ues, Asian Voice embarks on a delectable journey through the rich and diverse culinary traditions of South Asia
This vibrant feature honors the cultural tapestry woven by Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi,
among other communities
techniques to a shared
into the stories behind beloved dishes, the traditions that shape them, and the way food serves as a powerful bridge between generations and cultures
Phogat and Neeraj Chopra shine in Paris Olympics
D efence chiefs
who led a £1 5 mil-
uitmen t ca mpaign,
r acial ly ab used
Knight, 33, has called the army "institutionally racist," citing senior off icials' failure to address her repeated complaints of racial and sexual h
D
t r i b u n a l , Knight recounted her experiences of being subjected to racial slurs, including references to slaver y, lynching, and tarring and feathering
The Equality and Human Rights Commission, which funded Knight’s legal advice, stated that the Ministr y of Defence has apologised and agreed to a f inancial settlement, though the army has not admitted liability
"I have been absolutely devastated by my treatment by the British Army," Knight said following the settlement announcement Speaking to t h e B B C , s h e a d d e d , " I’d never encourage any woman, especially of colour, to join, because it’s not going to benef it your life in the long run " Knight described several of
her white male instructors making her life a "living hell " M a j o r G e
m Humphris, the army's personnel director, apologised
behalf of the ministr y He
had to work in an "unacceptable organisational environment" and that there was a failure within the army to
plaints "The army wishes to apologise for the treatment you received Your loss is a matter of regret, Humphris wrote Knight expressed her disillusionment, saying, "I was so determined to make the British Army a better place for women and black people, and so for ever yone But my
y showed me that no matter what I did, I would never be accepted "
Hu n d r e d s of p
w ron gfully p rose cut ed due t o the fa ulty Horizon IT syst em will now be elig ible for un limite d compen sa tion, it ha s bee n an nounced
Approximately 900 Post Off ice branch owners will r e c e i v e f i n a n c
s starting at £600,000 under a new scheme, following the i nt ro d u c t io n o f le g i s l a t io n earlier this year to overturn their convictions The gove r n m e n t h a s s t
e d t h a t there will be no upper limit on the amount available to those who apply
The Treasur y has allocated £1 billion to compensate postmasters affected by the scandal, which is considered one of the UK’s worst miscarriages of justice This f u n d w i l l b e d i s t r i b u t e d t h r o u
n c e t h e s c a n d a l w a s e x p o s e d , 1 1 0 p o s t m a s t
r s have had their convictions overturned by the Court of Appeal, with the Post Off ice acting as the prosecutor in all but 11 of these cases
Other victims, many of w h o m s e r v e d p r i s o n s e nt e n c e s a n d f
f inancial hardship, were not
Alan Bates, a sub-postmaster who has campaigned for justice for 21 years, welcomed the announcement, stating, “It’s about time; this was the
announcement of
E luned Morgan chosen as Wale s ' new first minister
a n w a s conf irmed as f irst minister in a vote by Senedd mem-
Baroness Morgan declared it a " h
s t o
d a y " S h e expressed that becoming the f irst female f irst minister of Wales was the "greatest honour of [her] life," receiving a p p l a u s e f r o m t h e p u b l i c galler y The f irst minister design a t e t h a n ke d Va u g h a n Gething for his ser vice as her predecessor "My vision for Wales is one where ever yone can contribute to our shared success regardless of background," she stated "I will be a listening f irst m i n i s t e r, a t t e n t i v e t o a l l
voices, not just those who shout the loudest or wield the most power " T h e We l s h p a r l i a m
was recalled from its summ
meeting to vote for a new f irst minister following the r e s i g n a t i o n o f Va u g h a n G e t
leader
Eluned Morgan received 2
Conser vative leader Andrew RT Davies secured 15, and
Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Ior werth received 12 nomi-
scrutiny over a controversial £200,000 donation and the d
which led to the resignation of four members of his government
The contest to succeed Gething was initially expect-
Baroness Morgan, who has ser ved as Wales's health secretar y since 2021, won the ensuing leadership election unopposed She campaigned alongside rural affairs secre-
appoint as her deputy
The duo has pledged to bring "strength, stability, and unity," with a commitment
that matter most" for people across the countr y
Kemi Badenoch, the leading c an d i d ate t o be co m e t h
ne xt C o ns er v ati v e P art y leader, has been accused o f fos teri ng a tox ic env iro nm e nt in t h e g o v er nm e nt d ep artm ent sh e prev io usly le d , a cc o rd i ng t o t h e Guard ian
The
irst is a fast-track process that provides a “full and
£600,000 with only an ID check required Provisions are also in place for claims on behalf of deceased or seriously ill sub-postmasters
T he f irst Black w oman to be o rdai ned a d eaco n in th e C h u rch o f E ng l and , Rev Yv onne C larke, h as lost a c ou rt battle to retain her p o s i ti o n a nd p rev ent th e d issolution of her p arish
Clarke argued that the plan to split her parish and m e r g e i t s r e m n a n t s w i t h nearby parishes, led by pred o m i n a n t l y w h i t e p r i e s t s , w a s d i s c r i m i n a t o r y He r p a r i s h , A l l S a i n t s , Sp r i n g Pa r k , i n Cr o y d o n , s o u t h London, is a rare example of a Bl a c k- l e d c o n g r e g a t i o n with a signif icant number of Black worshippers
T h e P r i v y C o u n c i l rejected Clarke's appeal, ruling that the church was not subject to the Equality Act and that it had not acted in a d i s c r i m i n a t o r y m a n n e r Clarke, who has ser ved as
vicar for 26 years, expressed disappointment at the judgment, which will lead to the dissolution of the parish and the end of her role as one of t h e fe w Bl a c k v i c a r s o f Ja m a i c a n h e r i t a g e i n t h e Church of England
T h e A l l S a i n t s Sp r i n g Park parochial church council, which is predominantly Bl a c k a n d s e r v e s a h i g h minority ethnic population a r e a , w i l l b e d i s s o l v e d Clarke noted that she was locked out of the church for six months during an audit process in 2016, which led to false rumours about misappropriated church funds
C
p a r i s h council secretar y, objected to the proposal However, the church commissioners proceeded with the plan In 2022, they were granted perm i s s i o n t o a p p e a l t o t h e P r i v y C o u n c i l , w h i c h h a s now unanimously dismissed their appeal The committee stated it did not have jurisdiction but noted that, had i t , t h e a p p e a l w o u l d s t i l l have been dismissed
S o u r c e s c l a i m t h a t a t least three off icials were so distressed by her behaviour that they felt compelled to leave their positions Morale within the Department for B u s i n e s s a n d Tr a d e w a s reportedly so low last year that senior off icials felt it necessar y to address concerns about the working culture during an off icial “town h a l l ” m e e t i n g h e l d o n December 13, 2023, which was attended by about 70 staff members both in person and online Allegations suggest that Badenoch’s conduct during
Plans
the 17 months she ran the d e p a r t m e n t l e d t o w h a t some described as “bullying a n d t r a u m a t i s i n g ” behaviour, ultimately push-
i n g s e n i o r o f f i c i a l s o u t
B a d e n o c h h a s v e h e m e nt ly
d e n i e d t h e s e c l a i m s
C o l l e a g u e s w h o w o r ke d closely with Badenoch, the b o o k m a ke r s ’ f a v o u r i t e t o succeed Rishi Sunak, have
reported struggling with her b e h a v i o u r a n d t h e a t m os p h e r e s h e c r e a t e d T h e y r e p o r t e d l y d r e a d e d m e e tings, with some individuals fe e l i n g h u m i l i a t e d a n d reduced to tears on several occasions
One departmental insider noted that while it’s not u n c o m m o n fo r p e o p l e t o “lose
and
to relocate asylum seekers to vacant British home s
Labour is s et to end the use of large militar y sites for hous ing asylum seekers and w i l l i n s t e ad d i s t r i b u te m i g r a n ts a c ro s s v a r i ou s locations in the UK to alleviate pressure on local servic es T h e g o v e r n m e n t h a s r e a c h e d a g r e e m e n t s w i t h councils on the number of asylum seekers each area w i l l a c c o m m o d a t e a s i t shifts away from using sites l i ke t h e fo r m e r R A F
We t h e r s f i e l d a n d R A F
Scampton Plans are underw a y t o s i g n i f i c a n t l y increase the procurement of “dispersed accommodation,” such as vacant homes or former student blocks with self-catering facilities
C o u n c i l s a r e b e i n g asked to collaborate with central government on asylum accommodation plans t h a t fo c u s o n i n c r e a s i n g
d i s p e r s e d h o u s i n g T h i s strategy aims to balance the d i s t r i b u t i o n o f a s y l u m s e e ke r s a n d p r e v e n t t h e overburdening of local services in areas with concentrated numbers, which can hinder the support available to them
Contractors are seeking l a n d l o r d s w i t h v a c a n t p r o p e r t i e s , c o n s i d
i n g options such as houses of multiple occupancy, family homes, former care homes, and student accommodation However, the availability of suitable accom-
modations is limited, and rising rental prices could lead to
During both World Wars India was a crucial colony providing manpower, firearms, and other resources to the British Empire As colonisation ended, Britain’s industrial sector faced a demand for cheap labour, which was met by immigrants
In the 1950s and 1960s, Pakistani and Indian men were recruited from Punjab to fill labour shortages in postWorld War II Britain, working in railways, airports, steelworks, rubber factories, and textiles Asian doctors were also recruited to join the newly formed National Health Service Even today, the economic and societal impacts of immigration remain significant
A c c o r d i n g t o t h e O f f i c e f o r N a t i o n a l S t a t i s t i c s , migrants contribute approximately £83 billion annually to the UK’s economy Migrant workers are vital in sectors like healthcare, STEM industries, and finance, with 13 8 per cent of the UK’s healthcare workforce being nonBritish nationals Cultural festivals, culinary diversity, and artistic contributions from migrants have greatly enriched British cultural life, fostering greater understanding and cohesion among different communities
Despite these contributions, recent events have been deeply troubling Videos have surfaced showing brown and black individuals being attacked, with Muslim and ethnic minority-owned shops vandalised, asylum seeker hotels set on fire and defaced with Islamophobic graffiti, and racial slurs and Nazi salutes chanted by gangs Incidents include an Asian man being dragged from his car and beaten in Hull and a black man attacked in a Manchester park
For many, these scenes of organised racism and vio-
lence are shocking and unprecedented The current distress within ethnic minority communities is a stark contrast to Britain once known and celebrated for its multicultural excellence and tolerance As the anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiments grow stronger, one can only q u e
Southport stabbings and the death of three young girls is extremely sad and the accused must be brought to justice, but what is the logic behind holding the Muslim community responsible for the action of an individual? Why are all the contributions of the immigrants being nullified to prosecute them for the action of one person?
The irony of it all is that the accused isn’t even Muslim, nor is he an immigrant Axel Rudakubana, the teenager accused of the Southport stabbing is a Christian and although his family immigrated from Rwanda, he was born and bred in the UK While the initial misinformation about the accused being an immigrated Muslim caused mayhem, why are the people not facing the facts now? Just last week, Asian Voice emphasised that a civilised, multicultural society like the UK cannot return to violence, mob culture, and racism Yet, here we are today The resurgence of the English Defence League (EDL) paints a clear picture of where we are headed, and it’s no good
The role of social media in spreading misinformation, the normalising of extreme rhetoric by some politicians, and the scapegoating of migrant communities all need careful examination It is crucial to recognise that these riots are not mere "thuggery" or "pockets of violence" but represent a form of racist and largely Islamophobic terrorism - this is racial profiling, plain and simple!
Unrest in Bangladesh intensified after a High Court ruling on the quota system for government jobs, prompting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and seek political asylum in London This year, the country faced its most severe civil unrest in decades Initially sparked by student protests over the job quota system, the situation rapidly escalated into a nationwide crisis, exposing deeper issues in Dhaka, such as economic instability, widespread corruption, and Hasina’s ongoing pattern of harsh crackdowns
The fall of the Awami League amid ongoing protests is a significant setback for India Under Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh was perhaps India’s most reliable ally in a region marked by anti-Indian sentiment and shifting loyalties Hasina’s government had also granted India access to key ports, highways, and infrastructure strategic assets that are now at risk with her departure
It is now crucial for India to handle this delicate situation with care, as it will shape the future of IndiaBangladesh relations When Opposition parties like the BNP-Jamaat alliance or the military have held power in Bangladesh, India has faced difficulties, including the operation of anti-India terror groups across the IndiaBangladesh border China, known for capitalising on regional instability, is likely to use Bangladesh's political turmoil as an opportunity to increase its influence in South Asia This poses a
significant challenge to New Delhi’s strategic interests In recent years, unrest in India's neighbouring countrieswhether in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, or Afghanistan - has seen China moving swiftly to fill power vacuums, and experts predict a similar approach in Bangladesh With China and Pakistan to the west and north, a communist-led government in Nepal, a Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, an increasingly anti-India Maldives, and now the possibility of an unpredictable regime in Bangladesh, India’s strategic landscape could face severe challenges
The situation in Bangladesh poses a dilemma for India, more as UK’s Home Office has reportedly told NDTV, how the British immigration rules do not allow individuals to travel to the UK to just seek asylum This comes amidst speculations that Sheikh Hasina may seek political asylum in Britain, especially as her sister is a British citizen Sheikh Hasina’s sister Sheikh Rehana’s daughter, Tulip Siddiq, is a key Labour Party MP in the UK Siddiq, who was recently re-elected as an MP and appointed Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City Minister, has been a prominent figure in UK politics since 2015
Hasina’s late father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in 1972, the British government has now called for an UN-led investigation into recent violence in Bangladesh If this investigation holds Hasina accountable, granting her asylum could complicate matters
The role of a guru or mentor is traditionally to offer guidance, support, and wisdom, helping individuals navigate life's challenges and decisions However, the rise of selfstyled spiritual healers or godmen has often proved to be more harmful than beneficial to the society While these figures might initially provide a sense of community and belonging, transcending caste, creed, or social status, they often mislead followers into adopting unscientific beliefs, accepting dubious miracles, and adhering to harmful superstitions
The problem is exacerbated by social media, where a l g o r i t h m s a m p l i f y c o
shares and engagement Videos and posts featuring these godmen can quickly gain traction, leading people to accept their claims without scepticism This spread of misinformation is dangerous, as it capitalises on the lack of scientific validation and exploits the trust placed in these individuals The portrayal of these figures as miracle workers or spiritual healers can distort reality, leading followers to believe in practices that lack any scientific basis
Godmen are believed to have often engaged in social causes, which may initially appear commendable But soon they have been convincing followers to cure ailments through hocus-pocus or so-called ‘magical’ reme-
dies instead of opting for authentic medicines This has proved to be of particularly danger to people’s lives They have also been reported to have exploited followers by
through fear mongering and blackmail This is exactly the message that films like ‘Maharaj' have tried to put across the society
These sort of exploitations are not exclusive to India but is a global phenomenon, reflecting a broader pattern of deceit and manipulation among the diaspora too In response to these challenges, and as a commitment to the c
newsweeklies have made significant efforts to combat this issue Despite losing £4,000 a week in advertising
sources associated with such dubious figures
We chose to maintain our integrity by avoiding endorsement of content linked to these exploitative practices Our commitment to rejecting these advertisements highlights a broader ethical stance against supporting entities that prey on the vulnerable
It is crucial for individuals to critically assess the claims made by godmen and for media and society to stand up collectively to oppose practices that deceive and exploit vulnerable population
"Every
Alpesh Patel
So Trump’s supporters a re claimin g K ama labhen ha s e mphas is ed her b lack herita ge for politi cal ga in an d the reby down played her In dia n roots My re spons e (in spi red by a comedia n on Ti kTok who has g on e vi ral)
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am Indian Just Indian And that means a lot more than you might think Let me break it down for you You're welcome, world
First off, let's talk about y og a an d medi tation That’s right, the reason you can twist yourself into a pretzel and feel zen about it? That’s us We gave you the downward dog, the warrior pose, and the ability to touch your toes after decades of neglect And the next time you find yourself saying "Om," remember, that’s a direct line from ancient India to your living room Namaste, everyone
Now, onto something spicier – our cuis in e If your taste buds have ever experienced the explosion of a well-made curry or the heat of a vindaloo, you know what I’m talking about Our food is hot, our weather is hot, and yes, our women are hot too The men? Well, let’s just say they’re lucky!
Let’s not forget the Kama Sutra Yes, we went there While you were busy inventing boring textbooks, we were writing the ultimate guide to love and relationships And you thought Fifty Shades was groundbreaking? We’ve been spicing things up for centuries!
Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism – you name it, we ’ ve got it We’ve got more gods and goddesses than you ’ ve got reality TV shows And let’s not forget, every faith finds a home in India We’ve got mosques, churches, synagogues, and temples coexisting peacefully It’s l
Gandhi, non-violence movement – yes – that’s us too Oh, friends with every country in the Middle East Yes, that’s us too
Scien ce an d mathematics? Don’t even get me started We gave you the concept of zero Imagine trying to d
i t e Shakespeare without vowels We’ve contributed to astronomy, medicine, and literature The next time you ’ re using the decimal system, just remember to say a silent thank you to India
And here’s a fun fact: We’ve never invaded another country Why? Because we had everything we needed Rich culture, spicy food, spiritual enlightenment – why go anywhere else when you ’ ve got it all at home? Oh wait, we liberated Bangladesh And then left That’s how you do humanitarian military action Ahem, America
But what does all this mean for the world today? It means that In dia n i den tity i s a powerh ous e of in fluence a n d i n s p i
, embracing Indian heritage can be a game-changer Kamala Harris, with her Indian roots, represents this blend of diversity and strength She’s not just a Vice President; she’s a symbol of what embracing your heritage can achieve on the global stage
So next time you ’ re feeling peaceful after yoga, savoring a spicy curry, or marveling at the stars, remember this: I am Indian Just Indian And you ’ re welcome, world
Thank you!
Tel: 020 7749 4080 • Fax: 020 7749 4081
Email: aveditorial@abplgroup com Website: www abplgroup com
INDIA OFFICE
Bureau Chief: Nilesh Parmar (BPO) AB Publication (India) Pvt Ltd
207 Shalibhadra Complex, Opp Jain Derasar, Nr Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad-380 015
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Email: gs ahd@abplgroup com
L eicester's mayo r h as sug -
g ested that the city's po pular
D i w al i l i g h ts sw i t ch - o n event m ight be "sacrificed"
d ue to the h ig h cost of staging it
Traditionally, Leicester marks the Festival of Light with two major events: the switch-on of illuminations along the Golden Mile on Belgrave Road, and a subsequent fireworks display and funfair on Diwali Day
H
both events, the authority is
c
them
Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby was asked to clarify the plans for
tions
He confirmed that the illuminations would be in place as usual, following discussions with stakeholders However, talks are ongoing about whether there will be two separate events "Stakeholders are particularly eager to hold an event o n D i w
November], and if we have
event might be sacrificed," he said Efforts will continue to secure sponsorship funding to potentially support one or both events in the future
T he parents o f a 19-year-o ld w oman wh o d ied d uring a legal dispute with an NHS t ru st reg ar d in g h er treatm ent hav e won th eir case in the Court of A ppeal about h er ability to make her own m ed ical decisio ns
S u d i k s h a T h i r u m a l e s h , who had a rare mitochondrial disorder, was engaged
i n a l e g a l b a t t l e w i t h
U n i v e r s i t y H o s p i t a l s
B i r m i n g h a m N H S Foundation Trust before her
d e a t h i n S e p t e m b e r l a s t year
H e r p a r e n t s , T h i r u m a l e s h C h e l l a m a l
Hemachandran and Revathi Malesh Thirumalesh, contested an August 2023 ruling that deemed Sudiksha incapable of making her own
m e d i c a l d e c i s i o n s T h e Court of Appeal judges ruled in their favour In last August's initial ruling, Mrs Justice Roberts
d e t e r m i n e d t h a t S u d i k s h a had a "complete inability to accept the medical reality of her condition " However, in a M a y h e a r i n g , B r u n o
Q u i n t a v a l l e , r e p r e s e n t i n g
Sudiksha’s parents, argued that experts had found no evidence of "impairment of the mind " In their judgement, Lady J u s t i c e K i n g , a l o n g w i t h Lord Justice Singh and Lord J u s t i c e B a k e r , p r a i s e d Sudiksha, highlighting that " e v e r y o n e w h o i n t e r a c t e d with her agreed she was a remarkable young woman: h a r d w o r k i n g , d
and resilient "
judges determined that the
error" by relying solely on
g "sufficient reasons" for disregarding other expert opinions and reports
Health care sup port wo rkers at Leicester Royal Infirm ary,
L ei ce st er Ge ne ral , a nd Glenfield Hospital hav e initiated a m onth-long strike
d em a nd i ng bac k p ay, d es p i te a re ce nt w a g e increase Th e unio n Unison
h as ch aracteri sed th e d isp ute as " increasing ly bitter," reflecting ongoing tensions o ver pay
The strike involves hund r e d s o f h e a l t h c a r e a s s i s -
t a n t s , m a t e r n i t y s u p p o r t workers, operating theatre support staff, and other clini c a l s u p p o r t p
n n e l across three East Midlands NHS trusts In addition to
Glenfield Hospital, Unison members are also striking at hospitals in Kettering and Northampton A
upgraded from Band 2 to Band 3 However, there is
y owed The union is demand-
2018 a sum already paid by some NHS trusts but East M
s have offered less than half of this amount and are refusing to negotiate further U n i s o n G
a l Secretary Christina McAnea is set to join the picket line outside the LRI today She stated that for years, healthcare support workers have b e e n u n d e r p a i d f o r t h e i r increasingly complex tasks and that they deserve appropriate back pay
C o v i d c as es a re nea ri ng their hig hest levels in over a y ea r, w i th re c ent fi g u re s sh owing a rise
S c i e n t i s t s w a r n t h a t numbers could increase furt h e r i n l a t e s u m m e r a n d e a r l y a u t u m n a s p e o p l e return from the Olympics and schools reopen Latest government figu r e s i
about 2% in the week The UK Health Security Agency
(UKHSA) reported that the p r o p o r t i o n o f p e o p l e i n E n g l a n d w i t h s y m p t o m s testing positive for the virus in hospitals rose from 12 2% to 12 4%
This represents the second-highest level in over a year, just below the 13 2% r e c o r d e d o n J u l y 1 4 T h e proportion of positive tests briefly declined after that peak but rose again the following week
While the data is specific
New figures reveal that while t he n um b e r of y ou n g Londoners appl ying to univers it y has inc rease d, nat iona l a pp l ic a t i on r at e s h a ve decl ined
In London, the applicat io n r a t e am on g t e e na g e r s has risen by one percentage point to 59% However, there are growing concerns about a r i s i n g t r e n d o f t e e n a g e r s rejecting university offers, as nationwide applications have dropped for the second consecutive year
F i g u r e s f r o m U c a s
Admissions Service) indicate that by the end of June, 41 9% of 18-year-olds in the UK had applied through their system, down from 42 1% last year and 44 1% in 2022 Potential r e a s
include student debt and rising accommodation costs
H o w e v e r , U c a s C h i e f
Executive Jo Saxton stated, “It is a really, really good year to be applying to university,” noting that teenagers receiving A-level results this year would have an easier time
securing places, even in prestigious courses and universities
Ucas data reveals that by June 30, only 33% of 18-yearolds in the North East had a p p l
, a decrease from 35% the previo
nFurness, Cumbria, just 13% of 18-year-olds started universi-
recent poll found that nearly one-third of people believe a university education is not worth the time and cost
Th ree sm ugg lers successfull y tr ans p o rt ed d o z en s o f mig rants into the U K using a lorry The m en, from East Lo nd on, utilised GP S trackers to monitor vehicles concealing migrants as part o f their operation
s c a u g h
the act of breaking into a vehicle at South Mimms serv i c e s , i n t e n d i n g t o p l a c e four migrants inside T h e 4 1 - y e a r - o l d w a s employed by an organised c r i m e g r o u p i n v o l v e d i n smuggling After his arrest, Ikram’s iPhone was seized, revealing numerous conversations with two other men about their participation in a different criminal network that charged migrants up to £7,000 each to bring them to the UK
Evidence revealed several attempts, both successful and unsuccessful, to use a lorry for crossings in 2019 Additionally, Ikram and his a s s o c i a t e N a j i b K h a n , 3 9 ,
C r e d t N C A
purchased an inflatable boat to transport more migrants across the Channel to the UK
T h e N a t i o n a l C r i m e
A g e n c y ( N C A ) c o n n e c t e d
I k r a m ’ s g r o u p w i t h o t h e r drivers and a transport manager who had been jailed in the Netherlands and France for unsuccessfully attempting to transport 32 migrants
Phone records revealed that I k r a m a n d h i s a s s o
used GPS trackers to monitor lorries and break into them to smuggle migrants
without the drivers’ knowledge Jalal Tarakhail, 25, from I l f o r d , w a s a l s o i n v o l v
d , helping to hide 16 people, including 11 children, and finding storage locations for t h
o n s Ikram was arrested in 2021 o n p e o p l e s m u g g l i n g charges and released on bail In July 2022, he and Khan w e r e c h a r g e d w i t h t h r e e c o u n t s o f c o
tion
Lammy urges UK nationals to ‘leave Lebanon now ’ as military deployed
Milit ar y pe rsonne l a nd cons ul a r e x p e r t s h a v e b e e n de ploy ed to t he Middle East t o suppor t British na tiona ls, a s min ist ers wa rn t hat the “situat ion could de te riora te r apidly ”
t o E n g l a n d , C
i d l e v e l s have been generally consistent across the UK Separate w a s t e w a t e r m o n i t o r i n g i n Scotland also shows a significant spike in cases during July, according to scientists The rise in Covid infections is attributed to waning i m m u n i t y f r o m v a c c i n e s and past infections, lower uptake of the spring booster among eligible individuals, and the ongoing spread of FLiRT variants
Foreign Secretary David Lammy has intensified his c a l l f o r U K c i t i z e n s i n Lebanon to “leave immediately” amid rising tensions b e t w e e n I
Armed
Border Force officers have b e e n d i s p a t c h e
Office In addition, consular
experts have been brought in to help with planning and a d d r e s s i n g i n q u i r i e s f r o m UK citizens
I n a d d i t i o n , t h e R o y a l Air Force has placed transport helicopters on stand-by, while
This year, we gave £100 to nearly 4 million of our members through our Fairer Share payment.
T he Fam ily Vi sa categ o ry, w hich allows British citizens and lo ng -term resid ents to b ri ng th ei r sp o u ses , p artners, and eld erly parents to t h e U K , is ext ens i v e ly u tilised by the Ind ian diasp ora
e c e i v e d a F
m
l y V i s a i n 2023, making them one of the largest groups in this predominantly South Asian category The new Labour government has halted the incremental increase in the a
m e threshold for these visas, a change proposed by the previous Conservative administration
“Family immigration rules, i
i m u m income requirement, must balance respect for family l i
commission the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) t o r e v i e w t h e f i n
requirements in these rules
changes will be made until the MAC’s review is complete ” F r o
minimum income required
£18,600 to £29,000, with a planned rise to £38,700 to
Committee (MAC) will now evaluate the necessity of this
Additionally, the MAC will review the reliance of key sectors, such as IT and engi-
also proposed strengthening the MAC to better identify sectors experiencing “labour
heavy dependence on international workers
A form er academic specialising in ed ucational equality
h a s b een a p p o in ted to rev iew the national curriculum
Professor Becky Francis, 54, known for her work on a d d r e s s i n g s
types in the classroom, has been recruited by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson for this research Francis, a Labour Party member and vocal critic of the charitable status of private schools, has also voiced c o n c e r n s a b o u t t h
p
e ssures faced by school and college teachers
I n t h e i r b
Ethnic Achievement: Race, Gender, Class and ‘Success’,
Louise Archer address social
preface states their aim is to
issues into mainstream edu-
cational discussions, which have been overshadowed by neoliberal notions of qualit y , '
about 'equality ' In the same title, written in 2006, Francis criticises
achievement ” She notes the
tables, and frequent publication of achievement statist
more than just an educational issue it is a central concern
S ir K e ir St a r m e r 's g ov er nm ent has reveal ed pl ans to a bol is h the “ n on-dom ” ta x
s ta t us , i nt r oduc i ng s t r ic t e r r u l e s t h an pr e v iou s l y pr op os ed , t hou gh wit h s om e m eas ures to eas e t he transit ion
A p p r o x i m a t e l y 7 4 , 0 0 0 individuals in the UK currently benefit from non-dom status, which lets them shield international earnings from U K t a x w h i l e r e s i d i n g i n Britain
I n 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 , n o n - d o m s paid £8 9 billion in tax to HM Revenue & Customs, representing about 1% of the agen-
cy's total revenue Labour has promised that the reforms will enhance Britain’s global competitiveness and attract t o p t a l e n t H o w e v e r , t a x advisers remain divided on whether these proposals will effectively address the concerns of those affected
Both Labour and the previous Conservative government committed to ending
a t i o n h a s detailed its plans in a policy p a p e r S t a r t i n g A p r i l 2 0 2 5 , the concept of “domicile” for tax purposes will be replaced with a residency-based sys-
tem Additionally, the period during which foreign-earned income remains untaxed by the UK will be reduced from 15 years to just four Additionally, individuals will be subject to inheritance tax after 10 years of residence in the UK and for 10 years
introduced stricter measures
c o m p a r e d t o t h e p
i o u s Conservative plan, including the removal of a proposed one-off 50% tax discount for non-doms bringing foreign income into the UK in 202526
A n inquest rev ealed that a Maoist cult leader, wh o was c on v ic ted o f m u lt ip le se x assaults and kep t h is daughter imp risoned at ho me for 3 0 years, w as fo und d ead in his prison cell Aravindan Balakrishnan, 81, who went by the name
C
his followers that he had
tenced to 23 years in prison in 2016 following a trial at Southwark Crown Court
ered deceased by
inmate at HMP Dartmoor on April 8, 2022 Pathologist Dr Russell Delaney determined that Balakrishnan's death resulted from a lower respiratory tract infection,
Spinney recorded a verdict of natural causes in Philip S
Enfield, north London, was
assault, actual
ily harm, cruelty to a child under 16, and false imprisonment He revered communist figures like Chairman Mao and Joseph Stalin, leading
tute
N
t housands waiting for g ende r cl inic appoin tments on t he NH S
Information Act, over 5,700 under-18s are on waiting lists for specialist appointments at two gender clinics, with the youngest patient being under five years old
Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust was the sole NHS provider for these services
In April, the Tavistock
replaced by
Children can be referred to specialist gender clinics by their GP if they experience severe distress from gender
vices
The closure followed a review by Dr Hilary Cass, which highlighted concerns a b o u t
s a f e p r a c t
c e s , including the use of puberty blockers and hastened medical transitions
Hospital in Liverpool These new services aim to provide more comprehensive care by
Puberty blockers, which are used off-label to inhibit sex hormone production, are now illegal for use in transgender children Referrals to NHS youth gender-identity services have surged 100-fold in just over a decade, resulting in long waiting lists
Thames Wa ter has been hit with a £104 mill ion fine for failing to pr ope rly mana ge it s s e wa g e sy s t e ms , c a us in g effl uent to regula rly spill int o river s and se as This substantial penal ty further exa cerba tes the fina ncial difficult ies fa cing Br ita in’s l ar gest wate r utility as it b attl es for stab il it y O f w a t a n n o u n c e d t h a t
Thames Water, along with Y o r k s h i r e W a t e r a n d Northumbrian Water, would face penalties for violating r e g u l a t i o n s o n u p g r a d i n g , maintaining, and operating sewage treatment facilities
The regulator noted that these companies, including their board-level executives, h a d a l s o n e g l e c t e d p r o p e r
management and oversight o f t h e i r t r e a t m e n t o p e r ations
According to the regulator, combined sewage overflows intended to release a m i x o f s t o r m w a t e r a n d sewage into waterways only i n e x c e p t i o n a l c i r c u ms t a n c e
overwhelmed and regularly discharge waste into rivers
To control his followers, he created
could
fictitious
or earthquakes if anyone defied him
and seas
The companies have the option to appeal the decision once it is finalised following a consultation period ending
might consider reducing or waiving the penalty if the
commitment to
penalty Seven other companies are currently under investigation, and Southern Water is being closely monitored
M inisters h av e warned that th e soaring costs of special needs support in schoo ls are p ushing councils to th e brink of bankrup tcy
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson pledged to address the issues, as independent estimates reveal that escalating demand is creating a £3 2 billion shortfall in council finances The Department for Education (DfE) has now classified the threat to councils' overall financial stability as "critical" and "very likely "
The number of children and young people with special educational needs has more than doubled in the past decade Over 570,000 pupils now require support programs under the law, with an additional 1 2 million identified as needing extra help in
schools Councils have raised spending on special educational needs and disability (SEND) from £4 billion to £12 billion since 2015
There is also an increase in the number of children in social care, with the government declaring the situation as “critical” due to shortages of placements and carers
Despite recommendations from an independent review over two years ago, ministers have allocated only a fraction 10% of the recommended £2 6 billion for addressing the issues in children’s social care
Phillipson criticised the previous government for creating a “trail of devastation” in education, highlighting the broken Send system that is now putting immense strain on local authorities
Currently, a “statutory override” prevents special needs deficits from impacting council budgets, but this measure is set to expire in March 2026
According to the County Councils Network, without an extension of this financial relief, half of the councils could become insolvent within three years
b
K r u p es h Hi ra ni , L o nd on
A ssem bly Member for Brent and Harrow, h as expressed h is enthusiasm for th e £3 1 m illion inv estm ent aimed at enhancing green spaces, road s af ety, and rev italising th e h igh street in Neasd en Town C entre, Brent
T h e N e a s d e n T o w n Centre project will revamp one of London’s most polluted areas, transforming it into a greener, safer, and more accessible environment for both residents and visitors
The investment will focus on developing parks and green spaces, realigning road junc-
t i o n s t o i m p r o v e s a f e
enhancing pedestrian access,
a n d r e f
will be upgraded to be greener, safer, and more accessible
This funding is part of M a y o r S a d i q K h a n ’ s £ 1 2
h
n g t h e h i g h street to include a community training kitchen, fostering engagement with young people and the local community
Neasden is among five
L e w i s h a m , a n d C r o y d o n
r e c e i v i n g s i m
Over the next three years,
t o w n c e n t r e s c o v e r i n g a n
a r e a e q u i v a l e n t t o f o u r
vulnerable residents connect and find purpose
H
“Neasden is a vibrant community that I am proud to
lenges such as high pollution levels and traffic congestion due to the North Circular This investment is crucial in
allowing our community to benefit from a healthier and
Additionally, local business-
Programme, which aims to create a fairer, more enjoyable city by improving public
the growth and development of their city
H
highlighted the significance of this investment for the local economy and for pro-
extensive positive impact of this investment
“This project is not just about enhancing infrastructure; it’s about ensuring our
spaces I’m delighted to see
Neasden, making it a better place to live, work, and raise a family
On Augus t 4, over 600 pe ople
f r om n or t h- we s t Lo nd on ,
r a n g in g f r om t od dl e r s t o
s e ni or s , t oo k pa r t in t he
N e a s d en T e m pl e ’ s An n ua l
Charity Chall enge
T h e A n n u a l C h a l l e n g e
raises funds for the Temple’s educational, community, and spiritual programs in London,
h
families, and the elderly This year, the event also supported The Felix Project in its fight
a g a i n s t h u n g e r a n d f o o d waste in the capital
The Felix Project collects
f r e s h , n u t r i t i o u s f o o d a n d d e l i v e r s i t t o c h a r i t i e s a n d s c h o o l s , p r o v i d i n g h e a l t h y meals for vulnerable populations, including the homeless They have collaborated with Neasden Temple on various
i n i t i a t i v e s i n r e c e n t y e
s , working together to serve and support communities across London
to take part in the BAPS Annual Charity Challenge
The event began shortly after 10:00 am at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, comm o n l y k n o w n a s N e a s d e n Temple Following the opening ceremony, participants w a l k e r s , j o g g e r s , a n d r u nners headed to the nearby Gibbons Recreation Ground to complete the 10-kilometer c h a l l e n g e Y o u n g c h i l d r
enjoyed a series of fun cir-
various activities along the route
Refreshments were provided to keep participants hydrated and energised, and after the challenge, familyfriendly games were organi s
active lifestyles and supported local charities, leaving a positive, lasting impact on the community
Pa riva r (SSGP -U K) or gan ise d
a rem ark able Hindu Lifesty le Se mina r an d Yout h Club
e ve nt, un der t he inspira tion of Pujya G uruva rya Shri
discussions on educational topics and recitations of Sundarkand On Sunday, a special Shiva Puja took place, complemented by programs aimed at nurturing and promoting spiritual and cultural values among participants of all
Lo nd on gathered for a press c o nf ere nc e o rg a ni s ed b y Islamic Relief U K and WA W C reative Arts to demand an i m m ed iate and p erm ane nt ceasefire in Gaza Th e ev ent h
leaving little hope for their future Islamic Relief in Gaza has been providing crucial aid since October, assisting 1 8 m i l l i o n d
c e d Palestinians with hot meals, medical supplies, and psychosocial support for traumatised children
At the press conference, British children shared testimonies written and spoken by their peers in Gaza, bringing attention to the severe hardships experienced due to the Israeli offensive
(A SD), has set a new record by beco m ing th e yo ung es t and fastest to swim across the Eng lish Channel in p arasports
Defying tough currents, J i y a
swim in 17 hours and 25 minu t e s , e s t a b l i
a n e w milestone for solo swims in para-sports
In the 150-year history of Channel swimming, Jiya Rai, the daughter of Indian Navy MC-at-Arms II Madan Rai, is the first girl with ASD to
Jiya Rai
complete a solo crossing She began her swim on July 28 from Abbotts Cliff, England, and finished in France early
on July 29 Rai dedicated her
Swimming to designate July 21-28 as Autism Awareness Week in her honour
The English Channel is notorious for its treacherous
and hazards like jellyfish and debris It’s also one of the
crossing daily The unpredictable
such swims extremely challenging
A small dance co mp any in Yo rksh ire is raising environmen tal awa reness th ro u gh its inno vative ‘T ree in Time’ p roj ect Ch o reo grap h ed by S hantha Rao, fo under and a rt is t i c di re c to r o f
A nn ap u rn a Da n ce Company, the perfo rmance is insp ired by S aalumarada T himmakka, a 11 2-year-o ld e nv i ro n me n ta li s t f ro m K arnataka, India
T h i m m a k k a , h o n o u r e d with the Padma Shree by the Indian government, is celebrated for planting a 28 km avenue of banyan trees near her village The dance comp a n y h a s c a p t u r e d S a a l u m a r a d a T h i
planting of 385 banyan trees a n
mance that highlights the
action Inspired by
h Thimmakka, Rao created the project to share her message W
h
Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, the company has performed at local schools, pro-
environmental efforts
Ketan Dattani
South Asia faces severe climate challenges, with rising temperatures, prolonged monsoons, and increased droughts
This region, home to over half of the world's population, has experienced numerous climate-related disasters affecting millions Countries like India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and the Maldives are particularly vulnerable, grappling with droughts, cyclones, and rising sea levels
Examples o f climate ch allenges inclu de those with in:
§ Afghanistan: Farmers are enduring severe droughts, making food scarcity a critical issue
India and Bangladesh: Cyclones like Amphan have displaced millions
§ Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka: Coastal areas face frequent cyclones and flash flooding
§ Maldives: Rising sea levels threaten its very existence Bhutan and Nepal: Temperatures and droughts are intensifying
An analysis of the Ministry of Home Affairs database reveals that from January 2000 to February 2022, approximately 29,310 climate-related disaster events occurred, resulting in the loss of 14,645 lives and 28,092 livestock, as well as the destruction and damage of 800,000 structures, including bridges, roads, hospitals, hydropower plants, and schools Additionally, temperature increases in Nepal are outpacing the global average, with projections indicating a rise of 1 2°C to 4 2°C by the 2080s In response to these escalating risks and vulnerabilities, technology is playing an increasingly vital role in Nepal Notably, Nepal's early warning systems (EWS) have been effective in mitigating the risks associated with hydrometeorological hazards Both physical science and citizen science are key to the success of these systems Physical science provides critical data on flood risks and initiates warnings, while citizen science aids in the dissemination and communication of EWS messages It is important to recognize that South Asian countries face similar climate change threats The severe floods in Pakistan in 2022, the floods in Himachal-Uttarakhand in India in 2022 and 2023, and the Melamchi and Mahakali floods in Nepal in 2021 underscore shared challenges that require coordinated solutions
To com bat th ese challenges further, th e World Bank Grou p (WBG) h as initi ated the So uth A si a C lim ate Chang e Roadmap, focusing on three key areas:
1 Climate-Smart Agriculture and Land Use through supporting transitions in agriculture, food, water, and land to be more climate-resilient
2 D e c
renewable energy while ensuring universal access to electricity
3 Building Climate-Resilient Cities, courtesy of developing low-carbon and resilient urban infrastructures Luckily, there have been an abundance of success stories paved due to the invaluable initiative:
F
Bangladesh has significantly reduced storm casualties through systematic investments in cyclone preparedness With WBG support, it has rehabilitated extensive sea embankments and constructed numerous cyclone shelters and access roads In a similar way, in Sri Lanka, Colombo's wetlands are being revitalised to prevent
Development Project, which integrates engineering and environmental science, while in India, Kerala's Resilient Kerala Program aims to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience across various sectors, including health, water resources, agriculture, and roads
M
i o n requires strengthening resilience systems and financial frameworks The WBG emphasises greening the financial sector and scaling up both public and private finance to support climate-smart transitions This involves making climate considerations central to financial decisions and translating strategies into actionable investment plans The future outlook remains positive, as the WBG's ongoing efforts highlight the potential for scalable solutions and innovations in climate resilience By sharing successful strategies and encouraging regional cooperation, South Asia can advance towards a more sustainable and climate-resilient future South Asia's battle against climate change is multifaceted, involving community-based solutions, large-scale infrastructure projects, and financial reforms The WBG's initiatives showcase the region's potential to overcome climate challenges through resilience and innovation, setting a precedent for other vulnerable areas worldwide
S tu de
Univer sity are
m edia reel
ral
support for K erala, which has recent
lides
Crewe, who have a strong connection to India, created the reel to showcase Kerala's advancements in living con-
women's empowerment The reel also addresses the ongoing crisis caused by severe rainfall and landslides in the region
northern Kerala, have result-
causing significant loss of life and property
As part of their studies,
Rock, Charlotte Sutherland,
interning at InMind Hospital in Thrissur, central Kerala, focusing on mental health initiatives
Their social media reel highlights the resilience of
encourages viewers to donate to the Chief Minister’s Relief
With the reel gaining international attention, the students aim to boost support and solidarity for Kerala during this crisis
“
W E A R E A F R A I D T O W A L K A L O N E ”
Additional skirmishes occurred at
f a r - r i g h t r a l l i e s i n L i v e r p o o l , M a n c h e s t e r , a n d B r i s t o l , w h e r e rioters clashed with police, threw
b r i c k s a n d b o t t l e s , a n d l o o t e d shops
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, addressing the cabinet, said, “This is something no one would have ever wanted to see We must call it what it is: violent disorder, not
p r o t e s t , a n d i t n e e d s t o b e addressed as criminal activity
“ 99 9 per cent of people across the country want their streets to be safe and to feel secure in their communities We will take all necessary actions to restore order and end this violence ”
Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also condemned the devel-
o p m e n t s , s a y i n g , " V i o l e n t a n d criminal behaviour has no place in o u r s o c i e t y " H e s a i d t h a t t h e "shocking scenes" on the streets of Britain have "nothing to do with the tragedy in Southport"
"The police have our full support to deal with these criminals swiftly, and they must face the full weight of the law," he added
S
n g s t o their citizens in the UK due to the ongoing protests and riots They
h a v e a d v i s e d t h e i r n a t i o n a l s t o avoid demonstrations and exercise caution
Those aid ing immig rants targ eted
Reports indicate that 39 immigration centres, as well as law firms and individual solicitors, have been named in online discussions The far-right protestors have also circulated the names and locations of the hotels housing the immigrants The Law Society has written to the Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor, and Home Secretary to voice concerns that law firms and advice agencies may become targets for rioters this week
"I have written to the Prime M i n i s t e r , L o r d C h a n c e l l o r , a n d Home Secretary today, urging that the threats against the legal profession be taken with the utmost seriousness An attack on our legal p r o f e s s i o n i s a n a t t a c k o n o u r democratic values, and we are supp o r t i n g o u r m e m b e r s w h o a r e being targeted," Society President Nick Em merson stated
In response, the government has suggested the establishment of o v e r n i g h t c o u r t s t o h a n d l e t h e anticipated surge in cases resulting f r o m t h e r i o t s H o w e v e r , Emmerson noted that the criminal defence profession is "depleted and o v e r w o r k e d , w a r n i n g t h a t t h e g o o d w i l l o f s o l i c i t o r s w o r k i n g a d d i t i o n a l a n t i s o c i a l h o u r s i s rapidly diminishing
S te v e V al d ez - S ym o n d s ,
A m ne st y I nte rna ti o na l U K ’ s
R ef u g ee an d M i g ra nt R i g h ts D irecto r, said, “Targeting immigration services and their providers and users is the latest appalling development of the racist hate and v i o l e n c e t h a t h a s e r u p t e d o v e r these last few days Access to legal and support services, and the freedom to deliver these are vital to safeguarding our basic rights
“These are not the first incidents of violence towards immigration lawyers and people seeking asylum in recent years Decades of anti-migrant rhetoric have created
an environment in which racist vitriol, fake news, bigotry and violence all thrive Serious reflection i s n o w u r g e n t l y r e q u i r e d f r o m political leaders and commentators regarding the language they u s e a n d t h e p o l i c i e s t h e y promote “We need a fresh start, underp i n n e d b y b a s i c h u m a n r i g h t s a n d a r e n e w e d d e
n to avoid the routine dehumanisation in so much recent public and political discourse ” Com munity in fear
As the tensions escalate, the ethnic minority communities in the UK are facing a scary situation
For the far-right protesters, anyone who is not white is a target There is no way to tell who’s an immigrant and who’s not Videos have surfaced showing brown and black individuals being attacked, with Muslim and ethnic minority-owned shops vandalised, asylum seeker hotels set on fire a n d d e f a c e d w i t h I s l a m o p h o b i c graffiti, and racial slurs and Nazi salutes chanted by gangs Incidents
i n c l u d e a n A s i a n m a n b e i n g dragged from his car and beaten in Hull and a black man attacked in a Manchester park
A s h o p k e e p e r s h a r e d h i s "nightmare" experience after his convenience store was ransacked and looted during violent unrest in S o u t h p o r t f o l l o w
y ' s s t a b b i n g s C h an ak a B al as u ryl a reported that more than £10,000 worth of stock was stolen from Windsor Mini Mart after "thugs" shattered the windows and forced their way in
B a l a s u r y l a , w h o i s o f S r i Lankan descent, watched remotely via CCTV as his store was attacked, having gone home for the evening out of concern for the area's safety
T h e 4 7 - y e a r - o l d r e c o u n t e d , “ I t took them 10 or 15 minutes to break in They were taking turns kicking in the glass
"I also saw a fire outside They set cardboard alight, and I feared they were going to burn the place down I dialled 999 because people live upstairs
"My kids saw it on CCTV too They were screaming and crying, so I turned it off " Surveying the
d a m a g e t h e n e x t m o r n i n g , t h e father of two described the scene:
“ I t w a s h o r r e n d o u s E v e r y t h i n g was on the floor
“They took everything They were eating inside; crisps were all over the place I don’t have insurance It’s awful, but the community is going to help with fundraising These people need to be punished "
An Indian-origin resident of York region told Asian Voice, “I have lived in the UK for nearly 35 years Though I haven’t been bred in this country, this is my home, where I live with my children and husband Every morning for the last three decades, I have gone for a run - come rain come shine B u t w i t h t h e g r o w i n g r i o t s a c r o s s t h e c o u n
makes me nervous to even walk alone on the streets For the last few days I have stopped running or going out alone ” One Asian family, targeted by s
revealed they are now too frightened to leave their home and are
Others shared their experiences of being caught in the rioting that
, Rotherham, Middlesbrough, and Tamworth
Currently, messages are making rounds on social media advising residents of areas like Harrow, Walthamstow, North Finchley, etc in London to tread safely under
Zubin Writer has already issued a statement assuring citizens of an
patrolling the streets
M
actions and have shown solidarity Hind u C ouncil U K, in a statement said, “As members of the Hindu community, we strongly condemn the senseless violence and rioting that have spread across the country, ostensibly in response to the
wrongly seized upon by those with malicious intent, using them as an excuse to spread fear and division, particularly against migrant, Black,
actions are deeply troubling and entirely against the principles of dharma, which guide us to live with righteousness, compassion, and respect for all beings
“In Hinduism, the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam teaches us that the world is one family We
y harm inflicted on one part of our society is an injury to us all The racism and hatred that have been unleashed in the wake of these murders are an affront to these values They threaten to tear apart the very fabric of our diverse and pluralistic society, which is built on the principles of mutual respect and coexistence ” The organisation also cautioned the community to take steps for personal safety and emergency situations
Zaki C ooper, Co-C hair of the British Indian Jewish A ssociation,
demn the violence that has taken place across the UK over the past few days
“While this started with the repugnant knife attack at a dance workshop in Southport that left three children killed, it has spread into racist violence in towns and cities across the UK, fuelled by the far-right Mosques have been targeted and we stand shoulder-tos h o u l d
Muslim friends and fellow citizens We are also horrified at the targeti
refugees
“As minority communities in
well aware of the dangers posed by the far-right It seeks to divide our communities and sew hatred and
discord We are proud of Britain’s r e c o r d o f i n t e g r a t i n g d i f f e r e n t communities We know that each community has responsibilities as well as rights We stand together, at this anxious time, with all communities who subscribe to values o f t o l e r a n c e , n o n - v i o l e n c e a n d patriotism ” Balwinder Rana, a v eteran antir ac i sm ac ti v i s t a nd o n e o f th e founders of Sikhs Against the EDL
has relaunched the group He has been fighting for the ethnic minority communities for the past 55 years and feels that, “this is the first time I've seen anti-immigrant sent i m e n t o n t h i s u n p r e c e d e n t e d scale It's never happened before, not with this level of violence, the number of people involved, and in so many towns at the same time
“ T h e s i t u a t i o n h a s b e c o m e e x t r e m e l y d a n g e r o u s C u r r e n t l y , the attacks are primarily targeting Muslims That s why I established Sikhs Against the EDL The attackers are trying to be strategic by claiming they are only targeting Muslims, hoping to gain support from other communities
“ H o w e v e r , t h e r e a l g o a l o f these extremists is to drive all of us out of the country, regardless of our background This is a clear escalation, and we need to mount a strong response ” A part of the Stand up to Racism, Balwinder and o t h e r c o m m u n i t y m e m b e r s a r e planning counter protests
He also thinks that many Tory p o l i t i c i a n s h a v e a s i g n i f i c a n t responsibility in this situation She said, “For years, we've been battling against racism and fascism, and our efforts have paved the way for these individuals If it weren't for our struggles, we might have been expelled from this country long ago
“These MPs, many of whom are wealthy and never participated in these battles, are now exploiting our struggles for their gain Figures l i k e P r i t i P a t e l a n d S u e l l a B r a v e r m a n , a m o n g o t h e r s , h a v e used their positions to blame asyl u m s e e k e r s , w h i c h i n
, Asian people, and Muslims They use asylum seekers as a scapegoat t o f u r t h e r t h e i r o w
, ignoring the racial undertones of their rhetoric ” The Labor Party, on the other h
according to Balwinder “They are trying to win over racist voters by avoiding clear statements on the issues at hand They care more about electoral gains than addressing the truth This lack of courage to confront racism head-on is pervasive among many Labor MPs, except for those on the left who are
genuinely aware of and support our cause ” , he said M u s l i m c o m
n i t y l e a d e r s have called for restraint as tensions rise and there are increasing signs of a willingness to use violence to protect mosques, businesses, and homes in response to a week of farright aggression On Monday, several hundred Muslim men, some w
assembled in the Bordesley area of Birmingham Their gathering was
threats of imminent attacks from the English Defence League (EDL) and other far-right activists that h
media
As Asian Voice went to press, over one hundred prominent figures including politicians, musicians, campaigners, trade unionists, authors, and other notable individuals had united to sign a statement launching a campaign against the far right Published in the Mirror, the statement features endorsements
Abbott, drag queen Bimini Bon Boulash, Kate Nash, MP Jeremy C
founders of the Anti-Nazi League
It also includes support from trade union general secretaries such as Sharon Graham, Daniel Kebede, and Mick Lynch Additionally, the Prime minist e
t i e s “will be safe” following a Cobra meeting on Tuesday evening and said those taking part in unrest will “feel the full force of the law” Starmer added he was expecting “substantive sentencing before the end of this week”
More than 400 people have been arrested in connection with rioting over the last week There h
charges in the wake of the spread of violent unrest, according to the d
, Stephen Parkinson “We are all simp ly categ orised as imm igrants”
T
h e Welfare of Im mig rants (JC WI) is dedicated to confronting policies that result in discrimination, destitution, and the denial of fundamental rights, with their commitm
essential legal advice services to those in greatest need According to Executive Director of the organisation, Y asmin Halima, while the tragedy in Southport is deeply horrifying, shocking, and saddening,
bling; it defies understanding
“ W E A R E A F R A I D T O W A L K A L O N E ”
“This is the main issue I’ve been grappling with how can such a reaction follow such a devastating event?”, she said
The horrific images of the current riots have evoked memories for Yasmin, who had witnessed the National Front marching past her front door “Now, decades later, I have a daughter who is a secondgeneration immigrant, yet outside our front door, we are witnessing the same troubling patterns ”
remember that we have endured and continue to endure these chal-
lenges This will resonate with people from my generation as well as o l d
instance, my daughter is a journalist, writer, and teacher, but when she’s on the street, she is still perceived as an immigrant As far as the far right and others with no race consciousness are concerned, we are all simply categorised as immigrants ” H e r m e s s a g e f o r t h o s e w h o believe that there is an easy pathway for migrants is that the reality is quite different “This situation is where our anger should be directed Why should families endure such hardship when we are one of t h e w e a l t h i e s t c o u n t r i e s i n t h e world, with significant wealth disparities? It is unacceptable for anyone to be living in such conditions, and we must confront and address this injustice”, she said
“Imagine being a migrant who has fled torture and persecution, a n d h a s r i s k e d e v e r y t h i n g putting their and their child's life in perilous circumstances After e n d u r i n g s u c h d e s p e r a t e m e asures, these individuals arrive here only to face firebombing, attacks, and a constant sense of insecurity They are already living in dire conditions, with their asylum applications often stalled for years, lacking the right to work or access
p u b l i c r e s o u r c e s D e s p i t e t h e i r h a r d s h i p s , m a n y m i g r a n t s a r e highly qualified, trained, and ready to contribute positively to society
T h e y p r o v i d e e s s e n t i a l s e r v i c e s , such as care for the elderly and other vulnerable groups ” , she further added
Y a s m i n a l s o a d d r e s s e d t h e issue of misinformation that catapulted the whole issue, explaining, “It's important to recognise that those spreading and consuming this false information often don’t care about the truth They aren’t i n t e r e s t e d i n v e r i f y i n g t h e i r sources While we need to be concerned with the accuracy of the
information we provide and work to counter false narratives, it's evident that many people involved aren’t motivated by truth ”
Y a s m i n s a i d t h a t w h i l e i t remains the role of the police to protect all communities, we need to manage this discussion carefully and continue to address the broader concerns of the tense relations h i p b e t w e e n c o m m u n i t i e s a n d the police
She said, “What isn't helpful is when the Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner apologising and then referencing "mass immigration " Such language is not constructive The police have a critical responsibility right now whether it’s those on the streets or the leadership
“Law and order is important, but they are not sufficient on their o w n T h e r e n e e d s t o b e m o r e engagement and dialogue directly within communities, not just in Parliament ” B r it ai n 's f o rm e r H ea d o f Co unter T errorism, Neil Basu, in a conversation with Sky News said, “Some of the offenses we've discussed, such as violent disorder a n d p u b l i c o r d e r v i o l a t i o n s , i n c l u d e m a n y s e r i o u s c r i m e s against individuals, some of which carry significant sentences
“However, certain actions, like attempting to set fire to mosques with worshippers inside, clearly cross the line into terrorist activities Although proving ideological intent in terrorism cases can be challenging, I believe these incidents should serve as a warning to those considering involvement in such crimes They are evolving into a national security issue My successors will need to work closely with prosecutors to examine each offense in detail ” While the concept of 'two-tier p o l i c i n g ' h a s b e c o m e a c o ntentious topic in the UK, with s o m e c l a i m i n g t h a t r i g h t - w i n g p r o t e s t e r s a r e t r
m o r e leniently than others during riots, Neil doesn’t think that is the case
“I am very familiar with the prescription process, which is incredibly detailed and has a very high bar Historically, reaching that bar has been nearly impossible While far-right ideologies can be perceived as legitimate political views, the key issue lies in unlawful, violent protests and the escalation of attacks and crimi n a l i t y , w h i c h s h i f t t h e s e actions into the realm of extreme
r i g h t - w i n
e rrorism “ W e h a v e p r e v i o u s l y p r escribed organisat i o n s , s u c h a s w h e n A m b e r Rudd did so with N a t i o n a l A c t i o n in 2016 That pres c r i p t i o n w a s e f f e c t i v e i n d i sm a n
venting its influence Moving forward, I am confident that my successors will scrutinise individuals a n d o r g a n i s ations involved in organising these events to determine if they meet
t h e c r i t e r i a f o r p r e s c r i p t i o n I f they do, I expect them to present a case to the Home Secretary for further action ” Wh y are th e MP s qui et?
A few weeks
a g o , t h e w h o l e country was haili n g t h e c u r r e n t parliament for its diversity but curr e n t l y m o s t o f
the ethnic minority MPs have chosen to stay silent about the situation
Asian Voice reached out to at least five MPs and only one chose t o r e s p o n d w i t h a s t a t e m e n t U ma K u ma r a n, r e p r e s e nt i ng Stra tfor d and Bow, in her statement to the newsweekly, said,
“We are all feeling anxiety and worry about the disturbing scenes of racist rioting we have seen These are deeply concerning times, especially for Black and Asian people across Britain Decent British people, of all ethnicities, will be appalled at the violent riots we are seeing
Council All mosques in the constituency, in Newham and Tower
H a m l e t s h a v e b e e n o f f e r e d enhanced police patrols, with the Home Secretary providing emergency security right across the country I have asked to be kept updated throughout
“Those responsible for this hate-fuelled violence will face the full force of the law The Home Office have issued a clear statement to those who engage in violent protests, they will face the full force of the law with tough prison sentences: up to 10 years for rioting, up to 5 years for violent disorder, up to 7 years for inciting racial hatred and up to 10 years for criminal damage
“As an MP, I am in a position of huge responsibility, both to my constituents and also as a repres e n t a t i v e o f t h e B
h Parliament It is on me, and all of us in Parliament to call this out The only way to defeat this hate is to tackle it head on
“My heart goes out to the communities that have been targeted, and to the police officers protecting them ”
minority MPs must take a stand They represent not only their c
minority communities, and they are well-acquainted with their lived experiences and the chal-
h
“I am very clear, if you attack someone because of the colour of their skin, or religion, you are a racist There is no excuse for the scenes of far-right thuggery that we are seeing I have been in t o u
facing
Remembering missile man, Abdul Kalam
On July 27, 2024, we celebrated the 9th death anniversary of former President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Dr Kalam was a versatile, inspiring and guiding personality who will always be shining as a full moon among the stars He had no desire for worldly materials He entered Rashtrapati Bhavan with just one suitcase and left it with the same
B
determination, life-long dedication, robust optimism and
distinguished space-scientist and missile man renowned global As a rocket-technocrat, he was deeply involved in the
Aryabhatta and Bhaskara, fulfilling the needs of Indian space-technology To realise the country's defence needs, as a missile technologist, he strived hard to make the country s
stewardship, the most powerful missiles like Agni, Prithvi, Nag, Akash and Trishul were devised, manufactured and launched quite successfully
He was also a visionary, as he devoted his time to nurture young talent He realised that the young generation is the backbone of the nation He was also kind and compassionate He strongly advocated an action plan to develop India into a “knowledge superpower ” His rich legacy will keep his memory alive His books, particularly "Wings of Fire" and "Ignited Minds", will carry his thoughts and ideas to millions of people all over the world
He has left a ‘liveable planet’ behind him with exemplary devotion to science Our country didn’t have a scientist of such high eminence as Dr Abdul Kalam as its President Probably, it won’t have in future too He died delivering science lectures to students of IIM, Shillong in Meghalaya on July 27, 2015
Life on earth is ephemeral All those that are born must die one day But Dr Kalam’s life and death teaches us unlike anyone else to cultivate scientific temper of mind and shun superstition His science has no dogma; his religion has no superstition He was truly a citizen of the world
Our country needs one more Abdul Kalam in every sphere who is a true human being, simple in his lifestyle In his own way he started a revolution, giving ideas that revolution can be started without mass movements He was a messiah of God indeed! He enjoyed being with people and the people adored him He loved students and spent his final moments among them His full name was Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam
Jubel D'C ruz
India faces diplomatic test
Sheikh Hasina’s sudden departure from Bangladesh has posed a major foreign policy dilemma for India, unsettling a stable relationship that was pivotal for regional security and economic collaboration This is a prime example of how the power of a nation’s people can topple a regime Her sudden exit has left India facing a potentially volatile scenario, as the incoming government may include anti-India groups such as the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami Additionally, China’s potential to gain more influence in Bangladesh is worrying Hasina’s careful handling of Chinese investments kept them from threatening Indian security, but with her departure, the new government might change this balance, affecting joint projects like the Teesta river management
I n d i a n e e d s t o n a v i g a
s t r a n s i t
n c a r e f u l l y , prioritising border security, counter-terrorism efforts, and regional stability The end of Hasina’s rule brings both immediate and long-term challenges, demanding a strategic a p p r o a c h t o p r o t e c t I n d i a ’ s i n t e r e s t s i n a c h a n g i n g geopolitical environment
Maya Singh
It was interesting to read last week’s extensive coverage in Asian Voice about the Manchester Airport incident And I agree, the disturbing footage highlights major concerns about police conduct and systemic issues within Greater Manchester Police (GMP) The video, showing officers u s i n g e x c e s s i v e f o r c e , h a s s p a r k e d o u t r a g e , w i t h accusations of racism and calls for accountability
The rapid escalation of this case shows a deep mistrust in the police, worsened by claims of institutional racism Calls for justice from community leaders and activists highlight widespread frustration with perceived police misconduct and systemic issues
It's essential for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and GMP to investigate thoroughly and transparently Public figures and officials should avoid making inflammatory statements and uphold the rule of law
This incident highlights the need for ongoing reforms and accountability in policing to ensure everyone is treated with dignity and justice, regardless of background
Raval
Karan
Harj Gahley's story from gambling addiction to advocacy, as covered in Asian Voice, is deeply inspiring His openness about the struggles he faced, including cultural pressures and stigma in the South Asian community, sheds light on a critical issue Fear of judgment and societal expectations often stop people from seeking help for addiction and mental health problems
Gambling is a growing problem, especially as youngsters and even kids are getting hooked through online games These games often lure teenagers with promises of easy money, but they end up draining their finances and leading them into illegal activities to support their gambling habits
Gahley's work with Red Card and his willingness to share his experience provide a beacon of hope for others facing similar challenges By openly discussing his past, he not only helps those in recovery but also challenges the cultural stigmas that keep so many suffering in silence
initiatives and provide safe, non-judgmental spaces for those in need
I am writing to commend the recent article on adoption f e a t u r e d i n y o
meaningful and generous act that changes lives When people choose to adopt, they offer their love and support to children who need it most
The piece beautifully captures the profound impact of
Satvinder’s touching story of her adoption journey is both moving and enlightening It shows how adoption not only
tremendous joy and fulfillment to adoptive parents
The article addresses common worries and societal stigmas about adoption, showing that love, not biology, creates a family Satvinder’s story highlights the urgent need for more people to consider adoption, given the many children waiting for homes It also reflects the importance of understanding and embracing cultural diversity in the adoption process
The article should inspire many to explore this lifechanging path It is a reminder that the perfect time to adopt is now, and every child deserves the chance to thrive in a loving family Aman A ro ra
Your brilliant columnist Kapil Dudakia is right to predict that the Labour government will mess things up and in my opinion infuriate people from all sides of the political spectrum After 14 years of having the Tories in charge most voters were desperate for a change, any change Well, they certainly got the change they craved Unfortunately it was a change for the worse!
A Gupta
I am expressing my concerns about white & Muslim riots in the midlands
What awareness can our Hindu community perform?? As we the Hindus might be affected or be victimised due our skin colour
Shradhey
Jani
In last week's Soneri Sangat, we celebrated the remarkable contributions of Kanti Nagda MBE, CEO of Sangat Advice Centre His dedication and leadership have made a profound and positive difference in the lives of many The Centre, under Kantibhai's guidance, provides crucial support to the South Asian community in Harrow, addressing needs such as welfare benefits, debt, immigration, and discrimination Many participants shared how Kantibhai's efforts and the Centre's services have significantly improved their lives, highlighting his invaluable impact and commitment Read the full coverage of this event in this week's Gujarat Samachar on pg 22
For those who m iss ed it, catch up on this event and previous episodes by vi sitin g our YouTube channel @abplgroup8772
Stay tun ed for more exc iting c on ten t comin g your w ay!
Th is week I celebrate yet another birthd ay Yep , that’s right folks, one mo re candle on the cake With th e number of candles o n the cake, you can say it’ s now a roaring fire Often at these times one is left to ponder o n the m eaning of life, of o nes on life, th at of others and th e i nteractions betw een fam ily, friend s, colleagu es and acqu aintances One often assum es w isdom follow s th e a g in g p ro c es s ; h o w e v er, w is d o m is n ot ne ce ss ari l y confirm ed just because one is getting older Maybe w e hav e just had more time to make the sam e m istakes tim e and again! I g uess I am somewhere in betw een th ese two extremes, at least I hope I am !
I was then reminded (just in time), that it’s also the same week when I celebrate 40 years of marriage to my wife That’s one heck of a life sentence!
In these four decades life in the UK, and I suspect globally, has changed dramatically I have seen 10 prime ministers, seven Tories and three Labour The Tory party was in power for some 27 years over two stints and the Labour party for some 13 yearsbeing the sandwich filler In this time the only prime ministers who made an impact on me was the iron lady, Margaret Thatcher and the guy with the cheesy smile, Tony Blair The worst prime ministers being Gordon Brown and Liz Truss With the others scattered somewhere in between with various degrees of success and failures
Inflation 40 years ago was 5%, today it is 2% The highest it’s been in this time period was 11 6% and the lowest -0 5% Yep, at one point we did manage toactually reducereal prices
Unemployment was 11 3%, today it is 4 4% The pound on average was worth $2 30 whereas today it’s about $1 26 Immigration and migration data shows that 40 years ago net migration was -55000 Yes, more people were leaving the UK than arriving Today net migration is around 685000 Note, this does not take into account illegal migrants, though it’s safe to say that 40 years ago it was too low to register on the migration Richter scale, whereas today we have yearly earthquakes as monthly estimates are made public The UK population in the 1980s was around 56 million whereas today it stands at around 68 million, a massive increase of 12 million Of course, the visible ethnic groups command a lot of attention from the media who tend to ignorethe nonvisible groups (white Europeans, Americans, Canadians, Australians etc) It’s fair to say, both these groups have increased massively But one group will suffer the wrath of some in society because they are so easily identifiable
In these four decades Britain has been at war with Argentina, Iran, Syria, Iraq, Bosnia, Serbia, Kosovo, Yugoslavia, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, and Libya to name just the top headlines If you dig deeper, you’ll see the British footprint of indirect and covert interference is quite widespread in many more nations
So as I cut a slice of my birthday cake, I can’t help but reflect how life has changed in these four decades Are we happier? Looking at the statistics on depression and suicide rates, I have to say that maybe the real meaning of true happiness has changed Are we united? I don’t think so We see right across our nation various groups whose only task seems to be to undermine the nation and its integrity Are we safer? I don’t think so –on every crime statistic it is clear the miscreants in society have increased significantly
I don’t want to end on a low There are high points as well In sports our achievements are now a lot more measurable and enjoyable In times of difficulty like COVID, we all came out and banged our kitchen utensils to show appreciation to our emergency services Let’s not forget that of all the modern western democracies, Britain can lay claim to having several women prime ministers as well as one,a person of colour
I guess the lesson one learns with age, when life throws lemons at you, it’s a good idea to learn how to make lemonade Cheers to you all
Subhasini Naicker
In the UK, breast cancer is less common in women from South Asian, Black, Chinese, mixed, and other communities, than in white women But when women from these groups are diagnosed with breast cancer they face lower survival rates, later diagnosis, and different levels of care.
Between 2013 and 2018, around 87% of breast cancer cases in women in England were in white women, compared to around 3% of cases in Asian women and 2% in Black women However, 3-year breast cancer survival rates are lower in South Asian (89%) and Black (85%) women, compared to white women (91%)
Analysis of NHS data from 2019/20-2022/23 also showed that South Asian women aged 18-71 are significantly less likely to get an early diagnosis, compared to white women They are also at a greater risk of being diagnosed with secondary breast cancer, where the disease has already spread to other parts of the body and is treatable but not currently curable
Breast Cancer Now’s research shows that women from ethnic minority groups are less aware of and less likely to attend breast screening appointments, and they are more likely to report myths or misconceptions about breast cancer compared to white women
Speaking about the unique challenges South Asian women face in the UK about breast cancer awareness and healthcare access, Manveet Basra,
associate director of public health, inclusion and awareness at Breast Cancer Now said, “Inequalities in breast cancer are influenced by various factors, including lower screening attendance and regular breast checks among South Asian women Previous research has shown that women from South Asian and other ethnic minority groups are much less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer through screening, and that these women are also more likely to be
diagnosed with more advanced breast cancers with worse survival outcomes ”
Manveet emphasised about the cultural stigma and lack of awareness impact on early detection and healthcare access She said, “In the South Asian community, the common perception is that cancer is the result of ‘karma’ kismet (fate), or represents a death sentence, and this may mean some women are more reluctant to attend screening when invited
There may also be reluctance in the community to openly discuss women ’ s health issues ”
“Breast screening is vital for saving lives, and it's crucial to support more women in ethnic communities to attend when invited, helping to address inequalities in early diagnosis and survival
Every year in the UK, 1,300 deaths from breast cancer are prevented through routine breast screening
The sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the more effective treatment is likely to be,” she added
Manveet discusses the importance of breast cancer awareness and regular screening She said, “We urge all South Asian women to attend their breast screening appointments Early detection through screening can lead to nearly 100% survival rates Anyone with questions about breast screening can call our free, confidential helpline, to speak to our expert nurses, who use language line interpreters if needed, on 0808 800 6000
“It is also vital that all women are breast aware and get to know their normal through TLC –Touch, Look, Check, including between mammograms for women of screening age There's no special technique just take a few minutes to check for changes, whether during a shower or while moisturising Whenever you check, it’s important to remember to check the whole breast area, up to your armpits and collarbone (upper chest) for any changes
“While many women know that a lump can be a possible symptom of breast cancer, there are other signs of the disease to look for These include nipple changes (including inversion, crusting or unusual discharge), dimpling, puckering or a rash on the skin of the breast or changes in size or shape of the breast Changes in the colour of the breast may also appear differently on various skin tones Our signs and
symptoms infographics are free to download from our website
S outh Asian wo men ’ s experiences with breast cancer and h ealthcare
Anj na P armar 44, from
London who was diagnosed with breast cancer was not fully aware of breast cancer risks and screening before her diagnosis She said, “Before my diagnosis, I wasn’t fully aware of breast cancer risks or screening and wasn’t regularly checking for lumps Having friends and family with breast cancer made me anxious when I found my lump What I didn’t realise was that you should be checking your whole breast area, including your armpits and upper chest area ”
Discussing the healthcare challenges she faced due to her cultural background, she shared, "I wasn't given healthcare information tailored to the South Asian community For instance, the nutrition advice I received didn’t consider the South Asian diet I also lacked access to culturally specific cancer support groups and had to search for them on my own When I finally found a group, it was inactive due to insufficient funding "
Jasmin D avid, 54, from
Manchester, a registered adult nurse, shared her experience after being diagnosed with breast cancer: "Even though I was fully aware of the risk factors and warning signs, with no family history or other associated risks, I still sought medical help to avoid any regrets later "
Emphasising the importance of breast cancer awareness and support, she added, "Don't hide Fear and hope are invisible Choose hope, move forward, and seek help "
Subhasini Naicker
Before relocating to London, S asha Ghosh al was an acclaimed Rabindrasangeet singer in India, sp eci alising i n the mu sic of Rabindranath
Tago re He made h isto ry perfo rming T agore's works at Sh akespeare's Globe and Cadogan Hall and no w leads worksho ps on Tago re ’ s musi c globally
Recently, he joined the cast of ‘Pericles’ as part of the Ensemble, directed by Tamara Harvey for the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC)
In an interview with Asian Voice, Sasha spoke about his role, representation of South Asian stories and actors in the theatre scene and much more
Can you tell us about your role in the ensemble of the upcoming play "Pericles"? What drew you to this production?
I studied music and theatre at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama which became central part of my life My most recent role was at the National Theatre in ‘The Father and the Assassin’, directed by Indhu Rubasingham For me, working on a Shakespearean production with the Royal Shakespeare Company under Tamara Harvey’s direction felt like a dream come true Playing in the ensemble has been incredible, working alongside seasoned Shakespearean actors as well as newcomers Covering multiple roles is both challenging and exhilarating, as each role demands a unique approach and keeps me constantly engaged
How does it feel to be part of a Shakespearean play, especially one as adventurous and complex as "Pericles"?
Being part of a Shakespearean play, especially one I hadn't read or seen before, has been an incredible experience I’m surprised it isn’t more popular, but I believe this production will change that due to Tamara Harvey’s unique direction and the phenomenal performances The story we ’ re telling is fundamentally about hope Much like Rabindranath
Sasha Ghoshal
Tagore’s work, which always carries a sense of hope despite deep pain and sorrow, this play offers a powerful message of transcendence and optimism Each performance moves me to tears, as the story’s profound sense of hope resonates deeply with me
Whatunique challenges and opportunities come with being part of an ensemble in such a dynamic play?
Being an ensemble member and understudy for multiple roles presents a unique challenge I must stay prepared to step into any role at a moment’s notice, balancing my own track while being ready to portray vastly different characters This is my first time covering so many roles, and it feels like an apprenticeship in the craft of acting I’ve always been a lifelong learner, and this experience is a valuable opportunity to learn from esteemed actors and master various roles Being part of a Shakespearean production with one of the greatest theatre companies in the world is incredibly rewarding I’m committed to rising to the challenge and contributing meaningfully to this prestigious company
Anymemorable rehearsals or moments you'd like to share while working with your fellow cast members?
Every day in the rehearsal room is a delight because the team is incredibly open-hearted and cohesive One of the most enjoyable aspects of the rehearsal process has been the exercises we do to understand Shakespearean language Shakespeare's writing can be challenging, so we focus on dissecting each word and sentence to ensure clarity
For example, if there's a line that needs refinement, we ’ re encouraged to question and rephrase it in our own words The aim is to ensure everyone on stage understands the intention behind each line and delivers it with purpose This method not only helps us grasp the language but also clarifies the storytelling intent, which is crucial for connecting with the
audience As a result, audiences have noted how clear and engaging the story is, despite the complexity of the language
Howdo you perceive the representation of South Asian stories and actors in the theatre scene today?
There is still work to be done in telling South Asian stories, but progress is being made For instance, Rabindranath Tagore, the first non-white Nobel laureate, remains underexposed in the Western world despite his significant contributions His work, including Rabindrasangeet, deserves more recognition Recent developments are promising My previous role at the National Theatre in ‘The Father and the Assassin’, which explored the life of Gandhi's assassin, which talked about South Asian history Additionally, having Indhu Rubasingham as the Artistic Director at the National Theatre breaking the tradition of white male leadership demonstrates progress While there is still a long way to go, these changes are encouraging, and I remain hopeful that further advancements will continue to unfold
Whatchanges or improvements would you like to see in the industry to better support and showcase South Asian talent?
In my view, we need to move beyond focusing on a person's skin colour and instead appreciate their qualities Whether it's a South Asian performer or storyteller, what truly matters are the universal human qualities and experiences they bring to the table A South Asian story can be as impactful and relevant as any Western story We should shift our focus from categorising and pigeonholing people based on their ethnicity and instead recognize them as individuals with valuable, human stories to share It s time to stop boxing people in and start celebrating the richness of their narratives for what they truly are: human stories that resonate with everyone
Rupanjana Dutta
Frankie Goes To Bollyw ood is a story o f Britis
Keynes, wh
lost
child
ad oring Bollywood , finding solace in film
deepest desire was
Eventually she lands a role in Bollywood and her journey as an actor, forms the p
When she reaches Mumbai, Frankie easily captures the spotlight with her uncon-
ascends the glittering ladder of success But with each step to fame and fortune, she realises the sacrifices, p a i n a n d c o m p r o m i s e s expected of her to remain relevant, as she fights her l o n g i n g f o r a f a m i l y a n d community
C o n c e i v e d b y R i f c o ' s
A r t i s t i c D i r e c t o r , P r a v e s h
Kumar MBE, Frankie Goes
To Bollywood is a dazzling, musical extravaganza, mainly made for the consumption of the second and third g e n e r a t i o n , y o u n g B r i t i s h Asians, many of whom were i n t h e S o u t h b a n k c e n t r e , completely immersed in the show, as I joined them as an a u d i e n c e F l y i n g c h i f f o n sarees (like in Yash Raj or Shah Rukh Khan films) but with printed scenery, cleverl y f o r m e d b a c k d r o p s a n d s c r i m s , w h i l e t h e h y b r i d
c o m p o s i t i o n o f c l a s s i c a l
Bollywood music captivated enthusiasts and fans
The problem however, with this musical, was its unoriginal plot The clichéd Bollywood villains – nepotism, ruthless back-stabbing co-workers (such as Shona played by Gigi Zahir), caricat u r e d , o l d , i n s e c u r e a c t o r with mummy issues (Geet Sagar as Raju King) in an odd-looking wig, preying on young actresses or replacing old contractual girlfriends (Helen K Wint as Malika) with new ones by promising steady source of acting jobs, m a y a l l b e t r u e ! B u t w e
Madhur Bhandarkar film or a documentary on casting couch allegations by the Me Too movement It unfortunately had the full intent of one but not the seriousness of it Therefore, fresh thinking, new twists to old plots are crucial to make plays or m u s i c
a t e d t o Bollywood, less stereotypical
Second, although Laila Zaidi (as Frankie) and other actors such as Katie Stasi ( p l a y e d G
songs and music were far too many, and none were
A musical does not necessarily need to be devoid of normal
Goes To Bollywood desperately needs are some popu-
like Navin Kundra (acted as director Prem) can deliver smoothly
Overall, a fun watch, if y
t a n y expectation
A multimillion-pound donation a ims to e leva te B ritain's ar tistic tradition to the le vel o f th e It a l ia n R en a i ssa n ce an d French schools, accor ding t o Mark Hal let t, hea d of the Courtauld
The Courtauld Institute has received $12 million (£9 4 million) from the foundation e s t a b l i s h e d b y S i r E d w i n Manton, the late insurance executive renowned for his contributions to British art Hallett stated that the d o n a t i o n w i l l f u n d t h e Manton Centre for British A r t , m a r k i n g a s i g n i f i c a n t milestone for the country
“British art is as rich, vibrant, and diverse as any of the renowned artistic traditions we know, but it has historically not received the same level of research and attention,” he said
The institute s director noted a rising global interest i n B r i t a i n ’ s 2 0 t h - c e n t u r y “ g o l d e n e r a , ” h i g h l i g h t i n g pioneers like Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud, as well as contemporary artists such as C l a u d e t t e J o h n s o n a n d Lubaina Himid
H a l l e t t a d d e d t h a t r e c e n t s c h o
ment “The idea of British art as an isolated tradition is b e i n
c h a l l e n g e d , w i t h increased attention on art f r o m t h e E m p i r e a n d i t s global impact transforming this perspective,” he said “We’re not just referring to British artists, but also to t h o s e w h
Britain and in former terri-
H
added that the discussions o
richer and more inclusive approach to studying it
‘Ikigai’ authors dive into ancient Indian wisdom in new book
A f te r p o p u lar i si ng t h e J ap a ne se c o nc ep t o f ' Ik i g ai ' th e rea so n f o r being th roug h their bests el li ng b o o ks , a u th o rs Héctor García and Francesc Miralles are now introducing a new book, ‘The F our Purusharthas: The Path to Happ iness, Succ ess , and a M ea nin g fu l L i fe , ’ d raw i ng i ns p i ra ti o n fr o m an ci en t Indian wisd om Set for release on August 29, ‘The Four Purusharthas’ e x p l o r e s a n c i e n t s p i r i t u a l p r a c t i c e s , e x a m i n i n g h o w t h e f o u r P u r u s h a r t h a s a r t h a ( w e a l t h ) , k a m a (desire), dharma (righteousness), and moksha (liberat i o n ) c a n h e l p u n c o v e r y o u r p u r p o s e , a l l e v i a t e stress and fear, and bring lasting peace Published by P e n g u i n R a n d o m H o u s e , the book offers timeless wisdom for modern life The introduction of the b o o k , t r a n s l a t e d b y C h a r l o t t e W h i t t l e , h i g hlights the profound impact of Indian culture on global practices like yoga and medi t a t i o n I t e m p h a s i s e s India's rising influence, noting that current CEOs of m a j o r c o m p a n i e s s u c h a s Microsoft and Google hail from this rich cultural heritage, known for its exceptional mathematicians, prog r a m m e r s , a n d e n g i n e e r s The authors aim to present a concise, insightful book t h a t a d d r e s s e s c o n t e m p orary challenges and offers guidance in the post-pand e m i c e r a , s h o w c a s i n g India's vast and enduring contributions
Anusha Singh
Chetna Makan's culinary journey is a testament to her creativity and passion for food Born and raised in Jabalpur, she relocated to the UK in 2004
T h o u g h h e r i n i t i a l career was in fashion, her deep-rooted interest in food and cooking, inspired by her mother's flavourful recipes, led her to explore a new path What began as a relax-
c h t o baking flourished, especially after her remarkable stint on ‘The Great British Bake Off’ in 2014
C h e t n a h a s a
n g with ‘The Cardamom Trail’, b l e n d i n
I
i a n f l a
s with Western baking Her next book, ‘Chai, Chaat and C h u t n e y ’ , e x p l o r e s I n d i a n street food, while ‘Chetna’s
H e a l t h y I n d i a n ’ f e a t u r e s quick and nutritious family m e a l s H e r o t h e r b o o k s include ‘Chetna’s 30 Minute Indian’ and ‘Chetna’s Easy Baking’
I n a n i n t e r v i e w , s h e shares insights into her journey, the inspirations behind her books, and her ongoing passion for combining tradition with innovation in her culinary creations
H o w d o yo u c u ra te su c h d iverse fo od id eas, especially from th e Ind ian subcontinent and A sia? C ould you
s h a re th e p r o ce ss be h in d w riting these books and th e i n sp i ra ti o n th a t d ri v es them?
I decided to write cook-
b o o k s f o c u s e d o n I n d i a n food because I noticed many misconceptions about it My first book was about baking,
On July 28th, IIW Inspiring
ound er Srilal Dias from Sri L ank a and Z ab ard as t Butterflies Fou nd
The
Chowdhury, Mayoress Mrs Jesmin Chowdhury, Deputy M
o k Kumar MBE, Alamara Awan, Mr Srilal Dias, poet Sonoo
M a l k a n i , S h a s h i M a t h u r , C l l r s P r a b h a k a r K a z a a n
Aditya Kaza Their presence added motivation and inspiration to the participants
The celebration featured a vibrant array of perfor-
but I soon realised people needed a more realistic idea of what true Indian food is For example, many thought Indian street food was limited to samosas and chaat I
how I stay healthy while eat-
healthy eating cookbook to
Each book was driven by a desire to correct misconceptions and provide a better u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f I n d i a n
cuisine For my research, I often drew inspiration from my family, friends, and pers o n a l e x p e r i e n c e s S o m e books were inspired by my family’s recipes, while for others, like my recent "Easy Indian Vegetarian," I travelled to India to meet with home chefs and learn from them Each book reflects a blend of my background and t h e i n s i g h t s g a i n e d f r o m these interactions
"C hai, Ch aat, and C hutney, " is a whole book d ed icated to chaat C ould you talk m ore about th e integral role chaat plays in Indian cuisine?
Actually, "Chai, Chaat, a n d C h u t n e y " f e a t u r e s c h a a t , b u t i t i s n t s o l e l y about it, the book covers a broad range of Indian street food The subtitle, "A Street F o o d J o u r n e y T h r o
scope Many people assume Indian street food is limited t o c h a a t , b u t i t i n c l u d e s much more There are patties, vada pav, and classics like corn on the cob with chili and lime, various rice d i s h e s , a n d t h e f a m o u s m i s s a l p a v W e ' v e a l s o i n c l u d e d l e s s e r - k n o w n items like the toast sand-
w i c h a n d t h e f l a v o u r f u l
Charmin In Kolkata, I discovered an array of street
foods I previously thought w e r e e x c l u s i v e t o r e s t a urants There, you find chicken lollipops, Kathi rolls, and chicken stew sold as street food My goal with this book was to introduce readers to t h e d i v e r s e a n d a m a z i n g world of Indian street food beyond the usual chaat
Could you tell us about your journey on the ‘Great British Bake Off’ and h ow it has in fl u enc e d y o u r co o k i ng style?
I believe that ‘The Great British Bake Off’ was the beginning of my career in food, it wasn’t something I had initially considered pursuing However, after applying, I was accepted immediately Following the show and the success of my first book led to the opportunity f o r a s e c o n d , a n d a s t h e books continued to be wellreceived, I was able to write even more I also started my YouTube channel after writing my first book, and it has b e e n a r e w a r
p
r ience Through the channel, I c a n s h a r e n o t o n l y t h e recipes from my books but also everyday cooking and aspects of my life at home
I t ’ s b e e n w o n d e r f u l a n d engaging to introduce both I n d i a n s a n d n o n - I n d i a n s , including those born in the W e s t , t o d i v e r s e I n d i a n flavours My aim is to reach people outside of India and share the rich culinary her-
i t a g e t h a t m i g h t n o t b e familiar to them
mances representing various
dances performed by children, and Zoya’s showcase o f A
Wh at ro le d o yo u beli eve I nd i a n cu i s i ne p la ys in expressing the co untry’s cultural id entity and traditions?
A d d i ti o nal ly , w h y is it imp ortant to continue sharing th is culinary jou rney?
I think food plays a central role in every culture, and it’s especially significant in Indian society Personally, when I travel, the first thing I seek out is the local food For Indians, food is not just a necessity but a vital part of d a i l y l i f e a n d c u l t u r e I n
I n d i a , f o o d i s a c o n s t a n t topic of conversation we discuss what we’ll have for lunch during breakfast, and what we’ll have for dinner during lunch We are always t h i n k i n g a b o u t w h a t t o
c o o k , w h a t t o m a k e , a n d what to eat Food is more than just a part of our culture; it’s deeply integrated i n t o o u r d a i l y l i v e s a n d
s o c i a l i n t e r a c t i o n s
A d d i t i o n a l l y , f o o d h a s
e v o l v e d s i g n i
from various cultures and people who have come to India and contributed to our c u l i n a r y l a n d s c a p e Discussing our food and cult u
Asian contributions to the
c i e t y I
s s e n t i a l t o acknowledge and celebrate t h e s e i n f l u e n c e s a s t h e y enrich and shape the cultural fabric of the UK
Kachori is a vibrant all-day res taurant offering a culinary journey through the ri c h
flavours of North India
D
from the diverse regions of R
a n d Delhi, Kachori's menu transcends traditional boundaries, incorporating influ-
Subcontinent to deliver an
e x q u i s i t e d i n i n g e x p e r ience
I n a n i n t e r v i e w w i t h
A s i a n V o i c e , t h e r e
Concept Creator and
behind the establishment, signature dishes and philosophy
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind opening Kachori? The restaurant s inspiration was simple Owner
S o r o w a r K h a n , a n e n t r e p r e n e u r a n d e x p e r ienced restaurateur, lived in a p r o p e r t y h e o w n e d a t
E l e p h a n t P a r k , w h e r e K a c h o r i i s T h e l a n d l o r d
s u g g e s t e d o p e n i n g a n Indian restaurant there as part of the onsite food retail outlets, and was receptive to the idea I was already c o n s u l t i n g o n o n e o f
Sorowar’s other restaurants nearby in London Bridge, so he asked me to develop a modern Indian concept for the nearly 3,000 sq ft site
The landlords approved the c o n c e p t , a n d S o r o w a r appointed me as the Project M a n a g e r I e n v i s i o n e d a c o n t e m p o r a r y , b e a u t i f u l l y designed restaurant offering all-day dining, surpassing any other Indian restaurant in the area The restaur a n t f o c u s e s o n r e f i n e d Indian food, fantastic cockt a i l s , a n d o t h e r d r i n k s , c a t e r i n g t o t h e m
young, cosmopolitan professionals living in Elephant Park
What are some signature dishes at Kachori that highlight the unique culinary traditions of North India?
B u
Makhani These items are all very popular Kachori’s cooking is described as refined and not limited by regional boundaries Can you share an example of a dish that exemplifies this philosophy?
Firstly, while our cuisine at Kachori is traditional in essence, it is indeed
dernist, clean-looking, elegant, not oily, and each dish has its own unique spices and flavours This refined presentation was always an important element for me
sophisticated, especially for our customer base of welltravelled, educated profes-
global capital frequented by
world, our food and present
evolve Diners are always s e e
n
i
, and no restaurateur worth their salt should open an Indian establishment with the usual formulaic menus and decor One dish that exemplifies this philosophy on our menu is the Kurkuri Calamari & Shrimps with ginger, chili, lime, fennel, a n d c r u s h e d p e p p e r , accompanied by flaked chili aioli
What do you believe are the key factors that contribute to a restaurant's long-term success and public engagement? H a v i n g s p e n t m a n y years in food and hospitality, first as a journalist and then as a consultant and concept creator, I've seen a n d w o
w i t h m a n y restaurants, their owners, and chefs It's easy to see w h a t t h e y ' r e d
n g r i g h t and where they fall short O n e k
w
Sunita Chaubey, Nilanjana Paul, Priyanka, Heenba, Jay
(Host), Vini Kalia, and Nisha Shrikant Upadhyay
Park is a residential, office, a n d l e i s u r e d e v e l o p m e n t , we have a broad offering of North Indian cuisine as we aim to surpass any competit i o n a n d c r e a t e a w a r m , w e l c
dishes in our North Indian cuisine include Lucknowi
y s emphasise is that a restaurant should be proactive, stay in the public eye, and a
o remain interesting and succ
s s f u l M
a i n i n g o
c o r e c o n c e p t o f N o r t h Indian cuisine is crucial It has made us successful, is popular, and as a fan of this cuisine, I find it utterly delicious This is why we won't deviate from it
Sohini Banerjee celebrates her Bengali roots and global travels through authentic, home-style cuisine with Smoke and Lime
S o h i ni B ane rj ee h as be en d eligh ting g uests with h er
‘ S m o k e an d L i m e ’ s u p p er
c l ub s , a cu l in ar y j o u rn ey
i n sp i re d b y h er K o lka ta
r o o ts and g lo b al tra v el s, since 201 8 Her food, deeply
r o o ted i n t h e t ec h ni qu e s and stories of Kolkata, also reflects her perso nal cravi ng s and fav ou rite di sh es, creating a w arm, home-like atm osphere for her g uests
Her inspiration behind starting the supper club is food satisfaction while also reflecting her experiences as
a B r i t i s h I n d i a n a n d h e r
t r a v e l s a r o u n d t h e w o r l d
“At the core of it all is my home food it's what I grew up eating and the supper clubs have always been an extension of that”, she said
Another factor that has inspired her supper club is the fact that Bengali food is not widely available in the UK, especially the authentic, homely food “That was part of the idea behind the supper clubs; to give people a taste of what I eat and cook at home The journey has evolved since I started in
2 0 1 8 I n i t i a l l y , I f o c u s e d more on celebratory Bengali dishes, like monkfish and other special occasion foods
Now, I want to showcase the food we eat out of necessity basic dishes made to be the best thing you've had that weekend”, she further explained
The uniqueness o f Beng ali cuisine
A c c o r d i n g t o S o h i n i , Bengali cuisine is distinct in its approach Unlike other
S o u t h A s i a n c u i s i n e s , Bengali food follows a specific progression of flavours where you start with something bitter, then move to steamed, fried, lentils, fish, a n d m e a t d i s h e s “ T h i s sequence ensures that each
f l a v o u r c o m p l e m e n t s t h e
n e x t , r a t h e r t h a n m i x i n g e v e r y t h i n g t o g e t h e r ” , s h e said
Detailing more unique aspects of the cuisine, she added, “Another distinctive feature of Bengali cuisine is
only her parents but also her g r e a
n d p a r
a n d their origins That feedback was profoundly meaningful to Sohini, serving as a validation of her work beyond any financial reward
S o h i n
Instagram For instance, a recent message came from a s e c o n d
in America She mentioned
teach her teenage son about his heritage “She noted that
reluctant to eat traditional dishes like dal and puri, had developed a greater interest in them after watching my content It’s incredibly moving to know that I might be
cultural heritage, even from afar,” Sohini said Food and h eritage
Food reflects the traditions, customs, and values of a culture, with recipes and c
k i n g t e c h
its minimal use of onions and garlic in everyday cooki n g , f o c u s i n g i n s t e a d o n other spices and ingredients
This aspect may be surprising to those unfamiliar with Bengali food, as the typical Western view of Indian cuisine often involves a heavy reliance on onions and garl i c A d d i t i o n a l l y , B e n g a l i cuisine generally uses less dairy, making it lighter on the stomach
“In particular, the Ghoti s t y l e f r o m p r e - p a r t i t i o n
B e n g a l e m p h a s i s e s g i n g e r and whole spices such as Panch Phoran, kalonji, and mustard seeds, while powd e r e d s p i c e s l i k e c u m i n , coriander, and chili powder are used sparingly compared to other Indian cuisines ”
A d d i t i o n a l l y , S o h i n i shared that a lot of Bengali f o o d h a s e v o l v e d o u t o f necessity, particularly due to colonialism This resourcefulness is reflected in the cuisine's emphasis on not w a s t i n g i n g r e d i e n t s “ F o r example, a single potato can be used to create multiple d i s h e s T h i s p r a c t i c a l approach is a testament to the ingenuity and resilience that define Bengali food culture”, she shared Feed backs that make a difference
For establishments like Sohini s supper club, feedback is essential for unders t a n d i n g r e a c t i o n s a n d fuelling inspiration Often, c u s t o m e r s b e c o m e c h e rished friends One attendee shared how Sohini’s cooking helped her reconnect with h e r r o o t s S h e e x p l a i n e d , “ H e r r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h cooking was deeply tied to her father, who passed away during Covid He was an excellent cook, and with his passing, she felt a loss of heritage and recipes, as she could no longer learn from him directly ”
After attending several c o o k i n g l e s s o n s , s h e t o l d Sohini that the food at her events connected her more to her heritage than anything else She said Sohini’s cooking reminded her of not
London-based Nepal Foods has been recog nised as one of the top food and d rink pro ducers g lobally th is year, ear ni ng p re st ig io u s 1 -s ta r and 2 -s ta r G rea t T a st e aw ar d s fo r f o u r o f
Nepalese produ cts Out o f 13, 672 entries, Nepal Foods stood out with exceptio nal feedback
The Hot Momo Sauce was praised as having a “beer hug of a chili sensation,” w h i l e t h e C h i l l i O i l w i t h
Shrimp was noted for being “well balanced in the mix with a flavourful heat ” The Nepali Chicken Momo was described as a “juicy, textur a l d e l i g h t w i t h t e n
d i s t i n c t r e g i o n s : t h e Himalayas, the Terai, and the Hills (Pahar) Each of t h e s e a r e a s o f f e r s u n i q u e c u l i n a r y e x p e r i e n c e s T h e Terai region, which borders B i h a r , h
n
h
quite similar to Indian food, with comparable spice levels and flavours due to the close p r o x i m i t y a n d c u l t u r a l exchange In contrast, the
i q u e s o f t e n passed down through genera t i o n s , p r e s
v i n g t h e essence of cultural identity
S o h i n i s h a r e s t h i s b e l i e f ;
because it’s tied to nostalgia, memories, and upbringing For me, and many others, food is more than just sustenance it’s a vital part of our heritage and identity ”
Expanding on the connection between food and h e r i
s , “Growing up in Britain, I was
w i t h m y mom for making dal every day when I craved pizza or h a m b u r g e r s N o w , a s a n
d u l t , I
n d t h a t h o m ecooked food is what grounds me Food, as a representation of heritage, can convey more than books or movies; it’s a m u l t i - s e n s o r y e x p e r i e n c e that deeply connects us to our past ” S o h i n i a l s o s h a r e d h e r v i e w s o n f u s i o n f o o d , acknowledging that while the term can be contentious, its implications are not inherently problematic “For example, my own cooking might be considered fusion because, growing up in the UK, my dishes naturally incorporate British influences This blend feels authentic to me, as it reflects my personal experience, ” she explained She added, “The real issue arises when fusion dishes are
particularly if they’re made
instance, I combine elements
Bengali cuisines in my cooking This fusion is authentic to me because of my deep connection to those cuisines through travel, eating, and personal identification I prepare these dishes because I g
just to attract attention ”
, Sohini believes that all food is a form of fusion, naturally reflecting the blending of cultures
Akbare Sticks were recognised as “unique and interesting snacks with a perfect ratio of salty, spicy, fruity, and sour ” Asian Voice interviewed Bikash Nepal to discuss the c o m p a n y ' s f o c u s o n Nepalese cuisine, the inspiration behind its establishm e n t , a n d t h e b r o a d e r aspects of Nepalese culinary traditions
Ho w d id th e i d e a f o r ‘ NE P A L F O OD S ’ c o m e abo u t, and w h at w a s th e inspiration behind it?
I arrived in the UK in October 2009 as an international student After completing my studies, I decided to take a risk and apply for a b u s i n e s s v i s a t o s t a r t m y own enterprise instead of pursuing a traditional job With a background in marketing and a passion for the f i e l d , I l a u n c h e d M a r k e t Direct Limited in April 2014 Initially, I secured a contract with Kohinoor to promote their Namkeen range in the UK, which introduced me to t h e F M C G m a r k e t T h i s experience led to opportunit i e s w i t h o t h e r m a j o r brands, expanding my client base to up to 23 different brands
In 2017, inspired by my Nepalese heritage, I shifted f o c u s t o p r o m o t i n g Nepalese brands I worked with brands like Wai-Wai, K h u k r i R u m , a n d O l d Darbar, but I saw a need for a broader range of premium Nepalese products Noticing that existing Nepalese products often had subpar packa g i n g , I a i m e d t o e l e v a t e these standards
Thus, 'Nepal Foods' was founded in 2018 with the goal of offering high-quality N e p a l e s e p r o d u c t s W e started with 37 items and now offer over 300, including frozen momos, parathas, samosas, spring rolls, and various snacks Our products are available in 25 countries worldwide, including the US, Canada, Australia, and across Europe, catering to diverse needs and bringi n g a p r e m i u m t o u c h t o Nepalese cuisine Co uld you sh are mo re about 'NEP AL FOODS '?
‘ N E P A L F O O D S ’ h a v e developed a wide range of p r o d u c t s t a i l o r e d t o t h e needs of the Nepalese community living in the UK and abroad, focusing on what’s relevant for our international customers We collabor a t e c l o s e l y w i t h C h e f S a n t o s h S h a h , t h e B B C M a s t e r C h e f w i n n e r f r o m 2020 With his recipes, we have created five different " H e a t a n d E a t " p r o d u c t s that are microwave-ready W e e v e n l a u n c h e d t h e s e products at the House of Commons, where Nepalese Ambassador Gyan Chandra Acharya introduced them In Nepal, there are brands
t h a t s p e c i a l i s e i n s p e c i f i c product categories, such as s n a c k s o r r i c e , b u t n o n e offer such a diverse range u n d e r o n e u m b r e l l a W e p r o v i d e e v e r y t h i n g f r o m lentils and rice to spices and t e a s O u r c o m p r e h e n s i v e product range has made it easier for us to find distribution partners in countries like Australia and Japan
Can you describe so me trad i ti o na ll y i m p o rta nt Nepalese d i shes and th eir u ni q u e ch a rac te ri s ti cs ? What are the main flavours and culinary elements that define Nepalese cuisine?
I n N e p a l , t h e c u i s i n e v a r i e s s i g n i f i c a n t l y b y region, much like in India Nepal is divided into three
Himalayan region's cuisine is distinct due to the local ingredients and the need for warming foods While the base of meals curry, rice, a n d r o
s s i m i l a r t o Indian cuisine, the specific i n g r e d i e n t s u s e d i n Nepalese dishes are different For example, Jimbu, an herb from the onion family that grows in the Himalayas, is a staple in Nepalese dal a n d
s e s s e n t i a l
n m a n y households Another unique ingredient is Timur, often compared to Sichuan pepper but with a distinct, tingling flavour Timur is commonly used in pickles and c h u t n
T
highlight the diversity within Nepalese cuisine T o w hat extent d o you supp ort the blend ing of traditional and Western flav ours? I’m actually completely against adapting traditional dishes to suit local tastes Altering the level of spiciness or other key elements diminishes the authenticity of the food For instance, consider the 80,000 British t o u r i s t s w h o v i s i t N e p a l each year they experience the food as it is, without any m
t h e i r tastes They appreciate and enjoy the authentic flavours I believe we should offer the same authentic experience here, rather than altering it
People should be encouraged to embrace the original flavours
Subhasini Naicker
The story of Spice Village began in 2000 when Suleman Raza moved to London and noticed a gap in the market for authentic Pakistani cuisine. Driven by his passion for culinary arts and the rich heritage of Pakistan, he opened our first restaurant in Tooting, South London
His vision was to offer high-quality, authentic Pakistani dishes that celebrate our culture Despite challenges, our commitment to excellence, innovation, and community service helped us grow Today, Spice Village is known for exceptional dining experiences they have made in promoting Pakistani cuisine and hospitality in the UK
Speaking with Asian Voice, Suleman discusses about popularity of South Asian cuisine in the UK, his reataurant Spice Village and much more
1How did it feel to receive the Freedom of the City of London award, and what does this award mean to you personally and professionally?
Receiving the Freedom of the City of London award is an immense honour and a testament to my journey and dedication This recognition deeply touches me, highlighting not just my professional achievements but also my commitment to giving back to the community The “One Million Meals” campaign and my other philanthropic efforts have been driven by a desire to support those in need and make a meaningful impact
This award motivates me to continue these efforts and inspires others to contribute to their communities It embodies the spirit of innovation, dedication, and service, reminding us all that our contributions, no matter how small, can create ripples of positive change Professionally, it validates the hard work and commitment of my team, and personally, it reinforces
my belief in the power of community and giving back
2How have you seen the popularity of South Asian cuisine evolve in the UK over the years, and what factors do you think have contributed to this growing popularity?
The popularity of South Asian cuisine in the UK has evolved remarkably over the years When I first started, there was a limited understanding and appreciation of the diversity and richness of South Asian flavours Today, it is widely celebrated and enjoyed One of the key factors contributing to this growing popularity is the strong connection people have to their cultural and traditional roots Many individuals miss the flavours and experiences of their homeland and seek to revive those memories through authentic dining experiences
Additionally, the adventurous palates of British consumers, the rise of food festivals, and the exposure through culinary shows have played a significant role
Many South Asian restaurants have innovated by offering high-quality, authentic dishes that celebrate our culture, connecting people with their heritage and introducing new audiences to the richness of South Asian cuisine
3Where do you see the future of South Asian cuisine in the UK heading, and what role do you think restaurants like Spice Village play in shaping this future?
The future of South Asian cuisine in the UK is bright and promising I see it evolving into a mainstream culinary
preference, with more people appreciating the depth and diversity of flavours it offers Restaurants like Spice Village shape the future by setting high standards for quality and authenticity
We innovate to ensure our dishes stay true to their roots while appealing to contemporary tastes
Beyond food, we create memorable dining experiences with ambiance and hospitality As pioneers, we are committed to inspiring the next generation of chefs, strengthening South Asian cuisine's presence in the UK's culinary landscape
4With South Asian Heritage Month being celebrated, how does Spice Village participate in or contribute to these celebrations, and what message would you like to convey to the South Asian community in the UK?
The future of South Asian cuisine in the UK is bright and promising I see it continuing to gain mainstream acceptance and appreciation, with a growing focus on authenticity and innovation Restaurants like Spice Village play a pivotal role in shaping this future by setting high standards for quality and authenticity
We continuously innovate, ensuring that our dishes stay true to their roots while appealing to contemporary tastes
We held the Mango Festival at the High Commission of Pakistan, showcasing different types of mangoes and celebrating the rich agricultural heritage of Pakistan Events like these not only highlight the diversity of our cuisine but also create opportunities for cultural exchange and community engagement By hosting such events and offering exceptional dining experiences, we help preserve our culinary traditions and introduce them to a broader audience, ensuring that South Asian cuisine continues to thrive and evolve in the UK
Th e Curry C orner is the oldest and mo st hig hly reg arded Banglad eshi restaurant in the UK T he restaurant has wo n many accolad es since it has started
The Curry Corner and
Bangladeshi restaurant and chefs in Gloucestershire / Cotswolds to be listed by the
& Ireland They were also featured on Channel 4 Gordon Ramsay’s The F Word Best Local Restaurant
behind the establishment of The Curry Corner in the UK, Mo nrusha Krori said, “Our story began in 1977 when my f a t h e r , o r i g i n a l l y f r o m Glasgow, sought the perfect location to open a restaurant and raise his family We moved to start The Curry Corner, finding a peaceful neighbourhood with a welc o m i n g c o m m u n i t y M y f a t h e r h a d b e e n c o o k i n g s i n c e 1 9 6 8 , e v e n b e f o r e
Bangladesh’s independence, and aimed to create a place t h a t c e l e b r a t e s n o t j u s t Bangladeshi, but also Indian and Pakistani cuisines Our restaurant stands out not only for its rich heritage, i n c l u d i n g i n f l u e n c e s f r o m my grandmother, an aristocratic Indian woman from C a l c u t t a , b u t a l s o f o r i t s unique fusion of flavours Growing up alongside the r e s t a u r a n t , I ’ v e w i t n e s s e d firsthand the challenges and triumphs of starting from scratch ”
Staying authentic with fo od also fosters connection with our com munity
M o n r u s h a e m p h a s i s e d the importance of authentic B a n g l a d e s h i a n d S o u t h Asian food She said, “My f a t h e r a l w a y s p r i o r i t i s e d authenticity, which set us a p a r t b u t a l s o m a d e o u r j o u r n e y c h a l l e n g i n g I t ’ s tough to stay true to your roots when customers may prefer something different, yet we were committed to preserving our core values
W h i l e m a n y r e s t a u r a n t s adjust their offerings to fit c u s t o m e r d e m a n d s , w e
chose to maintain the true essence of our cuisine Our goal was to ensure that our l o c a l d i a s p o r a a p p r e c i a t e d ethnic food in its authentic form Growing up in this environment deepened my passion for our heritage, and I believed that staying true to our identity was crucial I t ’ s i m p o r t a n t t o e n g a g e p e o p l e w i t h g e n u i n e f l a v o u r s a n d i n g r e d i e n t s before making any changes
Staying authentic is not just about maintaining tradition but about fostering a genuine connection with our community ”
“Back then, my father faced many challenges with customers questioning the authenticity of our masala, e x p e c t i n g i t t o b e s w e e t , bright red, and creamy He would explain that "masala" s i m p l y m e a n s s p i c e s a n d does not need to conform to s u c h s t e r e o t y p e s A d d i t i o n a l l y , I s t r u g g l e d w i t h t h e p e r c e p t i o n t h a t French cuisine was superior, even though I appreciate all cuisines However, I firmly believe that our cuisine I n d i a n , P a k i s t a n i , Bangladeshi is exceptional It’s not about comparing o r a s p i r i n g t o o t h e r s b u t recognising that our cuisine
i s i n c r e d i b l y v a r i e d a n d complex With its rich array of flavours and endless dish possibilities, it stands out as truly unique,” she added
Talking about the price of the South Asian cuisine, she said, “If your curry or biryani is made with the best i n g r e d i e n t s , f r e s h s p i c e s , and skillful cooking, it qualifies as fine food There's no need to change our cuisine
A s w e comm em orate S outh A sian
H er i tag e M o nth ( 1 8 J u l y to 1 7
A u g u st ) , Wa rw i c ks h i re C o u n ty
C ricket Club (C CC ) is celebrating the rich cu ltural heritag e of S outh
A si an c o u ntri es , in cl ud i ng Ind ia,
P a ki s tan , Ba ng l ad e sh , a nd S r i
L anka, and their profou nd im pact o n the sport of cricket Th is celebration not only acknowled ges the cultural roots of these nations but also h ono urs the contributions o f S outh
A sian-born cricketers wh o hav e left an indelible m ark at Ed gbaston
Among these remarkable players is Abdul Hafeez Kardar, who made
history in 1948 by becoming the first South Asian-born cricketer to sign with Warwickshire Kardar, born in Lahore, India (now Pakistan), was a trailblazer in cricket, being one of the select few to have played international cricket for both India and, a f t e r i n d
Kardar's journey to Warwickshire began when then-captain Ronald M
while he was playing for Oxford University
Another cricketing icon who left a lasting legacy at Warwickshire is Indian spinner Dilip Doshi Born in
Rajkot, Gujarat, Doshi joined the Bears in the early 1980s and quickly made his mark by taking over 100 wickets in his first season Finally,
played for Warwickshire from 1954 until 1972 Remarkably, Doshi is one of the few cricketers to have made his Test debut after the age of 30 and still managed to take more than 100 Test wickets (113 in total)
Born in Lahore, Punjab (now in Pakistan), Ibadulla became the second South Asian-born player to repr
tenure, he was a key figure in both
career with Pakistan was equally impressive, marked by a memorable Test debut against Australia in 1964, where he scored 166 runs He continued to represent Pakistan until 1967, making significant contributions to the sport Ibadulla’s inter-
marked by a memorable Test debut against Australia in 1964, where he scored 166 runs
just to meet modern presentation standards or to compete with other styles, like French cuisine Today, we must recognize their legacy and demand fair prices for our authentic dishes Many restaurants are undervaluing themselves, competing on price rather than quality We need to shift this minds e t , e n s u r i n g o u r f o o d reflects its true value and that we maintain high standards without resorting to d i s c o u n t s t h a t u n d e
reflecting the richness and
Cu rry Co rner ’ s impact on UK’ s Bang ladeshi food scene
Discussing the evolution of Bangladeshi cuisine in the UK, Monrusha said, “Our
recognition,
Word Best Restaurant and multiple awards, such as the Michelin Bib Gourmand and the Taste of the West Gold Award We were also nominated for the World Food
Gordon Ramsay praised our
Bangladeshi cuisine at the highest standard, highlight-
excellence and the impact we've made in showcasing our heritage through exceptional food ”
“We’ve maintained our
while evolving our menu My father began with eight signature dishes in the late
renowned 16 Spice Masala and Makhani While we
ve adapted our recipes, such as Dhansak and Rogan Josh, to stay unique, we never com-
Our approach ensures that even if dishes are familiar,
and true to our
itage We’ve introduced new recipes and flavours that our
before,
K e tan M and ani a a nd h i s business p artner, previou sly
r es tau r ate u rs , s ei z ed th e
o p p o r tu ni ty to b u y a nd
t ran s fo rm a tr ad i ti o n al British p ub into what is now
B lu e Gi ng e r Ba r & Restaurant, a pioneer in pub
c o nv ers i o ns i n L o n d o n
E s ta bl is h e d 2 1 y ear s ag o , t h ei r re st au rant o ff ers a u nique menu and caters to the lo cal Ind ian comm unity by filli ng a g ap f or h ig hquality d ining
Speaking to Asian Voice, K
Indian restaurant, celebrating South Asian heritage in their restaurant and much more
What challenges have you faced in the UK restaurant industry, particularly as an Indian restaurant, and how have you overcome them?
When we first started 21 years ago, it was a challengi n g j o u r n e y W e a c q u i r e d t h e v e n u
finances, rules, and regulations was tough Over time, we've navigated numerous hurdles, including rigorous
g h standards
The challenges intensified with Covid-19, which i n c r e a s e d c o s t s , i n c l u d i n g u t i l i t i e s D e s p i t e t h i s , w e were unable to raise prices
d u e t o e c o n o m i c c o nstraints, creating a difficult cycle The pandemic caused many local restaurants to close, but we managed to weather the storm with the support of our fellow direct o r s a n d s o m e f i n a n c i a l reserves
In the early days, every aspect was demanding, but we persevered Today, we continue to meet challenges head-on and strive to provide the best possible exper i e n c e f o r o u r c u s t o m e r s while maintaining our standards
In what ways do you celebrate and incorporate South Asian heritage into your restaurant’s experience and offerings?
We take pride in celebrating a range of cultural e v e n t s a t o u r r e s t a u
Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, I
major cricket matches For each occasion, we decorate
resonate with our diverse clientele
D
highlight for us We transf
special dishes, and provide
every customer We also celebrate Christmas and other significant events, striving to honour all religions and cultures These celebrations are a key part of our identity and have become integral to our restaurant's atmosphere and community connection
How has your restaurant adapted its offerings and hours to cater to the diverse dietary needs and changing dining preferences of its clientele?
To cater to our diverse clientele, including a significant number of Gujarati and
J a i n g u e s t s , w e m a i n t a i n s e p a r a t e v e g e t a r i a n a n d n o n - v e g e t a r i a n s e c t i o n s , offer a zero-spice menu, and p r o v i d e o p t i o n s w i t h n o onions or garlic Our versat i l i t y a n d f a m i l y - o r
approach make Blue Ginger a unique dining destination
proven successful, addressing specific needs within the c
g dishes without onion and garlic and accommodate the Jain community with specialised options This commitment fills a significant g a p , a s m a n y r e s t a u r a n t s
don’t cater to these dietary requirements, which can be frustrating for those affected I n t e r e s t i n g l y , w e v e observed a growing demand for vegan options, with an increasing number of non-
plant-based meals To meet this trend, we've introduced
adjusted our hours to better fit new eating habits Now,
from noon to accommodate
preferences
there specific ways you think that Indian restaurants could enhance the visibility and appreciation of Indian culinary traditions?
P
events and specials can be challenging, especially when i
popularity While it is fortunate to have the capacity to
Month, balancing this with the risk of potential loss due to lower footfall is tricky U
enhance cultural visibility,
fragmented as it's done on
basis Greater awareness and support for these celebra-
would significantly benefit
amplify our cultural contributions
The dining landscape is evolving, with an increasing n
workers opting to eat out for convenience and cost-effectiveness Diverse communit
g a n d appreciating the versatility and flavour of Indian cuisine, leading to the rise of new Indian restaurants To stand out, creating a welcoming and enjoyable dining environment is crucial, as customers are increasingly willing to spend more for a memorable experience
ums both nationally and internationally It focuses on his efforts to promote e
racism in football The exhibition is held at the
C i ty Si k h s , Th e 1 9 2 8
Institute and South Asi an H eritage Month organi sed a Summer Rec eption in the C om m on w ea l th P ar l i amentary Association ( CPA)
R oo m i n th e P al a c e of Westmins ter
T h e r e c e p t i o n w a s joined by the newly elected British Indian MPs among journalists and community leaders that also marked the launch of a brand-new All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on India, co-chaired by Dr Jeevun Sandher MP and Lord Karan Bilimoria The 1928 Institute will be the secretariat of the new APPG, made up of crossparty MPs and Peers
Welcoming audience to SAH M reception
Jasvir Singh CBE from City Sikhs and co-founder of the South Asian Heritage Month spoke about the significance of observing the S o u t h A s i a n H e r i t a g e M o n t h ( S A H M ) a n d i t s dates
P a r a m S
M B E s p o k e about their political hustings with Asian Voice He further said, “The Sikh and Punjabi community has a rich history of contributing to the multicultural fabric of this country Our core
v a l u e s o f s e l f l e s s s e r v i c e , e q u a l i t y a n d c o m p a s s i o n inspire us to give back to s o c i e t y a n d s t r i v e f o r a more inclusive future
“We are very happy to see that for the first time, the UK elected 11 Sikh MPs, along with nearly 50 MPs f r o m S o u t h A s i a n b a c kg r o u n d s r e p r e s e n t i n g a l l major political parties This milestone is a testament to the growing influence and representation of our comm u n i t y i n s h a p i n g t h i s nation's future ”
S p e a k i n g p a r t i c u l a r l y about SAHM, he added, “As we celebrate South Asian heritage month, let us also r e m e m b e r t h e r e s i l i e n c e a n d a c h i e v e m e n t s o f o u r previous generations who paved the way for us They faced numerous hardships a n d o v e r c a m e c o u n t l e s s obstacles, all the while preserving our cultural identity and values Their stories of p e r s e v e r a n c e a n d d e d i c ation continue to inspire us, r e m i n d i n g u s o f t h e s t r e n g t h a n d s p i r i t t h a t d e f i n e o u r c o m m u n i t y Today, it is our responsibility to continue their legacy by contributing positively to society and sharing the richness of our culture with the world ” Catherine West, IndoP a c i f i c M i n i s t e r i n t h e F o r e i g n C o m m o n w e a l t h a n d D e v e l o p m e n t O f f i c e (FCDO) who came directly from an event at the High Commission of India, welcomed the new APPG
She reportedly said, “I was at the India House talking about the digital projects that we want to work on together, which is helping people with basic functions in their lives These very fundamental elements
that we share together not o n l y e n r i c h a n e c o n o m i c p a r t n
p b u t a
y much part of the people-topeople networks “ I t ' s d o w n t o u s a s Parliamentarians, as those who care deeply about this (UK-India) relationship, to help fill in that map and help us prioritise, because there's so much going on a n d w i t h i n a f i v e - y e a r Parliament will need to prioritise ” L o r d K a r a n B i l i m o r
CBE, the co-chair of the
India APPG promotes the strengthening of the bilat-
the UK and India, focusing on key areas such as Trade and Investment, Education, S
well as enhancing the
countries’ Parliaments and governments on a national and regional level And continuing to promote people to people links, including the living bridge between the people of Indian origin in the UK and India ”
London M ayor Sadiq K han
of hi
r ic third ter m, sec ured through his re-el ection in M ay
The figure, now part of t h e C u
, pays tribute to influential figures shaping the UK’s cultural landscape Khan and his wax likeness came face-toface for the launch at one of London’s most iconic attractions, which also serves as the focal point for the Mayor’s famous New Year’s Eve fireworks Mayor Khan's figure honours his impactful leadership since taking office in 2016, wearing the very suit from
g
s
aligns m
h
consensus, which had been more optimistic compared t o t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l M o n e t a r y F u n d a n d t
Responsibility
D e s p i t e t h
s u p w a r d r e v i s i o n , t h e B a n k ' s m e d i u m - t e
projection averages just over
Britain the fastest-growing e
government has prioritised reviving economic growth,
Speech, including planning
rights, to achieve this goal
Bank’s last policy meeting in June has shown stronger-
businesses The Office for National Statistics recently revised its estimate for first-
the fastest in the G7
moderately over the forecast
previously anticipated in the
stated, adding that increased
businesses would also drive GDP growth
Inflation is expected to
before falling back due
M
rs can finally breathe a sigh of r el i ef as th e B
E ngland h as anno unced its first interest rate cut in over fo ur years
charge for loans, has been reduced from 5 25% to 5% Traders had anticipated a roughly 60% chance of this reduction This is welcome n
mortgage holders who have b
The last interest rate cut by the Bank of England was in
M a r c h 2 0 2 0
n i t dropped to a historic low of
level until December
increasing borrowing costs
The most recent increase w
3 , bringing the base rate to 5 25%, where it had stayed until today
The base rate is the rate the Bank of England charges
credit The Bank had been raising interest
reduced consumer spending would decrease demand for
how prices change over time, f
England's 2% target in the 12 months leading up to May and remained unchanged in June
homeowners will decrease as their rates align with the new base rate According to T
Moneycomms, the average UK homeowner on such a
monthly payment reduced by £32
costs compared to before the first base rate increase in December 2021
H e dg e fu nd V e ri ti o n h as a p p o i nt ed P ri y an k a
C h a tt er j ee , f o rm er ly o f Millennium, as a po rtfolio
m a na ge r S h e w i ll jo i n
V erition's macro team based
i n th e Lo n do n o f f i ce , acco rding to the sou rces
C h a t t e r j e e p r e v i o u s l y
s e r v e d a s a p o r t f o l i o manager at Izzy Englander’s
M i l l e n n i u m M a n a g e m e n t for a year and spent over f i v e y e a r s a s a t r a d e r a t Capula
F o u n d e d i n 2 0 0 8 ,
V e r i t i o n i s a U S - b a s e d hedge fund managing $10 billion in assets The firm operates seven offices across the US, UK, and Asia
V e r i t i o n h a s b e e n g r o w i n g i t s L o n d o n operations since early this
y e a r , i n c l u d i n g a J a n u a r y agreement to relocate to a n e w h e a d q u a r t e r s a t L a n d s e c ’ s L u c e n t s c h e m e near Piccadilly Circus
T h e h e d g e f u n d i s
Financial jobs in London drop 25%
The n um b e r o f f i na n c i al se r vic es job s i n Lond on has cont inued to drop, with new va cancies in the se cond quart er fall ing by 25% compared to the sam e period las t ye ar The slowdown in hiring is a t t r i b u t e d t o o f f s h o r i n g , Brexit, and slower economic growth both in the UK and globally Morgan McKinley's London Employment Monitor
r e p o r t s a 9 % q u a r t e r - o nquarter drop in financial job vacancies, with a 25% decrease compared to the same period last year The first quarter had already seen a 33% year-on-
y e a r d e c l i n e i n a v a i l a b l e financial jobs
M o r g a n M c K i n l e y ’ s j o b a d v e r t s p r i m a r i l y c o v e r m i d and back-office roles in banks, private equity firms, and hedge funds David Leithead, COO of
Morgan McKinley UK, noted, “ S p e c i a l i s t s k i l l s a
functions, like compliance and risk management, continuing to grow in importance ” David Leithead noted that while some sectors in financial s e r v i c e s
r e t h
i v i n g , t h e overall trend is cautious, with tight budgets and a "do more with less" mentality Despite t h i s , a s u r v e y b y t h e Recruitment and Employment
o n f e d e r
p l a n t o increase hiring In the short t e r m , 3 3 2 % o f L o n d o n employers intend to hire more permanent staff, compared to 18 4% across the UK Over the next 4 to 12 months, the net hiring outlook for London is 35 3%, significantly higher than the UK's 15 3%
c u r r e n t l y r
approximately 30 positions,
t i t a t i v e r e s e a r c h e r s a n d m a c h i n e l e a
London office, as listed on its LinkedIn page Since the beginning of t h e y e a r , V e r i t i o n h a s
formerly Morgan Stanley’s h e a d
board in a similar capacity Verition is expanding in the Middle East, with its Dubai office now housing 22 employees This includes Lotour Rahman, the global
manager Jawad Kayani
However, these funds are expected to be exhausted e
i
e r investment from existing or new backers R o l l s - R o y c e i s b e i n g advised on this funding r o u n d b y B N P P
o eventually reduce its stake in the SMR venture from 70% to below 50% Great British Nuclear, a government-established b
c o m p e t i t i o n , a i m s t o narrow down five bids to a shortlist of three or four by September, with the final two designs to be selected by the end of the year
Alpesh Patel P rop osed Laws to I mpro ve P ens io ner Returns f rom P ens io n F unds
Improving the returns for pensioners from pension funds requires a comprehensive set of laws and regulations that a d d r e s s t h
inefficiencies in the current system Here are some creative and impactful legislative measures that could be adopted:
1 Perfo rmanc e-Based F ee Stru ctures
Law: Perf ormance-Linked C omp ens ation Ac t
This law would mandate that a significant portion of fund managers' compensation be linked to the long-term performance of the pension funds they manage Traditional fixed fees often incentivize mediocrity, while performancebased fees align the interests of fund managers with those of the pensioners
Detail s:
• Base salaries are capped at a reasonable level
• Bonus structures are tied to exceeding predefined benchmarks over rolling five-year periods
• Penalties for underperformance relative to benchmarks to ensure accountability
2 Transp arenc y and Accou ntability Regu latio ns
Law: Pension Fund T rans parency and Acco untability Act
This legislation would require pension funds to disclose all fees, expenses, and performance metrics in a standardized and easily understandable format Increased transparency e n
managers accountable for their performance
Detail s:
• Quarterly and annual reports must be published,
administrative costs
• Regular independent audits to verify reported figures
• Clear communication of investment strategies and risks to pensioners
3 Mandato ry Lo w- Cos t I ndex F und O ptions
Law: Pension Fund I ndex I nves tment Mandate T
managed funds, this law would require pension funds to offer low-cost index fund options Index funds often outperform actively managed funds over the long term due to lower fees and diversified exposure
Detail s:
• At least 50% of pension fund assets must be allocated to low-cost index funds
• Index funds must track broad market indices, such as the S&P 500 or FTSE 100
• Annual reporting on the performance of index funds versus actively managed funds
4 Enhanced Fiduciary Duty Standards
Law: Enhanced F iduciary Duty Ac t Strengthening fiduciary duties would ensure that fund managers prioritize the best interests of the pensioners above all else This law would introduce stricter standards and penalties for breaches of fiduciary duty
Detail s:
• Fund managers must act with the highest standard of care, loyalty, and prudence
• Any conflicts of interest must be disclosed and managed appropriately
S
including fines and disqualification from managing pension funds
5 I nnovative Investment Strategies
Law: Pension Fund I nno vation and Divers if ic ation Act T
innovative investment strategies that have the potential to
Detail s:
• A portion of the
must be allocated to innovative and alternative investments
• Strict guidelines on risk management and due diligence for alternative investments
• Regular review and adjustment of investment strategies based on market conditions
6 Education and F inancial Literacy Programs
Law: Pension Fund F inancial Literacy and Edu catio n Act
Improving the financial literacy of pensioners can help them make better-informed decisions about their retirement savings This law would mandate comprehensive education programs to equip pensioners with the knowledge they need
Detail s:
• Pension funds must offer regular financial literacy workshops and seminars
• Online resources and tools for pensioners to manage their retirement savings
• Collaboration with educational institutions to develop relevant curricula
8 Long-T erm I nvestm ent Incentives
Law: Cas h Ho ldings Act
To encourage pension funds
A ft er a m u ted g ro w t h i n
Ju ne, good s and services tax
( G S T ) co l le cti o n s m a d e a com eback to rise 1 0 3 % to £ 18 20 bn in July - the third h ighest monthly collection since the new reg ime kicked in sev en years ag o
B a r r i n g t h e
p t w o g r o s s e r s ( A p r i l 2 0 2 3 a n d
A p r i l 2 0 2 4 ) , w h e n c o l l e ctions soar due to year-end sales in March, the collections in July 2024 (for trans-
a c t i o n s i n t h e p r e v i o u s month) are the highest The numbers also indicate that the slowdown in June was on account of the countrywide heatwave that impacted economic activity
T h e o t h e r g o o d n e w s from the latest numbers is a n i n d i c a t i o n o f a
t u r n a r o u n d i n i m p o r t s a s GST from imports - integrated GST and cess - is estimated to have increased 14% to £4 7bn, the fastest since N o v 2 0 2 2 W h a t ’ s m o r e , growth in collections from
this source was more than d o m e s t i c s o u r c e s , w h i c h rose 8 9% to £ 13 4 bn
On a net basis, GST collections were 14 4% higher at £16 57 bn due to a 19% decline in refunds
While the govt did not comment on the numbers, tax experts appeared posit i v e “ G r o w t h i n y e a r - t odate collection in FY25 of around 11% is broadly in line with the Budget estimates, while the growth in monthly collection over last year (net revenue) is encouraging at over 14% This should enable
govt and GST Council to start working towards rate rationalisation, as indicated by the finance minister in
partner at PwC India
Like most months, sev-
what will buoy political sentiments is a 61% jump in Manipur, which has been in the grip of ethnic clashes for
Manipur logged the second highest increase
Ap ple has
,
CE O T im Cook sa id Ap ple posted a 7 8% g rowth i n ne t i ncome to $21 4 bi llio n in the June quart er of 2024 co mp are d to $19 8 bi llio n in th e y ea r-a go p eri od The company recorded 4 8% growth in total net sales at $85 8 billion during
the reported quarter from $81 8 billion in the June quarter of 2023 “We set quarterly revenue records in more than two dozen c o u n t r i e s a n d r e g i o n s , including Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, the UK, I n d i a , I n d o n e s i a , t h e Philippines, and Thailand,” Cook said during the earning call
S tate Bank of India rep orted a 1% increase in its Q1FY25 net profit to £1 7 bn from £ 1 68 bn in the corresp ondi n g q u art er las t ye ar H o w ev er, p ro f i ts w e re almost flat d ue to a red uction in interest margins and a 70% jump in prov isions for bad loans
T h e n e t p r o f i t o f t h e
c o u n t r y ’ s l a r g e s t b a n k i s higher than that of Reliance
I n d u s t r i e s w h i c h t o t a l l e d £1 51 bn This marks the second consecutive quarter in which SBI has outperformed R I L , a c o m p a n y t h a t h a s long held the title of the most profitable in the coun-
try “In the last four years, SBI has generated a total net profit of over £16 bn which is more than the net profit m a d e i n t h e p r e v i o u s 6 0 years, ” said Dinesh Khara, chairman, SBI Khara, whose term ends soon, added that he hoped to see SBI generate annual profits of £10 bn
At the end of the first q u a r t e r , S B I ’ s d e p o s i t s increased by 8 2% year-onyear to £490 bn However, this was marginally lower than the £492 bn reported at the end of March 2024 The bank’s advances at the end of the quarter grew by 15 4% y
compared to March 2024 “ W e r a i s
d d e p o s i t s when other banks were not looking at deposits and we d
investments These investments are giving us headroom to grow our credit On deposits, we are making an optimum choice not to raise funds at any cost and simul-
s u l t , w h i
u r c o s t o f deposits has gone up by 45 basis points, the impact on our NIM is much lower,” said Khara
F or d M ot o r C om pa n y, commonl y known as F ord, coul d reenter India w it h a global team of the US car giant , including CEO Jim F arley, set to consider a fr esh pr oposal with a new s t r at egy for th e ma r ket The company exited India in 2021 The re-entry will entail new investments, a focus on electrics and sustainability and also work on p
A g lo b al m ar ke t s el l- o ff , trigg ered by weak em ployment d ata in US and fears o f larg e sp ecu lati v e los ses i n the forex m arket due to a streng thening Jap anese yen, al s o sw e p t D al al S t ree t, s en d i ng i nv es to rs i nt o a p a ni c- s el li ng m o d e o n Mo nd ay and pulling dow n the sensex by 2,223 points, or 2 7% , to7 8 , 75 9 po i nts On NS E, th e Ni f ty lo s t 662 p o i nt s t o c lo s e a t 2 4 , 0 5 6 points
The day’s losses in sensex and Nifty were the second biggest single-day losses in these indices this year
G e o p o l i t i c a l t e n s i o n s i n
West Asia, after a top US official predicted Iran could a t t a c k I s r a e l s o o n , a l s o unnerved global investors, market players said
The day’s sell-off in the Indian market, which was led by foreign funds with a £1 billion plus net outflow,
left investors poorer by £150 bn with BSE’s market capitalisation now at £4,547 bn On the other hand, domest i c i n s t i t u t i o n a l i n v e s t o r s were net buyers at £915 6 mn, but still could not cushion the sell-off
G o l d
trading 1% lower in early trades in New York, while bitcoin slumped over 8% to a multi-month low
T h e d a y ’ s s e s s
India was greatly impacted by selloff in Japan and South Korea, and in Taiwan While N i
over 12%, Korea and Taiwan each were down 9%
opened gap down and cor-
Adani Group is considering inves tm ent of more than $ 2b in Lien Chieu port, V ietnam's c
acc ording to
chairman Gautam Adani
PM Pha
Chin h in New Delhi
The company also looks to invest in a thermal power project in Vietnam's south central coastal province of B i n h T h u a n , w i t h t o t a l investment expected at $2 8 billion It also plans to cooperate with Vietnamese partners in aviation and logistics sectors, including construction of Long Thanh and Chu Lai airports, reports said Last month, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone
L t a l s o a n n o u n c e d l o n gt e r m i n v e s t m e n t s w o r t h a r o u n d $ 1 0 b i l l i o n i n Vietnam, including $3 billion
in ports and green energy there
Adani said the company spent time researching and assessing opportunities for long-term investment in the S o u t h e a s t A s i a n c o u n t r y
Along with the seaport and logistics sectors, the ports operator is also looking at investing in the energy sector and digital technology of the nation
To shift flag ship’s food biz to Wilmar JV
A d a n i E n t e r p r i s e
Adani Group's power transm is sion and distribution arm raise d $1bn in an eq uity s ale, t he f i rs t s in c e t h e In d ia n c onglomer ate c anned a share plac ement aft er b eing hit by d a m a gi n g c or po ra t e f r a ud al legations
sale proceeds in several ways including to pay down debt and invest in its smart metering business
includes the trading and supply of edible
and
with the
shares of Adani Wilmar as consideration for the transfer of the foods business A
w n
about 44% of Adani Wilmar, in which Singapore’s Wilmar holds a stake However, once the scheme is implemented, s
A d a n i Enterprises will directly own Adani Wilmar shares The move will help promotersA
d Lence (belonging to Wilmar) - of Adani Wilmar to bring down their stake in the company to 77% from their current 88%
” a source said F o
d , w h i c h h a d invested over $2 billion in India and tasted success with products such as Eco Sport mini-SUV and Figo
, sources said “A report on the feasibility of re-entering India and the growth p o t e n t i a l o f t h e m a r k e t has been prepared This will now be considered by the global team at Ford’s headquarters We expect a p o s
small car , now believes that India will lead volumes for the global auto industry as many markets in the West stagnate With C h i n a a n d E u r o p e n o t being significant businesses for the company, it is pinning hopes on India
“Feeling is that it is not right to stay out of India, especially as the brand is still well-known to poten-
said
D e m a n d f o r A d a n i Energy Solutions' Rs 83 7 bn qualified institutional placement was six times above the base deal size, the company said Buyers included INQ, a s u b s i d i a r y o f Q a t a r ' s s o v e r e i g n w e a l t h f u n d , C i t i g r o u p , N o m u r a a n d Indian mutual fund SBI Adani Energy Solutions, which operates and is constructing more than 21,000 circular km of power lines, said it would use the share
“ T h e s t r o n g i n t e r e s t from institutional investors reflects their commitment to and belief in India's energy transition, in which Adani Energy Solutions [Limited] p
Kandarp Patel, AESL chief e
investment cycle and rising power demand are positive indicators for the power sector ” The share sale is part of a
lowing Hindenburg's broadside The group, which has extensive interests in coal, is also at the forefront of India's
Rangers at Glacier National Park have recovered the body of Siddhant Vitthal Patil, a 26-year-old from India who fell into Avalanche Creek on July 6 and drowned, according to a press release Patil, a tech professional living in California, was hiking at the park with seven friends when he fell into Avalanche Creek Glacier National Park officials said “After weeks of searching rangers at Glacier National Park believe they have recovered the body of Patil after he fell into Avalanche Creek on July 6 2024 and drowned ” The officials added Clothing and gear similar to what according to friends Patil was wearing at the time of the incident were also recovered Flathead County coroner is working to confirm identity through DNA or dental records
Pakistan prime minister Shehbaz Sharif said he wrote a letter to the Chinese government requesting debt reprofiling as his administration seeks a $7 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has consistently focused on the country s debt obligations and energy sector issues Last month, Pakistan reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF for a fresh loan, which it expects to be validated by the Fund’s executive board later this month “I have written to China for [debt] reprofiling,” the prime minister informed his cabinet ministers Debt reprofiling is a financial strategy used to restructure a country’s existing debt obligations It involves extending the maturity dates of debt, reducing interest rates or altering other terms of the debt agreements to make repayment more manageable
China s civil affairs university announced a new undergraduate marriage programme to develop marriage-related industries and culture, drawing scorn of social media users who questioned the need for such a course as marriage rates decline Policymakers are struggling to reverse the fall in new births which are closely linked to marriage rates Called Marriage Services and Management, the new degree programme will “aim to highlight China’s positive marriage and family culture to students and the public and advancing reform of China’s marriage customs” Global Times reported
A statue of Anne Frank, famous for her diary account of hiding from the Nazis during World War II has been covered with pro-Palestinian graffiti, reports said According to images published on X the base of the statue was spraypainted with the slogan “Free Gaza”, while the girl’s hands were painted with the same bloodred colour Police have opened a probe into the most recent defacement, which likely occurred in the night an Amsterdam police spokesman said adding that no suspect had yet been identified
The United States recognised Venezuela’s opposition presidential candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez as the winner of the country s disputed election The announcement, by secretary of state Antony Blinken comes despite a claim by the country’s authoritarian president Nicolas Maduro and by the govt-controlled electoral body, that Maduro had won the election Maduro has yet to produce clear evidence of a victory, and election officials have failed to provide a vote count Gonzalez s campaign says it has receipts from more than 80% of voting machines that indicate he won by an insurmountable margin While some leaders have voiced support for Gonzalez in recent days, the US is the largest nation to recognise him as the winner
D H AK A: Ba ngla desh’s emba ttl ed PM She ik h
Hasina (76) on Monday resigned and fl ed the count ry foll owing more t han a month of deadl y demonstrat ions that be gan as protests against job quot as and swell ed into a mov ement pr ecipitat in g the e nd of her 15 -y ear rule
Even as a military aircraft carrying her and her sister touched down at Indian Air
F o r c e ’ s H i n d o n a i r b a s e i
, Bangladesh army quickly stepped in to fill the power vacuum After landing in Ghaziabad, she was moved to a safe house in Delhi He next plans were not known As news of Hasina’s departure spread, crowd took to the streets there, some clambering on her father
a
Rahman’s statue and smashing it with hammers Many went on a ransacking and looting spree inside her residence A mob vandalised
Dhanmondi Four Hindu temples also suffered “minor” damages
A
spoke to the nation, assuring people that an interim govt would be formed and that he had met members of most political parties
A
Shahabuddin ordered the release of prisoners from the protests as well as jailed ex-PM Khaleda Zia and other opposition leaders
The home of Dr Wajed Miah, Hasina’s
husband, was not spared The Awami League office in the capital was also set on fire The crowd also entered the Parliament building People were seen taking things from inside the parliament building A large number of protesters broke through the main gate of the police headquarters and ransacked the building
The month-long protest left at least 356 people died The violence was not restricted to Dhaka In the eastern city of Sylhet, offices of the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police were reportedly set on fire, while the homes of several councillors were attacked At least eight people were burned to death and 84 others suffered injuries after unidentified arsonists torched a residential hotel owned by Shahin Chakladar, general secretary of Jashore district Awami League
Protesters want Muhammad Yunus to lead govt K
protests have said Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus should head an interim government Nahid Islam, a 26-year-old student who spearheaded the protest movement, said in a video post that Yunus had consented to take over “We want to see the process rolling by the morning,” Islam said “We urge the president to take steps as soon as possible to form an interim government headed by Dr Yunus ”
14 Gujarat students return D
Bangladesh, the majority of medical students f
Gujarat studying there had returned home as their colleges gave them a break A couple of students had, however, stayed back as their courses were at a crucial junction Mohammad S h
reforms and training, NRI division, said that Gujarat govt has not received any information either from the union govt or the family memb
Bangladesh "The state govt coordinated the return of 14 students from Bangladesh earlier, but since then there has been no communication regarding stranded students ”
employers not hiring Pakistanis due to ‘deplorable standard’
P akis tani w orkf
region, has led to the shifting of p references by Gulf em ployers to hire w orkforce fro m o th er reg io n al co
n tri
c h as Banglad esh, instead of Pakistan
The Senate committee meeting, chaired by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, stressed that the government was ignoring the potentials available in this sector
After facing criticism from members of the committee regarding failure of the government to harness potentials of Pakistani d
Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource
Development, Dr Arshad Mahmood, presented a bleak picture of the situation of Pakistan labour force in Gulf countries
He said that 50 per cent of the crime rate among the UAE labour force is reportedly attributed to Pakistanis The committee was further informed that UAE authorities have recently expressed concern over inappropriate behaviour of some Pakistanis in their country, which includes making videos of women in Dubai without their consent
The secretary of the ministry said there was a declining trend in overseas employment for Pakistani labour force as despite modernisation and advancement in technology a significant portion of the Pakistani labour force remains unskilled
B E I R U T : Le b a
Hezboll ah has confir
up
its se nior comman der Fuad Shukr was k il led in an Israel i a ttack in southern B eirut
The Israeli military said it carried out a “precision strike” in Beirut that killed Shukr, adding that he had been responsible for the missile strike that killed 12 c h i l d
i n Majdal Shams in the occupied Golan Heights earlier
H e z b
attack, said in a statement that “the great jihadist commander b
M
building targeted by “the Zionist enemy ”
Shukr, also known as al-Hajj Mohsen, was born in Nabatieh in Baalbek in eastern Lebanon He was among Hezbollah’s founders after Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982 According to the Israeli military, Shukr oversaw numerous attacks against the Israeli military and its former ally, the South Lebanon Army (SLA), in the following decade
In addition to being sought by Israel, Shukr was also wanted
by the US A posting on the US g o v e r n m e n t ’ s R e w a r d s f o r Justice website offers payment of up to $5m for information on S h u k r a f t e r n a m i n g h i m a “ S p e c i a l l y D e s i g n a t e d G l o b a l Terrorist” in 2019
The Israeli attack on a densely populated area in Beirut’s suburbs hit the Haret Hreik neighb o u r h o o d n e a r H e z b o l l a h ’ s Shura Council, its central decision-making authority
L e b a n o n ’ s M i n i s t r y o f Health said three people, including two children, were killed and 74 wounded in the attack that the Israeli military described as a “ t a r g e t e d a s s a s s i n a t i o n o p e r ation” against Shukr
The committee was informed that lack
replacement of Pakistani workers from other countries
Dr Mahmood said that skilled labour force from countries such as Bangladesh serves as an inspiration and Pakistan needs t
Pakistani diaspora includes 10 7 million individuals, primarily working in Saudi Arabia, UAE, US, UK and Canada
The secretary apprised the committee that governments of UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait have voiced reservations
Pakistanis
L AHO RE : A newly -wed 19 -yea r-old woma n was a llegedly b urnt al ive by her hus band in the name of honour in Pakistan’s Punjab province, pol ic e s aid
A l i R a z a , t h e h u s b a n d o f v i c t i m S a b a I q b a l , k i l l e d h e r i n
Bahawalnagar, some 400 km from Lahore, on July 28 as he suspected that his wife was having an affair According to police, Saba and Raza contracted a court marriage about eight months ago
“Soon after the marriage, Raza started suspecting that Saba was in a relationship with someone else,” police said Muhammad Iqbal, the father of the girl, said Raza told him over the phone on July 28 that Saba had left home after a quarrel and that she had been missing since then
Iqbal said he and other family members rushed to Raza’s house and launched a search to find her Saba’s burnt body was found in the field the next day, the girl’s father said Police said they arrested Raza who confessed to his crime The police said Raza brutally tortured Saba on the day of the incident before burning her alive and then dumping her charred body in the field
“In his confession, Raza said he killed Saba after knowing that she had relations with someone else outside his locality,” police said A murder case has been registered against Raza and two unidentified suspects Human Rights activists estimate that around 1,000 women are murdered annually in Pakistan for honour Pak to ‘soon’ launch its own messaging application
gi n g a ppl i c at i on , “B ee p Pakis tan”, whic h wi ll i niti ally be used for c om municati on b y govt em ployees and later m ade available to the general public
T h
as Pakistani users have been
sending and receiving media files Digital rights advocates suspect that the country’s testing and deployment of an internet firewall, intended to stifle dissent and crack down on free speech, may be the cause of the disruption
“Beep Pakistan” has been currently undergoing trial runs within the ministry of informa-
tion technology and telecommunication which says it will b e l a u n c h e d “ s o o n ” a m o n g other govt departments “The d e s i g n o f t h e a p p l i
to the general citizens of Pakistan at
minister for IT and telecommunication
WA S HING TO N: US Vice-President Kam ala Harris has passed th e threshold to clinch the D em oc ratic p resid ential nom ination in a v ote of party delegates Kamala said she was " honoured to be the presum ptiv e nominee" as the virtual roll call continues ahead of the Democratic Natio nal C onvention (DNC ) in C hicago later this mo nth
Kamala is the first black woman and first South Asian woman to become the White
H
political party If she defeats her rival Donald
female president
She ran unopposed in the virtual roll call after President Joe Biden stepped aside last month and quickly endorsed her Several potential rivals followed his lead Last week, Kamala formally became the nominee after securing the support of 2,350 delegates, the threshold required to earn the nomination "We believe in the promise of America and that’s what this campaign is about," she said i
benchmark
Kam ala p ulls in $3 10 mn, Trump $1 39
n August 2 that it raised $310 million in July, fueled by small-dollar donations that flowed into the war chest after President Biden bowed out of the race The July figure - more than double the $138 7 million raised by Trump in the same month – brings the total money raised by Harris and Biden before her t o m o r e t h
P HOENIX: Former state legislato r A mish S hah h as em erged victorio us in a crow ded p r i m ary to rep r es en t A ri z o na ’ s F i rs t
C ongressional District Shah, a 4 7-year-old
I n d i an A m eri c an p h ys i ci an se cu r ed th e Democratic p rim ary, setting the stage for a N o v em ber sh o w d o w n w i th s ev e n- ter m incumbent Republican David S chweikert
The congressional seat is seen as being p o s s i b l e t o b e f l i p p e d b y D e m o c r a t s : Schweikert, who easily defeated his primary opponents Kim George and Robert Backie, had only narrowly won re-election in 2022 by 3,200 votes
T h e I n d i a n A m e r i c a n I m p a c t F u n d congratulating Shah, pointed out, “Amish’s district, AZ-01, will be one of the highestprofile races in the country and a must-flip for Democrats to take back the House Republicans have already started launching attacks his way, and we need to counter them with a strong response ”
The National Republican Congressional Committee labelled Shah as “ an extreme liberal” and criticized his stances on taxes, healthcare, and border security, predicting that Arizonans would reject his policies
Shah garnered almost 24% of the votes, edging out his closest competitor, Andrei Cherny, by about three percentage points Cherny, a former assistant Arizona attorney general and past chairman of the Arizona
D e m o c
endorsements from former President Bill Clinton and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego
Born and raised in Chicago, Shah has spent 20 years as an emergency department
p
m India in the 1960s, with his father being a Jain and his mother a Hindu Shah has spoken about his challenging childhood and experiences with bullying, which shaped his commitment to public service
H
threshold in history, the campaign said
million came in the first week following
donations came from first-time donors and 94% of the donations were $200 or less, the campaign said
Silicon Valley unites behind Kamala
capitalists, investors, and tech leaders have rallied to support Kamala for the White House, pushing back at unexpected inroads Trump has made in the tech world through Tesla’s Elon Musk and early PayPal investor and CEO Peter Thiel
In a statement under the aegis of a
leaders, including Linked-in founder Reid Hoffman, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, and Sun Microsystems co-founder Vinod Khosla said they are united in their support for Kamala in this “pivotal moment”
technological progress We also believe in democracy as the backbone of our nation W
institutions are a feature, not a bug, and that our industry - and every other industry
would collapse without them,” the group said in a statement, now signed by over 700 tech leaders
Kamala selects Minnesota Governor as running mate
Democrats Presidential nominee and Vice President Kamala
former educator, Walz is currently serving his
representing a conservative rural district that has largely been Republican-dominated both before and after his tenure In recent weeks, Walz has made headlines with sharp c
targeting the GOP's presidential ticket of Former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator JD Vance He has referred to the duo as “weird dudes” and has been vocal in denouncing their political agenda
WA S HI NGT ON: US officials h av e arrested tw o Indian nationals with drugs worth US D 10 million, the Departm ent of Justice said Simranjit Singh, 28, and Gusimrat Sing h, 19, of Fresno, C alifo rnia were each charg ed w ith one count o f consp iracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, it said
Both made initial appearances before a
detained after local police found in the cab of the tractor trailer, over 400-kg bricks of suspected cocaine worth more than USD 10 5 million
"The sheer amount of drugs seized in this one case is disturbing and dangerous These defendants allegedly took a crosscountry trip to distribute illicit narcotics
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S Levy
According to charging documents, on July 29, at 10 15 pm, a white tractor trailer arrived at a planned Andover address to
undercover agents The driver and passenger of that tractor trailer, later identified as G
allegedly handed off 65 pounds of suspected
agents The men were immediately taken into custody
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute c o n t
sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to life of supervised release, and a fine of up to USD 1,000,000
N E W Y O RK : A 19-year- old I ndian stu dent, who was arrested and charged with f al sifying records to gain admission in a US university, will h ave to return to I ndia under a plea deal entered into with American auth orities Aryan
An an d h a d s u b m it t e d f ak e
if i ed do cum ents to s ecure admiss io n into Lehigh University, a p rivate researc h university in Pennsylvania for th e 2023- 2024 academ ic year
A report in the Lehigh University's student newspaper 'The Brown and White', said last month that a police investigation had found t h
financial aid documents He had even "faked his father's death" as part of the conspiracy to obtain admission and scholarship, it said A
District Judge Jordan Knisley on June 12, with a bail of USD 25,000 He pleaded guilty to one count of forgery As part of the plea deal, he was sentenced to one to three months in N
lehighvalleylive com quoted defence attorney Molly Heidorn as saying
As part of the deal, Anand is required to return to India and Lehigh chose not to seek restitution of about USD 85,000 He was released to the custody of US Immigration and
The US justice department filed a lawsuit against TikTok and parent company ByteDance for failing to protect children’s privacy on the app The govt said TikTok violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act that requires services aimed at children to obtain parental consent to collect personal information from users under age 13 The lawsuit is the latest US action against TikTok and its Chinese parent over fears the company improperly collects vast amounts of data on Americans for the Chinese govt while influencing content in a way that potentially harms Americans The suit also joined by the Federal Trade Commission, said it was aimed at putting an end “to TikTok s unlawful massive-scale invasions of children’s privacy”
9/11
‘PLOTTERS’ AGREE TO PLEAD GUILTY, WILL AVOID DEATH PENALTY
The man accused of plotting the attacks of Sept 11 and two of his accomplices have agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy and murder charges in exchange for a life sentence rather than a death-penalty trial at Guantanamo Bay Cuba prosecutors said Prosecutors said the deal was meant to bring some “finality and justice” to the case particularly for the families of nearly 3 000 people who were killed in the attacks in New York City at Pentagon and in a Pennsylvania field The defendants Khalid Sheikh Mohammed Walid bin Attash and Mustafa alHawsawi reached the deal in talks with prosecutors across 27 months at Guantanamo and approved by a Pentagon official overseeing the war court The men have been in US custody since 2003
Turkey’s parliament passed a law to round up millions of stray dogs and put them into shelters despite protests by animal lovers and criticism from the main opposition party, which vowed to challenge the legislation in court The law, drawn up by President Tayyip Erdogan’s AK Party, has touched a raw nerve in Turkey, where many think it will lead to large number of dogs being put down Turkey has an estimated 4 million stray dogs and supporters of the law cited concerns about attacks road accidents and rabies Under the new rules dogs showing aggressive behaviour or that have untreatable diseases will be put down It got 275 votes in favour and 224 against
Customs Enforcement
According to a release issued by the office of Northampton County's district attorney Stephen Baratta, Anand had created a fake e m a i l a d d r e s s i m p e r s o n a t i n g a s
principal, the report in lehighvalleylive com said
The release had said that Anand's father is alive and in India Anand's forgery came to light after a post he shared on the social media site Reddit titled 'I have built my life and career on lies' prompted the investigation into his case In that anonymous post, he had laid out the details of his fraudulent scheme The B r
investigation began when a Reddit monitor notified Lehigh's Admissions Department of the post on April 26
Anand had indicated that he "created
application, submitted a death certificate for
transcripts and created a false "Senior School Certificate Examination" to show success in his final year of secondary school", the report said
Korean Air will stop serving instant cup noodles a popular snack in Korea known as ramyeon that requires boiling water on its long-haul flights, part of changes in response to increased turbulence incidents Concerns about turbulence on planes have heightened since a Singapore Airlines flight from London in May encountered a severe incident leading to one death and dozens of injuries “This decision is part of proactive safety measures in response to increased turbulence, aimed at preventing burn accidents,” Korean Air said The cup noodles are a popular part of the airline’s inflight service, featuring heavily on social media
One person died and nearly 150 others were sickened after eating grilled eel prepared by a restaurant chain and sold at a department store near Tokyo Among those sickened, two required hospitalisation Keikyu Department Store said 147 customers as of Monday had reported symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea after eating grilled eel dishes sold separately or as part of box lunches
O n the fifth anni versary of t he ab ro ga ti on of A rt i c le
3 7 0 , P M N a re n dr a M od i
r e c a ll e d t he le g i s la t i on
p a s s ed by Pa r li a m e nt on Aug 5, 2019 , as a “waters hed
m om en t in the c oun try ’ s
h i s to ry ” , w h i c h, h e s a i d ,
h e ra l de d a n e w er a of progress and prosperi ty in
J & K a n d La d ak h re g io ns
The PM assured people of
J & K a nd Lad akh that hi s govt would k eep working
f or t he m an d f ul fi l t hei r as pirations i n the coming times
“ T o d a y , w e m a r k f i v e years since the Parliament of India decided to abrogate
A r t i c l e s 3 7 0 a n d 3 5 ( A ) , a watershed moment in our nation’s history,” Modi said in a post on X
“ I t m e a n t t h a t t h e
Constitution of India was i m p l e m e n t e d i n
places in letter and spirit, in line with the vision of the great men and women who m
C
W
c a m e security, dignity and opportunity for women, youth, b
d marginalised communities who were deprived of the fruits of development,” he said “It ensured that cor-
Les s than a week af ter External Aff airs
M i n i st er S J ai s ha nk a r m et h is C hi n es e c ounterpart Wan g Yi, Indi a and China held “ cons tructi ve ” and “forward-look ing” c onvers ations to resolve the border standoff b etween the two countries
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said restoration of peace and tranquility, and respect for the LAC are “essential basis” for restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations
The bilateral meeting was held in Delhi u n d e r t h e f r a m e w o r k o f W o r k i n g
M e c h a n i s m f o r C o n s u l t a t i o n a n d
C o o r d i n a t i o n o n I n d i a - C
Affairs (WMCC)
The MEA described the discussion at the meeting as “in-depth, constructive and forward-looking”, adding both sides agreed on the need to jointly uphold peace and tranquility on the ground in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements and protocols
The Chinese delegation was led by H o n g L i a n g , D i r e c t o r G e n e r a l o f t h e Boundary and Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hong also called on Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, according to the MEA
Misri has served as India’s ambassador to China The previous round of WMCC
t a l k s w e r e h e l d i n B e i j i n g i n M a r c h
“Further to discussions between the two foreign ministers in their recent meetings at Astana and Vientiane, the two sides reviewed the current situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with a view to finding an early resolution of the outstanding issues,” the ministry
“Restoration of peace and tranquility, and respect for the LAC are an essential basis for restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations,” it said
“They agreed on the need to jointly u p h o l d p e a c e a n d t r a n q u i l i t y o n t h e ground in the border areas in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements, protocols and understandings reached between the two governments,” it said in a statement
Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the MEA, Gourangalal Das, led the Indian delegation at the 30th meeting of the WMCC
India and China have been locked in a border standoff for more than four years now, as more than 50,000 troops on each side are stationed on both sides of the border
J&K for decades, has been kept at bay,” he added Home minister Amit Shah, who anchored pas-
Articles 370 and 35A as
ushering in a new era of
marginalised sections and
economic growth and cul-
Modi govt’s efforts to foster peace and comprehensive development a grand success We thank Modi ji for this landmark decision and reaffirm our dedication to advancing the region’s aspi-
rations and transformative progress, ” he said Meanwhile, in the foreword of a book on the legisl
Unjust, A New Future for J&K’, the PM said, “There was complete clarity in my mind that taking the public in J&K into confidence was absolutely essential for execution of the decision We wanted the decision, whenever it would be taken, to happen with concurrence of the people rather than imposition ”
r c h e d and written by non-profit
r p r i s e imprint It is scheduled to release this month
Co ngress M P Rahul Gandhi claim ed th e C en tr e w a s p lan ni ng an E nfo rce m ent D irec to rate ra id o n him because it w as ang ry w ith his “ c h akr av y u h ” c o m m e nt, a c la im which trigg ered d ay-lo ng specu latio n and com mentary besides leading BJP to jibe that the lead er of opp osition’s charge was a g immick aim ed at distracting attention from th e criticism he is facing ov er the Wayanad trag ed y Rahul wrote on X, “Apparently, 2 i n 1 d i d n ’ t l i k e m y c h a k r a v y u h speech ED ‘insiders’ tell me a raid is being planned Waiting with open arms, director, ED chai and biscuits on me ”
The “ 2 in 1 ” was widely viewed as a reference to PM Narendra Modi a n d h o m e m i n i s t e r A m i t S h a h Rahul, who is on bail in a money
l a u n d e r i n g c a s e r e l a t e d t o t h e
National Herald scam, had used the “ c h a k r a v y u h ” m e t a p h o r i n a scathing attack on the Modi govt and BJP during a speech on Budget B
hard-hitting Former Union minist e r A n u r a g T h a k u r s a i d R a h u l ’ s “wild claim” was a gimmick and accused the Congress MP of glossing over the fact that he is on bail in the National Herald case, with the court r e j e c t i n g h i s c l a i m o f i n n o c e n c e after examining evidence
“By claiming to have been tipped off by ED insiders, he has reduced himself to be a clone of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal who was notorious for trying similar PR gimmicks He should pause and see what happened to Kejriwal’s credibility,” he said T h a k u r ’ s c o l l e a g u e , f o r m e r
U n i o n m i n i s t e r R a j e e v
Chandrasekhar, charged Rahul with raising an “imaginary issue” to avoid q u e s t i o n s r e l a t e d t o W a y a n a d “Rahul Gandhi might have been told t h a t p e o p l e a r e a s k i n g q u e s t i o n s about his accountability so he has sought to create a new narrative,” he told reporters
Kheda's independence day festivities feature ₹806,54,000 in development projects
T he state level 7 8th Indep endence
D ay will be celebrated with renewed enthusiasm in Kh eda district For th e first time in a decade, there is a fresh sense o f excitement su rrou ndi ng th is state festival, wh ich will take place throu gh out the district, i ncluding Nadiad
The district administration has meticulously planned the festivities, i n c l u d i n g t h e Launching/Khatamuhurta programs for various development projects, which will be held from August 5 to August 12 These events will feature the presence of MP, MLA, Taluka Panchayat, Municipal President, and other distinguished guests
K h e d a d i s t r i c t l a s t h o s t e d a state-level Independence Day celebration in 2011 Now, 12 years later, the district is once again preparing t o c e l e b r a t e t h e 1 5 t h A u g u s t Independence Day at the state level in 2024, a source of great pride for its residents
To mark this occasion, Kheda district will receive 302 development projects valued at ₹806,54,000 This includes the launch of 151 projects
16 killed, Kedarnath shrine cut off
As ma ny as 16 people we re k i ll e d a n d si x s e r i o us ly i n j ur e d a ft e r f la s hf lo o d s an
off following a lan dslide nea r Bhim bhali on the tre k r out e, leav ing n ear ly 450 people st ran ded , while the Ked arn ath h i g hw a y wa s w a s h e d a w a y b
Ga urikun d A s a re sult, t he Cha r Dham y at
o the shr ine was halte d
SDRF commandant said, “About 425 people stranded in Bhimbali, Rambara, Lincholi along Kedarnath yatra route w e r e a i
Sonprayag and Bhimbali were shifted to
safer place ” 400 str an ded
A multi-agency rescue operation continued at Kedarnath with 400 people still stranded after severe rains ravaged the area Over 1,200 individuals, including pilgrims and locals, were moved to safer locations, even as the Indian Army began constructing a footbridge on the damaged stretch between S o n p r a
Highway to facilitate further evacuations
“Approximately 400 people were escorted on foot from Kedarnath to Lincholi, from where they were airlifted to various locations, including Char Dham and Sirsi helipads ” Five small helicopters have been deployed for the rescue efforts, airlifting around 640 people from Lincholi, Bhimbali, and Kedarnath Since the rescue operations began, 2,622 individuals have been airlifted from different locations, including 138 from Lincholi, 2,409 from Bhimbali, and 75 from Chidbasa 9 kille d in Hima cha l fla sh flood s
Rescuers deployed drones in a massive effort to trace about 45 people still missing in flash floods in three Himachal Pradesh districts as the death toll rose to nine, officials said Two bodies were found in Mandi’s Rajban village and one from Kullu’s Nirmand after three cloudbursts in three districts - Kullu, Mandi and Shimla -last week triggered the flash f l o o d s A r
Mahadev in Kullu were safe and about 25 tourists at Malana are being looked after well by the locals, chief secretary Prabodh Saxena said
After GIFT City, Surat’s Diamond Bourse to serve booze?
The Gujarat Government is rep o rted l y th i nki ng ab ou t relaxing the p roh ibition in th e st ate , as th e G o G i s prep aring fo r allowing alcohol consump tion at Surat’ s Diam ond Bourse, just like GIFT City
348,34,000 and the comple-
₹458,19,000 These initiatives are expected to enhance public convenience, promote welfare, and accelerate the district’s development The development projects for the Independence Day celebration will be distributed across Kheda district as follows: Vaso Taluka w
Cambria Math ₹27,40,000; Nadiad
Mahudha will benefit
Mehmedabad will receive 28 projects valued at ₹96,36,000; Kathlal
t o t a l i n g
₹255,00,000; Thasra will receive 18 projects valued at ₹65,80,000; and Galateshwar Taluka will benefit from 21 projects worth ₹57,00,000 These projects will be inaugurated
o r c o m p l e t e d b y t h e M P , l o c a l MLA, and other officials in their respective talukas
mond businessmen, according to reports Therefore, the state government may allow alcohol consumption to attract business Notably,
in Surat
Diamond Bourse have asked
approve the serving of alcohol to promote business It has been learned that if the proposal is approved, the Home Department and
ments will
d sale of liquor Reports also suggest that the government is also in favour of relaxing the liquor ban in Gujarat to promote business in the state
Centre approves 6-lane TharadAhmedabad high-speed corridor
total capital cost of £1 05 bn The Tharad – Ahmedabad corridor will provide connect i v
Delhi – Mumbai Expressway, thereby providing seamless connectivity for the freight v
industrial regions of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan to t h
(JNPT, Mumbai
The Cab in et Commit tee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Pr ime Minist er Nare ndra M od i h a s a p pr o v e d t h e de velopment of 8 import ant N a t i on a l H i g h S pe e d C o r r id o r p r oj e ct s w it h a l ength of 936 k m at a cost of £5 06 bn acr oss the count ry Imple me nta tion of the se 8 projects wil l ge nerat e an estimat ed 44 2 mn manday s of dire ct and indirect e mpl oyment Among these 8 project, o n e i s 6 - L a n e T h a r a d –D e e s a – M e h s a n a –Ahmedabad national highspeed corridor This 214-km 6-lane highspeed corridor will be developed in build
Vadhavan port)
B EN G AL U R U: The oppos ition BJP
an d its ally JD(S) in Karnataka ki cked off their seven -day 'Mysuru Chalo' m arch from Bengaluru, dem anding
t he re s ign at ion of C hi
allotment sc am in the Mysuru Urban
D e v el o pm en t A u
ty ( M U DA )
B JP state pres ident B Y Vi jayendra
a n d J D( S) Yo u
N
m arch by b lowi ng a bugle amid the
a t e i n t o a m e ga pu b l i c
m eeting i n Mys uru on August 10
B J P v e t e r a n B S Y e d i y u r a p p a alleged that the CM is involved in a corruption case and he has to step down "It's better for Siddaramaiah to resign on his own and step down gracefully, he said addressing the workers and leaders of both the BJP
a n d t h e J D ( S ) S p e a k i n g o n t h e occasion, opposition leader in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka said the Congress has no moral right to question Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot for issuing a notice to the chief minister
"You (Siddaramaiah) have started trembling after a notice was given O n e c a n o n l y
happen when the permission is given by him (Governor) to prosecute the c h
Industries H D Kumaraswamy said the Congress talks about uplifting the downtrodden communities but what they did in the MUDA and Valmiki Corporation scam exposed their 'anti-Dalit' face He predicted the fall of the government in the next few months Reacting to the agitation, the Chief Minister said the B
corruption
The MUDA scam is related to getting alternative land in the up market against the existing land in some remote corner of the city The opposition parties have alleged that the size of the MUDA alternative site scam is worth £300 mn, in which Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife Parvathi is also a beneficiary
DMK leader's 'no historical evidence of Lord Ram' remark draws BJP ire
C H ENN AI : Tam il Nad u M inister SS Siv asankar stoked a controversy after h e claimed that there was no historical evidence of Lord Ram 's existence
Speaking at an event in Ariyalur, Sivasankar said it was the duty of everyone to celebrate the legacy of Rajendra Chola (Rajendra I of Chola dynasty) or else the "people will be compelled to celebrate something which has no connection to them”
“To show that Rajendra Cholan lives, there are ponds constructed by him, temples built by him His name is mentioned in scripts and his sculptures are present But there is no evidence or history mentioning that Ram existed They call him an avatar (incarnation) An avatar can’t be born It is being done to manipulate us, hide our h
Shivashankar Reacting to Sivasankar's remarl, Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai questioned DMK’s "obsession with Lord Ram”
“DMK's sudden obsession with Bhagwan Shri Ram is truly a sight to behold - who would've thought? Isn't it fascinating how quickly DMK leaders' memories fade? Weren't they the same folks who opposed our PM Modi for installing the Chola Dynasty Sengol in the new Parliament Complex? It s almost comical that the DMK, a party that seems to think Tamil Nadu's history started in 1967, has suddenly discovered a love for the nation's rich culture and h
Regupathy and Thiru Sivasankar to sit down, debate, and reach a consensus on Lord Ram We're confident that Thiru Shiva Shankar could learn a thing or two about Bhagwan Shri Ram from his colleague," Annamalai said
C H AN D IGA R H: Harpr it Singh, an In dia n Civil Account Ser vices (ICAS) officer, was shot dead b y h is fa t he
in - l a w , Ma
S in g
inspe ct or gen eral (AIG) of Punja b Police , at the mediation centre of t
t c om pl e x i n Sector 43, Chandigarh Police said Malwinder Singh was immediately detained and arrested after he fired three shots
f r o m p o i n t - b l a n k r a n g e a t Harprit, one of which pierced his chest, killing him on the spot The weapon used to commit the crime was also recovered
H a
p
marital dispute with Malwinder S i n g h ’ s d a u g h t e r , D r A
o j Kaur, and this was the fourth mediation hearing in the matter, the police said Both families had arrived at t h e c o u r t f o r t h e m e d i a t i o n session during which Malwinder requested to use the washroom
and asked Harprit to show him the way Moments later, he allegedly took out a pistol and opened fire at Harprit H
advocates, rushed him to the Post Graduate Institute of M
d Research (PGIMER) but he was declared brought dead “ D i v o
going on between the two parties
previous litigation against each
KO LK A T A : In a th rowback to the 20 21 assem bly p oll scenario in West Beng al, sev eral ethnic g roup s from the northern reg ion have once again d em anded separation fro m the state, close on h eels of Bharatiya Janata P arty ( BJP ) state presid ent and U nion m inister S ukanta M ajum dar asking t he P rim e M ini s ter to ad d no rth Beng al to Ind ia’s northeast reg ion to ensu re develop ment
O n A u g
instructed all district units in north Bengal to immediately hit the streets and counter movements aimed at dividing Bengal, party leaders said Sukanta Majumdar, a Lok Sabha
m
Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on July 23 with the proposal
“If north Bengal gets added to the northeast, it will benefit by getting a share of the development funds I am sure the state government will not have any objection After all, the
Mamata Banerjee government has f a i l e d t o e n s u r e d e v e l o p m
north Bengal,” Majumdar said in a video message after meeting Modi H
these by moving a resolution at the legislative assembly on August 5, the state’s ruling TMC has alleged that a conspiracy has been hatched to crush the spirit of Bengal
“We want the BJP to take part in the debate on the resolution and make its stand clear on the floor of t h e H o u
Chattopadhyay said
North Bengal is considered a BJP s t r o n
party bagged 30 of the 54 seats in the eight north Bengal districts, although TMC won 215 of the state’s 294 seats against the BJP’s 75 In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP bagged 18 of Bengal’s 42 seats, creating a record In north Bengal, it secured seven of the eight seats This year, the BJP’s Lok Sabha tally in Bengal has come down from 18 to 12 but the party had won six seats in north Bengal
proceedings were being carried o u t b y t h e c o u r t - a p p o i n t e d mediator Harprit along with his parents was present, while Dr Amitoj, who is in Canada, was r e p r e s e n t e d b y f a t h e r Malwinder,” the police said In November last year, the P u n j a b V i g i l a n c e B u r e a u h a d b o o k e d M a l w i n d e r , w h o w a s p o s t e d a s A I G i n t h e h u m a n rights cell of Punjab Police, on fraud and extortion charges after w h i c h h e w a s p l a c e d u n d e r suspension He has since retired f r o m s e r v i c e T h e i n c i d e n t t r i g g e r e d p a n i c i n t h e c o u r t complex
Ko lk a t a: B en g al pri sons minister Akhil
G i r i re s i gn e d f r om s t at e c a b i n e t amid intense pressure f ro m b ot h wi t hi n T ri n a m ool C on g re s s and external q uarters following his insulti ng outburst agai nst fores t
r an g er M a ni s h a Sh aw , c a l li n g he r “ be y a do b” (dis courteous) and a “ janowar” (beast) Despite stepping d ow n, G i r i re m ai n e d a d am a n t a ga i n s t pe r s on a ll y apologisi ng to Shaw, although he maintained he was “repentant” of his remarks
Shaw had angered the minister by disputing local allegations of high-handed behaviour during an antiencroachment drive on forest land along the Tajpur c o a s t l i n e i n P u r b a M e d i n i p u r T h e s e p t u a g e n a r i a n
minister’s tirade included instructing the 36-year-old officer on proper conduct, shouting: “A state employee should talk with his/her heads bowed down ” This was not Giri’s first brush with controversy In Nov 2022, he faced backlash for making objectionable comments about President Droupadi Murmu, prompting T M C
apologise on his behalf The party had also cautioned him against such behaviour
Following his latest outburst, TMC state chief Subrata Bakshi demanded Giri resign or face expulsion
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin admitted that clamour within his party has grown stronger to elevate his son and sports minister Udhayanidhi as his deputy but indicated the time is yet to come When asked on demands gaining strength from a cross-section within the party to make Udhayanidhi the deputy CM and whether he would consider it, Stalin said: "The demand has grown stronger; but it has not ripened " The CM is seen as hinting that the right time for elevating Udhayanidhi is yet to come For quite some time there is expectation within the party that Udhayanidhi will be made the deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi besides being the sports and youth welfare minister also handles the key portfolio of special programme implementation
A 59-year-old UK national s highly decomposed body was found in a Bengaluru flat last week Police found a suicide note and suspect Gavin James Young, a chef, died from an overdose of medicines Young who had been residing in the US, had taken on rent the flat - belonging to one Jagadish - on the first floor of an apartment in Koramangala VII Block on July 1 through Airbnb, police said On July 27, Young sent a message to Jagadish requesting him not to disturb him through messages or calls till Aug 1, citing work commitments On Saturday last the neighbours reported a foul smell emanating from the flat prompting Jagdish to connect to Young on the phone He then rushed to the apartment As there was no response he had the front door broken open only to find Young’s decomposed body inside He alerted police who are trying to contact Young s family with the help of UK embassy and have preserved the body in a mortuary
In a written explanation to Akal Takht jathedar Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal has sought unconditional forgiveness for all mistakes committed when the party was in power The Akal Takht Secretariat in Amritsar released a copy of the letter that Badal submitted to Giani Raghbir Singh, the Akal Takht jathedar on the rebel leaders accusations, on July 24 An Akal Takht Secretariat official said five Singh Sahibans (Sikh high priests) would call a meeting in the coming days to take a call on Badal’s letter Badal submitted his explanation after the jathedar asked him to appear in person before the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, following allegations levelled by the rebel leaders A section of party leaders revolted against Badal, asking him to step down as party chief following the party s debacle in the Lok Sabha polls in Punjab
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has stepped down as president of the West Bengal Congress committee, Ghulam Ahmed Mir, AICC general secretary in charge of West Bengal said Chowdhury resigned after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge met senior functionaries from West Bengal in Delhi to select the next state president Chowdhury who won Murshidabad district’s s seat five times since 1999, was defeated in the recent Lok Sabha election by former Indian cricketer Yusuf Pathan fielded by Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal had earlier asked senior state leaders to convey their opinions on the leadership issue through mails or text messages Chowdhury and other Congress leaders were asked to be present in the meeting The party will soon announce the name of the next Bengal unit president state Congress leaders said
Al laha bad high court upheld the ma in tainabil it y of a batch of l awsuits by Hindu plaint iffs se eking to recla im the sit e of M a t h ur a ’ s S ha h i Ei d g a h a s b e in g pa r t o f S h r i Kr i sh n a
Jan ma bhoomi b efore a pr e-exist in g te mpl e was purportedl y r aze d t o make way for the Aur angze b-era mosq ue t he re Dismissing the Shahi Eidgah committee's petition challenging the maintainability of these lawsuits, Justice Mayank Kumar Jain said there was no provision in any of the cited laws barring the plaintiffs from presenting their arguments to have a court determine the religious character of a particular place of worship The Muslim side had argued that the lawsuits weren’t maintainable under the Places of Worship Act, 1991; Waqf Act, 1995; Specific Relief Act, 1963; and the Limitation Act, 1963
Justice Jain cited several past judgments, including the HC's observations in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple-Gyanvapi case, to drive home the point that the religious character of a disputed place of worship needs to be determined The order states, “Either the Gyanvapi compound has a Hindu religious character or a Muslim religious character It can’t have a dual character The religious character (of a place of worship) has to be ascertained by the court considering the pleadings of the parties, and evidence led in support of pleadings”
“No conclusion can be reached on the basis of framing of preliminary issues of law The (Places of Worship) Act only bars conversion of a place of worship; it does not define or lay down any procedure for determining the religious character of place of worship that existed as on 15 08 1947, ” it adds, quoting the Dec 19, 2023, order in the KVT-Gyanvapi case
T he INDIA bloc parties are set to stag e a p rotest in the P arliament com plex to press for the rollback of 1 8 per cent Good s and Serv ices Tax (GS T) o n life and health insurance p remium s
Sources in the Trinamool Congress said that its MPs have raised the issue in Parliament and their party chief, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has written to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on the matter They also pointed out that union minister Nitin Gadkari also wrote to Sitharaman and urged her to consider withdrawing the GST which, he said, amounted to taxing the uncertainties of life and restricting the industry's growth
In a written reply to a question by TMC’s Mala Roy, Minister of State (MoS) Finance Pankaj Chaudhary replied that certain insurance schemes catering to the poorer sections and differently abled are exempt from 18 per cent GST These schemes are the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), Universal Health Insurance Scheme, Jan Arogya Bima Policy, and Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme
The minister said exemptions are prescribed on the recommendations of the GST Council, which is a constitutional body, comprising representatives from the Centre and the states and Union Territories He said representations have been received requesting exemption or reduction in the rate of GST on life insurance and health insurance
Dism issed Mum bai assistant police inspector S achin Waze, an ac cus ed in th e £1 0 m n extortio n case inv olv ing fo rm er M ah arashtra Hom e Minister Anil Deshm ukh , h as claimed that th e NC P (SP) leader collected the m oney throu gh his personal assistant
Waze claimed NCP (SP) state president Jayant Patil was also involved in the extortion case, and he had submitted evidence to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
"Whatever has happened, the proof is there The money used to go through his (Anil Deshmukh) PA The CBI has the proof and I have also written a letter to Devendra Fadnavis I have submitted all the evidence I am ready for NARCO test In the letter that I have written, I have given the name of Jayant Patil as well," Waze said
Anil Deshmukh was arrested by the CBI in 2022 after the then Mumbai Police Commissioner accused him of directing police officers to collect money from hotel and bar owners across the city He resigned as Home Minister and was in judicial custody for over a year before being granted bail by the Bombay High Court Dismissing the allegations, Deshmukh s a i d s o m e o n e w i t h a c r i m i n a l b a c k g r o u n d c a n n o t b e believed and claimed that "Waze says what Devendra Fadnavis tells him" Waze is also an accused in the 2021 bomb scare case near Mukesh Ambani's residence in Mumbai and the murder of a businessman Mansukh Hiran He is currently lodged in Taloja central jail in Navi Mumbai
M in i st er o f S tat e fo r
E x ter nal
A f fa ir s K i rt i
V ardhan Singh sh ared data
i n a w ri tt en re sp o n se i n
Rajya Sabha to queries on
w h eth e r th e g o v er nm e nt
m aintains data of emigrant s tu dents g oing abroad for studies
I n h i s r e s p o n s e , S i n g h shared country-wise details of Indian students studying a b r o a d , s p a n n i n g 1 0 8 countries, including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Singapore, Russia, Israel and Ukraine
A c c o r d i n g t o t h e d a t a shared, as on date, 13,35,878 Indian students are pursuing
h i g h e r s t u d i e s a b r o
d i n 2024 For 2023, the figure was 13,18,955, while it was 9,07,404 for 2022
In the current year, of the 1,33,5878 Indian students
4 , 2 7 0 0 0 w e r e s t u d y i n g i n
C a n a d a a n d 3 , 3 7 , 6 3 0 students in the US, 8,580 in China, eight in Greece, 900 in Israel, 14 in Pakistan, and 2,510 in Ukraine
" I n d i a n M i s s i o n s / P o s t s
abroad also coordinate with the concerned authorities in
register with them or on the Global Rishta Portal They
o
students who travel abroad for the first time and brief them on security issues in the host countries
"They also advise them to register with the Indian M
O
nationality in 2023, marking a significant increase in the number of p eople o pting to leave the country, accord ing to d at a rel eas e d b y th e Ministry o f External A ffairs M i n i s t e r o f S t a t e f o r E x t e r n a l A f f a i r s K i r t i
Vardhan Singh said in Rajya Sabha that the number of I n d i a n c i t i z e n s w h o renounced their citizenship
i n t h e l a s t f i v e y e a r s i s
2,16,219 in 2023, followed by 2,25,620 in 2022, 1,63,370 in 2 0 2 1 , 8 5 , 2 5 6 i n 2 0 2 0 , a n d 1,44,017 in 2019
A A P m e m b e r R a g h a v
Chadha questioned whether
secure data on the number of Indian students studying overseas," the minister said in his response
In response to another
been continuously making
may provide visa free entry t
facilities to Indians for ease
world
The count of con firmed dea ths in the twin l andslides tha t deva sta ted a part of Kera la's hill y Wa yana d region r ece ntl y moun ted t o 407 with 186 people are st il l missing The v ictims include 27 childre n and 76 women CM Pinarayi Vijayan said after an allparty meeting in Wayanad that Army officials h a d a p p r i s e d h i m o f t h e d i m i n i s h i n g possibility of finding survivors "All those who could be saved have been rescued," he quoted them as saying
S t a t e r e v e n u e m i n i s t e r K R a j a n s a i d
a u t h o r i t i e s w e r e t r y i n g t o c o n f i r m t h e identities of those officially reported missing since the disaster struck recently by matching the available details with ration cards and electoral rolls
The number of injured stands at 225, with 96 of them being treated at various hospitals CM Vijayan said the mission to find those missing was being hampered by intermittent rain and could take a few more days A
c a b i n e t s u b - c o m m i t t e e c o m p r i s i n g f o u r ministers is coordinating the effort Over 1,600 rescue workers, including from the Army, Navy, NDRF and police, are engaged in the operation Volunteers said they required heavy machinery to remove large uprooted
trees as the available excavators had proved inadequate for the task
1 9 pregnant w omen among 8, 000 peo ple at 82 relief camps
An official said, “An IAF C 17 aircraft airlifted the Bailey bridge from Delhi to Kannur along with three search and rescue dogs of the Army These trained dogs will help search for survivors in areas that are currently inaccessible ”
The state govt published a list of people m i s s i n g p e o p
T
youngest is 14-day-old while the oldest is 85year-old The list includes four members of a family from Uttar Pradesh and another from Odisha’s Bhubaneswar
Vijayan said 8,017 people, including 19 pregnant women, were housed in 82 relief camps in Wayanad “There are eight camps in Meppadi, where 1,486 people from 421 families are staying ” Union minister of state George Kurian, who visited the affected zone, said the central govt was monitoring rescue and relief efforts “PM Narendra Modi deputed me to visit the affected areas Both control rooms of the MHA are keeping
assistance
AgriFood Systems” to promote sustainable agriculture in the face of global challenges such as climate change, natural resource d e g
conflicts
(ICAE), Modi said India, being a food surplus
c o u n t r y t o d
o b a l welfare as a ‘Vishwa Bandhu’, noting that the country’s vision for global welfare was put f o r w a r d o n v a r i o u s f o r a i n c l u d i n g ‘ O n e Earth, One Family and One Future’ (at G20), ‘Mission LiFE’, and ‘One Earth, One Health’
The six-day conference is being held in India after 65 years Over 1,000 delegates from 75 nations are taking part in the conference R
2,000-year-old treatise on agriculture based on India’s rich heritage, Modi emphasised the
experiences about agriculture and food He also noted the priority given to science and logic in Indian agriculture tradition
the government had taken measures to investigate the r e a s o n s b e h i n d t h e “ h i g h n u m b e r o f r e n u n c i a t i o n s ” a n d “ l o w a c c e p t a n c e o f Indian citizenship,” and if so, requested details He also s o u g h t i n f o r m a t i o n o n w h e t h e r t h e g o v e r n m e n t had assessed the “financial
a
drainage” and the loss to the c
h i g h renunciation of citizenship
In response, the minister s t a t e d ,
citizenship are personal
He
potential in the knowledge
significantly transformed its engagement with the Indian diaspora
prosperous, and influential
India,” Singh stated “India stands to gain a lot from tapping its diaspora
utilisation of the
the diaspora potential to
sharing of knowledge and expertise,” he added
C h i n n a i a h j u d g m e n t w a s constitutionally valid
castes wi th in the sch edu led castes ( SC) based o n socioe c o no m i c b ac k wa rd ne s s a nd d eg re e o f u n de rrep resentation in go vt jo bs to ensu re th at th e larger p ie o f 1 5% S C q u o ta go es to backwards among th em It also asked govts to devise sui table criteria to bar th e ‘ creamy layer’ amon g S Cs a nd S T s f ro m av ai l in g res ervation
By a 6:1 majority ruling, a bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices B R Gavai, Vikram Nath, Bela M Trivedi, Pankaj Mithal, M a n o j M i s r a a n d S C Sharma overruled the 2004 j u d g m e n t o f a f i v e - j u d g e bench in EV Chinnaiah case which had said SCs were a h o m o g e n e o u s g r o u p a n d c o u l d n o t b e s u bcategorised Justice Trivedi d i s s e n t e d a n d s a i d t h e
T o m i n i m i s e p o l i t i c s a n d e x e c u t i v e p l a y o v e r e x t e n s i o n o f t h e ‘ q u o t a w i t h i n q u o t a ’ c o n c e p t t o scheduled castes, the court
c l a r i f i e d t h a t s u bc l a s s i f i c a t i o n o f c a s t e s within SCs cannot be based on govt’s whims or political considerations
T h e t o p c o u r t f i r m l y said sub-classification of the most backward among the S C c o m m u n i t y m u s t b e
b a s e d o n e m p i r i c a l d a t a , b o t h q u a n t i f i a b l e a n d
d e m o n s t r a b l e , r e g a r d i n g t h e i r b a c k w a r d n e s s T h e l o g i c b e h i n d t h e c o u r t ’ s suggestion for keeping the ‘ creamy layer’ out is that c h i l d r e n o f c i v i l s e r v a n t s and others from among the SCs who have moved up the socio-economic ladder and received good education are not deserving of quotas
At present, creamy layer
backward classes (OBCs)
The CJI authored a 140page judgment for himself and Justice Misra Justices Nath, Mithal and Sharma, through separate opinions, agreed with the opinions of the CJI and Justice Gavai
B o t h t h e C J I a n d J u s t i c e G a v a i a g r e e d w i t h e a c h other, thus making six of the seven judges concur on t h e
classification of SCs It was Justice Gavai, the l o n e D
i t j u d g e o n
bench, who mustered the courage to hold that those among SC/ST communities who have got top positions in civil services and risen
improve lately, and President Xi Jinping visited Hanoi last y e a r , b u t i t r e m a i n s , l i k e s o m e o f i t s o t h e r A s e a n neighbours, at the receiving end of China’s expansive and c o n t e s t e d n i n e - d a s h l i n e claim over SCS waters
e p s w e r e b e i n g t a k e n t o boost defence and security ties, including inauguration of an army software park in the coastal city of Nha Trang
A p o w e r f u l p i l l a r o f I n d i a ’ s A c t E a s t p o l i c y , Vietnam has seen ties with its C o m m u n i s t n e i g h b o u r
n c e p r o c u r e m e n t , a n d t h e plan of action for the implementation of the comprehensive strategic p a r
sides signed seven other agreements Pham said
“We share unison in our v i e w s r e g a r d i n g t h e I n d oP a c i f i c r e g i o n W e w i l l continue our cooperation for a free, open, rules-based and p r o s p e r o u s I n d o - P a c i f i c , ” said Modi, adding they also emphasised cooperation on the issues of terrorism and cyber security A p a r t f r o m t h e c r e d i t lines that will be used by V i e t n a m f o r d e f
Egyptian man visits Seven Wonders in less than a week Guinness Book of World Records (GWR) frequently showcases many achievements accomplished by individuals worldwide One recent highlight features an Egyptian man who set the world record for the fastest time to visit the new Seven Wonders of the World Magdy Eissa, 45, set the new record in 6 days 11 hrs and 52 minutes He used only public transport to visit the new Seven Wonders of the World He beat the previous record set last year by Englishman Jamie McDonald Speaking to GWR, Magdy said that planning his record-breaking route was a "monumental" task which took almost one and a half years "I had to navigate a complex web of flights, trains, buses, subways and walking between transportation hubs and the Wonders," he explained "A single disruption could derail the entire itinerary and result in a flight back home!" the 45-year-old added Magdy began his journey at the Great Wall of China He then visited India's Taj Mahal, the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, Rome's Colosseum, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, Machu Picchu in Peru, and finally the ancient Mayan city Chichen Itza in Mexico Each leg of the journey required researching transit times, mapping out the best public transportation options, accounting for immigration queues, layovers, and connections to the next destination, GWR said Kuwait store's Rs 100,000 toilet 'sandals'
A retailer in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, is selling sandals for approximately 4,500 Riyals (Rs 100,000) The price of these sandals has piqued the interest of many Indians, who are criticising the excessive price, pointing out that they appear just like the slippers usually worn in the bathroom The caption of the video said, "The latest fashion 'Zanouba' at a price of 4,500 riyals " Since being shared, the clip has amassed a variety of reactions online "At this point, they are just trying to sell anything to the rich," said a user Another wrote, "So we have been using 4,500 riyal slippers for the toilet our whole life " "In India you can get find this slippers in 60 rupees, " added a fourth user
Thief returns TV as remorse grips him
A thief, filled with remorse after realizing the locked house he had ransacked in Karjat taluka in Maharashtra belonged to the late Marathi poet Narayan Surve, returned the stolen LED TV He also left a handwritten apology note before the poet’s family members returned The burglar’s act came to light when Surve’s daughter Usha and her husband Ganesh Ghare, who now live in the poet’s residence, came back after being away for 10 days Neral police, who have filed an FIR against an unknown person for house break-in/theft have “taken into custody” the thief’s “apology letter” in which he states in Marathi that he “did not know this was the house of poet Narayan Surve,” else he would not have broken in to steal the TV He ended his note with the word “Sorry,” written in English Surve, a selftaught Dalit poet and Padma Shri awardee who died at age 83 in 2010, is one of the biggest names in Marathi literature An orphan who grew up on Mumbai’s streets and was adopted by a mill worker, he chronicled life of city’s poor and marginalized and their struggles
Doctor get pig’s body for postmortem
An on-duty doctor who performs postmortem at Bihar’s Begusarai Sadar Hospital was in for a surprise to find a pig’s body sent to him in a plastic bag by the local police Sources said Begusarai police had received information that a body stuffed inside a plastic bag was found near Kapasia Chowk area Suspecting it to be a human body, the police sent the bag to the local Sadar hospital The unexpected discovery of the pig’s body caused embarrassment to the local police, especially after a video of the incident surfaced on social media prompting public ridicule
Govt staffer throws 2 kg gold bag as raiding party comes knocking
Minutes after Lokayukta officers knocked on his door, a Karnataka govt officer hurriedly grabbed all the jewellery he had, shoved them into a loosely tied bag and hurled it from the first floor of his house, which landed in a neighbour’s house in Bengaluru’s HRBR Layout The bag containing nearly 2kg of gold was duly recovered by Lokayukta officers
The incident took place when Lokayukta police arrived at the residence of Athhar Ali, deputy controller with legal metrology, to conduct a raid After the officers declared their identity and intent to raid him with a court warrant, the door was swiftly and firmly shut Dinosaur fossil dating back 200 million years discovered
Torrential rains causing historic flooding in southern Brazil have revealed a "very wellpreserved" dinosaur fossil dating back some 200 million years, according to the research team who discovered it The fossil was first identified in May near the city of Sao Joao do Polesine, some 280 km west of Porto Alegre, in a part of the Brazilian pampas dubbed the country's 'El Dorado' of palaeontology A team of palaeontologists from the Federal University of Santa Maria spent four days excavating the fossil to remove the block of rock containing a near complete dinosaur fossil to take back to their research centre for study
Initial findings have determined the fossil was a specimen of the Herrerasauridae family, which were bipedal carnivores with long tails found in the area of modern-day Brazil and Argentina The fossil dates to the Triassic period, between 250 to 200 million years ago Rodrigo Temp Muller, who's leading the research effort, said that the fossil is possibly the second most complete fossil of a Herrerasauridae specimen to date The most complete was found in the same part of Brazil in 2014, leading to the identification of a new species with hooked claws, dubbed gnathovorax cabreirai
Children file case against parents over TV curbs
Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh high court has stayed proceedings in a case filed by siblings, aged 20 and 8, against their parents for not allowing them to watch TV and mobile, and for allegedly thrashing them On the basis of their complaint, police registered an FIR against the the parents that could land in jail for three years or more The father moved HC His plea was being heard before the bench of Justice Vivek Rusia on July 25 when the respondent’s counsel said, 15 minutes into the hearing, that he had not filed the ‘vakalatnama ’ on behalf of respondent no 2 (paternal aunt of the children) “Had he disclosed it in the beginning, this court would not have heard the matter for more than 15 minutes,” Justice Rusia said, and imposed a cost of Rs 1,000 “Proceedings of the trial court shall remain stayed,” he added The siblings had filed the complaint at Chandan Nagar police station on Oct 25, 2021, accusing their parents of physical assault, abuse and wrongful confinement, the couple’s counsel, advocate Dharmendra Choudhary said The children have been residing with their paternal aunt
The UPSC r evok ed the provisiona l ca ndida ture of IAS t rain ee office r Puja Khed kar f or t h e C
future
nd se le ctions conducte d by t he commission Accor ding to a n official r ele ase, Khedk ar w as foun d guilty of viola ting the CSE2022 r ules
The UPSC also reviewed records of more than 15,000 c a n d i d a t e s f r o m 2 0 0 9 t o 2023, and identified Khedkar as the only case of exceeding the attempt limit through “identity manipulation” The commission lodged a crimin
s t Khedkar for forging identity papers
“The standard operating p r o c e d u r e o f t h e U P S C could not detect her number of attempts primarily due to
the fact that she changed not only her name but also her parents’ names, ” the release says
T h e d e b a r m e n t
c t i o n followed Khedkar’s failure to respond to the commission’s show-cause notice, issued on J u l y 1 8 , f o r “ f r a u d u l e n t l y availing attempts beyond the p e r m i s s i b l e l i m i t p r o v i d e d for in the CSE Rules, by faking her identity” Khedkar changed her name, her pare n t s ’ n a m e s , h e r p h o t ograph, signature, email ID, mobile number, and address to conceal her real identity and gain additional attempts to appear in the exam, the official note says T h e U P S C h a d a s k e d Khedkar to respond to the showcause notice by July 25, but she had requested time till Aug 4 to collect necessary d o c u m e n t s T h e c o m m i ssion extended the deadline t i l l J
extension, she failed to submit her explanation within t h
release says K
office as an assistant collector on probation on June 3, was transferred to Washim on July 8 following district c
report to the state chief secretary regarding her alleged
privileges not allowed to an IAS probationer, highhand-
torate employees, use of the
car, and occupying an additional collector’s chamber
creamy layer and disability claims made at the time of appearing in the UPSC exam were questioned
Th e Ind ian Gaganyatri's or astronaut d esig nates set to f
( I S S
reached the U nited Stated and joined their training at H
u st o n ba
d A m e ri ca n c o m m e rc ia l c o m p an y A xiom Space
I S R O h a s a s s i g n e d
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair - part of India's Gaganyaan M i s s i o n - f o r t r a i n i n g a t
A x i o m S p a c e a n d N A S A ' s Kennedy Space Center and S p a c e X W h i l e G r o u p Captain Shukla is the primary astronaut for the Axiom m i s s i o n , G r o u p C a p t a i n Nair is the back-up astronaut for the project The upcoming flight is designated as the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission
A x i o m S p a c e s a i d t h e two Indian Air Force test pilots have joined the astronaut training regimen that m a y l a s t s e v e r a l m o n t h s before the flight to ISS in
2025 It also confirmed that t h e " c r e w i s e x p e c t e d t o spend up to 14 days on the space station"
I n a s t a t e m e n t A x i o m
S p a c e s a i d " A x i o m - 4 w i l l launch to the orbiting labor a t o r y a b o a r d a S p a c e X Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft from Florida " No launch date has been disclosed just yet The Ax-4 crew members begin training with Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX The crew assigned to Ax-4
i n c l u d e s A m e r i c a n a s t r on a u t C o m m a n d e r P e g g y W h i t s o n , M i s s i o n P i l o t
S h u b h a n s h u S h u k l a o f I n d i a , M i s s i o n S p e c i a l i s t S l a w o s z U z n a n s k i o f
E u r o p e a n S p a c e A g e n c y (ESA)/Poland, and Mission
S p e c i a l
Hungary
This will be the fourth commercial crew program s p e a r h e a d e d b y A x
Space and "Ax-4 represents
B h a ra ta na ty am a nd K uchip udi veteran and P adma awardee Y amini K r i s h na mu rt i di e d at the Apo llo h osp ital in Delhi last week Sh e was 8 4 “S he was suffering from age-related issues and was in th e ICU for the last seven months, " K rish namu rti's manager and secretary Ganesh said Krishnamurti's mo rtal remains will be bro ught to h er institu te -Y amini Sc hoo l of Dance at Hauz K has Born on December 20, 1 9 4 0 i n M a d a n a p a l l i i n Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district to Sanskrit scholar M Krishnamurti, she took to dance at the tender age
S
of five at the Kalakshetra
Chennai under the tutelage o
Also proficient in the form of Kuchipudi, Krishnamurti expanded her horizon by l
likes of Pankaj Charan Das
l e i n l o w - E a r t h o r b i t , " s a i d M i c h a e l Suffredini, CEO of Axiom Space
"This mission broadens horizons for nations with ambitious goals of advancing scientific, technological, and economic pursuits Our collaboration with ESA for a second time and the inclusion of Hungary and India underscores Axiom Space's a b i l i t y t o c u l t i v a t e g l o b a l partners, expand the scope of exploration, and open up new avenues to grow a global space economy "
and America's most experi-
Whitson, is the designated Commander of the Axiom-4 m i s s
G
n t i n u e d efforts to build opportunity f o r c o u n t r i e s t o r e s e a r c h , innovate, test, and engage w i t h p e o p l e a r o u n d t h e w o r l d w h
Shukla, 39,
Station in early 2025
a
Mohapatra Besides learn-
forms, Krishnamurti was trained in Carnatic vocals and the veena Krishnamurti received Padma Shri at the young age of 28 in 1968, Padma
Padma Vibhushan in 2016 She was also conferred the
and
Health iss ues and brai n fog can persist for years in ind iv iduals who were hospitalised wi th Cov id- 19 earl y in the pan demic, with some pati ents developin g new or more severe symptoms after 12 mon ths, accordi ng to researchers
Their study revealed that while many with long Covid showed improvement over time, a significant portion still
worsened rather than improved The research focused on 475 people hospitalised with Covid-19 before vaccines were available, examining whether cognitive issues, fatigue, and mental health problems persisted or emerged beyond the first year
Although the researchers lacked data on participants' cognitive function prior to Covid-19, tests conducted two to three years later showed that, on average, patients' IQs were 10 points lower than expected based on their age, education, and other factors One in nine participants exhibited "severe cognitive deficits," reflecting an IQ 30 points lower than expected
Questionnaires completed by participants revealed that many experienced moderate to severe levels of depression (47 per cent), fatigue (40 per cent), and anxiety (27 per cent) two to three years after their Covid-19 infection These symptoms, rather than improving, were on average worse than they were six to 12 months after infection
Over a quarter of the study participants changed occupations after contracting the virus, often due to the cognitive demands of their previous jobs becoming unmanageable Those who had been most severely ill six months after infection tended to fare worse in the long term, though the severity of the initial illness did not seem to impact their long-term outcomes
Despite an increase in reports of depression, anxiety, and fatigue after six months, cognitive problems appeared to improve slightly Six months post-infection, 44 per cent of participants had objective cognitive deficits compared to 33 per cent at two to three years
A c c o r d i n g t o t h e O f f i c e f o r N a t i o n a l S t a t i s t i c s , t h e number of people with long Covid is rising, with 2 million individuals in England and Scotland currently experiencing symptoms Recent research indicates that the brain fog reported by many is equivalent to a six-point drop in IQ
Research sug gests that cutting o ut bacon and sausag es co uld lower the risk of d em entia by 20%
A t e a m f r o
relationship between processed red meat such as burgers, salami, sausages, bacon, and hot dogs and dementia The study tracked 130,000 people for up to 43 years, gathering details about their diets every two to four years Participants underwent memory tests as they aged, and 11,000 were diagnosed with dementia The researchers found that higher c o n s u m p t i o n o f p r o c e s s e d r e d m e a t w a s l i n k e d t o a n increased risk of developing dementia They estimated that replacing a daily serving of bacon or sausages with plantbased proteins like nuts, beans, or tofu could reduce this risk by 20%
Those who consumed two servings of processed meat e a c h w e e k w e r e 1 4 % m o r e l i k e l y t o d e v e l o p d e m e n t i a compared to those who ate it three times a month No significant link was found between unprocessed red meat such as steak, pork chops, or roast lamb and dementia risk
Study author Yuhan Li from the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health noted that processed red meat is associated with higher risks of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, potentially affecting brain health due to harmful substances like nitrites and sodium
Roses for wellness
Roses are admired not only for their beauty but also for their health benefits They contain antioxidants that neutralise free radicals and reduce oxidative stress
Their anti-inflammatory properties help alleviate inflammation, while rose water soothes and hydrates the skin, reducing redness and irritation Rose tea supports digestive health by aiding digestion and easing gastrointestinal discomfort The calming scent of roses can also lower stress and anxiety, serving as a natural mood enhancer Additionally, rose hips, the fruit of the rose plant, are packed with vitamin C, which boosts the immune system
It is a known fact th at reducing salt intake is crucial for managing h igh blood p ressure, but that s not th e only
d
one in th ree adults in the UK
Tim Spector, founder of the Zoe
hypertension after a mini-stroke in his early fifties, recently shared with The
adopted based on the latest research Spector explains that many people,
adjustments can be just as crucial, if not more so, than cutting out salt Here’s a list of dietary adjustments that can benefit your blood pressure: Eat More Bananas: Consuming an
equivalent to two medium bananas can help lower blood pressure A study from Imperial College London found that substituting a quarter of dietary s
reduced blood pressure and a 14 per cent lower risk of heart disease
Incorporate Leafy Greens: Leafy
greens are rich in fiber and nitrates that support blood p r e s s u r e h e a l t h A s t
published in the European J
found that eating a serving of l e
d blood pressure and reduced heart disease risk by up to 26 per cent
D
Ad d T om atoes to Yo ur
tomatoes daily can lower the risk of hypertension by 36 per cent, according to research in the American Heart A
The protective effects are attributed to lycopene and potassium
In cl ud e Y o g h u rt D ai ly : A d a i l y
serving of yoghurt, about 150 grams, can lower blood pressure, as shown in a study published in the International Dairy Journal Yoghurt also provides calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which are crucial for blood pressure control
Eat Pulses Reg ularly: Consuming pulses like lentils and beans two to three times a week can significantly l o w e r b
Hypertension found that a diet rich in
pulses benefits both hypertensive and normotensive individuals
T ry Beetroot Juice: A daily 250ml
lower blood pressure due to its high nitrate content, which helps relax and widen blood vessels
Enjoy Dried Fru its: Dried fruits like apricots, raisins, and dates are high in potassium Blood Pressure UK suggests that a 30-40g portion of dried fruit daily can contribute to healthier blood pressure levels Among dried fruits, apricots contain the highest potassium content
Nea rly hal f of a ll de me ntia case s could be preve nted if p e op l e a d op t e d he a l t hi e r lifestyl es a nd lowere d their chole ster ol, according to a major study T h
identified 14 controllable risk f
contribute to hundreds of thousands of cases in the UK
For the first time, the study
r e v e a l e d t h a t h i g h cholesterol, which affects six i n t e n B r i t i s h a d u l t s , i n c r e a s e s t h e r i s k o f
dementia by 30 percent and is responsible for 7 percent of all cases Experts suggest that middle-aged adults can reduce their dementia risk by taking statins or exercising t o l o w e r " b a d " L D L cholesterol
The paper, authored by 2 7 g l o b a l e x p e r t s l e d b y University College London, introduced two new factors
c o n t r i b u t i n g t o d e m e n t i a : h i g h c h o l e s t e r o l a n d untreated vision loss in old a g e T h e s e f a c t o r s w e r e added to a list of 12 known
r i s k f a c t o r s , i n c l u d i n g
d e p r e s s i o n , s m o k i n g , a n d
loneliness
Together, these 14 m o d i f i a b l e o r treatable risk factors account for 45 percent of dementia cases, or 4 4 0 , 0 0 0 o f B r i t a i n ’ s e s t i m a t e d 9 8 2 , 0 0 0 c a s e s , w i t h h e a r i n g l o s s a n d h i g h c h o l e s t e r o l b e i n g t h e t w o b i g g e s t preventable causes
The authors emphasised t h a t d e m e n t i a d o e s n o t strike randomly and called f o r r a d i c a l p u b l i c h e a l t h p o l i c i e s , s u
t i arelated costs to the NHS and social care
The commission made 13 recommendations, including promoting hearing aid use and treating high cholesterol from the age of 40
A stud y published in BioMe d C e n t r a l ( BM C ) M e d i c in e foun d tha t ad opting a ve gan d ie t fo r e i g h t w
in biolog ica l ag e
The research, conducted by Stanford University in the US, explored the molecular effects of a plant-based diet, w h i c h e x c
y consists of fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, and nuts
women After eight weeks, the researchers observed a ' y o u n
inflammatory, and metabolic
diet These changes were not seen in those consuming the omnivorous diet However, the authors noted that it was unclear to what extent these changes could be attributed
T h e r e s e a r c h e r s discovered that this diet was associated with changes in gene expression through a p r o c e
methylation are linked to a
h e r b i o l o
c a l a g e , affecting gene behaviour by modifying its environment
l e d D N A
turn off or silence genes without altering the DNA itself Higher levels of DNA
T h e s t u d y f o l l o w e d 2 1
pairs of adult identical twins for eight weeks One twin in e a c h p a i r c o n s u m e d a n omnivorous diet, including meat, eggs, and dairy, while the other followed a vegan diet Identical twins share a significant amount of their genetic makeup, providing a controlled comparison The p
You r perso nality influences your
circumstances, a
dy suggests Researchers from the University of Edinburgh and the University of Tartu
reported happiness might be biased, so they also questioned people who knew the 20,000 participants Their findings indicated that
, were 40 years old and had a body mass index (BMI) in the
personality Dr Rene Mottus, the lead
O
average, individuals on the vegan diet lost two kilograms
e omnivorous diet, suggesting that weight loss could have contributed to the reduction in biological age in the vegan group
e l y s t a b l e , shaped gradually by a combination of c o u n t l e s s e x p e r i e n c e s a n d g e n e t i c factors Thus, the more satisfaction is linked to personality, the less it is expected to fluctuate with life's ups and downs," added Dr Mottus The study, published in the Journal of Personality and Psychology, also found that while life satisfaction did
Aamir Khan was stressed over son Junaid's debut in
‘Maharaj’: 'He refused my help'
Aamir Khan's son Junaid Khan made his film debut with YRF's ‘Maharaj’, which was released without any prior promotions. After the film's release, the team began discussing it, though Aamir himself was not involved in the promotions. Aamir has now revealed that he was "very stressed" about Junaid's debut and noted that he never "accepted any help" from him
Aamir Khan shared, "When Junaid's film ‘Maharaj’ was released, I was very stressed about whether people would appreciate his work Junaid has worked incredibly hard on his own, never accepting any help from me in any way I'm very proud and happy that he made it on his own terms, in his own way, and I can see that " Junaid previously mentioned that while Aamir Khan has always been supportive of his career choices, he doesn't interfere or impose his opinions on his children In an interview, Junaid praised his father for having “the best solution for everything” related to films He added, “There’s a lot to learn from how he conducts himself Failures do affect him, but he takes time to process them, learns from the experience, and moves forward That’s probably the best approach ”
Tabu expressed frustration with repetitive questions about pay parity for female actors During promotions for ‘Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha’, she suggested that such questions should be directed at those who pay male actors more In conversation, Tabu voiced her frustration about being repeatedly asked about pay parity during media interactions She said, “Media always questions female actors about pay disparities, asking us why men are paid more Instead, why not ask those who pay them? I’m often left to either say, 'I hate that I’m paid less,' or, 'I’m okay with my pay ' Why not question male actors about why they earn more?” She added, “It would be interesting to get a different
compelling when viewed through an external lens Beauty and physicality are always interpreted based on the lens through which they are seen ”
‘Kill’ and ‘Laapataa
Akshay Kumar on flops: 'I'm not done, will keep working until they shoot me'
Akshay Kumar, once known for his Midas touch with Rs 100 crore hits, saw his streak falter post-pandemic Despite delivering the first superhit with ‘Sooryavanshi’, he followed it with a string of flops, including ‘Bachchhan Paandey’, ‘Samrat Prithviraj’, ‘Raksha Bandhan’, ‘Mission Raniganj’, ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’, ‘Selfiee’, ‘Ram Setu’, and the biopic ‘Sarfira’, a remake of ‘Soorarai Pottru’ His only recent success was an extended cameo in ‘OMG 2’, which he also produced Will his luck turn with his next release, ‘Khel Khel Mein’?
At the trailer launch in Mumbai, Akshay Kumar firmly stated, "No matter what people say, I ll keep working
He then shared a story his father told him during his childhood: A farmer's cow went missing, and the villagers offered their sympathy The next day, the cow returned with several others, and the villagers congratulated him Later, the farmer's son injured his foot, prompting more sympathy When the king ordered all young men to join the military, the son was exempt due to his injury, leading the villagers to comment on the farmer's good fortune "
Akshay Kumar vowed to continue working regardless of public opinion He said, “I’ll always keep working, no matter what people say I wake up, exercise, go to work, and come home I earn everything on my own and never take from anyone I’ll keep working until they have to shoot me down to stop me ”
Anurag Kashyap, who recently appeared in the Tamil film ‘Maharaja’, criticised Bollywood's focus on star power, attributing southern cinema's success to its emphasis on storytelling He praised the film ‘Kill’ and noted that Bollywood often prioritises celebrity over genuine narratives
Anurag Kashyap praised the Fahadh Faasil starrer ‘Aavesham’ for casting three influencers in key roles, highlighting a contrast with Bollywood's tendency to prioritise star power over genuine storytelling He remarked, “In Bollywood, big stars would be cast in these roles, focusing more on celebrity than on telling a real story ”
Anurag Kashyap noted that Bollywood often relies on repetitive formulas but can create exceptional films when
it ventures beyond the norm He praised last year's ‘12th Fail’ and this year's ‘Laapataa Ladies’ for their originality, stating, “It only works when something original comes out ” He also commended the action drama ‘Kill’ for its unique approach, despite being an action film Kashyap acknowledged that both ‘Maharaja’ and ‘Kill’ received criticism for their violence
Yogi Babu confirms role in Rajinikanth’s ‘Jailer 2’: ‘Nelson Dilipkumar is crafting something special’
Yogi Babu, one of Tamil cinema's busiest actors, recently starred in Disney+ Hotstar's ‘Chutney Sambar’ and is awaiting the release of ‘Boat’ In a media chat with Cineulagam, he discussed his upcoming film ‘Jailer 2’ and his collaborations with Nelson Dilipkumar, noting that comedy was a key element in their previous films, including ‘Kolamaavu Kokila’, ‘Doctor’, ‘Beast’, and ‘Jailer’
In the 2023 blockbuster ‘Jailer’, Yogi B a b u p o r t r a y e d a q u i r k y c h a r a c t e r caught in a complex web of murder, heist, and redemption Known for his d i s t i n c t i v e p e r f o r m a n c e s i n N e l s o n Dilipkumar's films, Yogi Babu shared that Nelson is crafting a special role for him in ‘Jailer 2 ’ , promising a fresh and engaging take on their signature comedy
Yogi Babu was tight-lipped about ‘Jailer 2 ’ , refusing to disclose whether it will be a sequel or prequel “The official announcement will come soon I don't want to fuel any rumours, ” he said He has previously shared the screen with Rajinikanth in ‘Darbar’
This year's Andhra Pradesh elections were significant for Pawan Kalyan’s family, with his brother Naga Babu and other relatives backing him Allu Arjun faced criticism for supporting a YSRCP candidate Niharika Konidela recently addressed the rumoured feud in an interview with M9
When asked about the family's reaction to Allu Arjun supporting Silpa Ravi Reddy in Nandyal, Niharika Konidela said, “ W
Everyone has their own reasons and choices politically, religiously, and spiritually ”
She also clarified that a tweet from her father was not about Arjun but rather his
added, “For me, it’s always family first, and I can only speak for myself,” choosing not to comment further
Pawan Kalyan contested the Andhra
Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party and the BJP
He is now serving as the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh
Niharika
on family feud rumours:
‘We didn’t discuss it’
Many celebrities have stepped up to support landslide victims in Wayanad, Kerala Tamil actors Suriya and Vikram, along with Malayalam stars Mammootty, Dulquer Salmaan, Fahadh Faasil, and Nazriya, have donated generously to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund
responsibility to support them
Rana Daggubati wasn’t the original choice for Bhallaladeva in ‘Baahubali’
Nazim donated 25 lakh to aid landslide victims in Wayanad, confirming their contribution in a press release Tamil actor couple Suriya and Jyotika, along with Karthi, reportedly donated
Rashmika Mandanna contribut-
Tamil actor Vikram donated 20 lakh to landslide victims in W a y a n a d H i s m a n a g e r , Yuvraaj, announced the donation on X (formerly Twitter), expressing concern over the disaster that claimed over 150 lives and left many injured or missing
combined 35 lakh to the relief fund Mammootty commented, “I’ve made a small contribution now and will provide more if needed These people, whose lives have been upended in just two days, need our help It’s our
ed 10 lakh Nayanthara and her
Shivan also provided 20 lakh as financial support to the victims
The character of Bhallaladeva, brought to life by Rana Daggubati, is one of the most notorious villains in Indian cinema, immortalised in the epic ‘Baahubali’ saga. However, Rana wasn’t the original choice for this iconic role. The recent documentary *Modern Masters*, which offers an in-depth look at the filmography of SS Rajamouli, reveals this intriguing piece of casting history from ‘Baahubali’ In the documentary, Rana Daggubati reflects on his exper i e n c e s w o r k i n g w i t h S S Rajamouli, revealing an intrigui n g b e h i n d - t h e - s c e n e s d e t a i l : the makers initially considered J a s
r ‘Baahubali’
roles as Khal Drogo in ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Aquaman’, for the role of Bhallaladeva This surp r i s i n g c h
In the documentary, Rana Daggubati recalls learning from producer Shobu Yarlagadda that ‘Baahubali’ was a period war film, and they wanted him as the antagonist Rana responded e n t h u s i a s t i c a l l y , s a y i n g h e ’ d love to hear the narration Rana humorously remarked that being second to Khal Drogo wasn’t a bad spot to be His portrayal of Bhallaladeva became a defining moment in his career, earning him critical and global acclaim
An Indian-American businessman Gopi Seth installed a life-size statue of Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan at his New Jersey residence, and has been officially designated as a tourist attraction on Google Maps
Located in Edison, approximately 35 kilometres south of Manhattan, the statue has attracted considerable attention since its installation in August 2022
Gopi Seth, a devoted fan of Amitabh Bachchan, announced the news on X, sharing a video of the statue “The statue of my idol, Shri Amitabh Bachchan, has become a popular tourist attraction in New Jersey It’s my way of paying tribute to the legendary actor,” the caption reads S
numerous fans of the iconic actor Seth said that his residence has become a lively spot for visitors, with 20 to 25 cars arriving daily
Fans of Mr Bachchan from around the world travel to see the statue, with many families visiting
greeting cards and letters at the statue to express their admiration "Our home has become a major
Filmmakers Raj and DK have crafted ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’, the Indian adaptation of the Russo Brothers’ ‘Citadel’, which originally starred Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra. At the teaser launch event in Mumbai, the duo shared how the Russo Brothers were involved in the project, while still ensuring they maintained their distinct creative voice throughout the collaboration Raj shared, collaboration, and we ’ ve always been fiercely independent filmmakers
From our start with ‘ 99 ’ , we ’ v only created what we write direct, and produce We value the freedom to make what we believe in, without external pressure, and we re glad we maintained that throughout this project ” Raj recalled their first meeting with Anthony and Joseph Russo, saying, “We were thrilled to be offered ‘Citadel India’ When we met the Russo Brothers in the US, it felt like a major conference, with episodes laid out for discussion They were incredibly gracious, collaborative, and open throughout the process ”
Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha will make his OTT debut with the upcoming series ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack’ This gripping series, based on the 1999 hijacking of an Indian aircraft by five Pakistani militants, boasts an ensemble cast and will premiere on Netflix.
The teaser opens with Indian passengers boarding at Tribhuvan International
Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, for a flight to Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi Vijay Varma stars as pilot Sharan Dev The scene quickly turns tense when five masked militants hijack the flight, brandishing weapons, assaulting the air hostess, and spreading fear among everyone on board
Following his standout role in ‘Mirzapur 3’, Ali Fazal is now set to star in the fantasy drama series ‘Rakht Brahmand’, alongside Samantha Ruth Prabhu. Produced by Raj and DK, the series will be directed by Rahi Anil Barve, known for the acclaimed 2018 horrordrama ‘Tumbbad’ ‘Rakht Brahmand’ also stars Aditya Roy Kapoor and Wamiqa Gabbi in key roles Aditya received acclaim for his performance in the Disney+ Hotstar series *The Night Manager*, while Wamiqa was praised for her role in Prime Video's ‘Jubilee’
The teaser also showcases other stars, including Pankaj Kapur, Dia Mirza, Manoj Pahwa, and Naseeruddin Shah, as Indian government officials. The situation worsens as the hijacked flight is diverted to Kandahar, Afghanistan, under Taliban control
The series is inspired by the real-life hijacking of IC-814, where 176 passengers were held hostage for seven days The flight, originally departing from Kathmandu and bound for Delhi, was hijacked and flown to Kandahar The operation was reportedly supported by Pakistan's military intelligence, ISI
A source close to the show said, “The project is a remarkable vision from Raj & DK and represents a significant advancement in the fantasy drama genre With the cast finalised, shooting begins next week Ali will film the series throughout August, alongside brief schedules for his other projects ” Ali's role in ‘Rakht Brahmand’ is being described as a unique and intriguing character unlike anything he has portrayed before Meanwhile, he also has ‘Metro In Dino’ directed by Anurag Basu, ‘Lahore 1947 ’ produced by Aamir Khan, and ‘Thug Life’ from Mani Ratnam lined up
F i ft e e n -y e a r -o l d S h r
schoolb oy in London, ha s be come the y ounge st British gr andmaster Shre yas
a chieved the covete d titl e a t t he Br it ish Chess Cha mpionships in Hull, brea king D avid Howe ll’ s UK r ecord of be coming one a ged 16 in 2007
E a r n
earlier tournaments He achieved his first “ norm ” at the Bavarian Open in November 2022
A player must achieve over a total of 27 games, which typically would require three separate tournaments, to earn the title of grandmaster “I am so extremely proud of Shreyas,” said Jitendra Singh, h i s f a
Woolwich Arsenal, southeast London “It is a huge achievement for him and one he has been working towards for many years To be the youngest ever British grandmaster is fantastic ”
In 2018 his family faced having to return to India after his father’s work visa expired He was distraught but the
failed to meet the threshold for a new visa
The family were supported by the English Chess Federation (ECF), which
immigration minister, asking her to give special clearance However, she would not agree The ECF then approached Sajid Javid, then the home secretary, who said he recognised the young boy’s exceptional talent and overruled Nokes Dominic Lawson, the president of the ECF and a Sunday Times columnist, said: “Shreyas is a wonderful young
Vinesh Phoga t has done it Wr estling her third mat ch of the day , the 29-yearol d wre st le r assure d In dia its fourth meda l of the Par is Oly mpics 2024 – and t he b est of the Games so far , ge tting a ssured of a historic silve r me dal at l east b y be ating Yusne ylis Guzman Lopez of Cuba 5 -0 in the wome n's 50 kg freesty le wre st ling semifin al Historic, because no other Indian female wrestler in the past has won anything other than a bronze – the last b e i n g S a k s h i M a l i k a t t
R i o Olympics Phogat, however, is not done She has the opportunity to now gun for the top prize, which if achieved, will make her the first ever Indian wrestler to win a gold at the Olympics B o t h w r e s t
d each trying to gauge the other's strategy V
Ky le Kotha ri, born on Ja nuar y 26, 1998, in Har row, Nor th Lond on, ha s ma de his O l y m p ic d e bu t i n t h e M e n s 1 0 m Platform eve nt a t Pa ris 2024 He is th e first at hle te from a U K Ja in fa mily to compet e in the O ly mpics, re pre se ntin g G rea t Brita in and En gland The son of Jite n an d A rti Kotha ri, who or iginally ha il fr om Nairobi, Ken ya, Ky le ’ s a thletic journ ey is a t estam ent t o his r esilien ce a nd de ter minat ion
Kyle began his sporting life as a gymnast at age three Growing up in a v i b r a n t L o n d o n f a m i l y o f G u j a
h e r i t a g e , h e e x c e l l e d i n g y m
i c s , rising to the top five nationally by age 1 1 H o w e v e r , a s e v e r e e l b o w i n j u r y during a regional championship led to a p i v o t a l s h i f t t o d i v i n g D u r i n g h i s rehabilitation, Kyle was invited to a talent test by Crystal Palace Diving Club, where his gymnastics background made him stand out Transitioning to diving, he quickly won National Skills, National Age Groups, and Junior Elites titles This success propelled him to victories at the Junior Europeans in Italy and the World Juniors in Russia
D e s p i t e h i s r a p i d a s c e n t , K y l e ' s
reminiscent of her tactics against the formidable Yui Susaki of Japan When the clock expired, Vinesh took a slim 1-0 lead with just a minute remaining in the first round
I n t h e s
initiated an attack on Lopez's right leg but failed to capitalise, resulting in her own passivity clock starting With only 30 seconds to make a move, the pressure
was mounting Then, in a stunning turn of events, Vinesh powerfully flipping Lopez over and earning two points This move propelled her to a commanding five-point lead After a minute and a half, Vinesh had cemented her place in the annals of Indian wrestling greats, guaranteeing the country's best medal finish of the Paris 2024 Games
Earlier in the day, Vinesh created waves at the Paris Games by executing a
a n Olympic medal Susaki, the Tokyo gold m
m
W o
l d Champion, had an unbroken streak of 8
e f t stunned by Vinesh's tactical prowess, leading to a 2-3 loss in the opening bout
career has faced significant challenges A serious neck nerve injury in 2016 prevented him from competing in the Rio Olympics Using this time to excel academically, he achieved top "A" level r e s u l t s a n d s
Geography with Economics in 2019 He continued to compete, earning British titles and World Grand Prix medals
Further adversity struck in 2018 when Kyle ruptured his left Achilles
event in Calgary Although specialist surgery and rehabilitation followed, his plans for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics w
rupture After considering retirement, Kyle embraced a new direction with a six-month internship at JP Morgan and committed to one final attempt at his diving career His comeback has been marked by
Championships in Rome in both the Mixed 10m Synchro with Lois Toulson and the Men's 10m Synchro with Ben Cutmore At the 2022 Commonwealth Games, he won silver in the Mixed 10m S
Men’s 10m Synchro Domestically, he earned silver in the Men’s 10m Synchro and a fourth-place finish in the Men’s
strong showing at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka, finishing fifth, and a sixth-place finish at the 2024 World Championships in Doha As he prepares for Paris 2024, Kyle K
extraordinary resilience, marking him as a standout competitor on the global stage
89.34 m to reach
After 10 days of the Paris Olympics, Ind ia will get its f ir st g l im p se o f Oly m p i c and w orld champio n Neeraj Ch opra as h e com petes in the qu alificatio n round of th e m e n ’ s j av eli n th r o w event Joining Neeraj in the mid dle for th e m en ’ s javelin throw event will be Kish ore
Jena W h i l e K i s
javelin throw finals in the first group, which competes earlier in the day, Neeraj w i l l b e i
second group
The bar for qualification for the javelin throw finals, w h i c
e h e l d
Thursday, has been set at 84 metres, which means that Neeraj, Kishore and others can qualify directly for the final just by breaching the d i s t a n c e I n a n y c a s e , 1 2 javelin throwers will qualify for the final
At the Paris Olympics, N e e r a j i s d e f e n d i n g h i
he had won at the
three years ago with
enters the Paris Olympics as one of the heavy favourites a s h e i s t h e r e i g n i n
champion
Heading into the javelin t h r o w
Arshad Nadeem, Anderson
L e g -s pi n n e r J e ff r e y V a n de r s ay ’ s m a g ica l s ix - wi ck e t h a ul r ob bed the roar from Rohit Sharma’s brutal
f if t y a s S r i L a n k a e tched an e motional 3 2-run win over India in the second OD I in Colombo on Sunda y Sri Lanka now lead the three match series 1-0 after the first match ended in a t i e I n d i a w e r e a s k e d t o chase down 241 on a pitch that had plenty of assistance for the spinners, and they ended up at 208 all out in 42 2 overs with Vandersay wrecking them with a haul o f s i x f o r 3 3 A d i f f e r e n t r e s u l t l o o m e d a s l o n g a s s k i p p e r R o h i t w a s a t t h e crease, creaming the Lankan bowlers enroute to his 64 off 44 balls (5x4, 4x6) Unmindful of the nature of the pitch, Rohit cut, swept and pulled spinners Dunith W e l l a l a g e a n d A k i l a Dananjaya and pacer Asitha Fernando to all parts of the ground in the company of a compact Shubman Gill (35,
44b) as India waltzed to 97 in just 13 3 overs But a fatal reverse sweep off Vandersay that was taken by a diving Pathum Nissanka snapped Rohit’s stay, and it also put the Indian batting unit in a tailspin The 97 for one became 116 for two in 17 1 overs and it transpired i n t o e v
6
o
three four balls later But more shocks were in store f
h e y tumbled to 123 for four, 133 for five and eventually to 147 for six That was six wickets for 50 runs in the span of 10
destruction was performed
Wanindu Hasaranga
made his Test debut in
against
Indies in Kolkata Known to be a feisty batsman, Gaekwad played 40 Test and scored 1,985 runs He scored two centuries but his finest effort came against Pakistan when he scored 201 in Jalandhar in 1982-83 He also played 15 ODIs Gaekwad b
Indian team twice – first in 1997 and then in 2000 G
secretary of BCA in 2013 He later resigned from the post owing to differences with the BCA management Gaekwad
of the