AV 06th January 2021

FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE Kilburn temple steps up vaccination drives, aims to dispel false information SEE PAGE - 4

Republic Day Special

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SEE PAGE - 20 to 26

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

6 - 12 FEBRUARY 2021 - VOL 49 ISSUE 39

JOBLESS AND STARVING Record loss of unemployment for BAME workers at 8.5% pushes them to work in the informal sector. International students lose their part-time jobs suffer from starvation.

inside: Let’s face it, Britain has long struggled to accept the imperial explanation for its racial diversity - Sathnam Sanghera SEE PAGE - 14

Indian American named chief medical officer of department of homeland security SEE PAGE - 19

Nirmala Sitharaman’s get well Budget

Priyanka Mehta

Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) workers, disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic are now struggling to feed themselves with many relying on food banks for sustenance. Latest figures highlight that the number in the employment of the BAME community has dropped by 26 times more than the drop in white workers over the same period. According to the TUC report, the unemployment rate for BAME people has already reached 8.5%, much higher than the overall average of 4.9% and the 4.5% average for white workers. And most British Asian employees are working predominantly in the retail and hospitality industry, the industries that have suffered Continued on page 6 the worst due to repeated national lockdowns.

India's finance minister in her Budget 2021 speech announced a slew of taxation reforms along with an increased spending on healthcare with £3.5 billion on Covid-19 vaccine development. Sitharaman announced the scrapping of income tax for senior citizens under certain conditions, new rules for removal of double taxation for NRIs, and a reduction in the time period of tax assessments among other measures. Startups will get an extension in their tax holiday for an Continued on page 27 additional year.

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AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

6 - 12 February 2021

with Keith Vaz

Husband reportedly found guilty of murdering wife

Gayatri Kapil Coming from a humble background Gayatri Kapil, was born in West London and grew up in Feltham. At that time, she was part of a small Asian community living in a town that was predominately white and had to deal with racism and bullying from a very young age.

Undeterred, she went on to study Business Studies at UWL, and a postgraduate in IT at Kingston University.

In 2000 during her gap year, Gayatri was offered an opportunity to work for Siemens with top IT professionals in their field. She realised from there on that she wanted to remain in both tech and business. In 2005 she got her first break working for the Global Digital Business at Sony Music, which kick started her career in the Media industry, then onto working for Viacom, Sky and Sony Pictures carrying out roles in Business Partnering and Relationship Management. She is now a partner in a Digital Marketing Agency and also promotes Emotional Intelligence in the corporate sector.

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

It would have to be West London, being in close proximity to my family and near beautiful green outdoor places, such as Kew Gardens, Richmond Park, etc.

What are your proudest achievements?

I get to work with clients, who are mostly top coaches that are spreading wellbeing, ethical responsibility, and spirituality throughout the world. How incredible is that!?

And the worst?

Overcoming so many years of adversity and never giving up no matter how tough things became. If anything, it's been character building.

What inspires you?

I wouldn't say it is the worst, but it is a challenge working with resources where you are training up from scratch and therefore having to exercise patience, which is not one of my strong points, but I am learning.

What are your long-term goals?

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Ultimately, the thing that inspires me is helping people, problem solving and learning something new. As long as these three elements are in the mix, I am pretty much content.

What has been biggest obstacle in your career?

Sometimes certain events caused me to doubt myself and once you are in that space you become your own worse enemy.

I, therefore, wished I had not listened to people who told me that I wasn't good enough and allowed them to walk all over me, but now I know better.

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

It would have to be my dad and him drilling, like Tony Blair, "education, education, education"!! My parents came to this country with nothing, and they worked extremely hard to support and provide for not only my brother and I, but also for our extended families.

What is the best aspect about your current role?

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To promote (and maybe eventually teach) people to empower themselves to overcome adversity and to encourage a healthy and positive work environment.

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

I would make meditation/mindfulness part of the national curriculum. There are countless studies showing how meditation alone helps to manage stress and mental illness, and if you can teach people to overcome these issues from a early age then you are halfway there preventing most stress induced physical illnesses and promoting a peaceful society.

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

I was going to say Cleopatra but I don't want you to get the wrong idea haha, but seriously for a woman to have that much power during a time where men ruled the world is pretty much extraordinary.

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Man charged with terrorism offences A 21-year-old man has been charged with multiple terrorism offences.

Rayan Saab, from Birmingham, has been charged with six counts of disseminating terrorist publications in the last two years

from according to West Midlands Police.

The 21-year-old was arrested at a property in Bloomsbury Walk in the city on Wednesday and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

On 28th January, Thursday a 45-year-old “callous” husband who pretended that his wife had been killed in a burglary has been found guilty of her murder.

Two years ago, 38-yearold Sarbjit Kaur was found that she had been assaulted and "dead for some time," at house in her Wolverhampton according to the West Midlands Police. Previously, Gurpreet Singh was convicted of murder following a retrial at Birmingham Crown Court.

He has now been sentenced to life in prison and will serve a minimum of 19 years.The husband himself had called the officers informing them that he had found his 38-year-old wife unconscious in their home.

A post-mortem examination however, revealed that she had died of asphyxiation.

The house initially looked as if it had been burgled. The jury was told Singh was showing signs of shock and horror at what had taken place. His wife's face and body were sprinkled with a form of chilli powder, which was used to incapacitate her or give the impression she had been attacked.

The West

activity in a limited number of areas" over the next few months in order to build on its "key strengths" and "invest in people and infrastructure".

David Harvie, who works in the university's business department and is part of the union, said staff are already overstretched and redundancies will make that worse.

He said, "Staff at

Nishan Canagarajah

Leicester University were already facing a triple

Sarbjit Kaur

Midlands force said Singh allowed his children to enter their house and find Sarbjit, their stepmother dead on the floor.

This is not the first instance of reported murder for Gurpreet. His first wife, Amandeep Kaur had also reportedly died in India four years before the murder, with authorities concluding she suffered a brain haemorrhage. He had faced charges of attempting to arrange her death, but was later acquitted.

Singh reportedly "had taken the time" to remove the CCTV from the property, the officer said. He had previously insisted that the CCTV was removed because it wasn't working properly and he'd thrown away the DVR box that recorded the footage.

Supt Chris Mallett, of West Midlands Police, said,

"While the motivation of Sarbjit's murder is unclear, Singh is clearly a callous and calculating man with complete disregard for human life. He's shown no remorse for his actions and continued to deny his involvement, despite the weight of evidence against him. It wasn't just the CCTV it was the fact that he had arranged for an unknown, still unknown, female third party to attend the address that day and assist him in committing the murder of Sarbjit."

Jurors were told the unidentified woman went into the home of Singh just minutes after he entered the Wolverhampton property. The police are still keen to hear who his accomplice is and are pleading anyone with any information to do the right thing and report what they know.

Local radio presenter passes away Last week, a renowned “community activist” and former local radio presenter passed away after contracting Covid-19. Tributes poured in on social media following 59-year-old Sujata Barot's death.

The first South Asian faces in local media who made her name across multiple platforms including BBC Radio Leicester, was known for her work in the Belgrave community and had close ties to the local police and residents. Over she went on to present on Radio 2 as well as working with actor Sanjeev Bhaskar on the Network East television show. She also played an active role in Leicester, and stood as an independent candidate for the

University of Leicester faces vote of no confidence The vice-chancellor and the executive board of the University of Leicester are facing a vote of no confidence following the university’s announcement that it was looking to cut 60 posts with 145 staff at risk of redundancy to secure its long-term future.

According to the BBC, vice-chancellor Nishan Canagarajah said the university needed to "cease

Gurpreet Singh

workload crisis. A year ago we had unsustainable workloads. Then the pandemic came along - the university leadership responded by abandoning more than 160 casual staff there was no reduction in work, there was more work and that work was shunted on to the remaining staff.

We will be contesting these redundancies in every way that we can."

Sujata Barot

Leicester East constituency in the 2017 general election.

In a post shared on Facebook, BBC Radio Leicester presenter, Kamlesh Purohit wrote, “I cannot believe you're no longer with us. Suj joined BBC Radio Leicester a year or so after me. Those were pioneering days of British Asian broadcasting, with a new crop of young, talented broadcasters coming

through, eventually laying the foundation for what went on to become the national BBC Asian Network.

“In her later life – despite her own health issues, she fought passionately for the community on issues like the Belgrave library closure.

She was devoted to her mum who is still in hospital with Covid. Let's pray for her, and for Suj's soul... farewell my friend, rest in peace in the abode of the Almighty, you are now reunited with your amazing dad, Babubhai Barot – and I can just picture the two of you making beautiful music in heaven."

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6 - 12 February 2021

Combatting climate crises A first of its kind comprehensive economic review commissioned

by Her Majesty’s Treasury has cautioned that nature is a “blind spot” in Economics that individuals ignore at their perils.

Undertaken by Professor Partha Dasgupta, the global review on the Economics of Biodiversity urges for a fundamental change in how we think about and approach economics to reverse biodiversity loss and protect and enhance our prosperity. The review calls for an urgent and transformative change in how we think, act and measure economic success. It is grounded in a deep understanding of ecosystem processes and how they are affected by economic activity.

To understand the gravity of climate change one must only consider the series of global events this year. There was a 38C temperature recorded in Russia’s Arctic Circle. There were big wildfires in Australia, Siberia and the US west coast. Summer Arctic ice cover was the second-lowest on record. There was a record number — 30 — of Atlantic hurricanes. There was record flooding in the Sahel — the whole belt south of the Sahara from Senegal to Sudan — and in Indonesia. The worst kind of cyclones in the Eastern state of West Bengal, India. Not to forget Storm Cristoph which flooded huge swathes of wetlands across the UK. One particular study has recently noted that intensive agriculture alone had destroyed about 64% of floodplains in England between 1990 and 2015.

And the review emerges at a time when climate change is deemed as perhaps the most fundamental issue of policy framework after health and economy in present times. The incoming Biden administration and their re-joining of the Paris Climate Agreement has also demonstrated as much with the appointment of John Kerry as its committed and cabinet-level envoy. But all eyes will be pinned on his British counterpart Indian-origin MP Alok Sharma who is expected to chair COP26 Summit in Glasgow this year. COP26 will be the largest summit the UK has ever hosted, bringing together representatives from nearly 200 countries, including world leaders, experts, and campaigners from the USA, India and China to name a few. The UK has already set a high bar, with their recent commitment to reduce carbon emissions by at least 68% by 2030 and it aims to cut emissions by more than any other similar developed nation – and at the fastest rate. Under Sharma’s coordinated global action to tackle climate change, the ten-point plan includes committing to end the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030, supporting renewable energy projects across the UK, investing in technology

and transforming the energy efficiency of the UK’s homes and public buildings. But this is likely to have an impact on the country’s economy as well.

As part of the review, Professor Dasgupta noted as much, “Truly sustainable economic growth and development means recognising that our long-term prosperity relies on rebalancing our demand of nature’s goods and services with its capacity to supply them. It also means accounting fully for the impact of our interactions with nature across all levels of society. Covid-19 has shown us what can happen when we don’t do this. Nature is our home. Good economics demands we manage it better.”

And in this pursuit, the UK is joined by India’s initiative to reduce its Carbon footprint. According to the Global Climate Risk Index 2021, India was the seventh most-affected country devastated by the sustained impact of climate change across the world in 2019. Between 2000 and 2019, over 475,000 people lost their lives as a direct result of more than 11,000 extreme weather events globally including the Gujarat Earthquake of 2001 which nearly destroyed the village of Chobari in Bhachau Taluka of Kutch District of the state.

Ever since, the Indian diaspora in the UK have contributed significantly in their efforts of re-building their native state.

Leading Asian business families including the Pankhanias and Dhamechas have supported campaigns, fundraisers and petitions for the bereaved families of the 12,300 victims who had unfortunately died. Community and religious organisations such as the BAPS Neasden Mandir had played its own role in salvaging the heritage sites and structures destroyed or damaged. The earthquake had destroyed around 40% of homes, eight schools, two hospitals and 4 km of road in Bhuj, and partly destroyed the city's historic Swaminarayan temple. Gujarat has demonstrated that with effective leadership and sustainable policies in place, we can tackle the growing terror of climate crisis. Under the Chief Ministership of now Indian PM Narendra Modi, Gujarat not just recovered from the perils of the earthquake but has now become a global model for understanding how to avert natural disasters. Former foreign secretary Shyam Saran at the 13th All India Conference of China Studies highlighted that India has a good story to tell in terms of climate change action ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26).

It is time that the UK also realised that allocating £60m into the Greater Manchester area’s flood defences is no longer enough to combat the growing dangers of climate change.

India achieves tremendous progress since independence India has celebrated its 72nd Republic Day on January 26, 2021 on a low-key due to the pandemic. Republic Day has been celebrated every year in India on January 26, since 1950 to honour the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect.

India is believed to slowly acquire status of a major economic power and the largest producer of pharmaceutical products in the world. It has recently produced two types of Covid-19 vaccine and are supplying it to many countries around the world.

When India gained independence in 1947, many skeptics predicted that India would disintegrate. The country was so poor that there were not enough food grains to feed its people and not much industry to meet the basic needs of the populace. India had to depend on other countries to meet basic needs. But the progress since independence has been marked by significant milestones and reforms that enabled it to achieve substantial progress in many areas, including rise in income levels, growth, literacy, life expectancy and a wide variety of other economic indicators. Since independence, the GDP increased to an estimated Rs 140,776 billion during 2018-19 despite a significant increase in the population of the country. The average Indian citizen earned an income of just around Rs 7,513 during 1950-51 which increased to Rs 92,565 during 2018-19.

The Indian origin people play a significant role in the development of other countries. There are over 81 million Indian diaspora that is spread over more than 134 countries in the world. They play significant role in social, political and economic fields of their host countries. The United Arab Emirates, the US and Saudi Arabia host the largest numbers of migrants from India. Another feature about the migrant population is that they’re really distributed all over the globe. The US remained by far the largest country of destination of international migrants with 51 million migrants in 2020. India is the main country of recipient of remittances worldwide and in 2019 received USD 83 billion in remittances from its diaspora.

After independence, the agricultural sector in India progressed and generates livelihood for more than half the population. The Modi government recently introduced three new farm laws to free the farmers from the clutches of middlemen. But farmers from Punjab, Haryana and UP oppose the new laws and are agitating against it since its introduction. The real gross value added by the agriculture, forestry and allied sectors went up from around Rs 1,502 billion in 1950-51 to around Rs 22,263 billion as per the 2011-12 calculations. The advent of the Green Revolution during the 1960s was a game-changer for the country. It saw the adoption of modern technology and methods to produce high yield variety seeds, that significantly raised agricultural productivity and increased food grain production. India has also made significant progress in terms of industrial development since

Independence. The Industrial Policy of 1991 constituted a major economic reform and was introduced to reinvigorate the industrial sector. The policy dismantled the system of industrial licensing and opened the sector for greater private sector participation as well as foreign investment. In terms of real gross value added, manufacturing, construction and electricity, gas and water supply sector stood at around Rs 401 billion during 1950-51. Presently, the sector is valued at around Rs 36,684 (approx. £370).

Many sectors gained pace in the manufacturing scenario.

From just 3 automobile companies, the automotive sector attracted global multinationals and built up a range of products of global quality standards. Engineering and electrical machinery goods have evolved to global benchmarks as well. In services, new sectors such as Information Technology and telecommunications have transformed the landscape, creating new opportunities such as e-commerce and startups. India’s IT skills are renowned the world over. Conventional services industries have also expanded, with financial services, tourism and hospitality, and retail changing in multiple ways, adapting to technology and gaining share in the economy. The real gross value added for the services sector comprising of trade, hotels, transport and communications increased from around Rs 308 billion during 1950-51 and is estimated at around Rs 24,711 billion during 2018-19.

Over the years India established a robust transport network.

The length of roads increased from around 0.4 million km during the 1950s to around 5.9 million km post 2016-17. Civil aviation has also witnessed immense growth. India’s power sector has also diversified significantly and made substantial progress since Independence. The process of liberalization that was started during the mid-1980s to make the Indian economy more open to trade and external flows gained pace during the 1990s. The objective was to improve the efficiency of the Indian economy through reduction in trade barriers such as import tariffs. Today, India has developed a significant footprint in the global economy. The literacy rates have increased significantly. This has been accompanied by major improvements in education sector. Households’ access to safe drinking water at the all-India level also improved.

In healthcare, the advent of sophisticated and modern technology has led to reduced prevalence of diseases and increased longevity.

The Modi government has introduced many other reforms in the financial sector which will take the country to new heights. India became the world's fifth largest economy in 2019 in terms of nominal GDP. The IMF report mentioned that in 2010, India was at 9th spot, trailing countries such as Brazil and Italy. The report added, " India's rise is even more dramatic across the past 25 years.

Since 1995, the country's nominal GDP has jumped more than 700 per cent". [see page 20-26 for our Republic Day special]

Eighty percent of success is showing up.

–Woody Allen

Alpesh Patel

The Hate You Give Cannot Divide Us I was tagged again on a Tweet about the India Farmer's protests. He/She/It (they're anonymous - like all the brave social media soldiers) asked if 'As a Hindu Leader' I would 'condemn the violence towards farmers'.

This was my reply: "I'm against all illegal violence based on religion anywhere in the world unless legally sanctioned against religious terrorists. Eg UK against ISIS. I also won't be baited into inter-religious conflict so someone can say "see how bad those Hindus are to us".

That last sentence sums it up. There are a group of religious fanatics - in all faiths - some more extreme or in larger numbers - who will look to bait and create conflict based on religion where none exists. So they can say, "look how bad the other side is". (By the way, read "Games People Play"; it's about human psychology and how we so often end up in child mode).

We choose to summon our better angels in the words of an American President.

If someone has an agenda - whether a corrupt landowning businessman who wants to control farmers, or a union which does not want to shed power or a religious fanatic wanting his own tiny country (heck I want Yorkshire to be a Republic - but sadly don't think they will make me Chief Yorkie), then say it.

Don't pretend you care for something you do not. Do not try to provoke a race or religion riot to create a cause that does not exist - that is out of the Osama Bin Laden playbook.

Anyway, outwitting the dimwits on Twitter again, they never name themselves or show their faces - not sure why the veil is mandatory -, but cowardice is a reason that comes to mind - or maybe they are shielding fearing the computer may give them a virus. Keyboard warriors. Weaponised chubby fingers tapping away. Calling themselves a Press Association to sound important - like ISIS - Islamic State.

What am I, Global Imperial Intergalactic Alliance? Okay - my new Twitter name.

I believe in liberalism. Free speech away, but you will get an almighty verbal and intellectual slap back - proverbially. I believe in British values - say what you mean - okay, Yorkshire values. Don't say one thing and hide behind the skirt of a hidden agenda. And I believe in one United Kingdom and one United union territory of the Republic of India. Jai Hind.

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Kilburn temple steps up vaccination drives aims to dispel false information On 28th January, a Hindu temple in Kingsbury was reportedly the first in Europe to open as a Covid-19 vaccination with the aim to immunise more than 1,300 people a day.

The multi-function hall at Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury, in Kingsbury Road, which has been provided to Harness Care, a group of 20 GP practices working together to run the vaccination programme for Brent residents.

NHS England has been fearful of disinformation and misinformation around the vaccine that has been causing some skepticism within the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) to reject the vaccine.

Temple trustee Dr Mahesh Varsani, an immunologist and researcher in cell and gene thera-

pies, in a statement to Kilburn Times said, “This centre aims to carry out thousands of vaccinations a week, while at the same time address any concerns people may have. Everything we know about the vaccine is that it is safe and effective, and none of its components or manufacturing processes contravenes Hindu doctrine. Some members of the South Asian community may have longstanding concerns that tend to go back generations.

“But in the same way, this temple, through the messaging of Acharya Swamishree Maharaj

starting in 2000, dispelled myths about Hindus donating body organs and blood; we will do the same for these vaccines. This vaccination centre has been inspired by the temple’s founder, Acharya Maharaj, and Swamishree strongly encouraged by our current spiritual leader Acharya Shree Jitendriyapriyadasji Swamiji Maharaj, who himself has registered to receive the vaccine in India. Through this, he aims to dispel false information that the vaccine is somehow forbidden for Hindus and he has been encouraging all people to selflessly take the vaccine as it becomes offered.”

Community members have also stepped forward as volunteers for stewarding as well as administering vaccines to relieve pressure off NHS staff.

Foreign Office raises concern about “allegations of torture” of Scottish Sikh Last week, the BBC reported that a 33-year-old Scottish Sikh who had been arrested by Indian authorities in 2017 has allegedly been tortured into signing a blank confession letter.

Jagtar Singh Johal, from Dumbarton, is being held under India's anti-terror laws, accused of conspiring to murder a number of Hindu leaders with Indian court documents alleging that he helped fund the crimes. He is claimed to be a member of a "terrorist gang", Khalistan Liberation Front (KLF).

He is also accused of paying £3,000 to the former head of the KLF to help fund the crimes. The charge sheet documents also claim that he "actively participated and had complete knowledge of the conspiracy".

However, Johal has consis-

Jagtar Singh Sohal

tently insisted that he had been "falsely implicated" and according to the BBC, the 33-year-old now says he was physically tortured into signing a blank confession and forced to record a video which was broadcast on Indian TV. In his statement to the BBC, he said, "They made me sign blank pieces of paper and asked me to say certain lines in front of a camera under fear of extreme torture."

Mr Johal's legal team also shared a copy of what they say is a

handwritten letter from shortly after his arrest in November 2017 in which he details allegations of how the torture took place.

The letter reportedly notes, "Multiple shocks were administered by placing (the) crocodile clips on my earlobes, nipples and private parts. Multiple shocks were given each day. Two people would stretch my legs, another person would slap and strike me from behind, and the shocks were given by the seated officers. At some stages I was left unable to walk and had to be carried out of the interrogation room."

Indian authorities have strongly denied these claims stating no concrete evidence of mistreatment or torture is present.

Human rights charity Reprieve has reportedly also written to the

Think of the nanoseconds Rohit Vadhwana How much does a day value in your life? When I ask this question, you will smirk, saying, 'What does this question mean at all?' But taken seriously, it will give us a good idea about the importance of time in life, importance of a day in our life. Though it depends on context and perspective at a time.

Let's take an example. One innocent person ends up in jail for five years. How would his first day feel to him? Miserable, right? He won't be able to eat, rest or sleep. He will cry his eyes out. This day, first day in jail, matters a lot to him. But one common day in the third year will not be as intense for him as the first one. So context matters.

In another circumstance, a person is going on his dream holiday for seven days. How important each day will be for him? He would like to enjoy as much as possible. If the holiday is only for three days and two nights, the same days would become even more important.

This is the perspective of availability. If you have two months to complete a task, each day would value differently, but if the same task is to be finished in two weeks, the days would become shorter and more important for you.

Take another example. A person is getting married on a day when flood washes a bridge between his village and that of the bride's. The marriage party cannot cross the river whole day.

Consider how the bride and groom would feel on that day? Add some more fantasy to this story. It's the time of seventies in India.

No phones have reached to those villages. Bride's father was to pay dowry which he has not arranged. What emotions the bride and her family go through because of the delay in arrival of barat? Have you seen movies when the father of bride commits suicide? This is how important a day could be from their perspective.

This of a person who needs blood of a particular group and only one person is available who is suitable. If the person cannot reach to hospital because of delay in train? How important that part of the day will be for the patient and his family? Absolute medical emergency will add to their trauma.

Why to think of a day? Think of a few nanoseconds in the life of sprinters who are competing for a gold medal at national or international level. It can make them immortal in the history of sports.

Well, so now only you will know how important a day is in your life. And you will say it based on the set of circumstances you are in, from the perspective you will see the day and in the context you put your time. But we surely know each day in our life is important and cannot be wasted without appreciation.

(Expressed opinions are personal.)

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, urging Mr Johal's immediate release. The UK's Foreign Commonwealth and Development office told the BBC that Mr Raab did raise the case with his Indian counterpart during his trip to India in December.

In their state, to the BBC, the FCDO noted, "We have consis-

tently raised concerns about his case with the Government of India, including allegations of torture and mistreatment and his right to a fair trial. Our staff continue to support Jagtar Singh Johal following his detention in India, and are in regular contact with his family and prison officials about his health and wellbeing."

Muslim Council of Britain elects first female Secretary General On Sunday 31st January, the UK largest democratic Muslim umbrella body elected their new Secretary General. Zara Mohammed was elected by winning a majority of MCB affiliates votes and succeeds Harun Khan, who has completed a maximum of four years as the head of the organisation.

Ajmal Masroor, an Imam, teacher and broadcaster, was also in the running for this post. Hassan Joudi has also been re-elect-

ed as Deputy Secretary General.

Upon her election, Zara Mohammed, said, “My vision is to continue to build a truly inclusive, diverse and representative body; one which is driven by the needs of British Muslims for the common good. Being elected as the first female Secretary General is quite an honour and I hope it will inspire more women and young people to come forward to take on leadership

Zara Mohammed

roles. They are the future of this organisation and our society.” Zara Mohammed is a Master’s graduate in Human Rights Law and a Training and Development Consultant. She has formerly served as an Assistant Secretary General for the

Muslim Council of Britain and is the first woman in the organisation’s history to have been elected into the post of Secretary General.

Completing his term, outgoing Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, Harun Khan, said, “It has been a privilege and honour to serve our communities over the past four and a half years as SecretaryGeneral of this great national institution. There have been some amazing achieve-

Charities tackling food poverty On Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 January, Islamic Relief UK worked closely with Give a Gift (Leeds), Myriad Foundation (Manchester), East London Mosque (London) and Green Lane Masjid (Birmingham) to pack and distribute up to 2000 food packs and vouchers for vulnerable people

including the homeless, low-income families, those suffering from domestic abuse, asylum seekers and refugees.

This winter’s distribution saw up to 2000 food packs being distributed by Islamic Relief UK and partners in London, Leeds, Manchester and

Birmingham. The packs contained essential items such as masks, hand sanitation products, gloves, hats, scarves, socks and non-perishable food items which will feed a family for up to two weeks. Tufail Hussain, Director of Islamic Relief UK said, “Having worked closely with Give a Gift, East

London Mosque and Green Lane Masjid before, we were delighted to have the opportunity to, once again, help their communities by packing and distributing food over the weekend. We are also humbled that we had the chance to work with Myriad Foundation in Manchester.”

ments during my tenure which stand testament to the dedication of volunteers, staff and our members. I wish the very best of success to Ms. Zara Mohammed – may she continue to lead this organisation to greater heights for the betterment of our communities across

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6 - 12 February 2021

JOBLESS AND STARVING Continued from page 1 Cash in hand in the construction industry Anand Seth* (name changed upon request) was a Customer Relations Officer at one of the biggest retailers in London. He was put on furlough early last October and hoping to swing back to work once the UK began its coronavirus vaccination drive. Towards the end of last year, however, he was notified that the organisation had no alternative but to make him redundant alongside dozens of his other colleagues. Being the sole breadwinner in his family, Anand, unfortunately, was pushed into the informal sector where he started taking on odd jobs in the construction industry.

Speaking about the struggles of supporting a family of four, he said, “The retail sector has all but collapsed. I had made several applications to supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s and even Ocado thinking that with a rise in digital services, I might be lucky to find something for myself. But there is only so much time that you can sit around at your house.

“I have my mortgage and bills to pay and my sons and wife to support. One cannot rely on food vouchers and benefits. They are not enough to sustain. A friend of mine took pity on me and decided to help me out by teaching me the skills of painting, welding and flooring. I have started working with construction companies and the cash-in-hand helps. I am not in the position to pay my taxes to the government even as I realise that it is now more important than ever. But I need to survive. My wife is unable to go and work owing to lan-

Frances O'Grady

guage barriers and with the added responsibility of home-schooling our children. So, we are just making do with whatever we can at present.”

The employment rate for people from BAME backgrounds slumped 5.3% in the year to September 2020, compared with a 0.2% decrease in the number of employed white workers.

The TUC has called on the government to act quickly to protect vulnerable BAME workers, many of whom faced redundancies in the accommodation and food sectors, where about a quarter of BME workers have lost their jobs. Arcadia has been the biggest high street casualty of the pandemic, which has also triggered huge changes in shopping patterns and as the lockdowns forced high street stores to close for long periods, shoppers have resorted to increased online purchases. According to the Centre for Retail Research, the UK high street shed 177,000 jobs in 2020 and a further 200,000 are expected to be lost this year. The British Retail Consortium says that over the past two years, one in every 50 outlets has permanently closed, and that this number “will only go up”. The conditions are only worse for international stu-

Jetal Zala

dents as they suffer from the double whammy of Brexit and coronavirus.

International students devastated by stringent immigration rules, coronavirus and Brexit Jetal Zala is pursuing her Masters of Research in Business and Management from the University of Stirling. Slated to graduate in the summer of 2021, Jetal was optimistic about starting her internship in April last year with the hopes that the internship will give way to a job. But Britain went into a national lockdown around a similar time and owing to uncertainties of coronavirus, the company decided to freeze hiring until further notice.

Speaking about the hardships of finding an internship, much less a job, Jetal said, “If the stringent immigration rules were not already a challenge, coronavirus has further exacerbated conditions. Many of us have lost our part-time jobs, some are sustaining on food banks and many are struggling with mental health issues. All of this has a collective impact on our academics as well.”

Jetal came to Scotland in September 2017 and completed her MSc in Environmental Economics and Sustainable

Development from the University of St. Andrews.

She says, “Like other international students, I was hopeful of finding a job in the UK simply to gain work experience and further strengthen UK-India bilateral ties.

“But there are almost no campus recruitment drives and no placement offered by the university. I had already begun job hunting whilst I was studying because I was aware of the constraints that international students often face. For my dissertation, I was focussing on how the UK can help India design and implement a policy framework around recycling and water waste management. Scotland has one of the best recycling technologies and policy frameworks in the world and I was keen to transpose this in India as well. The immigration rules are also quite stringent and the process of sponsorship is quite expensive. The company sponsoring our visa should also provide proper justification to the Home Office as to why we “international students” are better suited for the job as opposed to EU or British citizens.”

The TUC general secretary, Frances O’Grady, has blamed systemic racism that pushed a disproportionate number of such workers into low-income and parttime jobs. According to her BAME workers have borne the brunt of the economic impact of this pandemic.

More than 800,000 workers have been made redundant during the pandemic and the unemployment rate is expected to peak at about 7.5% sometime between April and June, according to data from the Office for Budget Responsibility.

MP urges Government to extend financial support to places of worship Labour MP for Stockport has urged the Government to extend its support for places of worship and help them through the ongoing pandemic.

The Listed Places of Worship (LPW) Grant Scheme, which provides support towards the VAT incurred in making repairs and carrying out alterations to listed buildings mainly used for public worship, is currently due to end in April.

Now, Navendu Mishra has written to the Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage and raised concerns of Stockport Heritage Trust and a number of places of worship across his constituency. Last June, Mr Mishra pushed the Government to extend the scheme, but was informed

that a decision was being postponed on account of the Covid-19 crisis, with the Treasury and other Whitehall departments focused on tackling the pandemic.

At the time, the Minister said, “The Government is fully committed to supporting listed places of worship and has committed to the present level of funding until March 2021. An extension to the scheme is on hold until the completion of the Spending Review, which has been delayed from July to later this year to ensure that HM Treasury and departments can remain focused on responding to the immediate public health and economic emergency.”

In his letter today to Nigel Huddleston MP, Mr

Mishra acknowledged the ongoing lockdown but said, “I recognise that this is still very much the case however Stockport Heritage Trust and many other local places of worship rely upon the scheme and I would seek clarity about the future of the scheme.

The uncertainty continues to have a negative impact on restoration plans for the future. The ability to claim back the VAT on eligible repair works and associated professional fees is vital to organisations such as Stockport Heritage Trust.

“In light of the challenging circumstances we find ourselves in – the final 12 months of the Listed Place of Worship Scheme has not been utilised.

The lockdowns and the

Navendu Mishra

inability of governing meetings has resulted in many being unable to progress restoration projects.”

Mr Mishra highlighted the many benefits to the scheme being extended, including providing muchneeded funds at a time when many places of worship remain closed.

THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA IN HINDUISM Nitin and Kamu Palan It is said in the Hindu scriptures that Bhagwan – the Supreme Being – always comes to earth to protect his creation and created when he sees that good ethical religious practices have been forgotten.

Bhagwan Swaminarayan took birth in India in 1781.

Born in a small village called Chhapaiya in North India, he was named Ghanshyam and was one of three children. He had a unique childhood history and showed signs of many spiritual powers. After the death of his parents, at the young age of 11 years, he renounced home and began a pilgrimage around the whole of India which lasted just over 7 years.

He travelled on his own, with hardly any clothes on, except a loincloth and proceeded to Himalayas during the midst of winter. He continued his journey throughout India finishing off in the small village of Loj in the state of Gujarat.

He soon met Ramanand Swami who announced to his disciples that the young person in front of him was Bhagwan in human form. He was initiated in the fellowship as Sahajanand and within a short time, Ramanand Swami passed over the leadership of the fellowship to the 20-year-old Sahajanand, who later became known as Swaminarayan.

A short summary of his achievements and his legacy for the path to salvation is as follows: 1. He explained that there are 5 eternal entities : Jiva (soul), Ishwar (realised souls), Maya (attachment), Brahma (the abode of Bhagwan; his closest devotee) and Parabrahma (the supreme being).

2. He gave the Swaminarayan mantra.

3. He emphasised the importance of selfless service and giving back to the local community as an essential part of life.

4. He encouraged construction of temples. Bhagwan Swaminarayan focused on developing the individual by building six mandirs that served as a place for individual worship and community service.

5. He promoted pure living and attachment to Bhagwan by creating a following based on emphasis on dharma, gnan, vairagya and bhakti. He encouraged all men and women to strictly adhere to a devout life free of addictions.

6. His two most important scriptures were the Vachanamrut and the Shikshapatri. The first is in the form of questions and answers. These are genuine dialogues that took place between himself and the sadhus or devotees, and provide clear and concise practical answers to many deep spiritual queries. Shikshapatri is a booklet explaining and providing guidance of the dos and don’ts of daily life.

Aspirants read both the books daily.

7. He created a group of 3000 sadhus in his lifetime dedicated to the cause of inspiring thousands of devotees. They were to lead by example and followed the 5 vows of nishkam, nisswad, nirlobh, nissneh and nirman.

8. His most important contribution was establishing the Vedic principle of Akshar-Purushottam, revering Bhagwan (Purushottam) along with his choicest devotee (Akshar). After passing away in 1830, Bhagwan Swaminarayan remains ever present on earth through the presence of pure enlightened gurus who inspire all to tread the path to ultimate salvation.

More information on BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha and on matters mentioned above for a deeper understanding can be found on www.baps.org

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in brief

Wockhardt’s Wrexham facility safe

ASIAN BUSINESSMEN FEATURED IN THE SUNDAY TIMES TAX LIST Leading Asian businessmen – brothers Simon, Bobby and Robin Arora – and Ranjit Boparan and his wife Baljinder are ranked the UK’s 50 biggest taxpayers, according to latest The Sunday Times (31) Tx List 2021.

Ranked at 22, Arora brothers are the biggest shareholders of budget retailer B&M, and according to The Sunday Times, their tax liability was £37 million, with the family wealth estimated to be £2,111m in 2020.

Meanwhile, ranked at 21, Ranjit and Baljinder Boparan of Boparan Holdings were ranked 21 in the list. The couple paid £37m in tax and their wealth was estimated to be £593m last year.

Simon Arora and his family were scheduled to receive a bonus as B&M Bargains announced a special dividend of 20p per share to shareholders after bumper sales.

Arora bought B&M – then a small, lossmaking chain of stores – in 2005 with his brother Bobby. They were featured alongside musician Ed Sheeran, author JK Rowling and Sir James Dyson to name a few.

ISSA BROTHERS LOSE BID ON TOPSHOP Billionaire Issa Brothers have reportedly missed out on their Zuber and Mohsin Issa chance to buy retailer Topshop, following the collapse of Arcadia.

The Euro Garages Group owners, whose company was founded with a single petrol station in Bury in 2001, had hoped to acquire Topshop as part of their growing business footprint which now includes Asda and Mellor's iconic Stanley House venue.

They had earlier also reportedly been intent on the acquisition of Café Nero. But Arcadia has now confirmed the sale of its Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge and HIIT brands to online fashion retailer ASOS for £265 million instead.

ASOS chief executive Nick Beighton in a statement to The Lancashire Telegraph said, “We are extremely proud to be the new owners of the Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge and HIIT brands. The acquisition of these iconic British brands is a hugely exciting moment for ASOS and our customers and will help accelerate our multi-brand platform strategy.

“We have been central to driving their recent growth online and, under our ownership, we will develop them further, using our design, marketing, technology and logistics expertise, and working closely with key strategic retail partners in the UK and around the world.”

A suspicious package was found earlier last week at Wockhardt’s Wrexham facility causing a temporary manufacturing pause.

The site has now been "made safe" after an investigation by the local police.

In a public statement, the company noted, “We can confirm that the investigation on the suspicious package received today has been concluded.

Given that staff safety is our main priority manufacturing was temporarily paused whilst this took place safely.

“We can now confirm that the package was made safe and staff are now being allowed back into the facility. This temporary suspension of manufacturing has in no way affected our production schedule and we are grateful to the authorities and experts for their swift response

and resolution of the incident.”

The company had previously partially evacuated the site after it received the suspicious package at its site and informed all relevant authorities immediately and local North Wales Police force said officers rushed to the Wrexham Industrial Estate to deal with the incident.

There are no reports of any injuries however. The factory, located at Wrexham Industrial Estate in North Wales, operates a fill-finish production line for the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine against Covid-19 after an agreement was struck in August last year with the UK Government. Local reports suggested that a bomb disposal unit had also been deployed as part of the investigations at the unit.

"We are currently dealing with an ongoing incident on the

Wrexham Industrial Estate. The roads are currently closed and we would ask the public to avoid the area until further notice," a police statement said.

The Wrexham plant has the capability to produce around 300 million doses of the vaccine a year. The Welsh government stressed that there had been "no adverse effects" on the coronavirus vaccine roll-out as a result of the security alert. The UK government has reserved one fill-finish production line at Wockhardt UK for its exclusive use for 18 months in order to guarantee the supply of vaccines required to fight against Covid19, the company had confirmed during a visit by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to the Welsh facility last November.

He had noted, “Our agreement with Wockhardt is a sig-

Habib Khorakiwala

nificant milestone for the British life science industry and will help produce the vaccines this country needs.”

In the UK, Wockhardt claims to be one of the largest suppliers into the National Health Service (NHS) and has had a presence for over 20 years at Wrexham, where it employs over 400 people at its 612,000 square feet hi-tech manufacturing facility.

Boohoo reportedly to acquire Dorothy Perkins, Wallis and Burton On Friday 29th January, it appeared that Manchester-based fast fashion company had reportedly entered exclusive talks to buy the final three Arcadia brands. Boohoo is reportedly in talks to buy Dorothy Perkins, Wallis and Burton from Arcadia’s administrators as the breakup of Sir Philip Green’s collapsed business will result in 13,000 redundancies.

Only last week Boohoo had reported its acquisition of Debenhams for £55 million in a deal that will mean the chain’s remaining 118 high street stores will close with the expected loss of 12,000 jobs. In the meantime, online giant Asos also confirmed that it was closing in on a deal to buy Arcadia’s biggest brands, including Topshop for which Issa brothers had also reportedly made their surprise bids.

Neither Booohoo nor Asos, which are

primarily online services, are expected to take on any of Arcadia’s 444 outlets that employ majority of their 13,000 employees.

Some head office jobs could be saved if the new owners opt to retain staff employed in key areas such as buying and design.

In a public statement, the company said, “Boohoo Group confirms that it is in exclusive discussions with the administrators of Arcadia over the acquisition of the Dorothy Perkins, Wallis and Burton brands. These discussions may or may not result in agreement of a transaction. A further announcement will be made when

appropriate.

“Boohoo is rifling through the bargain bins once more,” said Susannah Streeter, a senior investment and markets analyst at investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown. “Asos had turned its nose up at the trio of brands but Boohoo clearly believes there is still demand to be squeezed out of them. As an online-only fashion giant, Boohoo would only be interested in the brands, so the rescue of the famous names won’t throw a lifeline to the thousands of shopworkers who are very likely to still face redundancy.”

Boohoo has reportedly offered about £25m for the trio of Arcadia brands. The deal is expected to be similar to the Debenhams one, with all Dorothy Perkins, Wallis and Burton outlets expected to close and few employees set to transfer over.

Gupta’s updated offer for Thyssenkrupp Billionaire Sanjeev Gupta and his Liberty Steel which is Europe’s fourth-largest steelmaker has reportedly submitted an updated offer for German conglomerate Thyssenkrupp’s steel division.

This appears three months after Liberty Steel, said it had made a non-binding indicative bid for the unit, which Thyssenkrupp has put on the block as part of a bigger group restructuring.

In a public statement, the company stated, “This is an important step for Liberty demonstrating our binding commitment to the combination of the two businesses.

“Due diligence and our discussions with Thyssenkrupp have so far confirmed that a potential combination of Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe and Liberty Steel is the right answer from an economic, social, and environmental perspective.”

Sanjeev Gupta

Thyssenkrupp is reportedly also considering a spin-off of its steel division and is now carefully examining Liberty Steel’s “firmed up bid”.

A successful bid by Gupta is estimated to generate £200-300 million lower than in a potential tie-up for the Thyssenkrupp business with Tata Steel’s European unit but higher than in a deal with Sweden’s SSAB. This will partly be achieved by better utilising Thyssenkrupp’s steel production sites while cutting Liberty Steel’s dependence on roughly 3 million tonnes of hot rolled coil it needs to buy each year.

Dasgupta Review urges new economic approach for preserving biodiversity On Tuesday 2nd February, a latest review commissioned by the Treasury enumerated the ways in which individuals must account for nature in economics and decisionmaking.

The review that is first of its kind and is undertaken by Professor Sir Partha Dasgupta presents the first comprehensive economic framework of its kind for biodiversity. It calls for urgent and transformative change in how we think, act and measure economic success to protect and enhance our prosperity and the natural world. Grounded in a deep understanding of ecosystem processes and how they are

Partha Dasgupta

affected by economic activity, the new framework presented by the Dasgupta Review sets out the ways in which we should account for nature in economics and decision-making.

Professor Dasgupta said,

“Truly sustainable economic growth and development means recognising that our long-term prosperity relies on rebalancing our demand of nature’s goods and services with its capacity to supply them. It also means accounting fully for the impact of our interactions with Nature across all levels of society.

Covid-19 has shown us what can happen when we don’t do this. Nature is our home.

Good economics demands we manage it better.”

The Review makes clear that urgent and transformative action taken now would be significantly less costly than delay and will require change on three broad fronts:

• Humanity must ensure its demands on nature do not exceed its sustainable supply and must increase the global supply of natural assets relative to their current level. For example, expanding and improving management of Protected Areas; increasing investment in Nature-based Solutions; and deploying policies that discourage damaging forms of consumption and production.

• We should adopt different metrics for economic success and move towards an inclusive measure of wealth that accounts for the benefits from investing in natural assets and helps

to make clear the tradeoffs between investments in different assets.

Introducing natural capital into national accounting systems is a critical step.

• We must transform our institutions and systems – particularly finance and education – to enable these changes and sustain them for future generations. For example, by increasing public and financial flows that enhance our natural assets and decrease those that degrade them; and by empowering citizens to make informed choices and demand change, including by firmly establishing the natural world in

education policy.

The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Kemi Badenoch said, “Protecting and enhancing our natural assets, and the biodiversity that underpins them, is crucial to achieving a sustainable, resilient economy. That is why the UK is already investing more than £600 million in naturebased climate solutions, such as tree planting and peatland restoration.

I want to thank Professor Dasgupta for his landmark Review. We will examine the Review’s findings and respond formally in due course.”

8 WOMEN'S VOICE

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Women Voices from The Partition: Unheard, scarred and traumatised Shefali Saxena The Oxford and Cambridge Society of India in collaboration with the Partition Museum, Amritsar organised a virtual event via Zoom on “Women Voices from The Partition” last weekend.

The event was preceded over

by Ganeev Dhillon, Curator (Exhibitions) at The Partition Museum, who took the attendees through the archives and unseen accounts of women from the partition era. Dhillon explained the role of Lady Kishwer Desai in setting up the museum.

Speaking to Asian Voice, Dhillon talked about access to education for women during the time of partition. She said, “Many of the women after they came across, did go in for education.”

She read out an excerpt from the book Borders and Boundaries by Ritu Menon and Kamla Bhasin to substantiate her answer and said, “The January 1949 issue of rehabilitation review records the fact that as many as 100 girls were enrolled in the Mehrauli residential school for girls and 225 in the Bal Niketan and Gram Sevika Shiksha Kendra, 8 primary schools with the strength of 1000 children, half of them were girls.”

“The last chapter in this book tells how women came out to study further and move beyond the family,” she added.

In early 2015, a small dedicated group of people came together with the resolve to fill this lacuna. Led by the Chairperson, Lady Kishwar Desai, a Trust (The Arts and Cultural Heritage Trust) was registered in New Delhi, India, with the primary

in brief MY ASIAN PARTNER

recommended books like The Other Side of Silence by Urvashi Butalia and Borders and Boundaries - Women in India’s Partition by Ritu Menon and Kamla Bhasin.

These books and Dhillon’s presentation at the event includGuneev Dhillon

goal of setting up the world’s first museum and memorial on the Partition.

The Partition of India was one of the most defining events in the history of the subcontinent. It remains till date the largest mass migration in human history.

About 18 million people were affected by the partition and approximately one million died.

What’s missing or is less talked about when we talk about partition, is the role of women and what they went through. Dhillon

ed women’s accounts that went undocumented because many of them felt that they weren’t important enough to have an opinion and also because most women were locked inside houses and ordained by their husbands or men of the house.

Women feared rape, abduction, genital mutilation, loneliness and honour killing and many of them who may have not felt the brunt of the trauma, still carry scars. Guneev explained how women would commit suicide by jumping from the top

floors of the house, or jumping in the well, setting themselves on fire or drinking poison to save themselves from the atrocities of partition, while trying to protect themselves from muslim men, becaus they feared them.

Some women who were displaced during the partition, were remarried to the men in the country they landed in, lost touch with their actual kids and families, carried essential items like sewing machines and cooking utensils, and also helped each other in securing food items during the mutiny.

Women embodied the honour of the society and in the uprising, many muslim women used the purdah system to their advantage and started working outisde homes, only to bear the brunt of their independence by later becoming the sole bread earners of the family.

Many films like Khaild Mohammed’s Mammo, Chandraprakash Dwivedi’s Pinjar and Ritwik Ghatak’s Meghe Dhaka Tara have documented these accounts of women during the partition.

Dating website My Asian Partner has just launched in the UK. The site claims that no other UK based Asian dating site has the combination of features that they do. Some of the features include: Video Intro, Video Chat, Detailed Profile, Advanced Search, Instant Messaging, e-Gifts and more. Their motto is to create an online dating community with a difference for Asian community in the UK. Their site says, “As well as comprehensive questions, we have fun questions to get to know your partner from a different perspective. Our advanced search will help you narrow down partners suitable to you!”

GOVERNMENT WITHDRAWS SEXIST ADVERT

Women in leadership roles need to be championed

Sonia Sabri; Credits: Simon Richardson

S

onia Sabri is a multi-award-winning dance artist and choreographer and is Artistic Director of Sonia Sabri Company.

She is one of the world’s leading Kathak dancers with an international reputation for collaboration across dance styles and art forms, receiving commissions from the BBC, Channel 4, Tanzhaus, ARTE, Birmingham Hippodrome, South Bank Centre, and London Olympics 2012.

Wolverhampton-born Sonia Sabri is amongst the brightest and most inspirational of British born dancer-choreographers working in the twenty-first century. Sonia has worked as choreographer and movement director with Sir Trevor Nunn, Arlene Philips CBE, Marion Tait CBE., Jonzi D, Richard Alston, Shobana Jeyasingh, Nitin Sawhney, Rose English. Sonia was South Asian Mentor (2015) and choreographer for the finalist (2017) for BBC 4’s Young Dancer. She has recently been appointed a member of the Board of DanceXchange Birmingham.

“I fell in love with Kathak because it had the element of storytelling as well as the fast footwork, geometric patterns, and it allows me to express myself sometimes it is not possible through spoken word,” Sonia told Asian Voice.

She thinks that women can express themselves on subject matters that they may otherwise shy away from. “Kathak enables us to decipher the meaning of life, what it means to exist, what is the responsibility that I have on earth,” she added.

Sonia also said that, “It (dance) enables women and girls to have confidence to get a sense of themselves, understand who they are, to discover themselves as people which perhaps society doesn’t enable us to because we are very early on bound by society about how we should behave.”

When asked about the major takeaway as an artist in the pandemic, she said, “I have seen other people realise how important it is

to be creative and how important art is for our emotional mental and physical wellbeing.

If we didn’t have art in our life we would not know how to live a cultural way and have a way to find other nodes of expression.”

We asked Sonia about keeping up with the success and challenges that come along in today’s world, considering we still live in a man’s world. She said, “We need to have organisations who are key informers and trend makers, who are part of establishments who recognise that women are in such phenomenal leadership roles that they need to be championed so that there are more women and girls who understand the value of this profession.” “It’s a fight everyday. I have to always form my ground and stand on it firmly and have an intellectual calm voice amongst all the shouting that happens and the loud voices of men and that’s how they display their power and energy that gets them into the place. I believe that a woman is much more dynamic,” she added.

The UK government has withdrawn the advert that stereotypes women. It was circulated on social media and urged people to “Stay Home. Save Lives'' and mostly had women figures. The government clarified that it did not reflect its view on women. The advert showed women cleaning, ironing and teaching children. One image showed a woman on a sofa, and a family sitting on a sofa. The prime minister's spokesman said : "We have provided information for the public throughout the pandemic.[The advert] does not reflect our view on women and we have removed it." The Advertising Standards Authority stipulates that campaigns "must not include gender stereotypes that are likely to cause harm, or serious or widespread offence".

MYNATHON

Virendra Sharma, British Member of Parliament for Ealing, Southall is hosting the British South Asian Youth Summit Combating Violence Against Women and Girls workshop on 6 February at 2 - 3.30 pm UK GMT time. He will be joined by NGO leaders, young activists and organisations from across South Asia and the UK.The workshop will be provided by successful NGO leaders who inspire and educate young activists from across South Asia and the UK and share the tools to make a difference in their local communities. As part of his series of workshops, he wants to empower young people from all nine countries, create support networks and promote cooperation.

The Myna Mahila Foundation in its January newsletter reported that a virtual marathon - Mynathon organised by its 192 supporters across India, UK, US, Greece and Dubai ended up raising £3,000 in three days from January 9 - 11, 2021.

The event was aimed to diminish the prevalent stigma surrounding menstrual health, especially in slum areas and to promote physical wellbeing during the Covid19 pandemic. These funds will help in providing women with menstrual hygiene products and employment.

WORKSHOP FOR COMBATTING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

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10 READERS' VOICE

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Retirees of the Government of Kenya

Anti-India sentiments

I am one of the several retired Civil Servants of the Government of Kenya residing in the UK and have been in receipt of the pension through the Crown Agents Bank.

The last pension increase awarded to all the Kenyan retirees was from 1 July 1991, paid in April 1997. Since then, there has been no increase in pension has ever taken place, although it has been gazetted that a 3% increase in pension will take place every two years.

I have raised this matter with my MO, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, The High Commission of Kenya in London, The Treasury of the Government of Kenya as well as the British High Commission, Nairobi, with no success.

A message of 18 July 2014 from Foreign and Commonwealth Office said their understanding was that “the increases were delayed due to an audit of payments to overseas Pensioners. Once the audit and subsequent parliamentary process were complete, increases would be made. The report was due to be presented to Parliament on 30 April 2014. We have not received any further updates”.

On 18 January 2018, the Pension Department advised, “The Department is waiting for an audit query raised about the overseas retirees’ pension payments to be dispensed with by National Assembly (Parliament) and the Auditor General’s Office in order to effect the increases.”

Since then, no further news has been received.

I feel this matter could not be resolved single-handedly and a collective representation is an absolute necessity.

I would, therefore, like to request all the retirees of the Government of Kenya residing in the United Kingdom, to raise this matter with their respective MP with a view to make them aware of our grievances.

Perhaps, we could contact each other and try to find a collective way to find a solution. We may also consider a representation to High Commissioner of Kenya in London.

Nitin Mehta's article on the rise of anti-India sentiment has salient points that highlight the need to critically examine these views so that they do not harm the natural discourse and debates in a functioning democracy and republic like India.

Given the history of India from foreign invasions and colonisations it is apparent that this view is being espoused by certain foreign and internal organisations in India albeit religious, economic or political organizations to further their agenda and undermine India and her citizens their right to lead their country.

It is my opinion that these narratives and agendas need to be countered by reasoning, authority and truth not just by the Indian government but those who oppose such agendas as pointed out in the article.

These agendas include from not acknowledging India's ancient Indus and Vedic history, culture and traditions but only focusing on Mughal history and European colonial history, claims of persecution by Christians in India and yet not recognising the fact of Portuguese inquisition in India and the view that Hindus and other religions born in India as pagan therefore being inferior and they need to be converted.

At the same time there is no mention of, as Mr. Mehta points out, giving credence to the long history of those seeking refuge in India and given refuge from religious persecution going back centuries as they fled their foreign homes into India.

It seems that India is still being perceived to be a colony or a country that can be ruled by foreign elements and the feeling that these foreign elements know what is good for India but not the Indians themselves.

Jashbhai Patel

WHO praises India We Indians really feel proud when the WHO chief Mr Tedros Adhanom praises India and Modi for support to global Covid19 response (AV 30 Jan – 5 Feb 2021). The US also applauded India for giving gifts of the Covid19 vaccines to other small countries saying New Delhi is a “true friend” which is using its pharma industry to help the global community. It is very important when other developed European countries are literally fighting to get the vaccine, India is gifting it.

On page number 20, the UN has reported that at18mn, India has the largest diaspora in the world. As reported India in 2019 received USD83 billion in remittances from its diaspora.

On the other hand, there are news items like the BBC apologises for displaying incomplete Indian map. I think it is not a mistake but a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of the country and bring unnecessary controversy which may result into religious hatred. The BBC is a reputed corporation having robust checks to prevent this kind of mistake.

Comments of Lord Ahmad on page 8 make us feel he is trying to justify meddling into internal affairs of India like farmers protests in India. Lord Ahmad is talking about human rights concern in India which is difficult to digest.

Has anybody taken up the issues about human rights in China, Saudi Arabia or Pakistan and resolved it or stopped dealing with China because they are seriously concerned with the human rights records? Even when China was procrastinating its decision to allow UN inspector to investigate Covid19 origin, the western countries remained silent with “business as usual”. I think the leaders and so-called liberalists of the western countries need to do sour searching.

It is time to have a paradigm shift in the minds of politicians of the Western Countries and those who have positions of power in the governments. India of pre-1947 was different. India deserves its true position on the international front like UN Security Council and other powerful trade blocs. Only a few good words are not enough.

Visvas Patel

Why increase toll rates?

The coronavirus-induced lockdown has affected several people's income. From soaring prices of daily essentials to pay cuts, financial woes just refuse to die down. Adding to this, now commuters will also have to worry about paying extra money before entering Mumbai toll.

The one-way toll for a passenger car, which was previously Rs 35, has now been increased to Rs 40. The toll rates for buses, mini-buses and trucks have also been increased. As per the revised toll rates, minibuses now have to pay Rs 65 and trucks and buses have to pay Rs 130.

This is too much. The government should think twice before increasing the toll rates, as this is an extra burden on the common man.

Jubel D'Cruz, Mumbai, India

Cricket Uniting Communities

My heartiest congratulations to Nitin Mehta for writing such an honest and excellent article in the Asian Voice dated 23 January. He proved himself as an intellect and heart-warming true grit Indian. I have been following Asian Voice for many years and I haven’t heard a single Indian MP or Peer, who has penned down an article likewise Nitin. The beauty was, he slammed with courage, the anti-India mafia in the UK, whether it was BBC, other channels or paper media plus our own anti-India lot. And as well as he the silent lambs from us, sitting at high places while contributing nothing.

Well said and well-done Nitin.

The incredible victory by India’s depleted team, over Australia, in their cricketing bastion; Gabba ground has taken cricketing world by storm, catapulting Indian team to occupy the top spot, replacing Australia from its number one test team position.

The most interesting outcome is that this biblical victory has brought cricket lovers together all over the world, especially across the border in Pakistan. These fanatic cricket lovers who are deprived of home test series, cheered Indian team as if it was Pakistani team who had triumphed over Australia.

Indian team, being multi-cultural, multi faith; helped their cause to capture hearts and minds of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lankan supporters, the three dominant teams in Asia. Although Indian team of the past had such distinguished players like Zahir Khan and Mohammad Azharuddin; captaining Indian team, it lacked such diversity in recent time.

I was pleased to see names like Washington Sunder and Mohamed Siraj that gave Team India a true diversity that people of India enjoys, under the secular constitution and equal rights for all, the only nation displaying such political maturity in South East Asia.

It was indeed heart-warming to notice that famous Pakistani players like Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar and news anchors like Babar Hayat and Syed Hussaini praised Indian team to no end, describing it as an unbelievable Victory for the depleted Indian team when so many test team players were sitting in the pavilion, being injured at the hands of Australian fast bowlers who used every tactic to subdued young Indian players who all have emerged from IPL. Their comments on social media went viral, read by millions of cricket lovers all over the world. Let us hope that this cross-border love for cricket will spread to political front, especially as Pakistani PM Imran Khan himself was a cricketing giant in his playing days and led his team to world cup victory!

Bobby Grewal

Bhupendra M. Gandhi

Hitesh Hingu London

True-grit Indian

KHICHADI Follow me on Twitter: @kk_OEG Kapil’s

Covid-19: Ignore at your Peril Kapil Dudakia We have now completed one year of Covid-19 and its impact on our daily lives continues. Many of us might sit at home and wonder, "what was it like pre-Covid?" The full freedom that we enjoyed, the security of our health and the supply of goods, all seemed to be so effortless.

The UK under the leadership of PM Johnson went all out to not just fund the research to find a vaccine, but also put pre-orders in with multiple potential suppliers.

Just before Christmas, the wisdom of doing so became apparent for all to see as we in the UK became the first western nation to start administering the Covid-19 vaccine to the most vulnerable.

This week we saw the EU make the biggest mistake they could by unilaterally declaring that exports of the vaccine manufactured in EU zone will be controlled.

Meaning, they wanted to stop it getting to the UK. The backlash has been so ferocious, not just from the UK, but other European countries, that in the end within hours they had to backdown. This shows why we in the UK were right. Sometimes, it’s time to give credit where it's due, thank you PM Johnson.

The rate of giving these vaccinations in the UK has increased tremendously. Just last week in one day alone almost 600000 people were vaccinated. The total vaccinated has reach 10 million. That means they have got the first dose and will hopefully get their second dose in the near future for full protection. To me the issue of getting vaccinated is very simple. However, there are some people who are apprehensive. Mostly because they just fear the needle or because they have fallen for the misinformation that has been spread by ill-informed antivaxxers. This is dangerous and people will die.

For our community, let’s be honest, we have always been used to vaccinations. Most of us get a jab for travel to India or other exotic destinations routinely. We don’t blink an eyelid and accept it for what it is, protection.

The last few weeks people in my immediate family as well as close friends have all experienced Covid-19.

Several have passed away with great sadness, and others remain in hospital or recovering at home. Folks, this is real. Don’t be silly and think you’ll be alright by ignoring the sound advice being given to us. When you are offered the vaccine, get it.

Do not wait, do not waste your time with the antivaxxers, do not follow the misinformation. One thing that is 100% guaranteed, if you get Covid-19, you will suffer greatly. You will give it to your loved ones, and they will suffer. And God forbid that it results in anyone’s death. I do not apologise for being blunt on this issue, it should upset you to read this. It should make you angry and it should give you focus and determination that if you can do anything to reduce the risk to yourself and others, that you will do so immediately.

I commend all our national and regional organisations throughout the country for doing their bit as well. Many have been providing help and support, giving the right advice, providing food parcels where necessary. In particular, the Mandirs and community centres that have been the lifeline for so many students from the Indian subcontinent who have been stranded in the UK with diminishing resources. GET THE JAB. Protect yourself, protect your loved one and protect the nation.

Inspiring story I was delighted to see and read your article on Sapna Patel about a couple of weeks ago in Gujarat Samachar. I have known Sapna since her birth at Kingston Hospital. I also had an honour to write reference letter in Dec 2004 when she applied for a job in Police Service.

Sapna is a remarkably brave, courteous and talented woman. Her career could inspire many youngsters of our community. Hence, I request that you reproduce the same article in English in Asian Voice so many youngsters who cannot read Gujarati can benefit.

Dr Narsibhai Patel We are looking into it and hoping to print the article in Asian Voice soon.

Editorial Team

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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Bapu Ruchi Ghanashyam 30th January is observed as Martyr’s Day or Shaheed Diwas in India. It is the day on which Mahatma Gandhi was martyred. India pays homage to Bapu, the father of the nation, whose non-violent struggle led India to freedom.

On this day, the nation also pays its tribute to the freedom fighters who lost their lives fighting for the freedom, welfare and progress of the country.

Paying tribute to Bapu on his Punya Tithi, PM Modi said that Gandhiji’s ideals continue to motivate millions. He said in a tweet that on Martyrs' Day we recall the heroic sacrifices of all those great women and men who devoted themselves towards India's freedom and the well-being of every Indian.

President Ramnath Kovind in his tweet to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 73rd death anniversary, said, “On behalf of a grateful nation, my humble tributes to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi who embraced martyrdom this day. We should adhere to his ideals of peace, non-violence, simplicity, purity of means and humility. Let us resolve to follow his path of truth and love”.

Mahatma Gandhi’s political career began in South Africa. He arrived in Durban, South Africa on a year’s contract as a lawyer in 1893. It was while travelling by train to Pretoria, that Gandhi was thrown out of the train at Pietermaritzburg despite carrying a first class ticket as a white man complained about an Indian sharing the space with him. Gandhi spent a cold and fearful night at the waiting room of the railway station. It was during this night of churning that Gandhi, the political activist was born. As morning dawned, so did his political consciousness. He soon set up the Natal Indian Congress in 1894. This organisation led non-violent protests against the oppressive treatment by the white people towards the native Africans and Indians. Within 10 years of his stay in South Africa, Gandhi propagated the philosophy of Satyagraha to fight against injustice and removal of class or ethnic discrimination in society.

Due to his non-violent Satyagraha in South Africa, South Africans continue to look upon him as a leader.

During his stay in South Africa, Gandhi led agitations against several unjust rules and laws. Perhaps, most known is his movement against the nullification of

non-Christian marriages in 1913. His struggles in South Africa, earned him the hospitality of the authorities on more than one occasion, when he spent time in notorious prisons of the times. Not many people are aware of Gandhi’s struggle against racial discrimination in South Africa, though they may have heard of Phoenix Farm in Durban or Tolstoy Farm in Johannesburg that were set

by Mahatma Gandhi during his time in South Africa.

Mahatma Gandhi returned to India on 9 January 1915 after spending 21 years in South Africa. This day is observed in India as the Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas or the day of the non-resident Indian, in memory of the world’s most famous Pravasi. The Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas serves as a day to remember the struggles and sacrifices of the Indians living away from their motherland, and to celebrate their achievements despite the many challenges that they faced. It also provides a platform to discuss ways that they can contribute to India’s development.

Mahatma Gandhi went to South Africa as a relatively unknown lawyer but returned to India as an acknowledged leader who would lead India’s struggle for independence from British colonialism. His peaceful and non-violent struggle against the most powerful colonial empire has inspired many world leaders like Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama.

On 31 January, the first consignment of 1 million doses of the Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India were dispatched to South Africa, which were received by the President of South Africa and his top officials at the airport in Johannesburg on 1 February. It is heartening to see that the ties forged by the Mahatma between India and South Africa continue to be nurtured by today’s leadership.

Mahatma Gandhi is the greatest inspirational leader of our era. In these hard times, let us remember him and take courage and strength from the struggle that he and the martyrs of freedom faced.

(Mrs Ruchi Ghanashyam is the former High Commissioner of India to the UK. With a career in Indian Foreign Service for over 38 years, she has been posted in many countries including Ghana, before arriving in the UK. She was only the second woman High Commissioner to the UK since India’s independence and during her tenure, she witnessed a number of significant developments in the UK-India relations).

Captain Tom Moore succumbs at 100 Captain Tom Moore, the World War II veteran who walked into the hearts of a nation in lockdown as he shuffled up and down his garden to raise money for healthcare workers, has died after testing positive for Covid-19. He was 100.

His family announced Moore's death Tuesday in a tweet with his photo, noting that his death was in 2021.

Captain Tom, set out to raise 1,000 pounds for Britain's NHS by walking 100 laps of his

backyard. But his quest went viral and caught the imagination of millions stuck at home during the first wave of the pandemic. Donations poured in from across Britain and as far away as the United States and Japan, raising some 33 million pounds.

Met Police remembers first female Asian police officer Karpal Kaur Sandhu was 27 years old when she joined the Met Police force exactly 50 years ago. A virtual event was held earlier to commemorate her life.

Her daughter Romy Sandhu said, "I'm so proud of my mother, and her legacy. It's wonderful that 50 years on she is an inspiration to generations of new female officers joining the Met." Tragically, Karpal's life was cut short before she reached her 30s. She was killed by her husband in 1973.

Karpal was born to a Sikh family in Zanzibar, east Africa, in 1943 and came to the UK in 1962, where she got a job as a nurse at Chase Farm Hospital in Enfield. She joined the Met in

Karpal Kaur Sandhu

1971 becoming the UK's first Asian woman police officer. She served at Hornsey police station before moving to Leyton.

In a statement to the BBC, Ravjeet Gupta, chair of the Metropolitan Police Sikh Association, added: "Karpal was an invaluable ambassador who helped break down barriers with London's communities and will always be remembered for being a trailblazer of her time."

The India League pays homage to freedom fighters on Martyrs’ Day on 30 January 2021 Krishna Pujara The Chairman of the India League, CB Patelpaid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Tavistock Square in London on 30 January 2021. A bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi by Fredda Brilliant was unveiled in 1968 at the centre of Tavistock Square in London, to mark the impending centenary of Gandhi's birth in 1869.

Gandhiji was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political ethicist, who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India's independence from British rule, and in turn inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. The honorific Mahātmā, first applied to him in 1914 in South Africa, is now used throughout the world.

Every year people from all over UK gather in Tavistock Square pay tribute to Mahatma CB Patel at the Gandhi statue in Tavistock square

Gandhi on his birthday (2 October) and Nirvana Day (Death Anniversary). This year due to the pandemic and UKlockdown rules, a virtual tribute was organised by the Nehru Centre (Cultural Wing of Indian High Commission UK).

The India League was established in 1928 Lord Rami Ranger and works jointly with the Indian High Commission to promote the needs of the Indian Diaspora.

We are in the process of planning Information Talks for the potential of Indo-British Partnership.

The forthcoming webinars will be online, and the discussion will include the Role of India League & The Independence Movement of India, including the needs and priorities of Indian diaspora. The event will be attended by eminent people from the community.

Watch this space for further announcement.

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12 MEDIA WATCH

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SCRUTATOR’S Big B compliments Gita Gopinath, Twitterati irked Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan in a post called Indian American chief economist of the International Monetary Fund Gita Gopinath a beautiful face on his television show “Kaun Banega Crorepati. Reacting to the clip, Gopinath tweeted: “Ok, I don’t think I will ever get over this. As a HUGE fan of Big B @SrBachchan, the Greatest of All Time, this is special!” Big B wrote: “Thank you Gita Gopinath ji... I meant every word I said about you on the show... said in utmost earnestness.” However, not all netizens were overjoyed with Bachchan’s comment. A section of social media users slammed the veteran actor for hinting at the idea that a woman with a beautiful face could not be an expert in economy. “So sad that he just had to mention your looks while pointing to your earned achievement... Anyway, congratulations to you @GitaGopinath: keep the flag flying high!” commented a user. “I didn’t like the comment about linking beauty with brains. Stupid of Mr Bachchan to suggest that beautiful women can’t be economists,” expressed another user. (Agency) Seer who lived in caves donates £100,000 for Ram temple

Swami Shankar Das, an octogenarian seer from Rishikesh who has been living in caves for more than 60 years, donated a cheque for £100,000 for the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. According to Das, it was at the cave of his guru Taat wale Baba that he received donations from devotees that added up to the amount that he donated. Employees at SBI branch were in disbelief when the seer handed over the cheque, until they checked his account and found the amount there. RSS functionaries were then called to the bank to complete the process. Rishikesh head of RSS Sudama Singhal said, “We reached the bank after receiving information about Swami Shankar Das seeking to donate £100,000 to the Mandir trust. As he could not donate the money directly, he handed over a cheque to us and we gave him a receipt.

Using the cheque, the bank manager will now submit the money in the trust’s account.”

Das wanted to keep his donation a secret but agreed to share his story so it inspires others to donate for the construction of Ram Temple as well. (Agency) Three more Rafale fighters join IAF

Three more Rafale fighters touched down in India from France last week, to add to the eight such omni-role jets already inducted by the IAF. The three Rafales were refuelled mid-air by Airbus MRTT tankers of the UAE Air Force, in yet another indication of close military ties with the Gulf country, during their over 7,000 km flight to the Jamnagar airbase. The IAF has now inducted 11 of the 36 twin-

engine Rafales, which are capable of delivering nuclear weapons, under the £5.9 billion deal inked with France in September 2016.

All 36 will be delivered by 2022.

The new generation fighters have a combat range of 780 to 1,650 km, without mid-air refuelling, depending on the nature of their mission. The IAF fighters are armed with long stand-off weapons like the over 300-km range ‘Scalp’ air-to-ground cruise missiles. The fighters are also being equipped with the topnotch ‘Meteor’ air-to-air missiles which, with a strike range of 120 to 150 km, can outgun any missile that can currently be unleashed by Pakistani or Chinese jets. The IAF has also ordered the ‘Hammer’ air-toground precision-guided munitions for the Rafales.

(Agency) International flights ban to stay till Feb 28 The government of India has extended suspension of scheduled international flights till February 28, 2021. However, Vande Bharat Mission (VBM) and scheduled flights under the travel bubbles India has so far created with 24 countries like the United States, Germany and France will continue and people eligible an fly to and from India on them.

The DGCA issued an order extending the suspension of scheduled international commercial passenger services to and from India till 11.59 pm (India time) of February 28, 2021.

“This restriction shall not apply to international all-cargo operations approved by DGCA,” the order says. It adds that “international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes on case-to-case basis.” (Agency) Leopard kills blind man chained to bed A 75-year-old blind man with learning difficulties who was chained to his bed in a shed at the farm in a village in Amreli district last week, was mauled to death by a leopard. The female leopard was later caught in a cage that the forest department had set up in the village and sent to Jasadhar animal care centre. According to the villagers, the blind man had to be chained for his own wellbeing. The man was unmarried and was living with his brothers at the kuchha shed in the farm for the past decade or more. The

family members would always tie one of his hands to the bedstead so that he could not harm himself or others. Sources said that the blind man used to bite people. The man once fell into a well near the farm and after the accident, the family would keep him chained during the night.

On the fateful night the family members had gone to Surat leaving a relative and a domestic help at the farm. However, the duo had gone to the field when the animal attacked. The Amreli SP said that the post mortem report will confirm if he was actually tied. “If we get evidence, we will register a complaint of wrongful confinement.” (The Times of India) Good news for mountaineers

The Uttarakhand government will soon open 42 more mountain peaks for adventure activities, adding to the existing 83 peaks that are accessible to mountaineers and trekkers. This follows a directive from the ministry of home affairs (MHA) that was issued in 2019 but was held up for implementation due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Sources in the Uttarakhand tourism department said that with the situation now slowly normalising, the move to open up the peaks in the Himalayan state has started. “The MHA after reviewing the border situation across the country had allowed four states to open 137 mountaineering peaks,” said Ranveer Negi of the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board.

(Agency) Controversial POCSO rulings cost HC judge her confirmation Back-to-back controversial decisions relating to child sexual offences forced the Supreme Court collegium to withdraw its

recommendation to the government to make Pushpa Virendra Ganediwala, an additional judge in Bombay high court, as a permanent judge of the HC. Ganediwala stunned many with her January 19 judgment acquitting a 39-yearold man from the charge under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act on the ground that pressing the breasts of a 12-yearold girl without removing her top did not entail skin-to-skin contact and, hence, was not an offence under the Act. A day later, the collegium headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde, disregarding serious objections from two senior SC judges and the general public, "approved the proposal for appointment of Justice Ganediwala as a permanent judge of Bombay HC". When the CJI was deliberating on the embarrassing move of recalling the proposal that had already been sent to the Union government, Justice Ganediwala made his task easier by giving a second controversial judgment on January 28, by which she acquitted a 50-year-old man by ruling that holding the hand of a five-year-old girl and unzipping his pants in front of her could not be categorised as a sexual offence under POCSO Act. (Agency)

located at the ski resort. The cafe has been attracting major crowds. Started by the Kolahoi Green Group of Hotels and Resorts, the first ever Igloo Cafe in India is a one-of-a-kind experience and the ice restaurant is winning the hearts of visitors.

"It is a new concept for India but already introduced in foreign countries. We have also claimed it in the Limca Book of Records," Hamid Masoodi, general manager Kolahoi Green Gulmarg said. He said that the snow cafe is measuring 22 feet in diameter and 12.5 feet in height. It has accommodated with four tables which can serve 16 guests at a time inside the cafe. The outside dimensions of the snow restaurant are 26 feet in diameter and15 feet in height. (Agency)

Ice restaurant in Gulmarg Igloo Cafe at Kashmir’s

Furore over ‘dumping’ of elderly Amid nationwide outrage over dumping of elderly and disabled people outside city limits, Indore collector Manish Singh went to Khajrana Ganesh temple to seek forgiveness for the heartless act of the local administration. “It was a mistake.

We being government officials cannot escape our responsibilities,” he said. The Swachh city authorities have been facing a barrage of criticism ever since a video went viral, showing Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) staff dumping elderly homeless people by the roadside in Kshipra area, just outside city limits. The incident led to the suspension of a deputy commissioner and sacking of two shelter employees. Divisional commissioner Pawan Sharma held discussions with officials of the health department, IMC, social justice department and

Gulmarg has become the centre of attraction for the people visiting the Valley. The cafe built of snow is county's first and Asia's biggest Igloo Cafe which is

representatives of old-age homes and NGOs, and said they had chalked out a detailed plan to rehabilitate beggars and the homeless. (The Times of India)

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6 - 12 February 2021

Priyanka Mehta

T

here is a perception of what an engineer is and the route that is traditionally taken to become qualified.

However, as a third year Engineering Technician Apprentice at BAE Systems, Denize Pilarta is breaking those myths. So how did Denize get into the world of engineering?

Barrow-in-Furness = A British engineering hub Whilst engineering wasn’t an industry she was born in to, her parents instilled strong work ethics and passion for their careers that rubbed off on Denize. “My parents aren’t from engineering backgrounds but from the care and health sectors. Growing up, their love, passion and dedication to serving the country and humanity has always been an inspiration to me; and teaching me the significance of values, morals and work ethics. It was this passion and dedication that showed me that you can make a career in something that you love. And, it was at school where I found what I was passionate about; completing my A-levels in Biology, Chemistry, Maths, an Extended Project Qualification in researching the science behind mental illness as well as ASLevel Law.” Fortunately for Denize, she didn’t have to look too far to make a career from what she was passionate about.

“Growing up in Barrow-in-Furness, a town in Cumbria in the North West of England, engineering was all around me.

Knowing that the Barrow shipyard is the main location for the design, build and commissioning of complex submarines really ticked all the boxes. It was the catalyst for getting me into engineering and wanting to pursue an apprenticeship with BAE Systems.”

The rest they say is history. Denize says she had always gravitated towards STEM subjects but did not follow the traditional university career path. There is a misconception that the only way to pursue a good career in engineering is through the completion of a university degree. But Denize, like many others, was interested in acquiring practical field experience which she would have otherwise not necessarily achieved while cooped up in university lectures. Her apprenticeship at BAE Systems was the perfect opportunity for her to learn scientific techniques from qualified tradespeople and experts with extensive years of experience and implement theoretical concept learnings whilst working.

Don’t fear the workplace!

Sailing through choppy pandemic tides with an apprenticeship at BAE Systems

“

Earning while learning At a time when the pandemic has left many young people in unchartered territories, Denize highlights the advantages of pursuing an apprenticeship. She discusses how working with experienced colleagues who have worked in the industry for decades provide a realm of information and engineering excellence not conventionally available in textbooks. Additionally, her apprenticeship also offers Denize the opportunity to earn while she learns.

She says, “Just because I did not go to university does not mean that my further education has stopped. BAE Systems has put me through a National Diploma in Engineering course. I am also working towards a national vocational course and the company has further funded my degree.”

“An apprenticeship offers a host of opportunities.

People are not aware of the enrichment activities which help to build essential soft skills including confidence, leadership skills, teamwork and project management; all skills that you can take back to your work.”

STEM ambassador - encouraging women into engineering Some of Denize’s main enrichment activities include being involved with the apprentice council. Rolled out across all the company’s sites in the UK, the apprentice council enables a group of apprentices from different areas and specialities to discuss with each other about how to further enhance the apprentice experience.

Many may be concerned about their career progression in such a competitive workplace, but Denize is confident that at the end of her apprenticeship, with the necessary skills and experience under her belt, technical positions are well within reach. Indeed, the opportunities are countless and as BAE Systems is such a large organisation, there are many interesting roles available across different lines of business.

Speaking about the perils of the pandemic, and how she navigated through the various lockdowns, she said, “In March last year the apprentices were tasked to work from home, completing various projects and assignments. With safe ways of working implemented in line with government guidelines, I was able to come back on site in September and have continued with my training and learning ever since.”

On her career to date, Denize has some helpful advice, “Make the most of every situation that comes your way. It is all about celebrating your achievements no matter how little they are and learning from your challenges and failures. It all adds to your personal and professional growth and there is a lot of opportunity for this through an apprenticeship with BAE Systems.”

BAE Systems recently announced it will recruit more than 850 apprentices and 400 graduates in 2021, the highest ever intake in a single year. The apprenticeship application window is open until 28 February 2021. For more information about the company’s early careers opportunities or to apply, visit: https://baesystems.com/earlycareers

As a result of participating, Denize has been able to join the National Apprentice Council where she is directly in contact with over 2,500 apprentices across the country.

“Being part of this has not only enabled me to grow, by getting involved as a STEM ambassador supporting events such as World Skills Live UK, but it’s hugely important to me as I want to make more people, especially women, aware of engineering roles.”

In 2019 Denize was awarded the ‘MAKE UK Engineering Apprentice of the Year: Rising Star National Winner’ for her dedication to continuously improve, and actively promote the endless possibilities within STEM to young girls. She was also one of the six finalists of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards 2020. All these accomplishments have recognised both her professional and personal growth.

“It’s hugely important for me that I keep pushing and encouraging women into the industry; females are still underrepresented and there is more work to be done.

Currently, only 12% of engineers are women and we need to get the message out that this is an inclusive and diverse industry, open to all regardless of their gender, ethnicity or religion.”

Just because I did not go to university does not mean that my further education has stopped. BAE Systems has put me through a National Diploma in Engineering course.

I am also working towards a national vocational course and the company has further funded my degree.

”

14 ART & CULTURE

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Let’s face it, Britain has long struggled to accept the imperial explanation for its racial diversity - Sathnam Sanghera

Sathnam Sanghera

Shefali Saxena In his latest book ‘Empireland: How Imperialism Has Shaped Modern Britain’, British Journalist and author Sathnam Sanghera shows how our past is everywhere.

In an exclusive interview with Asian Voice, we spoke about his book, his views on ethnic diversity in Britain and the responsibilities that come with being an author.

With imperialism and the postmodern society, how do you think multiculturalism is integral to British society and what unites all ethnicities in Britain after-all?

Here is a simple but profound fact about Britain: it is a multicultural, racially diverse society because it once had a multicultural, racially diverse empire. Or as the Sri Lankan writer Ambalavaner Sivanandan once famously put it, “We are here because you were there.”

Understanding the imperial origins of our multiculturalism was the most profound revelation for me personally in my book research, because it transformed my own sense of place in Britain and exposed how little we collectively understand about the British Empire. Let’s face it, Britain has long struggled to accept the imperial explanation for its racial diversity. The idea that black and brown people are aliens who arrived without permission, and with no link to Britain, to abuse British hospitality, has been the defining political narrative of my lifetime. It was famously propounded by Enoch Powell, an MP for my home town, who regularly called for the repatriation of immigrants, and taken up by the farright groups who were keen to etch graffiti onto our Wolverhampton homes telling us to “F*** off home”. (One of my earliest childhood memories is hiding, with tens of other Sikh families, in the local temple, as far-right gangs terrorised Wolverhampton.) It continued

being spread by a new generation of politicians keen to paint brown immigrants as spongers and has found expression in the Windrush scandal, which saw British subjects who had arrived before 1973, in particular those of Caribbean origin, refused benefits, legal rights and medical care before facing deportation. And in my adult working life it continues to make itself felt in the way I am, as a writer of colour, regularly told to “go home” on social networks (if you want to pay my train fare to Wolverhampton, I’ll take up the offer), in being referred to as a “second-generation immigrant” (how can you be any sort of “immigrant” if you were born here?), and in the routine accusation that I am ungrateful if I criticise any aspect of my home nation (I was born here and reserve the right to be as critical of my beloved nation as my white colleagues).

As an author of a book that is so relevant for contemporary times, what kind of responsibility and ethics did you adhere to while attempting such an intense and what is being touted as “contentious but necessary subject”?

Well, my hope for the book was simply that it informs and entertains. I hope it answers some of the questions that have been raised as a result of the Black Lives Matters protests.

Such as: does most of our wealth really come from the empire?

And: was Brexit really inspired by our imperial history? And: should we return all the artefacts we stole from our colonies and put into our museums? But more than anything, I hope my book will demonstrate to people how the British empire is absolutely embedded within us and how there are many more serious and troubling imperial legacies than colonial statues. More important than statues, for example, is the troubling fact that the museums which are so part of our national life refuse to engage honestly and sincerely about how they

obtained their imperial artefacts.

Then there is the way we fail to acknowledge we are a multicultural society because we had a multicultural empire – which makes our national conversations about race tragic and absurd. Then there is the manner in which our imperial history inspires a sense of exceptionalism, which results in dysfunctional politics and disastrous decision-making. Meanwhile, our collective amnesia about the fact that we were, as a nation, wilfully white supremacist and occasionally genocidal, and our failure to understand how this informs modern-day racism, is a catastrophe. I can see why it could be offensive for a black person to walk past a statue of a slave trader in their own city, and I personally find it degrading, as a British Indian, that, when I go to see anyone in government, I often have to encounter a statue of Robert Clive, who was widely loathed during his lifetime, who, according to Samuel Johnson "had acquired his fortune by such crimes that his consciousness of them impelled him to cut his own throat”, and who, when he committed suicide in 1774 was secretly buried in an unmarked grave.

But these other legacies are more serious: at their worst, they curtail and destroy lives.

How long did it take you to draft the book and what was your process, especially because you’ve managed to release the book during the pandemic?

I realise most people will think the book was inspired by the Black Lives Matters movement. After all, the West has suddenly been gripped by an extraordinary desire to understand how colonialism may have shaped modern structural racism. But my book is only timely by accident. I actually began looking into the question of how imperialism has shaped modern Britain several years ago, in 2018, when it was a relatively esoteric concern.

Made with love in India While tourists coming into India are fortunate to experience the magic of Indian culture and take back a piece of India in the form of a range of Indian handcrafted goods, people outside India are yet to experience what India has to offer.

Made With Love in

India works closely with artisans, social enterprises, self-help groups, artisan clusters and small innovative businesses to develop

Ravikumar V

contemporary products even while the essence of the traditional art is not lost in the process.

Speaking exclusively to Asian Voice, Ravikumar V of Made with Love in India said, “At times, I used to wonder when a Tag called ‘Made in India’ would evoke a similar response in the mind of consumers beyond Indian borders. That stayed as a lingering thought even as I ditched my interest in interior design to join the

herd in pursuing a career in IT, which had caught the imagination of the nation at that time, given the money it had to offer. Indian art and craft reflect the rich and diverse cultural DNA of India in more ways than one. Made with Love in India is a humble endeavour to showcase that very distinct DNA to audiences beyond Indian waters.”

Making a Channel 4 documentary about the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre of 1919 made me realise that British Empire explained a lot about my life. The racially patronising attitudes imperial Brits had towards Sikhs explained the strange way we are both indulged and rejected as a minority in Britain. Enoch Powell’s embracing of racist politics, which overshadowed my upbringing in Wolverhampton, could be explained by his rampant imperialism. The simple fact that I was living in Britain, as a symptom of a multicultural society, was itself due to the fact that a bunch of Brits invaded India several hundred years ago. This got me wondering about all the other ways the empire shapes British life, from our politics, to our wealth, our psychology, even the way we travel. Having been taught very little about it at school and university, I was stunned to realise that empire basically explains who we are.

Writing it gave me a real focus during lockdown last year. I was hoping I would be promoting it in the real world, but here I am still... because writing is such an isolated thing, I basically feel like I have been in lockdown for 4 years!

Why do you think the British must read the history of British Asians (or other ethnicities) who have been a part of the British Imperial rule in their respective countries and eras?

Simply because it explains who we are, and why we belong.

in brief ROY MEHTA’S PHOTOGRAPHIC ODE TO THE LONDON Revival: London 1989–1993', is Roy Mehta’s photographic ode to the London Borough of Brent. In this book, Mehta showcases the life and legacy of the people who made the borough what it is today. He has printed his undeveloped films from the past to put together this ode to multiculturalism. Brent has a rich history of multiculturalism. Roy Mehta’s exquisite black and white photographs capture the daily rituals of its various communities, most notably the Afro-Caribbean and Irish, engaged in seemingly simple activities at home, in the street and at church. Shot from 1989–1993, the images move from profound moments of faith to quiet family settings to the noisy streets outside, reminding us of the continual opportunities for connection and reflection in everyday life. The book is published by Hoxton MiniPress for £25.

NEW PILOT SCHEME TO MENTOR BRITISH EAST & SOUTH EAST ASIAN ARTISTS A new pilot scheme has been launched to provide mentoring for British East and South East Asian (BESEA) artists in the performing arts. Established by a new collective of BESEA artists, under the the Tidal Rising Mentoring Scheme, creative practitioners working in the performing arts have come together to support artists, creative and technical practitioners of BESEA heritage face specific barriers and obstacles in the performing arts industry. The scheme is supported by Arts Council England, New Earth Theatre, the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, East 15 Acting School, the London School of Musical Theatre, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, the Musical Theatre Academy, the Oxford School of Drama, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. According to the scheme, fifteen mentoring partnerships will be set up and run over six months. All participants - both mentors and those receiving mentorship - will be of BESEA heritage and will receive training to ensure they can make the most of their relationship.

The scheme is open to artists, creatives and technical roles in the performing arts and will be free of charge. Applications are now open and will close at 23:59 on 15 February 2021.

Europe’s cultural and creative sector needs urgent attention Recent reports suggest that “Europe’s cultural and creative sector has been hit harder by the coronavirus crisis than every other industry except aviation.” The study is allegedly calling for a fair share of heavy public and private investment to avert a disaster and prevent long term damage to the creative sector.

“According to the report, revenues in the sector – which includes TV, cinema, radio, music, publishing, video games and the performing and visual arts – plunged by 31.2% last year

compared with 2019. It was hit even harder than tourism, which lost 27% of its income,” The Guardian reported.

Data suggests that the cultural and creative sector employed about 7.6 million people, in 2019, before the pandemic hit. Culture was the first sector to suspend most of its activities, and will probably be the last to resume without restrictions.

According to the study’s coordinator Marc Lhermitte, “Covid shockwaves had been felt across the sector, with revenues collapsing by 90%

in the performing arts and 76% in the music industry.

Visual arts, books, the press, films and TV saw declines of between 20% and 40%, while only video games – whose turnover rose 9% – held up.”

European cinemas were estimated to have lost about 75% of their earnings.

Royalties collected for authors and performers by rights organisations had fallen by 35% in 2020, the report said, meaning many would inevitably suffer a sharp fall in earnings over the next two years even if business picked up in 2021.

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FINANCE

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

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6 - 12 February 2021

Dear Financial Voice Reader, Alpesh Patel This is a message about how hatred fulfilled me. Several years ago, Sangita Myska of BBC reported on the riots by disenfranchised youth in London. She and I chatted on Facebook comments, and she said, “we have to do something”. And I agreed. It’s taken till tonight to work out what for me.

As the hatred for hedge fund managers filled up the internet and my TikTok in the past 24 hours (GameStop) my TikTok exploded with over 12k views and tonnes of messages of hate towards hedge funds and the whole stinking system.

Oddly not one message angered me. I told them to connect with me on LinkedIn. I’ll help them understand finance ( no, not create an army of useless hedge funds managers).

Many have messaged tonight. In fact, it’s a bit of a flood about a three thousand followers in 20 hours.

I have created, rather converted, my investment books into videos and an online remote internship with a course.

So they can understand. It’s all free. You may ask where you will find the time. Actually, how will I not? It’s up and ready.

Like a tutor, I will remote set them work and questions they can ask—homeschooling by other means. I want them to be socially mobile. Have what I did not. Someone to teach them. As I explained to them I was not raised with a silver spoon, I went to a State school for more years than a private one - which did not have privileged access. Neither did my family - the haters saw I was one of them. Several messaged to say they don’t expect a reply. They’re in for a shock! One said, “I have nothing to enrich your life in return,” to which I replied - you just did. There is not much I can give, but my knowledge and time are. This is selfish of me. I get to feel fulfilled in a useless industry of hedge funds. This is a selfish act by me. Self interest for a soul which otherwise will surely have little to redeem it but this act and a couple of others. At Oxford, my tutor told me do not leave here and go to the City and shuffle paper. At last. I won’t be. Thanks, BBC. I have a team who help me. Don’t worry I never get to my desk before 10am - mornings are for my son and I don’t work Thursdays or weekends and I still plan to become a billionairre through my tech company.

Those who were angry at me or rather my industry for our privilege - we know. Those who are mad because it’s rigged - we know. I’m a brown hedge fund manager - we don’t grow on trees. Those who feel it’s unjust - tell me about it as my lesser peers raised billions and lost it for retail investors, and I outperformed them. And in future - don’t get angry - just ask - there are more of me everywhere. I’m not special. (Except to my mom - and my wife after I do dishes and mop the floor and take out the rubbish)!

Visit my www.campaignforamillion.com for free investing resources.

REIM Capital kick starts the year by completing a £5.12mn Development Exit Loan REIM Capital has completed a £5.12mn Development Exit Loan in London. The borrower, an experienced London developer specialising in large multi-unit developments across London, will use the bridge loan to allow time to fully occupy the property.

Development Exit Loan allows property developers to refinance completed projects to extend the sales period allowing property developers to increase their return on investment, which was one of the key factors on this project.

BoE said people stopped commuting to work and cut their spending on retail, foreign holidays and leisure during repeat lockdowns, adding that the annual consumer credit growth rate had plunged to -7.5 per cent – the weakest on record.

Households made repayments worth £1bn during the usually hectic preChristmas shopping month of December. This was followed by more substantial months for paying off credit card and loan balances earlier in the previous year.

Over £7.2bn was repaid during the peak month of April amid the first Covid lockdown.

The update comes at a time when pressure remains high from the latest lockdown. Consumer spending has drastically reduced, further dragging down the British economy after a year of fighting the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak. Chancellor Rishi Sunak faces growing calls to launch a brand new package of financial sup-

It is no secret that Chancellor Rishi Sunak is under a lot of pressure from the public and Treasury officials as the due date for Budget nears. With the Conservative Party adamant on its 2019 manifesto not to increase rates for five years, Sunak has reportedly agreed to maintain their so-called triple tax lock. It prevents him from raising income, national insurance or value added tax.

The Financial Times reported that Sunak has agreed with Prime Minister Boris Johnson that he will hold the triple tax lock, forcing him to increase other taxes such as corpora-

port for businesses, and workers worst-hit by the pandemic.

While the Treasury seeks to refresh its response, Sunak has suggested that households saving money could help kickstart the economy as lockdown measures are relaxed.

He believes consumer spending could boom after many people saved money in lockdown. These figures however, do not in any way pin down the intense pressure for several who remain hurt by the pandemic. With millions losing their jobs or suffering loss of income, there are people who have fallen behind on rent, bills, and debt repayments.

Reports suggest an estimated 2 million families likely struggle to make ends meet.

UK fashion industry warns of 'decimation' The British fashion industry has spoken, and it warns of being at a “real risk of decimation” by the post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union (EU). Over 400 industry figures signed an open letter from the Fashion Roundtable to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, arguing there was a “gaping hole” in his deal where free movement of goods and services for creatives was expected. They said the agreement had failed to deliver on promises of frictionless future trade.

The open letter, signed by models like

great way to kick off the new year with a Development Exit Loan.’’

REIM Capital, based in London is planning to double their loan book in 2021 YOY and expects to surpass these figures later this year by growing its broker distribution and expanding the team. Funded through a real estate debt fund, REIM Capital provides various Bridging and Development Finance products, including residential and commercial Bridging,

Amar Khiroya, Principal and CoFounder of REIM Capital

Auction Finance, Development Exit Loans and refurb/ground-up Development Finance.

Sunak reportedly agrees to maintain triple tax lock

British households repaid £16.6bn in money borrowed on credit card, loans Data revealed by the Bank of England (BoE) suggests that British households repaid most of the money borrowed on credit cards and loans in 2020 since records began 30 years ago.

Figures show £16.6bn of net repayments on credit cards, personal loans, student borrowing and car finance last year, making it the most repaid since 1993, and the first annual net reduction since 2011.

Whilst still a niche within the UK, there has been more demand for co-living in recent years, with a rising demand from young professionals. A 2020 report by the Social Market Foundation, argued that the UK government should look to turn empty shopping parades into residential hubs. The report suggests that replacing commercial space with residential property could create 800,000 additional homes.

Amar Khiroya, Principal and Co-Founder of REIM Capital said, “We are delighted to be working with this developer and it’s a

Twiggy, and designers including Katharine Hamnett, urged the PM to take specific steps to address their issues. The concerns echo those of other sectors who argue the bureaucratic regime stands to endanger the future of their industries. The letter read, “We have been disregarded in this deal and our concerns overlooked in current policy decisions.

We call on the government to stand by their commitment to frictionless work travel from British creatives, including the fashion and textile industry and their equipment.”

Rishi Sunak

tion tax, and capital gains tax to combat the UK's growing deficit. Treasury figures had reportedly said they wanted Sunak to aban-

don the pledge, considering he spent roughly £280bn fighting the impact of Covid-19. The FT quoted a source as saying, “To go

back on the manifesto pledge would be a betrayal of trust, pandemic or no pandemic. It was a very significant pledge at the last election.”

Sunak had previously shown indications to ditch party promises. He had abandoned a Tory pledge to devote 0.7 per cent of GDP to overseas aid in November's spending review. In his upcoming Budget scheduled for March 3, the Chancellor is expected to announce only limited tax hikes. A second Budget is scheduled for November.

16 UK

AsianVoiceNews

6- 12 February 2021

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

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PRODUCED IN ASSOCIATION

HOW PARENTS AND CHILDREN CAN ADAPT TO REMOTE LEARNING Many parents are worried about their youngsters’ education now that the majority are learning from home. But thanks to the tireless efforts made by teachers, parents can now stop worrying.

Rupanjana Dutta When it was announced on January 5th that schools across the country would only be staying open to children of critical workers and vulnerable children, the majority of parents gave a collective shudder.

After all, having children is challenging enough at the best of times, but when they’re at home all day, every day, and you have to supervise their education, it’s almost impossible. As father-of-two Errol Murray, from Leeds, says, “There’s a reason that teaching is a paid profession. The idea of taking care of children and getting an idea into their heads at the same time as working a full-time job is very difficult, and to achieve this with no training is basically a non-starter.”

No wonder many parents were worried about the impact of the closure on their child’s education and academic progress. However, since

the March 2020 lockdown, schools have improved hugely the remote learning opportunities they provide for students. First time round – like everyone else – they were caught by surprise and had to rapidly develop strategies to help educate children at home.

By this January, schools were better prepared. Janey Cooksley, Headteacher of Briar Hill Primary School in Northampton, and her team had spent months creating a full academic year’s worth of booklets covering all the academic subjects for years one to six.

“By 1 September, they were all preloaded onto Google Classroom. For those children who had online access, everything was ready and for those who didn’t, hard copies of the booklets could be posted out,” says Janey.

So when the majority of children had to learn from home in January 2021, all Janey’s pupils, and those in the 22 other primaries in

Errol Murray from Leeds with his family

her trust, could immediately benefit. “As well as the booklets, we have teacher videos or voiceovers that help explain the lessons and tasks, and our teachers and teaching assistants have weekly calls with each family to check in and see how everyone is coping. It’s our moral duty.”

Each school is doing things slightly differently, with some providing between three to five hours of lessons a day for pupils.

Most record the lessons which are later available to pupils, while teachers are on hand to answer any questions or help with any difficulties.

And schools are now being supported by the EdTech demonstrator school and college network, which involves experts helping them get the best out of the technology available. But not every child has access to a computer or wi-fi – something schools and the Government are keenly aware of. Schools can support their disadvantaged pupils through the Government’s £400m scheme to provide access to technology.

Around half of Emma Marshall’s pupils are classed as disadvantaged.

The head of Havelock Academy secondary school in Grimsby carried out an audit to assess what tech each student had and provided a device to those in need. Teachers then produced “how-to” guides to help pupils use their tech and made sure a clickthrough to their remotelearning website was clearly available on the

school home page for ease.

“We’ve also provided paper packs of work for those who would really struggling accessing everything online,” says Emma. Now children have live-streamed lessons to complement their set work.

“Other times, we’ve got our ‘cheer-up’ videos that the staff filmed to say, ‘We’re still here, we’re still missing you, we want you to see our faces and our smiles because we are here for you’.”

Increasingly parents are recognising the huge efforts schools have made to teach their children remotely.

Rupinder Kaur, whose 9-year-old daughter Daya

Increasingly parents are recognising the huge efforts schools have made to teach their children remotely.

Rupinder with daughter Daya

goes to school in Claygate, Esher said, “Teachers are working incredibly hard to provide an education in these extraordinary times.

Many of our daughters’ teachers are parents themselves and you can see that despite the challenges, they are committed to doing their very best.

“Teaching is more than a profession. It’s a vocation that many follow with a passion and purpose to make a difference, which is clearly evident in our experience in recent times. The teachers

Avi and Sreyoshee Sengupta with son Aditya

are doing all that they can at a difficult time and we are very appreciative of their efforts.”

Avi and Sreyoshee Sengupta’s 8-year-old son Aditya goes to Our Lady’s Preparatory School in Crowthorne, Berkshire.

Sreyoshee said, “We have been very pleased with the steps that the school has taken towards remote learning.

Children are shared a timetable of online sessions they have during the day which benefited our son from pacing his school work at a rate that works best for him. He is able to look through his assignments at the beginning of the day or even the night before and self pace and plan his day in advance, taking decision on what to begin with. With remote learning from home, he now also has the opportunity to look back at class recordings, re-read and have time to look up information to gain a better understanding of what he is learning.”

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UK

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6- 12 February 2021

WITH UK GOVERNMENT Since the March 2020 lockdown, schools have improved hugely the remote learning opportunities they provide for students.

TIPS FOR PARENTS FROM DR PRABHU RAJENDRAN, CONSULTANT PAEDIATRICIAN

1. Get the children to teach you something, anything: This is seen as a way to establish a new learning environment. If a child sees you (their parent), sitting quietly and listening to what they have to say, they’re more likely to reciprocate and view the living room or the kitchen counter as the new “school” or place to learn. It is strongly believed “teaching something to someone else, helps them to learn it”.

2. Know your child and support each other: • Different kids will do best in different learning environments. Some work better in groups, while few may prefer to work on their own. Also this is your time to work with to pursue an interest, they haven’t had time to focus on in the past.

• Set a simple schedule, that suits your family. Don’t get flooded with the online resources available to download.

If you’re working from home yourself, this can be even more overwhelming.

Look for resources that will keep them connected to their real-life community.

Also grandparents and family friends maybe volunteering to lead activities

like language lessons and craft sessions.

3. Set up a designated home schooling work space: Kids like to move around during the day. So help them in setting up a distraction free space for learning.

They can then organise their stuff, which they can put aside once they are finished. Same applies for time; as much as it is good to have a routine- try to be flexible.

4. Read and writing skills: • To keep up the literacy skills, it will be ideal if they can read for 20 minutes in a day. This can be anything, that interest them and doesn’t need to be academic. Also they can sit on the floor, stretching on a sofa or standing up to read; anything that makes them more engaging.

• These are extraordinary times, so encourage children to write what’s going on in their lives, everyday. This not just helps keep track of day-to-day events, but their thoughts and feelings about it as well. If that’s not their thing, suggest that they write a short story or a song.

5. Task analysis and life skills: Breaking down any task into its basic parts. For example, • What do you need to start washing the dishes? What should you wash first?”

The more you break down the steps, the more they learn about problem-solving.

• Planning a shopping trip? Give a budget and let them help figure out what they can buy.

Most important of all, if anyone (parent or the child) feels stressed; move up the movie time or any other relaxing activity.

WANT TO HELP YOUR CHILD BUT FEEL OUT OF YOUR DEPTH? TOP EXPERTS TELL YOU HOW Janey Cooksley, Headteacher of Briar Hill Primary School in Northamptonshire

“Remember, this is a shortterm situation and in the end the children will catch back up even if they temporarily fall behind. Just do what you physically can.

“Reading is important – building fluency and a love of reading unlocks doors to everything else.

“Let children socialise. They thrive on interaction, so book FaceTime sessions, plan online family games or virtual play dates so they get to see their friends.”

Mike Ion FCCT, Education Director of Avanti Schools Trust

“Establish routines and expectations: It is important to develop good habits from the start.

Create a flexible routine and talk about how it’s working overtime.

Chunk your days into predictable segments. Help students get up, get dressed and ready to learn at a reasonable time. Try and keep to regular bedtime routines, including normal rules for digital devices.

Adjust schedules to meet everyone’s needs but don’t default to staying up late and sleeping in!

“Choose a good place to learn: Your family’s regular learning space for occasional homework might not work for extended periods. If

17

you can try and set up a physical location that’s dedicated to schoolfocused activities. Make sure it is quiet, free from distractions and has a good internet connection.

Make sure an adult monitors online learning. Keep doors open, and practice good digital safety. Our teachers and safeguarding teams will do the same.

“Stay in touch: Teachers will mainly be communicating regularly through our online platforms and virtual learning environments.

Make sure everyone knows how to find the help they need to be successful. Stay in contact with classroom and support teachers and school leaders but understand it may take a few hours for us to respond. If you have concerns, let someone know.

“Help your child ‘own’ their learning: No one expects parents to be full-time teachers or to be educational and content matter experts. Provide support and encouragement and expect your children to do their part. Struggling is allowed and encouraged!

Don’t help too much. Becoming independent takes lots of practice.

At school your child usually

engages with other students and any number of adults hundreds of times each day. Many of these social interactions can and will continues from a distance, but they will be different.”

Stevie Goulding, Helpline CoManager for child mental health charity YoungMinds

EXTRA SUPPORT FOR DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN The UK Government has:

• Invested more than £400m to support youngsters with access to technology, including providing 1.3 million laptops and tablets.

• Teamed up with leading mobile network operators to provide free data to disadvantaged families until July 2021.

• Provided 54,000 4G wireless router, with free data for the academic year, to help children access remote education and vital social-care services.

“Remote learning can be incredibly challenging for parents, so it’s really important to be kind to yourself and make space for alone time.

“Break up the work – set small amounts throughout the day to help them feel less overwhelmed.

And personalise it – use their toys to help them add and subtract.”

• Provided a further £300m to early years, schools and colleges for tutoring, building on the existing £1billion Covid Catch Up Fund For more guidance on remote learning and support for mental health and wellbeing, visit gov. uk/coronavirus-remotelearning.

18 WORLD

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6 - 12 February 2021

Military seizes power in Myanmar; Suu Kyi, other leaders detained NAYPYITAW: Myanmar’s military seized power in a coup against the democratically elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who was detained along with other leaders of her party in early morning raids. Western nations condemned the sudden turn of events, which derailed years of efforts to establish democracy in the poverty-stricken country and raised even more questions over the prospect of returning a million Rohingya refugees.

The UN Security Council calls for a strong response. The army said it had responded to “election fraud”, handing power to military chief General Min Aung Hlaing and imposing a state of emergency for a year in the country, also known as Burma, where neighbouring China has a powerful influence.

The generals made their move hours before parliament had been due to sit for the first time since the National League for Democracy’s (NLD) landslide win in a Nov. 8 election viewed as a referendum on Suu

Aung San Suu Kyi

Kyi’s fledgling democratic rule.

The NLD said Suu Kyi had called on people to protest against the military takeover, quoting comments it said had been written in anticipation of a coup. Phone and internet connections in the capital, Naypyitaw, and the main commercial centre Yangon were disrupted and state television went off air after the NLD leaders were detained. Summarising a meeting of the new junta, the military said Min Aung Hlaing, who had been nearing retirement, had pledged to practice a “genuine discipline-flourishing multiparty democratic system”.

He promised a free and fair election and a handover of power to the winning party, it said, without giving a timeframe.

The junta later removed 24 ministers and named 11 replacements to oversee ministries including finance, defence, foreign affairs and interior. Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and other NLD leaders were “taken” in the early hours of the morning, NLD spokesman Myo Nyunt said and at least 45 people had been detained.

Troops and riot police stood by in Yangon where residents rushed to markets to stock up on supplies and others lined up at ATMs to withdraw cash.

Banks suspended services but said they would reopen later.

Foreign companies from Japanese retail giant Aeon to South Korean trading firm POSCO International and Norway’s Telenor scrambled to reach staff in Myanmar and

assess the turmoil.

Multinationals moved into the country after Suu Kyi’s party established the first civilian government in half a century in 2015. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate’s election win followed decades of house arrest and struggle against the military, which had seized power in a 1962 coup and stamped out all dissent for decades.

While still hugely popular at home, her international standing was severely damaged after she failed to stop the expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas in 2017. The detentions came after days of tension between the civilian government and the military in the aftermath of the most recent election, in which Suu Kyi’s party won 83% of the vote.

An army takeover would put Myanmar “back under a dictatorship”, the pre-written statement on Facebook quoted Suu Kyi as saying. “I urge people not to accept this, to respond and wholeheartedly to protest against the coup by the military,” it said.

Pak SC frees main accused in Daniel Pearl’s beheading ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Supreme Court last week ordered the release of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, the principal accused in the 2002 beheading of American journalist Daniel Pearl, dismissing the appeal of the government of Sindh province against a high court order for his immediate release. Pearl’s family said, “Today’s decision is a complete travesty of justice and the release of these killers puts in danger journalists everywhere and the people of Pakistan.”

The order was issued by a three-judge SC bench, of which one member opposed the decision. Sheikh’s lawyer said that according to the SC, there wasn’t sufficient evidence to prove that he had committed the offence. Provincial attorney

Salman Talibuddin said the court also ordered that three others who had been sentenced to life in prison for their part in Pearl’s kidnapping and death be freed. Faisal Siddiqi, the lawyer representing Pearl’s family, said the only legal avenue would be to ask for a review. He, however, said the review would be conducted by the same court. “In practical terms, there are no further legal avenues.”

In April last year, the Sindh HC had overturned the death sentence of Sheikh, who had been convicted of the 2002 kidnapping and killing of the US journalist by an anti-terrorism court, into seven years’ imprisonment and acquitted the three others. Sheikh, who had already spent 18 years in prison, was expected to be released after the verdict. The accused, however,

were not released as the Sindh government kept them behind bars under the Maintenance of Public Order law.

US seeks custody of Omar Sheikh The Biden administration said it is ready to take custody of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh Omar Sheikh to options to ensure justice is stand trial in the US, even as the served. “The US stands ready to Pakistan hurriedly concocted a take custody of Sheikh to stand review petition against its trial here on the pending Supreme Court’s acquittal of charges against him. He must Omar Sheikh. Washington’s not be permitted to evade justice shock and anger at Pakistan was for his charged role in Daniel expressed in restrained statePearl’s abduction and murder,” ments from the White House, the US justice department, the state department, the justice under whose jurisdiction the department, and Congress, urgFBI falls, said. ing Islamabad to review its legal

Cyclone leaves thousands homeless in Mozambique MAPUTO: A tropical cyclone that hit central Mozambique this weekend has displaced thousands of people and caused severe flooding in an area battered by two deadly cyclones in 2019, response teams and aid agencies said. Cyclone Eloise made landfall last week, bringing high-speed winds followed by torrential rain over the port city of Beira, capital of Mozambique's Sofala province, and the adjacent Buzi district.

Almost 7,000 people have been displaced and over 5,000 houses destroyed or damaged in the area, the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha) said. National emergency response teams confirmed six fatalities and 12 serious

injuries - numbers expected to rise as the scale of the damage is fully assessed in coming days. "So many places are flooded already and it's getting worse," said Unicef Mozambique spokesman Daniel Timme.

"Rivers are collecting water and bringing it back to the Buzi River basin" south of Beira, he

said. Timme said the cyclone had disproportionately affected the city's poorer neighbourhoods, where homes made of tarpaulin and corrugated iron were swept up by winds.

Urgent need of food Hundreds have taken refuge in a school and were in urgent need of food, medicine and prop-

er shelter, he added. Eloise hit an area devastated by two successive super-storms in March and April 2019. The first, Cyclone Idai, left more than 1,000 dead and caused damage estimated at around $2 billion. Timme said aid workers were scrambling to provide safe drinking water and avoid cholera, which broke out in temporary shelters across Beira around two weeks after Idai hit.

Unicef, the United Nations' children's agency, estimates that 176,000 people have been "severely affected" by Eloise, half of which are children. Around 142,000 hectares of farmland have been swamped, according to preliminary Unicef figures, as well as 26 health centres and 76 classrooms.

in brief in brief BAHRAIN TAKES DELIVERY OF VACCINE FROM INDIA Bahrain has received its first delivery of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII) last week. The vaccine will be free to citizens and residents of the Gulf Arab state, which on Jan 25 approved the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker's vaccine for emergency use, state media said, without providing the number of doses. Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who is also prime minister, thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi "and our friends in India for working with us to secure the delivery of" the vaccine, his court said in a Twitter post. SII Chief Executive Adar Poonawalla said that the firm would supply Saudi Arabia with 3 million vaccine doses priced at $5.25 each in about a week. Bahrain is already providing the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and one manufactured by Chinese state-backed pharmaceutical giant Sinopharm free of charge.

PAK PILOT CLAIMS TO HAVE SPOTTED 'UFO' A pilot of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has claimed to have spotted an unidentified flying object (UFO) in the sky during a domestic flight. The "shiny object" was snapped near Rahim Yar Khan during a routine Lahore-bound flight from Karachi, Geo News reported. The daily, citing sources, quoted the pilot as saying: "The UFO was extremely bright despite the presence of sunlight." Though the pilot did not believe it to be a planet, he added that the object he captured could've been a "space station" or an "artificial planet." While it was not confirmed as to what exactly was captured on video by the pilot flying the Airbus A-320, the clip did make its way to social media and soon went viral.

SHEHBAZ’S DAUGHTER, SON-IN-LAW PROCLAIMED OFFENDERS An accountability court declared Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif’s daughter Rabia and son-inlaw, Ali Imran, proclaimed offenders in Saaf Pani corruption case. The court initiated the process of declaring the accused as proclaimed offenders over their continued non-appearance before the court. The investigation officer has been directed to paste the advertisement in the AC, declaring Rabia and her husband as proclaimed offenders. Ali Imran, his wife and others are accused of denting the national exchequer Rs 24.7 million in the Saaf Pani scam by giving the building of the project on rent.

According to the reference, Ali & Fatima Developers, a company of Ali and Rabia illegally received the rent of the building which was even not completed and was under-construction

YOUTUBE SUSPENDS TRUMP INDEFINITELY YouTube has suspended Donald Trump indefinitely from the platform and said it will also prevent the former president's lawyer Rudy Giuliani from being able to monetize his clips, US media reported. It comes a week after the social media giant confirmed it would extend a ban on Trump's channel which has just under three million subscribers - joining other social media platforms in banning his accounts following the deadly January 6 Capitol riot. The Google-owned firm has faced some criticism over its slow response following the violence in Washington, as well as the proliferation of conspiracy theories on the platform. "In light of concerns about the ongoing potential for violence, the Donald J Trump channel will remain suspended," a YouTube spokesperson said.

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Gandhi statue vandalised in California CALIFORNIA: India strongly condemned the vandalisation of Mahatma Gandhi's statue in California calling it a malicious and despicable act against a universally respected icon of peace and justice. The government also asked the US government for a thorough investigation into the incident.

The government said in a statement that on January 28 the statue of Mahatma gandhi at the Central Park in the city of Davis, California, was vandalised by unknown persons. The statue was a gift to Davis by the Indian government in 2016. The 6-ft tall, 294 kg bronze statue of gandhi

appeared to have been sawed off at the ankles and half its face was severed and missing, local Davis Enterprise daily reported.

“The government of India strongly condemns this malicious and despicable act against a universally respected icon of peace and justice,” said the Indian

ministry of external affairs.

The ministry further said that the Indian embassy in the US had also taken up the matter with the department of state for a thorough investigation into the incident and appropriate action against those responsible for this act.

“The despicable

Consulate general of India in San Francisco has separately taken up the matter with the City of Davis and local law enforcement authorities, which have initiated the investigations,” it added.

The US department of state has conveyed that this act of vandalism is unacceptable and expressed hope that perpetrators will be brought to justice as quickly as possible.“The mayor of Davis deeply regretted the incident and informed that they have initiated an investigation.

Local Indian community organisations have also condemned the act of vandalism,” said the foreign ministry.

Indian American named chief medical officer of department of homeland security WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden has announced that University of Texas at Austin’s Dr Pritesh Gandhi was named the chief medical officer of the Department of Homeland Security. Dr Gandhi is the associate medical director for the People’s Community Clinic of Austin.

The Indian American is also an affiliate faculty member at the University of Texas Dell Medical School.

At Dell Medical School, he specializes in population health and pediatrics, according to his bio.

He studied at Tufts University and completed his residency at Tulane University. He also studied at the London School of Economics and Johns Hopkins University. The People's Clinic said that "over the course of his career, Dr gandhi has worked with working-class and marginalized communities to address social determinants of health and poverty."

“We regret losing someone of Dr gandhi’s tremendous capabilities, talent and compassion. He has been an outstanding leader for our clinic and our

community during one of the most difficult times in our country’s history. Dr Pritesh Gandhi We are proud of saw families organize to the relationship Dr gandhi obtain access to clean water. has had with us, and wish As an Albert Schweitzer him the best in this new and Fellow, he focused on very critical role for our nutrition among the country,” said Regina working poor in Boston.

Rogoff, People’s chief Additionally, according to executive officer. his bio, during his residency Dr gandhi is a native of in New Orleans, his group Houston, born to immigrant organized around gun parents from India. He says violence and social he is a doctor to the determinants of health. He underserved and uninsured. and his wife then returned As a Fulbright scholar, to Texas, where they have gandhi worked in one of the remained since. world’s largest landfills and

Indian origin people have highest household income in US California: Indian Americans have an average annual household income of $120,000, surpassing all ethnic groups, as well as White Americans, according to a report released by the Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development. But almost 7 per cent of Indian Americans live at or below the federal poverty line of $12,490 for a single person and $25, 750 for a family of four. Indian and Filipino Americans have the lowest poverty rates among all ethnic groups, and White Americans. Fifty-seven per cent of Indian Americans own their homes, while 26 per cent are renters.

But prosperity does not cut equally among all AAPI ethnicities, including other South Asian American subgroups. While the mean household income for all AAPI ethnicities is $82,000 annually, Burmese Americans earn just half of

that at $42,000 per year.

Burmese Americans have the highest level of poverty in the nation, surpassing Black and LatinX households, according to CAPACD - an Oakland, California-based organization that works with low-income AAPI families.

Nepalese and Bangladeshi American households have an annual income of about $46,000, while Pakistani Americans come closer to the AAPI average, with household incomes of $79,000 per year.

Eighteen per cent of Bangladeshi American households fall below the federal poverty line, while 16 per cent of Pakistani Americans are low-income.

As a whole, 11 per cent of Asian American households are at or below the federal poverty level.

By comparison, almost 24 per cent of Black and native American households, and 18 per cent of LatinX

households are low-income.

Poverty levels for White Americans is below 10 per cent; they also represent the highest percentage of homeowners - almost 80 per cent - according to the CAPACD report.

Because of modern immigration policy, immigrants are more likely to be wealthy and educated when they immigrate to the US, stated the report. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 has favored higher education or professional class skills or those who have family in the US. As of 2012, 61 per cent of Asian immigrants have a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to the overall US population, in which only one-third have graduated from college or university.

Asian Americans have also gobbled up the majority of employment-based visas, which contributes to a higher earning capacity. But the authors of the report -

Cy Watsky, Josh Isimatsu, Arika Harrison, and Emanuel Nieves - stated that the myth of the model minority masks the severe economic, education, and employment disparities within the AAPI community. People from Asia are clubbed into one ethnic category, which disallows an examination of diverse backgrounds, said the researchers.

“Ultimately, while the Asian American category allows for political solidarity and power for many, when we examine the economic indicators for the AAPI community, it becomes clear that the aggregated data does not come close to telling the full story of these diverse communities,” wrote the researchers. The US Census does not provide disaggregated wealth data, which is important in understanding the longterm financial security for AAPI households, stated CAPACD in a press release.

Follow the money

Suresh Vagjiani, Sow & Reap Properties Ltd

In the Allsop’s commercial auction there are a load of properties occupied by Santander, all on short leases, with little prospect of renewal.

The first lot is one in the city centre of Chingford, with 4 years remaining on the lease. The yield is 6.71%, and the guide price purposely low – in my opinion - at £350K. This is designed to bring in the masses by dangling a carrot.

In effect you are buying a 4 year bond, where the value of the bond at the end of the term is likely to be only a fraction of the original purchase price. The end value of an empty commercial property will not be very much.

The first auction lot is when you generally have the most interest and attendance in the auction room; therefore, the first lot has been chosen to set the tone for the rest of the auction. At this price and location this lot is likely to attract a lot of interest, and go way above the low guide price.

There will be many frustrated failed bidders off the back of this first lot, thereby setting up a pool of bidders for all the other lots yet to come.

Commercial property values, especially ones which are out of London, are governed by the tenant and the length they are in occupation. Many owners of commercial properties do not know what to do with an empty commercial property, apart from rent it to a commercial tenant. Their lines of funding also compliment this approach.

In the current climate this is not an easy proposition, and perhaps may not be for many years to come.

Therefore, you will see a dumping of commercial properties with shortish leases mostly via auctions.

Here is an interesting example, which illustrates the point raised above, that I have been looking at. It is Lot 63 in the Allsop’s auction. It was purchased by a property company based in London for £450K in 2015. Presumably, with a reasonable income and purely for the purposes of the income. The location is on the high street in Yeovil, Somerset; where there are many solid commercial tenants nearby, such as Vision Express, Robert Dyas etc. The property is double fronted consisting of 3,800 sq. ft.

As the property is currently vacant it has been guided at only £110K, and I don’t think it will go for much more than this. The reserve will be around the same level as the guide. This property will be selling for about 25% of what it was purchased for in 2015. Kind of ludicrous. However, this also presents an opportunity. Conversion to residential is possible under Permitted Development. No doubt this is not London. Flats here go for about £150K a piece, therefore, there is potential to get about 5 flats within this building and a smaller commercial unit which is more rentable; giving a gDV of £750K for the residential alone. Conversion costs for the flats would be about £250K, giving one a heathy return. Even if you cannot sell the units on, you have the option of renting and refinancing your money back out of the deal.

These sorts of opportunities will be increasing in the near future, and there will be a window for making lucrative returns.

WOMAN HID MOTHER'S BODY IN FREEZER FOR 10 YEARS Yumi Yoshino, 48, a Japanese woman hid her mother’s corpse in a freezer in her apartment for a decade. When she was held on “on suspicion of abandoning and hiding a female body,” she told police she feared eviction if the death was discovered. Yoshino said that when her mother died about 10 years ago she hid the body because she feared she would be forced to move out of the flat they shared, local media reported. The mother, thought to be aged around 60 at the time of her death, was named on the lease of the apartment in a municipal housing complex. Yoshino had been forced to leave the apartment in mid-January after missing rent payments, the reports said, and a cleaner discovered the body in a freezer hidden in a closet. An autopsy could not determine the time and cause of woman’s death, the reports said.

US AIRSTRIKE KILLS IS COMMANDER IN IRAQ US airstrikes in a joint mission with Iraqi forces have killed the top Islamic State terror group commander in Iraq, an attack aimed at stemming the group’s resurgence and exacting retribution for a deadly double-suicide bombing in Baghdad last week. Jabbar Salman Ali Farhan al-Issawi, 43, known as Abu Yasser, was killed near the city of Kirkuk, US-led military coalition and Iraqi officials said. The IS no longer holds territory in Iraq but has continued to carry out deadly attacks. The question of what kind of force is required to keep the group in check has been at the heart of US and Iraqi negotiations over reducing the number of US troops in Iraq. A coalition spokesperson called al-Issawi’s death “a significant blow” to the IS’ efforts to regroup.

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IT Sector emerges as a pillar of modern India With a positive indication of IT outsourcing businesses are beginning to see light Heading into 2021, there is little precedent for projecting the future.

The economy is showing some signs of stability, but there are lingering fears over continued challenges or further surprises. No sector came across a speedy and super elevated development, such as the information technology all over the world. In the financial year 2019, IT industry in India generated annual revenue close to 180 billion U.S. dollars, a significant increase from the generated revenue ten years ago.

The Indian IT sector employs more than 4 million people and is a $150+ billion industry. Their main focus is on technological collaborations to offer the best enterprise solutions, process outsourcing, and business management solutions and now into automation and AI. Some of the best Indian IT companies are part of the top software companies worldwide with clients US, UK, Europe, and locally in India.

Besides these there are many other Indian IT companies like Oracle, Larsen and Toubro, Cognizant, Collabera. The jobs in Information Technology have wit-

nessed a significant elevation.

However, the most common and primary reasons for opting IT field as a career are more profitable than many other jobs that are recruiting, diverse and numerous career choices, friendly working hours, work from home benefits, a fair amount of money and most importantly always on demand, if you have required set of skills According to the report by job platform SCIKEY Market Network, the major job roles that were in demand during November were project manager, software developer, software tester, consultant and digital marketing lead, it added.

However, the country is a home to some of the youngest entrepreneurs in the world, with the average age of founders at a mere 28 years. In today’s hyper-

connected world, you are no longer limited to your city or country for sourcing the right talent for your work.

Why India is most preferred country for Outsourcing Staffing?

Talking about the favourite destinations for outsourcing, India remains a leader in the space, with 80% of European and US outsourcing firms ranking India as their number one outsourcing destination. NASSCOM also confirms that up to half of all top 500 companies outsource their software development to Indian firms. With remote working slowly emerging as the new norm, the outsourcing industry is all set to experience a further boom, owing to its multiple benefits like reduced costs and access to a larger talent pool.

Successful companies are using

outsourcing as one of their tools to optimize their businesses.

India's investment friendly policies, forward–thinking reforms, higher disposable incomes and rising middle class have made it an attractive outsourcing destination for foreign investors. When

Top 5 IT companies of India Name TCS Infosys Wipro Tech Mahindra HCL

Employees (Approx) 4,00,000+ 2,00,000+ 1,60,000+ 1,17,000+ 1,17,000+

Net Sales in INR(Approx) 1,61,541 Cr 93,594 Cr 63,682 Cr 38,060 Cr 18,594 Cr

Net Sales in Pound(Approx) 1615.83 Cr 936.18 Cr 636.99 Cr 380.70 Cr 185.99 Cr

a company outsources the Indian it will get to work with enthusiastic and career–focused Indians, who constantly upgrade their skills through training and certificate programs.

The company will face fewer cultural challenges, as Indians are always open to new ideas and opportunities Even the top tech giants like Microsoft, Google, Ford Motor Company (FMC), CISCO, and American Express (AMEX), outsource IT services to India. And the reason is quite simple, India has the required resources to fulfill the growing demands of the software industry.

India’s basmati rice exports to EU soar After a tough battle Pakistan receives GI Tag for Basmati Rice Basmati rice is a type of long white grain which is mostly grown in the Himalayas, in India and Pakistan. It is mostly consumed with curry in both the countries. In Europe, consumers are drawn towards aromatic basmati rice for traditional dishes such as sushi, risotto or paella. In terms of its popularity, this kind of rice is famous across the globe because of its taste, aroma, texture and its characteristic of being a good combination with any cuisine.

Basmati rice is cooked in almost major parts of the world including the USE, UK, Europe, Africa, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Kuwait, Yemen, Oman, Iran covering the major parts. With the increase in consumption and popularity, the exports of Basmati rice to European countries have increased significantly in the recent months.

India produces over 7 million tons of basmati rice yearly. Out of the total production 60% is exported and 40% sold in the domestic market. Basmati Rice demand from EU soared over 70% in FY 2020-21.

Increased demand from countries including Belgium, Italy and Netherlands supported the basmati rice industry amid uncertainty over export to Iran. This led to an increase in basmati rice prices by 10% in the past two months. Basmati rice was one of the boiling pots in the relationship between India and Pakistan. It isn’t the first time that a European Geographical Indication (GI) registration for Basmati Rice has been in the limelight; the GI registration of Pashmina was also a controversial issue.

A geographical indication (GI) is a tag on products that they have a specific geographical origin and possess certain qualities due to that origin and is safeguarded by legalities such as by the World Intellectual

property organization or WIPO. India applied for a geographical indication, or GI, tag in the European Union’s Council on Quality Schemes for Agricultural and Foodstuffs. The application was published in an official journal in September 2020. The application by the Indian government for sole geographical indication (GI) status clearly stated that “The special characteristic of basmati is grown and produced in all districts of the state of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, as well as in specific districts of western Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir,”.

India’s application prompted an emergency meeting of Pakistan’s commerce secretary, the chair of the country’s intellectual property organisation, representatives of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan, and senior legal advisers to the government.

On 27 January 2021, Adviser to Prime Minister, Abdul Razak Dawood, in his tweet said, “I am glad to inform that Pakistan has registered Basmati rice as GI under the GI Act 2020. Under this Act, a GI registry has been formed, which will register the GI and maintain basic record of properties and authorised users.”

Dawood further added, “This will provide protection to our products against misuse or imitation, hence, will guarantee that their share in the international market is protected.” According to a government data, India has a 65 per cent share in global basmati trade while Pakistan has the rest.

India exported 4.45 million tons basmati rice (worth $4.33 billion) in financial year 2019-20 as compared to 4.41 million tons ($4.72 billion) the year before.

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NRI Account and a Home Loan products and services are offered by ICICI Bank Limited L (“ICICI Bank”). ICICI Bank is incorporated in India and is re egulated by the Reserve Bank of India (“RBI”) and maintains its corporate office in Mumbai, India a.

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IIT & IIM grads instrumental in forging UK-India partnership Shefali Saxena Jawaharlal Nehru, first Prime Minister of India, in the first convocation address of IIT Kharagpur in 1956 said: “Here in the place of that Hijli Detention Camp stands the fine monument of India, representing India's urges, India's future in the making. This picture seems to me symbolical of the changes that are coming to India.”

The first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) was founded in May 1950. The first Indian Institute of Management (IIM) was established in 1961 in Calcutta (now Kolkata) as IIM Calcutta. These institutions were remarked as institutes of national importance by Nehru.

At present, there are a total of 23 IITs and 20 IIMs in the country that are functional.

The UK is home to many such alumni of IIT and IIM who hold prestigious positions.

Asian Voice spoke to IIT and IIM graduates in the UK to learn more about their perspective on their alma mater(s) and how they contribute to Britain differently.

Brij Kumar* who came to London more than a decade ago and works for a leading investment bank, said, “During my time here, I have seen many grads from premier Indian institutes (IIT/IIM) come to the UK. These grads have already gone through a fairly rigorous process both while getting into the college and even while at the college competing with the best within the country. Many grads from these institutes have left an indelible mark during their careers here in the UK and hence these institutes have a brand recognition exemplified by these shining stars.”

Brij Kumar suspects that with Brexit, the India-UK ties will become all the more important as the UK distances itself from the EU and looks to forge stronger relationships with the rest of the world. He said, “There might be a void created with EU grads possibly preferring to stay back in continental mainland rather than travel to the UK, which can be filled with more grads coming in from India. In all, I believe Indian grads from IIT/IIM will con-

Bollywood's affair with Britain Hindi cinema was practically unheard of in pre-1950 Britain, with cinemas showing mainly British and Hollywood features.

As families migrated to the UK from India, in the quest to quench their thirst for entertainment, Indian communities started to organise film evenings, at which the latest Bollywood hits would be screened in houses and community centres using projectors.

Yash Chopra and Karan Johar shouldered the responsibility of presenting the UK on celluloid to Indians and the diaspora as they vividly shot some of their most successful films in Britain. Today, shooting Bollywood movies in London is a regular activity for filmmakers and is almost a ritual. Having a wax statue at Madame Tussauds in London is more like a crucial milestone in the lives of Bollywood celebrities, without which their careers aren’t declared a hit. The wax museum is home to statues of every single A-list Bollywood artist.

Ashvin Devasundaram, Senior Lecturer in World Cinema, Queen Mary University of London told Asian Voice, “Bollywood has been enduring in its engagement with the diasporic Non-Resident Indian (NRI) demographic in the UK, especially in the 1990s through extravagant family melodramas set in London. Over the recent decade, a new wave of independent Indian films has gained visibility in the UK, with sociopolitically attuned and often thematically controversial films such as Lipstick Under My Burkha being showcased at the UK Asian Film Festival (UKAFF). The BFI India on Film initiative, part of the UK-India Year of Culture 2017, also featured a range of Indian Indie films. These avenues of accessibility have helped introduce UK audiences to the diversity of Indian cinema beyond Bollywood.”

However, due to the pandemic, three

Madame Tussauds

months ago, in a story published in The Guardian, it was reported that UK cinema closures have delivered body blows to Bollywood and the immediate future for Bollywood in the UK now looks particularly bleak.

One cannot forget the major film festivals that bring specially curated Hindi cinema to the UK with the London Asian Film Festival and London Indian Film Festival (Bagri Foundation). London is home to celebrated scholars, authors and journalists in Hindi cinema, including author Lalit Mohan Joshi, Rachel Dwyer, Rosie Thomas, Nasreen Munni Kabir, Suman Buchar and more veterans who have kept the essence of Hindi films alive in the UK all these years.

The programmes and events conducted by The Nehru Centre London in association with the Indian High Commission in the UK, British Film Institute, South Asian Cinema Foundation and the BBC are the pillars of Bollywood’s shadow over the UKIndia partnership.

Premier institutions like the University of Westminster (that runs the CAMRI programme for scholars) and SOAS in London are home to Hindi cinema researchers in the UK. Last, but not least, the insanely famous Bollywood nights, Bollywood themed weddings and fashion shows are the heart of entertainment in the UK.

tinue to help forge a strong bond between the two countries and benefit both economies all the while creating a positive image for India.”

Vikram Balan, an alumnus of the institutes who resides in the UK, told Asian Voice, “Graduates from the IITs and IIMs are in most sectors in the UK, across the public/private sectors and self-run businesses.

Alumni of these institutes have been moving cross-borders for decades now, not just across UK/India, but worldwide, in their pursuit of professional excellence. And this is seen by way of a professional work ethic they bring to their respective organisations. The alumni have played pivotal roles in generating employment opportunities, strengthening UK-India business ties, cultural exchanges as well as contributions towards charitable initiatives - both in personal capacity as well as organised alumni association chapters.”

Another product of IIT and IIM, Shantanu* reiterated the traits that make the

graduates stand out amongst those in the UK. He said, “A few common traits [IQ excluded] amongst these alumni is rooted in the innate competitiveness of getting into these institutions and thriving amidst pressure throughout and that the majority of them come from average middle class Indian families. This kind of upbringing and exposure right from one's impressionable years moulds their character to set high goals in life, persevere intelligently and thrive under pressure to achieve them. This gets reflected in their work etiquette and foundations of their businesses.” *(name changed on request)

India-UK ties likely to be dominated by STEM subjects India is excelling as a global player in several industries and areas, one of them is definitely, education.

“As many as 37500 Indian students received study visas in the UK in 2019 which was only 20,000 in 2018. As many as 37,500 Tier IV (study) visas were granted to Indian students in 2019, which is a 93% increase since 2018 when only 20,000 visas were granted,” TOI reported in 2020.

As the UK continues to be a popular destination for Indian students to study abroad, Asian Voice reached out to academicians and the current batch of Indian students in the UK to know their perspective about India’s position as a global player in education.

Professor Mukulika Banerjee, Associate Professor at the Department of Anthropology at London School of Economics and Political Science said, “Higher education is a powerful means of soft diplomacy in UK-India ties. The UK boasts some of the best universities in the world and with recent changes in visa rules, Indian students find it an enormously attractive destination for higher education studies.

The numbers will only grow. India has introduced a New Education Policy that welcomes foreign universities to set up campuses in India.

But any foreign university has to note that academic freedom in India is far from what they might expect in an officially democratic country. Critical thinking especially in the social sciences and humanities are under serious check. A new guideline this month, requires all public universities and organisations in India to get security clearance for all international speakers, even for online events. India-UK ties in higher education, at least in India, are therefore likely to be dominated by the STEM subjects.”

Pratinav Anil, a DPhil candidate at the University of Oxford, works on Muslim politics in postcolonial India told Asian Voice, “Much of the general optimism around Indo-British relations after Brexit—witness

Pratinav Anil

comments by politicians in both countries; the conservative press; big business; think tanks; chambers of commerce—turns on the question of migration, for long a sore point.

For Indian white-collar workers and students in Britain, in particular, the immigration regime before Brexit appeared rigged against them: free movement for EU nationals but an unforgiving points-based system for them that excluded all but those in the highest paid professions. Not anymore.

But more so than Brexit, it is the Johnson government that has brought about this change. For while it has been happy to scapegoat and dehumanise the largely lower and middle class migrants escaping war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East, it has nevertheless courted skilled—that is, Anglophone, educated, upper-middle class— migration from South and East Asia and beyond. Here, Johnson’s break with May is clear. Gone are the days of bringing net migration ‘to the tens of thousands’.

After a sharp fall under May, net migration has increased from 249,000 to 313,000 in the three years to March 2020. In the same period, the number of Indian nationals on study visas in Britain has increased from 16,000 to 51,000.”

Pratinav stated that Britain is an important market for Indian manufacturing and digital services, the upshot of deindustrialisation in Britain and the persistence of low wages in India. Consequently, Indian capital is sanguine about future trade.

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India’s pharma industry will be a boon for UK History will remember the Covid-19 pandemic as one of the biggest black swan events. The European Union previously introduced tighter rules regarding exports of Covid-19 vaccines that could hit shipments to nations like the UK, deepening a dispute with London over scarce supplies of potentially lifesaving shots.

But amid an outcry in Northern Ireland and the UK, the European Commission made clear the new measure will not trigger controls on vaccines shipments produced in the 27nation bloc to the small territory that is part of UK bordering EU member Ireland.

UK-India bilateral trade ties have strengthened in manifold ways in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. From the extensive collaboration on a Covid-19 vaccine between Oxford University and the Serum Institute of India to the announcement of an Enhanced Trade Partnership at last month’s Joint Economic Trade Committee, the two countries are paving the ground for a potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Until last year, trade between the two countries was growing at 17% per annum and the figure is expected to grow by even greater amounts as both countries work towards an FTA. British-Swedish Company AstraZeneca has already tied up with the Serum Institute of India for the manufacturing of a potential Covid-19 vaccine being developed by Oxford University. Wockhardt has recently announced a fill-and-finish arrangement with the UK Government to supply Covid-19 related vaccines and medicines. While India extended 3 million packets of paracetamol to the UK during the height of the pandemic, Prime Minister Johnson has indicated his

desire to reduce the UK’s heavy reliance on the import of Chinese drugs and medical supplies. Perhaps, it is an indication that the MedTech sector would see a relative boom in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from Indian Pharmaceutical companies. And increased investment flows from existing UK Big Pharma companies in India.

Speaking about India as an alternative to China, Richard Heald, Chair Designate of UKIBC, in an interview with Asian Voice last year, noted, “One of the advantages that India has in comparison to China is the increasing penetration of drugs and vaccines in the UK especially in terms of supporting the NHS. The export of paracetamol in the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic was very well received. And pharma companies like Cipla, Wockhardt have achieved record growth levels in the UK. Enabling the UK and India to collaborate more effectively will be of benefit to both countries.”

With the pandemic holding the centre stage, India has become the focus of growing world attention. In a short while, however, India, which is the largest producer of vaccines globally, is the country to which fellow developing countries are turning, to meet their urgent needs. New Delhi has set itself the target of immunising 300 million of its citizens by July, using both AstraZeneca and Bharat Biotech vaccines.

Indian-origin medics are the backbone of the NHS The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared 2020 the “Year of the Nurse and Midwife” last year, to coincide with the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. In a historical satire however, coronavirus has exposed the glaring loop holes that plague the UK’s healthcare system.

NHS is at a breaking point and is in dire need of nurses, doctors and midwives.

This was further substantiated by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in September last year as it warned of an “emerging crisis in nursing” with concerns about record shortages in the number of nurses and low morale among them. The NHS is presently short of 40,000 nurses and researchers are pressing for a review of the 12-hour shifts of all nurses to ensure their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing are intact. According to Health Foundation that shortfall is expected to reach 100,000 in a decade.

Professional medical bodies have insisted that the UK does not presently have the resources to rely on domestic nursing staff alone and organisations such as the BAPIO are therefore, training and bringing in nurses from other Commonwealth countries including India and Philippines. Yet, British Home Secretary Priti Patel is firm that the UK must level up and invest in upskilling their domestic talents as opposed to relying on skilled labour from India to combat the shortages that the NHS is facing. BAPIO has recently launched a support network

facilitating 25,00030,000 nurses from India who are presently serving the NHS. British Indian Nurses Association (BINA) is providing them Priti Patel with all the necessary training, guidelines of the NHS and making them aware of the GMC regulations besides helping them navigate the cultural and linguistic barriers they may face in their career progression. But the NHS is not just in need of the Indian nurses.

Leading organisations such as the BMA have also warned that Indian-origin doctors are choosing to migrate to other countries such as Australia, Canada and now even the UAE where immigration norms are far more relaxed. The immigration and visa regulations in the UK currently don’t allow Indian-origin medics to bring their families as their dependents to the UK. In an interview with Asian Voice, earlier, Dr. Preeti said, “I don’t understand government’s logic about declining elderly parents to stay - they are not a burden to society as we pay our taxes and are clear that we won’t need social services support in their case, their family will look after them.”

Indian-origin medics are the backbone of the NHS and the UK needs to understand that it cannot afford to take them for granted.

6 - 12 February 2021

REPUBLIC DAY SPECIAL

24 REPUBLIC DAY SPECIAL

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India is a a major milk Indian diaspora's important producer in the world role in Gulf Joseph k.k India has emerged from a dairy deficient country to the leading milk producer in the world today, with estimated production of milk in 2018-19 at 187 million tonnes. According to a survey, 23 per cent of agricultural households depend on livestock as their principal source of income.

Dairy industry has thus emerged as one of the key alternatives available to the Indian farmer. As per Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairy, India ranks first among the world’s milk producing nations since 1998 and has the largest bovine (cow, buffalo, etc) population in the world. Milk production in India during the period 1950-51 was 17 million tonnes, which has gone up to 187 million tonnes in 201920. This phenomenal success is attributed to the head start given by programmes such as ‘Operation Flood’ during 1970–1996, which focused on dairy development activities.

How Amul started and expanded Amul is a dairy cooperative, based at Anand in the state of Gujarat. Formed in 1946, it is a cooperative brand managed by a cooperative body, the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. (GCMMF), which today is jointly owned by 3.6 million milk producers in Gujarat. Amul spurred India's White Revolution, which made India the world's largest producer of milk and milk products. Kaira District Milk Union Limited (later renamed to Amul) was founded in 1946 through the efforts of Tribhuvandas Patel, Dr Verghese Kurien and H. M. Dalaya. Amul's foundation was a significant contributor to the white revolution in India. Tribhuvandas under the guidance of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel became the founding chairman of the organization and led it until his retirement in 70s. He hired Kurien in 1949. He convinced Kurien to stay and help with the mission. Under the chairmanship of Tribhuvandas, Kurien was initially the general manager and helped guide the technical and marketing efforts of Amul.

Kurien was the chairman of Amul briefly after Tribhuvandas died in 1994. Kurien, founder-chairman of the GCMMF for more than 30 years (1973–2006), is credited with the success of Amul's marketing.

The Amul plant at Anand Amul cooperative was registered on 19

December 1946 as a response to the exploitation of marginal milk producers by traders and agents in small cities. Angered by the unfair trade practices, the farmers of Kaira approached Sardar Patel under the leadership of Tribhuvandas. He advised them to form a cooperative (Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers' Union). In 1946, the milk farmers of the area went on a strike which led to the setting up of the cooperative to collect and process milk.

Cooperatives were formed for each village, too. By June 1948, the KDCMPUL had started pasteurising milk.

With Kurien's help, the process was expanded on a commercial scale which led to the first modern dairy of the cooperative at Anand. The trio's (Patel, Kurien and Dalaya's) success at the cooperative's dairy soon spread to Anand's neighbourhood in Gujarat. Within a short span, five unions in other districts – Mehsana, Banaskantha, Baroda, Sabarkantha and Surat – were set up. In 1970, it spearheaded the White Revolution of India. To combine forces and expand the market while saving on advertising and avoid competing against each other, the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd., an apex marketing body of these district cooperatives, was set up in 1973. The Kaira Union, which had the brand name Amul with it since 1955, transferred it to GCMMF. The GCMMF is the largest food products marketing organisation of India. It is the apex organisation of the dairy cooperatives of Gujarat. It is the exclusive marketing organisation for products under the brand name of Amul and Sagar. Over the last five and a half decades, dairy cooperatives in Gujarat have created an economic network that links more than 3.1 million village milk products with millions of consumers in India.

There are over 81 million Indian diaspora that is spread over more than 134 countries in the world. The Gulf is one of the strategically important regions where more than 8 million Indian diaspora community lives. It is thus important to develop a more cordial and stronger relationship with this region. Keeping it in view, our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visited the UAE and Bahrain in 2019 for strengthening bilateral relations.

India's relationship with the Arab countries could be traced for many centuries.

Many Indian merchants went to this region for trade and investment. Thus, people to people contacts have been found to be strong for a long time. Our relations have been strengthened further especially with the Gulf countries that include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. These bonds are still improving and they are coming closer considering their mutual interests in terms of trade, energy and Indian diaspora.

Our priority to the Gulf is mainly due to a large influx of labour from India to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

There are over 8 million Indian community living in the region. The oil boom of 1973 led to a migration of both skilled and semiskilled workers from India to the Gulf countries. The boom not only led to the unprecedented economic advancement of the region but also attracted a large labour force from abroad. Therefore, it is important on the part of the policymakers to make Indian diaspora a reference point in formulating India’s foreign policy. On the other side, Saudi Arabia and UAE are in search of investment partners, so maintaining cordial relations with the region becomes vital. The total percentage share of foreign nationals in the GCC countries accounts for 51 per cent and the composition of Indians is more than 30 per cent of the total expatriate workers in the region.

Remittances are considered to be one of the important sources of income in many developing economies including India. This is because remittances contribute significantly in foreign exchange earnings, GDP growth of nations and improved conditions of the migrants’ families. India is the world’s largest remittance recipient country with $79 billion in 2018. The remittances from Gulf countries total $ 37 billion in

2018. In addition, the role of social remittance is also significant as Gulf migrants bring them home. Social remittances refer to new ideas, know-how, work culture, discipline, knowledge, scientific outlook, new skills, etc. As a result, it is noticed that there is a visible positive change in the attitude of migrants’ families towards Indian society.

In order to protect the rights of Indian workers in the Gulf region, several MoUs have been signed between India and the Gulf countries. In spite of these MoUs, one cannot overlook the violations of Human rights of the migrant workers. The workers employed in the destination countries are subjected to abuse and exploitation, long tedious working hours, delays in payment to name a few. Public sector jobs are reserved for the nationals and private sector jobs for the migrants who come under the system of Kafala an ‘employment framework in the Gulf’ whereby a national employer sponsors a migrant. This framework has been criticised by human rights activist as it leads to exploitation of the migrant worker in the host countries.

There is a need to further strengthen our relations with West Asia, especially the Gulf countries. The West Asian countries have fully realized the economic and diplomatic potentials of India. They are willing to widen their ties with India in strategic fields. Working together would enable them to meet the challenges of contemporary times. India can be instrumental in promoting stability in the region, which also helps its own energy and security requirements, and workforce employment. It would be in our own interests to further develop economic, diplomatic and cultural relations with these countries. Emphasis should be given to diversify relations beyond trade and energy and focus on human resources. We must develop a sound bilateral labour policy that addresses the issues concerning the Indian labour working in the region for our mutual benefits.

Reviving the traditional art form puppetry Puppetry has been one of the most ancient forms of entertainment in the Indian subcontinent. With passing of time, several forms and versions of puppetry evolved and were mainly communicators of Hindu mythology and moral values. However, they have been fading given the current digital generation.

Lack of coordination Slow and tedious dispensation of government grants is proving to be a stumbling block in the revival of puppetry, says puppeteer Anurupa Roy. Roy says despite the government's support, puppeteers, especially in rural areas, have been struggling to keep the art form alive.

"The government has fantastic provisions as well as revenues for the art form through Ministry of Culture's Sangeet Natak Akademi. They fund it on different levels like that of production, training, building spaces, and research. "But the lack of coordination in dispensation of these funds has led to several problems. The government needs to be more aware of what are the needs of puppeteers on

ground," says Roy.Having worked extensively with the traditional artists, she, however, says the art form was not dying.

“Lack of research in puppetry is what forces us to call it a dying form of art. Only thorough research can help reveal the actual situation on ground. It is a vibrant form of practising art in states like Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. The artistes there are rewarded with food, money, and several other essentials.They earn their living from this art," Roy says.

Lack of knowledge and language

limitation are among other major barriers preventing the uplift of traditional puppeteers, notes Shobha Saxena, consultant of puppetry at the Sangeet Natak Akademi. "There are not many traditional puppeteers left in our country.

And the ones in states like Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura refuse to come and perform in New Delhi," Saxena says.

She also mentions that the traditional artistes are also affected by a rising number of individuals who pursue puppetry solely as a passion, while earning their livelihoods from regular jobs. While puppeteer Puran Bhaat admits that the community is offered support by organisations like Sangeet Natak Akademi, he says their major grievances lie in the fact that its impact remains limited to certain individuals.

Types of puppets String puppets: String puppets or marionettes, can be made of different materials such as wood and terracotta; they are tri-dimensional and are moved through strings attached to the head and

limbs. The number of strings can vary according to the tradition. Marionettes are widespread in India from North to South, celebrated traditions are reported from Rajasthan, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Odisha, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana .

Rod puppets: Rod puppetry was traditionally practiced in Eastern India (Odisha and Bengal), besides the mixed string-cum-rod bommalattam puppets from Tamil Nadu. Rod puppets are manipulated from below, with one or multiple sticks of different size.

Glove puppets: In glove puppetry the puppeteer operate from below slipping his hand in the puppet; usually the forefinger operates the head, while the thumb and third finger move the hands. Also known as hand puppets, glove puppets are widespread in Odisha, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Shadow puppets: Shadow puppetry is widespread in South India, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

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6 - 12 February 2021

ITEC: 56 YEARS YOUNG

Still Going Strong Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty ince Independence, India’s foreign policy has been guided by solidarity with other developing nations, based not just on shared ideologies but also on strong economic foundations. To fulfil this objective, a comprehensive programme - the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation - better known by its acronym ITEC, was launched by the Indian government in 1964, to provide assistance in technical and economic sectors to newly- independent countries and developing nations.

S

Foreign students who visited India under the ITEC scholarship programme.

Commonwealth Secretariat, UNIDO, Group of 77 and G-15. ITEC’s fundamental paradigm is bilateral cooperation but it has regional dimensions that have developed programmes with organisations like Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Bay of Bengal Initiative for MultiSectoral Technical and Economic

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi (holding the green flag) launches the second Bhairab and Titas railway bridges in 2017. These bridges have been built with an end- to-end immigration facility between Dhaka (Bangladesh) and Kolkata (India).

External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar (second from right) was also present

The ITEC programme was predicated on the belief that “it was necessary to establish relations of mutual concern and inter-dependence based not only on commonly-held ideals and aspirations but also on solid economic foundations. Technical and economic cooperation was considered

Thirty participants from twenty countries visited the Indian Parliament during Indian Technical and Economic Co-operation’s (ITEC) Capacity Building Program on International Economic Issues and Development Policy in 2019

to be one of the essential functions of an integrated and imaginative foreign policy”.

ITEC, fully-funded by the Indian government, is an integral part of India’s foreign policy and represents an important arm of India’s soft power diplomacy, a phrase that came into the international diplomatic vocabulary years later in the 1980s.

“WHEN INDIAN TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION (ITEC) BEGAN IN 1964, ITS VISION WAS TO SHARE OUR RESOURCES AND CAPABILITIES WITH OTHER DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, IN ORDER TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE EVOLUTION OF A WORLD COMMUNITY BASED ON COOPERATION AND INTERDEPENDENCE.”

Participants during the practical session of the 3rd Special International Training Course at the National Institute of Wind Energy, Chennai, in 2019. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy facilitated the event under ITEC

Cooperation (BIMSTEC), Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC), African Union (AU), Afro-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO), Pan African Parliament, Caribbean Community (CARICOM), World Trade Organization (WTO) and Indian Ocean Rim - Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC) and India- Africa Forum Summit.

The ITEC Programme has evolved and grown over the years. Under ITEC and its sister programme SCAAP (Special Commonwealth African Assistance Programme), 161 countries in Asia, Africa, East Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean as well as Pacific and Small Island countries are invited to share the Indian developmental experience.

The shared experiences have covered areas like civilian and military sectors, projects, consultancy and feasibility studies, sending Indian experts in different domains, study tours for partner country officials and students, supply of equipment as gifts or donation requested and disaster relief. Disaster Relief is a vital component of ITEC and it focusses on food security and medical assistance for humanitarian relief.

TRAINING MODULES Training in digital technologies is a special feature that India offers in the

Narendra Modi Prime Minister of India

THE REGIONAL TIES ITEC is demand-driven and relies on innovative technological cooperation to fulfil the needs of developing countries.

More than USD 2 billion has been spent on this programme since it began, benefiting thousands of students and professionals from around 160 countries.

The ITEC Programme is essentially bilateral in nature. However, in recent years, ITEC resources have also been used for cooperation programmes conceived in regional and inter-regional context, such as UN Economic Commission for Africa,

National Institute of Bank Management (NIBM), Pune, under the aegis of ITEC conducted an international training titled ‘Role and Functions of Central Bank’ in August 2019

domain of capacity building, under ITEC. Professionals from developing countries are offered unique training courses, both civilian and defence, in different centres of

excellence in India. In the civilian sector, the training offered includes a wide and diverse spectrum of disciplines ranging from IT, rural development and parliamentary practices to entrepreneurship, marine and aeronautical engineering etc. In defence, the training covers fields like security and strategic studies, defence management, marine and aeronautical engineering, logistics and management, etc. Over 12,000 scholarships for study in short and long-term courses in India’s leading institutions are offered annually under ITEC. Partner countries are free to choose their personnel and the courses that are relevant for their development needs. ITEC programmes are often moulded to suit the specific requirements of partner countries.

Training under ITEC (a) Civilian Training Programme: For Civilian Training Programme, around 12,000 scholarships are being offered to ITEC/SCAAP partner countries to attend the various training courses in India.

The premiere institutions of India offer more than 300 short-term, mediumterm and long- term courses during the year. The training programme is demanddriven and subjects selected are of interest to developing countries for their working professionals. The wide and diverse spectrum of skills and disciplines offered ranges from IT to rural development, parliamentary practices to entrepreneurship, marine to aeronautical engineering and so on. (b) Defence Training: This covers training of personnel belonging to all the three wings of Defence Services - Army, Air Force and Navy - nominated by the ITEC partner countries in prestigious institutions like National Defence College, Defence Services Staff College, etc. The facility is also extended and availed of by some select developed countries on selffinancing basis.

ITEC Day is celebrated annually on September 15 in all partner countries, bringing together ITEC trainees and students via their alumni networks and friendship societies

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveil Atal Bihari Vajpayee Centre of Excellence at the IT Centre of the Mongolian University of Science and Technology located in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia

countries, bringing together ITEC trainees and students via their alumni networks and friendship societies infrastructure projects. India’s South Asian neighbours have received around 70 per

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar (eighth from right) welcomes a delegation of Mongolian governors led by L Oyun-Erdene, chief cabinet secretary, Government of Mongolia. Their visit inaugurated the new ITEC Executive Program for Leadership and Policy training;

cent of the grants under LoC. Indian companies taking part in ITEC programmes have established themselves in partner countries for contributing to infrastructural projects, independent of ITEC or LoC.

COMPONENTS OF THE ITEC/SCAAP PROGRAMME • • • • •

Training (civilian and defence) in India of nominees from ITEC partner countries Projects and related activities such as feasibility studies and consultancy services Deputation of Indian experts abroad Study tours Gifts/Donations of equipment at the request of ITEC partner countries

Indian professionals are deputed upon request in a variety of sectors for teaching and imparting skills.

Many among those who have studied or received training in India, have progressed to occupying important political, bureaucratic and military positions in their countries, thereby contributing to their countries’ development and fostering closer ties with India.

As a result of different activities under this programme, there is now a visible and growing awareness among other countries about India’s competence as a provider of technical know-how and expertise as well as training opportunities, consultancy services and feasibility studies. These programmes have generated immense goodwill and substantive cooperation among the developing countries.

LINES OF CREDIT An important dimension of ITEC is the Lines of Credit (LoC), extended on soft terms to partner countries, for essential imports of goods and services, social welfare and ITEC Day is celebrated annually on September 15 in all partner

Under the ITEC program, National Academy of Customs Indirect Taxes and Narcotics (NACIN), Mumbai, conducted a five-day ‘Exposure Visit of Senior Maldives Customs Officers’ in January 2020

The ITEC-LoC partnership fosters friendship and solidarity, and is marked by national ownership of the partner country, since it is voluntary and devoid of any pre-conditions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many foreign trainees and students were unable to return home and arrangements were made for their continued stay.

The growth of ITEC led to the Ministry of External Affairs to bring the management of ITEC and LoC under a new entity, called the Development Partnership Administration in 2011, for streamlining its work under a single vertical management structure. Today, ITEC/LoC has matured into a crucial pillar of India’s development outreach and diplomacy, imbued with the civilisation heritage of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or the world is my family.

Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty is a former Indian Ambassador and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

He is currently a visiting fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, a leading Indian think tank in New Delhi, and a regular Media commentator.

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CELEBRATING INDIAN FESTIVALS WORLDWIDE The greatness of a culture can be found in its festivals. The South Asian community in the UK is a living example of multiculturalism, especially in regard to its festivals.

India celebrates almost one major festival every season, and countless number of regional festivals across the globe almost every month. Every community observes one religious festival, native to its culture and some of them are even public holidays in India’s offices, schools and colleges.

One festival that puts India on the global map is Diwali. From former US Presidents Barack Obama to Trump, and the diaspora at Times Square and ISKCON temples by the Association of Indians in America. Singapore also observes a public holiday on Diwali.

South Asian communities in the UK, along with the Prime Minister mark the festival of lights in a grand celebration every year.

Indian festivals in the UK One of the classic examples and the fondest memories of the British Asian community celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights, popularly also known as the Indian Christmas, is of the 10 Downing Street.

Erstwhile Prime Minister David Cameron extended greetings to over 8,00,000 Hindus living in the UK and thanking them for their

highlights of London's events calendar and sees attendances of over 25,000. Eid in the Park is a free event festival for people of all faiths inaugurated in 2006 and hosted by the Mayor of London on the first Saturday after the Islamic religious holiday of Eid al-Fitr which marks and celebrates the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan at the Trafalgar Square in Westminster, London, England from 12 noon to 6 pm.

The Gujarati community along with the contribution to the country during his term in the year 2014.

It was reported that Diwali celebrations got a massive boost to Bollywood- style Diwali events across Britain during Tony Blair’s time. Cherie Blair famously wore a saree to a star-studded Diwali party hosted by a high-profile Indian businessman. PM Boris Johnson’s ex-wife Marina who is of Indian origin, is also said to be a great Diwali enthusiast. “Diwali on Trafalgar Square” has attracted hundreds of tourists over the years and is touted as the “biggest outdoor multicultural event in Europe”. Leicester is known for its Diwali celebrations and is also called “Little India”.

“Eid in the Square” at Trafalgar Square has grown to become one of the key cultural

brothers and sisters of different faiths, celebrates the nine-day Hindu festival of Navaratri (nine nights) that symbolises the triumph of good over evil. Simultaneously, the Bengali community in the UK sets up Pandals and magnificent idols of Goddess

Durga as Durga Pooja or Pujo.

Another festival that is passionately celebrated in the UK is Shri Krishna Janmashtami. From Bhaktivedanta Manor temple at Watford to Swaminarayan Temple and other residential localities inhabited by Hindus celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna with great preparations, joyous singing and dancing.

Vaisakhi, the Spring Harvest festival is also celebrated across the UK especially in the Hindus and the Sikh community in the UK. Prince Charles thanked the Sikh community last year for their contribution to the country during the pandemic and said “Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh” while wishing “Lakh Lakh Vadhaiyan”. Universities that are home to Indian and other students from South Asia throw their doors open to students to celebrate the festival of colours on Holi.

The South Asian community comes together in the most secular and pious celebrations throughout the year, season after season to nurture the traditions of their roots in South Asia, taking the UK’s multicultural quotient higher every year with its beautifully orchestrated dances, prayer meetings, food service and fashion

How Kutch rose from the rubble of 2001 quake As India celebrated its 72nd Republic Day, Gujarat mourned the 20th anniversary of the worst disaster that struck the state on January 26, 2001. Gujarat’s historic earthquake killed over 20,000 people, injuring 1,66,000, destroying nearly 4,00,000 homes. The shock waves spread over 700 km; 21 districts were affected and 6,00,000 people left homeless. While many believed that Gujarat would take years to get back to normal, the massive rehabilitation and reconstruction undertaken brought a resilient Gujarat back from the rubble. Bhuj, epicentre of the earthquake, managed to emerge strong after the disaster.

In fact, the pace of development in Bhuj following the disaster has been unprecedented. The town is now spread over 56 sq km - almost four times its size in 2001.

It boasts high-rise apartments, sprawling supermarkets, beauty salons, recreation centres, wide four-lane highways, a modern earthquake-resistant hospital and an operational airport. Aid workers, global experts, journalists, corporates and religious groups of every denomination live in Bhuj today. Development banks and state governments have invested vast sums in infrastructure. Land has become an attractive investment. It is now common to hear Hindi spoken in Bhuj and hotels and cyber cafes complete to win the business of immigrants. If an earlier earthquake in the 19th century is thought to have encouraged many people to leave Kutch and settle overseas, then there is some irony in the fact that the 2001 earthquake brought thousands of people to the region.

Today houses have sprung up. Small but planned houses are being made by the quake-affected on their own but these follow the Government's development plan. As a result an altogether new city has come upon the outskirts of Bhuj, with wide roads and other facilities like gardens,a town hall and hospitals. Bhuj is set to emerge as a modern town. People, of course, have conflicting views about the priorities of the rehabilitation schemes.

Yet, the model of rehabilitation in Kutch has won praise from experts who have worked in restoring quake-affected settlements in Japan, the US, Turkey and Iran. M. Greene, a rehabilitation expert with the Earthquake Engineering Research

1,00,000 individuals and power produced from it would curb 50 million tonne of carbon dioxide emissions every year, which is equal to planting 9 million trees. This park will be

Institute, US, says the Bhuj reconstruction is commendable. "Even a country like America would have had problems with rehabilitation given the magnitude of the challenge," he says.If an entirely new Bhuj has come up on the outskirts of the town, old Bhuj, a congested, 450-year-old township with narrow lanes and dense population, too has undergone a change. Take, for example, the Saraf Bazaar area where the lane was so narrow that it was difficult for two cycles to cross each other. The authorities convinced 500 odd shop owners that it was necessary to widen the lane keeping in mind the possibility of a quake in the future and they should, therefore, allow their shops to be sliced off. Today the road has been widened.

The Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA) has emerged as the key body in the rehabilitation of Kutch. It involved leading NGOs and reputed bodies like the IITs and the Centre for Environment Planning in the process of rehabilitation. As a result the approach to rehabilitation, unlike at many other places, was systematic and scientific. It was also people-focused, unlike in Latur, where people refused to move into houses built by government contractors.

The GSDMA also opted for a public private partnership. Thanks to this approach, 85 per cent of rural Kutch has got rehabilitated. But the Government's organised approach yielded quick results.

While it takes 10 years to finalise a town planning scheme in the Indian environment, the blueprint for Bhuj was ready in three years. Now more industries have come up in Kutch. Prime minister Narendra Modi in December laid the foundation of India’s largest hybrid renewable energy park having 30 gigawatt (GW) capacity at Vighakot village in the district of Kutch. He said that the plant would provide employment to about

spread over 70,000 hectares of land, equivalent to Singapore and Bahrain. About £15 billion will be invested in the construction of this park,” PM Modi said.

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6 - 12 February 2021

TikTok says it is forced to shut down operations in India Once envied for being the fastest-growing and perhaps the most-popular social media app in India, TikTok the crown jewel in embattled Chinese internet giant ByteDance’s portfolio - is shutting down operations in the country. Faced with a government ban that was originally ordered last June, which turned into a ‘permanent’ clampdown last week, ByteDance - which ran another popular, and now banned, app Helo - has decided to scale down India business and slash manpower.

Beijing accused New Delhi of repeatedly using national security as an excuse to “prohibit some mobile apps with Chinese background” and that it opposed India’s actions that violated WTO rules.

Not clear when will our apps be offered As you can imagine, a decision of this magnitude is not easy… (but) we simply cannot responsibly stay fully staffed while our apps remain unoperational,” Vanessa Pappas, the company’s interim global head, said in a communication to the employees. Only a small team, comprising mostly

legal and government affairs professionals, is likely to be retained even as regular operations, which included sales and content moderation members, would be halted in India.

TikTok, the short videosharing app, shared the “difficult decisions” with its India team of nearly 2,000 as it laid off many of them.

“We regret that this was the result of a lack of clear direction from the government of India on how and when our apps could be reinstated. Despite our efforts to communicate with them, especially as it impacts the careers and livelihoods of so many Indians, today we are forced to reduce the size of our team,” the global executives said. The company, which is among the over 250 Chinese apps banned in India over concerns around

national security and data privacy of users, said the closure has been “forced” despite adherence to local laws and regulations. “We initially hoped that this situation would be short-lived, and that we would be able to resolve this quickly. Seven months later, we find that has not been the case.”

Pujya Bhaishri Rameshbhai Oza to conduct Ram Katha Sanskruti Foundation UK will be organising a 9-day Ram Katha by Pujya Bhaishri Rameshbhai Oza from Feb 13 to 21 at Sandipani Vidyaniketan, Porbandar, for the benefit of tribal children at Sandipani Vidya Sankul in Saputara. The Katha will be part of the Patotsav of the Shri Hari Mandir at Sandipani Vidyaniketan. People can watch the Katha virtually on Sanskar TV, YouTube and other social media channels. The katha will address themes of mental wellbeing, the importance of looking after each other and harnessing qualities such as patience, self-control and empathy, all of which can provide a lifeboat to help families get through the pandemic.

Pujya Bhaishri Pujya Bhaishri Shri Rameshbhai Oza is one of the most revered spiritual leaders who has dedicated his life to sharing the eternal wisdom of Sanatan Dharma through kathas and discourses. He is also using education as a tool to nurture Indian culture and values in children. He is considered a mentor and guide to many around the world.

For further information please visit: https://sandipani.org/event/shri-ram-katha-february-2021/ Or contact: Chhaganbhai Dabhi: +447801 803555, Bhavit Mehta: +44 796 197 6669 sfuk@sandipani.org

SC seeks govt response to frame uniform adoption laws After entertaining a public interest litigation (PIL ) seeking uniform legal provisions for grant of divorce, maintenance and alimony, the Supreme Court sought the Centre’s response on a PIL seeking enactment of uniform adoption and guardianship laws, thus bringing the issue of the framing of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) under its scrutiny.

A bench of Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian sought responses from Union ministries of home, law, and women and child development on

the PIL seeking uniform adoption laws filed by advocate-petitioner Ashwini Upadhyay, who was also the petitioner for a uniform law on divorce and maintenance. The bench tagged the two petitions for a joint hearing on the issues, which form the core of UCC. On December 16, the same bench had warily entertained two PILs seeking uniform divorce laws and uniformity in grant of maintenance and alimony to women. The CJI-led bench had expressed fear that the PILs might ruffle the sensitivities of religious communities, who have for decades resisted a

uniform personal law for the country.

It had asked the counsel, “You want all the personal laws to be abolished?

How else can your prayers be granted?

You are asking the court to go in a direction that will involve encroaching upon or demolishing personal laws.

Can we remove discriminatory practices against women in various religious communities without encroaching into their personal laws?” However, the petitioner pointed out that the SC had done it by declaring instant divorce in the Muslim community through triple talaq as unconstitutional.

Nirmala Sitharaman’s get well Budget Sitharaman also announced that the advance tax liability on dividend income shall arise after declaration of payment of dividend. At the conclusion of her speech, Sensex was at 47451.62, up 1165.85 points. In her speech, Sitharaman announced that India’s fiscal deficit is set to jump to 9.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product in 2020-21 as per Revised Estimates. This is sharply higher than 3.5 per cent of GDP that was projected in the Budget Estimates. A slump in government revenues amid the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a sharp rise in deficit and market borrowing. In health care spending, Sitharaman announced a total spend of around £20 billion on healthcare with £3.5 billion on Covid-19 vaccine development and innoculation.

Sitharaman, in her speech, announced a push to the textile industry, a hike in custom duty on cotton and raw silk, a new cess on agriculture development – Rs 2.5 per litre on petrol and Rs 4 per litre on diesel – a central university in Leh, a focus on seaweed farming with a new facility in Tamil Nadu and a new vehicle scrapping policy that aims to provide the auto sector a boost among other announcements. Sitharaman also announced that an additional 10 million families will now benefit under the Centre’s Ujjwala scheme. Four poll-bound states – Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam and West Bengal – will see significant spending on highway road expansion.

With the coronavirus knocking the bottom out of the economy, Sitharaman has chosen to aggressively ramp up expenditure while making the boldest push yet to sell govt assets. Discarding the coyness and euphemisms - disinvestment, strategic sale - that have typically characterised Budget speeches in the past, the FM made it clear that the public sector would be restricted to just four strategic areas, and even there to the minimum extent needed.

The declaration that two public sector banks and a general insurance company would be privatised were a particularly

striking departure from the past, governments having generally steered clear of the financial sector in attempts at selling PSUs. In all, the government hopes to raise £17.5 billion from selling PSUs or their shares in the coming year. This is lower than the £21 billion target that had been set for this year, but well over the £3.2 billion the FM estimates will actually be achieved.

In keeping with this was the announcement that the FDI limit in the insurance sector would be raised to 74% from the current 49% with some caveats to ensure that managerial control remains in the hands of resident Indians. The indication in the economic survey that the government may not be overly concerned with staying within pre-set fiscal deficit limits proved accurate with the Budget projecting a deficit of 6.8% of GDP for 2021-22, much lower than the 9.5% estimated for the current year but well over the 3.5% that had been projected before the pandemic upended all calculations.

Overall expenditure is projected to be about 14.5% higher than the budget estimates for current year, but that would mean almost no change from the revised estimates, which were perforce higher thanks to Covid-induced spending. Capital expenditure - largely used to fund creation of assets - is slated to rise by 26% even over the 2020-21 levels.

Among the assets to be created are roads and more railway freight corridors and it was hardly a surprise that the budget speech singled out highway projects in pollbound states while relegating less politically significant ones to the annexures. There is also a new drinking water mission with an outlay of £29 billion over five years for urban local bodies to complement the one already ongoing for rural areas.

A new centrally sponsored health scheme, PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana, is also to be launched with an outlay of £6.42 billion over six years. Allocation for “health and wellbeing” was being hiked by 137%, but the fine print revealed that this was thanks largely to a £3.5 billion provi-

sioning for Covid vaccination, finance commission mandated health grants, and a significantly higher outlay for drinking water and sanitation. The health ministry’s own allocations are only modestly up from the current year’s budget estimates and a tad down from revised estimates.

A voluntary vehicle scrapping policy for personal vehicles over 20 years old and commercial ones that are 15 years old, the FM hoped, would help give the automobile sector a leg up. Another measure to boost domestic manufacturing was £19.7 billion over five years for production-linked incentive schemes. The piped gas network is to be spread to 100 more cities over the next three years.

The banking sector’s bad loans problem is to be resolved by setting up a ‘bad bank’ (asset reconstruction company) and an

asset management company that will take over their stressed assets, manage them and dispose of them to interested investors.

Banks will also get an equity infusion of £2 billion over the year to shore up their capital base.

Addressing the nation after the Budget, Modi said it speaks of “all-round development.” “From Covid-related reforms to Atmanirbhar resolve, we moved ahead with this mantra in Budget 2021. It’s an active and not a reactive budget,” he added, congratulated the Finance Ministry team. This was Sitharaman’s third budget under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a significant departure from the tradition, this year’s Budget was not printed and was only made available in a digital format.

A unique programme "Pitruvandana" on February 14 Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar in association with Brighton Gujarati Cultural Society have organized another virtual event – ‘Pitruvandana’ on Sunday 14 February 2021 from 2.00 – 4.00 P.M. Due to Covid-19, we have lost many of our loved ones before their time.

Through our upcoming programme ‘Pitruvandana’ we will pay homage to our late fathers and remember them together. On 14 February 2021, famous singer Maya Deepak and Nilesh Vyas with his team will present Gujarati and Hindi Hymns.

To mark the occasion, Shri Pradeepbhai Dhamecha, director of Dhamecha Cash and Carry, and his family will join us as the chief guests of the event. Pujya Deviprasadji Mahant of Anandbava Ashram, Jamnagar will also participate in this event to pay homage on the first anniversary of Late Shri Khodidasbhai Dhamecha who was the main pillar of the Dhamecha family. The two- hour online 'zoom' program will be hosted by Brightonbased Dhirubhai Gadhvi and Kokila Patel, Managing Editor of Gujarat Samachar.

Shri Nandkumarji, Director of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, will give a short presentation on ‘Pitruvandana’ in English. February 14 is the celebrated as a day to express your love. So on this special day Maya Deepak will also present some Romantic songs.

Below are the details to join this Zoom event.

Do share this with your family and friends.

Meeting ID: 825 6492 7789 Maya Deepak Nilesh Vyas Passcode: 739908

28 INDIA

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Farmers insist on repeal of laws The farm unions reiterated that they were ready for renewed talks but would continue to insist on repeal of the three laws and a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) while protesters from west UP give a new energy to the agitators. The unions said they had not yet received any communication from the Centre for talks which could, however, happen only in a congenial atmosphere. They claimed more than 100 farmers were still reported to be “missing” after the tractor rally and the police action that followed the violence on Republic Day. The unions’ umbrella body Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has formed a committee to look into the issue of “missing persons”. “It is compiling information on missing persons following which formal action can be initiated with the authorities,” farm leader Darshan Pal said. On the prospect of talks, Yogendra Yadav of Jai Kisan Andolan, referring to PM Narendra Modi’s remark that the proposal made to farmers (keeping the laws suspended for up to 18 months) was still on offer, said, “If the government takes two steps forward (from what it had offered

on January 22), farmers will not move backward. We don’t have any ego. We are ready for talks. We want farmers to get what they want and they want repeal of the three farm laws and legal guarantee for MSP.” This might suggest some leeway, but it is for the unions, mainly from Punjab, to take a decision.

Earlier in the day, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait suggested that talks could take place. He said that he was thankful to the PM for his initiative, those arrested would need to be released first. Appealing to farmers to strengthen the movement, Yadav, in his message from Shahjahanpur border, said, “Pura khel ab palat gaya hai. Ab palda kisan ka bhari hai. (The situation has completely turned and farmers are now on the front foot).”

Modi told an all-party meeting that the government’s proposals to the unions still stood and agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar was just a phone call away for taking the talks forward.

He referred to the agriculture ministry’s proposals of putting implementation of the farm laws on hold for 18 month and setting up a joint committee to discuss farmers’ demands during the period.

The ministry had made this proposal during the 10th round of talks on January 20 and stuck to it in the next round of talks on January 22 while asking the unions to come for talks after accepting this offer. The unions, however, rejected the offer, leading to the current stalemate.

Cops erect walls at border Delhi Police is securing the borders, and how! Roads are being dug up with cranes, iron grills and spikes are being cemented to the ground, layers of barricades are being laid out - with concrete poured between two barriers for stability - and concertina wire and boulders placed to create more obstacles. Stung by the violence on January 26, which caught them offguard, and determined to prevent a repetition, the cops are going to extraordinary lengths to keep the protesting farmers at Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur grounded.

A call has been given for a three-hour chakka jam on February 6 by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha to protest against these measures, arrests, suspension of internet, sealing of roads, stoppage of water supply and, of course, the contentious farm laws. The cops are imposing a kind of chakka jam of their own by installing tyre

'We are proud to be Muslims, but we are Indians first' Gujarat’s Muslim couple donates £ 1,500 for Ram Mandir Nilesh Parmar The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Tirth Kshetra trust has started a campaign to raise funds for the construction of the grand temple of Lord Ram in Ayodhya. The campaign began on 15 January and will go on till 27 February. In an act of religious solidarity, a Muslim couple Dr. Hamid Mansuri and her wife Mumtaz Mansuri from Gujarat’s Patan has come forward and donated £ 1,500 for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya.

The couple went to Ayodhya in the year 2019 and visited Ram Janmabhoomi, and saw the design of the magnificent temple under construction. After their visit, they decided to donate as much as they could for the construction of the Ram Mandir.

The Muslim couple was overwhelmed with joy after they handed over a cheque for £ 1,500 to the temple trust. Dr. Mansuri said, “We are proud to be Muslims, but first we are Indians. Whether it is Lord Shri Ram or Jesus Christ or Prophet Mohammad, everyone shares the same message of

Dr Hamid Ansari & Mumtaz Ansari at Ayodhya Temple

brotherhood and humanity.We have visited Haj pilgrimage, many Hindu temples and we even chant many Hindu prayers along with Muslim prayer – Namaz.”

Dr. Mansuri has his own hospital named Riya Heart and Medical Hospital in the Patan city. He is always ready to help the poor and needy patients and makes sure that they get treatment at a reduced rate. If a poor or needy patient has to be medicated for a long period, the couple offers them medicines at free of cost. During the lockdown both of them distributed food kits to those who needed help.

slashers Mayhem in Singhu Three days after the widespread violence in the capital on Republic Day, the farmers protesting against the farm laws at Singhu border clashed with a group of people. The latter claimed they were locals and accused the farmers of having insulted the national flag. This led to a pitched battle with stone-pelting from both sides and injuries to many.

These included the Alipur SHO, Pradeep Paliwal, who was badly wounded when a sword-wielding protester from among the farmers attacked him. “Forty-four people have been arrested. Three other officials who were trying to control the mob were also injured,” said Sanjay Singh, special commissioner of police, Western

India, US to begin major combat exercise in Rajasthan India and the US are all set to kick off a major combat exercise in Rajasthan this week, in the first such bilateral war game after the Biden administration took charge in Washington and reiterated India’s role as a key partner in the IndoPacific as well as the need to strengthen the “Quad”.

Indian officials say the ‘Yudh Abhyas’ exercise, which will be held at the Mahajan Field Firing ranges from February 8 to 21, will once again underscore the continuing upward trajectory in defence cooperation with the US, which enjoys bipartisan support among the Democrats and Republicans.

The US contingent for Yudh Abhyas will include a brigade headquarters and a battalion group of around

Boeing gets US govt's approval to offer F-15EX fighter jet to India Boeing has received a licence from the US government to offer its F-15EX fighter jet to the Indian Air Force (IAF), a senior executive said. Boeing will compete with Sweden's Gripen and France's Rafale among others for the Indian Air Force's plan to buy 114 multi-role aircraft to replace its Sovietera fleet.

Ankur Kanaglekar, director, India Fighters Lead, Boeing Defense, Space & Security, told reporters that discussions on the F-15EX had taken place earlier between the two governments. "Now that we have the marketing licence it allows us to talk to the Indian Air Force directly about the

capability of the fighter. We have started doing that in a small way," he said, adding conversations were expected to gather pace during the Aero India show.

India and the United States have built close defence ties, with the Indian military buying over $20 billion worth of weapons in the last 15 years.

Lockheed Martin is also pitching its F21 fighter to the IAF, offering to build the plane in the country to win the deal estimated to be worth more than $18 billion.

Boeing is bullish on India for both its defence and commercial aviation businesses, even as the Covid-19 pandemic has hit demand for air travel,

Zone. A group of over 200 people arrived at the protest site around noon holding placards and flags.

They claimed they were facing economic hardship and wanted the farmers to leave the area. This was just a day after another group had raised slogans against the farmers and promised to return later.

After shouting slogans for an hour, these protesters broke through the police cordon and managed to enter the protest site.

They then began damaging tents, langars and several other items belonging to the farmers. This led to a massive confrontation between the two groups despite a call from Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee stage asking the farmers not to react with the Satnam Jaap being played on a loop to defuse the situation.

forcing airlines to first get their finances in order before ordering new planes. Boeing expects domestic passenger traffic to return to 2019 levels by the end of this year, Salil Gupte, the company's India head said, adding international traffic would return to pre-Covid levels only by 2023.

One of the plane maker's biggest customers is low-cost carrier SpiceJet Ltd, which has a large order for its narrow body 737 MAX planes.

Boeing got the green light from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to return its 737 MAX planes to service after a 22-month ban and Gupte said it was working to get approvals from the Indian regulator.

250 soldiers from a Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

India will also field an infantry brigade headquarters and a battalion group from the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry for the exercise.

“The aim is to further enhance interoperability in counter-terrorist operations in a semi-urban, semi-desert terrain, along with attack helicopters and infantry combat vehicles,” said an officer. Yudh Abhyas, which comes after India conducted the 24th edition of the topnotch `Malabar’ naval exercise with the other Quad countries (US, Japan and Australia) in November, will be followed by the ‘Vajra Prahar’ land combat exercise in March.

The Malabar, of course, sent a strong strategic signal to China amidst the continuing military confrontation in eastern Ladakh, with the Quad nations stressing their commitment to “support a free, open, inclusive IndoPacific as well as a rulesbased international order”.

India, incidentally, also deployed a long-range Poseidon-8I maritime patrol aircraft and other personnel for the `Sea Dragon’ antisubmarine warfare exercise with the US, Japan, Australia and Canada from January 14 to 27 in Guam. The aim, interestingly, was to strengthen interoperability among partner nations for “regional contingencies”.

The new US secretary of state Antony J Blinken, secretary of defence Lloyd J Austin and national security adviser Jake Sullivan, in their talks with their Indian counterparts and elsewhere, have all conveyed their intention to carry forward the Indo-Pacific strategy of the previous Trump administration.

“The Biden administration’s overall policy towards China will, of course, be more nuanced.

But defence cooperation between India and the US will continue to be the main driver of the bilateral strategic partnership,” said an official.

India has inked four “foundational military pacts” with the US, with the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geospatial Cooperation (BECA) being concluded last year.

Beginning with the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) in 2002, the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) was inked in 2016, and the Communications, Compatibility and Security Arrangement (COMCASA) in 2018.

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Covid-19 vaccine is highly advisable as it will not only benefit you, but also your family and society Covid-19 vaccine is currently the main concern for everyone, especially as India has started its vaccination programme. Dr Bhavesh Parekh and wife Dr Urvi Parekh from Gujarat spoke to Asian Voice, to address a few common misconceptions around the vaccine.

• There are rumours that some biologic al products are us ed in the coronavirus vaccine and it spreads more viruses in the body. How true is that?

This vaccine prevents spread of the Covid-19 virus and boosts our body's immunity against it.

Vaccines are developed in different ways which are made from the MRNA of the virus while some are developed from the capsid proteins used for the virus to enter human cells. The amount of virus is very low in the vaccine and it will increase the immunity of a person which will help to fight against coronavirus.

• Will the vaccine increase immunity or will it also f ight against community spreading?

The vaccine will help our body to fight against the virus.

• All countries have developed different vacc ines, what is the main difference in it?

Scientists from various countries have developed vaccines focusing on different aspects of the corona virus. Some vaccines are developed from the m-rna of the virus while some are made up of capsid proteins. Some vaccines are also developed from the DNA,

Dr. Bhavesh Parekh

Dr. Urviben Parekh

which is still in trial. The method of developing the vaccine may vary, but the goal of each and every is similar - to eradicate the corona virus.

• Why is it recommended to take two doses?

The making of this vaccine cannot be given in excess to a certain amount. Giving it in two doses increases the body's immunity and builds antibodies step by step.

• Research of any vaccine generally takes years to develop but the Covid-19 vaccine was developed in just a year. How reliable is it?

What are the side effects after receiving it?

The Covid-19vaccine was developed in less than a year, but that doesn't mean it has not been tested properly. There are international standards set for each and every medicine or vaccine and all the countries have to follow them strictly. The reason behind Covid-19 vaccine’s speedy development is the science. This vaccine was also tested up to the third stage and after only then, the government declared it safe officially.

• As you both are senior specialist doctors, what was your exper ience l ike? Did you suffer from any side effects?

Absolutely great. Some may feel pain when they are injected.

Some might feel body pain too, fever or headache, but there is nothing to worry about. Such common side effects may occur for 48 hours after the vaccination.

•

Who should avoid the vaccine?

Everyone must get the vaccine except pregnant or breastfeeding woman, someone who has severe allergies, or someone who has recently been declared corona positive.

Many people say that cancer patients or a person undergoing dialysis should avoid taking this vaccine, but it is wrong. Yes, it is different if your General Practitioner denies it for a specific medical reason.

• Do you recommend everyone to get vaccinated?

Yes definitely. Always remember that getting Covid-19 vaccine will not only benefit you, but also your family and society.

Use these tips to manage your diabetes Diabetes is often connected to the consumption of excessive sugar intake. However, in her recent Instagram post, Indian nutritionist Munmun Ganeriwal explained that it is actually a “lifestyle disease”.

Meaning, a couple of tweaks here and there in one's lifestyle can help manage the condition.

Ganeriwal, through her post, listed simple measures to incorporate into one's daily routine.

Change your lifestyle Ganeriwal writes, “Let's get this straight first: diabetes is not caused by eating sweets or consuming sugar. It is really a 'lifestyle disease'. i.e., the consequence of following an unhealthy lifestyle. Adopt appropriate lifestyle changes that focus on eating right, exercising consistently and regulating bed timings.”

Diet “Eating is not grazing,” she writes. Eating as per hunger ensures one is not starving and is eating at the right times while keeping

blood sugar steady.

Carbohydrates are essential for diabetics. Just stay away from the processed/refined variety like biscuits, cookies, muffins, etc. Adding fat to a meal lowers its glycemic index (GI). The fat, the slower the sugars are digested, and lower the GI. Add ghee, nuts and seeds to your meals.

Add more protein Protein is not limited to people who want to lose weight. It helps increase insulin-sensitivity. Having wholesome meals that include curd, eggs, wheat and rice helps gain an optimal protein profile.

Five major signs of a weak immune system

Exercise!

Incorporate strength training into your workout regimen to increase insulin sensitivity. Structured and progressive strength training improves how the body uses insulin and allows glucose to get around the body better.

Get enough sleep Sleeping at irregular hours causes our “body clock” to malfunction and consequently affects the natural, biological processes such as secretion of insulin that are “programmed” into the human system. Get enough rest, and sleep daily.

Make a habit to go to bed and get up at the same time.

The ongoing pandemic has shed a lot of light on building one's immunity. As one tries to naturally boost their immune system by eating the right food, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting sufficient sleep, it has also become increasingly important to understand the early signs of a weak immune system.

A person's immune system is made of white blood cells, lymph nodes, and antibodies which help the body to protect from external infections. We have shortlisted certain signs and symptoms of weak immunity that is imperative to know.

High stress levels Reports tag high-stress levels as the first telling sign of a weaker immune system. Excessive level of irritability is a reflection of a weak immune system too.

Neglecting stress and its effects on one's body decreases the effectiveness of the immune system in the long term. It leads to a decrease in the number of white blood cells and lymphocytes.

Fatigue A slow immune system can

one feel sluggish make throughout the day even if you get enough sleep at night. It leaves the body exhausted and with low energy levels despite not doing heavily intensive tasks.

Frequent infections A decrease in white blood cells makes a person more prone to infections. Reports suggest that if a person suffers from multiple ear infections, pneumonia, and needs more than three courses of antibiotics in a year, then they must concentrate on boosting their immune system.

Slow wound recovery A weak immune system cannot generate new skin as quickly as one with a good immune system, resulting in the slow recovery of wounds.

Joint pains Frequent aches in the joint may just be one of the biggest telltale signs of weak immunity. If you have a slow immune system for a long time, you will end up experiencing vasculitis, an inflammation in the blood vessel due to an autoimmune disorder or infection.

Brain training effective in treating PTSD: Study A study conducted by Lawson Health Research Institute and Western University found that neurofeedback may be an effective treatment for individuals with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Findings of the study were published in the journal 'Neurolmage: Clinical'. Brain training consists of exercises where individuals regulate their own brain activity.

Dr Ruth Lanius, scientist at Lawson, professor at Western's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, and psychiatrist at London Health Sciences Centre, said, “Brain connectivity involves different parts of the brain communicating with each other and helps to regulate states of consciousness, thought, mood and emotion.

Individuals with PTSD tend to have disrupted patterns of brain connectivity, but our research suggests they can exercise their brains to restore patterns to a healthy balance.” The trial tested neurofeedback with a total of 72 participants, including

36 participants with PTSD and 36 healthy control participants. Eighteen of those with PTSD were randomised to participate in neurofeedback treatment while the other 18 acted as a comparison group. The study found that the severity of PTSD symptoms decreased in participants randomised to receive neurofeedback treatment.

More than 61.1 per cent of participants no longer met the definition for PTSD, after treatment.

Neurofeedback uses a system called a neurofeedback loop in which a persons' brain activity is measured through sensors placed on the scalp and displayed back

to them using a computer interface. An affiliated scientist at Lawson, Dr Andrew Nicholson said, “The salience network is involved in detecting threats as part of the 'fight or flight' response. It is normally hyperactive in individuals with PTSD. Meanwhile, the default mode network is activated during rest and is involved in autobiographical memory. We often see that this network is less active during rest and functionally disrupted among individuals with PTSD.” He added, “neurofeedback helped restore the functional connectivity of both networks to healthier levels.”

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Navya Naveli hits back at troll who asked her to 'get a job' Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan's eldest granddaughter Navya Naveli Nanda is all over social media with her new initiative towards women empowerment in India. She launched Project Naveli earlier this month, garnering praise and criticism alike.

In a recently shared Instagram post on Project Naveli's official page, Navya is quoted as saying, “Through Project Naveli, I hope to bridge the gender gap in India by providing women with access to resources & opportunities that will allow for economic and social empowerment.”

While several lauded her efforts, a handful of others had some unkind words to say too. However, not one to back down, Navya took those comments head on. One person wrote, “Seriously india ??? Lol first provide access opportunity to at least one district of Maharashtra than talk about India simply using india name.” Navya wrote back, “Sure! Thank you for the positivity & support.”

Another person wrote, “You first need a job, then you can do all this.” To which Navya replied, “I do have a job actually.” The 24 year old is the cofounder of Aara Health, an online platform for women to discuss health issues. She is the daughter of Shweta Bachchan Nanda and Nikhil Nanda.

Hrithik Roshan may star in Indian adaptation of 'The Night Manager' If grapevine is anything to go by, ace actor Hrithik Roshan is all set to star in the Indian adaptation of John Le Carré’s spy drama 'The Night Manager'. Media reports reveal the adaptation will be directed by Sandeep Modi, of 'Aarya' fame. Filming is expected to start in Mumbai this April, eventually moving to international locations once Covid-19 restrictions are slacked.

If true, Roshan will play the Indian version of the Jonathan Pine, the character played by Tom Hiddleston in the original 2016 series. The story follows the night manager of a luxury hotel, a former soldier, who is recruited by a government espionage organisation to infiltrate the inner circle of an arms dealer. The original English series was adapted by David Farr and directed by Susanne Bier. The cast included Olivia Colman, Hugh Laurie, Elizabeth Debicki and Tom Hollander. It went on to win several Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, and BAFTAs. Roshan was last seen on the screen in 2019, with Siddharth Anand's action thriller 'War', alongside Tiger Shroff.

He is reuniting with Anand once more for 'Fighter' opposite Deepika Padukone.

Genre: Drama Streaming on: Netflix Duration: 128 minutes

The White Tiger A story of an entrepreneur who built himself up from a poor village dweller to an owner of his own taxi firm.

Balram, as a child, is intelligent and is told he is like a white tiger, this is someone who comes only once in a generation. He is offered a scholarship to a school in Delhi, but as his father is unable to pay the village Landlord and Balram is made to work.

As an adult Balram is fed up with his life, he aspires to be a chauffeur and when the village landlord’s son returns from the USA, Balram sees an opportunity.

He manages to get the job as the second drive for Ashok and his New York raised wife Pinky. When he finds out the first driver is a Muslim, he uses this information to have him sacked so he can climb up the hierarchy. He drives Ashok, Pinky and Ashok’s brother to Delhi and this is where things get out of hand.

Celebrities praise 'The White Tiger', Hrithik Roshan calls Gourav Adarsh a 'discovery' Netflix's recent release, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Rajkummar Rao-starrer 'The White Tiger' has garnered a lot of praise from across the world. The movie has not only impressed Bollywood, but celebrities from the West are showering compliments too. Priyanka's 'Agneepath' co-star Hrithik Roshan had a wonderful review of the Ramin Bahrani film over the weekend.

The actor tweeted, “Friday done right with The White Tiger! Brilliant performances by my friends @priyankachopra, @rajkummarrao. Take a bow, you two! @_Gourav Adarsh you have been a discovery, what a promising start to the year. Congratulations Rahim Bahrani & team for putting up a good show!” PeeCee thanked Roshan for the feedback, and replied, “Thank you so much dost ! So glad u liked!! Wohoooo! Let's goooo! #TheWhiteTiger.”

Hollywood too has welcomed the movie with open arms. Earlier, Kerry Washington wrote about the film on Twitter. “WHITE. TIGER. WHITE. TIGER. WHITE. TIGER. WHITE F*%#€¥# TIGER. Must see. Thank you and God bless you #AdarshGourav @priyankachopra.”

Cardi B too had tweeted, “White tiger is such a great movie. I was crying and angry watching it.”

Priyanka's in-laws and husband Nick Jonas have appreciated her performance in the film all over social

media. 'The White Tiger' revolves around an Indian driver played by Adarsh who uses his cunning to escape poverty. Directed by Bahrani, it has been co-produced by Priyanka along with Emmy award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay.

On a night out Pinky has been drinking and insists on driving the car, whilst doing so she runs over a child. The family convince Balram in taking the fall for the murder and he signs a confession. Pinky cannot take it anymore and leaves to go back to New York.

Balram uses this time to his advantage and starts charging Ashok for expenses he hasn’t even incurred.

Balram’s nephew is sent to stay with him and in a daze Balram does the unthinkable, he murders Ashok and takes his money. With this is opens his own taxi service in Bangalore, this is where he treats his workers not as servants but as employees. He as also changed his name to Ashok Sharma which is both a nod to his master and an insult at the same time.

The White Tiger is a brilliant film about the caste system and how people are treated differently in India depending on which caste they are born into.

Priyanka Chopra plays her role very well as Pinky where she acts like the Indian American that we now know her as and Adarsh Gourav is brilliant as Balram, convincing us that he is a kind-hearted man who was just born into the wrong caste. It’s the dark twist where he makes his money from that really changes your mind about him.

You can get in touch with Vallisa: djvallisa@gmail.com

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Aditi Rao Hydari's Telugu film is a love story Aditi Rao Hydari-starrer upcoming Telugu film 'Mahasamudram' has been confirmed to release in theatres on August 19. A tweet from producer Anil Sunkara said, “Every one used to ask me why we couldn't produce a love story all these years.

Now we are here to present to you the immense and immeasurable love actioner that we will be proud of forever. “MAHASAMUDRAM” will be hitting the shores on August 19th 2021.”

Directed by Ajay Bhupathi, the

movie marks Siddharth's return to Telugu cinema after a hiatus of eight years. The project will mark the maiden collaboration of Siddharth and Sharwanand. There are rumours that state the actor could be seen playing a negative role.

Dhanush's 'Karnan' to hit theatres this April Dhanush's upcoming 'Karnan' is all set to hit screens in April this year. Director Mari Selvaraj announced the release date on social media along with a teaser.

Dhanush released a statement saying, “Karnan releases in April 2021 in theatres. A much needed

encouraging news at the right time. Thank you Thanu sir for thinking of the theatre owners, distributors, exhibitors and everybody whose livelihood is dependent on films and theatres, even though you had other options. A big thank you on behalf of my fans as this means a lot of them.”

Produced by Kalaippuli S Thanu, 'Karnan' marks the first collaboration between Dhanush and Mari.

The movie also features Malayalam actor Rajisha Vijayan as the female lead. Music for the movie will be rendered by Santhosh Naryanan. On the work front, Dhanush is also awaiting the release of Karthik Subbaraj-directorial 'Jagame Thanthiram'.

SS Rajamouli unveils second female lead for 'RRR' Filmmaker SS Rajamouli unveiled a brand new poster to introduce his second female lead from upcoming magnum opus 'RRR' – Olivia Morris as Jennifer. The character poster was released on the occasion of Olivia's birthday over the weekend. Morris is paired with Jr NTR in the movie.

It was announced last week that 'RRR' will release worldwide in cinemas on October 13. It will be dubbed and released in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada.

The film marks the maiden collaboration of Ram Charan and Jr NTR. The cast also includes

Ajay Devgn, Alia Bhatt, Shriya Saran, and Samuthirakani.

TV Listing * Schedule is subject to change

MON 8 FEB FRI 12 FEB 2021 16:00 THE GREAT INDIAN GLOBAL KITCHEN 16:30 BIGG BOSS (SEASON 14) WEEKEND KA VAAR 18:30 NAMAK ISSK KA 19:00 ISHQ MEIN MARJAWAN 2 19:30 CHOTI SARDAARNI 20:00 SHAKTI 20:30 MOLKKI

Makers of the movie have unveiled the first look of all leads. Earlier last year, they introduced Ram Charan's character Alluri Seetharamaraju via a special video with Jr NTR's voice-over. Last November, a video was released to introduce Jr NTR's character of Komaram Bheem with a voice-over by Ram Charan.

'RRR' is rumoured to be a fictional story set in the 1920s pre-independent era. It will be based on the lives of two real heroes Alluri Sitarama Raju, and Komaram Bheem.

21:00 PINJARA KHUBSOORTI KA 21:30 BIGG BOSS (SEASON 14) 23:00 NAMAK ISSK KA SATURDAY 6 FEB 18:30 DESI BEAT RESET 19:00 ISHQ MEIN MARJAWAN 2 19:30 CHOTI SARDAARNI 20:00 NAAGIN (SEASON 5) 21:00 BEST OF DESI BEAT 21:30 BIGG BOSS (SEASON 14) WEEKEND KA VAAR SUNDAY 7 FEB 16:30 BIGG BOSS (SEASON 14) WEEKEND KA VAAR 18:00 CHOTI SARDARNI 20:00 NAAGIN (SEASON 5) 21:00 BEST OF DESI BEAT 21:30 BIGG BOSS (SEASON 14) FINALE

Mahesh Babu announces release date for 'Major' Actor Mahesh Babu has announced the release date of his upcoming Telugu production 'Major' through a poster. Based on the life of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, the film is all set to release in cinemas on July 2.

The actor took to Twitter to unveil the poster with a release date. Directed by Sashi Kiran Tikka. 'Major' stars Adivi Sesh in the role of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan. It is simultaneously made in Hindi and Telugu. Sesh had recently opened up about the

only say that he impacted my life from the first moment I knew about him. It was in 2008, I remember when I had seen his photograph, splashed across all the

project in a promotional video. He said the movie will celebrate Sandeep's life. He had said, “I can

channels. I didn't know what to make of it. I kept wondering ``who is this man?”

* Schedule is subject to change

MON 8 FEB FRI 12 FEB 2021 8:30 BHARADWAJ BAHUEIN 16:00 SILSILA BADALTE RISHTON KA 16:30 THE RASOI SHOW 17:30 CHHUTA CHHEDA 18:00 TUM KAUN PIYA 18:30 DIL KA RISHTA 19:00 BIGG BOSS (SEASON 14) WEEKEND KA VAAR 21:00 BALIKA VADHU - LAMHE PYAAR KE

SATURDAY 6 FEB 11:00 DESI BEAT SEASON 2 16:00 SILSILA BADALTE RISHTON KA 16:30 THE RASOI SHOW 17:30 DESI BEAT SEASON 3 18:00 KHATRA KHATRA KHATRA 19:00 BIGG BOSS (SEASON 14) 20:30 BARRISTER BABU 21:00 BALIKA VADHU SUNDAY 7 FEB 11:00 DESI BEAT SEASON 2 16:00 SILSILA BADALTE RISHTON KA 16:30 THE RASOI SHOW 17:30 DESI BEAT SEASON 3 18:00 KHATRA KHATRA KHATRA 19:00 BIGG BOSS (SEASON 14) WEEKEND KA VAAR 21:00 BALIKA VADHU

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BCCI to extend invitation to PM Modi for third Test, allow fans at Motera England are currently in India for a full tour which gets underway from February 5 in Chennai which will host the first two Tests of a four-match series.

The central and Tamil Nadu governments have eased the lockdown restrictions opening the possibility of even MA Chidambaram Stadium hosting.

According to a report, since the capacity of the Motera stadium in Ahmedabad also known as Sardar Patel stadium is over 100,000, it can easily accommodate 50 per cent fans.

Since the third Test, a day-night affair, will be the first international cricket match at the venue since it was refurbished, BCCI is planning to extend invitation to a host of dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju among others.

England are the first team to tour India since March last year when the coronavirus outbreak resulted in the visiting South African team returning home without playing a single match on their limited-overs tour of

the country. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering whether to allow fans to attend the third and fourth Tests against England to be played at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad later this month.

The stadium in Motera, which underwent renovation and can now host 1,10,000 fans, is the biggest in the world in terms of capacity.

“As the seating capacity is more than 100,000 in Motera, the GCA can easily accommodate 50 per cent crowds for the third and fourth Tests. The Government has allowed sports stadiums to run with 50 per cent capacity so it

has been decided to allow fans for the matches in Ahmedabad. The media will also be able to cover the game from the stadium,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying.

Motera stadium M o t e r a stadium is now the world's largest cricket stadium and the second largest sports stadium. Situated on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, Motera stadium has a seating capacity of 1,10,000 spectators.

In 1982, the Gujarat government donated 100 acres of land on the banks of the Sabarmati river.

The proposal of a larger stadium with a larger capacity was initiated by Narendra Modi.

The stadium was rebuilt after demolishing the old one, which was constructed in 1982 with a seating capacity of 49,000 spectators. The stadium that spread across over 64 acres has three entrances. It has 76 air-conditioned corporate boxes with a seating capacity of 25 each. An Olympic-size

swimming pool and four dressing rooms, a parking area that can accommodate around 3,000 cars and 10,000 twowheelers.

The construction of the new stadium was completed in two years at an estimated cost of £70 million. The stadium also has a club house with 55 rooms, gymnasium, indoor practice pitches and food courts. The stadium has no flood lights instead LED lights are being installed on roof. The old Motera stadium was one of the venues for the 2006 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy and it has always been a venue whenever India hosted ICC World Cup. Motera stadium hosted the iconic event addressing US President Donald Trump, "Namaste Trump" 'Namaste Trump’ event The “Namaste Trump' event was held on February 21, 2020.

Trump and PM Modi addressed the people in the stadium after taking part in a roadshow. The event had been named ‘Namaste Trump’ on the lines of the ‘Howdy, Modi’ programme organised in the US last year

Prince William slams online racism against footballers Police have launched an investigation into racist trolls who targeted and abused Marcus Rashford and several other black Premier League footballers. England striker Rashford, 23, was sent ’n*****’ slurs and animal emojis following Manchester United’s goalless draw against Arsenal recently. Days earlier the club had slammed 'disgusting' racist abuse suffered by defender Axel Tuanzebe and striker Anthony Martial following their shock home defeat by Sheffield United in midweek.

Greater Manchester Police have since confirmed it has launched an investigation into

the online targeting of the three players. Instagram confirmed it had suspended the culprits' accounts and would also investigate. A 49-year-old man was recently arrested on suspicion of racially abusing West Brom's Romaine Sawyers online following the Baggies' defeat by Manchester City.

The news comes as Prince William called for a crackdown on racist abuse in football after Marcus Rashford became the latest star to be targeted online.

The Duke of Cambridge, who is President of the The Football Association, condemned the 'despicable' racist abuse still seen in the game and urged social media companies to

eradicate abusive posts. In a string of tweets he demanded that people attempting to spread 'hate and division' be made accountable for their actions. 'Racist abuse - whether on the pitch, in the stands, or on social media - is despicable and it must stop now,' the prince said in a post.

'We all have a responsibility to create an environment where such abuse is not tolerated, and those who choose to spread hate and division are held accountable for their actions.

'That responsibility extends to the platforms where so much of this activity now takes place. He continued: 'I commend all those players, supporters, clubs and

Prince William

organisations who continue to call out and condemn this abuse in the strongest terms,' before signing it 'W'. Prince William has previously said his fury over 'outrageous' incidents of racism in football fuelled by social media, fearing progress in recent years is being lost because of anonymous posters online.

ICC test rankings: Pujara climbs to sixth spot, Rahane to 8th place India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has leapfrogged Pakistan skipper Babar Azam to go to the sixth spot in the latest ICC Test batting rankings. India's Test deputy Ajinkya Rahane has also moved up a place. Often criticised for his slow approach, Pujara batted like a warrior in the fourth Test against Australia to help set the stage for India's historic win at Australia's fortress - The Gabba. He took blows to the body, fingers, and head, but did not flinch.

Pujara stood tall, defying the Australian bowlers who looked for one opportunity to break into the Indian lower-order.

Rahane, on the other hand, played the captain's knock in the second Test to see India home.

Rahane, who is now at the eight spot, hit 24 off 22 balls before Rishabh Pant's match-winning knock in the fourth Test.

India skipper Virat Kohli and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson have retained their fourth and first spot in the latest rankings while England allrounder Ben Stokes who was rested for Sri Lanka Tests has moved down two places to tenth position in the batting rankings.

In the bowling rankings, Indian bowlers Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah have retained their eighth and ninth

spot while England pacer James Anderson has jumped one spot to number six. Last week, Anderson Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara became the second after scoring 285 runs against fast bowler after the great Afghanistan which included Richard Hadlee to take 30 fifers centuries in the second and in Test cricket. While the third matches. Bangladesh Englishman is the second pacer, spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz he is sixth on the overall list. progressed nine spots (ODI Anderson achieved the feat in bowling rankings) to take the the second Test against Sri fourth position after grabbing Lanka at the Galle International seven wickets, including a haul Stadium. of four for 25 in the second ODI Earlier this week, Ireland allagainst West Indies that won rounder Paul Stirling gained him the player of the match eight slots in the ODI batting award. rankings to reach 20th place

BCCI TO HOST IPL 2021 AT HOME

Buoyed by the successful hosting of the Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, the first of any cricket in India since March 2020, the BCCI has now set itself on the path to host a couple of more domestic tournaments – the Vijay Hazare and a one-day tournament for women – in February and March, followed by the Indian Premier League (IPL) in April.

The BCCI will conduct the 14th edition of the IPL at home and has earmarked the Wankhede, Brabourne Stadiums, DY Patil Stadium, Reliance Cricket Stadium in Navi Mumbai and the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium on the outskirts of Pune for the same. The state-of-the-art Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad, will also be considered for matches and is more likely to host the knockouts as the tournament moves towards the business end in the last week of May. The 2020 edition of the IPL was held in UAE over 54 days.

For the first time in 87 years, the BCCI has decided not to host the Ranji Trophy and instead will be hosting the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the one-day tournament for women over the next two months while India and England play four Tests, five T20Is and three one-dayers. “Technically, this marks the beginning of cricket in India at all levels – domestic and international. The board should be commended for taking a very sensible decision on not hosting the Ranji this season,” members say.

IPL-2021 is all set to begin in the second week of April, tentatively between April 11 and 14, and conclude in the first week of June, around June 6. During this time, the BCCI will also conduct the auction to introduce one new franchise to the IPL, even though it has necessary approvals from the general body to introduce two new franchises.

The decision to introduce just one new franchise for now has stemmed from a wellrounded perspective that will allow the board to earn better value from the sale of the 10th team in the near future. With the tender for IPL’s media rights auction slated to come out by the end of 2021, industry executives say, “the Board is making the right move”. BCCI will get more by auctioning one team instead of two because one team will mean 76 matches while two (with a changed format) will mean 74. “Two extra matches will mean that much more income from broadcast and other partners.

Additionally, all teams will play two more matches and get more revenues from team sponsorship and tickets and will share 20% of that top-line revenue with BCCI. It’s a winwin for now,” say those tracking developments.

However, the ninth team will be available to play only from the 2022 edition. Right now, the board is conducting a mini-player auction for the existing eight franchises on Feb 18 and 19 in Chennai. Further, with the BCCI deciding not to float a tender or an RPF for a title sponsor once again, the path will be set for the IPL’s 2021 edition to get underway.

“India can’t not host the IPL at home and say, it is ready to host the T20 World Cup later in the year. The BCCI conducted a very impressive IPL under a well-constructed biosecure bubble when the pandemic was at its peak. There’s no reason why the BCCI can’t construct the same bubble here at home,” sources say.