AV 13th August 2022 by Asian Business Publications Ltd

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Rishi Sunak gets candid about his personal and professional life

From refugees to citizens: The story of how Ugandan Asians made Britain home

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PM Modi opens charitable hospital for rural poor in Dharampur

The changing perception of India@75

TIMES AHEAD? The Bank of England has warned that a recession is about to hit UK, and winters will not be cosy. Asian Voice talks to fintech and property experts, as well as entrepreneurs in the British Asian community about their concerns about the looming recession. Shefali Saxena The Bank of England has issued a warning saying that the UK will fall into recession this year as it raised interest rates by the most in 27 years. The forecast hints that the last three months of the year will witness a shrink in the economy and it’ll continue until the end of 2023. Interest rates rose to 1.75% as the Bank

India is 75 years young. The motherland has survived a pandemic, various battles, ups and downs and particularly this year, lost some of its stalwarts in the field of art and entertainment. Full story on page 12

Nitish Kumar quits NDA, joins hands with RJD

battles to stem soaring prices, with inflation now set to hit over 13%. The main reason for high inflation and low growth is soaring energy bills, driven by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. A typical household will be paying almost £300 a month for their energy by October, the Bank warned. High inflation means an increase in the cost of living. Continued on page 06

Political history repeated itself in Bihar after five years when Chief Minister Nitish Kumar did a turnaround on Tuesday and joined hands again with the Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) whom he had dumped in 2017 on the issue of corruption. Full story on page 25

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with Keith Vaz

London zoo places crocodile skin handbag in enclosure

WAJID ABBAS PGCE BSc, Business Lecturer Wajid was born in East London and grew up in Hackney. He was the first person from his father’s side of the family to attend university. Wajid graduated from Queen Mary University of London in 2013 with a BSc in Business Management and later graduated from the Institute of Education with a PGCE in Post Compulsory Education. Wajid has a vast array of experience teaching BTEC Business and A Level Business curriculum in the FE sector. He has taught at Hackney Community College, Sir George Monoux College, and currently at City of Westminster College and has helped over 1000 students achieve their ambitions. Wajid is also a Learning Coach and coaches’ teachers to develop their practices and offers CPD sessions. Wajid’s ultimate goal is to move into higher education and lecture at universities. 1) Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in? London – Born and bred in East London. Can’t see myself feeling at home anywhere else. 2) What are your proudest achievements? Purchasing my first property at the age of 25 in London with my wife Anum Fatima. I had to work several jobs to save up and made many sacrifices. 3) What inspires you? My two daughters (aged 4 and 2) and my family inspire me to do better for them. 4) What has been biggest obstacle in your career? Not having financial freedom as it has prevented me from enjoying my life. It is something which I am working towards. 5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date? My uncles, Aamir Safdar (Property Investor) and Imran Safdar (Business Owner) have been the biggest influence on my career to date as they have guided me through a rough period in my life from 2015-2018 when my mother was hospitalised with mental health.

6) What is the best aspect about your current role? Being able to unlock the potential of future business men and women by guiding them through their college life. 7) And the worst? There is nothing bad about my current role – I seek to help students to give them the tools to be able to achieve their goals. 8) What are your long-term goals? I would love to become a lecturer at a University and move out of the FE sector. 9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change? I would ensure that all politicians earn the average salary within their boroughs. I believe if you work in politics, you should earn the average salary as the community. My belief is that the job should be for the people not for the salary. 10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why. Imam Hussain (Grandson of the Prophet Muhammed (SAW)); I would love to learn how to bring about justice in today’s complex society.

Unused PPE costs the taxpayer £700,000 a day New figures have revealed that the government is spending more than £5 million a week to store PPE in warehouses. According to the report by the National Audit Office, 14.2 billion items of PPE were languishing in storage — slightly less than the 17.3 billion items that were delivered to front-

line doctors and nurses during the coronavirus pandemic. After about £259 million was spent on storage between April last year and May, a large amount of this protective gear will be burnt. In response to a written parliamentary question, the precise cost of storing the PPE was disclosed.

Angela Rayner, deputy leader of the Labour Party, said the sums involved were “sickening”. She added: “As families struggle to make ends meet and pay for childcare, fuel and food, the government is haemorrhaging taxpayers’ money to pay for the storage of needless PPE. It is utterly sickening."

NHS urges people not to ignore common lung cancer symptoms To mark World Lung Cancer Day, the NHS has launched a campaign urging those

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campaign is aimed at helping people who are at the highest risk for developing the disease, specifically those aged 60 and over and people who avoid visiting their GP. Professor Peter Johnson, national clinical director for cancer, said: “For lung cancer, we have not seen referrals bounce back at the same rate as other cancers. “It is vital that people stay alert against suspected lung cancer symptoms, so if you have a continuous cough or breathlessness, don’t ignore or assume it’s something else, please visit your GP and get it checked out – it probably won’t be cancer but catching it early can help save lives.”

The zoo, in London's Regent's Park, has placed a handbag that has been made from Siamese Crocodile's skin, in a stand against using animal fur and skin in fashion. This was done to draw attention to the threat various species of animals are facing. The poignant photo went viral on Twitter since being posted on August 2 and has received more than 370,000 likes and over

60,000 retweets. Zoo authorities have passed a message along with the bag that makes a serious point. "This bag used to be

found swimming in slowmoving rivers and streams across Southeast Asia and Indonesia. Over the last 75 years, more than 80% of Siamese Crocodiles have disappeared. Many, like this one, were hunted for their skin as part of the illegal wildlife trade," it said. The 196-year-old zoo is home to more than 3,000 animals confiscated by border police at the city's airports.

Covid puts UK in grip of psychological crisis With the numbers suffering from distress twice as high as they were before the pandemic, Covid has put the UK in the grip of a psychological crisis, according to the latest findings of The Covid-19 Rapid Survey of Adherence to Interventions and Responses (CORSAIR) study, led by University College London and King’s College London. From April 2020 to April 2022, between 50 and 60 per cent of women and 40 and 50 per cent of men in England

were reporting signs of psychological distress, in comparison to 25 to 30 per cent of women and 20 to 25 per cent of men prior to the pandemic. Uncontrollable worrying, little interest or pleasure in

activities and feeling depressed or anxious are symptoms of pandemic anxiety. “I was surprised by these findings – by the magnitude of the increase in psychological stress, the length of time it has held up and by how little it changed at any point in the pandemic. I had expected it would go up and down more,” said Professor Henry Potts, of University College London.

Border control infiltrated by war mentality in UK, says report According to the report from the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) and the Network for Police Monitoring (Netpol), policing, border control and surveillance have become increasingly militarised in the UK and infiltrated by a “war mentality". The report says that there is an increasingly blurred line between the police and the military and that key areas including

counter-terrorism, antiprotest policing, border control and the policing of gangs have adopted a war mentality. The campaign group describes the hyper-militarisation of British policing agencies as “deeply troubling”. Emily Apple, a communications coordinator at Netpol, said: “This report busts the myth that the police in the UK govern, or

have ever governed, by consent. It lays out what those from marginalised communities know all too well, that institutionalised and structural racism results in overpolicing, excessive force and disproportionate criminalisation.

Ministers admit NHS pledge on hospital waiting times will not be met Ministers have confessed a key NHS pledge to ensure that everyone who has been waiting at least two years for hospital care would be treated by last month has not been met. In February, when launching the NHS’s “elective recovery plan”, the then health secretary Sajid Javid made the promise.

It was done so to tackle what is now a record 6.6 million-patient backlog in England for those awaiting a procedure such as a joint replacement or cataract removal and included a series of treatment milestones the health service had to hit. “No one will wait longer than two years by July,” Javid said.

However, the Department of Health and Social Care has now admitted that it won't be able to meet the target and that “a small number of patients” will have remained untreated by that deadline. Meanwhile, frustrated by long delays for NHS care, a growing number of patients are choosing to go private.

Royal Mint launches new Lord Ganesh gold bars The Royal Mint in the UK is all set to sell a new 24- karat gold bar depicting Lord Ganesh this week. This launch marks the expansion of its Indian- inspired gold minted bullion bar range, which already includes the Goddess Laxmi gold bar that was launched for Diwali last year.

This launch comes just in time for the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, which

will be celebrated later this month. The Royal Mint explains the symbolism of Ganesh as the God of luck, symbolism and new beginnings. “This year, for the first time, the son of Shiva and Parvati will also be appearing on a 20g gold minted bullion bar from the Royal Mint”, they told iGlobal.

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Charity begins at home for Britons Second heat wave in one summer, climate change, soaring cost of living, inflation, energy crises, repeated train and tube strikes and a looming recession- Britain is entering the worst economic crisis since 1970s (see p1). With the SMEs hit the hardest, they remain the ones with the largest number of loan rejections, or payment disputes that are not settled for ages. The Business Banking Resolution Service (BBRS), a notfor-profit, independent service is appealing to small and midsized businesses (SMEs) across the UK to see if their unresolved banking disputes can be tackled. Eligible SMEs with longstanding banking complaints must register their case with the BBRS before the historical scheme closes on 14 February 2023. But in this chaotic moment of an absolute economic breakdown, it is interesting to watch both contenders of the leadership contest not mention about this crisis at all as they toy with a dangerously low level of taxations. William Keegan in his The Guardian article wrote, “The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) and the Bank of England have both pronounced that we are entering a recession that could last for much of next year. This will serve to aggravate already serious economic, industrial, and social problems, with goodness knows how much public unrest. “Yet the message from Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak is that what really matters is whether that Conservative nirvana of tax cuts is offered now or later. Given the manifold examples of the deficiencies of public sector provision, the last thing this country needs are the smaller state and low-tax regime favoured by the Brexiters. Good services must be paid for.” Brexit has always been misunderstood by people. What most of the public thought to be a good riddance European supremacy of laws, is much more complicated than just a set of rules. Britain now suffers from shortage of staff, energy crisis, high food prices and other issues deeply rooted in Brexit. Music industry officials have recently called on the government to do more to remove the barriers preventing UK artists from touring in the EU since Brexit. Last year, the government apparently announced it had secured visa-free touring to around 20 EU countries for musicians. Despite that, artists reportedly said that performing there is often still too costly, with issues cropping up often such as equipment checks, lost instruments, and lengthy delays at borders resulting in some having to cancel tours and gigs, according to reports. A separate report found that £700m of business rates relief

remains unpaid with only half of English councils paying out the support funds since Covid. The Sky News reported a record 64% of the biggest restaurant companies are now making a loss, according to the accountancy firm UHY Hacker Young. Several have suffered heavy losses due to major restructuring programmes undertaken following the pandemic, and because of debt repayments, particularly to landlords. The restaurant sector had expected a recovery in profits following the pandemic, but this has been jeopardised by spiralling food inflation and a fall in consumer confidence caused by interest rate rises. Restaurants have also been hit by labour shortages, forcing them to restrict covers and therefore reducing the amount of revenue they are able to generate, especially at peak times. On the other hand, fires are ripping through London due to the heat wave and the Environment Secretary has urged water companies to implement hosepipe bans to mitigate the effects of a prolonged dry season. The Met Office has warned Britons of a ten-day heatwave with temperatures expected to reach 35°C. Thames Water and Southwest Water have also warned they might soon have to bring in water-use restrictions to futureproof their reservoirs. Interestingly, nearly seven in 10 people say that UK’s record-breaking heatwave has convinced them that more needs to be done to tackle the climate crisis, but many remain unpersuaded to take personal action, according to a new poll. The exclusive Savanta survey for The Independent has reportedly revealed that people are looking to the government to act, but fewer said the heatwave had persuaded them to change their own behaviour when it comes to eating meat or dairy, flying less or investing in electric cars and heat pumps – all of which promises to reduce emissions and global heating. 69 per cent of the 2,315 respondents reportedly said they were either significantly or somewhat more convinced that the country needed to do more to tackle climate change, which is resulting into longer, hotter and more frequent heatwaves. But the same proportion said the climate crisis should be one of the government’s top priorities. While it is true that the government needs to do more at a universal level, but charity always begins at home. As citizens we need to care about our small habits, that can be a giant help for a nation. A country is what its people make of it, and just a government with laws cannot sustain the world for generations to come.

Achievements and future challenges of India Seventy-five years ago, on August 15, 1947, India gained its independence. The Indian Independence Act led to the founding of India as an independent nation. India has established relations with world powers such as Great Britain, the European Union, Japan, Russia, and the United States. It houses one-sixth of the world's population, maintains a unique democratic ethos, and pursues a foreign policy of national interests and solidarity with developing countries. India has invested heavily in its relations with neighboring countries, including China, to create a favorable environment for economic growth. In this round of progress, India's standing in the international arena has increased, reflected in its participation in several critical multilateral fora and consolidating bilateral relations with several countries. The present economic growth of India - the fastest-growing major economy in 2015 2021 has increased its standing on the world stage, and it is now the most advanced country and performing strongly. Its economy is also the second-largest in the world regarding purchasing power parity, giving it more significant global clout and power by expanding and modernizing its military capabilities. India has a 5,000 plus year old history, 1/6th of the landmass, and almost five times the USA's population. India's challenges are 1,000 times more complex. India is the largest exporter of intellectual brainpower to the entire world. The devastation of Covid-19 and growing international competition underscore India's difficulties in transforming itself from a prosperous middle-income country into a safe community and proactively shaping international norms. In this changing global landscape, India has an opportunity to create a new framework for its security, growth, and development and that of developing countries around the world. Given the pace of change and the challenges ahead, India can build a more inclusive and equitable international order on Independence Day, marking the centenary of its independence. In many ways, the domestic problems that India's leaders must overcome will make India's already complex country more challenging to negotiate and cooperate with smaller nations when they reach higher income levels. Nor will India avoid new problems, including social inclusion, caste, religion, and gender, which will make it a more complex nation. As India enters its 75th year of independence, there are many reasons to be cautiously optimistic about its place in the world. Since independence, India has reclaimed its progressive school of thought, namely democracy, secularism, law, respect for human rights, rational and deductive thinking, and science and technology development. On the other hand, India has proved to be a "bridge between the many extremes of the

world," as former prime minister Manmohan Singh once noted. As India continues to address its urgent goals of economic and human development and social justice, India, like China, is an emerging world power and has an extensive unfinished domestic agenda. How many poor people in the country need programs of the government during the pandemic to survive? On the flip side, many challenges remain. These include reducing poverty, crime and corruption and ensuring environmental sustainability amid increasing urbanization. Also, access to improved housing, sanitation facilities, healthcare, and education remain crucial areas for improvement. So do improvements in India's creaky infrastructure. Then, bridging the urban-rural divide and sustaining the economic growth momentum are all work in progress. Reduction in Indian society's divisions based on language, caste, religion, region and other individual identities will also go a long way in strengthening India's social fabric. In the years ahead, much will depend on how India performs along these dimensions. It will hopefully culminate into greater fruits of independence, freedom and equality among its people. Since independence, India's destiny has been closely linked to the rest of the world. India has played an activist role in decolonizing the world, providing diplomatic and security assistance to independence movements in Asia and Africa, and sending military missions to Korea and Congo. It has also taken the lead in initiatives to improve relations with African and Asian countries. India is home to many traditions and the largest and most vibrant democracy. Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements. This Mahotsav is dedicated to the people of India who have not only been instrumental in bringing India thus far in its evolutionary journey but also hold within them the power and potential to enable Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of activating India 2.0, fuelled by the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The official journey of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav commenced on 12th March 2021 which started a 75week countdown to our 75th anniversary of independence and will end post a year on 15th August 2023. Prime Minister Modi said Azadi Amrit Mahotsav means elixir of energy of independence; elixir of inspirations of the warriors of freedom struggle; elixir of new ideas and pledges; and elixir of Aatmanirbharta. Therefore, this Mahotsav is a festival of awakening of the nation; a festival of fulfilling the dream of good governance; and the festival of global peace and development.

Thought for the week For everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labour in freedom. - Albert Einstein

Political Sketchbook Alpesh Patel

Which PM would be better for UK India Relations? The Conservative Party members choose the leader of their party. But the impact goes beyond that and the Conservative Friends of India are hosting hustings with the two contenders. I’ve examined some of the recent media comments on the bilateral relationship. • "Despite the uncertainty over Brexit the number of Indian firms operating in the UK increased from 800 in FY2017-18 to 850 during FY2019-20, employing over 110,793 people. The UK is the largest European source of remittances to India and is the sixth-largest FDI source with a cumulative equity investment of US$29.6 billion during April 2000 and September 2020, accounting for around 6 percent of total FDI into India during this period The services sector attracted the highest FDI, accounting for a 10.15 percent share of total investment from the UK," noted Deloitte in a report. Source- The Times of India Both Rishi and Liz will want this trend to continue. • "PM Modi and PM Johnson have enjoyed a very close friendship. UK is an important strategic partner and we have shared a multifaceted partnership and relationship, which India would like to continue as it is based on links at various levels between our people as well as various verticals as we discussed, as part of our partnership," , the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi. Source- The Economic Times News The PM Johnson relationship was very close. Liz has visited India several times with DIT and Foreign Office and of course Rishi is of Indian origin. You’d expect the latter factor to be a visual boost turning into real terms boost. • “This could double our trade and investment by the end of the decade, driving down prices for consumers, and increasing wages across the UK by as much as GBP 3 billion,” said Johnson, with reference to the FTA Source- Outlook Both PM’s may delay this to Christmas from Diwali to get all the items meaningfully across the line. • “India is an incredible rising power in Asia, with one of the fastest growing economies in the world – already worth GBP 2.25 trillion – and set to be the world’s third largest economy by 2050. India is also our biggest partner in the Indo-Pacific, which is increasingly the geopolitical centre of the world, with two-thirds of humanity, and a third of the global economy – and that share is rising every year,” Johnson said, during his India visit. Source- Outlook From a security and defence perspective, since Rishi correctly sees China the number one threat to the UK he may pivot more to India than even Johnson did and more than Truss would. • As part of a broadening partnership, the implementation arrangements of the India-UK Global Innovation Partnership (GIP) in the field of trilateral development cooperation have been finalised. India and the UK will co-finance up to $100 million over 14 years to support the transfer and scale up of climate-smart inclusive innovations from India to third countries in Asia, Africa and the Indo-Pacific. This, Modi believes, will be useful for our start-ups and MSME sector in exploring new markets, and in making their innovations global. Source - News18 • “Having been born in India, a proud British citizen, and having spent time as Secretary of State for International Development, I am committed that this COP will deliver for the communities most vulnerable to climate change.” Alok Sharma, UK Cabinet Minister &COP26 President Source - Iglobal desk On the environment – Alok has said he would resign if either PM did not move forward and India is critical to this. Again both Truss and Sunak would look to India. Environment, trade, security. Whilst these are just three areas – I expect both countries to be even closer. Like all American Presidents with Irish roots thereby benefitting Ireland US relations, so too the clincher will be Rishi’s roots.

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Over 26,000 members attend The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s ‘Jalsa Salana’ Britain’s oldest established Muslim organisation The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community held its Jalsa Salana, an Annual Convention, from 5 to 7 August in Hampshire. The convention had an attendance of around 26,000 members. It was led by the world head of the Ahmadiyya Muslims His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, who is the Caliph (Spiritual Leader) of the community. His Holiness said: “For peace in our time, we must act with justice. We must act with respect and fairness. We must love for others what we love for ourselves. We must uphold the rights of others with the same zeal and determination that one has for their loved ones. We should always look beyond narrow self-interests and work for the greater good. It is my heartfelt belief that true and lasting peace in the world is not possible until mankind comes to recognise his Creator, fulfills his rights and acts upon

his commandments, which are the means to peace.” Rafiq Hayat, UK President of the community, said, "A remarkable feature of the pandemic was that it afforded more time for introspection and self-reflection. During the pandemic and through lockdowns we discovered a heightened interest in matters of faith. People had more time to

delve into faith matters, study the Holy Quran and reflect on the purpose and direction of their lives.” A unique aspect of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s Annual Convention was that it was entirely managed by volunteers.

Contribute positively to the countries we live in and we migrated from: HH Syedna Saheb Ten days of Ashara Mubaraka created history in London with the huge international gathering of the Dawoodi Bohra Community. His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin Saheb encouraged the community to contribute positively to the countries we live in while helping improve conditions in the countries we migrated from. In his sermon, His Holiness said, “Believe in yourself with such conviction that there is no room for doubt. Use your time wisely, transform what is temporary into something that is lasting and permanent.”

His Holiness discussed physical and spiritual nourishment and sustenance, pointing

out that our souls and hearts require vigilance because, just like our bodies, they are impacted by what we consume and imbibe. Spiritual growth and physical well-being go hand in hand. Dawoodi Bohra healthcare professionals from across the world volunteer their time and expertise during Ashara Mubaraka with a wide variety of free consultations and guidance. Inspired by the spirit of maintaining purity of both the soul and surroundings, various awareness programs and initiatives were also undertaken by Dawoodi Bohra volunteers throughout Ashara Mubaraka to ensure proper hygiene, sanitation, sewage, water security and waste management.

Crucial decisions delayed by different departments The next prime minister will be under quite pressure as an economic crisis looms in the country. On the heels of the keenly awaited announcement on whether a new deep coal mine operation would be given the green light in Cumbria, the decision was postponed and hours later Michael Gove was sacked. He was the levelling up secretary who was to make the decision, reports the Guardian. Similarly, the proposal to reform gambling laws was due this summer but has now been postponed. New legislation for the online safety bill which is supposed to pro-

tect children from harmful online activities has also been delayed along with the employment bill. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on the other hand, has failed to introduce several promised bills to protect wildlife and the environment. These delays and shelving of important bills reflect a negative light on the government as the country is forecast to face one of its worst economic crises. While the country bemoans the ‘zombie government’ and its inability to deliver on the promises it made, the pressure is great for the next Prime Minister.

London’s Mayor at war against hellish rent in the capital The latest SpareRoom report has revealed that the average room rent in London in 2022 is £815, which is 15% higher than the 2021 average of £708. London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, wants to freeze rents as the Britons deal with an escalating cost-of-living crisis. “This is a disgrace. Rents are soaring while landlords’ profit”, he tweeted. He also added that rent freezing will save Londoners £2,988 over two years. this is not the first time that the mayor has asked for rentfreezing. His leaked letter from 2018 to Labour MP Karen Buck highlights that “the arguments in favour of rent stabilisation

and control are becoming overwhelming." A year later, he officially launched plans to reform private renting in London and asked the government to give him rent freezing powers. The situation, since then, only gets worse. People are spending an average of 40% of their income on rent and gender gaps have made the situation especially difficult for women. “We've got to make sure renting is affordable for Londoners because what I've seen on a regular basis is people leaving London because they can't afford to live here anymore", Khan told Refinery 29.

650 children strip- searched by the Met Police in twoyear period As new data revealed that 650 children were strip-searched by Met police in two- a years period, the majority found to be innocent, the children’s commissioner for England has rejected the Metropolitan police’s record on child protection. Dame Rachel de Souza was unsure that the force was “consistently considering children’s welfare and wellbeing” after police data showed a lack of proper adults in 23% of cases of these searches. She was also concerned about the ethnic disproportionality as the data indicated

that 58% of the children between ages 10 to 17 strip searched between 2018 and 2020, were black. The report has led to claims that the Met Police was involved in “state-sanctioned” child abuse and set another example of institutional racism plaguing Britain’s biggest force. The Met Police, on the other hand, claims that they have made changes and have “given officers advice around dealing with schools, ensuring that children are treated as children and considering safeguarding for those under 18.”

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Rishi Sunak gets candid about his personal and professional life In a recent upbeat interview with The Times, Rishi Sunak talks about his life in politics and before that; about his kids and his wife and about his early life. On the quest to become the next Prime Minister of Britain, Sunak reflects back on his time at Winchester College and Oxford University, marrying Akshata Murty who he met at Stanford University and being in charge of the nation’s finances after five years as an MP for Richmond, North Yorkshire. The former Chancellor of the Exchequer feels that education plays an important role in shaping one’s life and wants to do substantial about it if elected. He plans on creating a Russell Group of world-class technical colleges that can rival the best universities in the world. He also wants to crack down on some university degrees that put the pressure of debt on students without offering any real chance at improving life quality. The centre of Sunak’s education plan is to create a new British Baccalaureate that requires all 16-year-olds to study core subjects, including maths and English, beyond GCSE. He believes that the “overly narrow specialization” fails to prepare the youth for the “economy of tomorrow”. When informed of a YouGov poll where he is lagging behind his rival Liz Truss by 38 percentage points, he assures that he is not giving up and plans on “love bombing” the membership into liking him. With his underdog status shifting Sunak takes his victory in Sky’s leadership debate seriously. “I’m out all the time, I’m talking to people, it feels different on the ground ... clearly, I’ve got work to do but I’m up for that and I’m

throwing everything I’ve got at it”, he said. Talking about his personal life, Rishi Sunak recalls meeting his wife, Akshata Murty while doing his MBA at Stanford and admits that there was “clearly something” between them. An avid fan of rom- coms, Rishi switched his schedule around to be in a particular class with her. He claims that the key to their relationship is their being totally different people. While she is messy, he is as organized as a person gets. The couple has two daughters, Krishna (11) and Anoushka (9). Sunak adds that he loved every aspect of childcare. The couple recently made it on The Sunday Times rich list with a combined fortune of £730 million. This led the couple to face claims that they couldn’t understand the problems faced by their voters, which Sunak was quick to reject. He said, “I am fortunate today but I didn’t grow up like this. I worked really hard for what I’ve got, my family worked hard and that’s why I want to do this job.” While he is concerned about the biggest interest rate rise in 27 years, he feels that all central banks underestimated both the scale and the duration of inflation and that the solution doesn’t lie in snatching the independence of the Bank of England. Sunak adds that Truss’ threat to review the central bank’s mandate would be “worrying” and is likely to “international investors”. The leadership race candidate is confident about what he brings to the table. He said, “I’ve got what it takes to help get the country through a challenging period and make sure we emerge stronger and together on the other side”.

NHS 111 suffers major cyber attack The NHS 111 system has suffered a major cyber attack that has left patients struggling to get urgent appointments and ambulance call-outs. Security services are investigating the cyber attack. After hackers shut down the crucial system fearing being linked to a hostile state, NHS 111 staff across the country have been forced to use pens and paper. The public has been informed to expect

delays when calling the hotline, as NHS sources warned the disruption could drive patients to overstretched accident and emergency departments over the weekend. Hackers attacked Advanced, a firm which supplies software to 85 per cent of NHS 111 services. The firm's Adastra system enables call handlers to dispatch ambulances, book out-of-hours urgent appointments, and fulfil emergency prescriptions.

Hospital nurses asked to work as cleaners As the NHS staffing crisis is deepening, hospital nurses have been told to work as cleaners. Specialist nurses at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital were asked to help clean wards and dirty utility rooms. Their trust clarified that it had made the request reluctantly during “some of the most challenging circumstances we have ever faced”. However, it has not gone down well with the unions. Unison’s deputy head of health Helga Pile said: “Many health workers are throwing in the towel. They feel guilty that the pressures on them mean patients are no longer being cared

for properly. “The cracks in the NHS are deepening. Hospitals and ambulance services simply don’t have enough staff. The staffing crisis is the worst ever experienced. The government must get to grips with it, starting with a rethink on pay.” Meanwhile, due to ill-health since the start of the pandemic, more than 200,000 people are out of work. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), there are 1.3m job vacancies in the UK, and currently 1.7m people ‘economically inactive’ are in need of a job.

Police in England and Wales not trained in handling domestic violence In England and Wales, where millions of people reside, police have received no specialist training in responding to domestic violence. As per the data released under freedom of information laws, nine police forces had not given any officers specialist domestic abuse training by the end of 2021, and those which had, in most cases, had only trained small numbers. Only one force in England and Wales,

the Lancashire police is said to have received the accredited training recommended by the College of Policing, which has been shown to lead to a dramatic improvement in outcomes for domestic abuse cases. The findings come eight years after a report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, which exposed a “startling lack of awareness of domestic abuse and inconsistent or poor practice” at most forces.

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13 - 19 August 2022

TOUGH TIMES AHEAD? Continued from page 1 You will be able to buy less of some things with the same amount of money as you did before. The Bank's governor Andrew Bailey told BBC that he had "huge sympathy and huge understanding for those who are struggling most" with the cost of living. "I know that they will feel, 'Well, why have you raised interest rates today, doesn't that make it worse from that perspective in terms of consumption?', I'm afraid my answer to that is, it doesn't because I'm afraid the alternative is even worse in terms of persistent inflation." Entrepreneurs and experts in the field have told Asian Voice that this recession was long coming and the impact will further hit the cost of living crisis. However, amid this inevitable crisis, there are members of the community who do have some promising arguments and mean to encourage our readers to not lose hope. Fintech boomed in the last recession Sharing her two cents on recession, Devie Mohan, Global top 10 fintech influencer, writer, and speaker. Founder Burnmark, Fintech research and data company

Devie Mohan

said, “We have been in recessions and a very slow-growing economy for almost 14 years now. A whole generation has never experienced an economic boom. Recessions always impact service industries the most, and this is definitely something to watch out for in the next five years. Fintech boomed in the last recession, taking customers and retaining customers in a way large banks could not do. They succeeded by innovating quickly and offering a superior customer experience customers hadn't gotten from larger institutions. I think the coming recession will offer more opportunities for fintech to innovate better, offer cost advantages, as well as collaborate better with larger institutions.”

“A whole generation has never experienced an economic boom.” - Devie Mohan, Fintech influencer and entrepreneur Dr Swati Dhingra, Associate Professor of Economics, Department of Economics at LSE told us, “Any judgement on the cost

Dr Swati Dhingra

of living crisis is tied up with what happens in energy markets and that is hard to predict reliably. Even if the crisis proves to be temporary, the UK has a longstanding productivity problem and investment will be key to overcoming it. UK and India are natural economic partners with a shared need for sustainable growth. There are big areas where the partnership can provide benefits to both countries including investments in skills, health and the environment and new areas of governance in the world economy like digital services and international taxation.” Cash will be king in a recession Manpreet Singh - CEO of Bobble Digital, based in Leeds said, “The financial impact really depends on whether we have a mild recession or deep recession. The key financial impact will come from other businesses cutting back on costs - in particular - marketing budgets which will impact our agency. Cutting back on marketing budgets really is the opposite of what businesses should do. But, it means that businesses will want to take longer to pay invoices to protect cash flow. Cash will be king in a recession, but few will want to spend it. All this has a knock-on effect on business development, strategy, growth, staffing etc. The only positive is that the upcoming recession is likely to start end of the year or 2023 which means we have time to prepare now for all potential scenarios." New entrepreneurs worried Priya Faith, an entrepreneur told the newsweekly, “I launched my

Priya Faith

luxury Indian jewellery brand, Umara in April. However, with talks of the recession coming, I fear that it will impact our growth as a new luxury brand, and I've noticed sales have been slower in recent weeks. With my freelance work as a writer & marketing strategist, I've experienced several clients needing to stream-

line, and my workload has been affected significantly. In addition, I believe that in the coming months, many smaller businesses will be forced to cut marketing costs, which as a result, will continue to impact my work. As a result of my freelance work slowing down, I've had to cut back on what I'm investing into Umara, which has increased my stress levels around money, and the new business significantly. To prepare for a potential recession, I have cut back my monthly outgoings as much as possible. However, I'm left with little disposable income each month despite cutting costs.” How will the property and mortgage market be affected? Subhash Thakrar, Vice President and Past Chairman, London Chamber of Commerce

equity left and chances of a Loan to Value (LTV) ratio exceeding 100% will be rare. Typically, lending has remained at a maximum of 70%. “So the impact of the increase in rates will not lead to wide-scale bankruptcies and repossessions. The lenders will also show some flexibility by extending loan terms to ensure people can cope with their finances. This is not a bad thing for banks as they remain secured and earn income for longer periods. During Covid, we experienced this by lenders willing to provide repayment holidays.” “In some cases, borrowers will be able to switch their loans from repayment to interest only and reduce or maintain their monthly payments. “An important rule to follow is to ensure that one does not run away from the problem but face it by starting to talk to their lenders and discuss their options. Many people try to avoid meeting lenders. That is a mistake. You will be amazed how cooperative they can be if you open up to them.” Pragnesh Modhwadia, Managing Director, Axiom Stone solicitors told Asian

Subhash Thakrar

explained, “The Bank of England has already given warning shots on the possible recession and raised the interest rates. Technically, there have to be two-quarters of negative growth to call it a recession. We may see further rises as this remains a good tool to reign the inflation rate. “For those of us who have been in the mortgage market for the last 40 years will know that mortgage

“Consistent high rates are bound to affect the real estate market including the housing sector.” - Subhash Thakrar, Vice President and Past Chairman, London Chamber of Commerce rates in the past had reached 16.63% (1981). The last 10 years have enjoyed the lowest rates ever. Consistent high rates are bound to affect the real estate market including the housing sector. “When rates shot up in the past, there were bankruptcies and repossessions and we may also experience this again. This may apply to those who may have geared up excessively. Luckily, the regulations on lending and the stress tests on rising of mortgage rates conducted by lenders before lending will ensure the damage is cushioned. These will have ensured that there was always a good proportion of

Pragnesh Modhwadia

Voice, “Despite recent warnings from the Bank of England regarding the future economic climate, it is not all “doom and gloom”,

and the UK property market remains resilient. Beyond interest rates and inflation, other unknown variables include income growth, potential tax cuts, the availability of mortgages, consumer confidence – and perhaps the least predictable, wholesale energy costs as impacted by artificially constricted levels of Russian gas exports. Whilst there are areas of real estate that may see a slowdown, such as retail and hospitality, this will create a favourable investment climate for domestic and international investors to secure acquisitions and disposals that would not ordinarily have been available. We are already seeing strong demand for commercial and residential real estate domestically and internationally. In particular, the UK remains an attractive destination for overseas real estate investors and a favourable exchange rate will continue to drive interest. Those who anticipate property price falls next year may yet be surprised by a relatively robust housing market instead.”

“The UK property market remains resilient.” - Pragnesh Modhwadia, Managing Director, Axiom Stone solicitors What is the Bank of England doing about high inflation? In an official note, the bank said, “Putting up interest rates is the main thing we, as the UK’s central bank, can do to bring the rate of inflation down. We’ve been raising Bank Rate since December. Most recently,

we put it up on Thursday 4 August to 1.75%. Higher interest rates make borrowing more expensive and they encourage saving. Both of those things reduce how much people spend overall. This helps to push inflation down. But higher interest rates don’t work straight away. They take time to take full effect. So when we use them, we always look at what will happen in the economy over the next few years, not just what’s going on now. We will take whatever actions are necessary to bring inflation down to 2%.” When will inflation start to fall? “We expect inflation to start to fall next year. That’s because it’s unlikely that the prices of energy and imported goods will continue to rise as rapidly as they have done recently. And we expect that some of the production difficulties businesses are facing will ease. Less demand for goods and services in the UK should also push down prices. We have a target of 2% for inflation. We expect inflation to be close to that target in around two years,” BoE said in an online statement. Meanwhile, amid the leadership race, Liz Truss has defended her plans to lower taxes, describing them as the best way to avoid a recession. Sunak on the contrary is said to be focused on tackling inflation before cutting taxes. "Her tax proposals are not going to help very significantly, people like pensioners or those on low incomes who are exactly the kind of families that are going to need help", said Mr Sunak. He said he wants to ensure "that the people who really need our help do get the support that they need to get through the winter".

Post office under investigation for the wrongful arrest of sub-postmasters The British Post Office, 2009, exposed the misgivings of several post office workers and accused them of theft, false accounting or fraud. 736 sub- postmasters were convicted, 165 were jailed and 4 are suspected to have committed suicide. It was later found that the discrepancies in finances were a result of wrongful detection by the computer accounting system, Horizon.

This led to the revelation that the sub-postmasters were wrongfully convicted and the case was dubbed the most widespread miscarriage of justice in the legal history of Britain. Now, an independent inquiry into the scandal is being made by Sir Wyn Williams, a retired judge. The inquiry is due to present their findings about Horizon and who knew about the discrepancies in

the autumn and will attempt to uncover who was responsible for the failures, later in December. Now, those who are responsible for this scandal are facing the heat and there is a demand for action against them. David Enright, a lawyer representing more than 100 victims called on the Met Police and the independent inquiry to determine “who is responsible”.

Civil liberties lawyer sacked off over claims of dishonesty Sophia Khan, a prominent civil liberties solicitor, who triggered a bullying row over the use of the term “white women” has been removed from the legal profession after a tribunal found her guilty of being dishonest towards clients and failing to cooperate with authorities. The former chairwoman of the civil justice committee of the Law Society, Khan was accused of settling dam-

age claims without authority and of fabricating documents. Khan had a reputation as a civil liberties champion and worked with campaigning groups to stop the police action of stop- andsearch and other policies. According to her, she was sacked because of an email sent during a dispute with officials where she wrote that she was made the obvious liar as an “ethnic minor-

ity solicitor” as opposed to a “white woman”, reported The Times. Khan claims that she was disciplined over the use of the term ‘white woman’ and says, “If I offended anyone, it was because I was upset and offended myself by their prior actions, and felt bullied, harassed and discriminated by them. Any offence caused was unintentional.”

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13 - 19 August 2022

The Loomba Foundation celebrates its 25th anniversary while India celebrates the 75th The birth of The Loomba Foundation On 23rd June 1954, Lord Raj Loomba’s father, a successful businessman in Punjab, in India, passed away after suffering from tuberculosis. As soon as he took his last breath, Lord Loomba’s mother, Shrimati Pushpa Wati Loomba, now a widow, was made to remove her bindi and jewellery, and to wear white clothes as a symbol of widowhood. ord Loomba was ten years 10,000 children of poor widows old at that time and he saw throughout India. In addition, it first-hand the discriminahas economically empowered tion and loneliness that his mothover 15,000 impoverished widows er faced as a widow. Unlike most in nine states in India. In 2016 in that situation she had been left Prime Minister Narendra Modi substantial resources by his father launched the empowerment proand she used them to fund the ject for 5,000 widows in Varanasi, education of her seven young chilknown as the city of widows. That dren. project was successfully completIn 1997 Lord Loomba and his ed in 2018 with each beneficiary wife Veena Loomba set up The receiving two to three months’ Shrimati Pushpa Wati Loomba training in tailoring, on compleMemorial Trust – later renamed tion of which the Loomba The Shrimati Pushpa Wati Foundation donated a foot-operLoomba Memorial ated sewing Foundation – in machine, free of memory of his late charge. mother, with a focus A few years later on educating chilThe Foundation dren of poor widows launched economic in India. The Trust empowerment prowas formally grammes for widows launched in the UK in Sri Lanka, in 1998 in the pres- Shrimati Pushpa Wati Loomba Bangladesh, Nepal, ence of the then newly elected UK Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Prime Minister, the Rt Hon. Tony Malawi, Chile and Guatemala. Blair, and his wife Mrs. Cherie In 2005, The Loomba Blair. Mrs. Blair became the first Foundation launched Patron of the Trust and has been “International Widows Day” to serving as its President since 2004. take place annually on 23rd June, In 1999, the then Prime as an effective day to raise awareMinister of India, the Hon’ble ness globally and help widows Atal Bihari Vajpayee, inaugurated who are suffering from poverty, the Loomba Trust at his residence illiteracy, diseases, conflict and in Delhi and launched the first social injustice. The date of 23rd project to educate 100 children of June is especially significant for poor widows in the state of Delhi. Lord Loomba, as this was the day To date The Loomba his mother became a widow in Foundation has educated over Punjab in India in 1954.

International Widows Day – Established on 23 June 2005 n 26 May 2005, Raj Loomba rose to address a meeting in the Cholmondeley Room at the House of Lords in London. “The plight of widows,” he told his audience that day, “is an important hidden issue in many countries. Millions of widows and their children are the poorest of the poor, often invisible, forgotten and unheard. In many countries across Africa, Asia and elsewhere, widows can lose their human rights, land and property, and can be exposed to violence and abuse.” Before an audience of leading politicians, businesspeople, humanitarian activists and journalists from the UK, India and around the world, Raj Loomba and Foundation President Mrs Cherie Blair launched an annual,

global day of action to tackle the prejudice that lies at the heart of widows’ suffering. The day, they announced, was to be known as International Widows Day. The date on which it would take place each year was 23 June: the date on which, as a 10-year old boy, Raj had lost his father and witnessed first hand the injustice of what happened to his mother because she became a widow. On 23 June 2005, exactly four weeks after the launch, Raj Loomba and local schoolchildren released 1,000 multicoloured balloons into the sky at Tower Bridge in London to mark the first International Widows Day, and similar events took place in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Uganda and South Africa. So International Widows Day was born.

Lord Raj Loomba CBE addressing dignitaries at the Banqueting Hall, London, on 23 June 2022 during the commemoration of The Loomba Foundation's 25th anniversary.

Lord Loomba CBE and Lady Veena Loomba with Sir Tony Blair and Lady Cherie Blair CBE QC at the commemoration of The Loomba Foundation's 25th anniversary on 23 June 2022.

Over £60,000 raised in support of women and their dependents fleeing Ukraine at The Loomba Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Gala he Loomba Foundation commemorated its 25th anniversary on 23rd June 2022, at the Banqueting House in London’s Whitehall, on International Widows Day. Over 300 guests including senior politicians and leading business leaders gathered to celebrate the milestone occasion. The event was dedicated to raising funds for a humanitarian initiative launched by The Loomba Foundation in partnership with Barnardo’s, the UK's largest children's charity, to support families, including mothers and their children, fleeing wartorn Ukraine to settle in the UK. The evening culminated with the successful fundraising of more than £60,000 within just a few minutes, with donations still ongoing. The Loomba Foundation has a goal to reach £100,000 going forward to fund

Plight of widows in India or millions of widows from poor backgrounds in India, the situation is bleak. It is not unusual for them to be blamed by the family for the husband’s death. Property and wealth are often taken away. A young woman who is widowed shortly after marriage cannot return to her own family, as she is thought to bring bad luck. The fate that awaits many widows is that they must wear plain white clothing, cannot work, find it difficult to remarry and are unable to pay for their children’s schooling. It is not unusual for older widows to be abandoned by their families and even child widows can face a life of destitution.

the initiative with Barnardo’s to help 1,000 families. A £100 voucher will be issued to each mother settling in the UK from Ukraine to be spent in any of Barnardo’s 630 physical shops or online on essential items including clothing, toys and furnishings. During the evening, Guest of Honour Rt Hon. Sir Tony Blair KG, former British Prime Minister, recalled how in 1997 Cherie Blair QC CBE, pledged to embark on the journey with Lord Loomba to advocate for official UN recognition of International Widows Day. He spoke about the inspiring personal story behind the launch of The Loomba Foundation. Cherie Blair QC CBE in her speech said, “Huge congratulations to Lord Loomba for the amazing achievements of The Loomba Foundation as it turns 25 years old. The hard work paid off in 2010 when International Widows Day was finally recognised by the United Nations. It has been a huge privilege to work by his side and to see our community of global supporters grow.” Lord McFall of Alcluith Lord Speaker of the House of Lords in his address to the distinguished audience commended The Loomba Foundation for its much needed support for the

fleeing Ukrainian women and their dependents. Lord Raj Loomba CBE, said, “I extend my special thanks to Tony and Cherie for their dedication, commitment and support over many years, and I’m confident that without it we would not be where we are today. I was extremely touched by the generosity of our supporters in aid of women and their dependents fleeing Ukraine and am calling on anyone in a position to do so to give what they can as we work with Barnardo’s to provide urgent help for families settling in the UK.” Michelle Lee-Izu, Executive Director Development and Innovation at Barnardo’s, commented, “Barnardo’s has a proud history of supporting children and families seeking sanctuary in the UK, and in recent months we have stepped in to help those arriving from Ukraine. We are delighted to be working with The Loomba Foundation to provide vouchers to refugee families so they can buy the very basics – such as clothes, toys and bedding.” Other illustrious attendees at the event included Lord Karan Billimoria CBE DL, Harjiv Singh – Founder & CEO, Gutenberg and Trustee, and Lord Jeffrey Archer, and Bollywood producer Firoz Nadiadwala.

To find out more about the work of The Loomba Foundation, visit: www.theloombafoundation.org Registered charity No. 1064988 Follow The Loomba Foundation on Twitter @TheLoombaFndtn Facebook: facebook.com/loombafoundation

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13 - 19 August 2022

UK city marks 50 years of the arrival of Ugandan Asians Marking the anniversary of Idi Amin's incendiary decree of August 4, 1972, refugees who overcame English racism and weather, and built their lives from scratch, have been chronicled in a new exhibition. "Nobody used to assist us, everybody was against us," retiree Madhukamar

Madhani told AFP on a visit to the exhibition at Leicester Museum. "But through sheer hard

13,000 school exclusions due to breach of Covid rules In England last year, breaches of coronavirus rules were the primary reason behind almost 13,000 school exclusions. Labour criticised the Government for “threatening children’s futures” with a lack of clear guidance around exclusions, particularly during the pandemic. The reason behind 12,965 exclusions from schools in England in the 2020-21 academic year – 12,888 of which were temporary exclusions and 77

permanent, was “wilful and repeated transgression of protective measures”, Department for Education figures released last week has revealed. Stephen Morgan, Labour’s shadow schools minister, said: “The Conservatives have created deep divides in school exclusions, with the lack of clear guidance, especially during the pandemic, threatening children’s futures and failing communities."

Passport Office processing by outdated system, minister admits The minister for safe and legal migration, Kevin Foster has revealed that one in four passport applications are still being processed by a legacy IT system that was originally due to be retired in 2019. HM Passport Office is in the process of replacing the outgoing application management system (AMS) with the digital application processing (DAP) service. Foster revealed that the outgoing legacy platform is still being called on to process as many as a quarter of

all passport applications. The minister said: “We have already transitioned 75-85% of applications to the new digital application processing service. We will continue to transition the remaining applications gradually as new capability is developed and business changes can be implemented. The ability to work across two stable systems has enabled us to process record numbers of applications during this period of exceptionally high demand.”

Department for International Trade acknowledges rise in fraud cases The Department for International Trade has reported a rise in the number of fraud cases in its latest annual report and accounts, which cover the 2021-22 financial year. DIT said during the 12month period to April compared with previous years, it had also been on the receiving end of a broader range of fraudulent behaviour. Its annual report did not confirm exactly how many fraud cases it dealt with last

year, but said there had been a “small rise in the number and diversity of cases detected”. DIT said in the report that there had been 62 data breaches within the department over the year, up 17% on the 53 breaches identified in 20202021. It described the increase as “slight”. “Of these breaches, only one met the threshold to be reported to the Information Commissioner’s Office,” the report said.

work, a lot of people have put a lot into the community," he said, noting the prosperity on display in the city's "Golden Mile" -- a stretch of road rich in Asian-owned businesses. Nisha Popat, exhibition curator pointed to parallels today in Britain's generosity, or lack of, towards

refugees. "We are in a world where there is a lot of conflict and there's refugees," she said. The intention was about "showing the impact of refugees, and what they went through, and the impact they can have on a place"

NHS surgeon loses bid for court anonymity An NHS surgeon, Tony Dixon, who left dozens of women in agony following plastic mesh operations, has lost his bid for court anonymity after complaining that stress affected his libido. A bowel surgeon, Tony was sacked in 2019 following an investigation that concluded more than 200 of his patients should have been offered less invasive treatment first.

The review by Southmead Hospital in Bristol revealed that the surgery was satisfactory but unnecessary. A dozen of negligence claims have been slapped against Dixon who is suing the North Bristol NHS Trust, his former employer, to stop documents from being released to former patients. However, his bid to not be named in that case has failed.

Pupils who receive free school meals earn less School pupils who received free school meals earn £7,000 compared to their wealthier peers, who went to private schools. The richest pupils earn £12,000 by the age of 30. According to the analysis by the Office for National Statistics of earnings among different

school groups found gaps between richest and poorest pupils open immediately after they leave school and widen during their twenties. In England, those who received free school meals have the lowest average wages at just £18,000 on average at the age of 30.

As riverbed dries up, source of Thames moves five miles After the heatwave dried up the riverbed near the official start point, the source of the Thames is now five miles further downstream than usual. Rob Collins, director of policy and science at the Rivers Trust, said a “weak flow” was now “only just about discernible” at Somerford Keynes in Gloucestershire. The usual source is more than five miles away near Cirencester. “Under our changing climate we can anticipate the frequency and severity of such periods of drought and

water scarcity to intensify, with increasing competition for a dwindling resource and devastating impacts on aquatic life,” he told The Guardian. Thames Water has not yet announced a hosepipe ban but has urged consumers to be careful with use, such as turning off the tap when brushing their teeth.

Drug deaths rise by 6% as addicts mix drugs Last year, England and Wales reported a 6 per cent rise in drug deaths. Heroin users mixing the narcotic with other substances have been the reason behind the rise in drug deaths. Along with this, users ageing and becoming more susceptible to overdoses was also a factor. According to the

Office for National Statistics (ONS), 4,859 deaths related to drug poisoning were registered in 2021 – the equivalent of 13 a day. Compared to previous year, it was the ninth consecutive annual rise, up by 6.2 per cent and the highest number since records began in 1993.

How do you catch a person who is lying to you? Rohit Vadhwana

ow do you catch a person who is lying to you? Is it possible to know when someone is saying the truth and when not? Psychologists have tried to find ways to get hold of a person who is deceitful. But is it possible to get into someone's heart? We don't know for sure. But for any action, there are strong and visible reactions. Lies are harmful and can affect someone's life. Cheaters and fraudsters are trained to be dishonest, and very expertly. They even established the lie is a truth by using various tactics. Many people are innocent, so they believe the other person's lie easily. There is a machine called a lie detector which can help you find out if someone is lying. But it is not possible to ask everyone to undergo a lie detector test. Therefore it is important to find out with our own naked eyes whether a person is saying the truth. When a person is angry there are evident signs on his face. If a person is tired, we can see it from his body language. Psychologists worked on such signals and have found a way to detect a lie. Saying what is in our minds and what we believe to be true doesn't take much effort. It comes out smoothly. Unless we want to cover up some fact or change the factual statement, our gestures would be seamless. Only when one has to convince the other person what he himself knows is not true then he needs to make the extra strong attempt. In a way, misrepresenting facts is difficult. It always creates fear in the speaker's mind. As per Science Daily, when a person lies, they experience a "Pinocchio effect," which is an increase in the temperature around the nose and in the orbital muscle in the inner corner of the eye. In addition, when we perform a considerable mental effort our face temperature drops, and when we have an anxiety attack our face temperature rises. These are some of the conclusions drawn in a pioneering study conducted at the University of Granada's Department of Experimental Psychology. Apart from the temperature change and other signs on the person's face, it is also noted that the person who is lying will make extra efforts to establish the lie as a truth. He would repeat the same thing again and again. He might also say: Why would I lie to you? His emphasis on repeating: I am telling the truth, you can ask him or her, etc are useful signals to make him a suspect. The Pinocchio effect is a very useful way of observing people, through the changes in their body language and extra efforts they are making to convince the listener. (Expressed opinions are personal)

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Lord Dolar Popat, Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Uganda

From refugees to citizens: The story of how Ugandan Asians made Britain home 50 years ago, I along with roughly 28,000 Ugandan Asians arrived in the UK after being forced out of Uganda by President Idi Amin. What now seems like a lifetime ago, was a very real and uncertain future for Ugandans. My early days started in a Wimpy bar before I became an accountant and then a businessman. My desire to integrate and play a part in society led me to become a Conservative Party activist which started me on my journey that led me to become a member of the House of Lords. My story is far from unique as many of those who came to Britain and were successful, not only in other areas but also in Parliament. I am honoured to be one of several Ugandan Asians in the House of Lords and the House of Commons. On the occasion of my ennoblement in 2010, a fellow Ugandan Asian, Lord Sheikh, was one of my sponsors, walking me into the chamber to read out my pledge. The work started immediately with me discovering I was on a two-line whip that day, so I couldn’t join friends for a celebration at home until 9.30! I will forever be grateful to the friendship and hospitality of others who had fled Amin’s Uganda to make a life in Britain as well as those in the UK who welcomed us. People such as Shailesh Vara, who has retained his North West Cambridgeshire seat since 2005 and held significant positions in Conservative governments. People such as Sir Peter Bottomley, MP for Worthing West constituency since 1997 and current Father of the Commons. Peter and his wife Virginia (a Cabinet minister at the time and now Baroness Bottomley of Nettlestone) were among those many Britons who took in Ugandan Asian families. Speaking in a debate on a previous anniversary, Sir Peter said: ‘My wife and I were delighted to go to an RAF camp in Kent to collect Razia and Roshan Jetha, who came to live with us for a year and a half. We learned a great deal from them, and I was also grateful for the £5 a week they gave us, which helped with the housekeeping.’ This welcoming attitude from the Bottomleys exemplifies the tradition of Britain being a place that welcomes refugees as seen during the Second World War. However, all this would have not been possible without the swift action by a previous Conservative government. As Shailesh Vara reminded us in the same debate, speaking of the Ugandan Resettlement Board that was set up when the scale of the Ugandan Asian exodus became shockingly

apparent: ‘Edward Heath rightly took the decision that both morally and legally Britain had an obligation to take in the refugees.’ Many of those arriving at Stanstead (nothing more than a few sheds in those days!) and Heathrow, already had British passports. This is important to remember as the government faces really difficult decisions about refugees. These decisions are being managed with skill and a determination to ensure Britain can remain as welcoming as possible whilst recognising the challenge faced by the global migration picture, by a child of emigrant Ugandan Asian parents, Home Secretary Priti Patel. Immigration remains a concern for many and with a growing number of people wanting to come to the UK, a balance between being compassionate to those wanting to move here whilst recognising the needs and abilities of this country has to be struck. Speaking for myself only, as I think I can in this forum despite a government role as the Prime Minister’s trade envoy to Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, I have long felt that there needs to be selective immigration to fill skills shortages. All that remains, and it’s a big task, is for me to list some of the other Ugandan Asians active in Parliament; Baroness Vadera, Lord Verjee, Lord Sheikh, Lord Gadhia, Archbishop Sentamu and of course Priti Patel and Shailesh Vara in the other House. And, on so much larger a scale, the massive Ugandan Asian contribution to the economic and civic well-being of this country. In a short space of time, many of those who had to flee Uganda have seen amazing levels of success, from family-run businesses becoming major global trading companies and dominating the Rich Lists in the UK, to the boardrooms of FTSE 100 firms, the Ugandan Asians have woven themselves into the fabric of British life. We came as Ugandan Asians unsure of our future and have found ourselves becoming British and being a part of Britain. As much as I don’t like to discuss identity too much due to the trouble it can cause, I will say that our former Ugandan Asians identity has been subsumed into our British identity and, I hope, strengthened British identity in the process. We will never forget those who welcomed us to this country and helped us along the way. The challenge going forward is to ensure that future generations of British Ugandan Asians continue to show the best of our small but energetic group which is entrepreneurial whilst ensuring we look out for our family and community. Amin might have tried to separate us but instead he helped to unite us in a way that we could never have imagined. Our shared history has allowed us to not only come together at a time of need but to go on to make a success of our lives in Britain. We came as refugees and we have stayed as members of the community.

09 13 - 19 August 2022

National commemorative event to mark 50th anniversary of arrival of British Asians from Uganda in the UK The British Asian Trust has announced a national commemorative event marking the 50th anniversary of the arrival of British Asians from Uganda in the United Kingdom (UK) will be held on Sunday 18 September 2022 at The Guildhall in London. The event is being organised in collaboration with British Ugandan Asians at 50, an initiative supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Ugandan-born Chair of The British Asian Trust, Lord Jitesh Gadhia, commented, “The 50th Anniversary of the arrival of Ugandan Asians is a moment to express our community’s eternal gratitude to all those who supported us in our hour of need. “British Ugandan Asians at 50, with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, have been capturing the oral histories of the amazing volunteers who helped to welcome Asians fleeing from Uganda. The project has also recorded interviews with some of those who arrived in 1972 and went through the resettlement camps. Their stories are powerful and deeply moving, recounting the experiences of those who fled Uganda and transitioned to a new life in the UK. “The stories of Ugandan Asians, and the generosity of spirit of the British people in welcoming them, are worthy of being captured properly for the benefit of current and future generations. This initiative could not be more timely, as the UK welcomes another generation of refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine.”

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Enlightening the Power of Speech

7-year-girl raises £1,655 for cancer-suffering kids

Rig Veda says, “One should respect his motherland, his culture and his mother tongue because they are givers of happiness”. Language is the road map of culture, it tells you where its people come from. Mother tongue encompasses more than just a language and includes a person’s personal, social and cultural identity. “Learn Gujarati”, a special initiative by Gujarat Samachar, written by their Consulting Editor, Jyotsnaben Shah, to revive and spread the value of the mother tongue and culture to our coming generation. Come join this campaign to empower the importance of the Gujarati language. For more details, check page.no. 05 of this week's Gujarat Samachar.

A young girl from Queensbury cut off 16 inches of her hair to donate to children suffering from cancer or other illnesses. Seven-year-old Anaiya Rana also raised £1,655 for the Little Princess Trust, an organisation providing free wigs for children who have lost their hair due to illness or medical treatments. The pupil was inspired by her sister, Jasmine, who donated 12 inches of her hair in 2018 and raised £1,300 for the same organisation. The young girl also went far beyond her initial target of £1,400 and raised the money with the help of the local community, businesses, and clubs like Kenton Lawn Tennis Club, Hak Food Centre, Shay Naiy Sweet Mart, Kingsbury Fruit and Veg and her primary school Uxendon Manor. Little Princess Trust has made more than 12,000 wigs since 2006 with grants totalling more than £17m towards research projects focused on finding more effective treatments for childhood cancers. All the money needed to produce wigs comes from donations and crowd fundraisers like Anaiya’s.

It’s time to declare China a pariah state The ignorant West always wakes up to external threats when it is too late. Who can forget PM Chamberlin waving a piece of paper from the steps of the aircraft ladder, declaring “Peace in our time?” The West failed to recognise the threat posed by Hitler and his well-trained, battle-ready army. The threat from power-hungry China is a million times greater than that of Hitler. It can take over Taiwan at any time but shrewd, cunning and dedicated Chinese leaders will buy their time, as was the case with Hong Kong, although there were different circumstances. China’s aim is to follow in the footsteps of barbarian Chiang Khan who established a vast empire, stretching from the Himalayas in the South, to the China Sea in the East and Northern Europe, enslaving Hungary, Romania, Poland and surrounding areas, looting, raping and murdering citizens at his whim! The question is how and why China has become a super-power? The answer is staring in our face but not for the gullible politicians living in their Ivory Tower! China has already colonized Tibet; wiping out the local population which now forms less than 30% of Tibetans. West is a dumping ground for highly subsidized Chinese goods, as well as sophisticated IT that China leads the world. It is time for the West to declare China a pariah State, stop all trade and deprive China of foreign exchange and hard currency like the US dollar and British pound. Perhaps it may be too late to save Taiwan from going under but the EU and British delegation of high-ranking politicians and defence experts should follow in the footsteps of US politicians and visit Taiwan. It will send the right message. India recognized the China threat as soon as BJP came to power. PM Modi has succeeded in forming a joint naval task force with the US, Australia, Japan and a couple more nations joining the fleet that keeps an eye on China’s everexpanding naval force. Perhaps Britain and France should join as well! With German trade with China booming and France trying to remain neutral, it will always remain a far-fetched dream to isolate China. So we will reap what we sow! Bhupendra M. Gandhi

Facts about Muharram Here are 5 facts about Muharram which was celebrated on August 9 all over the world. 1. After Ramadan, fasting in the auspicious month of Muharram is considered to be the most rewardable. 2. As the first month of the Islamic year is known as Muharram, it is calculated as per the lunar cycle and so it differs from the Gregorian calendar. 3. The Islamic calendar has 12 months but only 354 days. 4. The festival is usually celebrated with low-key religious events and special prayer meetings in mosques. 5. Some of the people from the Muslim community fast during daylight hours on the 9th and 10th or 10th and 11th day of the month. Jubel D'Cruz, Mumbai, India

Promises, promises... If I were a politician and desperate to win the current leadership contest, I would promise £50,000 a year to every household to cope with rising bills; compel supermarkets to supply free food to pensioners worth up to £100 per visit; order the construction of 100,000 new and affordable homes every day; give key workers a 50 per cent pay rise; outlaw redundancies so everyone has a job for life; abolish the income tax and national insurance altogether; and send families on free foreign holidays every year. Then, when I take up residence in Downing Street as prime minister and people clamour for all my promises to be fulfilled, I shall give them a big grin and raise my middle finger. Rudy Otter

Wembley businessmen fear loss of business due to alcohol ban Brent Council introduced a ban on local off-licences selling booze on days when large events are being held at Wembley Stadium, in response to the chaotic scenes at last year’s Euro 2020 final. Corner shop owners in Wembley say they are at risk of going out of business after new council rules stopped them from selling alcohol during football matches. It said the new rules have been a “success”, with a significant drop in antisocial behaviour and littering in the area. But local businesses said they are being “punished” for something that wasn’t their fault and, if things don’t change, they could be forced to close

down. Zaid Appasi, who runs Friend’s Off-Licence near Wembley Park Station, said he relies on the income brought in during sports events at the stadium. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Football is our season, we need it to make money. Deler Gulati, who owns a shop on the other side of the stadium, said the council was using the drunken scenes at the Euros as an “excuse” to make it look like they are taking action. The ban was in place for Sunday’s Women’s Euros Final between England and Germany, when businesses could be fined up to £1,000 if they were caught selling alcohol to fans.

A faulty fridge at a funeral home has left a family completely distraught A fridge at the Ashton Funeral Service (part of Dignity Funerals), containing the body of Uriah Pryce among seven others, switched off over the weekend due to some fault. Zayed Martin, the granddaughter of Uriah Pryce, said that the dodgy freezer led to the deterioration of her Grand Father’s body which has made the planned open casket funeral impossible. Located in Brixton, Ashton Funeral Service informed the family that the body has suffered from a skin slip and as a result, they won’t be able to visit, dress

or embalm him and the open casket funeral they hoped for was out of the question. Zayed, 22, told My London: " We’ve been advised not to see grandad and not to have an opencasket funeral. We are only allowed to place clothes on top of him and slip photographs inside the coffin.” A spokesperson for Dignity Funerals said: “Caring for deceased persons in a professional and respectful manner is at the core of everything we do.” The funeral home is now offering the family free funeral service and will waive a total cost of £8,500.

Selfie with Sindhu The world is aware of the success story of PV Sindhu and it is a tale every Indian tells with much pride. Ritesh Nigam, came across a familiar face on the railway platform, en route to Birmingham Commonwealth Games. While the person was wearing a cap and a mask, Ritesh was able to pinpoint that she was PV Sindhu. When,

on a train full of people, he approached her to confirm his guess, her affirmative reply was accompanied by a big smile and the surprise of being recognised was evident. She then humbly agreed to click a selfie and when everyone around her was informed of her presence and achievements, she accepted the claps and the cheer with great humility.

•

Kapil Dudakia

KAPIL’S

KHICHADI

Bharat - Defined by the Invaders On 15th August the whole of India, and Indians across the world will celebrate Independence Day. I have always been troubled by this notion of ‘Independence Day’ and the associated celebrations. I ask myself what is it that we are celebrating? Is it that we allowed the British to rule Bharat for some 250 years? Is it that we have a history of being ruled by invaders over 1400 years? Is it that we had Sepoys who sold the nation and its people for their bounty? Is it that we had some Dharma Gurus who connived with the invaders? Is it that we had some ‘elite’ families who worked handin-glove with the invaders? Is it that we had allowed the invaders to define our territory? Is it that we allowed the invaders to corrupt our Dharmic scriptures? Is it that we allowed the invaders to impose a constitution that was anti-Dharmic? Is it that we allowed the invaders to impose an education curriculum to undermine the nation? Is it that we allowed the invaders to implement their Caste system, which plagues us even today? Is it that we allowed the invaders to re-write our ancient history? Is it that even today Bharat is chained to the evil practices of these invaders? What is it that we are actually celebrating? The official Government of India statement states, ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements’. You see, even today when we attempt to celebrate the glorious history of the people of India, its culture, and its achievements, we do so by referring to ‘independence’. The history of Bharat Varsh is thousands of years old. It is rich, as it is unique and all encompassing. When the west and the middle east was nothing short of barbaric, the people of Bharat were civilised and refined. One can write a library of books to narrate the history of Bharat, its dharmic traditions and about the diversity of its people. Yet today we still remain tied to the invader’s definition of our ‘independence’. Is it now not time to rename this day to reflect the glory of Bharat that steeped in its history of Dharma? Surely the time has come for Bharat to define itself in its own image. Instead of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, why not have something like ‘Bharat Varsh Ka Amrit Mahotsav’. I am sure there are many clever people who can come up with an even better name – a name that we can all embrace and truly celebrate our Bharat Varsh. We become independent when in our thinking we are truly independent. It is time under the premiership of PM Modi to have our own constitution, our own legislation, our own educational curriculum, and our own narrative of our collective history. It is time to resurrect and safeguard all our ancient places of historical significance. It’s time to tell the world of our contributions to Science, Mathematics, Philosophy, Medicine, Literature, Music, Drama and much much more. Our discoveries and inventions have been hijacked by invaders, it’s time to expose this truth at the global level. And the Government of India should demand that all international institutions comply with this truth. How ironic that even today India remains part of the Commonwealth – the origin of which was responsible for mass atrocities against India. To be free, we must first emancipate ourselves from mental slavery. We are free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice freedom.

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India@75: Looking at the future with hope and aspiration

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

s independent India achieves the landmark 75 years as a free nation, it is an appropriate time to take a look at the journey so far and ahead. The Government of India announced twoyear-long nationwide celebrations for the Amrut Mahotsav to commemorate the milestone. The journey of independent India started on 15 August 1947. After the first war of independence in 1857, the British had taken over direct administration in 1858. While the struggle for independence was long and hard, the process of India’s birth was no less painful. The partition of India and the creation of Pakistan led to

the transfer of between 10-20 million people along religious lines between India and Pakistan and the death of around 1-2 million people. The turmoil caused by this event can only be described as cataclysmic. Fires of religious tensions burnt in several parts of the country, with extreme disturbance and mayhem in areas along the borders of West and East Pakistan. (East Pakistan is now the independent nation of Bangladesh). A newly independent India did not have the wherewithal to deal with these multiple crises. Providing humanitarian assistance to the displaced population and safety and relief to the victims of violence, stretched the resources of the newly independent poor nation. After dousing these fires, independent India’s first success was to adopt the Constitution in 1950, making India a democratic country, offering democratic freedoms unique among the world's newly independent states. The Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution of India, drafted by a committee headed by Dr B. R. Ambedkar, on 26 November 1949; making India a sovereign democratic republic on 26 January 1950. Democracy has sustained in India through the years. Unlike many other developing countries, including in its neighbourhood, India never succumbed to military rule. The people of today’s India owe a debt of gratitude to Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar and the founders of modern India. At the time of independence, there were 17 provinces and 565 princely states in British India. The princes of the princely states had the right to join either dominion or stay independent. India's founding fathers were faced with the prospect of a fragmented nation, requiring the integration of over 500 princely

Chan ng gin ng ga atttitudes: chan nggin ngg the gga ame Serena S erena Williams William ams summed summed up up success success in in a sport sport when when she she ssaid aid “Overpower. “Overpower. Overtake. Overtak ake. Overcome”. Overcome”. And And this this rings rings just just as as true true for for PPES PPES (Pardada (Parda da Pardadi Parda di Educational Educa tion al al Society) Society) girls girls playing playing sports sports at at our our school. school. Thousands of girls grow up in rural Indian communities being told that sport isn’t fo for them. Despite constant reminders like “Playing sports isn’t meant fo for girls, only boys can do that”, or ‘It’s shameless of you to play around in these reveal aling sports kits”, our PPES girls have overcome centuries-old stereotypes to build selfconfidence and strong personalities through sport. PPES Senior Nandini remembers boys in her community telling her that a girl’s place was in the home doing household chores, not at school or playing sports. When she played sports at school, boys used to watch and laugh at the girls. Nandini was determined to prove them wrong: although hesitant initial ally, she now loves and participates in all sporting activities. When another girl, Bulbul, first started sport she was told that women’s bodies weren’tt meant fo weren for physical exertion. Babul is now part of the PPES basketball team which recently competed at both the State and District level coming fo fourth overall. Bab abul says “Sport fo for me isn’t just about play aying, it's about knowing myself better, standing up confidently fo for my rights, and exploring my fu full potential and fighting spirit. Above all it’s about overcoming”. Eight years ago PPES took the revolutionary step of initiating a rural Marathon fo for our girls with the ultimate aim of overcoming the gender stereotypes regarding girls play aying sports. Every year since, thousands of our

girls, along with mothers, fa fathers and brothers, have run the Marathon to help raise awareness fo for girls’ rights to play sports and edu ucation.

PPES belieeves sports help girls become more aware of o their mental and physical strength, and that this self-awareness resonates witth them fo for the rest of their lives. Trainin ng girls and outlining their choices help an a entire generation stand tall. The challenge now is to cause the community to t champion these women whether theey are playing a fr friendly handball matcch or bringing home a medal. PPES has undoubtedly transfo formed the attitudes off girls and their fa families regarding sports fo for girls. But there remains much more to o do to bring equality to rural girls in sportss. We’ve sparked a revolution: we’re confiden nt that our girls will continue to overpower,, overtake, and overcome with our help and support. s Pardada P Pa ard rdada Pa P Pardadi ardadi di E Educational ducati tional SSociety ociety ty UK UK iiss no. a reg rregistered e giste re eg red UK UK ccharity ha rity t y ((Charity C h a r it y n Ch o. bee ccontacted 11166879) 166879) aand nd ccan an b onta tacted th tthrough hrough gh eemail m ail aatt iinfo@pardadapardadi-uk.org; n fo@p @pa rdadap dap apa rdadi di-uk.org rg; g; phone on 079 03329311; postal p hone o n0 779 9 0 3329311; p osta tal aaddress ddress 2255 Lane, Uxbridge, UB10 9LE. SSweetcroft weetcro we roft L ane, Ux U xbrriidg dge, UB U B10 9 LE.

states. Credit for the political integration of India is attributed to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (Deputy Prime Minister of India at the time). Along with V. P. Menon, Sardar Patel convinced the rulers of contiguous princely states to accede to India. The India we know today is the precious outcome of Sardar Patel’s wisdom and sagacity. Modern India has many achievements to its credit. India’s literacy level in 1947 was alarmingly low at around 12 per cent. Over the last seven and a half decades, even as India's population has risen to over 1.35 billion, the literacy level is close to 78 per cent, a remarkable achievement by any yardstick. Under the vision of India’s first prime minister, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, modern industries became “the temples of modern India”, while institutes of higher learning laid the foundation for much of the success that followed. At the time of independence, India produced around 50 million tonnes of food grains. This was not even enough to feed the country’s population of 340 million. As India’s population went up, so did the agricultural output. Today's India has been a net exporter of food grains, despite feeding its own population of over 1.35 billion people. A Green revolution and Operation Flood enabled India to become self-sufficient in feeding its own population, ending two decades of food imports. The Green revolution greatly improved India’s agricultural productivity through government-sponsored modern agricultural implements, new varieties of generic seeds, and increased financial assistance to farmers that increased the yield of food crops such as wheat, rice and corn, as well as commercial crops like cotton, tea, tobacco and coffee. Under Operation Flood, the government encouraged the

production of milk, which increased and improved the rearing of livestock across India. Amul Dairy Plant at Anand, Gujarat, became a highly successful cooperative started during Operation Flood in the 1970s. In terms of GDP, the turnaround has been nothing short of impressive. From a mere 2.7 lakh crore in 1947, accounting for a measly 3 per cent of the world's total GDP, India’s GDP at over $3 trillion in 2022 makes it one of the largest economies in the world. India’s per capita income has similarly grown over the 75 years. The number of billionaires in India has almost tripled over the last ten years. While India has made a remarkable journey in fields ranging from economy to infrastructure or even space and science and technology, the biggest challenge is equitable distribution of this progress to reach those at the bottom of the ladder. Over the last 10 years or so, the government's efforts have been aimed at bridging the gap. The JAM trinity (short for Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile) initiative linking Jan Dhan accounts, mobile numbers and Aadhaar cards of Indians is aimed at plugging the leakages of government subsidies. The Ayushmann Bharat hopes to reach health services to the doorsteps of the poor, while other schemes targeting education, girls’ welfare and the development of entrepreneurship will help achieve a more equitable distribution of wealth and benefits. India's journey since 1947 has seen its share of ups and downs. Once branded a "third world country", that many did not expect to even survive, India has proved the doomsayers wrong on every front. Today, despite its many remaining challenges, India looks to the future filled with hope.

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The changing perception of

India@75 India is 75 years young. The motherland has survived a pandemic, various battles, ups and downs and particularly this year, lost some of its stalwarts in the field of art and entertainment. Navigating floods, landslides, calamities, and unnatural occurrences, India is perhaps the most resilient country in the world. Justice is delivered, sooner or later, and there is more faith in the judiciary among people than ever before. Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsav brings together Indians in the homeland and abroad together to cherish the goodness, the richness of our culture, the beauty of brotherhood and the valiance of the community. As the globe gradually continues to work towards rebuilding broken homes, economies, societies and also, and people, Asian Voice spoke to British Indians about the changing perception of India and what the future holds for the Living Bridge. Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE DL talks about the UK-India relationship, the possibilities of living the dream of seeing an Indian-origin person become the UK’s prime minister; Oscar award-winning producer Guneet

India is now considered a positive force in the world

Lord Rami Ranger CBE

n 15th August 2022, 1.4 billion Indians will celebrate India’s 75th Independence Day with pride in how far India has come in just 75 years. At this time India has become the 4th largest economy in the world and 3rd most powerful military force. Indian space mission has not only landed on the moon but also on Mars. India has become the biggest manufacturer of pharmaceuticals and exporter of IT to the world. During the Covid pandemic, India produced two billion vaccines for the world. Thanks to India the poorer nation could receive vaccinations for their citizens. Indians are now running most of the blue-chip companies of the world and India is exporting doctors, engineers, IT experts, scientists, teachers, and hoteliers to the world. In other words, Indians are

Women in India have come to lead in myriad fields

Indians have shown themselves to be entrepreneurial

by: Lord Raj Loomba CBE, Founder and Chairman, The Loomba Foundation

by: Lord Dolar Popat, Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Rwanda, Uganda and DRC

Monga speaks to us about the changing paradigms of Indian cinema; Fintech and economy experts explain what’s in store for the UK-India economic ties; youngsters react to Har Ghar Tiranga campaign and Kolkata based Asian Voice columnist Abhiroop Sengupta writes about the other Tagore. Asian Voice wishes all its British Indian readers, a very happy Independence Day.

shaping the modern world as we see it. Indian ancient art of Yoga to keep the mind and body healthy has taken the world by storm. The United Nations has declared 21st June as the International Day of Yoga. India is also contributing soldiers to the UN peacekeeping forces in many troubled parts of the world. India is helping Sri Lanka financially to stabilize its economy. Indian rupees are now accepted in many countries of the world as legal tender. It just goes to prove India's economic might. Some 35 million strong Indian diasporas are now settled in nearly 100 countries of the world. They are not only enriching these countries economically, culturally but also politically. For the first time in the United Kingdom, an Indian decedent will fight for the highest office of Prime Minister. It just goes to prove Indians are making an enormous contribution where ever they have settled.It is heartening to note that India is now considered a positive force in the world. Everyone wants to do business with India and Indians. India is attracting a record amount of foreign investment. It has become the favourite destination for trade. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has launched many important initiatives like clean India, electrification of every village and bank accounts for every Indian. The Govt of India is using technology widely to make the life of its citizens easier and better for everyone. I wish my fellow Indians many happy returns of the day.

s India celebrates 75 years of independence it is a matter of great joy and pride to see the nation in the frontline among global economies. While successive Indian governments have taken bold and innovative steps to put India on the march towards progress and prosperity, the current government under the dynamic leadership of Shri Narendra Modi, through several pioneering schemes, has ensured that India continues to forge ahead despite global and domestic challenges. As founder and Chairman of The Loomba Foundation, a worldwide charitable organisation for widows and their children, I am especially pleased to note how far women in India have come to lead in myriad fields. Srimati Droupadi Murmu’s election as the President of India exemplifies the pivotal role that women in India continue to play in nation-building. Indeed, the role of women in India can be traced back to the struggle for Indian independence, and 75 years of the sacrifices that they made and the foundations that they laid have ensured that modern India is a vibrant, free, and truly democratic country. Long may the nation prosper. Jai Hind!

ndia continues to make improvements in many areas of their country but what has been most remarkable is how many Indians hold significant and influential positions across the world. Indians have shown themselves to be entrepreneurial whilst not forgetting the importance of community and family. Their determination to work hard and make sacrifices has led them to become leading figures irrespective of where they find themselves. This has helped shape the view people have of India as its former citizens act as ‘ambassadors’ for the values of Indians and what India is working towards. As a country, it still faces significant challenges with a lot of people still being in poverty but by embracing free trade and championing businesses they have helped to lift millions out of abject poverty. This along with being the largest democracy in the world, continues to shape the perception people have of India.

A Labour Government would drive closer ties with India

Steadily embracing the modern world by: Virendra Sharma MP

“W

by: Preet Kaur Gill MP

s we approach the 75th anniversary, I want to wish Indians everywhere a very happy Independence Day. We must take this important moment to recognise the rich history of one of the most diverse cultures in the world. This diversity is something that should be celebrated. Over the last 75 years, successive Indian Governments have made a positive change which, is often not quick or easy. India has struck a balance of maintaining its deep traditions, while steadily embracing the modern world as part of a secular society. This anniversary of independence is a fantastic opportunity for all of us to take a moment to gain a deeper understanding of the lives of others and the global challenges many are facing.

hen I first came to the UK, 54 years ago, it was as with so many of my countrymen and women as an economic migrant looking for a better life. Since then, I have made my life here, married, had children, been elected as a councillor, become a grandfather, and finally elected as a member of parliament. Britain has accepted me, and I am a British-Indian like millions of others. 54 years ago, the perception of India was of a colony and poverty, but that has changed, only for the better. There were dark points and in 1979 when National Front thugs marched through Southall, we reached the lowest nadir. Perceptions though develop and change, and from jokes about IT telephone centres we have climbed to a friend and partner relationship between India and the UK. 75 years ago the British Parliament, under a Labour government, passed the Indian Independence Act, and now I sit in that same chamber voting proudly as a British Labour MP of Indian origin. The Labour Party recognises the value of the relationship between India and the UK, and just as 75 years ago we acted, a Labour Government would drive closer ties with India.”

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‘This year is a milestone year’ Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE DL, founder of Cobra Beer, Chairman of the Cobra Beer Partnership Limited, Founding Chairman of the UK India Business Council, President of The UK Council on International Student Affairs (UKCISA) and Cochair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for International Students speaks to Asian Voice on ‘Changing perception of India @ 75’. Shefali Saxena Lord Karan Bilimoria hails from the third generation of his family to be educated in the UK from India. “On both sides, both my grandpa's grandfather studied in the UK. My mother, my uncle and I came in the early 1980s. At that time in the early 1980s, the UK was looked upon as a failing country and the sick man of Europe and India was looked upon as a country that was protected inward looking insular. So neither country was doing well at that time. Look at where we are today. The UK and India are now the fifth and sixth largest economies in the world,” he told Asian Voice. According to him, the UK with just 1% of the world's population excels in many fields from being the second largest services exporter in the world to London being one of the top two financial centres in the world with advanced manufacturing and creative industries, professional services, the best universities in the world along with the United States of America, four out of the top 10 universities in the world are British universities. “So the UK is doing exceedingly well and has done exceedingly well as a country,” he said. Speaking further about changing perception of India, Lord Bilimoria said, “Look at where India is today - an emerging global economic superpower where the rest of the world is suffering. Next year, India is projected to be the fastestgrowing major economy in the world. So it is wonderful to see where both countries are today and our relationship is a special relationship we talk about having a special relationship between the UK and the United States of America. I always say we have another special relationship and that is the UK and India. “And I have personally seen this firsthand over almost two decades since I was appointed as the cochair of the Indo-British partnership by the British government. And my fellow co-chair, Indian co-chair was Narayan Murthy. This was in 2003. With the UK India Business Council, I've seen now that the ties between our two countries are stronger than ever and the potential is stronger than ever.” According to him, if we

look at the Living Bridge that exists, the 1.5 million people of Indian origin who live in the UK, the largest ethnic minority diaspora in the UK and the most successful ethnic minority diaspora by r&d, it's now at the top in every field in the UK. “You just have to look at the Cabinet table to see the Chancellor, the Home Secretary, the Attorney General, the COP 26, cabinet minister, all of Indian origin and the Home Secretary. So it is it's phenomenal,” he added. He also stated that in both Houses of Parliament, a number of members of the

today, it should be multi-fold that figure and the target is to at least double trade between our two countries by 2030. I think we can do much more. I think the Free Trade Agreement will be a huge, huge milestone and a huge benefit to both countries to enhance trade, business and investment bilaterally, both ways between the UK and India. The target is to finish that at least by the end of this year. So I'm very confident and as President of the Confederation of British Industry for the last few years. Just recently I've been playing a part in helping that free trade agreement conclude.” When asked whether Rishi Sunak will potentially become the first Asian Prime Minister of the UK of Indian origin, Lord Karan Bilimoria said, “I have said I'm one of the first people I said in 2003 when I won the

“Britain is perfectly placed to partner with India on moving forward together to our mutual benefit.” House of Lord members of the House of Commons are of Indian origin. We are excelling in sport, and we're excelling in academia. For example, the new Dean of the Oxford Said Business School. “I'm a fellow of Oxford University. I could go on Amartya Sen, of course, the Nobel laureate was a master of Trinity College Cambridge. And so, Indians have done extremely well in the UK and some and they are living bridge between the United Kingdom and an India and of course, the trade potential,” Lord Bilimoria told the newsweekly. He further added, “This year is a milestone year. We are negotiating a Free Trade Agreement between the UK and India for the first time ever, and we've already signed an enhanced Trade Partnership last year. This year. We started January, the Free Trade Agreement negotiations because the trade between the two countries is only 24 billion pounds and goods and services both ways

Asian of the Year Award, that there will be an Asian as prime minister in my lifetime. And we have Rishi Sunak, now, as one of the last in the last in final to be Prime Minister in a month's time. I mean, this is amazing. I still firmly believe that that will happen. That we will have a nation we will have an Indian origin. Individual who will be prime minister of this country in my lifetime.” Lord Bilimoria believes that both India and the UK are ancient countries with centuries of history. And yet India is a young country. It is only 75 years old. “The potential that I firmly believe is a potential for India is just huge. India is on the move. Britain is perfectly placed to partner with India on moving forward together to our mutual benefit. Going forward with our people with this Living Bridge, helping this wonderful relationship build forward from strength to strength,” he signed off.

UK-India partnership built on people Kevin McCole and Kealan Finnegan, UK India Business Council

countries for India Partnership’ and studies, and more recently in FTA subthen access a missions to both broader range Governments. of jobs. The We have already seen bridge of skills significant growth in the The UK and India between our number of Indian students have a deep and wide countries will coming to the UK in recent Kevin McCole relationship, which is grow as a years. In 2020/2021, the UK strengthening and result, and universities and welcomed 84,555 Indian impacting on critical issues higher education institustudents to the UK (the secsuch as trade, development, tions will cement new partond most of any nationalieducation, defence and nerships and research colty), and MRQs will do much security, and healthcare. As laborations. to sustain the positive well as the breadth and richThe benemomentum. This ness of areas of collaborafits go beyond point has been tion, what really makes the education links. recognised by Dr relationship so exciting and Indeed, we at Athulya Aravind, the opportunities so vast is the UKIBC Regional Director, the people. believe that South Asia at the Prime Minister Modi MRQ will spur University of certainly hit the mark when bilateral trade, Edinburgh, who he coined the phrase “the investment described the MRQ Kealan Finnegan Living Bridge” to describe flows and the Agreement as a the close, deep and wide movement of people, “significant enabler for people-to-people connecresulting in more jobs and mobility and joint study tions between India and the prosperity in both counprogrammes for instituUK. Millions of people tries. tions in both countries". move between the UK and The UK and India are, The Bridge is a wellIndia every year – for a variof course, currently negotitrodden route for Indian ety of reasons: tourism, ating a Free Trade students coming to the UK, business, education, visits Agreement, which seeks to and long may this continue home to see friends and grow trade, investment and and expand. However, what family, and all else in collaboration between our I think would show that the between. This movement – two countries. As the 5th MRQ Agreement has really of ideas, relationships, netand 6th largest economies succeeded is that more and works – is a really strong in the world, a UK-India more young people from foundation for an expandFTA would help to create the UK go to study and ing bilateral relationship significant opportunities work in India, making the like the UK and India’s. for both economies by makLiving Bridge a busy twoIn recent weeks, we ing it easier for businesses way route. have seen the living bridge’s to trade and invest within As well as the trade and symbolic manifestation in the UK-India corridor, investment statistics, there Rishi Sunak’s run to become building on the more than are immeasurable intangithe UK Prime Minister, and 550-strong UK businesses ble benefits that result from a practical measure taken by invested in India employing lifelong friendships and our governments that will more than 400,000 people, connections. enlarge and strengthen it in and over 850 Indian compaKevin McCole, the shape of Mutual nies in the UK employing Managing Director, leads Recognition of over 95,000. Reducing the the Advocacy, Advisory, Qualifications. barriers to trade and coopMembership, CommuThe agreement eration would help to crenications and Research between our Governments ate more jobs, develop teams. He also leads the for the Mutual Recognition industry in both countries, UKIBC’s relationships with of Qualifications is hugely and contribute to economic Government bodies across positive for the people-todevelopment. the UK and India, including people connect between MRQ has been an the UK’s Devolved Adminiour countries. Not only will objective for businesses, strations, Department for MRQs help to strengthen students and universities International Trade, and linkages between British for a long time. The UKIBC, Indian States. Kealan and Indian universities, it is through our government Finnegan, Manager is a pivotal reform for stuconnections, have advocatresponsible for Policy and dents, graduates and ed for this reform for severAdvocacy and leads on employers. al years, including in our Communications and plays Students and graduates 2019 UKIBC report, ‘Higher a key role in UKIBC subwill be able to seamlessly Education Collaboration: missions to the UK and transition between our Future-proofing the UK Indian Governments.

Long may this relationship prosper

by: Reena Ranger OBE and Ameet Jogia MBE, Co-Chairs, Conservative Friends of India

n behalf of the Conservative Friends of India, it gives us great pleasure in extending our heartfelt best wishes on the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence. This is a milestone anniversary which reflects 75 years of UK-India relations. The relationship between our two great nations has evolved significantly over the decades.

The bond we share is symbolic of our shared values, vision and history. Today, India is the world's largest democracy, a tech and economic powerhouse and a vital strategic partner for the UK and we believe there is so much scope for greater collaboration. We are proud that under this Conservative government there are more Indian companies in the UK than in the rest of Europe combined. All of this is a just small demonstration of the wide-ranging advantages the Living Bridge confers on our partnership, which perhaps was felt most starkly in the exceptional partnership between the UK and India’s Serum Institute, which produced more than a billion doses of the UK developed Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine, saving lives across India and beyond its borders – quite simply vaccinating the world. 75 years, the significance of our strategic relationship has never been more important. In this ever-changing world, long may this relationship prosper.

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up a European-style orchestra comprising of modified Indian instruments. This set up which was the first of its kind included various sized 'Esraj' to

Abhiroop Sengupta Abhiroop Sengupta is a Kolkata based entrepreneur, fencer, amateur historian and writer. Also a devoted Freemason and Rotarian, he spends most of his free time researching about varied subjects, especially those which he feels did not get their deserved due in the course of history.

hile the world is well aware of the creative genius of Rabindranath Tagore, the great Bengali poet. But in Victorian Bengal, there did exist another Tagore whose musical capabilities and work as a musicologist had won him laurels from across the world and had earned him the respect of many royalties and respected personalities. His name was Raja Sir Sourindro Mohun Tagore and unlike the Nobel laureate who belonged to the Jorashanko branch of the family, Raja Sir Sourindro Mohun Tagore belonged to the much wealthier Pathuriaghata branch of the Tagores. Early Life Both the branches of the family were connected through a common ancestor and for some time even engaged in business collaborations, as was evident in the relationship between The Hon'ble Prosonno Coomar Tagore and 'Prince' Dwarknath Tagore, who were both cousins. Sourindro Mohun Tagore was born sometime in the year 1840 at Pathuriaghata, Bengal Presidency to Hara Kumar Tagore. His elder brother was Jotindra Mohun, who later became famous as Maharaja Sir Jotindra Mohun Tagore Bahadur and was one of the leading zamindars or landholders of his time. Just like his father who was a noted scholar of music, Sanskrit and other subjects, young Sourindro Mohun started blossoming from an early age and showed a deep inclination toward music. He studied at the Hindu College and developed a deep interest in the history and origin of music on a global scale, something which he studied vigorously. Globally Respected Rajah Sir Sourindro was a student of both Eastern and Western schools of music and he continued his work through the Bengal Music School and Bengal Academy of Music, both of which were founded by him. He also sent collections of rare musical instruments to museums and royalties around the world. During the Indian trip of the Prince of Wales in the mid1870s, Rajah Sir Sourindro Mohun came up with the unique idea of setting

Raja Sir Sourindro Mohun Tagore Manimala

compensate for the western cello and the double bass. This orchestra greatly impressed the touring prince. Scholarly Work Rajah Sir Sourindro wrote quite a few books during his lifetime. Though most of them dealt with music there were some exceptions as well. Some of his works on music were 'The Universal History of Music', 'English Verses Set To Hindu Music In Honor Of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales', 'Yantra Kosha', 'Victoria Samrajyan or Sanskrit Stanzas On The Various Dependencies Of The British Crown', 'Hindu Music From Various Authors', 'The Twenty Two Musical

Strutis Of The Hindus', 'Fifty Tunes Composed And Set To Music' and so on. Some of his non-musical writings included 'Mani-Mala Or A Treatise On Gems', 'The Caste System Of The Hindus' and 'The Orders Of Knighthood British and Foreign With A Brief Review Of The Titles of Rank and Merit In Ancient Hindusthan(In Three Parts). The diversity of his literary career provides a clear glimpse of the versatile genius that he was in real life. Honours Alongside honorary doctorates in music from both the United States of America and England, he was knighted by multiple countries including honours from Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Nepal, Venezuela, Hawaii, and France to name a few and was conferred titles by the Persian and British Empire. The gifted Raja's son Prodyot Coomar Tagore was later adopted by Sourindro Mohun's elder brother Maharaja Sir Jotindro Mohun Tagore and succeeded in his vast estates. Raja Sir Sourindro Mohun Tagore breathed his last on the 5th of June 1914, the same year when Rabindranath Tagore, a relative of his became the first Asian to win the Nobel prize.

The Indian kaleidoscope: How well do you know India? 1.

The first ever newspaper that was printed in India. 2. The Act that made daughters equal heirs to their father’s property. 3. The first viceroy of India after independence. 4. Which city was labelled as the ‘Urbs Prima in Indis’, the first city of India. 5. This fun board game originated in India as Moksha Patam. 6. This famous monument in India was disguised as a bamboo stockpile during World War 2. 7. This Indian archipelago is one of the last untouched places on the Earth. No one is allowed within three miles of this island. 8. This Indian city is one of the oldest inhabited places in the world, with first settlements happening around 11th or 12th century BC. 9. This lake in Aurangabad, Maharashtra was created by a plummeting meteor about 52,000 years ago. 10. A town in Meghalaya is the wettest place on earth with 11,873 millimetres of rain annually. 11. Which act prohibits the flying of kites without Police permission?

12.

13. 14. 15. 16.

17. 18.

19. 20.

With the initiative of distributing menstrual cups, this Indian village will be country’s first sanitarynapkin free village. This Indian poet, writer and painter was the first non-European to win a Nobel Literature price. This earliest form of medicine was consolidated 2500 years ago in India. This player won India’s first track and field gold at the Tokyo Olympics. The Indian Flag that was hoisted by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on 15th August, 1947 was designed by __________. The first women judge in the Supreme Court of India. ‘Tomb of Sand’, the first novel translated from an Indian language to win the International Booker Prize in 2022 was written by ____________. India’s sheltering of this spiritual leader is considered as the trigger for the 1962 war with China. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) was founded in the year ___________.

Answers: 1- Bengal Gazette, 2- Hindu Succession Act, 3- Charles Canning, 4- Mumbai, 5- Snakes & Ladders, 6- Taj Mahal, 7- North Sentinel Island, 8Varanasi, 9- Lonar Lake, 10- Mawsynram, 11- Aircraft Act of 1934, 12Kumbalanghi, 13- Rabindranath Tagore, 14- Ayurveda, 15- Neeraj Chopra, 16- Pingali Venkkaya, 17- M. Fathima Beevi, 18- Geetanjali Shree, 19- Dalai Lama, 20- 1969

The League of Extraordinary Indians: The Other Tagore-Raja Sir Sourindro Mohun Tagore

Did you know? Shammi Kapoor was one of the first users of the internet in India Twitter is obsessing over Shammi Kapoor yet again and it has nothing to do with his illustrious film career. In an interesting turn of events, the Junglee actor was one of the very first users of the internet in India. What’s more? He wasn’t just any internet user out there, he was in the thick of the revolution and the founder & chairman of the Internet Users Club of India. The information came to light when a Twitter handle by the name of @prstb posted a thread containing thorough research into the techie lifestyle of the actor. With numerous photographs to back up their

claim, the user gives a glimpse into what some of the first independent and private websites looked like along with emails sent across by Shammi ‘Shamsher’ Kapoor addressing the internet users of the country to be more responsible and pleasant. Moreover, if you thought that the actor couldn’t be any cooler, his blogs will prove otherwise. Shammi Kapoor wrote blogs when they weren’t even a thing. His personal website has blogs about the Kapoor family and it is here that he shared that he learnt all the coding and designing himself.

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‘India is a Maharaja Bhog Thali’ Oscar award-winning and BAFTA-nominated Indian filmmaker and producer Guneet Monga speaks to Asian Voice on the paradigm shift in Indian films, global audiences and pan-Indian cinema. Shefali Saxena

a market. I generally feel like global emotions are “I come from a very similar, but the more local humble background. So I you are, the more window started by raising money you give to audiences from my neighbour,” about back home. I filmmaker Guneet Monga actually was always very told Asian Voice. Monga’s irritated by India being neighbour Kamlesh seen as the land of snake Agarwal lent her close to charmers. You know, 50Lakh rupees (£50,000). where people have to still Monga studied walk in rain to find a international coGuneet Monga holding the phone booth to make a productions and raised Oscar trophy post the win of her short call. A lot of international film Period End of Sentence money from France while films did that who came to working on UK coIndia to shoot and it used to really irritate productions. Speaking to the newsweekly me because they're really pronouncing the about the changing perception of Indian third world,” she told the newsweekly. cinema, Monga explained, “When I started Monga understands that the diaspora around 15 years ago, the term that was given may not have been able to travel and to us was art-house. It was not ‘parallel’ experience their homeland in the last few cinema. That actually means you don't make years due to the pandemic, but she affirmed money, and means they're not commercial. that India is now rising as a superpower. So it's a polite way of saying that you make “India is all-encompassing, I would say art-house movies is really funny because, in India is a Maharaja Bhog Thali where there my head, I have always made commercial are all kinds of tastes - there is Khatta (sour), sense. What is a commercial movie? It also there is meetha (sweet) and there is salad stems down from as an industry we are, we and more. are actually a 100% equity-driven industry. “While there are amazing filmmakers, So any money that is raised to make any like Raju Hirani and Sanjay Leela Bhansali piece of content and movies needs to be doing amazing big-picture Bollywood returned with an interest and with content, it allows us to also co-exist,” marketing and release. There are no Guneet told Asian Voice. government grants for filmmakers. In 2019 Guneet Monga won an “In fact, we got an industry status and Academy Award, an Oscar for her short film some bank loans started for the crew but in Period End of Sentence. Reminiscing that the 2000s. We've not been seen as an moment, she said, “I have hoped that these industry per se. From an unstructured emotions are universal and that has unorganised sector, we are still at the resonated with an audience of diaspora and nascent stages of being an organised sector. I non-diaspora or non our diaspora is mean financially and financial institute-wise actually very powerful. So we do have the and how it is very aspirational, it is larger big ticket action thrillers and to find saris than life.” and Alps, where we also have global Monga has produced films like The standard independent cinema, which Lunchbox, Masaan and Gangs of Wasseypur comes in every language in India, which is and more recently Pagglait. She said that the in Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Punjabi, kind of love that she has received Kannada, Marathi, and that is the India I'm internationally in terms of recognition, proud of. So in the Indian film industry, I'm awards and even box office success has been really proud of it and I'm very happy to have absolutely phenomenal. found my language.” “So when I travelled internationally and Pan Indian cinema spoke about my films, I used to be termed as Monga believes that the language of Bollywood because we are the Hindi Indian cinema is many languages put language industry. There was an overarching together. She said that it's amazing that term. They say, ‘Oh, you're from people in the North are now able to love Bollywood!’,” she chuckled. and value Malayalam cinema and also the “When they say Bollywood, they actually other way around. mean Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas and “I think it is just the start of bringing our expect costume dramas, or high school country together. I almost say it should music sets. You know all the saris and have happened way before. But now with jewellery and slow-motion shots of chiffon OTT and subscription, there is access and I flying in various locations, Swiss Alps, Yash think Covid kind of accelerated that access, Chopra’s cinema or Bhansali’s cinema. That where people were consuming. And I just is really what defined Bollywood over the think it's a beautiful time to be a part of years, and that is what our definition Indian cinema, especially because now is became,” she added. the time because I actually feel some of the According to Guneet, this generation, best films are happening in Malayalam. And towards the end of 100 years of Indian it's a matter of time before they will be cinema has actually grown up seeing and popular globally on an OTT platform. So it's loving Scorsese, and Ang Lee and seeing a lot really the industry is really coming of age more global cinema. We wanted to tell and taking a shape where there's space for thrillers or dramas to society and not do many more filmmakers, many more people more escapist content. like me to come in. There is money. There is Yet, she mentioned that for The a great career opportunity, and there's time Lunchbox, many asked her why, ‘there is not to do good work.” one song, there is no chiffon flying and there is nothing and it's too real?’. Understanding the audience sitting far away But how does Guneet Monga the producer understand global audiences sitting in Mumbai? She said that when she started, Netflix and Amazon Prime were not in India. They started opening their offices in 2016-17. “We are talking about 2009-12. For me, it's I don't think I've ever reverse engineered anything. I don't think I've ever thought about what works at a certain festival or in

“When they say Bollywood, they actually mean Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas”

The integration of the Indian diaspora in the UK is exceptional Dr Swati Dhingra is an reflected in the deep foreign Associate Professor in investment ties between the Economics at the London two countries. British Indians School of Economics, and an have made an immense Associate of the Centre for contribution to these ties Economic Performance at through their participation in LSE. From August 2022, she the domestic economy and by will be serving as an External enabling the UK to punch Member of the Monetary above its weight in the global Policy Committee of the Bank economy. Dr Swati Dhingra of England. While the middle class always bears the more significant brunt of an Professor Dhingra spoke to Asian Voice economic crisis, how would you dissect the about the perception of the Indian economy current economic policies and decisions the over 74 years and the role of British Indians UK took during the pandemic? What could in the UK. How do you think India's perception as an have been done better? economy has evolved over 75 years of The UK was a pioneer in terms of Independence? supporting workers through the height of India has come a long way economically the pandemic, something which India could in these 75 years. About half of the have also learned from the UK about. In population lived below the $1.90 poverty line India, there was some protection offered at in the early decades after independence. the very bottom end of the income This number is now estimated to be about 10 distribution through existing poverty per cent. Social and economic reforms have alleviation programmes. But there was a made significant contributions to this, and it substantial share of working people who has ensured India’s place among the top fell into poverty as a result of the pandemic twenty economies in the world. and the lack of social assistance. But India is still behind other G20 Now new data in the UK is showing that nations in terms of its social safety nets and half a million people have dropped out of the experience with the pandemic work completely and health reasons are part of that story. This hasn’t happened to highlighted the fragility of this system. the same degree in some European Addressing the gaps in health, education and countries. Add to this the learning losses work can unleash huge growth potential and that have occurred among children and the fulfil the aspirations of a young population. How significant is the role of British Indians youth, and the costs of the pandemic on in contributing to the economy of the UK? potential economic growth start to mount. For both UK and India, these setbacks need I think the integration of the Indian unwinding. diaspora in the UK is exceptional, and this is

Global players will be looking at India to offer a larger market play Devie Mohan grew up in Trivandrum, group in fintech as it's a subsection Kerala and was always interested in of the wider financial services technology. She took up computer industry. There are very famous engineering at a time when the course and successful women founders, itself was very new and computers not but they only consist of 20% of the available easily in homes. She then fintech founder group; they also Devie Mohan went on to study MBA in IIM tend to raise less investment on Ahmedabad, before moving to the US, average. Sweden and then the UK. She has also done How do you think more south Asian women executive and short programmes at the can pursue a career like yours? What kind of University of California Berkeley, IMD fundamental approach and perspective must Lausanne and Boston University School of they have? Management. Mohan spoke to Asian Voice The biggest advantage I had in fintech, about women in fintech and India @ 75. ironically, is the fact that I had dabbled in What does the job of a fintech influencer multiple industries over time. I did not entail? follow a 'typical' career path but chose to take on jobs and roles that appealed to me Fintech influencers are relatively new in and challenged me the best. I had worked in the financial services industry - I think I investment banking, finance, IT, consulting received my first ever mention as one in and non-profit industries before I landed in 2014. It's an amalgamation of several fintech and this multi-disciplinarian different roles - writing, advising, approach and skillset helped me mentoring, speaking and creating thought considerably in finding a foothold in a leadership - all with the aim of influencing rapidly evolving industry. Industries like and guiding the general direction of fintech fintech don't work in isolation - they use as an industry (which is still in the early multi-industry data and expertise, and this is stages of development). I spend a lot of my where generalists like me have a big time speaking at global events and writing or advantage. The fundamental approach I blogging; I use these channels to be a fintech would recommend is one based on learning evangelist and ultimately guide the as long as we are willing to learn quickly, get strategies of all players in the fintech our hands dirty with everything from ecosystem - be it banks, or financial services administrative to strategic tasks and adapt to institutions, fintech, regulators and tech changing environments, we can find success providers. in any field. In your research and insights that you Where according to you does India stand in derive from fintech, how promising does the terms of the evolution of fintech in the last data look like when it comes to a) 75 years of Independence? investments and economy in general and b) what does it say about women in fintech? India is already a top 5 country in terms Investments in fintech have grown of fintech investments, startups founded tremendously. Just in 2021, we have seen and workforce size. I think it will have a huge investments of over $100billion in fintech role to play in the future and several UK globally, which is a 200% increase from fintech are now eyeing India as a market for 2020. To put this in context - the first year I its next phase of growth and scale. Especially tracked fintech investments (2014), it was with a recession looming, several global just $9billion had gone into the industry. players will be looking to India to plug in the The growth has been a pleasure to watch. workforce/skillset gap as well as to offer a Women are still an under-represented larger market play.

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Indian women rising Anusha Singh

omen have, for ages, fought to shine in a world where men are the central characters. Even when we look back to less than 100 years ago, women all around the world were fighting for their rights. Be it the right to vote, own property or manage their own bank accounts. Some have fought to complete their education only to be told they weren’t needed. Those who did make it fought hard to be taken seriously. While the situations have improved over the years, women are as yet, at the end of the funnel and are subjected to ridicule. Over the years, many women have taken on patriarchy, lived their lives on their own terms and have set a brilliant example for others all over the world. As India gears up to celebrate Independence, Asian Voice celebrates all those women who are breaking barriers by highlighting the exceptional works of a few who have inspired the world. Geetanjali Shree. Geetanjali Shree is a Hindi language novelist and short story writer whose excellent work has helped put Hindi Literature on the Global Map. While it was her novel Mai that catapulted her to fame, it is her beautiful storytelling in the novel Ret Samadhi (Translation: Tomb of Sand) that made her a global face when Shree won the International Booker Price in 2022. The book became the first novel translated from an Indian language to win the prize. Indira Gandhi. Indira Gandhi was the 3rd Prime Minister of India and was the first, and to date, is the only woman to be elected as the Prime Minister of the country. It was under her leadership that India went to war with Pakistan in support of the independence movement in East Pakistan, which resulted in the formation of Bangladesh. She was also the face of the national emergency between 1975 and 1977, a period where widespread outrage was caused. In 1999, Indira Gandhi was named the “Woman of the Millennium” in an online poll by BBC. Dutee Chand. Dutee Chand is a professional sprinter and a national champion in women’s 100 metres events. She is the first Indian to win a gold medal in 100 metres race in a global event and the third Indian woman to qualify for the women’s 100 metres race at the Summer Olympics. In 2019, Chand became the first Indian sprinter to win gold at the Universiade. Dutee Chand is also the first Indian athlete to openly come out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Kalpana Chawla. Born in 1972, Kalpana Chawla was an astronaut and was the first woman of Indian origin to go to space. She was a part of the crew on Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997 as a mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator. Chawla was a part of the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster and one of the seven members who died when the spacecraft disintegrated during its re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere. Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Crowned Miss World 2000, Priyanka Chopra Jonas is an actor, singer, model and philanthropist. She is

known to make bold choices in her film career and promote awareness about women’s and environmental rights. She has been working with UNICEF since 2006 and was appointed as the national and global UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2010 and d2016, respectively. In 2016, Chopra was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India for her contribution to the arts. Sudha Murthy. Sudha Murthy is an educator, Indian author and philanthropist who is the Chairperson of the Infosys Foundation. She works with the Gates Foundation and is a member of the public health care initiatives. Murthy has founded several orphanages lending a helping hand in rural development and providing schools with computers and other needed supplies. She was awarded Padma Shri in 2006 for her work in social service. V S Ramadevi. VS Ramadevi brought about a number of firsts in the Indian political environment. She registered her name as an advocate in the Andhra Pradesh High Court after completing her MA LLB. She was the first lady to become the Governor of Karnataka and the Chief Election Commissioner of India. Ramadevi was the first and is the only woman to serve as the Secretary General of Rajya Sabha. S I Padmavati. SI Padmavati was an Indian cardiologist. Founder and President of the All India Heart Institute, she established the first cardiac clinic and cardiac catheter lab in India. She was the director of the National Heart Institute and an elect fellow of the National Academy of Medical Sciences. She was awarded Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan in 1967 and 1992 respectively. Bhanu Athaiya. Bhanu Athaiya was an Indian costume designer and the first Indian to win an Academy Award. She has also had a historically early career as a painter with two of her works included in the 1953 Progressive Artists' Group show in Bombay. Athaiya has worked in iconic Bollywood movies like Guide, Lagaan and Chandni as a costume designer. She has also worked on international projects with the likes of Conrad Rooks in Siddhartha and Richard Attenborough in Gandhi. Jhumpa Lahiri. Jhumpa Lahiri, the daughter of Indian immigrant parents from West Bengal, is an American author known for her novels and short stories. Lahiri’s work is a depiction of her Indian roots, with most of her stories based in West Bengal, India. Her debut collection of short stories, Interpreter of Maladies (1999) won the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Fiction while The Lowland was a finalist for both the Man Booker Prize and the National Book Award for Fiction. In 2014, Lahiri was awarded the National Humanities Medal by former American President, Barack Obama.

Youngsters feel ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign is superfluous Rupali Shinde This year, India will celebrate 75 years of independence. To promote unity and diversity, the Har Ghar Tiranga- Azadi Ka Amrit Mohatsav campaign is being run across the country, where people are being encouraged to bring the Tiranga home and hoist it. The much-talked campaign is garnering mixed reactions amongst youngsters. As many are psyched about the campaign, some feel this patriotism cannot be judged on displaying flags in home and digital space. Media student Zarmin Qureshi believes that this campaign will increase the unity among Indians by bringing them closer and is necessary in these stressful times. Tanisha Kale seconded the campaign adding India has witnessed many changes in political, and socio-economic matters and it must be celebrated. Meanwhile, Rajeshwari, who is pursuing her master's, finds this campaign a bit performative. "While these expansive campaigns are carried out to celebrate the glorious history of Indian culture and struggles, I wonder how much we are talking about those citizens of our country who do not have homes and about the prevalent injustices around us that have proven to be a threat to our cultural legacy of harmony. This is quite ironic."

Shreyas Pande, who is a writer by profession, to finds this campaign redundant. "It is a little problematic when National Symbols like the Flag are used by the government and forced upon us to change our dps and hoist in our homes. Nationalism is something that comes from the heart and love for the nation should not be forced upon anyone." Shreyas adds that he fails to understand the motive of this campaign as India is still reeling under rising unemployment, rampant communalism, poverty and a lot of other issues. "We have improved as a nation on some aspects while getting worse on others. Problems like Manual Scavenging still exist and there are people who are forced to enter the gutters in 2022. It is a false glorification to say we are the largest democracy in the world when human rights violations are a daily thing when the freedom of expression is in danger and people are arrested for speaking the truth." Speaking on what has changed in India, media professional Aishwarya Pendse says that in 75 years Indians have become more religion centric than development centric. Shreyas wants Indian citizens to admit that India is not a perfect country as it still lacks in many aspects be it regressive thinking or casteism. Yet, he is pinning hope on youngsters who he believes are becoming aware of the grave issues and will do something fruitful.

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Dear Financial Voice Reader,

Alpesh Patel OBE

Dear Financial Voice Reader, Is Now the Time to Buy the Market Bottom? Inflation is slowing. Corporate and consumer spending is strong. Have we reached the bottom of the market, or is there more to fall? I am back from my Great Investing and Trading Summer School which I hosted in an intensive two day immersion type event for a select few. It was in Spain and a fun way to teach and for others to learn. A major issue was whether it is time to get in again. The S&P 500 hasn't had an first half start to the year this bad since the 1970s. Let’s look at some of the data to decide what might happen going forward. In the past six bear markets, the S&P 500 dropped by 41%. So far this year, it's down over 20%. The question is whether it will drop another 20% or rally back by the end of the year? The case for the bottom One of the best ways to judge the bottom is to see how banks, funds, and governments are acting. A recent chart from Larry Williams suggests they are bullish and have been actively buying while retail investors are unloading. He's calling a rally in August. Another way to call the bottom is to look at short seller activity. Short-sellers have taken in $300 billion of profit this year, but now they're pulling back on those bets, which might be a sign that they don't feel the market has more room to drop. Some commentators feel that 3,500 is the bottom. This thesis hinges on confidence that the Fed has everything under control and that they are "clipping the wings'' of an overheated economy. The market has been hovering around 3,700 for the last month, so if we're not at the bottom, we're mighty close. While a lot of the chatter is about the potential of a recession, there's nothing to say that we can't have a huge rally before that. The case against the bottom Some experts believe that we are not out of the woods yet. Inflation, Ukraine, and supply-chain problems are all still swirling. Additionally, there is a feeling that many investors weren't quite ready to give up on tech stocks, despite heavy losses this year. If a recession materializes, that might change. The economy is suspended in a strange place. Spending is high, but consumer confidence is low. Throw interest rate worries on top of that, and we should expect a slowdown. Many analysts are worried that central banks are losing the battle with inflation. Worse still, fuel costs, supply chain issues, and commodity prices are beyond their control, meaning tools that worked in the past, such as quantitative easy, will be ineffectual. Indeed, while some are calling a recession, analysts at Morgan Stanley suggest stagflation and a 5% to 10% drop in equities are more likely. Others suggest that we haven't even hit the "capitulation" stage of the crash yet. If investors throw in the towel, expect further dips before it improves. Manuel Bley at The Dow Theory suggests we can't call capitulation until at least two of three markets close below these numbers: S&P 500 (3553), Dow (28,407), and NYSE Composite (13,532). None of these indexes are there quite yet. The Buffett Indicator is always worth paying attention to. However, the bad news is that it suggests we are far from the bottom. Another Wall Street veteran, Ed Yardeni, indicates the market can't recover until we see clear signs that inflation has been contained. Refrain from timing the market altogether? Of course, investors could be best served by using the bear market to add quality stocks they believe in instead of trying to time the market. Selling at the top and buying back in at the bottom is a challenging task for analysts awash with information, let alone for retail investors. Investing during these times is difficult. Stock market declines are just part of the process. As always, avoid panic selling and focus on the long term. Of course, for anyone sitting on cash reserves, inflation could force them into the market. Plenty of shares out there could comfortably beat -9% – even during a bear market. Conclusion It's notoriously hard to time the market. However, what we do know is that it will bounce back eventually. For investors with a sensible, long-term strategy, it could be a great time to invest in solid companies with strong fundamentals. If you’re interested in my Autumn Great Investing and Trading 2 day immersion event (in Windsor) – register your interest here: www.alpeshpatel.com/schoolinterest

Biggest rise in interest rate in 27 years The Bank of England (BoE) has been forced to act by surging inflation driven by soaring energy and fuel costs that have spiked since Russia invaded Ukraine in February. BoE has once again raised interest rates by half a percentage point in the biggest increase in the cost of borrowing for 27 years, adding totally around £62 to the monthly cost of a typical £250,000 London mortgage. It is the sixth consecutive hike from the Bank’s

Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) since December and lifts its key lending rate from 1.25 per cent to 1.75 per cent.

The move, which was widely expected, will mean an immediate increase in mortgage bills for millions of homeowners on tracker

or variable mortgages that move in line with the Bank of England rate. Around three quarters of mortgage holders are on fixed rates but face having to remortgage at much higher costs when their deals expire. Last week, the US Federal Reserve increased its benchmark rate by 0.75 per cent in its fourth rise of the year. A week before that the European Central Bank, which is in charge of setting interest rates in the Eurozone, pushed its key rate up by 0.5 per cent.

New funding will benefit UK professionals Under the Professional Qualifications Act, the UK government can ensure regulators have the ability to agree recognition arrangements with overseas counterparts. These recognition arrangements can make it easier for British professionals to have their qualifications recognised overseas, without the need to requalify

with additional qualifications. UK professionals looking to work abroad will benefit from new funding for regulators and professional bodies, the government has announced recently. The Recognition Arrangements Grants Programme will provide grants of up to £75,000 to UK

New PM may find it hard to resist banking an early trade win with India The UK-India trade talks, which began in January, are already in full flow. The two sides finished the fifth round of negotiations recently, and are working towards the October 24 deadline that Boris Johnson - recently ousted by his own party and preparing to exit the stage in September - set with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this year. Whoever replaces Johnson as prime minister may find it hard to resist banking an early trade win with India - but firms fear the consequences of a rush job. Conservative Party leadership contenders Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak look to be holding fast to the outgoing UK prime minister's Diwali deadline for landing a free-trade agreement with New Delhi. A deal would mark another post-Brexit prize for a UK eager to show its independent trading mettle, and a flag-waving quick win is likely to prove a tempting prospect as the new leader grapples with ongoing economic and political turmoil back home. There are signs New Delhi sees the UK's current political turmoil as an opportunity, and that Modi’s officials are attempting to bounce Britain into wrapping talks even before Johnson leaves No. 10 Downing Street. The UK's trade department says a landing zone for a comprehensive deal that respects the sensitivities and domestic processes of both sides is coming into sight.

India's Axis Bank winding up its UK subsidiary India's third largest private lender Axis Bank is winding up its subsidiary in Britain after a deal with financial firm OpenPayd failed, it said in a regulatory filing recently. Axis Bank first said in 2020 that it will be winding down its UK operations. Currently, the bank's international strategy is to focus on Indian corporates that have global operations, it said in an investor presentation in the results of the quarter ended June. At the end of June, the bank had an overseas loan book of £3.89 billion, a contraction from £4.57 billion in March quarter. Axis in March acquired Citigroup Inc's local consumer banking firm for $1.6 billion to bulk up its credit card and retail business in the country.

regulators to develop recognition arrangements with their international counterparts and ensure British professionals have their qualifications recognised overseas. The UK is the second largest exporter of services in the world and this new funding will help to boost our advantage in trade in services. This scheme is the lat-

est step as the UK builds on its role as a global centre for business, commerce, and trade after leaving the EU. Building on the international prestige of British qualifications, the new resources will help lawyers, accountants, engineers, and others to continue to work or grow their businesses abroad as well as at home.

Recruiters slowing down on hiring in UK July saw the slowest increase in the number of permanent jobs filled for 17 months. In fact, according to a report, hiring in the UK has slowed amidst uncertainty over the economy. KPMG said recruiters are becoming more tentative over hiring new staff. The consultancy added that ongoing skills shortages, a drop in foreign workers and hesitancy from candidates to move jobs had all led to a tighter supply of suitable staff. The slowing down of the hiring spree that followed the pandemic comes as the Bank of England warned the UK will fall into recession in the final quarter of this year. The bank raised interest rates from 1.25% to 1.75%, in a bid to curb soaring prices.

The jobs report by KPMG and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation suggested rising operating costs and uncertainty over the UK's economic outlook is leading some firms to put the brakes on recruitment, at least for permanent roles. But the soaring cost of living and tougher competition for a smaller pool of qualified candidates has also meant that the rate of starting pay continued to rise in July. The Bank of England said it expects the economy to shrink in the final three months of this year, and keep shrinking until the end of 2023, signalling the longest downturn for the UK economy since the 2008 financial crisis.

UK taxpayers now shareholders in a variety of startups The pot of cash was set up by the former chancellor Rishi Sunak with the aim of supporting start-up firms struggling to capture investment during the depths of the pandemic and has supported 1,190 companies with funding worth £1.14bn. British taxpayers are now shareholders in a further 65 companies because of a government rescue funding scheme set up during the Covid crisis – including a medical cannabis firm, a video game studio and a chain of bars offering activities like ping pong. A list published by the government’s development bank reveals an

eclectic range of firms that have received convertible loans as part of the Future Fund. The latest data, released by the British Business Bank (BBB), reveals stakes in companies including the video game studio Just Won’t Die, kombucha maker Flower of Life, and Lightpoint Medical, which develops robot technology for cancer surgery. Taxpayers also have a slice of State of Play Hospitality, which runs activity bar brands such as Bounce, Flight Club and Puttshack, that offer table tennis, darts and mini-golf respectively. The state also holds shares in Avida Global

limited, a producer of medicinal cannabis oils, which is chaired by Benjamin Mancroft, who entered the House of Lords in February 1988 – and once made headlines for controversial remarks he made about NHS nurses who were treating him at the Royal United hospital in Bath. Around a third of the businesses that have received support from the Future Fund have had their loans converted to equity after they raised private funding that at least matched that from the government. This means the taxpayer now has an equity stake in more than 400 companies

20 FINANCE & REAL ESTATE

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9 Indian companies in Fortune Global 500 list Fortune Global 500 list ranks companies by total revenues for their respective fiscal years ended on or before March 31, 2022. Recently-listed Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), India's biggest life insurer with revenue of $97.26 billion and a profit of $553.8 million, has ranked 98th on the just released Fortune 500 list. The Reliance Industries jumped 51 places to 104 on the 2022 list. This is the first outing of LIC on the list,

which ranks listed companies by sales. Reliance, with revenue of $93.98 billion and a net profit of $8.15 billion in the latest year, has been on the list for 19 years.The list, topped by US retailer Walmart, has nine Indian companies - five of them state-owned, and four from the private sector. Only the debutant LIC, which came out with its IPO last fiscal, was ranked higher than Reliance among the Indian corporates. Indian

Oil Corporation rose 28 places to 142nd rank while Oil and Natural Gas Corporation climbed 16 places to 190. The list had two Tata group firms - Tata Motors at 370 and Tata Steel at 435th spot. Rajesh Exports at 437th rank was the other private Indian company on the list. State Bank of India climbed 17 places to rank 236th and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd 19 places to 295. "The rebound from Covid-19 created a huge

tailwind for the world's largest companies by revenue," Fortune said. Aggregate sales for the Fortune Global 500 hit $37.8 trillion, an increase of 19 per cent - the highest annual growth rate in the list's history. Walmart landed once again at No. 1, for the ninth straight year, trailed by Amazon, which reached its highest ranking ever. Chinese energy giant's State Grid, China National Petroleum, and Sinopec rounded out the top five.

Repo rate in India back Increased revenue reduces at pre-pandemic level Vodafone Idea loss The costs of borrowings for businesses and individuals, including home and auto loans, will increase as the Reserve Bank of India has hiked its repo rate by 50 basis points from 4. 9% to 5. 4%. With this increase, RBI governor Shaktikanta Das has rolled back all the rate cuts announced during the pandemic and taken rates to the prepandemic level. A 50-basis point, or halfa-percentage point increase in the home loan rate will inflate the EMI. Repo rate is the rate at which the central bank lends money to banks and is the benchmark for nearly 40% of the loans, which will result in automatic readjustment. While the rate hike was on the higher end of market expectations, what helped market sentiment was that the RBI retained its 2022-23 projections for both GDP

growth (7. 2%) and inflation (6.7%). RBI's rate hike comes when crude oil and international commodity prices have shown signs of softening in the wake of fears of a recession in the West. RBI's action, however, appears to have been influenced by the volatility in the rupee, which recently hit a low of 80 versus the US dollar. The central bank has expended over $40 billion of its reserves defending the rupee. With this hike RBI has kept up with many other central banks that have increased rates far more than in India.

India's telecom service provider Vodafone Idea (VI) has reported its consolidated loss to £729.7 million for the June quarter. It is a marginal narrowing as compared to £7,31.9 million loss reported year-ago period, as tariff hikes boosted its realisations. The company informed that Ravinder Takkar will take over as chairman with effect from August 19, and that Himanshu Kapania will step down as non-executive chairman. Vodafone Idea’s revenue from operations grew to about £1.04 billion in the June quarter, improving nearly 14% from the year-ago period. Average revenue per user (Arpu) is a key monitorable for telecom players. Vodafone Idea's Arpu stood at Rs 128 per subscriber for the quarter compared to Rs 104 in the previous year. This represented an improvement of 23. 4% year-onyear, helped by tariff hikes. Vodafone Idea CEO Ravinder Takkar said that the company has acquired sufficient spectrum in key markets to offer superior 5G experience to customers. “We also completed the first tranche of fund-raising in the form of preferential equity contribution of £494 million from our promoters,” Takkar said. The company continues to remain engaged with lenders and investors for further fund-raising. Its revenue growth at 13.7% was the “highest since the merger between Vodafone and Idea” in 2018.

Spicejet looking to sell stake to raise funds SpiceJet promoter Ajay Singh is now in talks with multiple players - including a Middle Eastern carrier and a big Indian conglomerate for stake sale to raise funds for the struggling-tosurvive budget airline, which urgently requires recapitalisation to keep flying. The airline management had been telling concerned government officials about its poor financial health and these talks, and has now confirmed the same. A SpiceJet spokesperson said, “The company

continues to be in discussions with various investors to secure sustainable financing and will make appropriate disclosures in accordance with applicable regulations.” Singh has about 60% stake in the budget carrier. Airlines sources claim Singh is “in active discussion with a Middle Eastern carrier for a possible stake sale, which has expressed interest to pick 24% stake and a board seat in SpiceJet. A big Indian business conglomerate has

also approached Singh for a stake in the airline. ” Emirates said it “has no plans to acquire a stake in any airline in India or elsewhere. ” Being a mega airport player, Adani Group can’t buy stake in an airline as cross-holdings are not allowed. For this reason, the Tata Group did not buy a stake in GMR Airports as it has mega airline plans. The DGCA has allowed SpiceJet to operate half of its approved schedule of flights this summer. An increase in operations will

be allowed only if it can prove to the regulator that it has “sufficient, technical support and financial resources to safely and efficiently undertake such enhanced capacity. ” This will require capital infusion. It has changed hands several times during its existence. Most recently, Singh reacquired the airline from Kalanithi Maran in 2015 when it was on the verge of shutting down. The airline staged a recovery under Singh in the first few years.

Budget airline IndiGo drastically reduces its losses India’s budget airline IndiGo has reported a loss of £106.43 million in the April-June 2022 quarter, down by almost two-thirds from a loss of £317.42 million in the same period last year. Record high jet fuel prices and a weaker rupee meant that despite witnessing its highest ever quarterly revenue in Q1 at £1.3 billion - up 311% from £317 million in same quarter last year due to higher ticket prices and operations being higher than pre-Covid levels IndiGo still made a loss. IndiGo’s outgoing CEO

Ronojoy Dutta spoke about three major developments in the Indian airline industry at the moment Tata’s mega plans for its four carriers, shrinking of

SpiceJet and new airlines Akasa taking to the skies. “The competition is increasing, adding flights. But it’s quite small at this moment (Akasa). One of

our major competitors has clearly reduced capacity a lot (SpiceJet) over the last year or two and that is helping us a lot,” Dutta said. Asked if full service by Air India revived by Tatas and Vistara will take back the corporate business class passengers IndiGo got after Jet’s collapse in 2019, Dutta said, “We are not head-tohead competitors. They (AI and Vistara) are very focussed on long haul international, not short haul, with a business class product. That’s not a market we serve.”

Retrospective Insight

Suresh Vagjiani, Sow & Reap Properties Ltd

Last week we missed an opportunity to make 100% return on funds deployed. The funds would have been held for a little over a month. But hindsight is a wonderful thing; there is no shortage of retrospective advice. The opportunity was being able to underwrite a property which we felt would fly in the auction. The property consisted of an under rented commercial property with a residential above it. The owners DOB, which is relatively easy to find, showed they were in their 90s, which explained the grossly undervalued rent being received. There was a development opportunity and a drastic rental increase on the property. The overriding factor was it is located in Edgware, therefore in an area in high demand, especially when it comes to auctions. Every time a development opportunity comes in these locations they often go way above the guide; a lot more than they are actually worth. I, for a long time, assumed this was a combination of them being in high concentration of Gujarati areas, and to keep building teams busy. However, it seems these types of developments go high because they are used to use up spare cash. This seems to be a plausible explanation. For these reasons we expected the price to go for a high level at the auction. We had the opportunity to underwrite the development at £575K. This means we gain 45% of the uplift, the other 45% goes to the vendor and the remaining 10% goes to the auctioneer. If it goes for less, we would be obligated contractually to purchase at £575K. This gives the vendor security the deal will sell. However, our client was only willing to underwrite at £560K, and we spent a few days butting heads with the auctioneer in regards to the strike price. I thought they would fold closer to the auction, however they did not, and the deal went for £716K on the day. If we had underwrote the deal the return would have been double on the funds deployed. But should have, would have, and could have; you can’t look back in property. The downside, which isn’t really a downside, is you have purchased a great investment, with an uplift in yield and development potential in a reasonably strong location. It’s this side of the deal one needs to be prepared for, not the upside of the underwrite. The upside is the bonus, if it transpires. This is the mind needed to underwrite deals. Auctions can be a hit and miss business. Two parties wanting a deal could drive the price up. Conversely, if it is holiday season along with other celebrations such as the Queen’s jubilee, the demand could be dampened. It will be interesting to see what happens in the auction sector in the coming months. Till now the results have been very strong, but we are seeing agents reducing the price of their stock, and properties sticking; and the market seems to be turning.

India’s exports dip but govt not worried India’s exports dipped for the first time since February 2021 as some of the checks imposed by the government to increase domestic supply took a toll on shipments out of the country. This pushed up the trade deficit to a new record of $31 billion in July. Preliminary data released by the commerce department showed that exports fell 0.8% to $35.2 billion, while imports soared 43% to $66.3 billion. The trade deficit in July eclipsed the earlier high of $26.2 billion, reported in the previous month. The growth in imports was high despite a 43% fall in gold imports as high energy prices pushed up petroleum (70% to $21 billion) and coal (165% to $5.2 billion) shipments. In contrast, the windfall tax and other moves related to the petroleum sector are seen to have resulted in a 7% contraction in export of oil products to $5.4 billion even as the anti-inflationary measures in developed countries, which slowed down or are slipping into recession, took a toll on several other sectors. So, gems and jewellery (5% decline to $5. 3 billion), engineering goods (2. 5% to $9. 3 billion), and textiles were among sectors that saw a fall in exports. Economists also said that a base effect from last year was also at play. The government, however, did not appear unduly worried. “Exports of $156.4 billion in the first four months of the fiscal put us on track to achieve $470 billion in the current fiscal comfortably,” commerce secretary B V R Subrahmanyam said. Aditi Nayyar, chief economist at ratings agency ICRA, said, “Lower commodity prices should temper the trade deficit going ahead, although the strength of merchandise and services exports in the face of the global slowdown fears, remains crucial.

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in brief

1,200-year-old Hindu temple in Pak reopens

TOP TTP COMMANDER, 3 OTHERS KILLED IN AF BLAST A late night roadside bombing in eastern Afghanistan struck a vehicle carrying members of the Pakistani Taliban group, killing a senior leader and three other militants, several Pakistani officials and militant figures said. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the killing of Abdul Wali, widely known as Omar Khalid Khurasani, in Afghanistan’s Paktika province. His death is a heavy blow to the Pakistani Taliban or the Tehrike-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) The TTP blamed Pakistani intelligence agents for the killing, without offering evidence or elaborating.

PAK EC HOLDS IMRAN PARTY GUILTY OF ILLEGAL FUNDING Pakistan’s election commission (EC) ruled that former PM Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) was a “willing recipient” of $2,121,500 of prohibited funding from abroad and asked the party in a showcause notice why the money should not be confiscated. It also hauled up the party leadership for operating undeclared bank accounts. A three-member EC bench declared in a unanimous verdict that PTI took donations from foreign companies and individuals from the US, UK, Australia, UAE and other countries in violation of the law.

ISRAEL, PALESTINE AGREE TO TRUCE; 32 KILLED Israel and Palestinian militants have agreed to a truce in Gaza from Sunday evening as mediated by Cairo, sources said, after a weekend-long pounding of Palestinian targets by Israel triggered longer-range rocket attacks against its cities. Meanwhile, the death toll in Gaza has risen to 32, including six children, the health ministry in the Palestinian enclave said. It said the victims had been killed since Friday in Israeli strikes that also wounded 215 people. The rockets have paralysed much of southern Israel and sent residents in cities, including Tel Aviv and Ashkelon to shelters.

POLICE ARREST MAN WHO SAT ON PRESIDENT’S CHAIR A 28-year-old man has been arrested for illegally entering the Sri Lankan President’s House and taking photographs while sitting on the President’s chair, a media report said. Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) in Deraniyagala arrested the man for illegally entering the President’s House on July 9 when anti-government protesters stormed the iconic building, the Daily Mirror reported. The then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa had vacated his official residence a day before the protesters stormed the building.

FIRE AT PUB IN EASTERN THAILAND KILLS 13 At least 13 people were killed and dozens injured when a fire broke out at a crowded music pub in eastern Thailand, police and rescue workers said. Video circulating on social media showed people fleeing the pub while thick black smoke billowed from the door and then the entrance through which people were escaping was suddenly engulfed in flames. Rescue workers said more than three dozen people were injured. Several witnesses described seeing smoke and fire on the ceiling near the venue’s stage followed by the sound of explosions.

LAHORE: A 1,200-year-old Hindu temple in Lahore has been formally opened to the public after it was reclaimed from a Christian family following a lengthy court battle, according to a federal body. The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), the federal body overseeing minority worship places in Pakistan, last month reclaimed possession of the Valmiki Temple from a Christian family, which had grabbed the

place of worship more than two ago. decades Besides the Krishna Temple, the Valmiki Temple is the only functional Hindu temple in Lahore. The Christian family, which claims to have converted to Hinduism, had been facilitating only the Valmiki caste Hindus for worship at the temple for the last two decades. ETPB spokesperson Amir Hashmi said Valmiki Temple was formally inaugurated last week with over 100 Hindus, some Sikh, Christian and Muslim leaders gathered

US Senate confirms Indian American as judge to a top court WASHINGTON: The US Senate has confirmed Indian American litigator Roopali H Desai to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, making her the first South Asian judge to serve on this powerful court. Desai was confirmed by the Senate by a bipartisan vote of 6729. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, the Ninth Circuit is by far the largest of the 13 courts of appeals, covering a total of 9 states and 2 territories and with 29 active judgeships. “It comes as no surprise that Roopali’s nomination has received high praise across the political and ideological spectrum, as well as from state judges, law enforcement officials, and three different fire fighters’ organisations. With 16 years of experience as a litigator,

she is an outstanding addition to the Ninth Circuit,” said Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Ahead of the Senate vote, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Desai’s resume leaves no doubt she merits confirmation: a graduate of Arizona School of Law, a clerk for Judge Mary Schroeder, the first woman to ever serve as a Ninth Circuit Chief Judge, she has excelled at every step of her legal career. “She is one of Arizona’s top election lawyers, having played a crucial role in protecting her state’s elections in 2020, and has fought for everyone from children in foster care to children in public schools during the pandemic,” he said.

there to celebrate the occasion. “Valmiki Temple will be fully restored in accordance with a master plan in the coming days,” the spokesperson said. The ETPB said the temple’s land was transferred to it in the revenue record, but the family 2010-2011, claiming to be the owner of the property, filed a case in a civil court. Besides going into litigation, the family also made the temple only for the Valmiki Hindus, it said. This left the ETPB with no option but to fight the case in court. Pakistan Hindu Mandir Management Committee (PHMMC) president Krishan Sharma said the ETPB’s move

was a goodwill gesture and also a step towards mainstreaming the community and should be applauded, the Dawn newspaper reported. The Valmiki sect of Hindus are a poor segment of the society who have no say or access, Sharma explained, adding they had regained access to this temple now. In 1992, in the aftermath of the Babri Masjid demolition in India, an angry mob wielding weapons stormed into the Valmiki Temple. It smashed the idols of Krishna and Valmiki, broke utensils and crockery in the kitchen and seized the gold with which the statues were embellished.

China continues militray drills around Taiwan TAIPEI: China’s military announced fresh drills in the seas and airspace around Taiwan on Monday, a day after the scheduled end of its largest-ever exercises to protest against last week’s visit to the island by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. China’s Eastern Theatre Command said it would conduct joint drills focusing on anti-submarine and sea assault operations - confirming the fears of some security analysts and diplomats that Beijing would continue to maintain pressure on Taiwan’s defences. Taiwan’s foreign ministry condemned the move, saying China, which claims the self-ruled island as its own, was deliberately creating crises. It demanded Beijing stop its military actions and “pull back from the edge”. “In the face of military intimidation created by China, Taiwan will not be afraid nor back down, and will more firmly defend its sovereignty, national security, and free and democratic way of life,” the ministry said in a statement. The duration and precise location of the latest drills by China is not yet known, but Taiwan has already eased flight restrictions near the six earlier Chinese exercise areas surrounding the island. Taiwan’s defence ministry later said it had detected 39 Chinese air force planes and 13 navy ships in and around the Taiwan Strait on Monday. Twenty-one Chinese air force planes had entered Taiwan’s air defence zone, including fighter jets that crossed the median line in the northern part of the Taiwan Strait, the ministry said.

9 Indian-origin men on most violent gangster list of Canada police British Columbia (Canada): Police in Canada have issued a public warning identifying 11 men, of whom nine are of Indian origin, linked to extreme levels of gang violence. The public have been warned to avoid being near them. The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) in partnership with Vancouver Police and BC Royal Canadian Mounted Police, issued the public warning. The names on the list are Shakiel Basra (28), Amarpreet Samra (28), Jagdeep Cheema

(30), Ravnder Sarma (35) Barinder Dhaliwal (39) Andy St. Pierre (40) Gurpreet Dhaliwal (35) Richard Joseph Whitlock (40), Amroop Gill (29), Sukhdeep Pansal (33) and Sumdish Gill (28). The Police said they believe that anyone with, on in the proximity to these individuals may be putting themselves at risk. In a joint news conference, CFSEU Assistant Commander Manny Mann said that there is a chance that rival gangsters will target the listed men with violence and added that the listed men are at risk to their friends and family as well as bystanders.

“We want British Columbians to know their faces,” he said as quoted by CTV News. Mann went on to pledge to seize their property, including vehicles, in order to disrupt their alleged illegal activity. The warning came after Meninder Dhaliwal, who was on last year’s 11-man list, was gunned down in broad daylight in Whistler late last month. Police say his brother, Harpreet, was the man shot dead in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour neighbourhood last year. And another brother, 35year-old Gurpreet Dhaliwal, is on this year’s list.

Meanwhile, the Vancouver police representative revealed that the province’s largest police department has been doing covert work to try and combat the problem. “I know this can be frustrating for the public when they hear about incidents of violence in their communities and feel unsafe,” Deputy Chief Fiona Wilson said. She outlined several arrests that were made in coordination with other police agencies, some of which involved international cooperation, according to CTV News.

FBI searches Trump's Florida home

Lanka asks China to defer arrival of ship after India objects

FLORIDA: Former US President Donald Trump has said that his home in Florida has been "raided" by the FBI. "My beautiful home, Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, is currently under siege, raided, and occupied by a large group of FBI agents," Trump added on Monday in a statement. The former President was not present at his home at the time of raids. However, neither the FBI nor the US Justice Department have made any comments on the raids at Trump's house. The search - as approved by the judge and different from the politically loaded term "raid" - was unprecedented and this was the first time a former US President's home was searched by the FBI, not even Richard Nixon, who left the Presidential office in disgrace over the Watergate scandal. US legal experts said that a search of this kind has to be cleared by a federal judge on two essential grounds. One, there is probable cause that a federal crime has been committed and is being investigated and that, two, related evidence is stored at the site of the search.

COLOMBO: After an objection from India, Sri Lanka has asked China to defer the planned visit of a Chinese survey ship to the island nation, a government source said. The Chinese research and survey vessel, Yuan Wang 5, was still on its way to Sri Lanka`s Hambantota port. It is scheduled to arrive there on Aug. 11, according to shipping data from Refinitiv. India worries that the Chinese-built and leased port of Hambantota will be used by China as a military base in India`s backyard. The $1.5 billion port is near the main shipping route from Asia to Europe. China`s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Last week, a spokesperson for the Sri Lankan government said the ship was only stopping at Hambantota for refuelling. China is one of Sri Lanka`s biggest lenders and has also financed airports, roads and railways, unsettling India. As Sri Lanka battles its worst economic crisis in seven decades, India this year alone has provided it nearly $4 billion in support.

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Naidu asks RS members to discuss, debate and decide Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu, in his “last remarks” in the House after members from across parties delivered emotional speeches, said, “People want the House to discuss, debate and decide - 3Ds. They do not want the other D that is disrupt.” While addressing his farewell function in the Parliament House complex, Naidu said “there should be tolerance towards the mandate given by people, the members of the treasury benches in the Parliament, despite having numbers in their favour, should let the other side have its say adding, let the

opposition have its say, then the government will have its way because it has the majority. This is my advice.” During his remarks in the House, Naidu appealed to the members to maintain “decency, dignity and decorum” so the image and respect of the House is maintained. Earlier while presiding over his last session in Rajya Sabha, Naidu lamented that over 47 hours were lost due to disruptions in the Upper House, preventing members from raising issues of public importance. “Members always say, ‘Please do not pass the Bill in the din’. I do

agree. For that, the simple solution is that does not create the din and do not pass the Bill in the din. This is my advice to all and also for the future because whoever is going to occupy the Chair will have to follow the precedents and go by the decisions taken earlier,” Naidu asserted. The outgoing Rajya Sabha chairman said he never aspired to be the President, but will continue to remain connected with people and interact with them. “I will not get into politics, as I told you. We are all working in our own ways. We are not enemies; we are rivals. ”

India, US discuss Russian aggression of Ukraine at ASEAN meet India's foreign minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed regional and global issues including the economic crisis in Sri Lanka and what the US described as Russia’s “brutal aggression” of Ukraine and its implications for global food security. The meeting held in Cambodia on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum and against the backdrop of a spike in US-China tensions over the visit to Taiwan by US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Neither side officially said that the current Taiwan situation was discussed in the meeting. US State Department spokesperson said, “they discussed Sri Lanka’s economic crisis and emphasised that both nations stand with the people of Sri Lanka and support their aspirations for a return to economic and political stability through democratic and constitutional processes, adding the leaders shared efforts to promote a “free, open, secure and prosperous” Indo-Pacific.

The two leaders had met last month in Bali on the sidelines of a G20 summit. Blinken had then too discussed the implications of Russia’s “unprovoked aggression”. There was no Indian readout of the meeting but Jaishankar tweeted that he discussed the “ever strengthening” India-US relationship and the global situation. Jaishankar also participated in the IndiaASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Phnom Penh in which he underlined “strong convergence” with ASEAN on many issues, including Indo-Pacific, UNCLOS, connectivity, terrorism, Myanmar and Ukraine. Myanmar along with the Taiwan situation dominated the ASEAN meetings in Cambodia with the group threatening to rethink its “five-point consensus” with the military government if more political prisoners were executed. Although the complex nature of its ties with Myanmar, owing primarily to joint efforts to check insurgency along the border areas, India joined other UNSC members last month in condemning the executions.

Lived in Zambia and currently resides in Laurel Maryland USA Loving wishes on your 90th Birthday From all the Family.

Janak Rai Mansukhbhai Patel Date of Birth: 19 August 1932 Born in Mwanza Tanzania

Wife: Madhuben Daughter: Sima Sons: Belur, Viswas Daughter-in-law: Lisa Son-in-law: Jatin Grand Daughters: Tanvi, Riya, Shawna Grandson-in-law: Jack

May Swamiji bless you with health and happiness always.

Best Wishes from extended family far and wider for being such a Wonderful Human Being!

PM Modi opens charitable hospital for rural poor in Dharampur Prime Minister Narendra nephrology, gynaecology, Modi virtually opened the urology, orthopaedics, charitable multi-speciality rheumatology, paediatrics, Shrimad Rajchandra dermatology, ENT, Hospital for rural poor at pathology, gastroenterology, Dharampur in South dentistry, physiotherapy as Gujarat. It is the brainchild well as psychiatry and each of spiritual visionary and department will have stateNarendra Modi humanitarian leader Pujya of-the-art facilities like 6 Gurudevshri Rakeshji. Gujarat chief ultra-modern operation theatres, 1.5 T MRI minister Bhupendra Patel, state BJP machine, 128 slice CT scan with CT president C.R. Patil, various other angiography, cardiac catheterisation lab, ministers and dignitaries from across the dialysis unit, 18-bed ICU and 26-bed NICU, country graced the event at the early intervention centre, aqua therapy and international headquarters of Shrimad robotic physiotherapy, sensory garden for Rajchandra Mission Dharampur. developmental disability, blood centre with blood bank. Located in South Gujarat, the hospital is a dedicated, selfless endeavour to link the Besides, through collaborations with gap between global standards of healthcare international medical universities like and local access to underprivileged Stanford, the hospital will emerge as a communities. This 250-bed charitable global centre of medical research, and hospital is spread across 8 acres of land, actively train medical students and staff. built at a cost of over £20 million. It carries At the event, Modi also laid the foundation the 18-year legacy of excellence in rural stone for Shrimad Rajchandra Centre of healthcare, having treated over 1.85 million Excellence for Women. Built at a cost of patients since 2004. nearly £4 million, this facility will serve as a space of employment, empowerment The hospital aims to provide free and skill-training for hundreds of rural support to underprivileged patients at women. The centre will focus on training every stage of recovery right from early women in handicrafts, computer diagnosis, treatment, preventative care to functionalities, English communication, rehabilitation, by a team of 300 plus highly financial literacy amongst others. qualified doctors and specialists. Rural Commemorating the 75th year of Indian patients will also have access to the best Independence, Shrimad Rajchandra global doctors through teleconsultations Mission Dharampur has showcased its at no cost. commitment to selfless service by Bringing over 16 specialities to the undertaking 75 extensive social initiatives doorstep of the tribal belt, it will provide in collaboration with the Government of end-to-end care in every departmentIndia so far. radiology, oncology, neurology,

You can enjoy Gujarati 'thali' even in Karachi Nischal Sanghavi

ujarat is famous for its homegrown delectable varieties. A Gujarati Thali is a full plate meal consisting of a platter of Gujarati assorted delicacies served as lunch or dinner. Over the years the traditional Gujarati Thali has travelled beyond the boundaries with people of different origins tastefully consuming Gujarati food in foreign countries. To have a restaurant serving Gujarati Thali may not be a big surprise in cities with a sizable Indian Gujarati diaspora. But, how will you feel if while roaming on the streets of Karachi, you come across a restaurant signage of Gujarati Thali? According to Rajdhani Restaurant Manager Jerome Earnest, "our Rajdhani restaurant located in Karachi's Clifton area is the only restaurant in Pakistan that serves a Gujarati Thali. The restaurant was started in 2013 by Mohammad Gangani who hails from Kutch. All Gujarati recipes are given by him, which is taught to local chefs, who in turn serve Gujarati food with the exact native taste. While Karachi has a seizable Gujarati population, the restaurant receives guests from all over the world. Many Indian and Pakistani celebrities have also visited here and enjoyed the food at this restaurant which is based at one of the most affluent locations in the city." "Indian actor Om Puri who died in 2017 visited the restaurant during his Pakistan visit exactly one month before his death. He loved the food so much that he spent considerable time here and also clicked pictures with the staff." According to Jerome, "while all delicacies are loved by people, our Rava Dhokla and Gujarati Kadhi are the most popular among foodies. We

also serve Rajasthani food at the restaurant." According to Mohammad Gangani who descended from Gujarat's Kutch to Karachi

Om Puri with manager Jerome Earnest

in 1971, having lived in Gujarat, I love the Gujarati food. Hence, I started this restaurant in 2013 as I was sure that people will also love this Gujarati cuisine. Rajdhani restaurant serves a Gujarati Thali at (PKR) Pakistani Rupees 1000 + 130 (taxes). People literally line up for their turn of Thali here. The restaurant serves Thali to an average 100 people daily. Alina Maniar who belongs to an elite Muslim Gujarati family in Karachi, says "we have a big Gujarati community here. We regularly eat Gujarati food at home, but there is no restaurant where we can eat native Gujarati varieties. Rajdhani is the only restaurant that serves Gujarati cuisine and it is indeed a privilege for Gujaratis here to enjoy the delicacies here." Located in the most upscale Clifton area of Karachi, the restaurant opens at 12:30 am and closes at 11:30 pm. Apart from the different Gujarati varieties in the Thali, it also provides the Thali eaters with Gujarati Aachar, Sambharo, Kachumbar, Chhas and different Chutneys.

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Shinde expands his cabinet with 18 new ministers The much-delayed expansion of the 41-day-old Maharashtra ministry saw as many as 17 former ministers taking oath on Tuesday. of the 18 ministers sworn in at the Raj Bhavan ceremony, only one has become a minister for the first time. There is no woman in the list. The new ministers include Shiv Sena's Sanjay Rathod, who was the forest minister when Uddhav Thackeray was the Chief Minister, and was forced to resign after BJP leaders blamed him for a woman's suicide. The new ministers include state BJP president Chandrakant Patil (63), who is a two-term MLC and first-term MLA from western Maharashtra. He was Revenue and PWD minister during 2014-19. Girish Mahajan (62) is a BJP leader

from north Maharashtra and has won Assembly elections six consecutive times. He is known for his proximity with Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis. Sudhir Mungantiwar (60) is a six-term BJP MLA from Vidarbha's Chandrapur district. He served as finance and forest minister during 2014-19. Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil (63) is a seven-term MLA from

Ahmednagar district. He was the leader of opposition in Assembly while in during Congress 2014-19 but won the 2019 Assembly election on BJP ticket. Ravindra Chavan (51) of BJP is a threeterm MLA from Thane district. He served as a minister of state during 2014-19. Vijaykumar Gavit (67) is a five-term MLA, who left NCP in 2014 to join the BJP. He is from north Maharashtra's Nandurbar district. Atul Save (60) is a second-term BJP MLA from Marathwada (Dist Aurangabad). He is a former minister of state. Mangal Prabhat Lodha (66) is a five-term BJP MLA from

Mumbai. He is also Mumbai unit president of the party. Suresh Khade (64) is a second-term BJP MLA from western Maharashtra's Sangli district. He is a minister of state. Among the nine legislators sworn in from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's group of rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, Gulabrao Patil (56) is a four-term Shiv Sena MLA from north Maharashtra's Jalgaon district. He was a minister in the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government. Uday Samant (46) is a four-term Shiv Sena MLA from Ratnagiri district, He was a minister in the MVA government. Sandipan Bhumre (59) is fiveterm Sena MLA from Marathwada's Aurangabad district. He was a cabinet minister in the previous government. Dada Bhuse

(58) is a four-term Shiv Sena MLA from north Maharashtra's Nashik district. He was a minister in the MVA government. Shambhuraj Desai (55) is a three-term Sena MLA from Satara district. He was a junior minister in the MVA government. Sanjay Rathod (51) is a fourterm Sena MLA from Yavatmal district. Tanaji Sawant (58) is a firstterm Sena MLA from Osmanabad district. He is a former member of the Legislative Council and a former minister. Abdul Sattar (54) is three-term MLA from Marathwada. He was with the Congress in his first two terms and joined the Sena in 2019. Deepak Kesarkar (67) is a threeterm MLA from Shiv Sena. He is from Sindhudurg district and is a former minister of state.

ED seals part of Herald House, Sena MP Raut sent to 14-day searches about dozen premises judicial custody in graft case The Enforcement Directorate last week sealed a part of Herald House in New Delhi and issued summons to senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge asking him to be present when it carries out searches at the building as part of its probe into the finances of Young Indian. Searches were carried out at around a dozen premises linked to Young Indian, a company controlled by Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul in their individual capacities, in connection with ED’s probe into the National Herald money laundering case. Young Indian has its office on the fourth floor of Herald House, one of the prime properties that Young Indian acquired through a web of allegedly fraudulent transactions which is now being probed by ED for alleged money laundering. ED sources said that the office of Young Indian had to be sealed as the search by its team could not be completed because of the absence of “authorised” Congress representatives like Kharge. ED said that the office of Young Indian would stay sealed till the search operation is completed in the presence of the senior Congress leader.

The Congress chief and her son have already been interrogated and their statements recorded over the last two months. Congress leader of Rajya Sabha Kharge is one of the office bearers of Young Indian for which his presence was sought at Herald House, according to sources. The Gandhis and Congress are accused of an alleged £9 million transaction fraud, which the agency suspects to be a mere book entry while the party claims it had paid this amount to Associated Journals Ltd, the publisher of National Herald, to settle its dues with employees and pay them towards voluntary retirement benefits. Associated Journals was later given away with all its properties worth £80 million to Young Indian for a paltry sum of Rs 50,00,000 settling the £9 million owed to Congress. However, neither Congress nor Associated Journals Limited or its new owners, Young Indian, has provided any documentary evidence for the £9 million transaction, whether this amount was paid by Congress in cash or through cheque. Associated Journals Ltd, now taken over by Young Indian, owns properties worth over £80 million across major cities in India.

India, Maldives sign 6 pacts to broaden ties India and Maldives signed six agreements to expand cooperation in a number of key areas with Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that New Delhi has been and will continue to be the “first responder” to any need or crisis facing the island nation. After comprehensive talks with Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Maldivian President, Modi announced a Line of Credit of $100 million for the neighbouring country for the achievement of development projects in a time-bound manner. “We also reviewed projects for the construction of 4,000 social housing units in Greater Male. I am happy to announce that we will additionally provide financial support for 2,000 social housing units,” he said in his statement. The prime minister said the threat of trans-national crime, terrorism and drug trafficking is serious in the Indian Ocean and close India-Maldives ties were vital for

peace in the entire region. He said the India-Maldives partnership is not only working in the interest of citizens of both countries, but it is also becoming a source of peace and stability for the entire region. The six pacts between the two sides will facilitate cooperation in capacity building, cyber security, housing, disaster management and infrastructure development in the Maldives. Modi said “In the last few years, there has been renewed vigour in the friendly ties between the two countries. Our closeness has increased”, he added despite the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic, the cooperation between the two countries is taking the form of a broad partnership. Solih said both sides reiterated their firm commitment to deal with the threat of terrorism. He said “Maldives will remain a true friend of India, our relations with India will always be of highest priority”.

Monkeypox cases in India touch 8 India’s monkeypox cases reached to eight with two more cases being confirmed - one in Kerala and the other in Delhi. The case in Kerala is of a 30-year old who returned last week from UAE. The state’s monkeypox cases have now touched five. All of them have a history of travel to UAE. A senior official from the health ministry said the government has written to the UAE officials to intensify screening and ensure that people exhibiting symptoms of mon-

keypox are not allowed to board flights. After Kerala, Delhi has the highest number of monkeypox cases in India. The latest confirmed case in Delhi is a 30-yearold Nigerian with no current history of travel, officials said. “The Nigerian national was in contact with another Nigerian national who was confirmed positive for monkeypox”, said an official. Delhi’s tally of monkeypox is three at present, he added.

A special court remanded Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut to 14-day judicial custody in a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the redevelopment of a Mumbai 'chawl'. The Enforcement Directorate argued that the release of Raut at this stage will hamper the investigation as he is a very influential person and it is feared that he may tamper with the evidence. Raut was produced before special PMLA court judge MG Deshpande after the expiry of his ED custody on Monday afternoon. The federal probe agency did not seek further extension of his custody. The court allowed Raut's plea for home food and

medicines but refused to pass an order on his prayer for bedding. The judge said as Sanjay Raut per the prison manual, jail authorities make adequate bed arrangements. After the court order, Raut was taken to Arthur Road jail in central Mumbai, officials said. A police vehicle carrying Raut reached the jail in the evening. The ED, which had arrested the Sena Rajya Sabha member on August 1, said in its application in the court that during custodial interrogation, Raut did not explain his involvement in the alleged crime.

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SOUTH INDIA

26 killed as heavy rain lashes Kerala THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: At least 26 people have been killed in floods in Kerala after heavy rains caused rivers to overflow, cutting off towns and villages. Five children are among the dead. There were fears the death toll could rise further as many people are missing. Several houses were washed away and people became trapped in the district of Kottayam. Kottayam and Idukki are two of the worst affected districts in the state, where days of heavy rainfall have caused deadly landslides. Swollen rivers have also washed away bridges connecting many small villages. On Monday, a number of dams across the state were

opened to reduce the risk of dangerous overflows. The government had earlier said the decision on which dams to open would be made by an expert committee. "District collectors will be notified hours before opening the dams so that

local people have enough time to evacuate," said the office of Kerala's chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan. In 2018, more than 400 people died when heavy rains flooded the state. There was controversy over the fact that

dams were opened without any warning to people living in lowlying areas. Since the weekend, rescue teams have been moving families from vulnerable areas to safety. Thousands of people have been evacuated and 184 relief camps have been set up across Kerala, where more than 8,000 people are being provided food, bedding and clothing. Military helicopters are being used to fly in supplies and personnel to areas where people are trapped, officials said. The government has also announced financial aid for those who have lost houses and crops. The weather bureau has predicted heavy, isolated rainfall in the state for up to four more days.

PUNJAB

Punjab CM opposes electricity amendment bill by Centre CHANDIGARH: Strongly opposing the Centre’s introduction of the Electricity Amendment Bill-2022 in Parliament without even consulting the states, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday termed the move as an “attack on the constitutional rights” of the states. “Through such nefarious designs the Centre is weakening the foundations of the federal structure,” said the chief minister. He said this is another attempt by the Centre to undermine the authority of the states. He said the states would not sit silently against the Centre’s attempt to dilute the federal spirit of our democracy. The Chief Minister said the states would fight from the road to Parliament to protect their rights. He said the Union government should have consulted the states before introducing any bill related to the power sector. Mann said that

Bhagwant Mann

instead of consulting them the bill is being imposed on the states. Questioning the Centre’s intentions, the chief minister said when the states provide electricity to their residents on their own, why their feedback was not sought while introducing a new bill. He said that in Punjab free power is being given to farmers and domestic consumers and if the Centre is amending the bills as per their own conditions, the farmers and other sections would get a big blow as states like Punjab would not be able to continue with such pro-people initiatives.

Cour grants bail to Punjab CM, others in 2020 case CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the state’s finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema, and Sarabjit Kaur Manuke (AAP MLA) and Narender Shergill (AAP leader) appeared before a district court in Chandigarh over their alleged involvement in a case of rioting registered in 2020. The court, on Saturday, also issued bailable warrants against Punjab Cabinet Minister Aman Arora and MLA Baljinder Kaur in the same case. The Chandigarh Police had named 10 AAP leaders, including the CM, in its chargesheet. On Saturday Mann, Cheema, Sarabjit Kaur Manuka and Narender Shergill appeared before the Court of CJM (Chief Judicial Magistrate) Dr Aman Inder Singh, wherein they were granted bail by the court. During the previous hearing of the case on March 23, 2022, the Punjab CM and other AAP leaders were asked to appear before the CJM Court. Mann was represented by senior advocate Dr Anmol Rattan Sidhu (former AG Punjab) and advocate Pratham Sethi. The case pertains to January 10, 2020, when the Chandigarh Police had booked Mann and seven party MLAs on charges of rioting, assault and obstructing police from performing their duties during a protest near the MLA hostel in Sector 4, Chandigarh, against the power tariff hike. As per reports, at least half a dozen police personnel were injured when some AAP supporters allegedly pelted stones at the police personnel. The AAP’s Punjab unit had then slammed the then Punjab government for the incident and criticised the Chandigarh Police for being a “puppet in the hands of Central government”.

WEST BENGAL

Mamata reshuffles cabinet, Supriyo,7 others take oath as ministers KOLKATA: Former Union minister Babul Supriyo, agricultural expert Pradip Majumdar and six other Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislators took oath as West Bengal ministers last week after chief minister Mamata Banerjee carried out a major reshuffle of her cabinet amid a probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into the bribefor-job scam that has rocked the state. Four MLAs – Supriyo, Majumdar, Snehasish Chakraborty and Udayan Guha – were sworn in as cabinet ministers by governor La Ganesan at Raj Bhawan on Wednesday afternoon in the presence of the chief minister. Majumdar, Chakraborty and Guha, whose father Kamal Guha was a well-known

minister in the Left Front era, were given charge of the departments of panchayat and rural development, transport and north Bengal development, respectively. The new inclusions did not come as a surprise in view of Mamata’s recent efforts to sideline controversial leaders and project upcoming ones among whom many are known to be followers of her nephew and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. The chief minister also changed the portfolios of several old incumbents. Minister of state for school education, Paresh Adhikary, whose daughter was sacked from a high school by Calcutta high court in view of her alleged illegal appointment as teacher during the job scam, was

in brief 4 ARRESTED IN KARNATAKA FOR KILLING MUSLIM YOUTH The Karnataka police investigating the murder case of Mohammad Fazil Mangalpet have arrested four persons. Police sources said that the accused have been picked up from various places, including Uttara Kannada and Bengaluru. The police department had formed a special team to nab the killers headed by an ACP rank officer. Police had seized the car used for carrying out murder and arrested the owner of the vehicle Ajith Crasta (40). Sources said the police are confident of cracking the case as they have got definite clues on the gang of murderers. They suspected the role of gang headed by Suhas, who was earlier involved in a murder and attempt to murder cases.

TWO MUSLIM STUDENTS WIN RAMAYANA QUIZ IN KERALA Two Muslim students from Malappuram in Kerala won the Ramayana quiz conducted by a publishing house in the state. Mohammed Jabir PK and Mohammed Basith M topped the contest held to mark the Ramayana month (July-August) - in which more than 1,000 people participated and five winners were picked. They are students of the Wafy course at KKHM Islamic and Arts College, Valanchery. Under the eightyear Wafy programme, they are pursuing Islamic studies up to post-graduation level that also includes a regular university degree course. The Wafy syllabus has a paper on Indian religions that studies Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. The theological course also has a paper on Christianity etc.

SGPC TO PUBLISH LITERATURE IN URDU TOO As a part of commemoration of the centenary of ‘Guru Ka Bagh Morcha’ and ‘Saka Panja Sahib’, the SGPC has decided to publish information booklets in Urdu also, pertaining to the significance of the events. Booklets on Guru Ka Bagh Morcha and Saka Panja Sahib are being published not only in Punjabi, Hindi, English, but in Urdu as well. These will be distributed free of charge in Pakistan. SGPC’s Dharam Parchar Committee (DPC) member Ajaib Singh Abhyasi said. In a first, the SGPC intends to observe Saka Panja Sahib at historic Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

DIDI MEETS PM MODI, SEEKS HELP TO CLEAR BENGAL’S DUES

dropped from the government. TMC functionaries said the rejig has a lot to do with Mamata’s preparations for the 2023 panchayat polls and the more crucial 2024 Lok Sabha elections in which the BJP campaign is expected to highlight not only corruption but bad governance as well.

The BJP, meanwhile, took a swipe at Supriyo. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave Supriyo opportunities to work for the nation. Let Bengal see what he can do for his people as part of a corrupt government. We wish him luck,” state party president Sukanta Majumdar said.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and requested him to intervene to ensure that pending financial dues to the state from the Centre are cleared. The CM has said that Bengal’s outstanding dues. The meeting comes two days before the annual Niti Aayog governing council meeting on Sunday. The Bengal CM’s 40-minute interaction with Modi also comes at a time when one of her former ministers, Partha Chatterjee (sacked last week), is in ED custody and is being interrogated by the central agency in connection with the teachers’ recruitment scam that has dealt a mighty blow to the pro-people image of her government and the governing TMC in the state. Banerjee also called on newly elected President Droupadi Murmu. It was a courtesy meeting for 15 minutes.

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Dhankhar elected India's 14th Vice-President NDA nominee Jagdeep Dhankhar was on Saturday elected as the 14th Vice- President of India, defeating joint opposition candidate Margaret Alva after securing 528 votes against his rival’s tally of 182. Though the outcome of the vice-presidential contest was a foregone conclusion, Dhankhar’s victory was rich in symbolism as it signalled the continued dominance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP, with all key constitutional posts - President, VicePresident (who is also ex-officio Rajya Sabha Chairman) and Lok Sabha Speaker - held by the party. It also dealt a body blow to the anti-BJP camp, which had pitched the VP polls as a battle of ideolo-

Narendra Modi and Jagdeep Dhankhar

gies between “Constitution keepers and those who undermine it”, and whose claim to a grand oppo-

sition unity came apart in the runup to the contest when Mamata Banerjee’s TMC broke ranks and

decided to abstain from voting. Dhankar, 71, swept the polls with 72. 8% of the 725 valid votes cast, his wining margin of 346 votes being the highest in the last six vice-presidential polls since 1997. The record of the highest winning margin still remains with K R Narayanan, who got 700 of the 701 votes cast in 1992 against independent candidate Kaka Joginder Singh, alias “Dharti Pakad”. Unlike incumbent Venkaiah Naidu, who demits office on August 10, Dhankhar is not a blueblooded saffronite but drifted to BJP after starting his political career with Lok Dal and then having a stint in Congress.

The former Bengal governor’s victory came on the back of support from the NDA parties, which account for 441 MPs, five nominated members and non-NDA parties, including Naveen Patnaik’s Biju Janata Dal, Jagan Mohan Reddy’ s YSR Congr ess, Mayawati’ s Bahujan Samaj Party, Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party, Akali Dal and the Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena, which together accounted for a total of 81 MPs. Alva, on the other hand, had to settle for a significantly lower tally of 182, accounting for a paltry 25.1% of the valid votes cast. The opposition camp, incidentally, was expecting over 200 votes for Alva.

Nitish Kumar quits NDA, joins hands with RJD Continued from page 1 This time, Kumar parted ways with the BJP and was elected leader of the RJD-led mahagathbandhan (grand alliance). He staked claim before Governor Phagu Chouhan to form the next government with the support of 164 MLAs of seven parties. “Will never compromise on the issue of corruption and do service to people of Bihar along with others”, Kumar told media persons after returning from the Raj Bhawan. Asked when he would be taking oath, he said, “it is up to the Governor to give time for the swearing-in ceremony”. Earlier, after submitting his resignation, Kumar told journalists outside the Raj Bhawan, “in

Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi dismissed JD(U)'s allegations that the BJP wanted to break the party and made RCP Singh union minister without Nitish Kumar's consent. He said that JD(U) was looking for an excuse to Nitish Kumar break ties with BJP, and underlined that "BJP today’s [Tuesday’s] meeting of all will come back to power with a my party MPs, MLAs, Council thumping majority in 2024. It is a members and leaders they white lie that BJP had made RCP expressed their desire to snap ties Singh Union minister without with the BJP and immediately I Nitishji's consent. It is also a lie accepted their desire and came to that BJP wanted to break JD(U)," the Raj Bhawan to resign from my Modi said in a tweet. post of NDA’s Chief Minister”. Sushil Modi dismisses allegations Singh was made Union minis-

Bengal CID, Delhi cops in face-off over raid A Bengal CID team armed with a warrant to search the Chanakyapuri home of a communications professional allegedly linked to the cash-haul case involving three arrested Jharkhand Congress MLAs was prevented by Delhi Police from executing the court order on “technical” grounds. Another CID team visiting Guwahati to collect CCTV footage of the three MLAs’ arrival in the city on July 29 and departure to Kolkata the next day was allegedly stopped by the local police at the airport, stoking the political storm already steeping over the Delhi face-off. A Congress MLA from the state, Kumar Jaimangal, had filed an FIR in Ranchi last week, accusing Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma of the attempt to topple the Soren government by getting the arrested trio – Irfan Ansari (Jamtara), Rajesh Kachchap (Khijri) and Naman Bixal Kongari (Kolebira) - to throw cash at some of their legislator colleagues. Delhi Police accused the visiting team of violating rules.

950 from Gujarat used fake IELTS scores to move to US, Canada The Mehsana police which investigated irregularities in the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exams has brought seven centres - Rajkot, Vadodara, Mehsana, Ahmedabad, Navsari, Nadiad and Anand - under scanner. Officers said that at least 950 candidates are suspected to have falsely secured high IELTS scores this year by paying Rs14,00,000. All of them are now either in the US or Canada. The first case of irregularity came in April when a dummy student was caught taking the exam in Nadiad. Later, it was found that CCTVs in two centres were switched off to accommodate dummy candidates in Navsari and Mehsana. A man from Mehsana, who is in the realty business, is the kingpin of the scam, said police sources. The police came into action, after report was lodged that illegal immigrants from North Gujarat needed a Hindi translator in a US court despite having IELTS scores of seven and eight. They had taken the exam in September last. According to the officers, the US consulate general had directed Mehsana police to search the case after which the cops started an investigation. A police officer said that the scam of issuing IELTS certificates to US and Canada aspirants has been running for nearly five years. Six men who travelled to Canada on student visas were caught by the US agencies on April 28. They were rescued by the agencies on the border of Canada and US from a sinking boat in the St Regis river who were illegally crossing over into the US.

ter last year as JD(U) representative but forced to resign last month as his Rajya Sabha term ended and his party denied him another term. Startling allegations of backstabbing were made against the BJP by MLAs and MPs of the JD(U) after which Kumar pulled the plug on the alliance. According to sources in the JD(U), who did not wish to be named, information, including call details, were shared which suggested that former national president RCP Singh, who resigned from the primary membership last week, had contacted “about a dozen MLAs and a minister at the BJP's behest, with the intention to split the party”. The JD(U) lawmakers, who

unanimously backed Kumar's decision to dump the BJP, were of the view that things went fine till the 2019 Lok Sabha polls which the two parties, along with late Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party, had swept, winning all but one of the 40 seats in the state. Several opposition leaders lauded Kumar for snapping ties with the BJP and embracing the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan to continue in office. This is the second time in nine years that Nitish left ally BJP out in the cold. While Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav termed Kumar’s move as a “good start”, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) stated that no ally can safeguard its identity in the saffron camp.

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'The principle of inclusion is important' Shefali Saxena

asterminded by Birmingham-born British Pakistani Artistic Director Iqbal Khan, the Opening Ceremony of Commonwealth Games 2022 was a celebration of the rich and diverse history, culture and identity of the city of Birmingham and the West Midlands. The theatrical production featured musicians and performers from across the diverse region who represented a wide range of cultures and global musical styles brought together by Music Director Joshua ‘RTKal’ Holness. With the best of Birmingham’s creative minds at its helm and its best-loved talent at its heart, this ceremony was a major moment for the region with Iqbal Khan showcasing the incredible heritage and influence of South Asian culture in this vibrant city. We spoke to Iqbal about it. hat is it like showcasing diverse cultures at an event as humungous as the Commonwealth Games? What does it take to put this show together? It’s a challenge to ensure that one is not

proud of the way this city and country continues to develop. There is much to critique and a lot more to be excited about. This is my home and I, like many others, feel sufficient ownership to both challenge and celebrate. hat are your expectations from the event? What does it mean for the arts and culture sector? My expectations were that we would create a show that felt totally inclusive. A big and immersive story. An unselfconsciously passionate and witty show, that celebrated the language and feel of this place. Poets were at the centre of it, dancers, circus artists, volunteers and musicians from all forms helped tell it. I hoped lasting legacies of engagement would survive. That we would create shows on broadcast and live that complemented each other. That all the world would feel it concretely even if you missed details. It’s the greatest opportunity for us to celebrate the arts and culture scene of Birmingham and the midlands to the world. We are world-beating. hy do you think music and theatricals are still the backbones of entertainment? Music and the theatrical help us tell stories, and share truths with the world. It’s our experience but these are truths about what it is to be human. We can go beyond words and connect everyone, anywhere, to what is most important to us all. Music and stories make us feel less alone, they excite and challenge us to think in new ways. I hope we did all this.

simply box-ticking. The principle of inclusion is important. Also, important that we go beyond the way certain art forms are represented. Go beyond complacent stereotyping. And we can do this by telling a big, generous story. Putting a show like this together takes humility, listening carefully to others who’ve done this sort of scale of shows previously, BUT also trusting the ambition of what we are trying to do. Particularly if it’s breaking the mould. Resist the anxiety of others to smooth the edges and make its content less surprising. Ultimately, it requires clarity as to the nonnegotiable arc of the story, while imagination about how to respond to inevitable adaptations/ compromises. s a British Pakistani, what does this mean to you culturally – to have a unique voice at such a prestigious event? I’m not sure British-Pakistanis have ever led an event on this scale, that tells the story of this place and this nation. It is a remarkable privilege. I absolutely have a specific range of experiences, that make my perspectives unique. And I also am a commonwealth child like so many others,

UK Muslim Film announces first two charity patrons Award-winning actor and campaigner Mehwish Hayat and acclaimed writer and director Lena Khan have joined UK Muslim Film to help the organisation challenge stereotypes of Muslims on-screen. UK Muslim Film is proud to announce both Mehwish Hayat and Lena Khan as their first Patrons for the charity and its initiatives. Mehwish’s decision to support UKMF is a reflection of her personal interest in and her commitment to ensuring Muslims depicted on screen are authentically portrayed. Mehwish Hayat says: “I am honoured to be joining UK Muslim Film as a Patron. Representation of Muslims on-screen is something that I have been tirelessly working to highlight for the past few years.” “Misrepresentation has done untold damage to us and I sincerely believe has fuelled the rise of Islamophobia. With UK Muslim Film, I look forward to working with the industry to make sure that the way that we are portrayed on-screen, if not positive, is at least a lot fairer.” She added “It is equally incumbent on us as Muslims to be telling our own stories. I am excited that UKMF will be supporting emerging Muslim talent and helping them get their work to larger audiences.” Mehwish is one of the most socially active celebrities globally and Pakistan’s reigning box-office queen. Hailing from a well-known show business family, Mehwish has widely spoken out about human rights abuses on the global stage and has been particularly vocal about the representation of Muslims in mainstream media for many years now. Mehwish rose to global attention after playing the character of ‘Aisha’ in the hugely successful ‘Ms Marvel’ series. Acclaimed writer and filmmaker Lena Khan, director of Disney’s hit original film ‘Flora & Ulysses’ and episodes of Netflix’s hit series ‘Never Have I Ever’, also joins as a Patron and UK Muslim Film will be hosting a special pop-up cinema event on Saturday 13th August at Edgbaston to celebrate her work. She says: “I'm honored and excited about supporting UK Muslim Film and to be having an event focused around my films

this month. Besides the fact that they were a heck of a lot of fun to make (and I'm told also fun to watch) -- they were made alongside my journey to get to a place in the industry where I can try to fight for truth and representation in this crazy industry. That's why I'm thrilled to be on this journey, and to support UKMF and its efforts toward truthful and authentic representation. She adds: “Representation in films and television literally changes our cultural

landscape -- for better or worse. It impacts policy, how we see people, how we operate with each other. And it's not that hard to do. I hope we can continue to expand the scope and quality of how our fellow humans are seen on screen, and enjoy the ride and the stories along the way!” Lena’s own journey is one which UK Muslim Film would be looking to replicate for future generations of British Muslim filmmakers. Lena met UK Muslim Film founder Sajid Varda in Orange County at an event where she was speaking about independent filmmaking and her debut feature ‘The Tiger Hunter’. After their initial meeting, Sajid was impressed by Lena’s enthusiasm and vision and went on to help with the production of ‘The Tiger Hunter’, her first feature film, which picked up 4 awards. Varda is now looking to support more debut filmmakers via UK Muslim Film.

Future stars create fusion energy machine at school School children from Waverley Junior Academy, near Rotherham, have combined science with art to create a fusion energy machine of the future.

Year 5 students took part in two workshops to learn about fusion – based on the same processes that powers the sun and stars – which has great potential to become an environmentally responsible part of the world’s future energy supply. Before taking to their pens and pencils to design a star-making machine, the students discovered what fusion is and letoff steam by running around to create energy of their own. The fun and interactive sessions were delivered by a team from the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) based at the neighbouring technology park in Catcliffe. Jordan d‘Arras, graduate development engineer at UKAEA, said: “The children were really enthusiastic and asked so many good questions. They learned the importance of safe, low carbon energy in the fight against climate change and heard about the variety of career opportunities we have at UKAEA that will help make fusion happen. We hope to have inspired our engineers, scientists and communicators of the future!” The students went head-to-head in a design competition and impressed the UKAEA team with their interpretation of what a future fusion energy machine could look like. Waverley Junior Academy’s Year 5 teachers, Patrick Selkirk and Holly Peace, were very proud of the scientific knowledge and artistic talent of their classes. Patrick said: “It was a great experience for the children to fully engage with. They had previously learnt all about renewable energy and the effects of non-renewable sources. The UKAEA workshop was enlightening and well-pitched to the children. The workshop began conversations that sparked debate about fusion energy.”

Design revealed for new artwork commemorating city’s Ugandan Asians The winning submission for a new piece of public art commemorating the 50th anniversary of the arrival of Ugandan Asians in Leicester has been revealed. Entitled Sculptural Gateway, the piece is the work of Midlands-based artist Anuradha Patel. In her submission, Ms Patel says the two aspects of the Structural Gateway represent the two communities impacted by the expulsion of Asians from Uganda in 1972. The structure is connected at the top, symbolising the transition of a generation of people from one country to another. It will be constructed using a variety of sharp-angled, vertical structures which she says are a reference to pain and upheaval, while the overall softer architectural shape of the structure suggests a place of shelter, sanctuary and refuge. The new piece of public art will be created and installed at Belgrave Circle, at the gateway to the city’s Golden Mile – as part of a wide-ranging programme of “Uganda 50” commemorations. It’s intended that the artist will work

with the local community to the breadth of emotions and further develop her design achievements of the Ugandan over the coming months, Asian community in Leicester. giving them an opportunity “I am thrilled to have this to shape the final piece. unique opportunity to work in Anuradha Patel said: “I collaboration with the local am delighted to be awarded communities and to help the Ugandan Asian 50th create an artistic vision which Anniversary public art Artist Anuradha Patel with a will provide a lasting legacy for commission. It is of great model of her winning submis- future generations.” significance to me as an sion, ‘Structural Gateway’. The Funding for the artwork artist and an exceptional final design will be developed will come from a combination with the help of the local opportunity to acknowledge, Ugandan Asian community. of a planned CrowdFund celebrate, and commemorate Leicester campaign and a an event which has not only shaped my life, contribution from the city council. but the lives of a whole generation of Leicester deputy city mayor for culture, people in the UK over the past 50 years. leisure and sport, Cllr Piara Singh Clair, “As a Ugandan Asian, of Gujarati added: “I am delighted to announce that origins, I feel strongly connected to the Anuradha’s design will be taken forward to Asian communities in Leicester with so share with the local community, who will many shared experiences of migration, have the chance to help to create this new displacement, resettlement and piece of public art which is linked to such assimilation in a new country. an important part of Leicester’s recent “This commission will provide the past.” platform to address, inform and celebrate

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Light also influences the circadian rhythm. The brain contains a special region of nerve cells known as the hypothalamus, and a cluster of cells in the hypothalamus called the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which processes signals when the eyes are exposed to natural or artificial light. These signals help the brain determine whether it is day or night. As natural light disappears in the evening, the body will release melatonin, a hormone that induces drowsiness. When the sun rises in the morning, the body will release the hormone known as cortisol that promotes energy and alertness. Stages of Sleep Once we fall asleep, our bodies follow a sleep cycle divided into four stages. The first three stages are known as non-rapid eye move-

Benefits of intermittent fasting People across the world follow a wide range of religions, which probably have one thing in common: abstaining from food on certain days. “Several religions see abstinence as a crucial aspect in physical and spiritual well-being,” says Dr Unni Nilanjan, Ayurvedic doctor at Art of Living’s Sri Sri Tattva Panchakarma. “It means abstinence from indulgences. Far from being a way to sustain oneself, food often becomes an indulgence. In this regard, fasting helps a person develop an inner strength to withdraw from pleasures of the senses and go deeper within,” he adds. However, with time, fasting has evolved from being a religious practice to becoming a health phenomenon, with several doctors and fitness pundits recommending it. So, what is the fuss all about? Fasting, intermittent fasting to be specific, is becoming increasingly common as a way to lose weight. In this, one eats in a time-restricted window and fasts otherwise. There is no restriction concerning food. And it has shown to be effective. A 2014 study showed intermittent fasting led to a 3-8% loss in weight in 3-24 weeks. It also led to a reduction in waist circumference. According to Sreemathy Venkatraman, a wellness nutritionist, clinical dietician and founder of Mitha Ahara: Eat to

Live, intermittent fasting can lead to: Better control over blood sugar levels; Prediabetes gets cured in some cases; Drop in the levels of bad cholesterol; Improved cardiovascular health; Drop in inflammation; Improved gut and metabolic health; Better energy levels. “Mental health improves, too, as one has better self-control and does not graze throughout the day,” she says. “As your weight decreases, so does your chance of developing chronic illnesses,” says Neha Pathania, chief dietician, Paras Hospitals, Gurugram. “You also experience enhanced cycles of brain health. Life expectancy increases too,” she adds. Dr Nilanjan goes beyond that and points at Japanese biologist Yoshinori Ohsumi, who won the 2016 Nobel Prize in medicine for his work on autophagy, which is the body’s natural cleansing mechanism to purge the body of damaged cells and regenerate newer, healthier cells. “This happens while fasting,” the Ayurveda doctor says. Some bodies of research have shown that intermittent fasting and calorie restriction can cause autophagy. However, since religious fasting is practised for a few days, does it undo the benefits? The answer is no, according to Dr Nilanjan. “Fasting is similar to taking your car to the workshop. Doing it once in a while ensures that it runs

13 - 19 August 2022

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Why do we need sleep? Sleep is an essential function that allows our body and mind to recharge, leaving us refreshed and alert when we wake up. Healthy sleep also helps the body remain healthy and stave off diseases. Without enough sleep, the brain cannot function properly. This can impair our abilities to concentrate, think clearly, and process memories. Most adults require between seven and nine hours of nightly sleep. Children and teenagers need substantially more sleep, particularly if they are younger than five years of age. Work schedules, day-to-day stressors, a disruptive bedroom environment, and medical conditions can all prevent us from receiving enough sleep. A healthy diet and positive lifestyle habits can help ensure an adequate amount of sleep each night

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