of U K economy opening fully anytime soon, the downsizing of the package and ensuring there are no job losses will put Sunak in a tight spot. Sunak, who became Chancellor only this February, has been hailed by

Rishi Sunak

the experts for taking swift action.

More than 8.4million workers are now registered on the government's furlough scheme, up from eight million a week earlier, the Treasury has said. The total number of claims has risen to 15billion pounds as ministers have been giving enough hints of closing the scheme for new applicants in July.

Earlier The Times had reported that even though furlough scheme will run until October, the government will ask companies to "start sharing" the cost of the scheme from August.

The new scheme envisages that employers will be allowed to take furloughed

workers back part-time, and all firms using the coronavirus job retention scheme will be required to make the payments, even if they remain closed.

Raising alarm, a Treasury source said that they have only two full months of support left and after that the government will help to pay people’s wages, but it will be fair to everyone that businesses contribute as they get back to work. According to a report in Financial Times, the Chancellor is also said to be in talks to close the scheme to new applicants at the end of July. After the lockdown was announced on March 23 amid rising number of coronavirus cases, all high street businesses has to shut down shutters. The lockdown mandated that employees across the country should work from home where possible, leading employers who were facing significant losses to apply for help via the Chancellor's salary scheme.

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The Cambridges dismiss Tatler article on Royal duties The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge -William and Kate are allegedly taking legal action against Tatler after it published an article claiming she had been left exhausted as a result of Harry and Meghan quitting the royals.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have sent legal letters to the magazine, Mai reports.

Last week Kensington Palace issued a statement on the Tatler article saying it “contained a swathe of inaccuracies and false representations”.

The article, written by Anna Pasternak, also makes reference to eating disorders, suggesting Kate has become “perilously thin like Princess Diana”.

Kate and William have

Rishi Sunak with wife Akshata and her parents NR Narayan Murthy and Sudha

Chancellor family firm opts for furlough cash A global IT company set up by Rishi Sunak’s billionaire fatherin-law has used taxpayers’ money to furlough 3% of its UK staff.

Infosys, a software and consulting giant with its headquarters in India, is the latest firm to reveal it is taking advantage of the chancellor’s coronavirus job retention scheme, reports The Times. The government pays 80% of salaries up to the value of £2,500 a month.

Critics say the super-rich should bail out their own staff. In April, after a public outcry, Victoria Beckham reversed a decision to furlough 30 staff at her fashion label.

Infosys was co-founded in India in 1981 by NR Narayana Murthy, 73, whose fashion designer daughter Akshata, 39, married Sunak in 2009. Murthy was chief executive and chairman for more than two decades, helping the firm expand across

the globe. Now emeritus chairman, his stake gives him a £1.7bn fortune, according to Forbes.

Infosys refused to say how many people it employs in the UK but business sources estimate it has 10,000, which would mean it has furloughed up to 300 workers, the report added.

It said yesterday: “In light of the current situation, Infosys has furloughed 3% of its UK workforce. We are reviewing this on a weekly basis.”

Furlough scheme to be gradually discontinued Treasury is to gradually withdraw its job retention scheme over the next five months, with businesses meeting 20% of the wage bill for their furloughed staff by October, Chancellor Rishi Sunak said.

Taxpayers have been meeting the wage bill for 8.4 million workers, at a cost of about £14bn a month, since March. The scheme was aimed at preventing mass layoffs, as lockdown restrictions caused large parts of the economy to shut down.

Employees have been receiving 80% of their usual wage, up to a maximum of £2,500 a month. One million firms are using the scheme, according to data released this week.

Sunak said that from August, firms will have to pay employer national insurance and pension contributions for staff they continue to keep on furlough. In addition, they will have to pay 10% of their wages in September. This will rise to 20% in October.

Sunak said: “We stood behind Britain’s businesses and workers as we came into this crisis and we stand behind them as we come through the other side.''

Firms will only be able to apply for the job retention scheme or furlough additional employees until 30 June.

Presenting Friday’s daily coronavirus briefing in Downing Street, Sunak also announced selfemployed workers whose income has been hit by the crisis would be able to claim a second grant.

reportedly demanded the magazine remove its online profile of Kate.

A Royal source told The Mail : “The piece is full of lies.

“There is no truth to their claim that the Duchess feels overwhelmed with work, nor that the Duke is obsessed with C a r o l e Middleton.

“It’s preposterous and downright wrong.

“Tatler may think it’s immune from action as it’s read by the Royals and on every coffee table in every smart home, but it makes no difference.

“It’s ironic that the Royals’ favourite magazine is being trashed by them.

“The Duchess is a naturally shy woman who is doing her best.”

Lockdown facilitates surge in sexual abuse of children: Sajid Javid

FLEXIBLE FURLOUGH JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

10% 80%

Employer starts paying NICs & Pensions

Employer NCs and Pensions

Government

70%

20% 60%

Employer

• From July you can bring employees back to work for any amount of time and any shift pattern.

• When working, employees should be paid a normal wage.

• Employers can still claim Government grants for time spent furloughed Those who qualified for the Treasury’s self-employment income support scheme would be able to apply for another payment, calculated as 70% of their monthly profits, up to a ceiling of £6,570.

The first round of payments was based on 80% of monthly profits.

The Office for National Statistics said GDP declined by 2% in the first quarter of the year – despite the fact lockdown restrictions only came into force in March.

KEY DATES June and July The government will pay 80% of wages up to a cap of £2,500 plus employer national insurance (ER NICs) and pension contributions.

Employers are not required to pay

anything.

The scheme will close to new entrants on 30 June. In July, businesses can start bringing furloughed staff back part-time and employers will pay their wages for hours worked.

August The taper starts. The government still pays 80% of wages up to £2,500, but employers must now pay ER NICs and pension contributions. For an average employer this represents 5% of employment costs had an employee not been furloughed.

September Government pays 70% of wages up to a cap of £2,190. Firms must contribute 10% of wages plus ER NICs

and pension contributions – about 14% of gross employment costs pre-furlough.

October Government pays 60% of wages up to a cap of £1,875. Employers contribute 20% plus ER NICs and pension – about 23% of gross employment costs pre-furlough.

Grants cut for self-employed The extension of the scheme will include grants being cut to 70% of average monthly trading profits from the current level of 80%.

Applications will be allowed from August.

The funds will be paid out in a single installment covering three months’ worth of profits, capped at £6,570 in total.

The economic impact of the lockdown will pale by comparison to the "perfect storm" leaving vulnerable children "isolating alongside their abusers", Sajid Javid has warned.

Writing for The Telegraph, the former Home Secretary said the current restrictions appeared to be facilitating a "surge" in sexual abuse of children which he predicted would be reflected in figures later this year.

Mr Javid is to lead a new "no holds barred" investigation into child sexual abuse in Britain, along with the Centre for Social Justice think tank. Mr Javid said the inquiry would not be impeded by "cultural and political sensitivities" after the men convicted in recent high-profile cases were disproportionately of Pakistani, Kashmiri, Bangladeshi and Bengali heritage.

His intervention follows repeated warnings by children's charities about the increased risks of child abuse while children are being kept at home during the lockdown.

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PM Boris Johnson’s sister ‘violates’ lockdown norm

Business Secretary Sharma gets tangled over coronavirus testing

Even as Prime Minister Boris Johnson struggles to defend his close aide Dominic Cummings after he travelled to Durham during lockdown, reports have now emerged that his younger sister Rachel Johnson too ‘flouted’ lockdown rules as she visited her second home in Notting Hill while she worked in London.

Comments on the government's testing claim has put Business Secretary Alok Sharma into a spot.

The government has been giving details of daily tests, but not for how many people have been tested which is often lower as some need more than one for clinical reasons.

Downing Street has blamed 'technical' reasons for the absence of the information over recent days.

Asked for the number of individuals tested, Mr Sharma told BBC Breakfast: 'Forgive me, I may be wrong, but I think this was set out, I think it was around 115,000, I think was the figure set out yesterday.

'I'm very happy to come back to you or make sure that we provide you with that information if we have it.'

The Government said there were 115,725 tests in the 24 hours up to 9am yesterday, but the figure is for tests rather than people tested.

Rachel who has worked as a journalist, magazine editor and TV and radio personality, and has also written several novels, had earlier said that she is isolating herself at her Somerset home and had been making only essential journeys to Leicester Square in London where she presents an evening show.

According to a report in Mirror, instead of her much stated isolation at the Somerset home, Rachel visited her second home in Notting Hill, where her two sons live.

The revelation is surely going to cause embarrassment to the prime minister

as the government lockdown norms clearly disallowed switching between homes and guidelines had clearly stipulated that people had to stay wherever they were at the beginning of the lockdown.

Rachel Johnson had previously stated she was staying in the Somerset home with her husband and daughter but as an essential worker, she has been travelling to the capital to host her Friday evening LBC radio show.

According to a report in the Mirror newspaper, after her show on Friday the Prime Minister's younger sister returned to the Notting Hill home before she met friends to play tennis on Saturday. The report said that she took a train

back to Somerset later that day.

A government source claimed that it didn’t look good for anyone concerned.

The source told The Mirror: "It doesn't look good for anyone," adding: "First his friend Dom and now his sister have been caught bending the rules, if not breaking them."

Ironically, the allegations have come after Rachel on her show had said that Cummings should apologise for his 250-km trip to Durham while lockdown was still in place.

Amid chorus from opposition for his dismissal, Boris Johnson had defended Cummings last week saying he believed his chief aide acted ‘legally, responsibly and with integrity’.

Travel industry slams quarantine, seeks review from govt Even as the Boris Johnsonled UK government softened its stand on the mandatory quarantine plan for the outsiders entering Britain, large number of travel and hospitality industry representatives have appealed to the government to scrap the contentious 14day scheme starting next week. The quarantine plan, set to begin on June 8, has been slotted for a review every three weeks.

The growing chorus became lauder with the global air travel institution, IATA questioning the UK government why the country’s plan is in sharp contrast with the rest of the

Europe.

IATA’s regional vice president (Europe), Rafael Schvartzman said that revival of travel and hospitality industry in the UK relies on the way the government moves and the people were looking for a clear and transparent system to review the 14-day mandatory quarantine.

The Telegraph reported Schvartzman as saying: “With the rest of Europe looking to move away from their quarantines and lockdowns, the question has to be asked why the UK government is now moving in the opposite direction,” he said.

“More than 1.5 million

British jobs are supported by aviation; 100billion pound in GDP is generated by air travel in the UK. This measure puts that immense contribution at considerable risk, and well as the foreign holiday opportunities for millions of people,” he added.

According to a statement issued by a group of 217 industry figures — cutting across travel agents to chefs — they also want the country to relax advice warning against non-essential travel. The executives, in a letter to Home Secretary Priti Patel have claimed that the government’s plan is already causing huge distress to the

country’s travel industry.

They have also asked the government to consider the corridors of free movement between low-risk cities or countries, variously dubbed air bridges, could allow the safe return of flights.

Recently, Michael O’Leary, the CEO of Ryanair Holdings, had slammed the move terming it unscientific and a move that is almost unimplementable.

After the lockdown was eased and international flights were permitted, some carriers are looking to take to air at the earliest with some planning to resume operations from June 15 itself.

London Mayor to offer BAME staff coronavirus risk assessment The Mayor of London will offer all vulnerable staff a personalised assessment to gauge their physical and mental health during the Covid-19 outbreak.

All black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) workers will be eligible – along with older staff, and those with pre-existing health conditions, reports said.

Unions and charities have called on other employers to follow suit, as lockdown eases and more businesses gear up for a return to work.

Car showrooms and markets reopened in England from today (Monday 1 June), with high street shops, department stores and shopping centres due to open in two weeks, on June 15.

All businesses must

carry out a risk-assessment with employees or trade unions involved before they call staff back to work.

But the Mayor has gone a step further – offering personalised support for the most vulnerable.

Eligible workers at City Hall, Transport for London (TfL), the Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade will all be offered risk assessments.

BAME employees have been included by default because Covid-19 has hit

ethnic minority groups hardest.

Black men and women are twice as likely to die from the disease as their white peers, when other factors like age and poverty are accounted for, according to ONS data.

Mr Khan has pushed the Government to find out why – lobbying for figures on the racial demographics of Covid-19 hospital deaths, which are now being published.

He also wants ethnicity to be recorded on death certificates, and has called for an independent inquiry into why BAME people have been worse affected.

The Mayor warned that the pandemic must be “a wakeup call” for Britain.

“Far from being a great leveller, the coronavirus crisis has exposed the unacceptable major inequalities

in our society,” he said.

“We owe it to every Londoner, regardless of background or ethnicity, to be able to live and work in safety.”

Business in the Community – a charity promoting social responsibility among employers – today backed the Mayor’s plans for his workforce.

Race equality director Sandra Kerr praised Mr Khan for “leading the way as an responsible employer” to ensure the impact on BAME staff is minimised.

Trade union Unison also welcomed the Mayor’s approach, with regional secretary Maggie Ferncombe applauding “the leadership London needs”.

Coronavirus has merely highlighted existing inequality that BAME communities face in the capital, Ms Ferncombe said.

Mr Sharma tried to clear up his mistake later, acknowledging on Sky News that the Government had 'paused' releasing figures on the number of people being tested.

He said there was a need to make sure the data was 'right'.

'Those figures will, of course, be released and any errors that have been made in the system will be put right,' he said.

The PM's spokesman said; 'There is an issue with not being able to get the number of people who have been tested from one of the government's commercial partners.

Devotees mark Rambapa’s 100th Birthday Last week marked Pujya Shri Rambapa’s 100 th birthday and the start of his centennial year. Unfortunately due to the on-going government lock down the customary ‘Hari Naam Dhoon’ was not able to take place (the first the time it has been interrupted for over thirty years) however devotees and well-wishers remained ever determined to mark the auspicious occasion and to honour the UK’s most senior Hindu Saint as he crossed this important milestone.

Pujya Rambapa has been a constant source of strength, inspiration and a guiding light to many Mandirs and Community Centres across the world (over 50 in the UK alone have received life-sized Murtis from him). Shree Jalaram Mandir, Greenford dedicated a special online recital of Pujya Bapa’s beloved Hanuman Some of the countries oldest mandalis came together via Zoom to sing traditional Gujarati bhajans organised by Vishva Bhajan Mandal (Leicester), Vinubhai Sikotra, Madhubhai Soni and Ladva Annual function and can be seen on Pujya Rambapa’s YouTube channel and on Facebook @pujyarambapa

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Janardanbhai leaves for heavenly abode On Sunday 17th May 2020, Janardanbhai Babubhai Patel (Bhadran) woke from his afternoon siesta at his home in Fulham, watched the 7pm Aarti, showered and from a sudden cardiac arrest, sadly made his final journey to his Maker.

Janubhai lived each and every day to its fullest.

He practiced yoga for 2 hours daily, ate a pure vegetarian diet and exercised regularly. He was a healthy, active 72 year old, with no vices, successfully managing his diabetes. He had a thirst for adventure and believed nothing to be impossible. He chose to put his retirement to good use, by helping others through charitable acts and projects.

Janardanbhai, C.B Patel’s youngest brother was born in Karnali on 25th September 1947.

Karnali’s famous Kuber Bhandari Mahadev Mandir, was where his father Babubhai had lived his last days as a Shiv Devotee.

Janubhai’s childhood was spent in Karnali and then his family moved to Vadodara in his youth. A 28 year old Janardanbhai

moved to Stockholm to further his education. In 1976, he married Induben (Vaso), from the UK. The following year, J.B. sowed the seeds for his successful future by moving to London. Initially, he helped his eldest brother C.B. in his business enterprises, before embarking on his own venture in 1983 with a shop in Fulham.

Both husband and wife worked tirelessly, without even a day off in the first fifteen years, to provide for their daughters, Swati and Dipali and their futures.

After 35 years of being a pillar of his local community, Janubhai retired and finally reaped the rewards of their hard work.

Janubhai resolved, with the full support of his wife, to pay society back by doing some charitable deeds. A few years earlier, he had installed a clean water facility in his beloved Karnali, so the local school children and villagers had access to fresh drinking water.

On retiring, he began planning to fulfil his vision of building and fully funding a retirement home for the elderly. He purchased

As the Covid-19 situation worsened in the UK, Chandrakant Shah, 74, saw the adverse financial effect it was having on many people. Seeing and reading stories of increasing poverty and hardship, he wanted to find a way to help in addition to making donations. Having undertaken several fundraising challenges over the years, he decided to take on the challenge of a 100 mile sponsored walk - WALK 100.

He saw the impact Sewa Day voluntary works having in his local community and decided to support their food bank in Alperton to help vulnerable people in their time of need.

The walk was undertaken on quiet, local roads and social distancing was observed throughout. In order to avoid the need for a support team, he returned to base for a pit stop every day to refuel.

The 100-mile walk was completed in 8 days. He has hoped for whole-heartedly

the land for this 50 room residence in his birthplace in 2019, and on the auspicious day of Mahashivaratri 2020, Shiv’s ardent follower Janardanbhai and his wife Induben performed the ground breaking ceremony (Bhoomi Poojan).

Janubhai and Induben returned back to the UK in

On retiring, he began planning to full his vision of building and fully funding a retirement home for elderly

support.

Link for donations is: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chandrakant-shah1-sewaday

Bame coronavirus review ‘all the more urgent’ in wake of US unrest Get Your Favourite Newsweeklies At Your Fingertip Dear Readers, An excellent offer for all our valued readers. Keep yourself updated with the latest news across the world at the comfort of your home.

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Labour has said the publication of a review into the impact of coronavirus on black, asian and minority ethnic communities is “all the more urgent” amid unrest in the United States over the death of George Floyd.

The Department of Health on Monday night denied reports that the Public Health England review had been delayed in light of “global events”. The review, commissioned

by Health Secretary Matt Hancock in April, has been tasked with looking into why Covid-19 appeared to have a disproportionately high impact on BAME people.

Sky News cited a government source who said there were now concerns in Whitehall about the “close proximity to the current situation in America”, where unrest has erupted as protesters demand an end to police violence. The source told the broadcaster. ``The Government won;t be able to put this out without concrete and solid next steps''.

early March and spent the last couple of months making memories with their daughters Swati and Dipali, son in laws Robkumar and Chiragkumar and granddaughters Isha, Mahi, Maeya and Nidhi.

Janubhai’s favourite pastime

was enjoying the sun and eating chips, whether that be on his cherished seaside or sitting in his daughters’ gardens.

As we come to terms with the shock and heartbreaking sadness of his passing, we begin to reflect on a life well lived and one that brought love and joy to many.

Since his passing, the devastated family have received hundreds of phone calls from friends and family. Each caller has praised the kind and smiling gentleman that Janardanbhai was and how he lived his life serving others. They all had their own stories of how he had come running for them in their time of need.

He was a loving and caring husband to Induben and a father who raised his two daughters, Swati and Dipali to be strong independent women.

He was a doting grandfather to his four

beautiful and bright granddaughters, who have been left with an unfillable void in their lives.

All too often our society places great value on its sons, at times marginalising its daughters - but not Janardanbhai. He ensured that his wife, sisters, daughters, nieces and granddaughters knew that they could achieve anything that they set their minds to.

He had a special relationship with his son in laws, enjoying laughter, banter and offering advice, wanted or unwanted, seeing them as his own sons.

Janardanbhai’s legacy is that we live life to its fullest, serving others and never giving up. We know with his passing that the world is simultaneously sadder for the loss of him and richer for the gifts he left behind.

Janubhai’s funeral was organised on Tuesday 2nd June at 1.45pm.

Contact details for Janubhai's family Induben, Swati and Dipali 07951 480 543 Om Namah Shivay. Jai Shri Krishna.

Jai Swaminarayan. Om Shanti.

10 READERS VOICE

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6 - 12 June 2020

Doing the right thing- modern day Britain In the 1970’s a large proportion of the Indian community in East Africa came to the UK, when “Africanisation” swept across that region. My family was one of those who landed at Heathrow in 1972 and have since called the UK our home.

Reading about the situation in Hong Kong, there are quite a few parallels. Ignoring the Chinese political debate, I want to look at this from the UK perspective and the approach to integrating migrants from places that have effectively left them disenfranchised. This is very much a personal reflection from my own family’s perspective.

The biggest similarity that I can see between the potential migrants from Hong Kong and the 1970’s East African Asians is their socio-economic status. The communities have a high emphasis on education, tend to be entrepreneurial and have cultures that centre on family values. It’s also important to recognise the cultural understanding that these groups have of Britain pre-migration.

The system of law, style of governance, ethos of free trade, English language, all help with trusting the country you are migrating towards. Of course, there are the negatives from colonial rule, which also play a part, but interestingly from my experience, this surfaces less amongst East African Indians than from migrants coming directly from India. That may well have to do with the strong feeling of sanctuary offered to that group, compared to the application to migrate to the UK from Indian migrants.

From my family’s perspective, we’ve regarded Britain as the place that’ll always do the right thing, because that is what they did for us. That has impacted how we’ve integrated into British society over the generations. The level of trust towards Britain was already at a high level on arrival and was only slightly eroded, by racism and cultural differences. I believe that Hong Kongers looking for Britain to take a lead and do the right thing also harbour high levels of trust in British values.

Looking at what Britain is today would be answered by 66 million different perspectives, even taking away political polarisations and landmark events like Brexit. We are still a nation of shopkeepers, a nation that is a voice of reason on the World stage and we still generate high levels of innovation and creativity. One of the very odd statistics I am always struck by is that the City of London, that machine of global financial services that is the heart of the UK economy, is over 90% populated by SMEs. That entrepreneurial nature of our society is what led East African Indians to traverse socio-economic groups relatively easily and is what would potentially drive the Hong Kong migrants towards the same successful integration.

The first steps take in the last few days by the British Government are a welcome sign that we haven’t forgotten our values and that we will do the right thing. I hope we can continue to give confidence to that community in Hong Kong and that they in turn can look to the East African Indians in the UK, as a model of integration and continued success in modern day Britain.

Shravan Joshi

By Email

Are BAME more susceptible to coronavirus?

With more casualties among BAME front-line workers in NHS, it is presumed that BAME population is more susceptible to this virus than the indigenous people of this country. As there is no scientific survey, this is just a presumption and may be completely off the mark.

Although Asia, with China and India being world’s most populated nations, has more than 50% of world’s population, yet total casualties, loss of lives are less than in Europe and especially USA where it has spread like wild fire, with over 100k deaths. The reason for higher casualties here in UK among BAME may be due to various reasons and that include lower living standard due to low wages and more dependent living on one wage earner, in over-crowded accommodation, living in poor, neglected areas of London and more BAME working in front line, in A & E where they are exposed to this deadly disease more than others.

The life longevity, on average, is at least ten years longer for those living in the leafy suburbs of Surrey, Croydon, Addington and many more such affluent areas, compared to run-down East London borrows of Tower Hamlet, Hackney, Forest Gate and many more in Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham.

There were only 95 people tested positive in 20 islands in the West Indies. It seems their immune system is well prepared to tackle coronavirus. So often people living in slums have better immunity, developed over number of years living in what we may call unhygienic surrounds compared to Westenras where standard of hygiene is extremely high, thus we may have underdeveloped immune system! No wonder many of us fell sick while visiting India.

Kumudini Valambia

By Email

Tfl bailout We are continuing to scrutinise the TfL bailout deal imposed by the Government and the punitive conditions attached to it.

On behalf of our community, I am rallying against the abrupt changes being made to the older persons’ freedom pass, under 18’s travel and the congestion charge.

It is regrettable that the Government have used this as an opportunity to score political points, laying an unacceptable burden on Londoners. I want to see these draconian conditions revoked, but the only people who can make that decision are the Government.

This is why they must now be upfront and publish the deal in full as soon as possible. The Mayor has been clear that the power to do so is in their hands.

The snippets that have been made public so far show that City Hall’s hands were tied in this agreement.

During the most recent Oversight Committee meeting, the Minister for London confirmed that the Government will look to release the document when Parliamentary time allows.

A Government press release also said that it would be published at the earliest opportunity. There have been plenty of sitting days since then, but at the time of writing, still nothing has emerged.

Londoners need to be given the full picture and this must be sooner rather than later.

Navin Shah AM London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow

Meteoric Rise of Rishi Sunak In British politics, the second most important portfolio is that of “Chancellor of Exchequer” commonly known as “Finance Minister” in most countries. He is second to PM in prestige and importance. Normally it takes years of experience, holding other important portfolios like that of Home Affairs, Education and Foreign Secretary before one is moved to No 11, next door neighbour to No 10, Downing Street, PM’s official residence!

Names of PM and Chancellor goes hand in hand, mostly they are old buddies, may have been to Oxbridge together, like Tony Blair and George Brown, David Cameron and George Osborne. They are also given the title of “First Secretary” who is Deputy PM, all but in name! But this is not the case in PM Boris’s selection, as his foreign secretary Dominic Raab acts as PM in his absence.

Rishi rose to this enviable height without holding prestigious portfolio, although he was Chief Secretary to the Treasury under previous Chancellor whom Rishi describes as his Guru! As I had never heard him speak before, I was wondering how he will fare while presenting his first budget, under most difficult financial circumstances.

I must admit I was pleasantly surprised at his knowledge and command of the language. Since then I have listened to him on many occasions and he gains every one’s respect with his every speech. This PM’s Cabinet is most ethnic friendly, with Rishi Sunak, Priti Patel, Alok Sharma, Sailesh Vara and few more holding important portfolios, most with Indian background.

No wonder British Indian community who were once staunch Labour supporters, are now deserting the party in droves, in preference to Conservatives who are perceived to be Indian and India friendly, with PM Boris in constant touch with popular Indian PM Narendra Modi.

Let us hope, with demise of Jeremy Corbin, the new leadership will seek close cooperation with both British Indians and Jewish community who all felt being neglected by labour under Mr Corbin!

Bhupendra M. Gandhi

By Email

India - a land of benevolence or malevolence Indian migrant workers are facing unwarranted hardships. Millions of migrants have lost income. Their future is in jeopardy with food and water shortages. Children face hunger and decent living.

There are hospitals who have denied them adequate healthcare - lack of nutrition, housing sanitation - hey silently face these problems.

On the other hand, there are billionaires and number of companies, through bribery and corrupt practices, have made millions - but this is all waste and useless when migrants and their children go without food and shelter.

Time for united India, its charities, its affluent spiritual world, multimillionaires to divert their efforts in radically improving less fortunate citizens plight.

Let us play our contributory part. Let us not exist but live in the spirit of togetherness.

Ramesh Nehru

By Email

Kapil’s Khichadi Jai Siya Ram Kapil Dudakia 26th May 2020 – mark that date in your diary. This is the day the re-construction work on Ram Mandir started on the site that was desecrated by the Islamic invaders. I don’t want to go through every historical fact of how we came to this unique event in our lifetime, but there are certain elements that I do feel need to be teased out.

First point, Ram Mandir was not the first or the only Hindu site to be desecrated or destroyed by the Islamic invaders. If people study the known history alongside the lived history, one could easily conclude that 10’s of thousands of such sites were destroyed. It has taken more than a thousand years for Hindus to summon sufficient strength to begin to address this genocidal mass destruction that occurred in Bharat Varsh. Alongside the physical destruction we must also become witness to the 100’s of thousands that were butchered in the name of religion.

The collective amnesia of Hindus on that which took place over hundreds of years of oppression now needs to be revisited. We cannot seek compensation from the invaders, for they have metamorphosised into modern day terrorists being exported out of certain countries. However, what we can do is teach our generations to know the truth of what took place in Bharat.

The failing today is at multiple levels. It is from the top where people with power have not taken the proactive and decisive steps to change the mandatory curriculum on offer. It is with many academics who have wilfully lied to promote the narrative of the invaders. It is with politicians over many generations that have washed their hands of this task in favour of money and power. It is with the people. Yes, the people. It is the people who have also wilfully neglected their responsibility to make right the wrongs of history. India is no longer a slave nation, but all too often it behaves like a slave, as do its citizens.

This does not mean there are none in India who are fighting this battle daily. Far from it, I know of countless people and organisations who have given their life for this national cause. It is with their effort that we have finally reached the day when Hindus in their own country can now build a Mandir to honour Lord Rama. I commend the BJP Government for making this happen, but am I satisfied with progress to date? Of course not. The Government of PM Modi now needs a step change in how it deals with all such historical crimes. There is no point trying to affect change in the world when we can’t even do it in our own backyard.

India has incredible people who have the security of the nation in their hearts. It’s time to empower these Dharma Rakshaks so they can help make India into Bharat. We have people of Indian origin around the world who have been fighting this battle for decades. Often with very limited resources and no support from India. It is time to learn what countries like Israel do so well. They empower their diaspora around the world not just with critical information, but with huge financial resources and access to the various corridors of power. By so doing, the Jewish community has become embedded in the very decision making of many western nations. Why can’t we do the same? With the emergence of Ram Mandir, let it become the spark that enlightens all of us to find our destiny that has hitherto been overshadowed by enslavement. We are free, let us behave like a free people.

(Expressed opinions are personal.)

Quality time in quarantine Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, we are all doing our part by staying indoors and practicing social distancing. Quality time in quarantine is an excellent opportunity to spend time with your loved ones who are at home and to reach out to those that are not. We are often so busy with work, school, social events, and our electronics that we do not spend enough meaningful time together. This does not need to be a stressful season if we choose to be intentional with time given to us. When you are presented with the opportunity to stay at home 24/7, you can make it enjoyable with your family members around you. Try to involve yourself as much as you can with family discussions.

Focus on spreading laughter and taking the same in return. If you used to spend a significant part of your time in office, it is a perfect chance to make it up with family.

Jubel D'Cruz Mumbai

We are grateful to all letter writers for more and more versatile letters well within word limit.

Please keep contributing as always.

If you are new, then write to Rupanjana at rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com - AV

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12 MEDIA WATCH

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6 - 12 June 2020

SCRUTATOR’S AC enclosures for exotic animals Gujaratis are perspiring heavily as temperatures have soared in the state over last few weeks. But an alpaca and a llama are enjoying the cool environs at Jungle Park Safari near Statue of Unity in Narmada district of Gujarat. Safari authorities have installed airconditioners and aircoolers for animals and birds kept in the park. The idea is to ensure that exotic animals and birds don’t suffer heat stress in summers. “We have installed A/Cs in the enclosures of alpaca, llama, wallaby, patagonian mara and some other animals. Most of these animals can tolerate temperatures up to 38 degree Celsius but the temperature in our state is already touching 44 degree Celsius.

So we have to keep them in controlled climate,” said Ram Ratan Nala, director of the park. For other animals like lions, leopards, capuchin monkeys and squirrel monkey and birds, air-coolers have been kept in the park. (The Times of India) Breatharian who survived on air passes away

temperature, vitals and biochemical processes were studied. (The Times of India) 15 detained for brutalizing teen girl

The ascetic who claimed to have lived without food or water for eight decades, passed away after a short illness. Prahlad Jani, 91, was known among devotees as Chunriwale Mataji. Dharmendra Panchal, a sevak with Jani, confirmed his death. “Mataji was not keeping well since Chaitra Navratri (April). He had expressed the wish to return to his native Charada near Mansa in Gandhinagar district of Gujarat after the lockdown was relaxed about five-six days ago. Cause of his death is not known,” he said.

Panchal said that many believed Jani to be a yogi of breatharian school who could carry out daily activities without food or water.

“He was an ardent devotee of goddess Amba and will always be remembered by the followers in his full attire with vermilion on his parting, nose ring, bangles and bindi on forehead along with red sari (churi) that became his identity,” he said. Jani’s body has been taken to Ambaji and kept for public viewing for a day.

Later, he was given a samadhi (burial) inside the ashram according to tradition. Jani’s life was part of a documentary and several scientific studies including a major study by DIPAS of Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) in 2010. During that experiment, Jani was kept under CCTV surveillance and his body

Chhota Udepur police in Gujarat nabbed 15 people involved in brutal flogging of a 16-year-old girl who had eloped with a youth from her village. Police said the 15 accused have not been arrested, but detained.

“We brought them to Chhota Udepur town for coronavirus test. Right now, they are under quarantine and once their tests turn out to be negative, we will arrest them,” said a police official. Meanwhile, another video surfaced in which the youth with whom the girl eloped is also seen. Cops said the new video could have been shot prior to one shared on WhatsApp. Here, the girl is seen carrying the boy on her shoulders while the villagers, including those who thrashed her, are following them. “We are probing the new video too, but until the test reports arrive, we cannot interrogate them. The youth with whom she eloped is also not in the village,” cops said, adding he too is booked for abducting the girl with false promise. The girl was mercilessly flogged by some of her family members and other men in Bilvant village on May 21. The teenager was found from the youth’s house and brought to the local primary school where one person held her hand and four others began thrashing her with wooden sticks. The two-minute long video showed one man constantly beating her until the stick broke. (The Times of India) Buried alive newborn baby rescued A new-born male child buried alive was rescued in Sonoura village of Sidharthnagar district of Uttar Pradesh. The incident came to light when villagers heard a faint voice of a baby crying in a thicket. They traced the source of

the sound and found a male child buried alive. The infant was first admitted to the local Community Health Centre (CHC) and then shifted to the district hospital, where his condition was described to be stable. It all began when workers at the underconstruction house in Sonaura Tola village of Sidhartnagar heard the cries of an infant. The sound was a muffled one, raising their curiosity. They searched the locality and found that the sound was coming from a small heap of mud. They then noticed a foot of the infant sticking out from one side. When they removed the mud, they found a baby boy buried alive there. "The boy was rushed CHC where he was treated. “The condition of the baby boy is improving,” said Dr Manvendra Pal, who attended to the infant. Villagers said that the baby appeared to have been buried just a few hours ago. “The baby was treated at hospital and now he is fine and shifted to district hospital for further care.

(Agency).

Teen dresses as girl to meet girlfriend A teenager who was desperate to meet his girlfriend decided to dress up as a woman and go to meet his girlfriend in Pardi town of Gujarat. However, 19-year-old’s assumption that police would not check women proved wrong as the cops caught him and that too

in the dead of the night. At around 2.30 am police noticed someone in Punjabi dress and face covered with dupatta moving around on a moped. Initially, cops did not stop the rider thinking it was a woman. But after sometime when he crossed the spot again, he was stopped for questioning. Thinking that it was a woman, cops asked ‘her’ the reason for moving around so late.

As he did not speak, police got more suspicious and asked the person to remove the dupatta.

“His face was also covered with mask and dupatta. He was wearing a proper Punjabi dress and it was difficult to find out that a man was wearing woman’s clothes. Under the dress, he was wearing pant and t-shirt,” said police officials. During questioning, he told police that he dressed up as woman to avoid being caught by the police as well as by his girlfriend’s parents.

Later the teen was booked under Indian Penal Code, Epidemic Diseases Act and Disaster Management Act. He was released on bail later. (The Times of India)

MP man hires 180-seater plane to ferry four family members A Bhopal-based individual hired a 180-seater A320 plane of a private carrier to ferry four family members to New Delhi, in a bid to avoid the crowd at the airport and in-flight amid the Covid-19 outbreak, officials said. The person, who is a liquor baron, chartered the aircraft to send to Delhi his daughter, her two children and their maid, who were stuck in Bhopal since the last two months due to the Covid -induced lockdown, sources said.

The plane arrived here from Delhi with crew only and flew back with just four passengers for whom it was specially hired, they

said. "The A320 180-seater plane arrived here on May 25 to carry four members of a family, probably due to the coronavirus scare. It was chartered by someone and there was no medical emergency, an airline official said, refusing to divulge any further details. Bhopal's Rajabhoj Airport Director Anil Vikram could not be contacted for comments. According to aviation experts, the cost of hiring an Airbus-320 is about Rs 20,00,000. (Agency) Workers fly from Mumbai to Jharkhand A group of 174 labourers have the luxury of travelling in a plane from Mumbai to Jharkhand. The plane was leased by a group of alumni of National Law School of India University (NLSIU). “I have not seen such sadness in my life, nor have I witnessed such happiness as I did today after sitting in the plane. I have found god,” said Rajendra Tulsi Mandal (47), an auto-rickshaw driver.

Rajendra lived in a rented room in Mumbai with his two sons, while his wife and daughter live

in the village. “There was no work because of the lockdown, I ran out of money. In the last two months, we survived on very little. My wife would cry over the phone, I would worry about how to take the children back. Many people walked back home, some died, some fainted… I couldn’t put my children through this,” he said. On the plane, the children called up their mother Dhaneshwari Devi (40) and told her they would be home in a few hours. “I saw the clouds from above, the water bodies and buildings. I felt cold in the plane, but no fear,” said Krishna, one of the boys. Four days ago, Rajendra get the phone call from the group of wellwishers. “The group also dropped us to the airport. I didn’t pay a rupee. From Ranchi airport, a bus arranged by the Jharkhand Chief Minister dropped us off till Bagodar. From there I took a rickshaw home.

Can you believe I only spent Rs 150 from Mumbai to my village in Jharkhand?” said Rajendra.

Since the plane landed, advocate Shyel Trehan and her four friends, who form the core group that raised money for the plane journey, were inundated with calls from those who had reached home. “We are bowled over by the calls, and are keen to do this again on a bigger scale,” said Trehan. (The Indian Express)

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6 - 12 June 2020

‘Slowly dying’ PIO woman get liver transplant The 31-year-old Birmingham woman, Sunaina Paul, has urged more and more people, especially from BAME, to be organ donors after she received a ‘second life’ with a liver transplant.

Paul had been on a priority list but lack of donor from the Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) meant that she had to wait for long and it was becoming difficult to find a match.

Paul was born with Biliary Atresia, a condition in which bile ducts in the liver are blocked, leading to a build up of bile, which causes damage to the liver, reports imbirmingham.co.uk. In t h i s condition, the digestion process gets affected leading to damage to the liver as bile ducts become blocked and cirrhosis sets in.

Recently, Paul had been advised to stay home after the outbreak of coronavirus. The search for a suitable liver had been a difficult one since donor had to be from BAME and Paul’s

Sunaina Paul

blood group is a rare Blood Tye B. As she was slowly moving towards the inevitable death, she got a call from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in

Birmingham informing her about a likely liver for her. The successful transplant was completed immediately and right now Paul is recuperating well.

Her aunt Jaimini Lakhani was overjoyed. She said, “We were just all in absolute joy, tears, such a bag of emotions. We just feel really blessed, we are massively grateful.”

Lakahni said that the family was looking forward to bring her home and happy to realise that now she can live the life of a normal 30-year-old person.

Sunaina had to undergo an operation when she was just seven weeks old to allow bile to flow from the liver to the intestines and her family had been informed then she will need a liver transplant eventually.

In between, her condition kept getting worse with doctors administering her with oral antibiotics and intravenous antibiotics to control the infections. Her struggle ensured that

New Covid-19 'test and trace' system crashes at start The much touted test and trace’ system which was supposed to bring UK back on its feet was found struggling to stand with the contact tracers unable to log into the system.

The National Health Services (NHS) put up the site on Thursday morning and around 25,000 were supposed to ask those who had tested positive for the coronavirus about their contacts. The plan was to put all those, who have been in contact with infected person, in isolation even if they were not unwell.

But before it could become operational, some of the workers who were trying to log in, could not get through with some suggesting it to be a complete failure.

Later, the head of plan acknowledged that the scheme was not fully functional and won’t be completely workable before June end.

Earlier, during the launch, UK

government had said that the new service will help in containing the spread of coronavirus which has claimed around 40,000 lives in UK. The new system would have enabled the NHS and other services to share the information about any individual tasting Covid-19 positive. It was to include the family as well as those who have been within two meters distance of the infected person.

After the tracing of individuals, the protocol was that they will be made to stay home for 14 days, whether they have any symptoms or in order to contain the spread the pandemic.

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said, “As we move to the next stage of our fight against coronavirus, we will be able to replace national lockdowns with individual isolation and, if necessary, local action where there are outbreaks.”

Hancock said that NHS ‘Test and Trace’ will be key in stopping the spread of the virus. This will help in protecting our family, friends and ultimately help our overburdened NHS. He said that the system will keep the virus under control while we go about rebooting our system again.

At next stage of the system, if anyone among those in isolation develops symptoms, they are free to book for a test with the NHS. If the test comes out positive, the said person must stay at home for a minimum of seven days or until their symptoms have passed. And even if they test negative for virus, they will have to complete a 14-day isolation period.

Members of their household will not have to stay at home unless the person identified becomes symptomatic, at which point they must also self-isolate for 14 days to avoid unknowingly spreading the virus.

she kept going in and out of hospital till the time she got a call from the hospital.

Braving tremendous pain she managed to keep a smile on her face. She said that even though she seemed okay from outside, she knew she was slowly dying.

Her 31st birthday was spent inside hospital taking heavy doses of medication to reduce the intense pain she was going through.

The outbreak of coronavirus further spooked the family hopes as her family was advised to protect her fearing the infection could be fatal for her. Their agony ended on Monday after the call from hospital and the following day surgery was performed.

2 PIOs jailed on money-laundering charges PIC credit: met.police.uk

Chandrasekar Nallayan and Vijaya Kumar Krishnasamy

Bingley continued, “This conviction should be a warning to those who believe they can benefit from money laundering and get away with it, she said. "We will work closely with the banking industry to target organised criminal networks."

The pair fooled 24 companies around the world. Their mode of operation was simple: Companies would receive a fake mail claiming to be from their client, who had previously invoiced them, informing them about a change of their bank account details. The companies believed these mails and transferred money in those fraudulent accounts and remained unaware till the actual clients started demanding money.

The court heard that Nallayan was the brain behind this and he was directing Krishnasamy as to where to transfer the criminal funds.

BBC receives thousands of complaints after Emily Maitlis sparks impartiality row with Dominic Cummings rant

The BBC has received more than 40,000 complaints in only two days after comments by presenter Emily Maitlis sparked an impartiality row.

The number of angry viewers writing in more than doubled in 24 hours – the total stood at 18,000 on Thursday.

The complaints came after Miss Maitlis delivered a highly critical monologue about the Dominic Cummings lockdown controversy during an episode of Newsnight on Tuesday.

In her introduction to the current affairs programme, Miss Maitlis said Mr Cummings had ‘broken the rules’ and had made the public ‘feel like fools’.

She also accused Boris Johnson of showing ‘blind loyalty’ towards his adviser, who had driven 260 miles from London to County Durham during lockdown.

Within 24 hours, the BBC released a statement saying the programme had not met ‘standards of due impartiality’, adding that staff had been ‘reminded of the guidelines’.

Some viewers have been incensed at what they see as the BBC Two show’s bias against Mr Cummings and the Government, while others have been enraged by the corporation’s rapid climbdown.

According to an insider, there have been just over 20,000 people who thought Miss Maitlis’s introduction had not been impartial, while just under 20,000 were angry about the BBC’s statement.

Harrow mosque’s plan to broadcast prayers hits roadblock The proposal from the Harrow Central Mosque in North London to broadcast its prayers using loudspeakers has been met with strong protests from the local residents.

The furore followed the move by the mosque to approach the Harrow Council earlier this month with an application seeking nod for broadcasting prayers for a period of three months every Friday.

Its earlier applications regarding the same have been rejected by the council citing noise violations.

The Horrow Times reported that the mosque’s proposal was part of the ‘Call to Prayer’ campaign, which has been led by British Heart Foundation fundraiser Rehana Choudry.

The proposal has led to a

furore among the local residents with majority of them opposing the plan citing noise, traffic and disruption.

One of the comments reads: “This is noise pollution and forcing non-Muslims to listen to something they can’t understand. This should not be approved. All religions are allowed to practice but without disruption to others.”

Another one commented saying they are senior Hindu ladies and it was against their religion to hear the Muslim call to prayer.

They said that they were elderly and were disturbed by this. “We are very worried. This Harrow is a multicultural place. Will you also let the temples broadcast their messages? We are offended and

Harrow Central Mosque

object,” they said.

While the final decision rests

with Harrow Council, local residents have also set up a petition to

oppose this move.

Facing a barrage of protests, the mosque in statement said that the application for broadcasting the prayer was a temporary provision and was only to deal with the pandemic the entire country is battling against.

The Harrow Council, in reply to some reports, has denied granting approval for the move. The council issued a statement saying: "The council did not at any point agree on allowing a call to prayer without a planning application.

We have received an application for which a statutory consultation is taking place. We will review the application in line with national and local planning policies and regulations.”

14 UK

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Indian-origin doc couple at forefront in legal battle for PPE Credit: wikimedia.com

Dr Meenal Viz, an eightmonth pregnant doctor of Indian Origin, has been instrumental in crowdfunding more than 53,000 pounds to fight a legal battle against the British government over lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) being provided to the doctors and healthcare workers who have at the forefront of Covid-19 battle.

Dr Viz, along with her husband Dr Nishant Joshi have been the complainant against the Department of Health and Public Health England.

Based in the Capital and a clinical fellow in medicine, Viz recently shared an emotional video to her unborn child for a situation where she dies of the pandemic before her child is born.

Dr Meenal Viz posted the video on her social media accounts, showing images of life before and during the pandemic.

In the video available on her Twitter account, Dr Viz, currently working from home now can be heard saying: “Dear Radhika, in just 63 days this is going to be your new home. I hope I get to show it you, my favourite places, and all my favourite people.

Cops arrest second suspect for killing of 27-yrold autistic man The Metropolitan Police have arrested a second man in the shooting of Chad Gordon. The cops arrested the 23-year-old on Sunday in Westminster suspecting his involvement in the murder.

Earlier, the Metropolitan Police charged a man for the killing of Gordon, a 27-yearold autistic man who was shot at his doorstep in a suspected case of mistaken identity. A resident of Haringey, north London, Chad Gordon (27) was shot from a close range after he came at the door to answer the call. The man who has been charged with murder and assisting an offender has been described as Clive Spencer (23) of Ermine Road, north London. A post-mortem report determined the cause of death as a gunshot wound.

Reacting to the killing of her son, mother Anne Marie Wilson said that Chad wouldn’t hurt a fly, he was so gentle and caring.

British rapper Chip also paid tribute to Mr Gordon in an Instagram post, in which he offered his “deepest condolences” to his family.

“He was disabled and autistic so would not speak much at all,” he wrote.

Choose good over pleasant Rohit Vadhwana In the Katha Upanishad, Nachiketa seeks divine knowledge from Yama - God of Death. A long dialogue ensues between them. Katha Upanishad, 2nd Mantra, Canto 2 reads as follows:

She continues: “You see you’re arriving at a very difficult time, people are dying, the world is at war, and the people on the frontlines aren’t soldiers. They’re people like your dad and people like me. So I’m leaving you this message just in case.”

As the video comes closer to end, it reads: ‘Our nhs workers are dying. Help Meenal challenge the Government for better PPE.” She has shared the link of crowdfunding site which showed as on Monday night that they had raised more than 60,000 pounds out of 120,000 they

are seeking to fight against the UK government.

On Thursday evening, she, in the company of a group of medics dressed in scrubs and face masks at the “Doctors, not Martyrs” protest, stood outside the gate of Boris Johnson’s office. It was timed with the weekly “clap for carers” initiative to honour healthcare workers at the forefront of pandemic fightback.

Johnson, after the clap, posted on Twitter: “I want to thank each and every one of our wonderful NHS and care workers for the incredible, selfless work they do to

look after us all."

Ironically, just a few steps away from where he stood to clap, the small group of protesters led by Viz turned their back on the prime minister as a show of unhappiness.

Meenal and her doctor husband Nishant Joshi are in the process of challenging the validity of current PPE guidance on when and how equipment is used, as well as its availability.

The doctor couple have said that the current UK guidelines are not in sync with either the World Health Organisation

Pulitzer winning IndianAmerican physician, compatriot in New York’s eco recovery panel Credit: buffalo.edu

Siddhartha Mukherjee receives Padma Shri from then President Pranab Mukherjee in 2014

Satish Tripathi

Two Indian Americans, Sid Mukherjee and Satish K Tripathi have been selected by the New York’s governor as members of New York state’s Blue-Ribbon Commission. The panel is tasked with finding ways to improve tele-health and broadband access using new, innovative technologies.

pers. He was conferred the fourth highest civilian award, the Padma Shri, in 2014 by the Indian government. Mukherjee who is a trained haematologist and oncologist has focused his research on the links between normal stem cells and cancer cells. Through his findings, he had shown the roles of cells in cancer therapy.

Tripathi completed his graduation from the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and holds three master's degrees - one in computer science from the University of Toronto and two in statistics from the University of Alberta and

Mukherjee is assistant professor at Columbia University as well as a physician and author while Tripathi is the president of SUNY Buffalo. They are part of a 15-member commission, which is being chaired by former CEO and executive

chairman of Google and founder of Schmidt Futures Eric Schmidt.

According to a report on 27east.com, the Blue Ribbon Commission on “reimagining New York will be charged with making recommendations on how to improve transportation, safety, housing, education, the economy and the health care system in the state.

India-born Mukherjee won the Pulitzer Prize in 2011 for ‘The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer.' Mukherjee also featured in the Time 100 list of most influential people. He is also a columnist and write for prominent US newspa-

It means: Both Shreya and Preya approach man; the dhira (wise man), examining the two (well), discriminates between them. The wise man verily prefers Shreya to Preya; but the foolish man chooses Preya through the love of gain and attachment.

Shreya means satvik, good. Preya means pleasant.

Aren't we facing such a dilemma every day? In the morning, we have two choices: wake up early and begin a healthy day or sleep a little more and enjoy the sweet morning nap. Of course, the first option shows Shreya, good. The second one is Preya, pleasant. Mostly we fail to choose the first one and end up choosing what is pleasant, what we enjoy.

Similarly, during childhood, one has to choose between study and games. A child might be serious and dedicated to studies. He might know the importance of studying well. But the attraction of spending time in a pleasant way, in games, is overpowering. Most of the parents get tired of reminding a child to focus on study. But is it a fault of the child? Or is it human nature?

Even in making friends, we seem to like those who are fun-loving and give us pleasant time over those who could guide us and give useful advice. Because the good ones may be boring and pleasant ones cool. We tend to choose a cool type of friends. Means, choosing Preya over Shreya.

In business, sometimes profitable, gainful options do not conform to ethical business practice. In such a situation, a wise person will certainly choose ethical business practice over profitability.

While choosing a life partner, handsome, sexy one attracts us more than a kind, caring and understanding one. We may not make this decision hastily. But attraction is always towards what appeals to our liking. Love, at first sight, is an example of Preya?

Yet, it is not correct to compartmentalise Shreya and Preya as in black and white, right and wrong.

Because it is possible that what is Shreya has also characteristics of Preya i.e. is likeable, pleasant. There is always a combination of the two in any choice. It is mostly a difference in degree than in kind. In such a situation, one is bound to argue in favour of Preya.

Therefore, it is said that a wise man examines the two and discriminates them appropriately. While examining any situation or individual, it is important that we remain as much objective as possible. The mind makes analysis based on the inputs given by our knowledge organs, five senses. Therefore, it may be biased as well towards the more appealing choice. But wisdom is in remaining patient, detached and composed; giving ourselves enough time while discriminating between the two options. Choosing the satvik, good, Shreya over pleasant, likeable, Preya is advised by Katha Upanishad.

Let's implement this analysis in our lives, whenever we have two options to chose from. It is certainly a spiritual lesson but can be applied as a modern life management mantra.

(Expressed opinion is personal)

HSBC appoints PIO as strategy expert The London-based banking and investment giant, HSBC has picked Indian-origin Chira Barua as the strategy expert to direct the bank’s future plans in the wake of pandemic battering the global economy. As per a report in the ‘The Sunday Times', Chira Barua will be heading the bank strategy group and would advise the bank as to which areas and markets the bank should be looking at in the next few years. It is believed that the move is likely to see the bank move more towards the Asian markets looking for higher incomes. The bank is looking to boost its market share of wealthy customers in Asia, which is home yo a large number of billionaires.

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TLIGHT

Jigna Varu Managing Micro-Fresh

Sunetra Senior

J

igna is the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of the revolutionary new technology: Micro-Fresh and holder of the current LeicestershireLive Rising Star for Leicester and Rutland 2019 . This is an “invisible anti-bacterial treatment” that keeps everyday items such as bedding, footwear and a variety of home furnishings “fresher for longer.”

Having garnered a growing string of awards, including ‘Ones To Watch’ in Sunday Times Fast Track Growing Companies 100 (2019), Goldman Sachs’ Business Growth Award (2015) and a double page feature in The Times newspaper in 2018 , the innovative bio-tech company, has established itself as the ultimate lifestyle brand.

Contrary to popular belief, unwanted bodily odour does not occur because of a person’s sweat alone. As Jigna elaborated: “it is via bacteria that decompose the sweat causing the strong, unpleasant smell”. MicroFresh’ tried and tested technology then prevents from that bacteria ever forming. Indeed, the small elements that constitute life are often the most significant!

A solid ‘ingredient’ brand similar to Lycra or Intel, Micro-Fresh® client base includes John Lewis, Kickers, Tesco and even the trendy German brand, Deichmann to modify bedding and bathroom ranges and footwear to a clinically safe and long-term standard.

Jigna states: “Our key moment was launching the John Lewis, MicroFresh® Baby & Nursery bedding range”. As well as facilitating a never before experienced cleanliness, Jigna emphasised how Micro-Fresh introduces a whole new and more secure way of life: “We have built added value into school footwear, the shoes will last longer, not smelling so they do not need to be thrown away”.

“Additionally, our reliable MicroFresh technology means your gym clothes, towels and trainers will be odour-free, perfect for that post workout well deserved drink!”

You can also have a fresher, cleaner night’s sleep with the discovery in duvet covers, pillows and the sheets!”

One of Jigna’s proudest achievements was winning the deal with the top airline, Emirates. Since January this year, pillows and blankets in first and business class will

be with Micro-Fresh® technology so passengers can arrive as fresh as when they first began the journey.”

Jigna added: “Micro-Fresh® also helps to reduce your carbon footprint and preserve the environment. You would not need to wash anything containing Micro-Fresh® at a high temperature as there is no bacteria to kill!

Cold washes are more than adequate as the product’s durability means it doesn’t ‘wash out’.

Jigna interestingly explained the very natural, evolving journey of Micro-Fresh itself. “The technology first started as an answer to the dependable transport of furniture overseas. We had created solid antibacterial technology that could counteract the mould that forms through the moisture carried in transit with exported products, such as couches and mattresses from warmer countries who have manufactured them.”

In short, as the demand for filling different existing markets became known, Jigna and her team saw that their technology was capable of doing more. “In fact, we have tested our creation as preventative against a whole host of pathogens along our entrepreneurial path, bit by bit: salmonella, E-coli, and all those microscopic monsters. Recently, we have also developed a scented MicroFresh series that speaks to both the playful and serious sides of living!

Research showed that our customers associated ‘Freshness’ with a perfume so we wanted to explore that recreational idea with the product too: now we have a bubble-gum and strawberry-scented ‘Back to School’ footwear range which will be released this summer. For adults, we have developed lavender-scented bedding which aids a good night’s sleep.”

In these Covid-19 times, the company’s bio-technology has officially proven anti-viral.

“Again, we did not know this was going to be the case until the environment changed!

People are more mindful of the importance of hygiene so we are in the right place at the right time.” MicroFresh® do not simply demonstrate novel entrepreneurship, but also the underlying unfailing formula for a successful life: adapting quickly and creatively over trying to establish a dominant, stubborn stance. This certainly extends to Jigna’s distinctive professional approach and her progression to take Micro-Fresh® to where they are today.

“Over planning can limit you. It is so important to be open-minded as

"People talk about smashing the glass ceiling. My attitude is: why is it even there in the first place?”

well as focussed. Co-operation with partners and belief in your product/service/brand is key”.

The Emirates contract proves there are no short cuts and was the result of a long path of gestation to the final launch in January this year. My time in Dubai working with the Emirates team was tough but fun and emphasized all I love about my role.

To see the product launched gave me an internal buzz as I knew I’d carried this from cradle to fruition aided by the Micro-Fresh team. At our official launch, this January, I was able to surprise the CEO with the big news. It was a landmark moment: that decision to be bold was as much an achievement as making a mutually beneficial corporate connection.

People talk about smashing the glass ceiling. My attitude is: why is it even there in the first place?” Finally, rising with the ranks of her trailblazing tech, Jigna embodies the epitome of modern leadership. Confident yet collaborative, she demonstrates how one’s business must be a positive reflection of the self. “Focus on building the confidence in you– that organically makes your product convincing too.”

Tell us a bit about your personal journey with Micro-Fresh?

I have a Bio-medical background. I loved it, but couldn’t really see myself in a white lab coat for 8 hours a day. I have a very creative and interpersonal side to me too. So, combining my two passions, I ended up in entrepreneurial science at Micro-Fresh. Nowadays, you can do that. Just because you enjoy chemistry and biology does not mean you have to go down a boring path!

However, I didn’t plan to become CCO. I actually started part-time, getting my experience in different departments – from marketing to getting my hands dirty in the research labs – before reaching a Director’s position. I really enjoyed what I was doing and simply continued to rise in the company. Over the seven years at the company, I’d grown it by 45% yearon-year: I went from a junior position to becoming a shareholder and leader.

You have gone through the relentless pitching process. What tips can you give to rising entrepreneurs?

Firstly: be yourself. Project your own personality and build relationships naturally. Do not try too hard to impersonate others. Branson has his own way of doing business – that is not necessarily going to be your approach. Secondly, do not just dip your toes in, throw yourself completely into the idea. Thirdly, make mistakes quickly so you learn faster.

Finally, what is your future vision for Micro-Fresh?

To one day have it be so popular that it is a verb: “have you micro-freshed your shoes?” The hoover is actually a brand name which became a household term over time.

We’re also hoping to expand to more places all over the globe. Next year, we are due to open an office in Japan.

Want to know more? Visit: W : http://microfresh.com/

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in brief THREE SERIOUSLY INJURED AFTER JUMPING INTO SEA AT DORSET BEACH Three people were seriously injured when they jumped off the cliffs into the sea at a beach in Dorset. The onlookers called the air ambulances which landed at the scene and now the police are asking people to stay away from the popular tourist spot, near Lulworth. A FB post by the Poole police while narrating the incident said that people had been jumping from the arch of rocks at the beach. The vidoes available on other social media platforms showed people climbing and making the 200ft leap. Images posted on social media by Purbeck police showed helicopters landing on the sand and crowds leaving the beach en masse as the area was evacuated.

4 ARRESTED OVER STABBINGS IN HYDE PARK The Metropolitan Police have arrested four men over suspected stabbings in a central London park on Saturday evening. In the incident, three men suffered stab wounds in Hyde Park near Knightsbridge. After getting information about a disorder nea the Serpentine Lake, the police officers arrived at the scene along with the London ambulance service. Even as the arrested men are in police custody, cops have appealed for witnesses or anyone with video footage to approach them.

17,000 FINES ISSUED IN UK & WALES FOR LOCKDOWN BREACHES After the UK government enforced the lockdown due to coronavirus outbreak, nearly 17,000 fines have been issued by the police department in England and Wales up to May 25. This includes 16,947 fixed penalty notices (FPNs), out of which 15,552 came from England and 1,395 from Wales.

However, the nunbers have gone down after the easing of lockdown measures on May 13 with a total of 841 fines issued by the authorities in England. The figures suggest that from May 12 to 25, there were 1,019 notices issued in England although the figure is likely to be revised upwards as more fines are reported - compared to 4,967 during the previous fortnight. Police said that as restrictions are being eased, the public have been able to go about their business in greater numbers, and with greater flexibility.

HUNDREDS ARRESTED AND 3M POUND WORTH OF DRUGS SEIZED BY COPS Between November and March, the police have arrested more than 650 people and have also seized cash and drugs worth more than 3 million pounds during a crackdown on "county lines" gangs. Cops have also seized more than 100 weapons, including firearms, and 139 drug "deal lines" were shut down. According to figures from the home office, the operations also identified 140 children linked to the drugs trade. The entire operation was carried out by the British Transport Police (BTP), the Metropolitan Police, Merseyside Police and West Midlands Police as part of an effort dismantle the organised crime group. Home Secretary Priti Patel said that she is determined to roll up county lines drugs gangs and stop them from terrorising our towns and exploiting our children. She also said she had seen first-hand the important work the police are doing to tackle county lines, and these impressive results show just how much of an impact our investment is having.

HOLIDAYS THIS SUMMER `VERY DIFFICULT': MINISTER It is going to be "very, very difficult" for people to take summer holidays this year, a Government minister has said, despite confirming that air bridges are still part of a "live" debate. Simon Clarke, the Housing Minister, told BBC Breakfast that the two-week quarantine, which comes in from June 8, was "absolutely vital" and would last "for as long as is needed". Asked about air bridges, he added: "Clearly we will keep policy under review. I can’t comment on live policy questions, and I am not going to speculate on how we might address this scheme."

But speaking to Sky News later, the minister noted that "summer holidays abroad will be very, very difficult".

Mr Clarke said he hoped the UK's tourism sector can benefit instead. There have been 286,759 deaths to date in England and Wales this year - 51,466 more than the fiveyear average, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Of the deaths registered by May 22, 43,837 mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate, which was 15.3 per cent of all deaths.

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GOVERNMENT ISSUES SAFETY GUIDELI Rupanjana Dutta The government has issued new Covid-19 secure guidelines to UK employers to help them get their businesses up and running and operating as safely as possible.

Consulting 250 stakeholders, including businesses, unions, industry bodies, devolved administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, Public Health England and the Health and Safety Executive, the government has developed best practice for safety in the workplace, providing people with the confidence they need to return to work. The new guidelines cover eight workplace settings which are allowed to open including outdoor environment, construction sites, factories and takeaways. The government has also asked employers to re-design workspaces to ensure a two-metre distance between employees by staggering start times, creating one-way walk-throughs, opening more entrances and exits, and changing seating layouts in break rooms. Workplaces need to be cleaned more frequently, paying close attention to high-contact objects like door handles and keyboards, provide hand washing facilities or hand sanitisers at entry and exit points.

Photo courtesy: @JLR_News (twitter)

JLR restarts production following government guidelines

On 20th May, the first Range Rover manufactured under new social distancing measures drove off the production line at Jaguar Land Rover’s manufacturing plant in Solihull, following a temporary pause in production due to the coronavirus pandemic. The team at the Engine Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton (UK) has resumed building Ingenium engines to enable the gradual return to vehicle production. Manufacturing will resume at Halewood (UK) on 8th June, starting with one shift. Small pockets of business-critical activity are taking place at Castle Bromwich as Jaguar Land Rover prepares to introduce new models this year.

Effective social distancing, hygiene and health monitoring measures are in place following an extensive review of all production lines, engineering facilities, office areas and communal spaces as the company starts a phased return to manufacturing.

At JLR, which is a part of India’s Tata Motors since 2008, employees’ health and well-being are at the centre of the new measures and with the implementation of the new protocol, staff are experiencing a significant number of changes to their working day from the moment they enter the site.

Measures include temperature checks with thermal cameras, a two-metre distance between people wherever possible, providing

PPE where that is not possible, the introduction of one-way systems and enhanced cleaning at the plants. In addition, Jaguar Land Rover is offering every employee a reusable face visor made by the company.

The Solihull plant is 300 acres (the size of a small town) and has six Build Halls, each with individual requirements and processes that had to be considered before robust social distancing measures could be implemented.

In the assembly halls, employees carry out over 800 different jobs, fitting on average 2,800 components to each vehicle.

Approximately 2,500 employees are on site now.

Over a thousand signs have been put up, reminding staff about social distancing.

Twenty thermal imaging cameras on site can read a person’s temperature almost instantaneously. Hundreds of litres of bespoke hand sanitisers have been produced at the Solihull factory, following WHO guidelines. Pocket-sized bottles of sanitisers are also given to everyone as they return to work.

Grant McPherson, JLR Executive Director, Manufacturing, acknowledged the changed environment. He said, “People will be experiencing many emotions, ranging from worry about hygiene, to relief at being able to return to work and excitement at seeing colleagues again.”

Dr. Steve Iley, JLR’s Chief Medical Officer said, “Clearly the health, safety and wellbeing of the Jaguar Land Rover family is our primary concern.

We have developed the most effective protocol and guidelines so that our people feel reassured about coming back to the workplace.

Our measures are based on extensive medical and operational review, including lessons learned from our teams in China and Slovakia.

We continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation, following the guidance of all relevant authorities in the markets in which we operate, and will adapt quickly as that guidance changes.”

Property market gets ready to soar 46-year-old Rizwan (Rizz) Patel is a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist with over 30 years of experience in his business. As Managing Director, he has successfully managed Lint Group which is an umbrella group for Letting International, Ace Crest and Lint Developmentscatering to a wide variety of clients, including private, local authorities and housing associations. Rizz employs around 150 staff across different businesses.

After a few weeks of closure caused by the current crisis, Rizz went back to work on 12 May 2020 and opened up his Ilford office to staff willing to return to work. “Business related activities have slowed down, but we initially brought 50% of our staff back to office on reduced hours, just to get them back

on stride. Most were glad to come back to work after weeks of working from home.” he told Asian Voice. “Our accounts team has been working remotely throughout the pandemic, and our engineers and maintenance team have been attending to absolute emergencies only, due to social distancing reasons.

"At Lint Group, the Covid-19 marketing strategy has really been the key. We have increased all marketing activity digitally, which included internal and external communications with our teams as well as our customers. As a result, everyone has been better engaged and better informed.”

He added, “75% of our staff are now back in the office working full-time. We have a very large office in Ilford, around 6000 sq ft, in which normally we would have 35-40 staff. So, social distancing is not an issue at all. There are masks available for everyone, antibacterial wipes, hand sanitisers, and PPE equipment where required.”

When asked how his staff was travelling to the office, Rizz said, “Majority of the people who work in our office drive down. Those that live locally either bicycle or walk. Inside our office, it is very easy to maintain social distancing. There is more than two metres distance between desks. Though we haven’t had anyone wanting to work from home anymore, if they want to do so, we are relaxed about it.”

Pharmacies share positive stories Hemant Patel, FRPharmS, DipPharmacol, M.I.Mg understands community pharmacy.

He is the secretary at North East London Local Pharmaceutical Committee and four-time former President of the RPSGB. He shared positive stories about how pharmacies have worked around the pandemic, sharing PPEs with each other and standing by each other as one community.

43-year-old Shital Patel, an area manager for South West England Independent Pharmacies has been working throughout the pandemic along with her team.

She told this newsweekly, “We are observing safety measures according to the needs of each individual pharmacy.

Some branches are big, so it is easier to adhere to the government guidelines, whilst other smaller branches lack space especially in the dispensary. In all our branches we only let two patients in at a time whilst observing social distancing.

“Safety measures are in place such as the use of gloves, antibacterial hand gel and properly covered face masks which are changed frequently. All our staff are advised not to share pens and are frequently encouraged to wash their hands. Additional safety measures include recommending women to have their hair tied back, wiping surface counters and equipment at the beginning and end of each day. The use of contactless payment has been

encouraged as much as possible.”

Initially, delivery of patient medicines and the supply of pharmacy medicine was a challenge for Shital. At the start of the pandemic the demand for prescription items went up dramatically, with many patients relying on pharmacies for advice. Another particular challenge facing the pharmacy was providing counselling as patient confidentiality needed to be maintained as well as social distancing on minor ailments.

When asked about PPEs, she added, “Patient care and safety of our staff has been paramount, and we have sourced our own PPE at times.

“We haven’t had any complaints in my branches and by and large most of our patients have appreciated the hard work of the pharmacy team and have gone on to social media to acknowledge their appreciation.

“Our pharmacies have used the Royal Pharmaceutical Society resources such as posters which were displayed prominently to help better patient understanding, and guidelines to maintain patient and staff safety at all times. Our local staff walked or cycled to work, or otherwise drove.

“Overall, I feel the pharmacy team has coped brilliantly throughout the pandemic but is constantly facing new challenges every day.

The next major challenge the pharmacy team will face is the flu vaccination service, with an increase in demand for the right equipment to administer the jabs as well as maintaining social distancing. I am waiting for the new guidelines on how best to provide the flu jab service. The key is to stay positive, patience and not panic.”

Restaurants operate takeaways, shops open doors London’s Quilon is an award-winning Michelin star restaurant in the Taj hotel at

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INES AS EMPLOYEES RETURN TO WORK Buckingham Gate, serving South West coastal Indian food since 1999. Bombay Brasserie, which is a short ride away from Quilon, is a part of the Taj group’s restaurants and serves eclectic Mumbai and Indian dishes with great flavours.

They are now operating takeaway service but from the Bombay Brasserie kitchen in South Kensington.

Chef Sriram Aylur, who is in his mid 50s, told Asian Voice, “The operation is now small with skeleton staff members following the UK Government guidelines. Maximum importance is being given to the health and safety of our staff, suppliers and guests.

“To begin with, a professional deep clean of the premise and equipment was done, before operations resumed. Goods were then validated and checked for the useby date and best-before date.

“Temperature checks are done.

Members of staff and delivery drivers are wearing masks and gloves. The shifts are staggered with people coming at different times. The workstations are also well distanced. The kitchen is on two floors; thus, Chefs are well apart. There is a lot of emphasis on frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizers. The kitchen and workstations are cleaned frequently.

“Discussions with the suppliers were held to ascertain that they were able to meet the government requirements and guidelines.

The deliveries that we receive are also staggered and suppliers are scheduled to arrive at different times.

“Pick up of food from the restaurant and payment for takeaways or delivery is contactless.

Delivery drivers wait in their cars.

There is clear demarcation of two

metres in the Bombay Brasserie reception for people coming to pick up the food. Some colleagues are using their own vehicles to travel to work.

Jalsa Sweets, a family-run sweet shop is opened its doors on Friday 29 May since closing on 23 March 2020. They have done a deep cleaning inside, disinfected the premises to ensure absolute safety for their staff, including cleaning their uniforms and aprons. 35-year-old Jatin Kotecha told us, “We have been wearing gloves even before this pandemic. But we have got N95 masks for the staff now. We are ensuring that there is enough social distancing between staff in our kitchen, which is quite big. We have spread around staff across and back of the kitchen. We have got high counters (1.6 metres high) and only my mum Kalpana, dad Dhiraj and I will be serving the customers.”

While only some of their staff will be back to work on Friday 29 May, none of them are using public transport; they are either walking to the shop or using cars.

Doorstep delivery around the pandemic 39-year-old Jyoti Patel, Founder and CEO of Red Rickshaw, UK’s first ever Asian online grocery store, has been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic to deliver groceries and food to customers’ doorstep.

They have had their team working round the clock, responding to customers worried about their groceries and ensuring people get their food on time.

Speaking to this newsweekly regarding all the precautions, they

Jatin with wife Minal and parents Kalpana and Dhiraj

have taken, Jyoti told us, “We have made many provisions, particularly those relating to the warehouse and supply chain. We have restructured our warehouse to ensure that maximum distance is maintained between our warehouse staff. For example, we have widened the gap between the aisles so that there is more space between members during picking, increased the number of check-out stations to prevent overcrowding and bottlenecks.

“We have relocated part of the service to a completely chilled/refrigerated BRCGS accredited warehouse to ensure optimum food safety.

“We have introduced rotating shift patterns to ensure we are able to fulfil our orders without having too many people working in the same space and preventing overcrowding, including staggering lunch breaks.

“We have introduced 7-day week operations to spread out the workload, introduced PPE (gloves, masks, sanitisation and contactless delivery. The delivery parcels are left in a safe place (if not the

doorstep) and customers are informed via texts and emails.

“Red Rickshaw has temporarily paused the supply of nonessential food to allow maximum room for essential grocery items.

With the exception of the warehouse team, all other team members are working from home and there is no entrance to the site for non-staff members and no in-person meetings with suppliers.”

Working hand in hand with the government Avi Sengupta who is an SAP Practice Director at HMRC, is a Senior Civil Servant who has led the SAP changes of the Job Retention Scheme program for the UK Government. He has implemented quite a few safety measures for his team working from the office. Speaking to Asian Voice he said, “Since Prime Minister Boris Johnson lifted the lockdown, we have asked people who live and

work in offices outside London to use bikes or private cars. In the office we have blocked out certain desks, allowing two metres distance between people. We are ensuring that cleaners are constantly and regularly cleaning door handles, toilet doors, toilet seats etc.”

“We are also ensuring that there are enough face masks for people and ample hand sanitisers are placed across the floors. Not everybody is able to work from home. If they feel safe to do so, they can come back to work. But so far only 2 per cent of employees have come back to work. We are also making sure that departments and teams are relocated within the same building and are maintaining social distancing so that they don’t feel isolated.

There is a rota system in place, and meeting rooms are set up with a two-metre distance between people.”

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Dear Financial Voice Reader, Alpesh Patel I’ve been giving free education to people on investing since about 1999. Whether it’s my Financial Times column, or my books (£25 is nearly free!) or my Bloomberg TV show or my talks, and now webinars.

Some great questions recently from people on my investing webinar: “I have £200k in cash after my husband died – what do I do? I want my pension to work and I’ve lost it through my advisor who put money with Neil Woodford.

I want to leave something for my children so don’t mind a little risk ie stocks.”

This is an amalgamation of several questions into one. Key points: The UK markets since 1999 when I wrote in the FT that I am buying only American companies, have stayed the same. The US – is up 7 times.

Brokers eg UK Company Growth Funds take about £1,000 in fees from every £10,000 you give them every 5 years.

Their performance is typically 0% in 3 years and if they are up in 3 years, it is 0% by 5 years.

It’s not that you don’t lose - it’s that your money sat there and nothing to show for it A good portfolio needs only 12-20 stocks. 20 if you are risk averse.

Ultra safe people should buy US and UK Government Bonds with 7-10 year maturity. You can do this through an exchange traded fund.

Goldman Sachs data shows institutions hold stocks for 12 months – so you should review after 12 months too.

I want every £10,000 in my son’s ISA, over 15 years at 20% return to become £500,000 – that’s what 20% pa gets you. And my track record for the last 15 years shows I can do it again – as independently monitored by Ionic Information the Financial Times Award Winning.

Investing is simple. It’s just people don’t know how so they give it to fund managers who whittle it away. You need your money working for you, not you working for your money.

Some of what I bought based on my value-growthmomentum-income holy grail analysis of 8,000 stocks: 1.

Microsoft 2.

United Health Group 3.

Visa 4.

AbbVie 6.

Adobe 10.

Deutsche Boerse 11. eBay 12.

Eli Lilly 13.

GoDaddy 14.

Hikma 16.

Netease 18.

Dollar General Learn more for free on www.investingchampions.com

UK factories suffer sharp fall in May, but less than in April A survey confirmed that British manufacturers saw another sharp downturn in May but the pace of the slump eased off from April’s record fall as the coronavirus shutdown brought much of the economy to a halt.

May’s final IHS Markit/CIPS Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) came in at 40.7, little changed from a preliminary reading of 40.6 and far below the 50 level above which the index would signal growth. The reading was up from 32.6 in April, suggesting the sector was not declining as fast as before.

The PMI’s output component - which IHS Markit has said previously gives a better picture of the decline - rose to 35 from 16.3. New working practices, doubts about how long coronavirus restrictions would last, weak demand and Brexit worries would slow the recovery, IHS Markit director Rob Dobson said.

“This will make the ‘new normal’ one of the toughest recovery environments many manufacturers will ever have to face,” he added. The rate of decline in employment in manufacturing was the second most severe on record after April’s plunge.

Pockets of growth were mostly linked to healthcare and personal protection equipment, but some firms reported signs of new inflows of business as clients began to reopen and lockdowns around the world were relaxed. Britain’s dominant services sector has been hit even harder by the lockdown restrictions. A final version of the PMI for services firms in the country is due to be published soon.

UK manufacturers planning tens of thousands of redundancies Britain’s manufacturers are poised to make tens of thousands of workers redundant after a worse-than-expected slump in orders, prompted by the pandemic that has left many firms struggling to survive. A survey by the manufacturers’ lobby group, Make UK, found that 25% of companies are already drawing up plans to cut jobs in the next six months. A further 45% say they are considering redundancies.

Only 30% said they expect to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic with all their staff on the payroll.

The worst-hit firms, which account for more than a quarter of those planning to make redundancies, expect to cut more than half their workforce while another 30% said they would need to lose a quarter of their staff over the next six months.

Orders for cars, heavy

machinery and manufactured equipment have declined sharply in recent weeks despite an easing of the lockdown to combat the Covid-19 outbreak in parts of Europe and the US. The Make UK chief executive, Stephen Phipson, said: “There is no disguising the fact these figures make for awful reading with the impact on jobs and livelihoods across the UK.” Michael Saunders, a member of the Bank of England’s interest rate setting committee, warned that the outlook for British busi-

nesses looked bleaker than it did earlier this month when the central bank said growth could be restored by the end of next year.

He said the “searing experience” of the coronavirus crisis would leave its mark long after the lockdown was lifted and the central bank should risk pumping too much stimulus into economy rather than too little to combat a severe downturn.

Saunders, who was one of only two members of the nine-strong MPC this month to back an increase in the stimulus programme, said he expected an acceleration in the already high rate of unemployment and an increase in the number of companies going bust would leave long-term scars on

badly affected industries.

The Office for National Statistics said the hospitality, retail and leisure industries had already suffered a steep decline in job vacancies, with low-income workers the worst affected. The number of vacancies on offer had more than halved since severe restrictions were imposed in March, with even bigger drops in the retail and hospitality sectors. While the gradual reopening of construction sites and non-essential shops had led to some industries stabilising, online job search engine Adzuna said recovery was likely to be slow as employers reentered the market cautiously. Job losses in key sectors such as hospitality had disproportionately affected lower-income workers, with 64% of job losses coming from those earning between £15,000 and £24,299.

UK's smallest firms ramping up exports away from EU Britain’s smallest companies are “jumping before they are pushed” by diverting £10bn in exports away from the EU as concerns mount over a possible collapse in Brexit trade talks, according to a report. The research from academics at Aston University, which comes before the latest round of Brexit negotiations this week, showed small British firms were ramping up sales to countries in South America and east Asia.

Suggesting such firms were taking evasive action to avoid the collapse of talks before the end of this year, the researchers said they had switched more than £10bn a year in exports to other markets since the 2016 Brexit vote. Hopes for a trade deal between London and

Brussels are rapidly fading as the end of the Brexit transition in December draws closer, with both sides focused on responding to Covid-19 and seemingly at loggerheads over the future trading relationship.

Following a drift towards stalemate in recent days, Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, has accused Boris Johnson of backsliding on Britain’s commitments. The prime minister has so far ruled out extending the EU transition deal. Johnson is also under pressure since the government confirmed there would be checks on goods going into Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK from January, despite his previous assurances this would not be the case.Arlene Foster, the DUP leader and first minis-

ter of Northern Ireland, said that checks should be minimised to ensure they did not damage its economy. Aston University analysed 340,000 export transactions by 26,000 UK firms over a five-year period. Academics said they found the smallest micro exporters had switched as much as 46% of their new export growth from the EU to non-EU markets since the Brexit referendum. Small firms switched up to 19%.

With much of the growth in countries such as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, as well as the Commonwealth, the research could bolster Brexit supporters’ arguments that

Britain can embrace global trading opportunities outside the EU. However, official figures show the share of UK exports to the EU has generally fallen over time, as businesses have been able to raise their sales elsewhere around the world without needing to exit the bloc. The EU still remains the UK’s single most important trading partner, accounting for about half of all imports and exports in a relationship worth about £650bn a year.

British Airways may outsource work of 450 redundant employees British Airways is proposing to outsource work being done by at least 450 employees it is making redundant.

The Labour party said the proposals were “disturbing news” and called for the government to scrutinise the plans. The airline, owned by International Airlines Group (IAG), is also considering closing its operation at Heathrow’s Terminal 3 completely and shrinking its footprint at Terminal 5.

Terminal 3 – which operates BA short-haul routes across Europe and long-haul destinations including Cape Town and

Miami – carried about 15% of BA’s Heathrow traffic before the pandemic.

Terminal 3 has been mothballed during lockdown, with all BA flights running from Terminal 5 on dramatically reduced schedules.

BA, which has received state aid worth hundreds of millions of pounds, pro-

posed cutting as many as 12,000 jobs last month in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Among the thousands of job cuts, the proposals include plans to make at least 450 workers at Heathrow redundant before outsourcing the work they did, according to a person with knowledge of the proposals.

BA has said job cuts are necessary because passengers numbers are expected to be significantly lower for as long as four years, meaning demand will be lower.

Moody’s Investor Service downgraded its rating on IAG and BA debt from

investment-grade to junk bond status – meaning it faces higher borrowing costs – underscoring the financial difficulties facing the airline sector with the vast majority of planes still grounded.

However, the proposals to outsource the jobs of furloughed workers performing operations still required by the airline prompted criticism. Jim McMahon, the shadow transport secretary, said: “The government should have done more to protect these jobs. We cannot see roles which are currently paid through the job retention scheme outsourced.”

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REAL ESTATE VOICE & INDIA FINANCE

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FDI inflows to India surge 18% in 2019-20 to record $74bn India’s FDI inflows, including reinvested earnings, rose 18% to a record $73.5 billion during 2019-20, buoyed by a spurt in inflows into computer hardware and software, telecom, hotel and tourism, while services, the traditional mainstay, witnessed a decline.

Excluding reinvested earnings, inflows were 14% higher at just a shade under $50 billion, which is also an all time high. In fact, the large flows acted as a counterweight to low FII inflows during the year, which were estimated at $247 million (on a net basis) during the last financial year.

The data naturally led to some celebration in government, given the overall gloomy economic situation and weak domestic investment. “In another strong vote of confidence in

Make in India, total FDI into India grew 18% in 2019-20 to reach $73 billion. Total FDI has doubled from 13-14 when it was only $36 billion. This long-term investment will spur job creation,” commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal tweeted.

The year saw several large deals, involving overseas, with large inflows expected during the current year as well, with Reliance Jio alone

announcing several transactions so far. Besides, some of the earlier announcements such as Saudi Aramco’s stake acquisition in Reliance Industries and Brookfield’s proposed investment in the tower arm are pending.

While Maharashtra remained the top destination for overseas investors, Karnataka came second, although data for October-March period was released by the department for promotion of industry and internal trade. In terms of the countries, Singapore remained the top source for the second straight year, although inflows from the island nation dropped almost 10% to $14.7 billion.

Mauritius was a distant second with investments of $8.2 billion routed via India’s close ally, with a sharp spike seen from the Netherlands, with inflows rising 1.7 times to $6.5 billion.

Google may pick up stake in Vodafone Idea If reports are to be believed, Google is exploring a move to pick up a minority stake in Vodafone Idea, the beleaguered telecom operator that is owned by Britain’s Vodafone and India's business house Aditya Birla Group.

According to reports, Alphabet is looking to buy about 5% stake in Vodafone Idea. When contacted, the Indian subsidiary of Google and Vodafone-Idea refused to confirm the development. Vodafone Idea has been struggling, which was formed after the aggressive entry of Jio broke financials of the Indian telecom industry. The company is seeking support from the government as well as the courts in clearing dues and liabilities.

Problems for the company have

Govt may use RBI to monetise deficit The government of India is likely to look at the option of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) monetising the deficit in second half of the fiscal year, a senior government official has said. “It is an option which we have not closed. It is very much there,” said the official.

The assessment within the government is that expenditure in the first half of the financial year would be met through the market borrowing and spending re-prioritisation for various ministries. There is an uncertainty of how long the pandemic will last and the government is not ken on rushing into any decisions so early in the financial year. RBI’s monetisation of the fiscal deficit broadly means the central bank printing currency for the government to take care of any emergency spending and to meet bridge its fiscal deficit and this action is resorted to under emergency situations. This practice was followed in 1980s and late 1990s, where the central bank helped in funding the deficit but since then several reforms have been ushered in, including the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act (FRBM), to keep a hawk eye on the fiscal deficit and prompt governments to follow a fiscally prudent path.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on revenues, both direct and indirect, due to the threemonth national lockdown unveiled to stop spread of the virus.

compounded after the Supreme Court’s October 2019 judgment on Adjusted Gross Revenues (AGR) that had asked companies such as Airtel and Vodafone Idea (both heavily debtladen) to pay back thousands of crores of rupees in past dues.

If Google is successful in striking the deal with Vodafone-Idea, it will pit the search giant against fellow American Facebook, which has picked up a stake in Jio Platforms. Facebook

and other private equity investors have cumulatively poured in around $10 billion in Jio Platforms.

A possible deal with Google is likely to help Vodafone Idea garner the muchrequired cash to pay the government nearly £5.8 billion in unpaid statutory dues, which were demanded following the AGR judgment. Vodafone Idea has said previously that the company may not be able to continue as a going concern if it is not given a relief package from the government. Vodafone Idea has made the plea in several meetings, including with FM Nirmala Sitharaman and telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

BITE SIZE Suresh Vagjiani, Sow & Reap Properties Ltd

I have just been to see a commercial building, which we will probably agree the deal on.

The property is freehold, and consists of about 3,000 sq. ft., and 60% is commercial and the rest residential. It’s a good shape and very close to the station and amenities. It is in an area which was known for its roughness and crime, but over the last couple of decades has becomes gentrified, and now it is occupied by affluent professionals.

The aim for the building would be to convert as much of the commercial space as possible into residential, and thereby minimise the commercial element. This makes the commercial section more rentable. Retail on the High Street is being hammered, even prior to COVID19.

It’s extremely difficult to rent out commercial, especially large lumps, therefore reducing the square foot helps it to become desirable; especially considering if it is below a certain amount in rateable value there is a business rates exemption. This makes the premises attractive to a small firm.

Once this planning has been achieved under permitted development, we would look to implement the planning and build out the flats. As the location is very strong we would expect a strong rise in value, as we would have managed to obtain two flats within the existing fabric of the property.

Simultaneously, we would hope to rent the commercial element as well.

Once this has been achieved, we would look to refinance the building and extract the original funds – and hopefully some more.

And, once this has been achieved, we would then go down the route of conventional planning, for extra square footage. This would be on the roof and to the rear; and perhaps the basement as well, as there seems to be another 5-600 sq. ft. to be gained in this area of the building.

Planning is an uncertain process, so as long as the building has been stabilised, and is producing money, we can afford to bite the planning process in bite size chunks and ride it out.

It is never a good idea to be dependent on the conventional planning process exclusively. Your fate is in the hands of councillors’ whims. They are often ill informed of planning policy, and driven by the sentiments of their constituents.

Commercial property is attractive for several reasons.

Firstly, you do not pay the 3% premium as one would with residential property. Secondly, you can purchase with tax free money via your pension fund. Thirdly, you can repossess with minimal hassle, unlike residential.

Fourthly, you are not caught up with the Section 24 tax.

For this reason many investors are focusing on commercial property.

India's GDP growth hits 11-year Moody’s downgrades India low of 4.2% in 2019-20 India's economic growth in the January-March quarter of 2019-20 expanded at its slowest pace in 40 quarters at 3.1%, dragged down by the manufacturing and construction sectors and some impact of the national lockdown in late March. Only the farm sector and government spending stayed firm.

Data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) also showed overall GDP growth in 2019-20 slowing to an 11-year low of 4.2%, lower than the earlier estimate of 5%.

Several major economies which had imposed lockdowns earlier have witnessed a contraction in their January-March quarter growth while a handful of countries led by India have managed to post expansion during the period. The NSO said that both the quarterly as well as annual GDP growth numbers are likely to undergo revision as data flow from “economic entities had been impacted.”

Economists say the lockdown, which has crippled economic activity, will have an impact on growth in the coming quarters with several research houses, investment banks and brokerages estimating a sharp contraction. Several key sectors of the economy such as the services sector, which accounts for nearly 60% of the economy, have suffered due to the lockdown and led to large job losses.

rating for 1st time in 22 years

Farm sector posts robust 6% growth The government has unveiled a relief package to nurse growth but experts say more needs to be done to help revive growth. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also cut rates sharply since the lockdown and has unveiled massive liquidity injection to help the economy gather momentum but it has estimated growth to contract in 202021 due to the impact of the lockdown in the country as well as across the globe. The IMF expects India and China to be the only economies to register growth while other economies around the globe are expected to contract sharply, a view not shared by several other economists who expect the Indian economy to contract. The manufacturing, construction and services sectors contracted in the March quarter which economists attributed to the impact of the lockdown. The trade, hotel and transport and manufacturing sector saw growth drop to the lowest level since 2011-12 in Q4 FY20, according to Care Ratings.

Moody’s Investors Service on Monday downgraded India's sovereign credit rating for the first time in more than two decades, saying policymakers will be challenged to mitigate risks of low growth, deteriorating fiscal position and financial sector stress. Downgrading India's rating by a notch to 'Baa3' from 'Baa2' assigned in November 2018, Moody's estimated India GDP shrinking by 4% - first full fiscal contraction in more than four decades, as the country faces a period of slower growth.

Accordingly, India's foreign-currency and local-currency long-term issuer ratings have been downgraded to Baa3 from Baa2. India's local-currency senior unsecured rating too has been lowered to Baa3 from Baa2, and its short-term local currency rating to P-3 from P-2. The outlook remains negative.

"The decision to downgrade India's ratings reflects Moody's view that the country's policymaking institutions will be challenged in enacting and implementing policies, which mitigate risks of a sustained period of relatively low growth, significant further deterioration in the general government fiscal position and stress in the financial sector," it said.

‘Baa3’ rating is the lowest investment grade Baa3' rating is the lowest investment grade - just a notch above 'junk' status. Moody's had last downgraded India's rating in 1998. The negative outlook reflects dominant, mutually-reinforcing, downside risks from deeper stresses in the economy and financial system that could lead to a more severe and prolonged erosion in fiscal strength than Moody's currently projects, it added.Moody's said slow reform momentum and constrained policy effectiveness have contributed to a prolonged period of slow growth, compared to India's potential, that started before the Covid-19, and it expects this to continue well beyond the pandemic.

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PAKISTAN

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Pak SC rejects Sindh govt’s plea to suspend HC verdict in Daniel Pearl case ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Supreme Court rejected a petition filed by the Sindh government to suspend a high court verdict that overturned convictions of al-Qaeda leader Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh and his three aides in the kidnapping and murder case of American journalist Daniel Pearl. Pearl, the 38-year-old South Asia bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal, was abducted and beheaded while he was in Pakistan investigating a story in 2002 on the alleged links between the country's powerful spy agency ISI and al-Qaeda.

On April 2, a two-judge Sindh High Court bench overturned the death sentence of British-born 46-year-old alQaeda leader, who was convicted in the abduction and murder of Pearl in 2002. He has been in jail for the past 18 years. The court also acquitted his three aides - Fahad Naseem, Salman Saqib and Sheikh Adil- serving life sentences in the case. The bench announced the verdict on the appeals filed by the four con-

victs 18 years ago.

The Sindh government challenged the high court judgment and on May 2 the slain journalist’s parents also approached the Supreme Court against the acquittal of the convicts. On Monday, the Supreme Court rejected the Sindh government’s plea to suspend Sindh high court’s judgment and said the petition contained irrelevant sections.

'First of all, the kidnapping of Daniel Pearl must be proved,' Justice Manzoor Malik said.

'Evidence must prove that the abductee was Daniel Pearl. The

Sindh government claims that a conspiracy was hatched in Rawalpindi.

What conspiracy took place in Rawalpindi must also be proved with evidence. We should be provided a complete record of the case,” Justice Malik was quoted as saying. “I want to look at all the records so that I can understand all the points.” The apex court ordered the counsel representing the Sindh government, Farooq H Naek, to submit the detailed record before the court for the case to be further heard. The hearing was then adjourned indefinitely.

The Sindh government had sought time to submit the record of the trial court. The judge said that the court has to check whether the confession and identification parade was in accordance with the law or not.

'The facts cannot be ignored,” he added.

Two criminal petitions were filed on May 2 by renowned lawyer Faisal Siddiqi on behalf of

the parents of the slain journalist - Ruth Pearl and Judie Pearl against the acquittal and release of the four accused. The petition stated that the court erred in failing to take into consideration that Sheikh has a history of involvement in international terrorism. It further said that keeping in mind the arguments, the judgment is fundamentally based on a misinterpretation of the law and on a misreading and selective reading of the entire record of the case.

Two days after the Sindh High Court overturned Sheikh's conviction on April 2, the Sindh government invoked the Maintenance of Public Order to keep the convicts in jail. Pearl's murder took place three years after Sheikh, along with Jaish-eMohammad chief Masood Azhar and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar, was released by India in 1999 and given safe passage to Afghanistan in exchange for the nearly 150 passengers of hijacked Indian Airlines Flight 814. He was serving prison term in India for kidnappings of Western tourists in the country.

Arrest warrant against Sharif for failing to appear in court ISLAMABAD: An accountability court in Pakistan has issued an arrest warrant against embattled former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is currently in London for medical treatment, for failing to appear before it in a corruption case that accused him of receiving luxury vehicles and gifts from the national treasury.

The court in Islamabad heard the case against Sharif, former president Asif Ali Zardari and former premier Yusuf Raza Gilani for allegedly receiving luxury vehicles and other gifts presented by foreign dignitaries, which were property of the state. The country's anti-graft body National Accountability Bureau (NAB) filed the case on March 2 and Judge Syed Asghar Ali on May 15

Nawaz Sharif

issued summons for the three leaders as well other accused Khawaja Anwar Majeed and Abdul Ghani Majeed of the Omni Group. Gillani and Ghani appeared before the court whereas Sharif and Zardari did not.

An application for exemption from appearance was filed by the former president which was granted by the accountabil-

ity court. However, no one appeared on behalf of Sharif, so the judge issued warrants for his arrest. The court directed all the accused, including Sharif and Zardari, to appear in the court for the next hearing on June 11.

Earlier in January, NAB had approved filing of cases against the former heads of state for inflicting losses to the national exchequer by taking gifts from the national treasury and not depositing them in the gift depository (Toshakhana). The NAB approved filing cases against Sharif, Gilani and Zardari for keeping the government-owned valuables and vehicles in their possession.

The NAB has alleged that Sharif and Zardari got gifted cars transferred to them by paying 15 per cent of the price,

while Gilani facilitated them by dishonestly and illegally relaxing the procedure for the acceptance and disposal of gifts and thus caused a loss to the national exchequer.

Gifts are routinely exchanged between heads of states or officers holding constitutional positions. According to the gift depository rules, these gifts remain the property of the state unless sold at an open auction. Several corruption cases have been launched by the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan against Sharif since his ouster from the office by the Supreme Court in July 2017 in the Panama Papers case. Sharif in November last had left for London after the Lahore High Court granted him a four-week permission to go abroad for his treatment.

UN Security Council unlikely to lift sanctions over Taliban MOSCOW: Days after the Afghan government released hundreds of Taliban prisoners as part of the peace deal with the United States, the UN Security Council was expected to vote on lifting sanctions over the group. But the matter has been squashed as certain conditions mandated by the deal has yet to be met.

In an interview with Turkey's Anadolu Agency, Russia's presidential envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov said, "This was supposed to be done by May 29 on condition that the inter-Afghan talks had to start by March 10, but they have not yet been launched."

"This process is being delayed due to the unfinished

exchange of prisoners between the parties to the conflict and the absence of a negotiating team from Kabul, which was not formed due to differences between [Afghan President] Ashraf Ghani and [Ghani's political rival] Abdullah Abdullah.

But even after these politicians made an agreement on May 17, the Taliban declared its nonrecognition," he said.

The issue of lifting sanctions from members of the Taliban "is an integral part of the process of transferring the Taliban from terrorist organisations to a political structure", and integrating it into the peaceful life of the country, according to Kabulov. He expects the UN Security Council to put the issue on its agenda after representa-

tives of Kabul, other political forces, and the Taliban begin direct inclusive inter-Afghan negotiations on national reconciliation.

Asked about the Taliban's ability to control its military wing and force it to adhere to agreements reached with the US, Kabulov said recent developments show its political office in Doha, Qatar is "more or less successfully controlling the situation in the ranks of the movement."

"So far we see that the Taliban leadership is more or less successfully controlling the situation in the ranks of the movement. This is confirmed by the Taliban's compliance with the seven-day period of reducing violence just before the sign-

ing of the agreement with the US in February this year, as well as their compliance with the terms of this document related to non-aggression against foreign military contingents in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the Doha agreement does not provide for the cessation of the Taliban's military operations against government forces," he said. Zalmay Khalilzad, the US negotiator who brokered the February 29 agreement with the Taliban, urged "support for an immediate reduction in violence, accelerated timeline for the start of intra-Afghan negotiations, and cooperation among all sides in addressing the Covid-19 pandemic in Afghanistan," a State Department statement said.

in brief MINORITIES IN PAK ALLOWED TO HOLD PRAYERS Minority communities like Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province were allowed to hold prayers and worship at their religious sites by following social distancing and other measures enforced to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Several provincial governments banned gathering of more than five people for worship in religious places to stop the spread of the coronavirus, which has infected over 72,460 people and killed 1,543 in the country so far.

Succumbing to pressure from the hardline clerics, the Imran Khan government last month allowed conditional congregational prayers in mosques during the month of Ramzan. The government last week allowed minority communities like Sikhs, Hindus and Christians to worship and hold prayers under standard operating procedures (SOPs) notfied by the Provincial Government of KPK against COVID-19. According to spokesman of Relief and Resettlement Department, carpets would not be laid on floor and senior persons and small children would perform prayers at home. Floor would be disinfected before and after the prayers and shaking of hands and hugging should be avoided, the guidelines said.

MODEL KILLED IN PAK PLANE CRASH ABUSED ONLINE A Pakistani model, who was among the dead in last week’s plane crash in Karachi, has received online abuses from religious hardliners for her profession and lifestyle.

Zara Abid, 28, was one of the 99 people on board the PIA plane that crashed into in Karachi on May 22. Following reports of Abid’s death, social media had been flooded with posts blaming her for her “sinful” outfits and modeling career. Many trolls from radical Islamists suggested that she would be sent to hell in the afterlife. Her pictures in dresses considered to be revealing in Pakistan were posted online as examples of her “sinful” behaviour.

PAK PM DOWNPLAYS CRISIS, BUT AIDE SAYS CURBS MAY RETURN With new infections, the number of Covid cases in Pakistan crossed 72,460 on Monday. The death toll also increased to 1,543. PM Imran Khan’s top aide on health Dr Zafar Mirza has warned that the rapid pace at which the virus was spreading could force authorities to reimpose a strict lockdown.

Two weeks ago, the government had eased lockdown curbs. “I want to warn Pakistanis that if you don’t take precautionary measures, this crisis could turn into a huge tragedy,” he added. Despite Mirza’s admission, PM Khan has repeatedly downplayed the threat, saying in one of his recent press conferences that the threat from the virus was “low” in Pakistan.

MAHATHIR OUSTED FROM PARTY AMID POWER STRUGGLE Malaysia’s former PM Mahathir Mohamad has been ousted from his political party in the latest twist of a power struggle with his successor, but he has vowed to challenge the move. The 94-year-old Mahathir, along with his son and three other members, were expelled from the Bersatu party. The party has has been split into two camps since intense political wrangling led Mahathir to resign as PM in February and the king to appoint fellow party member Muhyiddin Yassin as his replacement. Mahathir’s son, Mukhriz, has since challenged Muhyiddin as party chief in a vote that’s been postponed by the pandemic.

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in brief US CO BEGINS VACCINE TRIAL ON HUMANS IN OZ A US biotechnology company began injecting a coronavirus vaccine candidate into people in Australia last week with hopes of releasing a proven vaccine this year. Novavax will inject 131 volunteers in the first phase of the trial testing the safety of the vaccine and looking for signs of its effectiveness, the company’s research chief Gregory Glenn said. Animal testing suggested the vaccine is effective in low doses. Novavax could manufacture at least 100 million doses this year and 1.5 billion in 2021, he said. The results of the first phase of clinical trials in Melbourne and Brisbane are expected to be known in July, Novavax said. Thousands of candidates in several countries would then become involved in a second phase. The trial began with six volunteers being injected with the potential vaccine in Melbourne last week. Novavax candidate is called a recombinant vaccine. Novavax used genetic engineering to grow harmless copies of the coronavirus spike protein in giant vats of insect cells in a laboratory. Scientists extracted and purified the protein, and packaged it into virussized nanoparticles. It’s the same process that Novavax used to create a nanoparticle flu vaccine that recently passed late-stage testing.

TRUMP SHARING UMBRELLA WITH WIFE LEAVES NETIZENS IMPRESSED US President Donald Trump and Melania Trump were at the Florida coast to witness American astronauts blast into orbit from the Kennedy Space Center for the first time in nearly a decade. However, historic launch was postponed due to bad weather. Media persons gathered to take photographs witnessed a rare sight - Trump sharing umbrella with his wife Melania while stepping out of the plane. This act by Trump has impressed many netizens and he was lauded for this gesture. Earlier, Trump was criticized several times for not sharing the umbrella with other.

SIBERIAN ZOO SEES ANIMAL BABY BOOM DURING LOCKDOWN A Siberian zoo that closed its doors to visitors for over two months due to the novel coronavirus says the lockdown has encouraged a baby boom among its animals. Among the zoo’s new arrivals are rare Egyptian goslings, reindeer calves, llama crias and a baby brown weeper capuchin monkey.

“Judging by the baby boom, the lockdown has clearly been good for us,” said Andrei Gorban, the director of Krasnoyarsk’s Royev Ruchey Zoo. He, also said that while the absence of visitors had encouraged mating among some residents, it had confused others. The zoo’s herd of camels are among those who appear to be missing visitors; they now follow every zoo employee who walks past their enclosure.

CLOTH MASKS MAY PREVENT COVID SPREAD A new study says that cloth masks, particularly those with several layers of cotton fabric, can block droplet and aerosol contamination of the environment, and may reduce transmission of Covid-19. Scientists, including those from McMaster University in Canada, said most virus transmission occurs via larger particles in secretions like droplets, generated while speaking, coughing, or sneezing, and some are created when water evaporates from these droplets, turning them into aerosol-sized particles. According to the research, every virus-laden particle retained in a mask is not available to hang in the air. The study said a mask made of three layers reduced surface contamination by 99%, total airborne microorganisms by 99%, and bacteria recovered from aerosol-sized particles by 88% to 99%. A commercial mask which is made of four-layer cotton muslin can reduce all particles by 99%, it added.

PM Modi greets Lanka PM on completing 50 years as parliamentarian NEWS DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa on completing 50 years as a parliamentarian. The two leaders also discussed the health and economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. "Prime Minister spoke today to Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, to congratulate him on having completed 50 years since his first entering the Parliament of Sri Lanka," an official statement said.

Modi recalled Rajapaska's contributions to the development of Sri Lanka in his long political career and wished him all the best for his future. He also conveyed his condolences at the sudden death of Arumugan Thondaman, a prominent leader of the Indian-Origin Tamils in Sri Lanka. The prime minister recalled the role Thondaman had played in taking forward the development partnership between India and Sri Lanka.

Lanka PM Mahinda Rajapaksa with Prime MInister Narendra Modi (file photo)

Thondaman, a former minister who played a vital role in Sri Lanka's citizenship for the Indian-origin people working in the tea plantations in the country in the mid-1980s, died last week. He was 56.

Rajapaksa, on his part, called for closer economic cooperation with India to further strengthen the bilateral relationship.

During a meeting with the newly-appointed Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Gopal Baglay, at his Temple Trees residence, Rajapaksa said

Buddhist heritage and links between India and Sri Lanka provide a platform for robust people-to-people engagement and bring them closer. “There has to be more closer economic ties with India. The bilateral relationship would become stronger with the addition of new areas of cooperation,” the prime minister was quoted as saying in an official statement during his meeting with Baglay.

During his meeting with the prime minister, Baglay reiterated India's commitment to stand

shoulder-to-shoulder with Sri Lanka in addressing the challenges posed by the coronavirus and in post-Covid economic recovery.

“Towards this end, food security, health security, IT cooperation, tourism exchanges, development cooperation partnership, greater investment flows were identified as priority areas,” a statement issued by the Indian High Commission said.

Baglay during the meeting also conveyed the sincere condolences of the Government of India on the sad and untimely demise of Thondaman.

The meeting came a week after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Modi held a telephonic conversation. During his conversation with Modi, the president requested India to provide a special USD 1.1 billion currency swap facility to boost the country's draining foreign exchange reserves in view of the economic slowdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Hindu temple in Karachi a source of livelihood for daring Muslim youths KARACHI: A 200-year-old temple here in Pakistan's largest metropolis is not only an important place of worship for the minority Hindu community in the country but also a source of livelihood for the young and enterprising Muslim boys in the area.

Members of the Hindu community visit the Shri Laxmi Narayan Mandir located at the Native Jetty bridge close to the Karachi Port regularly for worship and during religious festivals, and this has given an unusual livelihood for the local Muslim boys. The temple is important for the Hindus as according to Ramesh Vankwani of the Pakistan Hindu Council it is also a sacred place for performing funerals and other religious rituals by the sea.

'It is the only temple located at the banks of a creek in Karachi,' said Vankwani, who is also a member of the National Assembly. 'This temple is important because we Hindus

need access to seawater as one of the essential things to perform worship. We throw many objects into the seawater as part of our rituals,' said the lawmaker from the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party led

by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Shafiq, a local Muslim youth, said Hindus who come to the temple throw many things including valuables into the seawater under the bridge as part of their rituals and this means the local boys can earn their livelihood by collecting them from the Arabian Sea. Shafiq, 20, and 17-year old Ali along with some others dive into the sea from time to time to retrieve the objects thrown by the worshippers and visitors to the temple.

According to Shafiq, the boys have found gold jewellery, silver ornaments, coins and other valuable objects from the seawater. 'We have now trained ourselves and become expert divers, swimmers and can keep underwater and hold our breath

Shri Laxmi Narayan Mandir in Krachi

for a long time as we search for the objects,” he said.

Asked whether the visitors to the temple or its caretakers object to them retrieving and taking away objects given as part of religious rituals, Ali said sometimes they are shouted at and told to go away.

'When the heat is on we disappear for a few days but return to our spot under the bridge.

We remain here till the temple is open for worship.

Throughout the day we are in

the seawater searching for the thrown objects,” he said. Asked what they did with the objects retrieved from the sea, he said they sold them.

'We have found many things in the sea in the last few years.

The Hindus who come here are very devoted in their worship and to their rituals,” Shafiq said.

But Ali complained that these days there was no rush at the temple due to the coronavirus pandemic and it has made their livelihood more difficult.

China approves plan to rein in HK defying global outcry BEIJING: China officially has the broad power to quash unrest in Hong Kong, as the country’s legislature nearly unanimously approved a plan to suppress subversion, secession, terrorism and seemingly any acts that might threaten national security in the semi-autonomous city.

As Beijing hashes out the specifics of the national security legislation in the coming weeks, the final rules will help determine the fate of Hong Kong, including how much of the city’s autonomy will be preserved or how much Beijing will tighten its grip.

Early signals from Chinese authorities point to a crackdown once the law takes effect, which is expected by September.

Activist groups could be banned.

Courts could impose long jail sentences for national security violations. China’s feared security agencies could operate openly in the city.

Even Hong Kong’s chief executive this week appeared to hint that certain civil liberties might not be an enduring feature of Hong Kong life. “We are a very free society, so for the time being, people have the freedom to say whatever they want to say,” said Carrie Lam,

noting, “Rights and freedoms are not absolute.”

The prospect of a national security law has prompted an immediate pushback in Hong Kong, where protesters are once again taking to the streets. The global community, too, has warned against infringing on the city’s civil liberties. The UK, the US, Australia and Canada scolded China for imposing a new security law that they said would threaten freedom and breach a 1984 Sino-British agreement on the autonomy of the former colony. “We are also extremely concerned that this action will exacerbate the exist-

ing deep divisions in Hong Kong society,” they said in a joint statement.

China’s premier, Li Keqiang, tried to strike an optimistic note about the national security law, saying that it would provide for the “steady implementation of the ‘one country, two systems’” political framework that has enshrined Hong Kong’s relative autonomy since the territory was reclaimed by China in 1997. The rules, the premier said at the conclusion of the annual session of the legislature, the National People’s Congress, would protect “Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability.”

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Trump wants to expand G7 to include India, three other nations WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has postponed the G7 summit till September and expressed his desire to expand the "outdated" bloc to G10 or G11, including India and three other nations to the grouping of the world's top economies. Trump has been suggesting that there is "no greater example" of reopening amid the Covid-19 pandemic than holding an in-person G7 summit in America by the end of June.

The President, in an interaction with reporters, said that he is postponing it (the summit) until September and plans to invite Russia, South Korea, Australia and India. "I don't feel that as a G7, it properly represents what's going on in the world. It's a very outdated group of countries," he said. So it might be a G10, G11, and it could be after the election (in the US) is over..., Trump said.

He said the G7 summit could happen before the UN General Assembly session in September.

"Maybe I'll do it after the election. I think a good time would be before the election, he said. The presidential election in the US is scheduled for November 3. Trump is seeking a

Donald Trump

second term in the White House. Trump then said the summit could take place in the weekend before or after the UN General Assembly, which is currently scheduled to begin on September 15.

Trump said that he has already roughly broached the idea with the leaders of the four countries he'd like to add. "We want Australia, we want India, we want South Korea. And what do we have? That's a nice group of countries right there," he said, not mentioning Russia. Trump has already talked about reinviting Russia back to the group, which was kicked out of the bloc which was originally G8

countries during the previous Obama administration. In 2014, Russia was disinvited from gatherings of the former G8 after the country's annexation of Crimea.

Alyssa Alexandra Farah, White House Director of Strategic Communications, said that this is bringing together our traditional allies to talk about how to deal with the future of China. The tension between the US and China is escalating over the coronavirus pandemic, with America accusing Beijing of not divulging timely information about the disease and demanding a probe into the origins of the virus. However,

China has rejected all US allegations of a cover up regarding the Covid-19 outbreak.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's office said that she would not attend the summit unless the course of the coronavirus spread had changed by then. G7 is the group of top seven developed economies.

These include the US, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada. Heads of States of these countries meet annually on international economic and monetary issues.

The US currently holds the annual presidency of G7 countries. In view of the coronavirus pandemic, there were talks of the summit being held virtually. However, Trump had been suggesting that it be held in person. During the summit, the G7 president normally invites heads of states of one or two countries to attend the meeting as a special invitee. Last year, French President Emanuel Macron had invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 Summit. Trump talking about inviting India to the next G7 Summit is reflective of the growing international stature of the country.

New coronavirus losing potency, says top Italian doctor ROME: The new coronavirus is losing its potency and has become much less lethal, a senior Italian doctor said. "In reality, the virus clinically no longer exists in Italy," said Alberto Zangrillo, the head of the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan in the northern region of Lombardy, which has borne the brunt of Italy's coronavirus contagion.

"The swabs that were performed over the last 10 days showed a viral load in quantitative terms that was absolutely infinitesimal compared to the ones carried out a month or two ago," he told RAI television. Italy has the third

highest death toll in the world from Covid-19, with 33,415 people dying since the outbreak came to light on Feb 21. It has the sixth highest global tally of cases at 233,019.

However new infections and fatalities have fallen steadily in May and the country is unwinding some of the most

rigid lockdown restrictions introduced anywhere on the continent. Zangrillo said some experts were too alarmist about the prospect of a second wave of infections and politicians needed to take into account the new reality. "We've got to get back to being a normal country," he said.

"Someone has to take responsibility for terrorizing the country."

The government urged caution, saying it was far too soon to claim victory. "Pending scientific evidence to support the thesis that the virus has disappeared ... I would invite those who say they are sure of it not to confuse Italians," Sandra

Zampa, an undersecretary at the health ministry, said in a statement.

"We should instead invite Italians to maintain the maximum caution, maintain physical distancing, avoid large groups, to frequently wash their hands and to wear masks." A second doctor from northern Italy said that he was also seeing the coronavirus weaken. "The strength the virus had two months ago is not the same strength it has today," said Matteo Bassetti, head of the infectious diseases clinic at the San Martino hospital in the city of Genoa. "It is clear that today the Covid-19 disease is different."

in brief NEGLECTED RESIDENTS AND ROTTEN FOOD FOUND AT CARE HOMES Canadian troops deployed to long-term care homes overwhelmed by coronavirus outbreaks found neglected and malnourished residents, rotten food and insect infestations, and a blatant disregard for critical safety protocol, according to a report from the country’s armed forces. Military medics were dispatched to long-term care facilities in Quebec and Ontario in late April, with aim of blunting Covid-19 outbreaks among vulnerable populations. Soldiers deployed to five of Ontario’s worst-hit care homes encountered rotten food, cockroaches and residents in soiled diapers, according to the report. At one facility, residents had not been bathed in weeks. At another, staff made “derogatory or inappropriate comments directed at residents”. Neglect of resident hygiene and health, often leading to infection, was documented at all facilities. Justin Trudeau, the prime minister, said: “On reading the deeply disturbing report, I had obviously a range of emotions of anger, of sadness, of frustration, of grief. It is extremely troubling, and as I’ve said from the very beginning of this, we need to do a better job of supporting our seniors in long-term care right across the country, through this pandemic and beyond.”

Long-term care homes in Canada, many of which are privately run, have been hit the hardest by the pandemic, with residents making up nearly eight out of 10 Covid-19related deaths across the country.

LAST COVID PATIENT DISCHARGED FROM NZ HOSPITAL New Zealand has recorded just one single new case of the Covid-19 in the past week, with 21 people in the country having died of the condition since the pandemic began. A hospitalised patient was discharged from Middlemore Hospital last week, marking the first time in two months that all hospitals were empty of people needing treatment for coronavirus. There have been 1,504 cases of coronavirus in New Zealand’s 5 million population, with the first confirmed case recorded at the end of February. The peak of hospitalisations came in April, when 20 people were in hospital receiving treatment, according to the country’s Ministry of Health. Intensive care numbers peaked at five during April, while not a single person has been admitted in May. Out of the 21 people who died after contracting coronavirus in New Zealand, eight had an underlying health condition, while all but one was aged over 65.

France, Belgium and Italy halt use Indian businessman flees UAE after stealing goods worth 6 mn dirhams of hydroxychloroquine PARIS: France, Italy and Belgium acted to halt the use of hydroxychloroquine to treat patients suffering from Covid-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus, amid questions about the safety of the generic anti-malaria drug. France cancelled a decree allowing doctors to dispense the medicine, while the Italian Medicine Agency suspended authorisation to use hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for Covid-19 outside clinical trials.

Belgium’s medicine agency warned against using the drug to treat the virus any more except within ongoing clinical registered trials. It said trials aiming to evaluate the drug should also take potential risks into consideration. The moves by three of the countries hardest hit by coronavirus infections and deaths follow a WHO decision to pause a large trial of HCQ due to safety concerns. France’s cancellation, which effectively bans the drug for Covid-19, was confirmed by the health ministry. It did not

refer to the W H O suspension.

France in March allowed the use of HCQ - which beyond malaria is approved to treat lupus and rheumatoid arthritis - in specific situations for hospital treatment of Covid-19. The US has issued an emergency authorisation for the drug promoted by President Trump, among others.

Medical journal the Lancet has reported patients getting HCQ had increased death rates and irregular heartbeats. The WHO said a panel would act by mid-June to evaluate the drug’s use in its multi-country trial. Germany is looking at the the WHO’s decision but has not made any decision about new guidance on HCQ, a spokeswoman said.

DUBAI: An Indian man who allegedly conned scores of businessmen in the UAE, fled the country on an Indian repatriation flight under the Vande Bharat Mission after stealing goods such as cheese, dates, and face masks worth nearly six million dirhams, according to a media report.

Gulf News on Saturday reported that Yogesh Ashok Yariava, 36, owner of Royal Luck Foodstuff Trading and the prime suspect in the fraud took a flight to Hyderabad from Abu Dhabi on May 11. His mandatory two-week quarantine period would also have ended on May 25.

The bulk purchases made by Yariava included facemasks, hand-sanisters and medical gloves worth nearly half a million dirhams from Skydent Medical Equipment, Raheeq Laboratories and GSA Star; rice and nuts (Dh393,000) from Al Baraka Foods; tuna, pistachios and saffron (Dh300,725) from Yes Buy General Trading; French fries and mozzarella cheese (Dh229,000) from

Mehdu General Trading; frozen Indian beef (Dh207,000) from Al Ahbab General Trading and halwa and tahina (Dh52812) from Emirates Sesame Factory.

The list of items and defrauded persons keeps getting longer as more and more victims come forward, the report said. The aggrieved traders have filed a case with the Bur Dubai police station.

They started rushing to the Royal Luck's Opal Tower office when their post-dated cheques started bouncing. But it was too late.

They had shut down and all their 18 staffers had disappeared. Visits to their warehouses also drew a blank. The UAE businessmen have been left counting for their losses following the incident. "Calls made to the company's sweet-talking purchase managers who visited us days earlier carrying fancy business cards remained unanswered," said Chandrasekaran Ganesan of Ajman-based Skydent Medical Equipment which supplied protective face masks worth Dh175,875.

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Chinese envoy reaches out to India Amid tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and some aggressive commentary in Chinese media, China’s ambassador to India Sun Weidong seemed to convey a more conciliatory message as he told a select gathering here that India and China didn’t pose a threat to each other and should never allow their differences to “shadow” bilateral cooperation.

Sun also described the neighbours as “opportunities” for each other and said the countries needed to see each other’s development in the correct way to enhance “strategic mutual trust”.

The remarks came on a day the Chinese foreign ministry in Beijing echoed Sun’s tenor, describing the border situation as overall stable and controllable, adding that India and China were capable of resolving the issue through dialogue.

Though there was no breakthrough yet at the sites of confrontation in east Ladakh where Chinese troops have intruded into areas India considers its own, commanders on both sides remain in touch. Last week India had clearly signalled it would not step back from forward positions facing Chinese troops until they withdrew to the usual lines of patrol along the LAC. “We should correctly view our differences and never let the differences shadow the overall situation of bilateral cooperation. At the same time, we should gradually seek understanding through communication and constantly resolve differences,” Sun said.

Situation at border with India stable: China China on Monday said

that the overall situation at the border with India was "stable and controllable", and both the countries have “unimpeded” communication channels to resolve the issues through dialogue and consultations. The comments by foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian came in the backdrop of the continuing standoff between the militaries of India and China at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The spokesman was responding to a question on defence minister Rajnath Singh's remarks that India will not let its “pride be hurt” in its latest border flare-up with China but is determined to settle the dispute through talks between the giant neighbours. “I want to assure the country that we will not let India's pride be hurt in any circumstances,” Singh said in an interview to a news last week.

"At times, situations arise with China. It has happened before," Singh said while insisting that India was striving to make sure that the "tension does not escalate". "Negotiations are ongoing between the two countries at the military and diplomatic levels," he said.

Responding to Singh’s comments, Zhao said:

“China has been implementing the consensus between the two countries' leaders. We have been committed to upholding our national sovereignty, security as well as stability along the border. Now the overall situation in our border areas is stable and controllable. We have unimpeded communication channels and we hope and believe through dialogue and consultations we can properly resolve the relevant issue," the spokesman told a media briefing here.

India earlier said it was engaged with China to peacefully resolve the border row. "We are engaged with the Chinese side to peacefully resolve it," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, replying to questions at an online media briefing.

Beijing asks India to back off from US-China war Warning India to be "careful", China asked New Delhi not to get involved in the Washington-Beijing rivalry even as some predict that the world's two largest economies are "about to enter a new Cold War".

In an article in The Global Times, China said that there have been some voices calling for the Indian government to join the new Cold War and exploit its

Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong

position for more gains.

"Such irrational voices are nothing but misleading, which should not represent the mainstream voices and sway the Indian government's stance.

Fundamentally speaking, India has little to gain from engaging in a US-China conflict over any topic, with more to lose than gain, which is why the Modi government needs to face the new geopolitical development objectively and rationally," Beijing said.

Several areas along the Line of Actual Control or LAC in Ladakh and North Sikkim have seen major military build-up by both the Indian and Chinese armies, in a clear signal of escalating tension and hardening of positions by the two sides even two weeks after they were engaged in two separate face-offs.

Gujarat braces for cyclonic storm The cyclonic storm Nisarga brewing in the Arabian Sea was barrelling towards Gujarat and is expected to hit the coast near Daman on the night of June 3, forcing the state government to brace up for any eventuality.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the cyclonic storm is packing strong winds and expected to pound heavy rain in the region on June 3 and 4. “The low-pressure system is around 900km away from Surat at present. We expect the cyclonic storm to hit the southern Gujarat coast near Daman on June 3 evening with a wind speed of 90 to 100 km per hour,” said Jayanta Sarkar, director, IMD, Ahmedabad.

Vulnerable villages in 7 districts warned High alert has been sounded in Surat, Navsari, Bharuch, Valsad and Dang while Bhavnagar and Amreli have been kept on alert. Over 100 vulnerable villages in these seven districts have been alerted and shelter homes are being prepared to bring in people

in the event of evacuation.

After chairing a high-level meeting to assess the preparedness, chief minister Vijay Rupani said 10 teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have already reached five districts of south Gujarat as well as Bhavnagar and Amreli districts.

“District collectors have been asked to shift people from low-lying areas to safer places and a control room has been activated in Gandhinagar to monitor the situation,” said Rupani.

On Monday, heavy rain accompanied by strong winds lashed Bhavnagar and Tapi districts. The rainfall resulted in water logging in low-lying areas of Bhavnagar city while gale

uprooted large number of trees and blew away hoardings and solar panels fitted on the rooftop of Bhavnagar University.

Glass windows of a newly constructed building were also shattered due to winds and rain. Electricity supply to many areas was snapped for nearly three hours as a transformer near Barton Library got damaged. Vadod taluka of Tapi district received nearly 60mm rainfall while wet spell also prevailed in hill station Saputara on Monday.

Additional chief secretary, revenue, Pankaj Kumar said rescue teams will be equipped with masks, PPE kits and hand sanitisers and district administrations have been asked to prepare a list of Covid-19 patients in vulnerable areas to arrange for their shifting in shelter Homes and Covid hospitals in nearest schools and colleges.

Uddhav Thackeray asks people to stay indoors Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray appealed to the people of Mumbai to "stay indoors" as Cyclone Nisarga has been forecast by the weather office to make landfall in the state's coast on Wednesday.

The cyclone that formed due to a low pressure area in the Arabian Sea comes at a time when the state with the highest number of coronavirus cases in India has been struggling to deal with an overburdened healthcare infrastructure. Any damage left in the wake of the cyclone will add more stress and could complicate the fight against COVID-19.

The Chief Minister asked the residents of Mumbai to be prepared to face possible power cuts as strong winds hit the city. He asked them to charge their gadgets and if possible, keep emergency lights handy.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday said that tropical cyclone Nisarga has headed for the Maharashtra coast, and is going to make landfall on June 3 close to Mumbai.

India has said the Chinese military was hindering normal patrolling by its troops along the LAC in Ladakh and Sikkim, and strongly refuted Beijing's contention that the escalating tension between the two armies was triggered by trespassing of Indian forces across the Chinese side.

Us President Donald Trump had also offered to "mediate or arbitrate" the raging border dispute between the two most populous countries, saying he was "ready, willing and able" to ease the tensions.

China asked India to be careful not to include the US factor in its handling of any problem in its relations with China, "otherwise it will only complicate the issue". "The offer of US mediation is unnecessary and the last thing both sides could use.

China and India have the

ability to resolve their problems, and there is no need for any third-party intervention," it said.

Threatening New Delhi of snapping economic ties, Beijing further said, "If in a new Cold War, India leans toward the US or becomes a US pawn attacking China, the economic and trade ties between the two Asian neighbors will suffer a devastating blow. And it would be too much for the Indian economy to take such a hit at the current stage."

Citing the increasing coronavirus cases and the recession forecast, China stated that the "crippling Indian economy cannot afford any more shocks". It "advised" New Delhi to "always view the IndiaChina relations with rational minds instead of being lured by domestic nationalist sentiment".

India using drones and fire trucks to fight its worst locust invasion As India continues its battle with the coronavirus pandemic a new kind of invasion is threatening to destroy vital crops and vegetation - the worst locust swarm the country has seen in almost 30 years.

Waves of desert locusts - millions strong and stretching up to 7 km long - crossed into India's western state of Rajasthan from neighboring Pakistan in early May and swarms have since pushed into five different states in search of food. The desert locust is the most destructive of all locust species because of its speed and ability to multiply rapidly, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Adult locusts can fly up to 150 km a day and eat their own body weight equal to 2 grams - worth of fresh vegetation in that period.

A swarm can vary from one to several hundred square km - with each square kilometer containing up to 80 million adult locusts. The FAO said much of the locust movements were driven by the strong westerly winds in the wake of Cyclone Amphan in the Bay of Bengal, which slammed into India and Bangladesh on May 20, killing at least 90 people and causing more than $13.2 billion dollars in damage.

From Rajasthan, the swarm entered Uttar Pradesh which borders the capital New Delhi - in the north, Madhya Pradesh in central India and Maharashtra and Gujarat in the west, according to India's agriculture minister.

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in brief

Karnataka suspends air travel from 5 states BENGALURU: The Karnataka government has decided to suspend air travel from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, saying a large number of people arriving from these states have tested positive for Covid-19.

The decision to stop flights from these states, which have high number of coronavirus cases, for the time being was taken at a cabinet meet, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J C Madhuswamy said.

He also said the existing bar on entry of people by road from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat into Karnataka would continue until further orders.

As the announcement caused a flutter, the minister later clarified that the state government has requested the civil aviation ministry to "restrict" the number of flights coming into Karnataka from these five states as they have registered a record number of cases in the past few days.

Madhuswamy said the government has written to the Union ministry and is awaiting

a response.

The state’s request is based on two points: one, the majority of Covid-19 cases reported in Karnataka in the recent past have travel histories to these states; and two, institutional quarantine facilities in the state are likely to be overwhelmed if there is a sudden spurt in the number of passengers.

When domestic air travel resumed in the country last Monday after nearly two months of lockdown, Karnataka stipulated a mandatory seven days’ institutional quarantine for passengers coming from seven states - including Maharashtra, Gujarat, TN, Rajasthan and MP - which have

a high prevalence of cases.

Madhuswamy said existing restrictions on entry by road from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat would continue till further orders. "Since a large number of people who have come from these states have tested positive and it will be difficult to manage quarantine if more people come, we have decided to stop (arrivals) by imposing restrictions… until some people leave quarantine facilities and return home," he said. In effect, applications will continue to be processed via the Seva Sindhu portal as before but, sources said, approvals are likely to be delayed until space in quarantine facilities frees up.

Quarantine norms relaxed The state government on Sunday announced a number of relaxations in the quarantine rules for the people travelling to the state, except those coming from Maharashtra. As per the new guidelines, every person travelling to the state has to make mandatory selfregistration through SevaSandhu portal. People, except those from Maharashtra, will be required to spent 14 days in the home quarantine. If a passenger is found symptomatic upon arrival, they will be shifted to a dedicated Covid-19 facility for isolation. However, those coming from Maharashtra will have to spend seven days in institutional quarantine, followed by a home quarantine for the same period. Those on short business trips are exempted from institutional quarantine given they show a return ticket of a date within 7 days and a Covid negative test report from a government recognised lab.

Pregnant women, children below 10 years, and people above 65 years will be sent to home quarantine.

PUNJAB

Punjab chief secy seeks apology for his 'behaviour' CHANDIGARH: Over two weeks after a face-off with Punjab ministers during a meeting, state Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh tendered an apology for his ‘behaviour.’

Punjab ministers Manpreet Singh Badal and Charanjit Singh Channi described the apology tendered by the top bureaucrat during a cabinet meeting as a “victory of democracy.”

Both ministers had earlier declared not to attend any meeting where the officer was present.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh was also present in the meeting. The apology came two days after Badal and Channi were invited by the chief minister for a lunch at his farmhouse where they were asked how to resolve the

Karan Avtar Singh

issue.

Badal said the officer tendered apology before the entire cabinet for his “body language” and “style of conversation.”

Badal told reporters that the chief secretary said he would not give any chance of complaint in future.

Badal said it was the third time that the officer has sought apology from him. He sought

apology personally for the first time when the unsavoury incident took place on May 9 and the second time, he came to Badal village after the death of my father to seek forgiveness, said Badal.

If somebody seeks forgiveness for the third time and if he is not forgiven, then it will amount to arrogance, he said. “Today, this chapter is closed,” said Badal, adding that it was not the first time that a dispute arose between the bureaucracy and public representatives and also it was not the last time.

He said it was a “victory of democracy. The importance of public representatives in a democracy is more than that of bureaucracy and it is also important to give priority to

their position,” he said. Replying to a question, Badal said he was told that the chief secretary has given in writing that his son was not involved in liquor business in Punjab. Congress MLA Amrinder Singh Raja Warring had alleged the bureaucrat's son has an undeclared business interest in a Punjab distillery.

After the showdown on May 9, the chief secretary was divested of the additional charge of financial commissioner, taxation, and at least 10 Congress legislators led by Warring sought a probe against him, blaming him for revenue loss. Karan Avtar Singh is a 1984batch IAS officer who was handpicked by Amarinder Singh in 2017 for the chief secretary's post. He is due to retire in August.

WEST BENGAL

West Bengal further relaxes restrictions KOLKATA: The West Bengal government has allowed indoor and outdoor activities related to TV and cinema production, barring reality show production, with not more than 35 persons per unit, from June 1.

The functioning of tea gardens, jute mills, MSME industries, including mining activities, with 100 per cent strength of workers, have also been allowed from June 1.

Intra-state (inter-district) movement of government and private buses, with passengers not more than the actual seating capacity of the buses, has been allowed. However, as per the advisory issued by the state government, all passengers shall have to wear

Mamta Banerjee

face masks and gloves during the entire journey.

All religious place of worship, in consultation with the local police station, will open, and a maximum of 10 persons at a time will be allowed to enter the premises.

Gathering or assembly of people shall not be allowed in the said premises, said the advisory.

Functioning of government offices with 70 per cent strength on a day on rotation basis will resume from June 8.

Operations of private offices and establishments, w.e.f. June 8, with the number of workers as decided by the management.

The advisory, however, advised that work from home should be encouraged.

All hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and hospitality sector will resume their services from June 8.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the Central government on the running migrant special trains. "They are stuffing the Shramik trains

full of people, there is no social distancing, no food, no water, nothing," she said. "What are they trying to do? Are they running Shramik trains or are they trying to run Corona Express?"

The chief minister said the railway ministry could easily increase the number of coaches in the trains to prevent crowding. "I was rail minister. I know we have enough rakes.

They can easily make the trains longer and stop crowding the trains full of people for 48 hours with no water and no food.

West Bengal was successful in controlling the Covid-19 spread in the last two months. Cases are increasing now as people are coming from outside," said the Chief Minister.

JAYA’S NEPHEW, NIECE ENTITLED TO HER ASSETS: HC Ending the uncertainty over inheritance of vast properties left behind by former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, the Madras High Court declared her nephew J. Deepak and niece J Deepa as Class II legal heirs entitled to all the properties left behind by their aunt. The court made it clear that the State government could not acquire any of the properties without issuing notice to the legal heirs and paying them adequate compensation. Justices N Kirubakaran and Abdul Quddhose allowed an application filed by Deepak and granted a Letter of Administration in favour of him and his sister. They also recorded the siblings’ undertaking that a few properties, to be selected as per their discretion, would be allotted to create a public trust named after Jayalalithaa for welfare activities. Such a trust should be created within eight weeks of the date of receipt of the judgment, the judges ordered. They rejected another case filed by AIADMK functionaries K. Pugazhenthi and P. Janakiraman for appointing them as administrators of the properties left behind by their departed leader. Authoring the verdict, Justice Kirubakaran advised the government to give up its decision to acquire Veda Nilayam, Jayalalithaa’s bungalow at Poes Garden in Chennai, and convert it into a memorial. “Instead of acquiring the said property and paying a heavy compensation, the said amount could be utilised for development purposes... When there are so many essential amenities which are yet to be provided by the welfare state, public money cannot be wasted on memorials,” the court said. It cautioned that if Jaya’s residence was converted into a memorial, every other party that would come to power in the State might use public money to convert the residences of their leaders into memorials.

AKALI LEADER SHOT DEAD IN PUNJAB A 24-year-old local Akali leader was allegedly shot dead after an argument in Punjab's Batala, an incident described as ‘political killing’ by the SAD. According to police, the incident took place at Chak Kulian village when victim Manjot Singh and his two friends tried to stop one Joginder Singh from filling a pond with sand. The issue led to an altercation between Manjot and Joginder. In the meantime, Joginder's son Gurdeep Singh brought a pistol from his home and allegedly fired at Manjot and his friends, a relative of the victim alleged. Local Akali leader Ravi Karan Singh Kahlon alleged that Gurdeep is a Congress worker. Gurdeep is also an advocate by profession. Deputy Superintendent of Police Balbir Singh ruled out any political motive behind the killing. The victim's friends - Lovedeep Singh and Arshpreet Singh -too sustained bullet injuries, police said.

BUS CARRYING MIGRANTS OVERTURNS At least seven people were injured when a bus carrying West Bengal-bound migrants from Kerala overturned in the Balasore district of Odisha. The bus carrying 38 passengers was on its way to Kolkata when it skidded off the National Highway 16 and overturned near Balasore town. According to the police, as many as seven migrant labourers were injured in the mishap. The condition of all the injured is said to be stable. Arrangements are being made to send the migrant returnees to their destinations in another bus, a police official said. Police and fire service personnel rushed to the spot and rescued the passengers with the help of locals, while the injured persons were sent to the district headquarters hospital in Balasore. The West Bengal-bound labourers, who were engaged in various establishments in Kerala, were stuck in the southern coastal state since March due to the nationwide lockdown.

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Remains of ancient temples, Shivlinga, idols found at Ayodhya temple site Remains of ancient temples, pillar, idols of deities and a Shivlinga have been spotted at Ram Janma Bhoomi (RJB) temple site in Ayodhya where the work of levelling the land meant for construction of proposed Ram temple is underway. A five-foot Shivlinga, seven pillars of black touchstone, six pillars of red sandstone, structures of flowers and broken idols of deities were found at the site, said Champat Rai, general secretary of Shree Ramjanma Bhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust and senior VHP leader.

However, prominent lawyer and convenor of Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC) contested the claim of Champat Rai. Jilani, who had represented the Muslim side in the litigation related to the vexed Ayodhya issue in Supreme Court, said that it was not necessary that the remains found at the site were related to some temple. “The pillars found there could be of the mosque demolished in 1992,” he maintained.

Moreover, Jilani dubbed the claims of remains found at the Ram Janmabhoomi site as a political gimmick by the trust office bearers to influence the upcoming Delhi, Bihar and UP elections.

Earlier, Champat Rai had claimed that the work of levelling the land at Ramjanmbhoomi premises had been going on since May 11 after the restrictions on construction activities were lifted. “On removing the debris from the site during the land levelling activity, pillars and other structures of ancient temples were discovered,” said Rai. He added that on digging the land further, the five-foot long ‘Shivlinga’ was

spotted.

Since then many objects of archaeological importance like flowers made of stone, Kalash, Aamalak, Dorjamb, have been discovered during excavation.”

According to the temple trust, the metal barricades erected around the makeshift temple and the CRPF camp at the site were already removed and levelling of the site was being done with the help of three JCBs, one crane, two tractors and 10 labourers.

However, the director, state archaeological department, AK Singh refused to comment on the emergence of remains. He said that he had come to know about the findings through media reports and was not in a position to comment on the authenticity of the artefacts unless he saw them himself. The officer claimed that the

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the state Archaeological department would take cognizance of the findings and take them over to study their origin and age.

The archaeological remains found assume significance as they substantiate the claims of the presence of temple on that site which was a bone of contention for decades and was later resolved by the Supreme Court of the country on November 9, 2019. Even the ASI findings had also established that there were remains of an ancient temple beneath the site where the disputed structure - Babri Masjid was erected. Meanwhile, in the temple town, the work of stone carving for temple has been suspended for the time being. “The old stones are being cleaned up for fixing in the proposed temple,” said a local VHP leader.

Nepal pushes for talks, India says need to create trust first With Nepal insisting on foreign secretary-level talks to address the Kalapani border issue, even while pushing simultaneously through a constitutional amendment to validate its new map, India said it was important to create an environment of trust and confidence for dialogue.

"India is open to engaging with all its neighbours on the basis of mutual sensitivity and mutual respect, in an environment of trust and confidence. This is a continuous process and requires constructive and positive efforts," said MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava, replying to a question on Nepal's plea for talks on the issue.

India believes there has been no lack of engagement between the two countries in any case. Foreign secretary Harsh Shringla has already met the Nepal

ambassador, Nilambar Acharya, twice.

Joint secretary (North) in MEA Piyush Srivastava, who handles Nepal, has also met the ambassador several times, and remained in regular contact with him, sources said. The Nepal media had earlier reported that the ambassador had been trying unsuccessfully to meet senior Indian officials.

Nepal has been asking for talks on Kalapani since November last year, after India released its new map following the reorganisation of J&K. It wants to activate the foreign secretary-level mechanism between the two countries to resolve issues related to outstanding border disputes.

The central working committee of Nepali Congress will now meet to discuss the amendment proposal for revising the map in the national emblem, according

to Nepal media reports. The party though had supported the decision to issue a new map earlier.

The MEA said it attached great importance to the deep rooted historical, cultural and friendly relations with Nepal. "In recent years, our relations have been on an upward trajectory which is evident from expanding and diversified bilateral cooperation and increased GoI’s assistance for development and connectivity projects. This has resulted in timely implementation of several large-scale and critical projects," said Srivastava.

"Even in these challenging times of Covid19 pandemic, India has ensured unimpeded trade and supply of essentials including medicines to Nepal, besides providing assistance in terms of medical supplies and other facilitation," he added.

Nepal govt tables bill to alter country's map Meanwhile, the Nepal government on Sunday tabled a Constitution amendment bill in parliament aimed at altering the country's map amid a border dispute with India.

Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Shivamaya Tumbahangphe, on behalf of the government of Nepal, tabled the bill, a day after the main Opposition Nepali Congress also backed the legislation. It will be the second amendment to the Constitution. Nepal recently released the revised political and administrative map of the country laying claim over the strategically key areas of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura. India reacted angrily to the move saying such "artificial enlargement" of territorial claims will not be acceptable and asked the neighbouring country to refrain from such "unjustified cartographic assertion"

India's Covid-19 fatality rate one of world's lowest, says Centre The fatality rate due to Covid-19 in India is 2.82 per cent and it is one of the lowest in the world, said the Union Health Ministry. “Only 10 per cent of India's population accounts for 50 per cent of India's Covid-19 linked deaths and 73 per cent of Covid-19 deaths in India are people with co-morbidities," said Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry.

India on Tuesday logged 200,000 cases of coronavirus roughly 15 days after it crossed the one lakh mark. For the last three days, the country has been reporting more than 8,000 infections a day. The death toll has reached 5,598.

India is now the seventh-worst hit nation by the Covid-19 pandemic after the US, Brazil, Russia, the UK, Spain and Italy, according to the WHO's coronavirus tracker.

Italy, with 233,000 cases is in the sixth slot. The US with more than 18,00,000 cases, is the nation worst hit by the virus, followed by Brazil, with more than 520,000. Among the states, Maharashtra remains the nation's coronavirus hotspot with more than 70,000 cases.

17,000 cases in Gujarat, death toll 1,063 The total number of coronavirus cases in Gujarat climbed over the 17,000 mark, with 423 fresh cases reported on Monday taking the total to 17,217, while 25 more succumbed, taking the death toll to 1,063. Monday also saw the highest number of patients – 861 – being discharged from hospitals after being treated.

In the last three days, since the announcement of Unlock1 and more relaxation, over 400 cases are being detected daily.

Ahmedabad alone had 314 cases detected on Monday, followed by Surat with 39, Vadodara with 31, Gandhinagar with 11, Mahesana with six, Banaskantha, Rajkot and Sabarkantha with three each, Anand and Porbandar with two each and Bhavnagar, Aravalli, Panchmahals, Mahisagar, Patan, Valsad and Surendranagar with one case each. Of Monday's fatalities, Ahmedabad accounted for the lion's share at 22. Two patients from Surat and one patient from Aravalli also succumbed to the virus.

Till date, out of the total deaths, 864 people have died in Ahmedabad alone, followed by 71 in Surat, 41 in Vadodara, 14 in Gandhinagar, 10 each in Anand and Panchmahals, eight in Bhavnagar, six in Patan and five each in Mahesana and Aravalli.

With the 861 patients discharged on Monday, a total of 10,780 patients have been cured so far.

Of the total cases, Ahmedabad continued to lead the state with maximum, at 12,494, followed by Surat with 1,659, Vadodara with 1,074, Gandhinagar with 285, Bhavnagar with 275, Mahesana with 120, Mahisagar with 116, Rajkot with 115, Banaskantha with 114, Sabarkantha with 106, Aravalli with 105, Anand with 101, Panchmahals with 89, Patan and Kutch with 80 each, Kheda with 68, Botad with 59 and Jamnagar with 54 positive cases.

Karnataka recorded a biggest single day spike of 388 cases, with returnees from neighboring Maharashtra continuing to add to the state's tally, taking the total number of infections in the state to 3,796, the health department said. With 367 out of 388 new cases being returnees from other states, mostly from neighboring Maharashtra (357), the Karnataka government said it was considering increasing institutional quarantine for those returning from the western state.

Meanwhile, achieving a milestone in the battle against the coronavirus, the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences at Hubballi has successfully treated a Covid-19 patient through plasma therapy.

Curbs eased but can’t lower guard, says PM A day before further easing of the lockdown, with significant curbs restricted to containment zones, Prime Minister Narendra Modi struck a note of caution and asked people to guard against complacency, while emphasising the need to maintain physical distancing, use masks and practise good hygiene.

"Lowering of guard is not an option," the PM said as he referred to the plan for full resumption of rail and domestic air travel and reopening of a "substantial chunk" of the economy. “Much has resumed, Shramik Special trains are operational, other special trains too have begun. With utmost precautions, flights have resumed, industry too is returning to normalcy, thus opening up a major segment of the economy. In such a scenario, we need to be even more alert and careful. There should be no laxity on our part in complete adherence,” Modi said in his monthly radio programme ‘Mann ki Baat’.

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PM Modi hails resilience against pandemic Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a letter to citizens on completion of the first year of his second term on Friday, said the collective strength and resolve of people could be seen in the way India has dealt with coronavirus, as despite the "tremendous suffering" of people, massive efforts ensured that "inconvenience" didn't turn into "disasters".

“You have proven that the collective strength and potential of Indians is unparalleled compared even to the powerful and prosperous countries of the world,” he said amid the ongoing discussion over the plight of migrant workers.

“In a crisis of this magnitude, it can certainly not be claimed that no one suffered any inconvenience or discomfort. Our labourers, migrant workers, artisans and craftsmen in small scale industries, hawkers and such fellow countrymen have undergone tremendous suffering,” he added.

The PM acknowledged people’s privation but pointed to India’s collective resilience against the pandemic even as he gave a detailed account of his government’s performance.

“The list of such historic

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

actions and decisions taken in national interest would be too long to detail in this letter. But I must say that every day of this year, my government has worked round the clock with full vigour, taking and implementing these decisions,” the PM said. Modi expressed satisfaction over bold decisions like "surgical" and "air" strikes inside Pakistan, highlighted unanimous Ram Temple verdict of the Supreme Court, and termed triple talaq as a “barbaric practice”, which was made illegal last year.

Referring to India’s fight against Covid-19, he said, “While on one hand there are powers with great economic resources and state-of-theart healthcare systems, on the other hand is our country

besieged with problems amidst a vast population and limited resources. Many feared that India will become a problem for the world when corona hits India. But today, through sheer confidence and resilience, you have transformed the way the world looks at us.”

It’s a long battle and we are traversing on path of victory PM Modi further said, “However, we have to take care to ensure that inconveniences that we are facing do not turn into disasters. Hence, it is very important for every Indian to follow all rules and guidelines.” Modi said the country had displayed patience so far and should continue to do so.

“This is one of the important reasons for India being safer and in a better

state than many other countries. This is a long battle but we have started traversing on the path of victory, and victory is our collective resolve,” he added.

The PM referred to the debate on how economies will recover as he exuded confidence that India will set an example in economic revival too. “In the economic domain, through their strength, 1,300 million Indians can not only surprise the world but also inspire it,” he said and reiterated that the need of the hour was to become self-reliant and referred to the recent £200 billion package as a major step in this direction.He recalled some of the prominent decisions of his government like nullification of Article 370, which he said had furthered the spirit of national unity and integration.“The Ram Mandir judgment, delivered unanimously by the Supreme Court, brought an amicable end to a debate persisting for centuries. The barbaric practice of triple talaq has been confined to the dustbin of history.

Amendment to the Citizenship Act was an expression of India’s compassion and spirit of inclusiveness,” he added.

As lockdown-4 winds down, govt puts in gear ‘unlock-1’ In keeping with the increasing easing of the lockdown, the Central government on Saturday set out a three-phase "unlock" plan that will restrict curbs to containment zones and permit reopening of malls, hotels and restaurants, interstate travel and religious places in keeping with rules (SOPs) to be issued by the health ministry.

The MHA sought to underline the shrinking footprint of the lockdown, calling the latest guidelines "unlock 1" and saying "...they will have an economic focus. The new guidelines have been issued based on extensive consultations with states and UTs." The night curfew has been retained, with a shortened period of 9 pm-5 am instead of the previous 7 pm-7 am routine where movement for nonessential reasons is banned.

As Lockdown 4.0 ended on May 31, the limiting of curbs to containment zones where only essential services will be allowed, even though the daily count of cases is growing, reflects the Centre's assessment that the Covid curve is not assuming runaway proportions and can be managed with a focus on hotspots. It is also felt that so far the increase in number of cases due to the return of migrants to the hinterland is not unmanageable and can be monitored.

While shopping malls and eateries can open after June 8, no date has been specified for reopening of international travel, metro rail, gyms, swimming pools, bars, theatres and places of public assembly. Religious, social and political congregations are also banned. Decisions on these activities will await a more detailed assessment of the health situation and the trends regarding the prevalence of the disease in India and abroad. A call will be taken in July, based on consultations with the states, and also discussions the states themselves will conduct, with regard to schools, colleges, coaching and training institutions. Stakeholders such as parents are also to be consulted. Rules will be drawn up by the health ministry and the NCERT is also working to guidelines that aim to ensure social distancing and hygiene in educational institutions once they are permitted to reopen. As far as containment zones are concerned, the lockdown stands extended until June 30. However, the individual states and Union territories, based on their own assessment, will be free to prohibit certain activities outside containment zones or impose curbs as they feel necessary.

Violent protests engulf US, thousands arrested Continued from page 1 "It is the first time so many local leaders have simultaneously issued such orders in the face of civic unrest since 1968, after the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr," the report said. The police fired tear gas near the White House on Sunday night to dissuade protesters who had smashed the windows of prominent buildings, overturned cars and set fires, with smoke seen rising from near the Washington Monument, it said.

For the past few days, thousands of protestors have gathered outside the White House raising slogans against President Trump.

According to reports, President Trump was briefly taken to the underground bunker for some time during the protest outside the White House, while First Lady Melania Trump and their son Barron were also taken to the bunker.

President Trump made no public appearances on Sunday, but in a series of tweets he blamed the media for fomenting hatred and anarchy in the country.

Earlier in the day, he announced that his administration will be designating ANTIFA as a

Terrorist Organization.

ANTIFA is regarded as a militant, left-wing, antifascist political activist movement in the US. US Attorney General William Barr said that the violence instigated and carried out by the organisation and other similar groups in connection with the rioting is domestic terrorism and will be treated accordingly.

The Trump administration alleges that it appears the violence is planned, organised, and driven by anarchistic and far left extremists, using ANTIFA-like tactics, many of whom travel from out of state to promote the violence.

Thousands in UK join protests Thousands of people have gathered across central London to protest against the killing of George Floyd by police in the US. They held up signs saying "Justice for George Floyd", who died in police custody while an officer kneeled on his neck to pin him down. Derek Chauvin has been charged with his murder in Minneapolis. The white police officer has been sacked from his job. During the protests Met Police officers arrested five people.

Thousands in London join protests

The protests have been held at Trafalgar Square and outside the US Embassy in Battersea. Elsewhere in the UK, hundreds marched through Manchester city centre chanting "Black Lives Matter". And a similar protest also took place in Cardiff.

The protesters chanted "black lives matter" and "say my name, George Floyd" London protesters held up placards saying "racism has no place", and "I can't breathe" - a reference to Mr Floyd's words during his arrest. The Met Police said officers were present and were engaging with those in attendance, adding an "appropriate policing plan is in place".Police arrested five people aged between 17 and 25 outside the US Embassy.

Three of the arrests were for breaching Covid-19 legislation and two were for

an issue that requires passion but at the same time there's a huge amount of risk in what they're doing." She said police appeared to be moving the crowd on from the square by early afternoon.

Protesters made their way to the embassy by marching along roads near the River Thames. Traffic was stopped in several places and protesters were applauded by onlookers. A large portion of the crowd stopped under a railway bridge outside Battersea Park Station.Four men climbed on top of a bus stop before getting down on one knee and with their right

arms in salute in silence, leading the gathered crowd to do the same. It is a stance made famous by Tommie Smith, the US sprinter who famously raised his fist in protest against racial discrimination during his gold medal ceremony at the 1968 Olympics.

Hundreds of people marched through Peckham in south London on Saturday in protest against police brutality. It comes as the US has been rocked by protests over the past five days, many of which turned into violence with cars and buildings set alight and riot police using tear gas and rubber bullets.

assaulting police. Those arrested remain in police custody for questioning.

Reverend Sally Hitchiner, associate vicar at St Martin-in-the-Fields church on Trafalgar Square, said she could see hundreds gathered for the protest from her workplace.

"I'm Dear Readers, Since the last few weeks, we have been receiving complaints from very sympathetic to the issue but some of our valued subscribers for delayed delivery of their favourite also surprised to Newsweeklies. In the Royal Mail, scores of their employees have see the strength of sadly passed away and many more are not able to report for work. emotion that has Consequently, they have announced their inability to deliver even gathered people first class mail (Gujarat Samachar/Asian Voice) timely. Royal Mail has pleaded for patience and support for the delay caused. together," she said.

Our readers are our strength and we hope you will surely under"Clearly they're not following stand our situation and will bear with us for the inconvenience lockdown and caused.

Meanwhile you can visit our website: WWW.ABPLGROUP.COM social distancing, but I think there's a to get free access to our online e-papers for a limited period, till furhuge amount of ther notice.

For more queries or assistance, contact us: passion there and Tel.: +44 (0) 20 7749 4080 that's overriding Email: support@abplgroup.com their concerns. "It's

Seeking Your Patience & Support

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80% Covid-19 patients reportedly unaware of carrying the virus A latest report that just may be every government's nightmare, reveals there may be a lot of people walking around who have Covid19, but have no idea they are spreading the virus. Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr Robert Redfield was one of the first ones to throw caution to the wind way back in early April.

He had said, “One of the [pieces of] information that we have confirmed now is that a significant number of individuals that are infected actually remain asymptomatic. That may be as many as 25 per cent.” Shortly after, researchers in Iceland

reported that 50 per cent of their Covid-19 cases who tested positive were asymptomatic. In another report, the CDC stated that researchers in Singapore identified seven clusters of cases in which pre-symptomatic transmission is the

most likely explanation for the occurrence of secondary cases.

Redfield said, “Of those of us that get symptomatic, it appears that we’re shedding significant virus in our oropharyngeal compartment, probably up to 48

hours before we show symptoms. This helps explain how rapidly this virus continues to spread across the country because we have asymptomatic transmitters.”

So how exactly does transmission work? In an interview with Healthline, Infectious disease expert from Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee, Dr William Schaffner said, “It isn't a strange idea with respiratory viruses that such an inadvertent transmission could take place. It’s to the virus’ benefit because if you have seemingly healthy people moving around spreading the virus, that maximizes the transmission.”

A second Covid wave may be on the horizon As temperatures begin to rise, people hope that the infection rates of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic may drop. However, experts believe the virus will continue to pose a public health issue throughout summer.

Experts are bracing themselves for a second wave of infections to hit in the fall, and it may just coincide with flu season.

With scientists just beginning to understand SARS-CoV-2, there are fears of a wave worse than the first. Former patterns with outbreaks reveal there may be peaks during the spring.

The 1918 flu pandemic hit the US originally in March,

followed by a more lethal wave in October. Several respiratory viruses follow similar patterns, with infection rates peaking in the fall and winter.

SARS-CoV-2 is related to other strains of coronavirus, including several viruses that cause the common cold and viruses that caused outbreaks of severe acute respi-

ratory syndrome (SARS) in 2002 and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome (MERS) in 2012.

To prepare for a potential second way, it is important to increase healthcare capacity. Experts believe hospitals need to continue preparing for the reality, ramp up efforts to secure PPE, and ensure adequate staffing. Meanwhile, people need to continue physical distancing measures. Enjoy the summer while maintaining at least a 6 feet distance from others. Do not let the summer tease you. Take advantage of the nice weather, yes, but keep the virus at bay.

Binge eating fast food can make you feel depressed: Experts

Many of us find ourselves stuck at home, practicing physical distancing due to Covid-19, a whole array of worries on our heads, even concerns about the virus. Human behaviour tends to deviate them towards binge eating foods that are full of fats, and sugar as a way of coping with these feelings.

While we won't argue the taste perspective of these foods, experts believe it can ultimately set you up for a cycle of depression, kicking off more binge eating.

In a report by Healthline, registered dietitian and triathlete, Jennifer Lentzke said stress raises the levels of a hormone in our body called cortisol. It sets off a cascade of events that changes the chemistry of the brain. In order to offset this imbalance in hormones, the body causes one to crave high-carbohydrate or highly palatable foods in order to increase these important chemicals.

The report read, “These foods often contain some combination of fat and sugar, or fat and salt, which trigger the pleasure centers of the brain, making us feel more calm, content, or even somewhat euphoric.” While this may be helpful because it helps raise the level of “feel good” neurotransmitters like serotonin, which help us feel more calm and relaxed.

In the long run, however, it can lead to many problems, including weight gain, poor blood sugar control, and problems with sleep, behavior, and mood.

Moderate exercise may help high risk breast cancer patients

Disposing Covid-19 biowaste not limited to incineration An environmental scientist, who led medical waste treatment during the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, says that Covid-19 is one of the “easiest pathogens to destroy” and hospitals need not resort to environmentally unfriendly incineration to dispose of biomedical waste piling up from treating those infected with the virus.

According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), treating Covid-19 cases is expected to add 16,800 tonnes of medical waste in Manila, 12,750 tonnes in Jakarta, 12,600 tonnes in Bangkok, 9,600 tonnes in Hanoi and 9,240 tonnes in Kuala Lumpur in just 60 days.

Very easy to kill “It is a lipid virus so it will be very easy to kill,” says Jorge Emmanuel, former chief technical advisor to the UN Development Programme.

However, the ADB says that in rural areas, where options for the safe disposal of medical waste are limited, incineration may be considered. “In emergency circumstances, medical waste incineration may be the only option for the safe disposal of infectious medical waste,” an ADB spokesperson said.

The Philippines’ Environmental Management Bureau issued a memorandum including incineration as an alternative mode for disposing Covid-

19 healthcare waste - overriding a ban on incineration in 1999 brought in for environmental concerns. Emmanuel, now an adjunct professor at the Silliman University in the Philippines, said the virus can be inactivated by disinfecting materials with 1to 2 per cent of bleach for five minutes. If there is organic matter like vomit or faeces, the bleach concentration should be higher, he adds.

According to Emmanuel, the virus dies in water heated to 56 degrees Celsius in 30 minutes and, in water at 70 degree Celsius, in five minutes. “If we can destroy it with temperatures that are lower than boiling, then why would we need an incinerator?”

Faye Ferrer, a medical waste management consultant says that despite its high transmissibility and case fatality rate, the virus is fragile because it is

an enveloped virus that is sensitive to chemicals and can be killed by microwaving or autoclaving.

“Autoclaves, which are basically pressure cookers operating at temperatures between 121—134 degrees Celsius, reach sterilisation levels (as used to sterilise surgical instruments) and are more than adequate to handle Covid-19 wastes,” Ferrer says.

Nepal used autoclaves to dispose biomedical waste generated by the evacuation of 175 Nepalese from Wuhan, China, the epicentre of Covid19, in February, says Mahesh Nakarmi, executive director of the Health Environment Climate Action Foundation, which was involved in the evacuation operations. On the other hand, Indonesia, which has one of the highest numbers of Covid-19 cases in South-East Asia, allows incineration as a way to destroy medical waste. The World Health Organization in a technical brief ‘Water, sanitation, hygiene and waste management for Covid-19’ says incineration, if resorted to, should follow the Stockholm Convention and use “the best available technology” to reduce emissions of dioxins and furans which can cause cancer and harm the immune system.

A recent study reveals even little exercise helps high-risk breast cancer patients. A clinical trial run by the SWOG Cancer Research Network sought to understand the positive correlation between exercise and cancer survival. The study revealed that exercise not only helps them live longer but also makes them likely to remain cancer-free after their treatment.

The study included patients with stage II or III breast cancer, or high-risk stage I cancer, all of which have a higher rate of returning. Some 2,716 patients were enrolled out of which, 1,607 consented to respond to a questionnaire.

The form included questions about the study subjects' habits, including exercise. Candidates were asked about current habits, as well as routines prior to their breast cancer diagnosis. They were asked about their physical activity, and how frequently they do it. Study lead Rikki Cannioto said, “Our research shows that some physical activity is far better, in terms of cancer survival than no activity at all and it is just as beneficial as longer workouts.”

He added, “What these results suggest for doctors, and patients, is that even a modest exercise routine, taken up after cancer treatment, can help women with high-risk breast cancer live longer and healthier lives.”

To Our Readers We are publishing these items in good faith, kindly consult your Doctor before you try to implement any advice. We do not hold any responsibility for its efficacy...

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How to use mint leaves to reduce Recipe acne scars THAI RICE BOWL

Acne is one of the worst enemies of people with oily or combination skin. Waking up to witness an acne on your face could pretty much make you scream. Not only does it take days to heal completely, it also leaves behind scars. Having acne can be a painful experience with permanent marks.

However, if you have mint leaves at home, you need not worry. Mint leaves have cooling properties that could instantly reflect on the skin.

You could consume it, or apply it on the face to get rid of acne Mint and oats To remove the pigmentation from the face, you need to scrub it well. Take a few mint leaves, at least 10, and one tablespoon of oats. To this, add one tablespoon of cucumber juice and one teaspoon of honey. Blend them all together so it becomes a thick and consistent paste. Add some rose water to it.

Apply it on the face. Massage for at least 10 minutes in a circular motion and then allow it to dry for 20 minutes. Wash the face with

water and do this thrice every week for better results.

Mint and rose water Rose water is a natural toner on almost all skin types. It can give the skin a natural glow.

Crush 10 mint leaves and make a paste. To this paste add one teaspoon of rose water and then apply on the acne. Massage gently and leave it on

for 30 minutes to let it dry.

Wash it off with cold water and do this daily until the acne has gone and the spots have disappeared.

Mint and honey Crush 10-15 mint leaves and add one teaspoon of honey to them. Mix them well and then apply the paste on the face. Massage well on affected areas and wash off after 30 minute.

Add ghee to your hair care routine Ayurveda speaks highly of the health benefits provided by ghee. For the uninitiated, clarified butter is packed with good fats and minerals.

Surprisingly, it is not only good for consumption.

Ghee can be directly applied to the hair and is as beneficial for your precious mane as it is for your overall health when eaten in moderation.

Below are some of the benefits provided by ghee for your hair: Boost hair growth If the entire purpose of your hair care regime is to achieve a heavier mane, ghee is the biggest trick in the book.

1 teaspoon olive oil 4 cloves garlic Ginger 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste ¼ cup soy sauce ¼ cup peanut butter 4 cups vegetable broth 1 can light coconut milk Honey 1 ½ cups uncooked rice Make steamed rice how your normally would, drain.

For the curry, heat a saucepan over medium heat. Once warm, add the oil, and then garlic and ginger. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Add the other ingredients.

Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 10 minutes to develop the flavor.

The curry will be done when you see some oil releasing around the corners.

FALAFAL

Nourish and hydrate your scalp Ghee is a rich source of omega 3 and omega 9 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid, vitamin A, vitamin D, carotenoids, and several minerals. It

Nine tricks to getting smooth, dewy skin

boosts healthy cell growth on the scalp by nourishing it deeply.

Fight dandruff Ghee is also packed with antioxidants, which help fight free radicals or any bacterial or fungal infections on the scalp. It also relieves you of a dry, itchy, or flaky scalp resulting from the lack of moisture in the scalp skin.

Shinier, healthy-looking mane Ghee nourishes your scalp and hair follicle as well as the length of your hair, helping it regain its lost moisture. The result of this deep conditioning is just a shinier and a healthier-looking mane.

¼ cup + 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup soaked chickpeas ½ cup chopped red onion ½ cup packed fresh cilantro (mostly leaves but small stems are ok) 4 cloves garlic 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper ½ teaspoon ground cumin INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Pour ¼ cup of the olive oil into a large baking sheet evenly coat pan Combine the soaked and drained chickpeas, onion, parsley, cilantro, garlic, salt, pepper, cumin, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a food processor. Process until smooth.

Using your hands, scoop out about 2 tablespoons of the mixture at a time. Shape the falafel into small patties. Place on your oiled pan.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, carefully flipping them halfway through baking, until they are deeply golden on both sides.

Should you store onions and potatoes together?

Yes, we know! There is not enough time in the world for any of us to maintain or try a proper beauty regimen.

If you in fact, do... Let us know how you do it! However, for those like us who rely on certain hacks and quick tricks, follow us as we take you through a beautiful journey, one that promises healthier, smoother skin.

Below are some quick ways people we know swear by for soft skin: • Apply moisturizer right after toweldrying from a shower, when the body is still damp. This locks in moisture.

• Substitute your shaving cream with coconut oil.

• Feeling a little fancy? Mix your foundation with some body lotion, and you have your personalised body makeup on hand.

• That face cream in the back of your dresser, yeah, you know the one. Use that on your body instead. Zero waste!

• For date night, use body oil, and finish with a drop of liquid highlighter.

• Sunscreen! Seriously, it is not just for your face!

• Exfoliate.

• Wash your body after you condition your hair to drain off lingering product

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has emphasised the value of ‘essentials’ in our daily lives. And while most of us are no experts, we are all in the habit of stocking basics like potatoes and onions in one basket. But, apparently, that’s not the best idea.

Alexander Chee, American fiction writer, poet, journalist and reviewer, sharing his lockdown moment, expressed surprise on discovering that onions and potatoes should not be stored together. “Did everyone else know you weren’t supposed to store onions and potatoes together? I can’t believe I’ve never known this,” he tweeted.

As he tweeted this, people joined in the discussion, some of them were shocked and some shared additional information

on which vegetable to store and how. So, if you are attempting to hoard onions and potatoes during the lockdown, because it’s difficult to step out to pick up essentials due to the pandemic scare, do consider this piece of advice. However, as most kitchens in urban and rural India lack the space to store grocery items separately, the result is stockpiling of the likes of onions and potatoes.

Here are things to know Contrary to the popular

notion that onions emit ethylene gas when they ripen, it’s the moisture that both these vegetables put out which adversely affects them and also prevents them from staying dry.

Only when they aren’t influenced by external factors do these vegetables become appropriate to be used as apt ingredients in dishes.

Regardless of them being segregated, at times, potatoes shoot up curly strands.

However, this is vestigial and could be chopped apart very conveniently.

The dryness needs to remain intact to ensure that neither the onion nor the potato is decayed internally.

In all probability, a simple trick like this could further solve our troubles in the present situation.

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Shraddha shows the way to keep Covid-19 at bay – 'Stree'-style Taking a cue from her hit film 'Stree' opposite Rajkummar Rao, actor Shraddha Kapoor shared an innovative way to keep coronavirus away.

Originally posted by the official handle of Maddock Films, the photo shows a 'Stree'-inspired poster outside the gate of someone's residence. It reads, “O corona kal aana (O Corona, come tomorrow).”

Shraddha re-posted the picture on her Instagram

stories. The movie is a horrorcomedy, with a story line that showed a vengeful female spirit could be warded off by the tagline 'O Stree kal aana'.

The movie also starred Pankaj Tripathi and Abhishek Banerjee.

Both, Shraddha and her brother Siddhanth are currently staying together with their parents amid the ongoing lockdown in the wake of Covid. Their father, veteran actor Shakti Kapoor

had said, “We have three sections in the house. I am very happy that everyone wants to be on their own – my wife into her prayers, Shraddha into reading and exercising, Siddhant is into social servicing at this point in time. In my section, every morning, I put on the television, wishing to hear that everything is under control now. But nothing like this is happening. I am not getting very good sleep.”

Dimple cooks a meal for daughter Twinkle for the first time

Twinkle Khanna got a first-hand chance to taste 'maa ke haath ka khana' last week, as mother Dimple Kapadia cooked fried rice for her. Sharing a picture of her food on Instagram, the actorturned-author joked that all it took was a global pandemic for her mother to start cooking.

“It has only taken 46 years, a pandemic and an extended lockdown for my mother to make me my first meal-fried rice. Now I also know what people mean when they say ‘Maa Ke Haath Ka Khana’ #MamaMia,” her caption read. Her husband Akshay Kumar was a professional chef before he stepped into the world of cinema. The skills have been passed over to their son Aarav, who recently baked a chocolate brownie cake for the family.

Meanwhile, Dimple, who was last seen on the big screen in a small role in Homi Adajania’s 'Angrezi Medium', is awaiting the release of her next, 'Tenet'. Directed by Christopher Nolan, 'Tenet' is an espionage epic starring John David Washington and Robert Pattinson as agents who set out to prevent World War III.

KJo's twins Yash and Roohi's 'screen test' has the internet in splits

Kartik Aaryan seeks more compliments for his new look!

Actor Kartik Aaryan has a quirky sense of humour. Lately, he has been in quite a dilemma about his lockdown look, as he sports an overgrown beard and hair. The actor, whose blown-up hairstyle has a fandom of its own, is not really sure whether he should keep the facial hair or trim it While fans have been praising his lockdown look, Kartik isn't really satisfied with the compliments he has been getting. Fishing for more compliments, he posted a brand new selfie last week, with a caption that read, “Thodi Tareef Karo Please. Bohot Mann Kar Raha Hai.” (Please compliment me a little, I feel like it) Currently self-quarantined at home due to the lockdown, Kartik has been actively interacting with his followers. He also posts a series of interviews with Covid-19 warriors, called 'Koki Poochega'.

Producer Karan Johar's children Yash and Roohi are the current stars of his short home videos. Titled 'Lockdown with the Johars', the video showed the two giving a 'screen test' and portray different emotions – angry, happy, sad, and love. While Yash nails each and every expression, earning a pat on the back by his sister Roohi, she was quick to get bored and walks away.

Karan tells her, “Roohi, you have to finish your performance! I have no actor in the frame. Oh God, the story

of my life these days.” Roohi, however, returns and completes her ‘screen test’, getting the other two expressions on point. “We had a screen test done today! #lockdownwiththejohars #toodles,” Karan wrote in the caption.

The internet showered adoration on the two kids. While one Instagram user called them the “Cast of SOTY 24”, another called them “Talented munchkins”. The entire film industry also dropped multiple emojis on the video.

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Deepika gives a peek of her family Whatsapp group Actress Deepika Padukone gave a rare insight into her family Whatsapp group that includes her husband Ranveer Singh, or “Handsome” as she calls him, her parents, and her in-laws. The screenshot shows the family praising Ranveer for a recent interview. While Dippy's mother Ujjala calls the interview “interesting,” ber father Prakash Padukone found it very candid.

Meanwhile Ranveer's father said the interview was lively. What caught our eye, however, is that the actress has apparently saved her husband's number under the name 'Handsome'. Sharing the screenshot, Deepika wrote, “And this is how we roll...

Whenever anyone in the family has a big day, the rest of us tune in. Like in the case above. Everyone appreciated an interview my husband did recently. Similarly there are times when we get pulled up or get given feedback on what we could have done differently or better. And that to us is the most valuable”. Deepika and Ranveer are currently in lockdown at their Mumbai home.

by Vallisa Chauhan

Genre: American Thriller Duration: 96 minutes

A surprise windfall uncovers a whole new host of problems Adam (Jessie T Usher) and Katie (Camila Mendes) are a young married couple and are struggling to pay their bills. Katie is working as a caregiver for an old man named Leonard. When Leonard passes away he leaves everything he has to the couple, this is where their troubles begin.

Mira Rajput shares family photo with father-in-law on his birthday

Actor Shahid Kapoor's wife Mira Rajput had an adorable wish for veteran actor and her father-in-law Pankaj Kapur on his 66th birthday. Sharing a family picture with her 'Baba' in focus, smiling at the kids, She penned a cheerful birthday note.

The picture also shows Kapur's wife Supriya Pathak, Shahid, and Mira.

She captioned the photos, “Happy Birthday Dad. Nobody is as cool and as warm as you are. In a family of Alphonsos we're the Safedas! To the bestest 'Baba', We love you.” Seasoned actor, Kapur has an impeccable track record of roles that have contributed a great deal to the entertainment industry. His notable works include his performances in Vishal Bharadwaj's 'Maqbool', drama film 'The Blue Umbrella.'

Shah Rukh rings in youngest AbRam's birthday with all his favourites Actor Shah Rukh Khan's youngest AbRam rang in his seventh birthday under lockdown. A peek into the celebrations was offered by Gauri Khan, who shared a video of him listening keenly as the actor read out to him from a book of horror stories. Gauri captioned the video, “Listening to 'scary' stories.

Birthday celebrations with his favourite book, his favourite song and his favourite person.” The video crossed tens of thousands of views in just few minutes, with wishes pouring in from all sides.

Shah Rukh, in a recent Twitter session, said he was using the lockdown to spend time with his children. He wrote, “In spite of contributing to the population boom, having three kids to be with is a treat.

They are in all shapes and sizes, so the day goes by being with them each for a couple of hours. Then spend the rest of the day cleaning up their toys!”

On the work front, the actor was last seen in Aanand L Rai's 'Zero', which tanked at the box office.

Leonard becomes fond of Katie and she lets slip about the financial problems she is having. Instead of taking the money Leonard offers, Katie asks him if he has a job for Adam. Leonard hires Adam as a gardener since his last gardener disappeared. At the same time an estate agent called Hayden appears and wants to buy the house which Katie says is not for sale.

Leonard writes a check to Katie for $7,000, she doesn’t want to deposit it but Adam convinces her that they can pay off their bills and then give Leonard the extra money back. She agrees, but the next day they find out that Leonard has passed away.

At Leonard’s funeral his attorney, Julia, tells them that Leonard has left everything to the couple. Katie is sceptic but Adam is loving the new found wealth.

After the couple move into the house, Hayden appears again and it is soon made clear that he is stalking the couple. The detective who is investigating Leonard’s death becomes suspicious of Adam and his involvement in the robbery that took place earlier at a diner.

One day Katie finds the body of Leonard’s old gardener Ethan in the living space above the garage, and then finds out that Ethan was actually working with Hayden who is a diamond thief and was recently released from prison. Ethan had been shot and ran to Leonard’s house but died. When released Hayden knew the diamonds were in the house and wanted to find them.

Katie and Adam decide it is time to leave and as they get ready Katie calls Julia but they are intercepted by Hayden who arrives at the house. In a struggle both Hayden and Adam are shot. Does Katie manage to escape?

Dangerous Lies is a brilliant film if you are looking for something different. It isn’t made with a huge budget or massive sets but it does the job of providing an interesting storyline with enough twists to keep you going.

You can get in touch with Vallisa: djvallisa@gmail.com

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Pooja Hegde says her Instagram account hacked Actor Pooja Hegde denied surprising her fans after she shared a meme on fellow actor Samantha Akkineni on her Instagram page. Defending the post, she said her account was hacked. A meme posted on her Instagram page featured an image of Samantha and read, “I don't find her pretty at all.” The post went viral, inviting the wrath of Samantha's fans.

Pooja was quick to clarify her account was hacked, however #PoojaMustApologizeSamantha began trending the next day. Meanwhile, Pooja tweeted, “Hi guys, so I've been informed

by my team that my insta account has been hacked and my digital team is helping me with it. Please do not accept any invitations or pass out any personal information out to the person asking.

Thank you.”

She added, “Spent the last hour stressing about the safety of my Instagram account. Thanking my technical team for instant help at this hour. Finally, got my hands back on my Instagram Any message, follow back or post in d past hour from my account has been done will be undone. Ty.”

Actor Nandamuri upset over not Jyotika-starrer 'Ponmagal being invited for meeting with CM Vandhal' leaked Actor Nandamuri Balakrishna expressed disappointment over not being invited for a recent meeting held by members of the Telugu film fraternity and Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) to discuss various issues pertaining to the film industry.

In a video surfaced online, Balakrishna can be heard saying, “I was not invited to the meeting and I came to know about it from news reports. Did they meet to discuss the distribution of lands in Hyderabad? They are doing real estate business. Am I not part of the industry?? Big shots of the Telugu industry such as actors Chiranjeevi, Akkineni Nagarjuna, filmmaker SS Rajamouli and producer Dil Raju met chief minister to discuss further action.

Revealing details of the meeting, a source said, “In the meeting, it was decided that post-production work on films and TV serials will begin immediately in a phased manner.

They decided that film shooting can begin from June; however, it will be done with a lot of restrictions. The decision of reopening theatres will be taken after a review.”

Actor Jyotika's latest Tamil venture 'Ponmagal Vandhal' was leaked online last week by Tamilrockers right before its scheduled premiere. A media report revealed the movie was leaked online by the piracy site just a couple hours ahead of its world premiere on Amazon Prime.

It also said that the film's HD version was on the piracy website, causing the makers to fret. 'Ponmagal Vandhal' features Jyotika in the role of a lawyer, and is the first mainstream Tamil film to have a direct OTT release. In an interview with a media house, the actress said she's open to exploring opportunities on OTT platforms.

Produced by actor Suriya, the film also stars K Bhagyaraj, R Parthiepan, Pandiarajan, and Pratap Pothen in crucial roles.

'Baahubali 2' a major hit on Russian TV In a surprise tweet, the Russian Embassy shared that Prabhasstarrer SS Rajamouli's 2017 blockbuster 'Baahubali 2: The Conclusion' has quite the fan base in Russia. A dubbed version of the film was telecast on a channel. The official Twitter account of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in India tweeted, “Indian cinema gains popularity in Russia. Look what Russian TV is broadcasting right now: the Baahubali with Russian voice over!” The post garnered a lot of attention, with fans thanking Russia and Russians for their warm response to the mythological action drama. A fan tweeted, “Thank you from Telugu film industry and from Telugu speaking people..

Another addition to the list along with 'Pasivadi Pranam' (1987) got dubbed into Russian language”. SS Rajamouli's twofilm magnum opus, the 'Baahubali' series opened to full houses in its original Telugu version, as well as Hindi.

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India, Australia planning to hold test series by year-end Cricket Australia (CA) and the Indian cricket board (BCCI) have agreed against the need for a bio-secure environment for India’s four-Test tour in December. CA has assured BCCI the coronavirus was likely to be under control in Australia by year-end, making a traditional series possible at four different venues.

This will be the first marquee event in international cricket in the post-Covid world if CA is unable to stage the T20 World Cup as planned. The series, as proposed by CA, will start in Brisbane on Dec 3, following which Adelaide will host a day-night Test.

The traditional Boxing Day and New Year Tests will be staged in Melbourne and Sydney as usual. The Adelaide Test will be India’s first day-night affair in Australia.

Uncertainty still looms over the tour, depending on the spread of the coronavirus and travel restrictions in the respective countries at that time.

Whether spectators will be allowed inside the stadiums will depend on government regulations at that time. It is understood that the venues may change to one stadium only if the coronavirus situation worsens in Australia.

“We have no problems with the itinerary. If they

(CA) are confident of hosting the series in the traditional way, then

nothing like it. They think they have the situation under control there. But

both boards will take regular stock of things.

There will be flexibility in

the schedule,” BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal said.

The series is expected to fetch cash-strapped CA around $300 million. The Australian board has been hit especially hard by the pandemic, with big doubts over the staging of the T20 World Cup in Oct-Nov. If that event is postponed, it can open up a window for the Indian Premier League (IPL) to be staged at that time.

“It’s not that the BCCI is pushing for the T20 World Cup to be postponed. It’s between CA and ICC. If CA can assure ICC that they can host the World Cup, BCCI won’t object. This will be discussed in the ICC meeting,” a top BCCI official said.

Cricket Australia tells ICC it would like Hardik Pandya-Natasa Stankovic tie the knot to host 2021 edition of T20 WC Cricket Australia on being asked about their preference if the 2020 edition of the T20 World Cup doesn’t go ahead, has said that it would want to hold the 2021 edition rather than getting hosting rights in 2022.

The 2021 edition of the tournament is currently for India to host. According to a report in The Australian, a letter from Cricket Australia chairman Earl Eddings was sent to ICC’s Financial and Commercial Affairs Committee calling for the tournament to be shifted because of issues relating to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The letter was written in response to International Cricket Council asking Cricket Australia which options were preferable if the board is not able to host the tournament this year.

Eddings has told ICC that it

wants to host the event in late 2021 when India is scheduled to host the T20 World Cup and does not want the hosting rights for this year’s tournament to be shifted all the way back to 2022.

The ICC Board met via teleconference last week with all agenda items deferred until June 10 following a discussion, led

by Chairman Shashank

Manohar, around the issue of confidentiality. At the board meeting, ICC was expected to finally decide on the fate of the 2020 T20 World Cup slated to be held from October 18 to November 15.

However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the possibility of hosting the tournament currently looks bleak. There were reports that the Board of Control

for Cricket in India (BCCI) is not in the mood to exchange the hosting rights with Cricket Australia.

“As for one of the ideas that BCCI may hand the hosting rights of the 2021 edition to CA and us hosting the 2022 edition of the T20 World Cup, I honestly don’t see that happening. If the T20 World Cup doesn’t happen in Australia in 2020 then it will in 2022 is what we feel,” A BCCI official had explained.

If this year’s T20 World Cup is postponed, which looks like the obvious solution in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, it will open a window for the BCCI to host the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League which currently stands postponed.

In fact, it is believed that the roadmap for the same is already in planning.

Tax matters generate heat between ICC and BCCI The long-standing tax dispute between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and BCCI has led to unpleasant exchange of emails between the two organisations, became the central talking point as members of the governing body met via a teleconference last week for a pre-scheduled board meeting. The issue of the T20 World Cup and its expected postponement got pushed to the backburner.

The meeting began at 3.30 pm and concluded in less than two hours with certain members suggesting “the entire matter surrounding the tax solutions, email exchanges

between the ICC and the BCCI and the media coverage around the whole episode needs to be revisited in all seriousness”.

The meeting has now been adjourned until June 10 with ICC’s statement saying there needs to be an independent investigation led by ICC’s ethics officer into the matter surrounding the World Cup tax solutions.

ICC CEO Manu Sawhney will update the board on the matter on June 10. The ICC had said in one of its emails that ICC Business Corporation (IBC – ICC’s commercial arm that is made of its directors) members are not prepared to agree to the BCCI’s request for an extension of the deadline to

provide tax solutions “to June 30 or 30 days after the lockdown is lifted, whichever is later”. This led to a huge controversy that took centre stage in the meeting.

“Who are the IBC members who have said that? Are there documents to prove it? Is there evidence?” individuals related to the matter asked.

The first email from the ICC to the BCCI was on April 7, exactly two weeks after India’s Prime Minister announced a 21-day national lockdown. “… Clause 10.20 expressly requires BCCI to provide the IBC with an unconditional confirmation (on tax solutions) no later than 18 months prior to the start of the event (T20

World Cup in 2020),” the letter said.

“Eighteen months prior to the event (in Oct-Nov 2021) meant April 17, BCCI replied to the email and said,there’s a national lockdown and nothing’s moving in the country and therefore requested an extension to the deadline.

Where’s the problem?

What’s more important right now, cricket or dealing with Covid?” sources said.

The ICC then said that the IBC has denied BCCI’s request for extension but did not share who in the IBC was saying so. Further, the governing body did not provide any document to share such a claim made by the IBC.

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has tied knots with his fiancee Natasa Stankovic and the couple has also announced that they are expecting a baby soon. Krunal Pandya, brother of Hardik, also shared pictures of the whole family in his social media accounts and announced to the world the happy news about his brother. Krunal has also played for India in the shorter formats.

"Natasa and I have had a great journey together and it is just about to get better Together we are excited to welcome a new life into our lives very soon. We're thrilled for this new phase of our life and seek your blessings and wishes," Hardik Pandya wrote on his Instagram.

"Natasa is a very nice girl, and we have met her in Mumbai on a number of occasions. We knew that they were going on a vacation to Dubai, but had no clue that they were going to get engaged. This took us by surprise. We came to know about it after they got engaged," Hardik's father Himanshu was quoted as saying.

This is indeed a big and good news for Hardik as he was going through a harrowed time as a cricketer of late. The allrounder, who plays for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, got himself embroiled in controversy over a few remarks in a TV show - Coffee with Karan, hosted by Bollywood director Karan Johar.

Thereafter India's premier all-rounder suffered a back injury during the Asia Cup late last year and had to undergo a surgery in London. The recuperation process kept Hardik out of action for a few months before making a comeback to the Indian team for the ODI series against South Africa at home.

But as fate would have it, the first match of the series in Dharamsala was abandoned due to rain and the rest of the series was cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic, delaying the return of Hardik. Hardik would have got a chance to play for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2020 but even that tournament has been postponed indefinitely due to the Covid 19.