AV 15th August 2020

FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE

R

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

15 - 21 AUGUST 2020 - VOL 49 ISSUE 16

CELEBRATING BRAND ‘INDIA’

inside: Lord Rami Ranger reacts to social media controversy on Khalistan: “Preet Gill is confused” SEE PAGE - 8

BAME Britons twice as likely to have lost their job SEE PAGE - 10

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praying at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya at the Bhoomi Pooja on August 5, 2020 Shefali Saxena On November 9, 2019, the Supreme Court of India gave its final verdict on the Ayodhya dispute and declared that the disputed holy site of Ayodhya in northern India should be given to Hindus who want a temple built there, the country's Supreme Court has ruled. The verdict was touted as “a decisive turn away from secularism for India”.

However, in a letter to the Financial Times, Utkarsh Sharma of Somerville College, University of Oxford, UK wrote, “The temple is not being constructed after an order by Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the Bharatiya Janata Party, the political party with which he is associated, but following a final judgement from the supreme court of India after 134 years. As your correspondent also accepts,

the construction was permitted because it was legally established that a mosque was built in the 16th century, by an invader, on the site of a temple, which was many thousands of years older. While actions of the mob, frustrated at the stalled court proceedings, in taking matters into their own hands in 1992, were reprehensible, I’d suggest that given the unique, irreplaceable and continuing importance of the birthplace of Lord Ram for the Hindus, the supreme court was correct to permit reconstruction of a temple on-site and to offer compensatory land for the mosque, after mediation failed.

Finally, I reject your implication that the ceremony marked a triumph only for the Hindus or the ruling BJP. It is a moment of triumph for a nation which has had a long history of oppression at the hands of invaders, who merely

happen to be of Islamic faith, like Babur who built a mosque on the site of a razed temple.”

Ahead of India’s 74th Independence Day, Modi addressed the nation at one of the most historic events of the century. He chanted "Siyavar Ram Chandra ki Jai!" and “Jai Shri Ram!” as he laid the foundation of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple with a 40 Kg silver brick in Ayodhya on August 5, 2020 (see full story on page 18). In the middle of a global pandemic in March 2020, the PM announced the re-telecast of Ramanand Sagar’s iconic TV show Ramayan on Doordarshan after three decades of its broadcast. It became the most-watched entertainment show in the world with 77 million viewers on April 16.

Continued on page - 18

A Beautiful Journey SEE PAGE - 11

Sad saga: Madhvani kins infighting SEE PAGE - 17

Indian Independence Day Special SEE PAGE - 19 - 29

2 UK

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

15 - 21 August 2020

with Keith Vaz

Labour MP accuses police of “institutional racism” after being pulled over three times

Reena Patel

On Sunday 9th August, a former shadow equalities minister and a Labour MP accused the police of “institutional racism” after being pulled over in Hackney, London while on her way to a lunch with a friend.

Reena Patel grew up and went to school in Harrow, North London and had an immediate love for animals and their welfare, and passion for science, so veterinary medicine as a career was the obvious choice. Like many young kids, growing up to be a vet was a lifetime ambition, and she is so happy to have fulfilled hers. Having been a vet for 16 years now, Reena can still say that going to work is a joy for her. It was an unusual career choice for an Asian girl, with human medicine being the more expected path, but she is glad to have paved the way for future budding vets from our communities.

1

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

Home is where my family is, and for me this London and surrounding areas, with my own family in St Albans and extended family scattered around London. But my husband and I also have a connection with Scotland and Iceland, both placed we have visited and feel a spiritual connection with.

What are your proudest achievements?

2

Graduating Veterinary School was a massive achievement, and completion of my lifelong ambition. Then becoming a partner in my own veterinary practices, becoming a mum of two amazing kids, and starting my own coding school for children, fall into 'feel proud' moments.

What inspires you?

3

I am inspired by the limitless possibilities that are available to all of us. Being able to fulfil your own dreams, and help someone else to theirs, inspires me to continue growing. I would love to show my kids that nothing is impossible.

What has been biggest obstacle in your career?

Being from an Indian background, making the step into veterinary medicine was not the most expected choice. Having my parents full support was deeply important, and the lack of understanding for this profession.

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

In terms of career influences, I have looked up to lots of my veterinary colleagues, their approach to veterinary medicine, patient care, client care and business management.

I have been blessed to have many guiding hands, and strong positive influences around me, all of which have helped me grow professionally.

What is the best aspect about your current role?

There really is no single best aspect! I love

4 5

6

everything a being a vet, even the long hours! I love treating my patients, meeting, and caring for their owners, the constant developing science, learning new skills, growing a veterinary practice, teaching, and guiding younger vets and vet nurses, the list is just endless.

And the worst?

7

The toughest part of my role, and this holds true for all my veterinary colleagues, is sadly the misconceptions of some veterinary owners. All vets work tirelessly for all of our animals and our customers, and we do it purely for the love of the patient. To hear negative comments about people’s misconceptions about our motivations is one of the reasons many vets leave this wonderful profession.

What are your long-term goals?

8

I just want to keep on improving what I do.

Veterinary medicine is constantly changing, and I want to be able to offer gold standard care until I (eventually) retire, so amongst my goals is the constant development.

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

Gosh, the Prime Minister has an incredible difficult job, and probably has many difficult decisions to make! Without his/her helicopter view, it is difficult to give a good answer. From a purely one sided perspective, and with my role as a veterinary surgeon as the steer, I would like to see the NHS costs more visible to NHS users, so that they would understand how much medicine does actually cost, to help them understand the costs involved in the care of animals.

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

So many amazing historical figures to choose from! If I had to pick just one, it would be Nelson Mandela. What an inspiration he is, and so much to learn from.

9

10

Dawn Butler, a strong critic of the stop-andsearch tactics, stated the car was being driven by her male friend, when two police cars pulled them over. According to Butler, it was the third time Butler that she had been stopped by police, while her friend had been stopped regularly.

According to the officers, the vehicle was registered in North Yorkshire and admitted that it had been a mistake and later apologised to the MP. Later in a statement, the Metropolitan police said that an officer had initially entered an incorrect registration number into the computer system, and that neither the MP nor her friend were searched.

Last month it was reported that young black men were stopped and searched by police more than 20,000 times in London during the lock-

Lord Lester of Herne Hill had resigned from the House of Lords in 2018 after Jasvinder Sanghera, a campaigner against forced marriages and abuse, accused the peer of sexual harassment.

The lawyer was initially affiliated with the Labour Party, then the SDP, before becoming a Liberal Democrat peer in 1993.

Following Sanghera’s accusations, the Lords confirmed an earlier finding

Lord Lester

that the peer had breached the House’s code of conduct by sexually harassing a lobbyist 12 years earlier.

It had been alleged that he had offered Ms Sanghera a place in the Lords if she consented to sleeping with him. Lord Lester had repeatedly and consistently denied any and all wrong-

Jasvinder Sanghera

doings. Yet, he offered his resignation before a complete investigation stating that he did not have “the strength or health to continue”.

Yesterday his family confirmed that he had died from heart disease at his home in London. Before the scandal ended his public

tion” by saying tinted rear windows on the car could be illegal, she added. The law about tinting on windows applies only to the windscreen and front windows.

Butler has previously urged for an end to stopand-search system, saying the approach was racist. “It does not work, or rather, it works the way it’s designed to work. It is designed to be discriminatory.

“The fact is, where a police officer can stop a person of colour driving a car, saying, ‘We smelled drugs coming from your car; that’s why we stopped you’, and then, when they search the car, there are no drugs, you have to ask yourself: what were they smelling?”

BBC apologises for use of racist terms On Saturday 8th August, the BBC’s director-general issued a formal apology for a broadcast last month in which a white reporter had used racist terminology.

Over 18,000 people had lodged a complaint after Fiona Lamdin, the social affairs correspondent, repeated the n-word that had allegedly been used in an attack in Bristol. DJ Sideman, the BBC Radio

Peer accused of sexual misconduct passes away due to a heart disease On Monday 10th August, an 84-year-old House of Lords peer who had previously been instrumental in enacting race and sex discrimination laws in the UK passed away due to a heart disease.

down, the equivalent of more than a quarter of all black 15- to 24-year-olds in the capital. Across England on an average four people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) background were stopped and searched for every 1,000 white people.

In the video, Butler was seen telling the officers, “It is really quite irritating. It’s like you cannot drive around and enjoy a Sunday afternoon whilst black because you’re going to be stopped by police. We were just going out to have a nice lunch. My plans were basically ruined. It’s a sunny Sunday, and you don’t get many of those. I’ve been stopped while driving twice as an MP. My friend has experienced it a number of times. That’s why his attitude was just like, ‘Here, have my driving licence.

Here we go again.’”

One of the officers tells her, “I appreciate everything you say and I do apologise for wasting your time.”

One of them had even asked Butler where she lived and was going and another officer, a woman, had “inflamed the situa-

career, he was one of the best known and influential human rights lawyers in the country. He spent 30 years lobbying successive governments to legislate to make the European Convention on Human Rights enforceable in British courts. He introduced two private member’s bills that were seen as eventually being the blueprints for the Human Rights Act 1998.

Anthony Lester, who was called to the Bar in 1963 and became a Queen’s Counsel 12 years later, was a key contributor to the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and Race Relations Act 1976. He also campaigned for the Civil Partnership Act 2004.

1xtra presenter announced that the corporation’s response to complaints had “felt like a slap in the face to our community”. Sideman, whose real name is David Whitely, took to Instagram on Saturday stating that the broadcast was an error of judgment and he could not work with the BBC allowing “the n-word being said on national television by a white person”.

The BBC had originally defended the report, but Lord Hall of Birkenhead acknowledged that it was a

mistake and said, “BBC now accepts that we should have taken a different approach at the time of broadcast and we are very sorry for that.

Every organisation should be able to acknowledge when it has made a mistake.

We made one here. It is important for us to listen — and also to learn. And that is what we will continue to do.” The BBC originally defended the inclusion of the word — which was preceded by a warning to viewers — arguing that it had the support of the victim and his family. The broadcaster previously revealed that the decision to include the word in the report had been taken by a team of people that included senior editorial figures.

FINANCIAL A SERVICES MORTGAGES Residential Buy to Let Remortgages

PROTECTION Life Insurance Critical Illness Income Protection

Please conta act:

Dinesh Shonchhatra S Mortgage Ad dviser

Call: 020 8424 C 4 8686 / 07956 810647 77 High Street, Wealdston ne, Harrow, HA3 5DQ mortgage@majorestate.co om ~ majorestate.com

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

UK

COMMENTS

3

8 - 14 August 2020

India’s forgotten history India is celebrating its 74th Independence Day on 15 August 2020. It has been a long journey, since the freedom from colonial shackles. It was evidential, right after the independence, there were challenges the country awaited. One was the foundation of India. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, BR Ambedkar- all played their pivotal roles.

India was defined as a secular state. The second challenge was creation of Pakistan and the third challenge was princely states joining the union, which was owed to Sardar Patel’s diplomacy skills. The most important challenge was India’s economy. A socialist economy only opened up in 80s through a process of liberalisation and only in 2000s India progressed to a free market economy. The economy has slowed down, but with all its drawbacks, India is still the largest producer of milk, with 18% of world production, second largest producer of rice, over 100 million metric tonnes, wheat over 90 million tonnes, sugar 25 million tonne, fruits and vegetables over 200 million metric tonnes.

India is the largest producer of cotton, besides variety of spices, meat, fish and poultry.

According to Youth Incorporated, modern India has had a strong focus on science and technology. Mangalyaan, India’s first aircraft to Mars entered Mars’ orbit on 24 September 2014.

Chandrayaan was launched in 2008, and it entered the lunar orbit in its first attempt. Socially, among many of its achievements, its noteworthy, that India has eradicated polio in 2011 and government’s mid-day meal serves 120,000,000 children.

The country has gifted ‘the God of Cricket’ to the world. But besides Sachin Tendulkar, Pankaj Advani, has become the only

Indian who has dominated the world billiards for several years now and has won 16 world titles. India has been part of 5 men’s Kabaddi World Cups held till now and have won all them. The Indian women’s team has also won all Kabaddi World Cups held until date.

India as we see today- is a dream of many stalwarts, but it is also a brand that the current Prime Minister Narendra Modi has put forward. Every leader is a divisive figure. Whether its Boris Johnson or Donald Trump, none get away without being criticised for something. But it is rather wrong to look at India, through the prism of the west.

India was the first ever country to grant voting rights to women without any discrimination and among the very first countries to have a woman Prime Minister (Indira Gandhi).

Women participation in the Indian politics has been the highest and they have held high offices including that of the President, Prime Minister, Speaker of the Lok Sabha and Leader of the Opposition.

India is not synonymous with its ruling leaders, but it is a nation with so much hope, potential, colour and diversity.

India’s urban civilisation is traceable to Mohenjodaro and Harappa, now in Pakistan, where planned urban communities existed 5,000 years ago. From then on, the ancient Indian architecture and civil engineering continued to develop and grow. It found manifestation in the construction of temples, palaces and forts on the Indian peninsula and the neighbouring regions.

India is larger than any political party and it is about time, those tarnishing the image realise the history often forgotten!

A temple for Lord Ram The bhumi pujan ceremony for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya marks the culmination of three decades of struggle by Sangh Parivar to claim the land where the Babri Masjid once stood.

The foundation laying ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, among others. PM Modi in his speech after the ceremony said that the temple should be constructed on the foundation of mutual love and brotherhood. He said that the temple should be a modern symbol of our culture, eternal faith, national spirit and collective will power which will inspire generations to come. He said that Shree Ram is the common threat of unity in diversity in the country. This is also the moment to recognise that devotion to Rama must dominate in the spiritual, religious and personal spheres, while politics branches off for other constructive pursuits.

Opposing parties in the decades-old litigation like Iqbal Ansari have signalled reconciliation. Reviving the spirit of harmony was also the central message in Supreme Court’s verdict that granted Hindus the disputed land. The verdict’s acceptance offers hope that the brief rupture in India’s civilisational fabric can be repaired with political parties and communities coming together for preserving communal amity. Today, BJP dominates the political landscape of north India and the onus is now on the party and its affiliates to also embrace and reinforce the message of reconciliation. It must shed bitterness and move on past other communal disputes. India is now at a crossroads where it must focus all energies on development and economic progress, instead of frittering them away in pointless identity wars.

The Covid-forced constraints on the grand groundbreaking ceremony – which at another time would have drawn huge

milling crowds – is a sober reminder of critical unfinished tasks.

Public health needs a reset. China has grabbed slices of Indian territory and is refusing to move out. In this backdrop, politicisation of religious differences will not only disrupt internal social cohesion and unity, it will also hinder India’s ability to join an incipient strategic alliance of secular democracies to counter Chinese expansionism. Ramayana reveals Rama as an astute coalition builder against Ravana. As the Ram Mandir is consecrated, some contemporary parallels are very hard to miss.

The government should use this occasion to rededicate itself to keeping India’s tryst with destiny and fulfilling the unrealised goals of the republic. It should apply itself with vigour to reviving the economy, improving governance, and reversing the decades-long under-investment in public health that the Covid pandemic has so starkly exposed. Aggression by China and fresh claims by Pakistan and even Nepal on our territory is another challenge that needs to be tackled. Temples and other monuments can contribute to great cultural signification and gratification, but they cannot replace improving the quality of people’s lives and boosting national well-being, which is the real deal. That’s what the government must now focus its mind and energies on. In his speech, Modi invoked nationalist spirit and described Ram as a symbol of inclusive governance and popular welfare. He should harness his popularity to ensure that the government's record of governance approximates to the ideals he celebrated at Ayodhya. Temples and other religious places are where one can get mental peace and let us all once again rededicate ourselves to these cardinal principles instead of fighting for the imposition of our beliefs on others.

Registration of Sharia Muslim marriages should be mandatory Coronavirus has not just shredded apart the economy of the UK. It has exposed fault lines in the socio-cultural and religious administration of the country where all successive governments have collectively failed to protect vulnerable Muslim women.

These women suffering in silence include victims of forced marriage, sexual exploitation, domestic abuse, or worse yet, honour-based violence. Many of these Muslim women are either unaware and uninformed about their legal rights. Or they are coerced into unregistered marriages recognised only by religious institutes or Sharia law and courts.

The existence of Sharia courts and compliance with the Sharia law running parallel to the British legal system has been an unsolved controversy for several years now. There is no clear report or government data which provides an exact account of such “community or religious” organisations functioning in the UK. But up until 2018, it was estimated that there were 30-85 Sharia Courts actively conducting such ceremonies across the UK with the first Sharia court established in the late 1980s in East London. That number may not appear to be high.

But a recent report estimates that there 100,000 Sharia marriages in the UK with some involving polygamy. Female solicitors like Aina Khan have flagged up this issue as early as 2015 when she said to The Times, “There has been a high rise in recent years because people can have a secret Nikah (Islamic 'marriage' ceremony) and no one will know about it that there were potentially 100,000 Muslims without legal recognition”.

Any political party’s attempt into ordering a review of such

“organisations” is received with hostility from the hardliners and staunch practitioners of the religion. They often see it as an inflammatory political ploy to divide the community. But a new report has called out all political stakeholders to shed their apprehensions around being labelled “Islamophobic” and rescue women stuck in sharia marriages which are otherwise not legally registered with the government.

Activists like Gita Sahgal have previously spoken to Asian Voice and said that there is a growing problem of men “marrying” women in religious ceremonies but refusing to legally register their unions. As a result, women are meant to go through religious courts, wherein some rulings force them to stay with their partners even if they are unhappy.

But coronavirus has only heightened this problem. Underfunded charities are overwhelmed with a surge in the number of calls from women seeking support and shelter against abusive partners and families. Some of these charities have even reported about women being turned away from refuge centres for their inability to speak English. Linguistic and cultural barriers together have resulted in Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) women suffering worse than their white counterparts in a coronavirus induced lockdown. Charities have reported a record 80% increase in the volume of domestic helpline calls until June. There is no clear breakdown filtering the calls from women based on their ethnicity but volunteers believe that a bulk of these calls are women from BAME backgrounds. They worry about supporting women amidst an imminent second wave of Covid-19 and constant funding crunch.

You don’t know who is important to you until you actually lose them - Mahatma Gandhi

Alpesh Patel

India just made the World a better place – A blow to racists everywhere India showed that law comes before religion in the world’s largest democracy. Law before religion is the definition of secularism. When on the single most important religious issue to the majority of them, they refused to use might as right. They waited for decades for the courts to rule. Justice delayed is justice denied. Tell that to the hundreds of millions of Hindus.

It is the Hindu way. They do not have the concept of conversion which is needed as the driving force for conquest.

So, India, is the birthplace of non-violence as a political not just a religious concept. We do not want a pat on the back for our suffering under the Mongols, and do not tell me how they were the patrons of the arts, architecture, and culture.

Hindustan civilised them. Our uninterrupted culture has exited longer. If you want to know the culture of Mongols, name me their global cultural, political, artistic contributions? The Barbeque.

The issue of Ayodhya leaves questions open: Why when it is the most important place to Hindus, would the occupiers of the site in this case not have done what the Supreme Court had to force them to do by law; which is find a nearby site and vacate this one? Why drag it for decades and decades to cause unneeded pain? Because your safety was and is underwritten by law and by the majority is why.

The occupiers did not dispute Hindus considered this to be the birthplace of Lord Ram. Consider that. So why inflict wantonly more pain by refusing to concede even an inch? Because their case was that Hindus did not continuously pray there. Yes they did ruled the Supreme Court. They wanted to say Hindus could forget the cornerstone of their faith, and be moved away from anything. As long as this is taken from them, anything, including their faith can. It is a racially superior colonising mindset that thinks that. Why when it was built on the orders of a colonising Mongol from Uzbekhistan, mongols known for their butchery, savagery, genocide, barbarism, an alien to India, do Indians call them the more respectable name of ‘Mughal’?

It was a Mongol Empire founded by the descendants of Genghis Khan. Imperialism, like slavery, and colonialism is reviled everywhere today. Look at the debates around you. Why do the injustices of colonisation not apply to Hindus?

Why when India is not, and has no plans, to be a Hindu Republic, does the left-liberal have no problems with the 53 Muslim dominated countries (Islam is the official religion in 27) in the world; 100+ Christian dominated countries. In 15 nations, Christianity is the official religion?

The answer is the critics fear a type of Hindu that exists in their imagination, just as the black man was portrayed as the savage, the Hindu, is the fanatic. Just as the black man is the criminal, the drug dealer, the raper of white women, so the Hindu is portrayed for political ends as the fanatic, the loin cloth, saffron robbed, fakir. It is a colonial, racially superior narrative. It is institutionally racist. And those propagating it are racist.

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

INDIA OFFICE Bureau Chief: Nilesh Parmar (BPO) AB Publication (India) Pvt. Ltd. 207 Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad-380 015. Tel: +91 79 2646 5960 Email: gs_ahd@abplgroup.com © Asian Business Publications

4 UK

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

15 - 21 August 2020

Liberal Democrats leadership NHS nurses and staff suffering candidates commit to ‘Rooney from PTSD protest for fairer pay Rule’ for racial equality On Saturday 8th August, thousands of NHS workers demanded for fair pay in over 30 planned protest marches across the UK. These marches were organised in light of the government announcement last month about a marginal pay rise for the NHS doctors.

Now, the nurses, midwives and other staff is urging the government for the recognition of their work on the Covid-19 frontlines.

On Wednesday August 5th, frontrunners for Liberal Democrats Parliamentary leadership announced their firm commitment to the introduction of ‘Rooney Rule’ in the party.

At the race equality hustings, both Layla Moran and Ed Davey committed to ‘Rooney Rule’ for Liberal Democrat Parliamentary shortlists.

The “Rooney Rule” would mandate that a minimum share of candidates on the final shortlists of the party’s parliamentary contests would be from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. This policy will make Liberal Democrats the first political party in the history of British politics to formally introduce a “Rooney Rule”.

This represents a ground-breaking step in the campaign to increase ethnic minority representation in parliament and the candidates supported several other measures to increase the party’s racial diversity. Both pledged to fund a leadership mentoring and training programme for aspiring ethnic

Ed Davey

minority candidates, to audit progress in parliamentary staff and local council selections and to track the efforts of local parties to become more reflective of their communities. Ed Davey also announced his desire as leader to reform the Equality Act to allow the party to run AllBAME candidate shortlists in target seats. Layla Moran has not yet announced her position on All-BAME shortlists.

Liberal Democrat Campaign for Race Equality Chair, Roderick Lynch, said, “Progress in diversifying our party has been glacial in recent years, so I welcome these substantial announcements. I look forward to working with whomever wins to realise these commitments and get the Lib Dems

Layla Moran

leading the fight for racial equality.”

Lib Dem Campaign for Race Equality Membership Secretary, Chris Annous, said, “I am delighted that both leadership candidates have promised their commitment to implementing a ‘Rooney Rule’ for parliamentary selections. Research shows significant discrimination occurs in recruitment at the pre-interview stage.

“Though not a silver bullet, allowing more aspiring BAME candidates to make their case for selection to local members in selection meetings will thus increase the party’s number of BAME candidates and ultimately MPs. This representation is key to tackling racial inequalities.”

In London, protesters made their way along Whitehall towards Downing Street with a blue banner reading, “End NHS pay inequality, together we win.”

Outside No 10, they shouted, “Boris Johnson hear us shout, pay us properly or get out.”

Other protests were organin Liverpool, ised Birmingham, Edinburgh, Cardiff among others.

Unions have now described the Government’s exclusion of the other workforce from pay rise as “the final straw” after cuts of thousands of pounds to nurses pay since 2010 due to a failure to raise wages with inflation.

Dave Carr, a critical care nurse at St Thomas’ hospital in London – where Boris Johnson was treated in ICU for coronavirus– was protest-

Claudia Webbe

ing in London.

In a statement to The Guardian, he said, “Working during the coronavirus crisis was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. There’s a lot of PTSD around among colleagues and many are worried about the possibility of a second wave. We can’t do the job any more. We had to shut down the NHS to fight Covid19 and now we’re expected to just turn it back on. We’re absolutely on our knees. And on top of it they give 900,000 public sector workers a pay rise, and I haven’t got a problem with that, but they carve us out. I’m absolutely fuming.” A recent survey by the Royal College of Nursing of 42,000 nursing staff showed that 36% were considering leaving the profession, with most citing pay as a factor.

The number of healthcare workers who have died due to Covid-19 had reached 200

until the end of May and more than six in 10 of the victims were from BAME backgrounds.Claudia Webbe, MP for Leicester East had written to Health Secretary Matt Hancock urging the government to include health workers in the recent public sector wage increase. In her letter, she wrote, “This crisis has shown that the people who really matter and keep our society ticking are not billionaires and the super-rich, but nurses, carers, cleaners, checkout attendants and many more essential frontline workers.

This must be reflected with a significant restructuring of our economy along the lines of justice, with pay-rises for those who we clearly cannot live without. “We can no longer live in a society where health workers are underpaid, frontline workers are undervalued or our NHS is starved of funding.” In the meantime, on Monday 10th August, the government unveiled funding of up to £172m for thousands more apprentice nurses in England. The Department of Health and Social Care said the money will allow healthcare employers to take on up to 2,000 nursing degree apprentices every year over the next four years.

From Bangladesh to Briton, Councillor pens her Mayor of Luton journey as an immigrant into British politics resigns over breaking A councillor from Shadwell pens her journey from Bangladesh to Briton in her forthcoming memoir in a bid to address racial inequalities in the publishing industry.

In her book ‘My Hair is Pink Under This Veil’, Rabina Khan writes about how she came to England when she was only three years old and reminisce her childhood in Rochester, where her father was a docker. The book narrates the story of how a Muslim woman reconciles her faith with British culture against a backdrop of blame, bias, ignorance and misogyny, including from her own community. Khan sets out to challenge outdated views and stereotypes about Muslim women and explore misconceptions regarding Islam, inequality and integration at a time when UK faces its own issues with radicalisation, extremism and political divisions.

Speaking about the curious title of her forthcoming book, she said, “A white man once asked me what colour my hair was under my veil. I smiled and said it was pink.

Little did I know that I would go on to write a book about the struggle to dismantle some of the stereotypes that Muslim women face - and perhaps make people laugh with me along

the way. I hope that people will enjoy reading the book as much as I enjoyed writing it.

“I am genuinely excited that Biteback is publishing ‘My Hair Is Pink Under This Veil’ and feel honoured to be working with the BiteBack team.” In the aftermath of the George Floyd killings and the Black Lives Matter protests, the “big five” UK publishing houses had separately acknowledged that

“change is not happening fast enough”. They had reemphasised that they must do a lot more to address racial inequalities in the books world, which was highlighted earlier by the recently formed Black Writers Guild. Recently Reni Eddo-Lodge became the first ever black Briton to top the UK book charts with her 2017 book Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race.

Commenting on the Councillor’s forthcoming book, Olivia Beattie, Editorial Director at Biteback Publishing said, “Rabina’s proposal had us all hooked from the very first pages, where she writes with such grace and humour about her family’s experiences building a new life in

Britain in the 1970s. Clearsighted and often deeply affecting about the struggles facing Muslim women both then and now, My Hair Is Pink Under This Veil is at its heart an inspiring story that will speak across the divides of age, race, class and religion about the power of building bridges, and the Biteback team are delighted to be publishing it.”

Khan currently serves as a Liberal Democrat councillor in Tower Hamlets and was the first Muslim woman to hold the portfolio for Housing and Regeneration.

Lauren Gardner has sold World English Rights for politician and campaigner Rabina Khan’s enlightening memoir My Hair Is Pink Under This Veil, to Olivia Beattie.

Sunak says he does not desire to be Britain’s next prime minister On 7th August, chancellor of ex-chequer Rishi Sunak clarified that he had no desire or intention to be the UK’s next prime minister, the Reuters reported.

But, Sunak admitted that he was tired because he had been working around the clock as he tried reviving Britain’s collapsed economy currently grappling with the aftershock of the coronavirus pandemic.

When told by a Times Radio reporter that he looked pretty tired and asked if the crisis had dampened his desire to be Britain’s next prime minister, Sunak said, “Oh gosh, I don’t have that desire.”

There has been widespread speculation

that Sunak could one day replace Prime Minister Boris Johnson especially considering his recent elevation within the cabinet and his work at No.11. Sunak is also touted as a favourite of Boris Johnson especially following the fallout with former chancellor of ex-Chequer Sajid Javid.In his conversation with Times Radio Sunak, said that he was tired and that he had not seen his family much due to the crisis and had been forced to miss gym sessions.“I am sorry I am looking tired so I will take that as an instruction to try and revitalise myself over the coming weekend to be a bit more bright and bushy eyed next week,” he said.

lockdown rules On Wednesday 5th August, the mayor of Luton submitted his resignation after a video emerged online where he was seen breaking lockdown rules and enjoying a garden party, just days after warnings about spikes of coronavirus in his town.

Labour Cllr Tahir Cllr Tahir Malik Malik had attended a garden party with at least twelve other people in July despite government rules allowing no more than six people or two households to meet at any one time. The former Mayor issued an apology for "attending this gathering which was in breach of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions" and said he regretted his actions.

Luton Borough Council had investigated the scope of the video which showed that the mayor had been ignoring social distancing rules. This video emerged after Public Health England (PHE) warned about a spike of coronavirus cases in the town, designating it an "area of intervention".

The Mayor said, "Once again I regret my actions which were below the standard of my position and would like to sincerely apologise to the people of Luton for attending this gathering which was in breach of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. There is no excuse for what I did – I should have known better and I accept full responsibility for my actions."

The Labour mayor, who was appointed to his role in May last year, said he was planning to wait for the investigation to conclude, but decided "the best thing I could do for the town was resign from my position with immediate effect".The three councillors who attended the party released a statement at the time, saying they thought it "was going to be a small socially-distanced gathering, in line with the government guidelines". Malik will be replaced by a new mayor following a council meeting on September 29.

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

15 - 21 August 2020

UK

5

6 UK

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

15 - 21 August 2020

SP

TLIGHT

Farhanah Mamoojee: The Ayahs’ Home Project Sunetra Senior East London is known for its alternative youth culture, and rich Victorian history. Founder of the Ayahs’ Home Project, Farhanah, uniquely brings the two together to newly honour South Asian heritage. She shared with us: “I first came across Ayahs when I was watching BBC Two’s documentary, A Passage to Britain, in 2018. In the programme, an Oxbridge historian was investigating the passengers on ship’s lists at different points during British migratory history. In one episode, she spoke to a gentleman who was brought over with an Indian nanny, or Ayah, during the time of British colonialism and tracked him down to discuss the experience with him. Eventually settled in Scotland, the man, now elderly, could not recall her name. The interviewer asked him: “isn’t that strange?” He responded that it was the typical attitude of the time. That was the emotional impetus for me, I wanted to find out more about these women dubbed Ayahs – who they were; how they lived.”

Starting simply with Google, Farhanah went about conducting her own primary research into the underrepresented subject. “The show briefly mentioned an Ayahs’ Home in Hackney in the district where I live. Compelled further by the proximity, I found myself standing outside the abandoned building which has now been turned into privatised housing. I was shocked that there was no mention of what I’d seen on TV. There was no information about this notable former site, or the lives of the hardworking women who had been housed there. It’s interesting how we know of white women’s suffrage or Irish migrant workers, but not the narrative of the oppressed South Asian workers in Britain.”

Ayahs were often abandoned without pay in the UK after they had served the purpose of childcare for British families on the journey over from India during the time of the British Raj. Either immediately after the long nautical journey to England or some years later. As a result, The Ayahs’ Home was established by Christian missionaries in London, becoming the only refuge for the destitute women. It was the only named institution of its kind in the UK. “Of course, this brought only limited sanctuary,” Farhanah continued. “It was a temporary stop”. In addition to being disregarded by owners, the Ayah’s humanity was undermined by the invasive attempt to convert them to Christianity, which was heavily practiced by the Home. The women were made to sing hymns, even paraded about on the street to demonstrate the reformation, as if a form of payment.

“Ayahs also had their names Anglicized coming over, so there’s no trace of their real identity on the migratory ship logs,” Farhanah told us. “They were recorded just by first or second names of the family such as Mary or Edwards. As you can imagine, many were desperate to return home.” In short, the very identity of the Ayah was robbed. As a result, Farhanah has conscientiously sought to revive the stories of these forgotten women in the most effective way: “The first aim was to campaign for a Blue Plaque with English Heritage to raise a fundamental awareness amongst the public. The Ayahs’ Home has now been shortlisted for this. This was after discovering records online, which I highlighted in my application. It’s been dishearteningly hard to find firsthand accounts from the Ayahs themselves due to their background being obliterated, but I was able to find second-hand sources via English matrons or law officials and other documented evidence e.g. there’s a story about a group of Ayahs who were found in a dilapidated shack, getting horrendously drunk together; another reports an Ayah who stole jewellery from their owner to pawn in order to secure the passage back to India. Often caught by police, some were even referred to as murderesses in the press. There are also many visual records of Ayahs in the background of period paintings as well as in photographs.”

Here, the investigative campaigner expressed her grat-

itude for the work of Rozina Visram, whose seminal research until the Eighties allowed her to better understand the world of Farhana different Ayahs today. Visram’s works include Ayahs, Lascars and Princes, and Asians in Britain: 400 years of History. “So much of what I’ve found on these incredible women was due to the painstaking work of Razina.” She spoke at an educational panel with Dr. Florian Stadtler of the University of Exeter, which took place on 7th March at the Hackney Museum, not far from the original Ayahs’ Home, to coincide with International Women’s Day 2020 and mark the official launch of the Ayahs’ Home Project in the present day. “The first part of the event compromised of a presentation and talks, which the experts were excited to do. Up until very recently, the research materials and primary sources had not been digitised or made accessible to the public so they were delighted.” The eponymous event then further aimed to create a bridge between the generations: “it’s especially important for young people to be able to fully engage with their history. I’ve been happy to cast the light on an overlooked cultural group.” Indeed, this allows deep preservation of one’s ancestry.

To this end, Farhana also commissioned the contemporary South Asian Poetry Collective, Yoniverse, to compile a series of poems to poignantly capture the range of experiences of the Ayahs. As well as performing in the evening to beautifully finish the event, Yoniverse ran workshops in the afternoon so attendees could attempt their own immersion in the world of the Ayahs: “The group created these amazing verses which brought to life the narratives that I’d read. They illustrated what it would have been like for an Ayah to gradually lose their cultural and religious identity, and explored the complexity of that loss and pain.” Indeed, there is a cruel paradox in an increasingly vanishing sense of the self through the taking on of an intimate responsibility: “these women sacrificed themselves for another’s comfort: there’s another heart-breaking story of an Ayah who was found homeless at King’s Cross – for all her effort, the family simply left with her £1.00.

This was not much at the time either.”

However, Farhanah finally made sure to highlight the necessity of a celebratory perspective in paying homage to the marginalised. Indeed, those who have endured a lot must naturally be strong in character: “One of the most memorable accounts is the story of an Ayah named Minnie Green. She had been physically assaulted by the family whom she travelled with who then also abandoned her.

She not only sued them and took them to court in 1892, but also won the case! A journalist describes her as “an intelligent Hindostani wearing pearls either side of her nose”. This shows that these women had agency and are not simply victims. If we are to recover their history, it is important to see them as whole. Ultimately, this evolving, well-received project returns to these women their dignity.” And so, remembering the past is not an exercise in undoing the trauma. It cannot ever be. Rather, delivering a remedial social justice that boosts our appreciation of life too. As demonstrated by Farhanah’s nostalgic work, there is a mutual benefit in pure acknowledgment.

Combining the navigation of identity politics, racism, the Windrush generation, intersectionality and migration, The Ayahs’ Home Project next creative event will take place on the 13th August where Farhanah will give a virtual talk alongside the release of a book, When Secrets Set Sail, centred on the uncovering of the mystery of the Ayahs’ Home.

You can also attend:The Ayahs' Home Project's Uncovering Lost Histories with the U.K. Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's BAME network. This will take place on Aug 12, 12:00PM Insta & Twitter: @Ayahshome

"I wanted to find out more about these women dubbed Ayahs – who they were; how they lived”

Bhavik Haria’s campaign raises £15,000 in 14 days to keep bhajans alive London based singer Bhavik Haria’s campaign to keep bhajans alive has raised £15,000 in only 14 days through crowdfunding. This has been done in order to produce a 7 track fusion Bhajan album, bringing together musical elements from both traditional Indian and western cultures.

Bhavik is known for his versatility of performing Bhajans, Bollywood songs and Ghazals with equal love and passion. Bhavik has travelled around the world performing at various events, both private and public to audiences ranging from 50 – 40,000.

After building overwhelming anticipation and performing a number of online virtual concerts during the 3 month lockdown for people around the world and private communities, Bhavik has brought together people from all corners of the world which has, in turn, created this social family.

Bhavik’s devotional bhajans have the power to support a post-pandemic world restore its sense of normality and peace, and they’re not just for the religious minded. There are a number of rewards which supporters can get in return, from signed CDs, to handmade tote bags and private performances. Bhavik said, “When I started out many years ago, I didn’t know what all the bhajans meant either as they can be quite complex, but I’ve grown to understand and appreciate what they mean and how they impact people. Seeing my friends now, who, growing up, didn’t understand or enjoy them, come to my events and really get into it is really rewarding!”

Area Director South East for Arts Council England, Hedley Swain, said: “It’s lovely this incredible Indian Art and Heritage be brought to contemporary audiences and fused with contemporary work.” Along with the album announcement, Bhavik is also planning a series of launch concerts across the UK in early 2021 which will also support multiple charities including CAREducation Trust, a UK based charity that helps educate and empower underprivileged children in India, Africa and Nepal.

Swapping animal protein with plant based protein better for a longer life A latest scientific study suggests that swapping animal protein with plant based protein is beneficial for the human body.

The researchers at BMJ published a report that said, these findings “support current dietary recommendations to increase consumption of plant proteins in the general population.”

Diets high in protein, particularly protein from plants such as legumes (peas, beans and lentils), whole grains and nuts, have been linked to lower risks of developing diabetes, heart disease and stroke, while regular consumption of red meat and high intake of animal proteins have been linked to several health problems.

The study results show that high intake of total protein was associated with a lower risk of all cause mortality compared with low intake. Intake of plant protein was associated with an 8% lower risk of all cause mortality and a 12% lower risk of cardiovascular disease mortality.

Intake of animal protein was not significantly associated with risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality.

A dose-response analysis of data from 31 studies also showed that an additional 3% of energy from plant proteins a day was associated with a 5% lower risk of death from all causes.

Possible reasons for the beneficial effects of plant proteins include their association with favourable changes in blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, which might help to lower the risk of conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, say the researchers.

Quinoa, hemp seeds, peanut butter, green peas, chickpeas, oats, nutritional yeast, broccoli and lentils are some of the sources of plant proteins that you can take.

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

15 - 21 August 2020

UK

7

Gold-plated spectacles believed Getting tested for coronavirus is to have belonged to Mahatma the best way for us all to get back to doing the things we love Gandhi to be auctioned A pair of gold-plated spectacles believed to have belonged to Mahatma Gandhi were found by staff at an auction house in Bristol last week. They were apparently left by the owner in the company’s letterbox.

The pair of glasses were left inside a plain envelop and were found “sticking halfway out” of the auction company’s letterbox by its staff. Andrew Stowe, who runs the auction company, initially estimated to fetch between £10,000 and £15,000, the “current bid” on the auction house’s website was at £50,000. Stowe said, “Someone popped them into our letterbox on a Friday night and they stayed there until Monday — literally hanging out. This is probably the most important find we have ever had as a company. We looked into the dates… even the date Gandhi started wearing glasses. “It’s a huge find of great historical importance.

The vendor had presumed them to be interesting, but of no value and did tell me

to dispose of them ‘if they are not worth anything’. It’s a really great auction story – and one that we all dream of.”

The pair of glasses was said to have been in the family of an unnamed elderly man in England, whose father told him his uncle had got it as a gift while working for British Petroleum in South Africa. The auction catalogue read, “A pair of early 20th century c1920 gold plated circular rimmed spectacles by repute owned and worn by Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi would often give away his old or unwanted pairs to those in need or those who had helped him”.

“The uncle working for British Petroleum at the time and was stationed in South Africa, and it can be presumed that these were gifted by way of thanks from Gandhi for some good deed,” the auction house said.Titled “Pair of Mahatma Gandhi’s Personal Spectacles”, the antique piece will be auctioned on August 21.

Keith Vaz's poem to celebrate his love for Leicester Leicester residents have been asked to send in their videos of why they love Leicester in a new initiative to boost the City’s image.

And the organisers have asked Keith Vaz to be the first. Mr Vaz has written his own poem as to why Leicester is a special city to him. His words have been set to music by the celebrated musician Kishorn Khan. He said he was “delighted” to be asked to contribute.

Keith says: “ I have not written poetry since primary school but wanted to show what Leicester means to me, and how the people and places have impacted on my life.

It was actually quite easy. I have lived in these words and places for 35 years. We are quite simply the best City in the UK to live and work in.

Mr Vaz’s poem can be found here: https://youtu.be/MfI8icrhDwQ People who want to share what Leicester means to them should send the videos to meetmeinleicester@gmail.com, and upload them to social media, using the hashtag #loveleicester, tagging @talking_points.lycaradio on Instagram and @talkingpoints20 on Twitter.

A new campaign, ‘Let’s Get Back’, has launched focusing on how testing for coronavirus can help life to return to as close to normal as possible for millions of people in a way that is safe and protects our NHS. Whether you miss doing more things with family and friends, eating out, going to a Mosque, temple or Gurdwara or going to gigs, the cinema or eating out, the campaign highlights the way to get back to enjoying what you love is by getting tested. The message, brought to life by a heart-warming TV advert, highlights some of our favourite national pastimes which have been on hold.

The campaign highlights how NHS Test and Trace plays a vital role in the fight against coronavirus through testing. To avoid the virus spreading the public, whatever their age, should get tested for coronavirus however mild their symptoms if they feel unwell. Symptoms include: a high temperature, new continuous cough, or the loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.

NHS Doctor and Senior Lecturer at The University of Leeds School of Medicine Amir Khan said: “Over the past few weeks the UK has gradually been able to emerge out of lockdown with many businesses reopening their doors and families reuniting for the first time in

months. While things are beginning to return to normal, it is important we remember coronavirus continues to represent a threat. It is vital we continue to adhere to essential health behaviours and embrace the use of NHS Test and Trace if we want to get back to enjoying all of the things we love.”

Since it launched in May, NHS Test and Trace has provided over 200,000 tests per day, with 95% of in-person tests receiving results the next day. It has also worked with over 33,000 newly diagnosed people to identify their recent contacts and successfully reached over 184,000 contacts and advised them to selfisolate.

The service will continue to grow and evolve along with the latest scientific advice. Testing is free, quick and vital to stop the spread of Covid-19. Everyone with symptoms, no matter how mild, can get a free test by calling 119 or visiting NHS.uk. By getting tested and selfisolating if you have symptoms, you will protect your friends, family, colleagues and community and will play a vital role in helping the country get back to the things they love.

NHS Test and Trace is here to keep us all safe.

For further information and to book a coronavirus test visit: nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119.

Securing g yo your valuables & Serving the t commun nity What’s best way ay to secure secur your valuables? Surellyy a bank is obvious answer?

But few banks offfer fer safe deposit boxes. Branches are rapidllyy closing as w we do most of our banking online. So wher where do we keep our jewellery?

Burglary risk You You maay y think it safe to keep your valuables at home. But burglars know the areas, communities and homes likely to have jewellery. y. Th They could be watching to see when you go out then break in and ransack your home. Or if they catch you in, could forc force you to hand over your valuables.

Most of our customers have a small amount of

centres. Using the latest technology we offer a highly reassuring service at affforda ordable prices. All our profits go back into communities we serve.

jewellery passed p down the family, y, maaybe y intended as a ybe dowry, y, so this t would be a devastating g loss. Much safer to keep your valuables secure awaayy from yyour home.

Weddin W eddings Lots of Asian homes get targeted when there’s a wedding as some celebrate by lighting up their

houses. This makes them ma beacon ffor or bburglars as weddings are a time wheen jewellery is worn and giffted.

Keeping your valuabless safe Here at Neelkanth Safe Deposit we’ve been keepiing people’s valuables safe ffor or many years within our highly-specialised safe deeposit

EUROPE’S LEADING SAFE DEPOSIT CENTRES

We eevolved out of Bank We House Lockers which opened i Wemb in Wembley bl in i 1988 1988. Our O flagship centre in Southall was fla set up in 2014. With a capacity of 15,000 lockers it’s now one of Europe’s largest safe deposit centres. To meet the growing demand in 2019 we opened a branch in Croydon.

Find out how we can give you peace of mind. Call us now on:

020 8843 9920 (Southall) 020 8702 8888 (Croydon) ydon)

8 UK

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

15 - 21 August 2020

Mum-son’s fundraiser walk in aid of NHS Dhiren Katwa A mother and son have teamed up to help raise funds for NHS Charities Together. Malika Kapasi and her nine-year-old son Ayaan have taken up the challenge to run/walk 1000 km between 1st May and 31st August, that’s an average of 10km daily over this fourmonth period. Prior to taking up this challenge, Malika had been training for the Manchester Marathon which was halted by Covid-19.

Ayaan was just three when he had an open-heart surgery and ever since his parents, Malika and Mushtaq have been grateful to the surgeons, doctors, nurses and NHS staff who looked after him at all stages of their journey.

As of this week, Malika and Ayaan have already covered 968 km and have so far raised just under £1,000.

“A lot of people have supported and encouraged us and it is the community spirit that has kept us going, “ said Malika. “We would really like to thank everyone

from the bottom of our hearts who has supported us on this journey so far,” she added.

The Kapasi’s live in Stretford, a historic market town in Greater Manchester.

Ayaan attends Victoria Park Junior School where he is looking forward to starting Year 5 next month, subject to Government guidance and advice on the safe opening of schools.

Malika hails from Gujarat state in India. She came to British shores in 2004 and holds a BSc degree in Civil Engineering from CEPT University, Ahmedabad, India and a Master’s degree in Project Construction Management from HeriotWatt University, Edinburgh.

She joined construction company Balfour Beatty in September 2018 and currently works as a Senior Planner, North & Midlands.

Asked what she enjoys most about her job, “the process of planning projects and seeing them evolve from a line on

the paper to structures that will form part of the built environment ”.

She explained: “Planning is one of those fields that requires both the analytical and cre-

Malika and Ayaan

ative sides of the brain to function simultaneously to come up with the best solution possible. I have been a construction planner for over 10 years and I love my job.”

Malika’s ancestral roots lie in central India and she comes from a multi-cultural family, with her father and uncles serving the nation in the Indian Army and Navy.

She became part of the Dawoodi Bohra community when she married Mushtaq Kapasi. Dawoodi Bohras, a sect of Islam, mostly originate from the north west Indian state of Gujarat. The name ‘Bohra’ comes from the Gujarati word ‘vohra’ which means trader; for the community essentially was then and remains an enterprising and entrepreneurial community although a substantial number, mainly the younger generations, have branched out into all professional sectors) NHS Charities Together is a membership organisation representing, supporting and championing NHS Charities which provides a forum for nationwide fundraising and advocacy campaigns. To find out more visit www.nhscharitiestogether.co.uk/what-we-do/ If you wish to support Malika and Ayaan in their challenge, please consider making a donation by visiting www.justgiving.com/fundrai sing/malika-kapasi1

Lord Rami Ranger reacts to social media controversy on Khalistan: “Preet Gill is confused” British Sikh Association chairman and Labour MP Preet Kaur Gill went into a war of words on social media regarding Khalistan movement.

Lord Rami Ranger tweeted on August 7 and said, “Today, I spoke with the British Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Boris Johnson MP @BorisJohnson who categorically assured me that British Govt does not support Khalistan movement. Thank you PM.” Labour MP Preet Gill responded to this tweet and said, “The principle of selfdetermination is prominently embodied in Article I of the Charter of the United Nations. It is positioned as the first right in the twin Human Rights Covenants (the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights [ICCPR] and [ICESCR].

Most concerning!”

Lord Ranger replied, “Logically people fight election on a clear manifesto so that majority of electorate can endorse their plan. No one can get self determination on Twitter.” Lord

Ranger’s original tweet according to him was in response to reports about the Punjab Referendum 2020.

The Sikh Federation of the UK joined in support of Gill and tweeted,”Sikhs have a legal & historical right to their own homeland, the British signed treaties with the Sikh Kingdom which are valid today! The betrayal of the British & Gandhi/ Neru Congress in 1947 is the reason for ongoing Sikh revolutionary movements! They won’t stop until FREEDOM!” The federation also added, “The no. of Sikhs living in west punjab (Pakistan) is very limited, compared to the c.25m in East Punjab. It’s obvious the freedom movement would start there, especially given the Multiple state sponsored sikh genocides!

Disappointingly these facts are ignored by academics!”

The British Sikh Association replied, “It will be sensible to go to Punjab to form ‘The Khalistan Party’ with a clear manifesto

to establish an independent State for the Sikhs. To start with you must renounce your British Passport and shift to Punjab to demonstrate how serious you are.”

Asian Voice exclusively spoke to Lord Rami Ranger to put forward his thoughts Lord Rami Ranger on this social media controversy.

When the human rights of the asked about his discussion Sikhs in India and not a septhat Thursday with PM aratist movement.”

Boris Johnson and whether The celebration of Ram it was only about Khalistan Mandir in Ayodhya has or not, he said, “I had asked been under scrutiny for the Prime Minister to make allegedly giving out the his opposition clear on the wrong message to the Sikh Khalistan movement based community thereby implyin the UK as the Canadian ing that India is a nation for Govt has done. He replied Hindus only. Sharing his that the British Govt did not opinion on this matter, support the Khalistan Lord Ranger said, “No, it movement.” Lord Ranger doesn’t as Ram Mandir has also clarified that the PM put right of the wrong of the did not mention anything Mughul Emperor. It is a about Operation Blue Star. sacred place for the Hindus Reacting to Preet Kaur and a due process in the Gill’s criticism he said, court has granted the “Preet Gill is confused. She Hindus the right to thinks that the Khalistani rebuild Ram Mandir movement is for protecting where it once was.”

Is it time to say goodbye?

Rohit Vadhwana Do you have a friend who would remain silent, dormant for a long period of time and then suddenly appear, complaining 'why didn't you contact him/her'? Some people have this strange nature of coming and complaining. They remain incommunicado for weeks, sometimes for months, and when re-surface, they put all the blame on us. 'You don't remember me. You didn't even ask how I am doing.' types of questions and allegations flow irritatingly from them before you can say anything.

I am sure all of us come across such friends or acquaintance, and sometimes we find them irritating but they being close to our heart, we do not want to shut them down. So, we explain why it happened. They listened to the explanation and sometimes forgive us! But they keep the blame alive by saying, 'This is last time.

Don't do it again.' And we have to take the crap unwillingly. But sometimes we are tired of such people and want to say, enough is enough. How do we do it? How do we decide whether it’s time to say goodbye? From recent experience, here are some tips (use them with your discretion): 1. Is the person emotionally and in relationship indispensable?: This is the first question to ask honestly to ourselves. Is the person so important in our life? Can we take a risk of doing away with that particular relationship? Are we emotionally so much involved with him/her? If not, is the relationship, in our social system, so important to accept that behaviour again and again?

If the answer to both these criteria is NO, it's time to show them a mirror.

2. Discuss with a fair amount of transparency: Once you have decided that the individual and relationship needs to be put into order, decide to discuss the issue frankly. Ask the person you need to speak about it.

Without being emotional, explain the factual position.

Tell very clearly that relationship is a two-way responsibility. You alone are not under any obligation to play your part, while the other one keeps avoiding. Do not try to enter into any argument. Your intention is to correct the behaviour, not win a debate. Hear him/her out about and then decide.

3. Give another chance: Once things are explained to the person with enough clarity and have heard the response, say that you intend to maintain a healthy relationship. It takes two to tango - so only one person can neither spoil nor improve any relationship. 'Let's forget whatever has happened, and vow to not repeat it again, from any side.' - This can be your penultimate statement. Let's see what happens next time.

But while applying this suggestion, remember one thing: It is only if the person has done it as a habit, without any constraint on his/her side. If the person was hospitalised or had lost your contact or had any other genuine reason, do not use this harsh tactic. Similarly, the purpose of this exercise is to improve the equation between the two of you, to strengthen relationship, not to spoil it. So use discretion and required amount of warmth while discussion. Make sure you have conveyed, repeatedly and emphatically, during the conversation, that relationship matters to you.

(Expressed opinions are personal)

Mid-Day Walk to raise funds for St Luke's Due to Covid-19, the ‘Midnight Walk’ women supporters of St Luke’s Charity (Harrow) could not take place this year. So NRI ladies from Harrow and Brent (originally from Madhapar village of Kutchh) and their friends decided to do a 'Mid-Day Walk'.

Despite temperature being above 36 degrees

The walk being flagged off by Ex-Mayor of Harrow Councillor Ajay Maru and Mark Clement of St Luke’s

Celsius on Friday 7 August, 50 brave women started their 5-mile walk all dressed in pink, flagged off by Ex-Mayor of Harrow Councillor Ajay Maru and Mark Clement of St Luke’s.

The ladies managed to raise £3700 for this good cause, which was presented to Hannah Richardson of St Luke’s.

Hannah Richardson of St Luke’s receiving the cheque

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

15 - 21 Ausust 2020

UK

10 UK

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

15 - 21 August 2020

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London – Celebrating 25 Years In 1950, with the blessings of His Holiness Shastriji Maharaj, Mahendrabhai Patel, Purushottambhai Patel and a few other devotees gathered for Satsang in London. Shortly afterwards, in 1953, they were joined by Dahyabhai Meghani who arrived in London with the blessings of Yogiji Maharaj.

Thereafter, Yogiji Maharaj visited London with a mandal of swamis in 1970 when a small church in Islington was purchased and transformed into a mandir. During his stay in London, he declared that the number of devotees would increase, and gave his blessings that in the future a large, grand shikharbaddha mandir would be built.

On 20 August 1995, his vision took the form of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London – standing elegantly as a symbol, a source, and a citadel of Hindu faith and culture. It became the first traditional Hindu mandir of its kind in the western hemisphere and a crowning glory of a history filled with determination and dedication. Its inauguration marked the culmination of an epic journey of effort and divine blessings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Shastriji Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

Affectionately known as ‘London Mandir’ and ‘Neasden Temple’, this mandir has served as a place of devotion and learning, an internationally acclaimed architectural marvel, and a sanctuary of peace, harmony and community service over the past 25 years.

Countless worshippers and visitors from all walks of life and from various corners of the world have walked through its gates, inspired by its spiritual beauty and captivated by the divine presence of its inspirer and creator – Pramukh Swami Maharaj – that remains effervescent inside the Mandir today.

Serving the local community is an integral part of the Hindu ethos. The Mandir therefore not only serves as a place of worship but also as a centre for community and outreach activities. It is a place where worshippers as well as members of the local community work together to serve society. The Mandir offers a diverse range of activities for people of all ages.

These include: • Weekly assemblies tailored for various age groups • Conventions promoting family values, anti-addiction, social cohesion, and interfaith harmony • Parenting seminars to raise awareness about topics such as substance abuse, bullying, social media, mental health, etc.

• Education seminars and

youth activities to guide, assist, support and positively inspire children and young adults • Language, art, music, cooking and yoga classes • Folk dances, musical performances and celebration of festivals • Sports events and tournaments • Health awareness programmes to promote a healthy lifestyle • Annual 10k Challenges to help raise much needed funds for national charities, such as the British Heart Foundation, NSPCC, Age Concern, Diabetes UK, Barnardos to name a few.

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of this momentous occasion, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj has inspired a series of devotional events for everyone to enjoy and share. The festivities will include special programmes for women, children as well as a tribute to life of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

A key feature of these celebrations is a global online Vishwa Shanti Mahapuja – a unique online Vedic ceremony for family harmony and world peace, which will be held on Sunday 22 August. The mahapuja will be conducted from the shrines at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London, by the resident swamis and will be webcast live at neasdentemple.org.

The mahapuja will also provide

PM Boris Johnson at Neasden temple

an opportunity for thousands across the UK, Europe and the rest of the world to pray for those affected by the global Covid-19 pandemic.

The anniversary celebrations will conclude on 23 August with a musical tribute and a grand finale programme in the evening. This unique, global experience will explore the history and creation of the Mandir, the lasting impact upon countless lives and the generation of noble citizens that serve society with dedication through the inspiration that the Mandir has fostered.

Over the 25 years, the Mandir has attracted and welcomed people of all ages because there is something for everyone to enjoy, learn and experience. Its profound impact on youths during their informative years is a striking

example of its noble service to society. Pramukh Swami Maharaj inspired youths to lead morally and spiritually uplifting lives. The Mandir is a focal point of this inspiration, drawing this impressionable group of people to plan and execute large-scale programmes and projects for the greater good of society and the world.

During these unprecedented times, the energy, enthusiasm and dedication of youths has enabled the Mandir to continue meeting the spiritual needs of the community through innovative online methods. Youths are also at the heart of the 25th anniversary celebrations, energised to work together with unity to bring the wonderful memories and messages of the Mandir to the homes of tens of thousands who will become part of this historic journey.

BAME Britons twice as likely to have lost their job On Monday 10th August, it emerged that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Britons are twice as likely to have lost their jobs during the coronavirus furlough period.

While the hospitality industry has practically ground to a standstill considering the nature of a prolonged lockdown, corporates have highlighted the knock-on effect of one collapsed industry on other manufacturing and retail businesses as well.

Speaking to the newsweekly, Lord Rami Ranger, Founder of Sun Mark, the UK’s leading export FMCG company said, “We are now beginning to feel the impact of coronavirus from our trading countries who are key for the import and export of our products. Besides, the nature of lockdown has resulted in production and manufacturing processes slowing down which means that we have witnessed a record 5-6% increase in prices of our products across the board. But, at the moment we are just trying to survive and weather the Covid-19 storm.

“We are extremely fortunate to be operating in the food industry at a time like this. Demand has gone up for food supplies during the lockdown. We employ a total of 150 permanent employees and we have not had to announce in redundancies. But, bearing in mind the Covid-19 safety norms, we had to make special arrangements at our workspace and some of our employees continue to

Digvijay Singh

work from home.”

His comments arrive at a time when a new survey from charity Hope Not Hate noted that a third of the BAME workforce were likely to have had their hours reduced.

The charity surveyed 1,001 BAME individuals across the UK and 7% reported losing their job, compared to the national average of just 3%. Meanwhile, 9% of respondents said they had struggled to pay rent during the pandemic, against around 5% of respondents nationally.

The survey is conducted by Rosie Carter, who said, "Now we are heading into the next phase of the pandemic response, the evidence is mounting that BAME communities have been hit hardest by both the pandemic and the consequences of lockdown, so it is vital that the government urgently prioritises a targeted public health strategy that bridges gaps between communities, reaches those most at risk and contributes to building better support networks across our society."

Lord Rami Ranger

Businesses re-structure in a bid to prevent redundancies The Mayor of London has already stated that keeping London’s hospitality businesses and venues open should be an “urgent priority” during the pandemic, or the city risks a downturn it may not recover from.

Now, city bosses have launched a campaign to get staff back in the office, a move which would boost the local economy by bringing spending back to businesses. But even as the hospitality industries limps into recovery, some businesses were quick to pivot their business structure and prevent any redundancies. Speaking about the UK slipping into recession, Digvijay Singh, Area Director & General Manager of Taj 51 Buckingham Gate & St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel, London said, “We employ 294 employees and we have not made any redundancies. But we will have to restructure based on the business forecast. An A1 team approach

has been developed to deploy members of the team into different areas between both our hotels where outside agencies had been used in the past. This approach will protect current jobs. Besides, the training and development of the staff will allow for a more fluid response to business demands.”

The study by Hope Not Hate appears in the light of the prediction that the UK is likely to plunge into the deepest recession for 300 years, and the sectors with the highest rates of furloughed jobs and redundancies have disproportionate numbers of BAME workers. Previously an analysis by The Guardian had reported that the transport and storage sector had announced the most redundancies, with 34,000 reported as of 28 July. BAME workers constitute 12% of the UK workforce, accounting for 18% of jobs in this industry, according to analysis of the Labour Force Survey. Royal Mail had recently announced that 2,000 of its workers would be made redundant while British Airways said 12,000 jobs would be lost.

Single working mothers hardest hit with a shrinking pension pot BAME workforce make up 15% of the staff in the accommodation and food services and the industry has reported the third-highest number of redundancies, with 16,000 announced as of 28 July.

Wholesale and retail also comprise a high proportion of BAME workers and had the second-highest number of redundancies, with almost 24,000 job losses.

The figures from Hope Not Hate, appear as the furlough scheme appears to be closing down. The figures also demonstrate that 13% of BAME people had also reported having their hours cut by employers during June, compared to just 9% in the wider population.

And amidst all these employees single working mothers are the hardest hit. New research commissioned by NOW: Pensions, the pension provider for 1.8 million people, has found that single mothers face huge barriers to saving, resulting in a private pension pot approximately one-third of UK women’s average. Barriers to full-time work mean that single mothers have fewer savings opportunities, made worse by the continuing economic downturn resulting from the Covid-19 crisis. The report, which will be published this Autumn by the Pensions Policy Institute (PPI), reveals that single mothers reach retirement age with a private pension worth £18,300 – just 36% of the average woman’s savings of £51,000, and only 12% of the average man’s of £156,500. This is also almost one third (30%) less than divorced women who have £26,100.

The study had also highlighted that a majority (57%) of respondents felt ministers have failed to do enough to protect BME communities during the pandemic, with almost twothirds (62%) saying the Government had not handled the outbreak well.

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

15 - 21 August 2020

A Beautiful Journey

Vinu Bhattessa, MD of The Mandeville Group and Senior Trustee at BAPS

My journey with the Swaminarayan Sanstha has been a tremendous one. I was appointed as a Trustee of BAPS UK in 1992 by Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj. My parents were known for their Seva in Kenya, within the Swaminarayan Sanstha, and Bapa knew my background as a devotee, inheriting Satsang from my mother and father. Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj was aware of my skillset with negotiations and building, having gained experiences in creating large properties and establishing the great steel industry in Kenya. The question posed by Pujya Yogiji Maharaj was, “Who will build Mandirs?” and in response to this, my name was suggested to have the honour of serving the faith.

And so, my personal journey continued this way. The first and largest project that I undertook almost 30 years ago, was the construction of the first traditional Hindu Mandir in the western world, in Neasden. It has since become not only one of London’s best attractions, but recognised world over, attracting millions of visitors including tourists, school children and dignitaries, and is recognised as an architectural marvel.

Alongside the Mandir Project team and with the authority of the Board of Trustees, we appointed a full team from architects to contractors to engineers. For this project, and over the last 30 years, I have engaged in numerous trips to Italy, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria and more to source and negotiate the marble and limestone used to build the Mandir and all the Murtis, not only for London, but for

Akshardham Delhi, New Jersey, Chicago and more. It was the advise from Bapa, that these Mandirs have been built by the devotion of the devotees and it’s in their honour and hard work we build these immense landmarks to enhance our community. With guidance from Swamiji, a further 12 Centres in the UK and Europe have been developed.

Ever since it’s inception, through to the opening of the Neasden Mandir, and the 25 years since that particular auspicious occasion, the Mandir has been a central part of my life and an important part of our family, who have given me great support throughout. It has given us a place of worship but also a sense of pride and belonging. My mother, who is remembered fondly as Masiba throughout BAPS due to her dedication and seva, and indeed her compassion for all, personified the ethos of the religion and influenced many of my beliefs.

Accordingly, my family and I are privileged to sponsor in her name the Yogi Jayanti celebrations every year in the Mandir.

The Swaminarayan Sanstha has given me many experiences and privileges including welcoming global Royalty, Sri Narendra Modi, several UK Prime Ministers, past and present, religious leaders and several distinguished guests. We were also chosen to celebrate the first and ongoing Diwalis in The House of Commons and 10 Downing Street.

Most importantly, it’s the lessons that we are taught. The Mandir has helped me and my family spiritually and provided us with balance, and the meaning of life.

UK 11

12 FINANCE - UK

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

15 - 21 August 2020

Dear Financial Voice Reader, Alpesh Patel Do you export? I’ve worked with a lot of fantastic companies which from the UK with the help of the Government have made millions by exporting.

It is of course the need of the hour too. We need bigger markets, now that our economy is smaller. We need speed and all the help we can get. So the advice from a colleague: It’s worthwhile them register themselves on our website https://www.great.gov.uk/ , as this a very useful lead generating tool that can assist with the growth and internationalisation of their business, and I recommend that they create a profile https://www.great.gov.uk/find-a-buyer/ that will connect them with international buyers. Once you had done this, you should be able to; let buyers find them, showcase their company and pull in the right kind of leads. They can also search for opportunities https://www.great.gov.uk/export-opportunities/ and if they have a profile for this site, they can receive notification on all export opportunities that matches the goods/services that they supply.

Also, the site has a lot of information on exporting and I’ve highlighted some useful links below; • https://www.great.gov.uk/advice/ - Provide advice on the exporting • https://www.great.gov.uk/markets/ - Discover new markets for your business • https://www.great.gov.uk/services/ - Additional services that DIT offer to support their export journey • https://www.great.gov.uk/get-finance/ - Advice / guidance on UK export credit agency Also they should look into the Overseas Market Introduction Services (OMIS), which is a discounted chargeable service offered by the Department for International Trade through its network of staff in overseas embassies and consulates. It can be commissioned and managed online. OMIS offers: bespoke market research, sector advice and market entry strategies support during overseas visits identification of possible business partners and arrange meetings with them help preparing for exhibitions, events and trade fairs They can commission this by contacting their local https://www.great.gov.uk/ contact/office-finder/. The link will provide the contact for their nearest ITA’s office.

Everyone has to do their bit at this difficult time for our nation. But the good news is, the world is a big place, and the Government offers a lot of help, direction and assistance. I urge you in your business to consider exporting. My software company exports to everywhere from US, Canada, Australia, Singapore, India, to even New Zealand and Mexico. Check us out. www.pipspredator.com as a role model I hope of what a small British tech company can do to go global.

UK govt announces £355mn package to help N Ireland businesses The Boris Johnson government has announced a £355 million package to help Northern Ireland businesses from the costs of trading with the rest of the United Kingdom.

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said £200m would be spent on a Trader Support Service (TSS) to help firms handle new bureaucracy to move goods across the Irish Sea. It is reported that an additional £155mn will be spent on digital technology to streamline processes required by the new internal border created by the Northern Irish protocol.

It comes as a part of the Brexit deal that aligns the region to the UK customs territory and the EU customs code.

Essentially, all businesses sending goods to the area from Great Britain, will have to make formal declarations for the first time.

Gove will also announce £300mn in funding for the Peace Plus programme. “Today's £650mn investment underlines our absolute commitment to the people and businesses of Northern Ireland as we move towards the end of the transition period,” he said. Gove added, “As we continue to engage with businesses, and our discussions with the EU proceed, we will update these resources to ensure that traders are ready for the end of the transition period.”

Set to start next month, TSS will give free advice to companies and complete import declarations on their behalf, passing the administrative burden to officials and the taxpayer.

Eat out scheme helps increase number of shoppers in UK Shopper numbers, or footfall, across all British retail destinations rose 3.8% last week from the previous week, with the start of a state-funded eating out scheme helping evening traffic more than lunchtimes, industry data showed. Britain’s retail and hospitality sectors, already struggling with high rents and business taxes, were hit particularly hard by the coronavirus lockdown and thousands of job losses have been announced.

To get the country spending again, the 500 million pound “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme offers 50% off the bill for eat-in food and drink - up to 10 pounds per person, excluding alcohol on Mondays, Tuesdays and

Wednesdays in August. The government hopes the unprecedented subsidy, along with cuts to valueadded tax for the hospitality sector, will help to reduce job losses at restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs, which employ 1.8 million people.

Official data published last month showed that UK retail sales, excluding fuel, were back to year-ago levels

in June, but the recovery was driven by a boom in online shopping and extra spending at supermarkets as people ate out less. Market researcher Springboard said that footfall rose 4.5% in UK shopping streets in the week to Aug. 8 compared with the previous week. It was up 3.3% in retail parks and up 3% in shopping centres.

Between Monday and

Wednesday, during the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, footfall rose in retail destinations across the UK by 18.9% after 6 pm, versus a rise of 9.6% at lunchtime (12 pm to 2 pm). “The jury is still out regarding the benefit of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme,” said Springboard director Diane Wehrle.

“Although there were rises in footfall on each day between Monday and Wednesday from the week before, it is clear that it was the post 6 pm period that yielded the greatest rise in footfall and also that smaller towns benefited more than large city centres.”

Springboard said that footfall across all UK retail destinations remained more than a third lower than in 2019, with a year-on-year decline of 34%.

Over 6,000 British Airways staff being made redundant Over 6,000 British Airways staff have accepted voluntary redundancy as the airline moves to tell over thousand other cabin crew and ground staff whether or not they will keep their jobs or face pay cuts. The airline is looking to make up to 12,000 job cuts to slash costs as the Covid -19 pandemic continues to hit the travel market.

Staff will be told they are either being made redundant, which means they do have a role but will have to sign a new contract, or that they will continue in the

same role with the same contract. Staff that are being made redundant will have the option of entering the airline's priority return talent pool and will be fast-tracked into any new roles that become available. The move

has been condemned by unions who have dubbed it “fire and rehire”.

MPs on the Commons transport select committee labelled British Airways “a national disgrace” for making a “calculated attempt to take

advantage of the pandemic” to try to slash its staff terms and conditions. A spokesperson for British Airways said, “Our half-year results clearly show the enormous financial impact of Covid on our business. We are having to make difficult decisions and take every possible action now to protect as many jobs as possible. And, while we never could have anticipated being in a position of making redundancies, more than 6,000 of our colleagues have now indicated that they wish to take voluntary redundancy from BA.”

UK energy regulator lowers winter Airlines told to revamp ticket energy bills for 15mn UK homes Energy regulator refund measures Ofgem has lowered winter energy bills for 15 million UK homes by reducing its energy price cap to record lows after wholesale energy market prices toppled during the Covid pandemic.

The agency will lower the cap on default dual-fuel energy tariffs for 11million households by £84, from an average of £1,126 a year to a record low of £1,042 from this October. It will also lower the cap on energy bills for customers using pre-payment energy meters by an average of £94 a year, from £1,164 to £1,070 a year.

The energy price cap will fall to its lowest level since it was introduced in January 2019. Ofgem adjusts the cap on energy bill every six months to ensure fair energy bills, which reflect energy company costs. Energy market prices tumbled to 20 year lows during the Covid lockdown, despite households using more energy while staying at home, after energy-hungry factories, offices, schools and restaurants

shut.

Chief executive of Ofgem, Jonathan Brearley said, “Millions of households, many of whom face financial hardship due to the Covid19 crisis, will see big savings on their energy bills this winter when the level of the cap is reduced. They can also reduce their energy bills further by shopping around for a better deal. Ofgem will continue to protect consumers in the difficult months ahead as we work with industry and government to build a greener, fairer energy market.”

Energy Minister Kwasi Kwarteng said the government was “working hard to ensure consumers pay a fair price for their energy.”

Britain’s aviation regulator has asked the airlines to take immediate steps to refund passengers whose flights were cancelled. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has criticised British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair and other carriers for delays in paying back air fares.

Jet2 is the only UK airline to be praised for “providing refunds promptly”, along with the US carriers American Airlines and United.

Under European air passengers’ rights rules, airlines are supposed to refund travellers in cash and in full within a week of the departure date of the flight. But carriers have hit back, insisting they have done their best in extraordinary circumstances. Richard Moriarty, chief executive of the CAA, said: “Although we have taken into account the serious operational challenges many airlines have faced, we have been clear that customers cannot be let down in this way, and that airlines must pay refunds as soon as possible. “There is still work to do. We have required commitments from airlines as they continue the job of paying customer refunds.

Should any airline fall short of the commitments they have made, we will not hesitate to take any further action where required.”

Virgin Atlantic is heavily criticised for the extreme delay in paying refunds. The airline has now committed to processing all claims made in August within 80 days, all claims made in September within 60 days and all claims made in October within 30 days.

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

15 - 21 August 2020

UK

13

14 REAL ESTATE VOICE & INDIA FINANCE

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

15 - 21 August 2020

Recovery depends on course of pandemic, says India Inc Corporate India’s Q1FY21 results were marked by severe disruptions to the supply chain as also demand, with much of the country locked down for most of the time. To that extent the numbers are less helpful than the commentary in giving us a sense of what to expect in the rest of the year.

Nonetheless, the losses are staggering, exacerbated by the regulatory provisions made by the telcos, and it will take an exceptional performance in the rest of the year to reverse the trend. As of now, the Nifty companies are expected to report a 510% drop in profits for 202021 before rebounding smartly in 2021-22.

The good news is that despite local lockdowns, sev-

eral economic indicators - eway bills, electricity, and registrations of cars and twowheelers, container traffic have started looking up.

Moreover, capacity utilisation at factories, too, is increasing as migrant labourers return.

Nonetheless, the management commentary has been cautious with CEOs reminding us that the growth tra-

jectory will depend on how soon the pandemic subsides and how quickly business activity picks up.

They have also cautioned that the high frequency data for June and July don’t reflect the full picture since some of it is simply the pent-up demand getting fulfilled. The numbers, they say, could taper off. CEOs have also pointed

out that with thousands losing their jobs in Covidimpacted sectors such as civil aviation, hospitality, tourism, trade and retail, the cap or cut in incomes in many companies, the neartotal absence of fresh investments by the private sector and also increasing automation and digitisation demand is bound to remain weak.

The Indian economy is expected to contract by anywhere between 6% and 9% in 2020-21. The big concern is that with banks being allowed to implement a one-time restructuring for Covid-hit companies, the true financial position of these businesses will be unclear for almost two years unless banks choose to disclose the details regularly.

PM Modi launches infrastructure fund to help farmers Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a £10 billion Agriculture Infrastructure Fund to support community farming assets across the country and said this would enhance India’s ability to compete globally in the agriculture sector. The farm infrastructure will enable farmers to get higher value for their produce as they will be able to store and sell at better prices as per market conditions, reduce wastage and increase processing and value addition.

Modi also released £1.7

Narendra Modi

billion to nearly 85 million farmers under the sixth instalment of the PM-Kisan scheme. The cash benefit was transferred directly into Aadhaar-verified bank accounts with the press of a

RBI keeps rates unchanged as inflationary pressures persist The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) left interest rates unchanged but promised to continue with the accommodative stance as long as it is necessary to revive growth and mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on the economy, while ensuring that inflation remains within the target going forward.

The monetary policy committee (MPC) unanimously decided to keep the policy rate unchanged at 4% after evaluating the global and domestic economic situations and the trajectory of inflation in the months ahead.

Since February 2019, Shaktikanta Das-led RBI has cut interest rates by 250 basis points (100 bps is equal to one percentage point) to boost growth. It has also unveiled a raft of measures to provide relief to the economy ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic.The RBI also released the results of the July 2020 round of its Consumer Confidence Survey (CCS) which showed that consumer confidence plummeted in July 2020 with the current situation index (CSI) recording its alltime low. The future expectations index (FEI), however, inched back into the positive territory, indicating signs of recovery for the year ahead. The survey showed that consumer perception of the prevailing economic situation, employment scenario and own income was significantly lower than that in May 2020. Respondents were, however, somewhat optimistic about these parameters for the coming year compared to the previous survey round.

button. With this transfer, the scheme has so far provided over £9 billion to over 100 million farmers since its launch in February last year.

Speaking through video conference, Modi said the country had huge opportunity to invest in post-harvest management solutions like warehousing, cold chain and food processing and to build a global presence in areas such as organic and fortified foods. He

said the scheme would provide a good opportunity for start-ups in agriculture to avail benefits and scale up their operations, thereby creating an ecosystem that would benefit farmers and create new jobs in every corner of the country. The fund, announced as part of the Centre’s economic stimulus package in May, is a medium-long term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets through interest subvention and credit guarantee.

RBI forms panel to work out loan recast details The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has formed a five-member committee with former ICICI Bank chief K V Kamath as its chairman to suggest the process for putting in place a framework for banks to restructure loans that turned bad because of Covid-related issues. The other members of the committee are Diwakar Gupta, currently serving at Asian K V Kamath Development Bank, T Manoharan, currently chairman of Canara Bank, and Ashvin Parekh, a strategy consultant. The CEO of the Indian Banks’ Association will serve the committee as its member secretary. If required, the RBI may bring in new members also, the central bank said.

The committee has been mandated to place its report to the central bank, which will put the recommendations in the public domain. While announcing a one-time loan-resolution scheme, RBI governor Shaktikanta Das had announced that Kamath would lead the panel. The latest appointment marks the return of the former ICICI Bank chief into

the domestic arena after spending the last five years in Shanghai as the first head of New Development Bank, the multilateral funding agency set up by BRICS member nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Kamath, the veteran banker credited with transforming the staid development financial institution into a universal bank, is an old hand in helping the revival of stressed companies, having seen several downturns.

His appointment also puts an end to speculation in Mumbai over the possibility of the 73-year-old joining the government as a minister.

The panel under Kamath has been tasked with recommending the financial parameters to be included in the resolution plans, with sector-specific benchmark ranges for such parameters. “The committee shall also undertake the process validation for the resolution plans to be implemented under this framework, without going into the commercial aspects, in respect of all accounts with aggregate exposure of £150 million and above at the time of invocation,” the RBI said.

The End Of Days

Suresh Vagjiani, Sow & Reap Properties Ltd

On Sunday morning I watched a sermon, by the honourable Pastor Apollo C Quiboloy, whom I met many years ago, on the hunt for a pastoral mansion in the UK; it seemed natural to start in and around Bishops Avenue, named after the number of Bishops who lived on the street in the past. He wasn’t phased by the price tag of £15M; and why should he be? It’s probably the price of one of his jets.

He has his own theory on the Covid19 crisis. In his sermon, he states that it is a punishment sent from God, in the same manner as the flood was sent many thousands of years ago; he likened the rise of cases daily to the rising level of the flood.

He sees himself as the modern-day Jonah or Noah, and claims that the cause of Covid19 is his opposition, defamation against him and the general sinful nature of the population. He claims that belief in his word, and therefore God’s word, and repentance will ensure safety for the believers. Relevant passages from the Bible were quoted to draw parallels and give credence to his theory.

The pastor is close friends with the controversial president of the Philippines; and has millions of followers all around the world.

This is one theory, amongst many that are being thrown around about the cause of Covid19.

Whatever the real cause, the effect on the property market is dramatic. We have never had as many empty properties as we have had during this period. They are being let as London is London; however, currently the tenant is King - they are dictating the rent they will pay. Landlords who are being stubborn regarding the rents they wish to achieve will likely be sitting on empty properties for several months, and overall will likely lose more than with a realistic haircut to begin with.

In principle it is better to take a haircut for a short term tenancy and be realistic regarding the market price. The other possibility worth considering is council tenants, shunned and avoided like the plague previously, they may be the saviour in the current climate.

We are presently in negotiation with them to fill up several units, as their income could be argued as being more Covid19 proof than a working person’s income.

With the threat of another wave, you could be looking at a potential loss of rent in months to come. This is less likely to be the case for a council tenant. However, there are pros and cons to everything, and when it comes to eviction the process is elongated and painful.

In my opinion, for the long term it should be seriously considered, as you have the possibility of a long term and secure tenant.

DUBAI COURT FREEZES NMC FOUNDER SHETTY’S ASSETS Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts has frozen assets of NMC Health chairman BR Shetty at the request of Dutch lender Credit Europe Bank's Dubai branch. The bank had filed a case against Shetty due to non-payment of $8.4 million loan facilitated in 2013. The court ordered Shetty not to sell assets with a value of up to $8.4 million without the approval of the lender. But Shetty maintained that he can sell other assets which are free of debt or other financial liability.

The assets that have been frozen are in the UAE and stakes in NMC Health, BRS Investment Holdings and Finablr. Shetty, who left the UAE and is now living in India, blamed his former executives for the fraud and mismanagement that led to the downfall of the healthcare firm.

VODA IDEA’S LOSS RISES TO £2.54 BN ON PROVISIONING Vodafone Idea reported a sharp rise in loss for the April-June quarter at £2.54 billion, due to provisioning for statutory dues.

The telco’s loss in the year-ago period stood at about £487.4 million. The revenue from operations was £1.06 billion for the first quarter of FY21, against £1.13 billion in the previous year, according to a regulatory filing. The company said it has recognised additional charge of £1.94 billion in the June quarter towards adjusted gross revenue (AGR) liabilities, which rose after the October 23 SC judgment. The company said the first quarter numbers were also impacted by the lockdown.

Vodafone Idea MD and CEO Ravinder Takkar said, “Q1 FY21 was a challenging quarter as availability of recharges due to store closure and ability of customers to recharge on account of economic slowdown was impacted.”

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

WORLD

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

15

15 - 21 August 2020

in brief INDIAN RESEARCHER KILLED WHILE JOGGING IN US A 43-year-old Indian origin woman researcher in the US was killed while she was jogging in Plano, a suburb near Dallas, and police have initiated a homicide investigation, according to media reports. According to the police, Sarmistha Sen, was attacked and killed on August 1. Her body was found lying in the creek area by a passer-by, according to a report. Sen was a pharmacist and researcher who studied molecular biology and worked with cancer patients. She originally was from Jharkhand, India, and moved to Plano after marriage. She has two young sons. According to the reports, a person of interest in the case has been arrested on a burglary charge.

INDIAN SCIENTIST TO STUDY GREENLAND ICE An Indian-origin scientist in the United States - who has a glacier in Antarctica named after him - is now a key primary investigator in a $7 million project that aims to drill through the Greenland ice sheet to study how the mass of ice, rapidly melting due to climate change, may contribute to rising seas in the 21st century.

Sridhar Anandakrishnan, professor of geosciences at Penn State University, is part of a five-year project to study Greenland ice sheet named Green Drill. It aims to analyse the rock beneath the Greenland ice sheet to determine its history - how often in the past has it grown or shrunk and by how much. “That history will help us understand what the future of the ice sheet might be in a warming world,” Anandakrishnan said.

STOP USING NAB TO HOUND CRITICS: PAK GOVT TOLD The Human Rights Watch (HRW) urged Pakistani authorities to stop using the country’s anti-corruption watchdog, National Accountability Bureau (NAB), for harassment and intimidation of opponents. In a statement, the international non-governmental organisation said Pakistani authorities should follow a recent Supreme Court decision and cease using the NAB to detain critics of the government. The authorities, the HRW said, should investigate and prosecute NAB officials responsible for unlawful arrests and other abuses. The Pakistan SC had on July 20 ruled that the NAB had violated the rights to fair trial and due process in the arrest of two opposition politicians - Khawaja Saad Rafique and Khawaja Salman Rafique.

Indian-origin doctor appointed as New York health commissioner New York: Dave A Chokshi, an Indian-origin doctor with expertise in public health, has been appointed as New York City's new Health Commissioner by Mayor Bill de Blasio.

As chief population health officer, Dr Chokshi's team transformed healthcare delivery for over one million New Yorkers. Dr Chokshi was named Commissioner of the City's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene after the incumbent Dr Oxiris Barbot resigned from her post. The Mayor said that Dr Chokshi has an “extraordinary history” and as a child of immigrants, grew up with tremendous potential, and worked hard every step of the way to realise that potential and fight for those left behind by the system.

"Never has that been more true than during the Covid -19 pandemic, where he has helped lead our City's public health system under unprecedented challenges. I know he's ready to lead the charge forward in our fight for a fairer and healthier city for all," Blasio added. A Rhodes scholar, Chokshi has served as a White House fellow in the Obama administration and was the princi-

Dave A Chokshi

pal health advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

In 2016, President Barack Obama appointed him to the Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Integrative and Public Health. "I couldn't be prouder of our City's response in the face of a once-in-a-lifetime public health crisis," Dr Chokshi said, adding that he was honoured to serve the people of New York City.

"Together, we will emerge from this pandemic as a

stronger, fairer, and healthier city."

The Mayor's office said in a statement that Chokshi has served at the highest level of local, state, and federal health agencies, including NYC Health + Hospitals, where he was in senior leadership roles over the past six years. As Chief Population Health Officer, Dr Chokshi's team transformed healthcare delivery for over one million New Yorkers.

An untimely death Mrs Hasmita Mukesh (Mike) Patel of Atlanta, Georgia was born in Kampala, Uganda on June 10th, 1959 and unfortunately she passed away on August 6, 2020.

Hasmita Mukesh Hasmita’s parents, (Mike) Patel Mafatlal Bahilal Patel and Vinaben, moved to UK in 1972 from Uganda. She got married to Mukesh (Mike) Patel, a soccer player, in 1984 and the couple moved to USA. Hasmita kept her foot grounded into Indian cultural and religious tradition and raised family.

Hasmita will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Mukesh, children - Ayesha and Rishi- as well as numerous relatives and friends in the US, UK and Fiji/Australia.

Ayesha remembers her mother as one who feeds all her friends and her brother Rishi’s friends a “huge English breakfast” at home and on their family trips! Ayesha said her

mom was very positive person who glued family together.

Rishi remembers when mom would always wake up to watch the Arsenal soccer matches with us, becoming a bigger fan than all of us! Even if we lost she didn’t want us to have a bad day. She would make the best English breakfast for my friends. She enjoyed having good company and could relate to all of us and at the same token she could also be a great role model for a younger generation and a compassionate nurse to an older generation to make sure they were cared for. Never a negative word about anyone and never held a grudge. She is remembered as an affable partner of Mike Patel in greater Atlanta area. She greeted everyone with her usual infectious smile.

Atlanta Indian-American community remembers how she made them welcome and happy at every encounter with her kindness and generosity.

- Sanjay Pandya

Oshwal Association of the U.K.

Shrutgyan Utsav - Jin Darshan Book Launch - Sunday, 19.07.2020 The Shrutgyan Celebration and the Jin Darshan Book launch event was hosted by the Oshwal Association of the U.K. (OAUK) in collaboration with the Sigma family. The book has been sponsored and published by the Sigma family members in memory of late Shri Hansrajbhai Devraj Shah, late Shrimati Lalitaben Hansrajbhai Shah and late Shrimati Divyaben Kamalbhai Shah.

This project has had the full support of the ex and current Presidents of OAUK, Shri Tusharbhai Shah and Shri Nileshbhai respectively, and the Religious Chairperson, Mrs Varshaben D. Shah. This useful book also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Oshwal Association of the U.K. in 2018.

We believe that our Jain religion and our culture needs to continue with our future generations. A publication such as this will educate, train and empower our future generations with the knowledge of our religious beliefs, rituals at the Jain Derasar and our Jain culture, that is so rich and thousands of centuries old. Although we live in a very multi-cultural society, we must not forget our roots and must not allow this very important Jain religion to be diluted and forgotten. We also hope that this book commissioned by Oshwal Association of the U.K. will be useful to all Jains and non-Jains visiting a Jain temple not only in the U.K. but worldwide.

Hundreds of devotees have attained basic knowledge in Jainism in the Jain Pathshala sessions

organised by OAUK at Oshwal Centre in London. The dedication and faith of our Pathshala participants was the inspiration to compose the book ‘Jin Darshan’ that covers and explains the rituals of Jinalay Darshan, Jin Puja and Jin Bhakti. We hope that the Jin Darshan Book, being in Gujarati and English, more devotees will be able to use it.

This easy-to-understand, sequentially set out book with detailed explanations and illustrations of the essential Jin Darshan-Puja worship rituals, Sutras, Stavans and Bhakti Geet is a meaningful and useful guide for children, young and old to learn and benefit from using it.

The book has been compiled under the guidance and inspiration of Pujya Shri Jayeshbhai Shah, who not only is a compiler and editor of the book but a treasure of knowledge, a shining star, a guide of mankind, a great soul who displays wisdom, discretion and compassion.

A lot of patience and dedication is required to successfully execute the writing and publishing of a book and we have been blessed with immense support from many. particular, we are highly indebted to Shrimati Shobhaben Harish Shah and Shri Harishbhai Meghji Shah for their wholehearted contribution in producing the book, undertaking research, preparing and arranging the material, translating the text from Gujarati to English, typesetting the entire contents from cover to cover and assisting in the publication of the book.

The seeds that our elderly members had

planted have today grown into a large tree.

It is our duty to water it by giving our time, energy and service in order that its shade benefits our future generation. The book has been published with the young, adults and elders in mind and it will enable all to understand and perform Prabhu Darshan and Prabhu Pooja rituals with ease, and further the devotion for religion.

We would like this book to be used by all worldwide. There are plans in motion for distribution to the following countries – East Africa, India, USA, Canada and Australia. For further information and to request a copy of the book, please contact: jindarshan@sigmaplc.com Best wishes and Jai Jinendra!

Late Mrs. Lalitaben & Late Mr. Hansrajbhai Devraj Shah Parivar Bharat, Manish and Kamal Shah London – U.K.

16 WORLD

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

15 - 21 August 2020

in brief AFGHAN GOVT AGREES TO FREE 400 TALIBAN PRISONERS Afghanistan has agreed to release 400 Taliban prisoners, paving the way for peace talks aimed at ending almost two decades of war. Under election-year pressure from US President Trump for a deal allowing him to bring home US troops, the war-torn country’s grand assembly, or Loya Jirga, on Sunday approved the release, a controversial condition raised by the Taliban militants to join peace talks. Minutes later, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced, “Today, I will sign the release order of these 400 prisoners.” Among the 400 are Taliban members accused of major attacks, including a 2017 truck bombing near the German embassy in Kabul that killed more than 150. Talks between the warring Taliban and government will start in Doha this week, Western diplomats said. The Taliban have not commented on the decision to release the remaining prisoners.

ISRAELIS RALLY AGAINST NETANYAHU Thousands of Israelis rallied outside PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem as anger mounted over corruption allegations and his handling of the coronavirus crisis. “Your time is up,” read the giant letters projected on to a building at the protest site, as demonstrators waved Israeli flags and called on Netanyahu to resign over what they say is his failure to protect jobs and businesses affected by the pandemic. The protest movement has intensified in recent weeks, with critics accusing Netanyahu of being distracted by a corruption case against him. He denies wrongdoing. Netanyahu, who was sworn in for a fifth term in May after a closely fought election, has accused the protesters of trampling democracy and the Israeli media of encouraging dissent.

IRAN’S KHAMENEI OPENS A TWITTER ACCOUNT IN HINDI Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei has opened an official Twitter account in Hindi. The new account has his bio written in Devanagari script. The account had 1,009 followers. Khamenei has posted two tweets so far. Khamenei has also created Twitter accounts in other languages including Persian, Arabic, Urdu, French, Spanish, Russian and English. However, so far Khamenei has not followed any Indian politician from the Hindi account. Khamenei is a Twelver Shia Marja’ and the second and current Supreme Leader of Iran. He was previously president of Iran from 1981 to 1989.

Khamenei is the longest-serving head of state in west Asia, in office since 1989.

POPE NAMES 6 WOMEN TO VATICAN FINANCIAL BODY Pope Francis has appointed six women, including the former treasurer for Britain’s Prince Charles, to the council that oversees Vatican finances, naming them in one fell swoop to some of the most senior roles. The appointments to one of the Holy See’s most important offices marked the latest attempt by the pope to keep promises to improve gender balance made years ago. The new appointments marked the largest number of women named at one time to Vatican posts. The previously all-male Council for the economy consists of 15 posts. One cardinal is the coordinator and the 14 other posts are divided evenly among members of the clergy and lay people. The sevenmember lay portion now consists of six women and one man.

MICHELLE OBAMA SUFFERING FROM LOW-GRADE DEPRESSION Michelle Obama has revealed she is suffering from “low-grade depression” as a result of the coronavirus induced quarantine, ongoing racial tensions in the country and the Trump administration’s “hypocrisy”.

The former first lady discussed the impact current events are having on her mental health during the second episode of her new podcast released last week.

During the episode, Michelle said: “I’m waking up in the middle of the night because I’m worrying about something or there’s a heaviness. I know I am dealing with some form of low-grade depression. “Not just because of the quarantine, but because of the racial strife, and just seeing this administration, watching the hypocrisy of it, day in and day out, is dispiriting. I’d be remiss to say part of this depression is also a result of, what we’re seeing in terms of the protests, the continued racial unrest, that has plagued this country since its birth.”

Pak court constitutes three-member bench in Jadhav's case ISLAMABAD: A top Pakistan court constituted a larger three-member bench to hear the petition filed by the government to appoint a legal representative for death-row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav. The decision was taken by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) after a two-member bench led by Chief Justice Athar Minallah on Monday ordered to set up a larger bench to hear the case.

The court on Monday was hearing the petition filed by the Pakistan government to appoint a lawyer for Jadhav. It also named three senior lawyers as amici curiae in Jadhav's case as it ordered the Pakistan government to give 'another chance' to India to appoint a counsel for the death-row prisoner.

The new bench includes Chief Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan

Kulbhushan Jadhav

Auranzgeb. Justice Farooq was added to the previous bench which heard the case on August 3.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for September 3. Jadhav, the 50year-old retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism in April 2017. India approached the International Court of Justice against Pakistan for denial of consular access to Jadhav and challenging the death sentence. The Haguebased ICJ ruled in July 2019 that Pakistan must undertake an 'effective review and

reconsideration' of the conviction and sentence of Jadhav and also to grant consular access to India without further delay.

Pakistan claimed that it has asked India through diplomatic channels to appoint a counsel for Jadhav, but New Delhi said that Islamabad has not yet communicated to it about the developments relating to the case. “After the directions of the Islamabad High Court of 3rd August we have contacted the Indian side through diplomatic channels and conveyed the same,” Pakistan Foreign Office Aisha spokesperson Farooqui said. “We are awaiting Indian response,” she added.

However in New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, 'We have not received any communication from Pakistan” on the issue. He was asked whether Pakistan has informed India

about Islamabad High Court's order in the case.

On July 16, Pakistan provided consular access to Jadhav, but the Indian government said the access was 'neither meaningful nor credible' and he appeared visibly under stress.

Srivastava last month said Pakistan has once again its 'farcical' exposed approach by denying available legal remedies to Jadhav against his death sentence which is also in contravention of the ICJ verdict, and asserted that India will explore further options in the case. He said Pakistan has blocked all the avenues for an effective remedy available to India in the case, while noting that New Delhi has so far requested consular access to Jadhav for 12 times over the past one year. The MEA spokesperson said Pakistan is not only in violation of the judgment of ICJ, but also of its own ordinance.

Mahinda Rajapaksa takes oath as Lanka PM COLOMBO: Mahinda Rajapaksa was on Sunday sworn in as Sri Lankan PM at a centuries old Buddhist temple after his party won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections that allowed the influential family to consolidate power for the next five years.

The 74-year-old former president and Sri Lanka People’s Party (SLPP) chief was administered the oath of office by his younger brother and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at a gathering of Buddhist monks, representatives of the diplomatic community

that he would ensure that Sri Lanka would embark on a progressive journey during his tenure.

The SLPP, led

by Mahinda and Gotabaya, regisMahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in as PM by his tered a landslide vicbrother and President Gotabaya tory in the August 5 and other senior officials. general election, securing “I am humbled by the two-thirds majority in paropportunity given to me to liament needed to amend serve my people again,” he the constitution to further tweeted soon after starting consolidate the powerful his fourth innings as PM. He Rajapaksa family’s grip on said the trust bestowed on power. him by the people will India’s high commisinspire him to continue to sioner to Sri Lanka Gopal serve the country. He vowed Baglay became the first

envoy to congratulate the new PM when he called on Mahinda Rajapaksa. Baglay recalled that PM Narendra Modi had complimented the people and government of Sri Lanka on the successful conduct of elections and had acknowledged the impressive electoral performance of the SLPP. He reiterated the strong desire and the commitment of the Indian government to work very closely with the new government and Parliament in Sri Lanka for further strengthening comprehensive bilateral cooperation, the Indian high commission here said.

Govt opens borders for Ugandans stuck in EAC

William Ruto’s diehard supporters go silent

KAMPALA: The Ugandan government has revealed that they have opened borders for its citizens stuck in the East African Community (EAC) countries to return home. The ministry has since June been repatriating Ugandans stuck abroad due to Covid-19 pandemic. The government said it was making arrangements for the return Ugandans by road.

Initially, only cargo trucks were allowed into the country after the outbreak of Covid-19 in March. The State minister of Foreign Affairs, Okello Oryem, said that Ugandans should, however, first get clearance from Uganda’s High Commissions in those countries and present a Covid-19 certificate before accessing Uganda. “Ugandans, who want to return by road from the EAC should possess a Covid-9 test certificate and must get permission from our embassies.

When they reach the border points, they are supposed to be subjected to another Covid test before being driven to quarantine centres of their choice,” Oryem said.

He added: “Those who want to return should hire individual vehicles from the countries they are coming from because they cannot return in groups. The repatriation of other Ugandans by plane in all countries, EAC inclusive, are still underway.” According to the revised schedule from the Foreign Affairs ministry, 93 Ugandans from Southern Africa and Mogadishu in Somalia are slated to return through Uganda Airlines and African Express Airways soon. Others from the Washington DC, USA, Middle East countries such as United Arab Emirates, Oman, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are expected to return subsequently.

The government has also started arranging airlines for Ugandans stuck in Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan for those who can afford the ticket fares.

NAIROBI: Deputy President William Ruto’s 2022 campaign has gone silent, with his vocal allies retreating as others cross the floor to join President Kenyatta’s faction of the ruling Jubilee Party. Laikipia Woman Rep Cate Waruguru and Nakuru Town West MP Samuel Arama are among leaders who William Ruto have since ditched Ruto’s camp, as his troops in Coast, including Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa and Kilifi North MP Owen Baya focus on forming their party to field their own presidential candidate.

The change of Ruto’s fortunes comes after President Kenyatta locked him out of the Cabinet and government business. The President also successfully purged the DP’s supporters from both in the Senate and the National Assembly. Some politicians, civil servants and parastatal chiefs are now afraid of being seen with Ruto, probably for fear of landing in wrong books of Kenyatta. Jubilee Deputy Secretary-General Caleb Kositany, who is also Ruto’s de-facto spokesperson, said that they had opted to “observe silence” for survival. “The reason why most of us have also agreed that team DP should keep quiet is the fact that there have been a lot of intimidations going on, but it will not bear fruit,” he said. “If you just come up with something that contradicts the President, you are being threatened that they will send the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) sleuths to investigate how you are using constituency development funds (CDF),” he added.

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

17

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

15 - 21 August 2020

Sad saga: Madhvani kins infighting The Madhvani family, once were renowned as the wealthiest in Uganda and East Africa.

In 1912, Muljibhai Madhvani, then aged 14, arrived in Jinja from India following his older brother Nanjibhai. In 1912 he joined his brothers' small trading concern and helped create a business that would later account for 10 per cent of Uganda's gross domestic product. But in 1972, under Idi Amin’s dictatorship they were expelled from the country and their businesses were snatched away from them. After the expulsion of Idi Amin in 1985, the family returned to Uganda, revived the business back to health again and made fortune worth $ 200 million.

'Tide of Fortune' written by Giles Foden accounts of the fortunes made, lost and found again. The book was written by Foden on behalf of Manubhai Madhvani, the man who took over from his brother Jayant Madhvani, who passed away suddenly, and further grew the business.

The founders are now long gone, and the Madhvani Group, which is worth $200m, is now at the centre of a dispute between two grandchildren. They are the grandchildren of Muljibhai Madhvani, the founding patriarch of the Madhvani Group of Companies. The eldest grandson, Nitin Jayant Madhvani, has written letters to both the police and the head of State House’s Anti-corruption Unit, Lt Col Edith Nakalema, in Kampala, calling for an investigation into the activities of his sister, Nimisha Madhvani, presently

Mayur Madhvani marries Mumtaz

Nitin Madhvani (left) and his sister Nimisha Madhvani

(Meenaben Madhvani’s) major cognitive impairments to control their affairs and property,” the letter reads. Nimisha is accused of obtaining signatures of her mother in order to facilitate her “agenda of gaining control of other family affairs and property”. Nimisha is also accused of having opposed the family’s decision to take their mother to the Mayo Clinic in the United States for cancer treatment and neurological assessment.

Nimisha is also accused of using her connections in government to drag the office of the Inspector General of Police and that of the Minister for Security into fighting on her side. Sources familiar with the matter say Security Minister Gen EllyTumwine telephoned Nitin’s son, Hrishikesa Madhvani and warned him that security agencies would intervene if he did not

Tide of Fortune: A Family Tale Gujarati Lohana community is a close-knit, progressive community, known for its business acumen, enterprise and philanthropy. Some of the Gujarati Lohanas who left India for East Africa attained iconic status in the corporate and philanthropic sector. In Tanzania it was the Chande family whereas in Uganda, the two renowned families were the Nanji Kalidas Mehta family and the Madhvani family respectively. 'Tide of Fortune: A family Tale' by Manubhai Madhvani with Giles Foden narrates the family tale as well as the history of Uganda. Muljibhai opened his first retail shop in Jinja. The business flourished and Muljibhai thought of a sugar plantation and sugar manufacturing on the fertile soil of Kakira near Jinja. Initially Kakira Sugar Works acquired 800 acres but presently owns about 23,000 acres. Kakira now is the headquarters of the Madhvani Group conglomerate. Muljibhai’s eldest son Jayant was born in 1922 and second of the five sons, Manubhai was born in 1930.

Manubhai and Jayant were sent to Mumbai for studies. After finishing their studies both brothers returned to Uganda, and began learning business ropes from their father.

Following the success of the sugar manufacturing business, Madhvanis began to diversify. In 1952, a new oil mill complex with a refinery for oil and soap was added. And Manubhai began managing cotton ginneries. The businesses were booming but the family was devastated with the untimely demise in 1954, of Muljibhai’s wife Parvatiben at the age of 45. Muljibhai passed away in July 1958 at the age of 63. Muljibhai's sons Jayantbhai and Manubhai then helmed the business empire. In 1960, Madhvanis set up Mulco Textiles and in 1964, a steel rolling mill. During Idi Amin's rule Madhvanis were expelled from the country and their businesses taken over. In 1985, after the expulsion of Idi Amin, the family returned to Uganda. Madhvanis returned to repossess their assets under the Expropriated Properties Act. Manubhai and his brother Mayur were back at Kakira Sugar Works. The sugar estate was in shambles. Oil and soap refineries were mere shells. But with the help of the World Bank, African Development Bank and other financial institutions, Madhvani conglomerate rose like the proverbial phoenix from the ashes. Factories began humming once again. But another big blow awaited. In July 2006, the glass container factory in Lebanon with an annual turnover of $26 million was bombed to the ground!

Uganda’s Ambassador to Denmark. Nitin accuses his sister, who is a director in the group, of abusing her power in order to gain control of his and the family’s assets.

The children of the late Jayant Muljibhai Madhvani - Nitin, Nimisha and Amit Madhvani – own up to a fifth of the Madhvani Group’s assets in Uganda. The rest is owned by the families of Jayant’s four brothers – Manubhai Madhvani, Pratap Madhvani, Suresh Madhvani and Mayur Madhvani. According to Indian culture, family property is the preserve of male children, a practice which has lately come under challenge from the modern generation. That seems to have set the stage for the conflict between Nitin and his sister Nimisha. According to sources, Nitin feels that the actions of his sister are being fuelled by some of his uncles and cousins with whom he has a long running disagreement over the management and control of the groups’ operations. Nitin accuses Nimisha of intimidating people in order to “gain control of her elderly and vulnerable mother’s wealth”, and both her brothers’ interests in their family business. “She has taken advantage of her brother Amit (Madhvani’s) mental limitations and her mother’s

immediately leave the family’s home in Kakira. Gen Tumwine, sources say, issued the directive after receiving information that Hrishikesa had locked up his grandmother, Meenaben, in one of the rooms. “I know about the problem in the Madhvani family and we are trying to find a solution to it. I discussed the matter with Nitin, but what we discussed is a private matter. It is not for public consumption,” Gen Tumwine said.

Asian Voice has been unable to speak with any members of the Madhvani family.

This is a very sad saga. Madhvani’s name and fame brings happiness and pride to the generations of East African Asians.

Madhvani’s entrepreneurship, public services, leadership, philanthropy is a legend.

With the sudden passing away of Jayantibhai, Manubhai took up the reigns of the Madhvani Group and developed extensively.

For decades Manubhai was the doyen of the community in the UK and abroad. Many readers approached Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar after hearing the reports from Uganda. It is hoped the family matter is resolved amicably at the earliest. (The recent development are based on the report in the 'Saturday Monitor' dated 8th August 2020 by journalist Isaac Mufumba of Kampala)

Born on 31 July 1947 to Iranian parents, Mumtaz was one of the most natural actress ever seen in Bollywood. Her original name was Mumtaz Aksari. Her mother, Naaz was a part time actress in Hindi films. In order to supplement her family income, Mumtaz started doing child roles in films. She slowly started doing small roles as extras in films. Spotted by Dara Singh, she did 16 films with the wrestler, out of which 10 were hits. Labelled as a stunt heroine, many mainstream actors shunned her. However, the film 'Do Raaste' with Rajesh Khanna in the lead made her a superstar. She reigned over Bollywood from 1970 to 1976 when she did her last film 'Nagin.' Mumtaz has a cherubic face with attractive eyes and a well endowed body. Naturally, these features make her the favorite of all. One such fan was Mayur Madhvani, the businessman from Uganda. Mumtaz married Mayur and settled down with him in London. She has two daughters from Mayur and is at present staying in London. Mayur would always be on his business trips all over the world. Mumtaz’s daughter Natasha is married to Feroz Khan’s son, Fardeen Khan. Mumtaz’s sister, Malka is married to Dara Singh’s brother, Randhawa.

Muljibhai Madhvani Muljibhai Prabhudas Madhvani (1894– 1958) was born to Prabhudasbhai Madhvani and Laduma Madhvani in Ashiyapat in Ranavav Taluka of Porbandar, on 18 May 1894, in a Gujarati Lohana family. When he was 14, he migrated to Uganda following the footsteps of his elder brother Nanjibhai Madhvani. In 1911, at age of 17, he started working for his uncles, Vithaldas and Kalidas, in a retail business in Iganga. He was able to learn about ropes of business while working in Iganga. Later, his uncles entrusted him with opening another store in Kaliro in modern-day Kaliro district.

Impressed by his business acumen, his uncles asked him to open another shop in Jinja, where he started to build his first business, the Vithaldas Haridas & Company. In 1918, the company bought 800 acres of land in Kakira for the purpose of starting a sugar factory. Muljibhai later became the managing director of Vithaldas Haridas & Company. That sugar complex, which is today known as Kakira Sugar

Works, opened in 1930. By adding to the original parcel of land, through purchases, the current company land holdings at Kakira, are in excess of 9,500 hectares as of April 2009. Muljibhai's two elder sons, Jayant Madhvani and Manubhai Madhvani, had joined him in 1946 to assist with the running of the business. It was during that decade that Muljibhai ventured into textiles and beer. Later, he set up Mulco Textiles in Jinja. He also acquired Nile Breweries in 1957. The brewery was divested to South African Breweries in 2002. Muljibhai died on 11 July 1958 in Kakira. After the death of their father, Jayant and his brother Manubhai, oversaw the group's diversification into oil and soap manufacturing, steel, tea and glass production. Then came the Asian expulsion in 1972 by Idi Amin. By then, the group had grown into a complex of 52 industrial, commercial and agricultural companies, operating in East Africa, Central Africa and Southern Africa.

18 INDIA

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

15 - 21 August 2020

Wait for Ram temple ends; PM Modi lays foundation stone PM Narendra Modi on August 5 (Wednesday) dedicated the Ram Mandir to the struggle and sacrifice of hundreds of kar sevaks, drawing a parallel between the campaign for construction of the temple in Ayodhya with the struggle for India’s independence.

Speaking after performing ‘bhoomi pujan’ at the Ram Janmabhoomi site to herald the beginning of construction, the PM said the occasion marked the end of a centuries-long wait for a Ram Mandir and saluted those whose struggle and resolve “laid the foundation stone” for the temple.

“Ramji, who for years was consigned to a tent, has finally been liberated from the cycle of destruction and construction. During our freedom movement, many generations sacrificed all that they had.

The period of foreign occupation saw ceaseless striving for independence and there was no part of the country which did not witness sacrifice for the sake of freedom.

August 15 symbolises the commitment, the struggle, the endless sacrifices as well as the indefatigable spirit for freedom. Just like that, August 5 symbolises the commitment, sacrifice and resolve of several generations who through centuries struggled relentlessly for

Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan

Ram Mandir with single-minded resolve,” Modi said. “Millions will find it hard to believe that they are actually witnessing the realisation of their dream,” he added.

In his speech punctuated with quotes from Tulsidas’s Ramayan, Modi emphasised the centrality of Lord Ram to Indian culture and ethos, saying he remained an integral and inalienable part of India, defying the efforts to eradicate his existence. “Ram is etched in our souls, we have internalised him, everybody looks up to him. Look at the amazing strength of Lord Ram, buildings were destroyed, no effort was spared to eradicate his existence. Still, Ram resides in our

hearts, he is the basis of our culture, he represents Indian virtues,” he said.

“Lord Ram is the basis of our culture, he represents Indian virtues. Indeed, he is Maryada Purushottam,” Modi said. in what was seen as a reference to the belief that the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya was destroyed by the Mughals, as well as the assertion of some historians that Ramayan and its hero were myths. “It is against this background that ‘bhoomi pujan’ has been done for the grand temple of Ram Janmabhoomi. It will be a modern representation of our culture. It will be the symbol of our eternal faith, of our nationalist

feeling, and this temple will represent the collective resolve of millions and millions of devotees. This will inspire the coming generations,” Modi said.

Modi: History is being re-written Just as popular support for Mahatma Gandhi fuelled the freedom movement, this day would not have been possible without people’s support, Modi said, stressing that shilaas (pillars) had become a source of energy. “The strength shown by people in the Ram temple movement is a subject of research,” he added.

“This moment will keep India’s glory intact for several centuries, this is a symbol of the resolve and willpower of millions of Ram bhakts, truth and non-violence, a tribute of law-abiding India. History is not being re-enacted, it is being rewritten,” he said.

The PM said his choice of “modern” was deliberate as the Ram Mandir, which will be visited by devotees from across the globe, will transform Ayodhya’s economy - a remark which appeared to allude to the Sangh Parivar's ambition to develop the city into a vast religio-cultural complex along the lines of Vatican City.

Modi also sought to contradict the depiction of Ram in certain quarters as a phenomenon con-

fined to Hindus of the Hindi belt and as a patriarchal figure. He referred to versions of Ramayan in all Indian languages, including one written by Guru Gobind Singh, as well as the popularity of the epic in Indonesia, home to the single largest concentration of Muslims; Malaysia, another predominantly Muslim country; as well as Ajmer, the site of a revered Sufi shrine besides the Muslim-majority Union Territory of Lakshadweep.

“Ram belongs to all, Ram lives in all,” he said.

“The slogan of Jai Sri Ram is reverberating in the entire world.

Ram bhakts are rejoicing and feeling proud to be part of the occasion. Many would be surprised and happy at the same time to be part of this moment,” he added.

Modi referred to non-Savarna figures in Ramayan, from forestdweller Shabari to the boatman, and said Ayodhya was a holy place also for Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs.

He added that Lord Ram had social solidarity as the foundational principle of his Ram Rajya. In the same vein, Modi said as a ruler, Lord Ram did not discriminate among his people, but gave special attention to the poor. He claimed that the Supreme Court verdict had found universal acceptance, with people observing “maryada”.

CELEBRATING BRAND ‘INDIA’ Continued from page - 1 According to figures released by Prasar Bharti, 160 million people tuned in to watch the live telecast of the Ram Temple ‘Bhoomi Pujan’ ceremony in Ayodhya on August 5, resulting in a viewership of more than 7 billion viewing minutes across the TV universe in India.

Modi’s mission “to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy” during the pandemic, led to the government’s biggest move with the launch of India's Covid19 tracking app, Aarogya Setu. According to a report released by Sensor Tower, the downloads of Aarogya Setu app peaked in the month of April at an estimate of 80.8 million while the total downloads stood at 127.6 million as of July on Apple's App Store and Google Play Store. The ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ App Innovation Challenge was announced by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) and MyGov in partnership with Atal Innovation Mission, Niti Aayog for Indian tech entrepreneurs and startups.

This competition aimed to be a platform to promote existing apps and help develop new ones.

A powerhouse of talent Consulting firm PwC and Payment Council of India reported that India’s share in the digital payments market will be around 2.2 percent, making it the world’s biggest digital payments market by 2023. The report titled Empowering

payments said that digital India on the path of revolution, is likely to hit $12.4-trillion mark in transaction value by 2025 up from $3.7 trillion in 2019.

In a report published by the World Economic Forum in 2019, the three biggest challenges of India were listed as follows: Skill development and employment for the future workforce, Socioeconomic inclusion of rural India and a healthy and sustainable future.

Addressing the citizens of the country during his virtual and much awaited speeches to the nation during Covid-19 lockdown, the PM announced a Rs 20 lakh crore package which aims to make India a truly selfreliant country by developing and strengthening local supply chains. The economic package is for different strata of the economy including industries, MSMEs, and the common people.

Recently, the New Education Policy 2020 was introduced with the aim to promote sustainable development goals, use education as an economic booster, internalisation of higher education, have digitised pedagogy and classrooms with a layered accreditation system, aiming to equip teachers with the latest technology and education methodology.

Under the new Gram UJALA scheme, rural areas will get 600 million LED bulbs at INR 10 a piece without government subsidy.

The Gram UJALA scheme will also help improve energy access in rural areas.

Despite 78% of rural India finding no work in lock-

down, a recent survey shows that 74%of rural India backs the Modi government in Covid-19 fight. Additionally, more than 68% rural Indians faced 'high' to 'very high' monetary difficulties during lockdown, the survey conducted by Gaon Connection and Centre for the Study of Developing Societies found.

On the Coronavirus vaccine front, the Indian Council of Medical Research and Adar Poonawalla, CEO, Serum Institute of India (SII) Pune based firm have partnered to start trials of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid19 vaccine.

Meanwhile, during FY 2019-2020, India became the second largest foreign investor in the UK. The Department for International Trade (DIT) inward investment statistics for 2019-2020 found India moving up from its previous third-largest spot, representing an overall 4 per cent FDI increase for the UK on 2018-2019 with 1,852 new inward investment projects in the 2019/2020 financial year.

Modi has paved way for the passage of legislation criminalising instant triple talaq, and abrogation of Article 370 stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special status. “The work that was not done in the last 70 years has been accomplished within 70 days after this new government came to power,” he said last year at the Red Fort, projecting a dream of a 5 trillion-dollar economy by the end of his tenure.

Last year on 7 September, India attempted to make a soft landing on

the lunar surface. However, lander Vikram missed the primary landing site and went for the second. If India does succeed, it will be the fourth country to land on the moon, after the erstwhile USSR, US and China, to cement its place among the world's space-faring nations. In a major milestone for India's second Moon mission, India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, GSLV MkIII-M1 had successfully launched the 3,840-kg Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft into the earth's orbit on July 22. The Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft had successfully entered lunar orbit on August 20 by performing Lunar Orbit Insertion (LOI) manoeuvre.

On a global scale, India now boasts 9 Nobel Prize winners out of which seven have been awarded in the past 74 years of Independence, Abhijit Banerjee being the latest to win a Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences.

Amid a soaring pandemic, natural calamities and border dispute with China, Modi recently said that the "age of expansionism" is over as he lauded the bravery of Indian troops during a surprise visit to the Himalayan region of Ladakh, where thousands of soldiers are deployed amid a tense standoff with China.

In a recent global virtual event, he said, “India is a powerhouse of talent, eager to contribute and ever ready to learn. Indians are natural reformers, India has overcome every challenge, social or economic.” This year, the Independence Day event on 15 August is likely to consist of only Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech, a 21-gun salute, the National Anthem, and the unfurling of the National Flag.

According to ANI, only 20 percent of the usual number of VVIPs and other invitees will be able to attend Modi's speech live this year. Earlier, thousands of people used to attend the celebration.

Asian Voice celebrates with India and the diaspora Asian Voice has attempted to capture the essence of India’s 73 years of freedom in its Independence Day Special Edition (page 19-29). Our special coverage includes messages from Members of Parliament and peers, Mayor of London, Deputy Mayor of London for Business- for the Indian diaspora in the UK. We revisit Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s speech ‘Tryst with Destiny’ as India’s first Prime Minister in 1947. Our compilation consists of Indian start-ups key to restart British economy as well as India-UK trade partnership in a post-Covid Brexit Britain. There’s an account of how Indian students would drive the UK universities forward. We've also tried to profile the charitable work of UK-India charities and the evolution of the famous Indian curry over the years.

We hope to add value and insight into your knowledge bank with our special edition. Happy Reading.

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

15 - 21 August 2020

!" # $ % !" & # ' (( %# )%# *+ " + ( ), (,(+%# - .// 0! -. # , ( ) % +% *) $ # ) % $& # $ %!1 2% * 2 # 2 # ) % , & ) " , 1 3 # * 3 ( ' + ) * ) & !

1 ) + ), % +) ) + * # $ # 1 (% * ! % (,(+ * ( !1 * 0 (0%# 4 $ ! , 0&! ) % &) 5 # %" & , 6/6/ # % ( %# 7 !!& ! .8) ( 6/6/ 9% 1 * ) &* * + % ,#% " # : %+ # &# ; ( 3% * ./ ) )% ) % 2 , % 1 <%() 2 &11 )%# ", ) &+) (, % 3 (% ! )%# = > %%( # & # ' # %< ! )%# ! % +) $, % &0&+ # 3 & # ' # &)% "% * !!& ( '

! "# $! %% !&# '! (

!

!

19

20

INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

15 - 21 August 2020

“Tryst with Destiny” On India’s Independence, the nation’s first begins anew for us, the history which we Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru delivered shall live and act and others will write this speech titled ‘Tryst with Destiny’ which about.” “It is a fateful moment for us in articulated India’s struggle for indepenIndia, for all Asia and the world. A new star dence against the British Empire in India. rises, the star of freedom in the east, a new Seven decades later, we revisit a few hope comes into being, a vision long cherexcerpts from one of the most powerful ished materialises. May the star never set speeches of the 20th century made by any and that hope never is betrayed! We rejoice political leader in the world. in that freedom, even though clouds surround us, and many of our people are sor"Long years ago, we made a tryst with row-stricken and destiny; and now the difficult problems time comes when we encompass us. But shall redeem our pledge, freedom brings not wholly or in full responsibilities and measure, but very subburdens and we stantially. At the stroke have to face them in of the midnight hour, the spirit of free and when the world sleeps, disciplined people.

India will awake to life On this day our first and freedom.” thoughts go to the “At the dawn of his- India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru architect of this tory, India started on freedom, the father her unending quest, and of our nation, who, embodying the old spirtrackless centuries are filled with her strivit of India, held aloft the torch of freedom ing and the grandeur of her success and her and lighted up the darkness that surroundfailures. Through good and ill fortune alike ed us” she has never lost sight of that quest or forThe future beckons to us. Whither do gotten the ideals which gave her strength. we go and what shall be our endeavour? To We end today, a period of ill fortune and bring freedom and opportunity to the comIndia discovers herself again. The achievemon man, to the peasants and workers of ment we celebrate today is but a step, an India; to fight and end poverty and ignoopening of opportunity, to the greater trirance and disease; to build up a prosperous, umphs and achievements that await us.” democratic and progressive nation, and to “Peace has been said to be indivisible; so is create social, economic and political instifreedom, so is prosperity now, and so also is tutions which will ensure justice and fulla disaster in this one world that can no ness of life to every man and woman. We longer be split into isolated fragments. To have hard work ahead. “All of us, to whatthe people of India, whose representatives ever religion we may belong, are equally the we are, we appeal to join us with faith and children of India with equal rights, priviconfidence in this great adventure.” leges and obligations. We cannot encourage “The past clings on to us still in some communalism or narrow-mindedness, for measure and we have to do much before we no nation can be great whose people are redeem the pledges we have so often taken. narrow in thought or action. Jai Hind."

Yet the turning point is passed, and history

Old yet noteworthy The larger narrative and documentation around India’s struggle for Independence against the British rule are available around the world. Yet, there are certain details that you might want to consider reading about.

• India did not have a national anthem on the day of its independence. The Bengali version of ‘Jana Gana Mana’ was written in 1911. But it was adopted as our national anthem only in 1950.

• India’s national song “Vande Mataram,” which means “I bow to thee mother," was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee Bankim Chandra in 1882 in his novel Chatterjee “Anandamath.”

• Believe it or not, Mahatma Gandhi was not a part of India’s first Independence Day celebration. He was fasting in a protest against the Hindu-Muslim riots that were taking place in Bengal.

• South Korea, Republic of Congo, and Liechtenstein share their Independence Day with India.

• Goa was a Portuguese state when India became independent. It became a part of the Indian union in 1961.

• Hindi is not the national language of India. It was chosen as India’s first official language and was declared so in 1949.

• India is known as Bharat Ganarajya in Sanskrit. That is why the country is pop-

•

•

• •

• •

ularly called Bharat in Hindi.

The official Indian flag was designed by Pingali Venkayya. It initially had a spinning wheel in the middle, later replaced by the "Dharma Chakra," which represents a wheel of law.

Cyril John Radcliffe was given the task of drawing the borders of Independent India. Despite the fact that he had never come to India, he was given this task of division Cyril John Radcliffe of the country.

The value of £1 to INR in the year 1947 was 13.33.

The price of 10 gram gold was cheaper than that of an air ticket between Delhi and Mumbai in 1947.

It cost Rs. 88.62 then as per the Indian post gold coin services. Seven decades later, the cost of 10 gram gold is 300 times more which is almost equal to an economy class air ticket to London.

The cost of milk in 1947 was Rs 0.12 and today a litre of milk costs Rs 45 a litre.

A cinema ticket was Rs 0.30 and today a ticket to the movies costs Rs 250.

Honouring the Pravasi Bhartiyas in the UK I congratulate fellow Indians, diaspora community and all well-wishers of India living in the UK on the 74th Independence Day of India.

Since 15th August 1947, India has emerged as a major global player in almost every field while remaining steadfast to the core values that bind the nation. Over the last 73 years, India has made strides in huge ensuring the economic and social wellbeing of its people whilst contributing to global peace, security and prosperity.

India and the United Kingdom have a unique and shared history and are Strategic Partners since 2004. Both countries seek to intensify their economic partnership, with bilateral trade of more than £24 billion. The recently held 14th IndiaUK Joint Economic and Trade Committee meeting has paved way for strengthening our trade and investment relationship in the post-Brexit period.

India is the second highest investor in the United Kingdom. The economic productivity that the Indian diaspora brings to the UK is exemplified by the fact that there are over 65,000 companies owned by Indian diaspora ere in the UK. Their combined

revenue is £36.84 billion, they contribute over £1 billion in corporation tax, invested over £2 billion through capital expenditure and have created over 174,000 jobs.

I would like to put on record my sincere appreciation of the Indian community’s selfless efforts during the Covid-19, especially in assisting stranded fellow compatriots. Your dedication is noteworthy, as are your initiatives and enterprise that form the bulwark of the robust economic, social and cultural framework of relations that India and the UK celebrate.

Our successful cooperation in the most challenging circumstances during this pandemic demonstrated how well both India and the UK can work together for the benefit of our peoples. The ongoing collaboration between Oxford and Serum Institute of India for an affordable and accessible vaccine is just one example of our concerted joint efforts for a better world, in line with Prime Minister’s Modi’s vision of human-centric globalisation.

Let us strive towards greater prosperity while always remembering to help one another in the true Pravasi Bharatiya spirit.

Jai Hind.

- HE Gaitri Issar Kumar High Commissioner of India to UK

Here’s how the front pages of India’s leading newspapers looked on August 15, 1947

Sources: indiatimes.com, Hindustan Times, The Tribune, The Times Of India and pinterest

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL 21 15 - 21 August 2020

India and the UK: A friendship vital to our future prosperity India is a long-standing and important ally of the UK. Having moved from Agra to the UK as a child, I am extremely proud of the bond between our two nations, and the strength of this friendship is testament to the Indian diaspora here in the UK. Despite our nations being thousands of miles apart, the UK and India’s shared aims on the world stage make us natural partners internationally. The UK is one of the world’s oldest democracies; India is the largest. Both countries are committed to encouraging innovation, business entrepreneurship and tackling climate change.

As Business Secretary, I know our partnership is incredibly important to both countries. UK investments in India support 450,000 jobs, and Indian investments in the UK support 110,000 jobs. Our trade relationship is now worth £24 billion, and has grown by 45% since 2010. Last month, I was pleased to see the UK and India strengthen these ties further, by agreeing to explore the potential for a deeper trade relationship,

vaccine candidates being develremoving barriers for trading oped at speed. India’s Serum across a range of sectors.

Institute, the country’s largest vacFurther opportunities are precine manufacturer, has struck a sented as the UK leaves the EU deal to access the coronavirus vactransition period at the end of this cine being developed by British year. Last year, over 37,500 Indian scientists at Oxford University. If students received a study visa – a the vaccine is successful, the deal testament to the exceptional talents of Indian students but also the continued contribution of the Indian diaspora to the UK’s economy and culture in communities across the country.

Changes to our immigration system when we leave the EU, including the new graduate route recently announced, will enable future international students to stay in the UK for between 2-3 years following the completion of their Alok Sharma course - making it easier will mean India’s Serum Institute for India’s best and brightest will be able to manufacture doses young people to secure skilled jobs of Oxford’s vaccine for people in in the UK. India and across the developing During the coronavirus panworld, whilst the UK manufacdemic, the value of our friendship tures the vaccine for the British has again asserted itself. The UK is public. leading the race to develop a vacThe UK is hosting the 26th cine, with a promising portfolio of

United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow next November and I have the honour of serving as COP26 President. This key forum is another opportunity for us to work together to tackle the urgent threat of climate change.

I want the UK and India to be ambitious when it comes to accelerating the transition to renewable sources of energy. Recently, the UK went over 2 months without using any electricity from coal power plants - for the first time since the industrial revolution. India’s goal to source 450GW of power from renewables is one of the most ambitious in the world. As partners, we’ve funded a combined total of £240 million seed capital into the Green Growth Equity Fund, a joint UK-India fund for sustainable energy projects, to help India achieve this impressive aim.

Together we are spearheading international efforts for urgent

adaptation and resilience action to protect our planet. India is the host of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and I am proud to co-chair the initiative as the UK’s representative. The Coalition is a voluntary international grouping, linking governments, UN agencies, banks, private sector groups, and academia to develop the resilience of infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks.

In the year ahead, I look forward to playing my part in ensuring that the UK and India continue to harness our strong partnership to support both our countries build back better from Coronavirus, delivering a green recovery and building on our trade and business links. I am confident that our shared values, commitment to tackling global issues and economic ties will help both our countries prosper.

- Alok Sharma MP, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and President of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference

Happy Independence Day

sbiuk.com 0800 532 532

Personal Banking I Corporate Finance I Ëøü¡÷ò¡Õè÷ Öòõ÷êäêèö I Internet Banking I Money Transfer I Commercial Lending I Safe Deposit Lockers City of London I Birmingham I Coventry I East Ham I Golders Green I Harrow I Hounslow I Ilford I Leicester I Manchester I Southall I Wolverhampton

State Bank of India (UK) Limited (“SBIUK”) is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority ¤Ïìñäñæìäï Üèõùìæèö Ûèêìö÷èõ ñøðåèõ '%'!%&¥ ÜËÒÞÔ ìö õèêìö÷èõèç ìñ Îñêïäñç äñç àäïèö ¤Ûèêìö÷èõèç ×ò ! $#&$& ¥ úì÷ë ä õèêìö÷èõèç òĦæè ä÷ !%¡!' Ôìñê Ü÷õèè÷ Õòñçòñ ÎÌ"ß (ÎÊ

22 INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

15 - 21 August 2020

Diaspora a Indian StartUps key to re-starting "living bridge" British economy between India-UK Priyanka Mehta

I would like to say a big THANK YOU to the British Indian community for all their contribution in our battle against the ongoing pandemic, especially the NHS and care workers.

As we celebrate 74th Indian Independence Day, we have all the reasons to be so proud of all that India has achieved since its Independence and what Indians have achieved in Britain.

British Indians have contributed immensely and are touching new heights in all quarters of British life including, politics, business, art & culture, sports, civil service and of course, the NHS. forward, India-UK Looking partnership has huge opportunities to work together in a post-Covid, postBrexit world. And British Indians will have a very important role to play in realising those opportunities by being the “living bridge” between the two nations.

I want to congratulate everyone a very Happy Indian Independence Day! - Rajesh Agrawal, Co-Chair, Labour Friends of India and Deputy Mayor of London for Business

environmental parameters related to air quality, noise, odour, weather, radiation etc.

London has often been touted as the Oizom’s partner first approach means that “European headquarters” for most Indian they have partnered with Environmental businesses. High-flying Indian start-ups and Monitoring Solutions (EMS) based in go-getters see no different. Despite the Sheffield. Their major applications include obstacles presented by Brexit and a looming monitoring air quality index across campuscoronavirus pandemic, scale-ups with a es for schools, universities like University of vision to establish a global footprint visualise Warwick, hospitals including the Sheffield London as a starting point.

Hospital among others. They are currently According to the latest data from Startup working with Vodafone Headquarters in Genome’s ‘The Global Startup Ecosystem Newbury and are conducting a similar polluReport 2020’, London has one of the world’s tion source detection project with the most favourable ecosystems to build a globUniversity of Salford. ally successful startup. The UK CareMother India develops capital has jumped to second technology for early Foetal position in line with New York Distress detection this year as opposed to being Monitoring air quality index ranked third in 2019. FICCI has been extremely important Council UK is instrumental in in recent times especially for incubating StartUps like pregnant women for the polCareMotherIndia, Oizom lutant particles present in the Redefining Resources, and air can cause fatal complicavPhrase in London through their tions for the foetus. While the Jainam Mehta TechXchange program.

NHS provides one of the best Pollution source detection and maternal care facilities. StartUp like campus monitoring CareMother India aim to digitise maternal “Climate emergency will be one of the care especially in a post Covid-19 world biggest talking points in the coming years where physical examinations would take a and the UK is already spearheading awarebackseat as opposed to online consultations. ness around the climate crisis. Since the CareMother India provides a mobile applicainception of our startup, we had realised that tion (app), a web application and a medical our business module will be suited to collabkit that is carried by health workers to perorate with UK stakeholders considering our form doorstep diagnosis and tests. AI driven focus is on providing environmental monialgorithms help health workers to detect toring technology and solutions,” said high-risk pregnancies and connect them to a Jainam Mehta, Co-founder of Oizom. nearby gynaecologist for further diagnosis Oizom is an Environmental IoT company and treatment. The model has been a offering data-driven environmental solutremendous success in impoverished rural tions for better decision making. They use India especially where access to maternal sensor-based hardware, and monitor various

Aditya Kulkarni receiving award from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

care and awareness about neonatal medicine is limited. Now, Co-Founder of CareMother India, Aditya Kulkarni has been attempting to roll-out this solution driven technology app to other parts of the world. Speaking about the “Through TechXchange, I was able to come to the UK and collaborate with DeepMind UK which is an AI based arm of Google.

Academics and researchers have thus helped me to design additional technologies for early identification of the foetal distress syndrome in pregnant mothers. We are also fortunate to be funded by Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust and Comic Relief who are supporting my pilot programs in India to experiment with innovative technological solutions. We had started running pilot programs with the NHS as well but considering the model of our business that is more targeted towards the developing countries, we have not commercialised our startup yet. But the UK has played a significant role in enabling us to achieve ground-breaking solutions in maternal care.”

Other unicorn companies who have already scaled heights in the UK include Ola cabs and Oyo homes.

ICICI Bank taking big steps in UK in digital banking ICICI Bank UK Plc, a whollyowned subsidiary of India’s ICICI Bank, has seven branches and four business centres in UK. IN addition to physical presence, it also has vibrant digital channels of mobile banking and internet banking. The Bank has recently launched a digital account opening facility on mobile for Indians moving to UK for work. This first-ofits-kind service by an Indian bank in the UK helps customers to undertake most of the banking transactions through the Bank’s mobile app, ‘ICICI Bank UK iMobile’, including instant remittance to India at competitive rates.

In order to know more about the Bank’s new strategy, we recently caught up with Mr. Loknath Mishra, MD & CEO, ICICI Bank UK PLC. Here’s the full text of a detailed interview.

Q1: What is the current business profile and focus areas of ICICI Bank in UK? A: ICICI Bank UK PLC (the Bank), established in 2003, is a whollyowned subsidiary of ICICI Bank Limited, a large private sector bank in India. Over the years, ICICI Bank UK has emerged as a full ser-

vice commercial bank servicing retail, SME and corporate customers. In addition to local business, the Bank is focused on IndiaEurope trade, investment and remittance corridor. The Bank offers retail current, savings, fixed deposit and remittance products. It has a popular online deposit franchise operating through its ‘Hi Save’ channel. It also offers competitive rates in its deposit. The Bank supports customers locally for their banking needs in India in terms of NRE accounts, home loans and ICICI Direct (equity trading platform).

The Bank has a very robust digital channel and online services, including internet banking, mobile app and phone banking. The Bank offers its customers a seamless remittance facility to India through its ICICI Bank UK internet banking and mobile platform.

In addition to competitive rates, the platform offers a host of customer friendly features to meet the varied requirements of its customers. The customers are able to transact at will through the Bank’s versatile mobile app. The Bank also offers a 24/7 customer support through a phone banking call centre to all its customers. The digital

channels are duly supported by our branches and relationship managers whenever required to provide a holistic experience to the customers.

Q2: What are your major digital transformation strategies?

A: ICICI Bank has been leveraging technology to pioneer digital innovations and provide world-class banking experience to its customers. In line with this philosophy, I am happy to inform you that ICICI Bank UK PLC has recently launched a digital account opening facility that allows customers to open a personal current account instantly using the Bank’s mobile application ‘ICICI Bank UK iMobile’. This is a first-of-its-kind service by an Indian bank in UK. The service enables Indian passport holders, who are moving to UK for work, to open a personal current account in UK while they are still in India. This account is equivalent to a savings account in India. They can also undertake most of the banking transactions through the Bank’s mobile app, ‘ICICI Bank UK iMobile’, including instant remittance to India at competitive rates. The Bank also ser-

vices its customers for banking requirements in India like NRE banking and home loans, while local SME customers are serviced by dedicated relationship managers. The Bank is also in the process of launching similar mobile app for SME customers.

Q3: What are the facilities that you offer to companies?

A: British Asian owned SMEs are a significant part of the local economy. Our focus is to enable the SMEs to smoothly carryout their regular banking needs which include handling their trade and foreign exchange transactions. We combine our technology and online services with a 24X7 customer support via call and the support of a Relationship Manager (RM). The RM handholds our clients to fulfil their banking requirements, which is a big positive as they often need this support.

We are also focusing on the entire gamut of India-Europe trade and investment corridor. We offer trade finance and foreign exchange services to both Indian companies operating in Europe and European

Loknath Mishra, MD & CEO, ICICI Bank UK PLC

firms operating in India. We also support funds investing in India for their custody and foreign exchange requirements.

Q4: How have you handled Covid situation?

A: We, at ICICI Bank UK PLC, have been serving and supporting our customers smoothly during the pandemic through our physical and digital networks. All our branches have been open through this period. Our focus on technology and digitally enabled platforms both in UK and India has helped customers during this unprecedented time with the majority of them transacting through an array of our digital solutions.

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

15 - 21 August 2020

24 INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

15 - 21 August 2020

Building an independent future for girls & women, one day and one meal at a time Shefali Saxena From supporting widows and their children to providing happiness boxes, combating holiday hunger and making a savings bank for every girl child right from school, organisations in the UK & India have been striving to build fiercely independent women of the future.

After years of being under suppression, an independent nation not only needs freedom to live and heal, but also needs freedom from the yoke of orthodox practices that are obsolete and may have taken a backseat because they rank lower in priority as compared to fighting for the freedom of the nation.

In the words of the great Mahatma Gandhi, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Strengthening the UK India ties, there are several charities and organisations that have been trying to live by that motto and have been serving both the countries, reinstating faith in humanity and service to mankind. Asian Voice spoke to several such samaritans who have been leading the bandwagon of bringing about a positive change to make people truly independent.

The Loomba Foundation The Loomba Foundation aims to run a global campaign to eradicate discrimination against widows. The initial focus was on India, where some 46 million women– almost 10% of the female population of marital age – are widows.

Speaking to Asian Voice, the founder, Lord Loomba said, “This pandemic has been quite bad for the charity people who normally donate are not in a position to donate and on top of that, the work on ground is almost at a standstill. I feel it will only get better when the vaccine is produced.”

He said, “People are so ignorant about the plight of the widows that they need to change their mindset. In my opinion it comes down to education. Why people in India and other developing countries are suffering and why they are not suffering in the Western world - is because of education.

When you are educated you do know what is right and what is wrong and how to organise your own life. When you are not educated you cannot get a job, you cannot be independent and you are dependent on other people and other people take it as a burden, they misuse them they abuse them, and it is like modern slavery for them.”

Speaking about the need of the hour, Lord Loomba said, “India is independent, we need widows and their children to be independent. A widow should be able to learn some kind of skills so that she can get a job and once she gets a job she will be self reliant and be able to educate her children and lead a life of dignity.”

Pardada Pardadi Educational Society (PPES) PPES has been working for holistic rural development through social and economic

empowerment of women and girls in Western Uttar Pradesh.

It provides free

Andrew Horne

education or to start a business. This sum can go upto Rs 100,000 if t h e

Lord Loomba with his late mother Mrs Pushpa Wati Loomba then PM Tony Blair and his

Bhavani Singh, CEO UK_Europe, The Akshaya Patra Foundation

education, job opportunities, healthcare, and livelihood enhancement for girls and women from the marginalized sections of society and enables them to break out of the cycle of poverty.

Asian Voice spoke to Andrew Horne who shared the achievements of PPES and its contribution to the lives of girls.

PPES

child attends s c h o o l regularly. PPES faced challenges at the beginning when the village folks didn’t want to send their girls to school due to the traditional outlook of keeping women at home and safety issues while traveling.

PPES took care of it and provides a transport which is a pick and drop system to ensure that families feel secure in sending

incentivises girls in Anupshahar to attend school, have three free meals in a day. “The organisation saves Rs 10 per day per girl child (for attending school) which can be encashed by the pupil on completing her education. The money can come handy to her when she steps out to pursue higher

their daughters to school,” he said. Andrew also stated that the number of Self Help Groups (SHGs) is 510, and women involved in SHGs are about 5485 in number. 110 women have a full time job in the production centre and PPES distributes over 1100 meal boxes while the

number of fabric masks produced by them is 179,298.

The Akshaya Patra Foundation The Akshaya Patra Foundation strives to tackle the issues of classroom hunger and educational access in India. The CEO, UK/Europe, The Akshaya Patra Foundation, Bhavani Singh exclusively spoke to Asian Voice and said, “The Akshaya Patra Foundation is extremely busy at the moment. We have served close to 85 100 million meals during Covid-19 pandemic. Schools are still closed and children are still going hungry so we are doing multiple things.

We have served labourers who have migrated from the cities to their hometowns, be it on trains or by road and we have also served family. We are introducing thousands and thousands of happiness boxes.”

Happiness boxes are boxes that not only have ration for a whole family but they also have things like a tool box and writing material, which can enable children to be able to work and study at home. “It also has a dental kit for children. For girls, the kits include sanitary pads. We call this little service The Akshaya Patra Happiness Box. Regardless of the impact and nature of Covid, we continue to serve in very large numbers. That's what we've been doing in India,” he added.

“In the UK we have served more than 150,000 people so far. Right now we have served close to 48 to 50 thousand meals to children in a week, who are out of school at the moment but their parents unfortunately cannot keep them at home and these children suffer from holiday hunger. We are running a large service in London where we are serving thousands of children everyday.

The menu is different for children. The food we serve continues to be vegetarian and we serve items like Spaghetti bolognese and not Daal Chawal while it continues to be compliant with all the standards laid by Akshaya Patra.” Singh added. “I feel after hundreds and hundreds of years of development, if we still have people who are hungry and deprived of a basic plate of food, then it's a slap on the face of development.

To me, development is only development if it's inclusive and if it is development with dignity. Development at the cost of dignity is not development. If you want to improve the Nation's per capita GDP, not just aggregate GDP, you must feed your children well. So that when they go to school they can learn well and when they come out of school they do better. So unless and until we improve nutrition, there is no way by which you can improve education. You can have prosperity without well being but the prosperity you have won't be sustainable,” said Singh. Singh feels that there's a huge lesson that the world can learn from this story. “At an organisational level we believe that this is not charity. Akshay Patra is the mind of a corporate and the heart of service,” he added.

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL

25

15 - 21 August 2020

UK-India trade partnership in a post-Covid Brexit Britain Priyanka Mehta UK-India bilateral trade ties have strengthened in manifold ways in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. From the extensive collaboration on a Covid-19 vaccine between Oxford University and the Serum Institute of India to the announcement of an Enhanced Trade Partnership at last monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Joint Economic Trade Committee, the two countries are paving the ground for a potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Until last year, trade between the two countries was growing at 17% per annum and the figure is expected to grow by even greater amounts as both countries work towards an FTA. The UK India Business Council, a member-led advisory group, is an instrumental intermediary supporting British businesses operating in India and viceversawith insights, networks, policy advocacy, services, and facilities in the UK and India. Richard Heald, Chair Designate of UKIBC, speaks to Asian Voice about the prospects of a UK-India FTA, the revival of the British economy and supply chains in a post-Covid world and the significance of Indian companies driving growth in a postBrexit UK. FTA: Reduction in tariffs and a 150% duty on whisky imports â&#x20AC;&#x153;While an FTA is a very important goal for both countries, UK-India bilateral trade is already increasing year-on-year under the existing umbrella of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreement. Are there areas where we would like to see changes in tariffs that would come through an FTA? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yesâ&#x20AC;? For example,in India, there is a 150% duty on whisky imports and it is not exempt from Goods & Services Tax (GST). So, an FTA clearly will be helpful for both parties in getting rid of such high levels of duty. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But achieving an FTA is a long-drawn process and the UKIBC is currentlyvery focused on establishing a greater conducive working atmosphere for those UK companies that are already operating in India. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are 500-600 UK companies sourcing, manufacturingor assembling goods and produce in India. They employ around 800,000 people and represent about

5% of Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s organised sector. What matters to these businesses is the ease of doing business and the operating environment.

Accordingly, UKIBC is pushing on the elements which will increase the amount of activity and employment(and hence taxes paid)represented by these companies in India. Life sciences and healthcare, the food and processing industry and the digital market are areas where we would like greater relaxation of norms,â&#x20AC;? he said.

According to the World Bank Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Doing Business 2020 report, India has jumped 14 places in the last year in theirEase of Doing Business list, to be ranked 63rd among 190 countries. Since 2000, total FDI from the UK to India has totalled more than ÂŁ22 billion, and the UK has been the largest G20 investor in India in the last decade.

While 2020-21 would have ideally recorded a continuing upward tick in the figure, Covid19 has disrupted global supply chain systems and has called into question previous international trade networks.

Covid-19 chokes global supply chains and multi-national trade The transport, hospitality and tourism industries were the immediate victims of â&#x20AC;&#x153;lock-downâ&#x20AC;?. Food and healthcare industry also grappled with the pandemic as MultiNational Corporations sought alternative solutions for sourcing raw ingredients as well as shortening or localising supply chains. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Covid-19 will have a profound impact in shaping global businesses especially concerning the development and maintenance of the extensive supply chain systems. In the future, I believe we will see simplification and localisation of supply chains. Therefore, whether we will have as much multi-national trade flow as we did before coronavirus? It remains to be seen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;UK companies can, however, play a vital role in establishing proper food channels and storage or warehouse facilities in India. UK companies are interested in supporting Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s food-commerce industry and in streamlining the subcontinent's unorganised food industry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After Covid-19, I believe that there will be a greater emphasis on the organised sector with a growing consumer awareness

Ameet Jogia

around ethical produce and increased reliance on consumption of products approved by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).â&#x20AC;?

Combatting unemployment and job generation While the UK companies in India contribute to the Agri-Tech and Food & Beverage Industry, technology and serviceoriented Indian companies will have a crucial role in reviving the British economy.

Hundreds of Indian companies in the UK such as Tata JLR and Infosys have created 110,793 jobs as of May 2020, according to the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;India Meets Britain Tracker 2020', collated annually by Grant Thornton and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

These companies will be vital for the creation and sustenance of British jobs in a Covid-19 environment at a time when paid employment is already reported to have plunged by 650,000 people.

The speculation around the closure of Tataâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two blast furnaces to electric furnaces at Port Talbot has created much concern amongst Union workers. Tata alone employs 3,500 at Port Talbot and the company is reportedly in negotiation with the UK Governmentfor a multi-million pound coronavirus bailout.

Citing examples of some Indian powerhouses who have swum against the

coronavirus tide, Richard said,â&#x20AC;&#x153;Olaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impact and expansion in the UK has been exponential in the wake of the pandemic.

There has been a long-standing interplay between Uber and Ola since late last year.

And in a Covid-19 environment, more Londoners would prefer an Ola as opposed to the Tube considering the safety element.

Essar Energy through its Stanlow Refinery in Liverpool has made a direct difference in boosting up the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s refining capacity. TVS Supply Chain Solutions, part of the TVS Group, again is one of the most advanced solution providers across the UK.â&#x20AC;?

!""# #$

% $

Reena Ranger OBE

It gives us great pleasure in extending our warmest congratulations to all Asian Voice readers who are celebrating Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Independence Day this year.

As Co-Chairs of Conservative Friends of India, we hope we can continue to play a key role in strengthening bilateral relations between the UK and India. The 1.7 million strong British Indian diaspora is key in nurturing this special relationship. Post Brexit and post Covid-19, we hope that can

work together in enhancing our economic recovery and maintaining our place in the changing world stage.

We hope and pray that the bond between our two great countries continues to grow in strength and prosperity.

- Councillor Ameet Jogia and Councillor - Reena Ranger OBE, Co-Chairs, Conservative Friends of India

&'( )

( ) * &+ + +, , - . /0% '' '

26 INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

15 - 21 August 2020

SBI strengthens Indian diaspora The world needs India State Bank of India UK (SBI) has been active in the UK since 1921 and has grown to become the largest Indian bank in the UK. SBI’s UK business is also the largest international operation of the bank. Whilst the bank’s operations in the UK began in wholesale banking, it has now expanded to include a subsidiarised, ring-fenced retail offering, State Bank of India (UK) Limited. This shows the bank’s commitment to operate in the UK market.

SBI’s main branch in London offers a full range of wholesale and corporate including services Corporate Banking, M&A Financing, Bilateral Credit, and NRI Services. Having proudly served the UK community for almost 100 years, SBI remains committed to both its

Mr Sharad Chandak - Regional Head, SBI UK

corporate, business and individual customers.

SBI UK Ltd. has 12 branches across the country, 7 of which are in London and five outside of London through which the bank offers a range of products and services which include Commercial Lending, Buyto-let Mortgages, Cash ISA’s, Safe Deposit Lockers, Instant Access Savings Account, Business Account

and Fixed Deposits.

Last year SBI UK Ltd launched its versatile digital banking app, YONO SBI UK, as part of the bank’s plans to expand its digital offering. YONO SBI UK provides customers with a seamless, convenient, and accessible way to carry out their online banking needs.

The bank has encouraged its customers to make the use of its digital platforms, offering support and information on financing processes and online banking. With the global pandemic of covid-19, SBI UK encountered the immediate challenges that many other businesses in the UK faced. SBI UK’s priority through this unsettled time remains to ensure the protection of its customers, employees, and their loved ones.

Indian students drive UK universities forward One of the central aspects of the UK-India relationship, despite a complex history, has been the hundreds of thousands of Indian students choosing to study in the UK across centuries. They form a key part of the ‘living bridge’ that continues to quietly shape the future of our two great nations.

Despite the populist anti-immigration policy having temporarily dampened the relationship over the last decade, we see renewed vigour.

Even throughout the rough patch when India students choosing to study in the UK fell by half, a whopping 270,000 Indian students chose British universities in the last decade. The net economic impact was estimated at £25.65 billion [2015-16 prices]. Put otherwise, the relationship is mutually rewarding.

Subsequently, we felt that Indian students studying in the UK needed to be recognised as a community with due consumer rights and their welfare assuming importance in Higher Education policy making in the UK. Among other things, this was a key driver for the formation of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union UK, which in its short history of 8 years emerged as an example for how diasporic youth can

positively come together, outside India.

As members of the founding team of NISAU, the feeling that we have been able to selflessly serve our community through a vision we have painstakingly worked on for the past 8 years has been extremely rewarding.

We set up a dedicated covid response team of more than 25 volunteers as early as March 18 and started working in tandem with various stakeholders such as the Indian and British Governments, Universities-UK and charities such as Seva Trust to provide a 360 model of support for Indians stranded in the UK. So far, our team has supported thousands of Indians with help ranging from food, accommodation, mental health support and with the Vande Bharat Mission where we closely worked with the High Commission of India. We also launched a virtual community ‘Home Away From Home’

that delivered various sessions including skilldevelopment, timemanagement during lockdown, personalbranding and even sessions with top comics like Rohan Joshi to help students de-stress.

- Sanam Arora is the Founder and Chairwoman of NISAU. - Vignesh Karthik KR is the Head of Thought Leadership at NISAU

In extending my warmest best wishes to India, on its 74th Independence Day there is much to reflect upon. This year’s celebrations take place against the backdrop of a pandemic which has dominated the global agenda. As the entire world adapts to living with Covid, every country is facing the same challenges of managing public health, and the economy, simultaneously. It is apparent that shutting down activity is proving much easier than re-opening. Whilst the mood of the nation might be more sombre and cautious, it also provides a moment to reflect upon the meaning of selfdetermination in an interdependent world.

India has risen to the current challenges through the resilience and sacrifice of its people - the very traits which secured its freedom as an independent nation.

That same resolve will be crucial as India emerges into the next phase of recovery and revival. There is a growing global consensus that we should use the Covid crisis as an opportunity to “build back better” and not revert to the status quo ante. India is well positioned to benefit from accelerating trends and the changing world order. Supply chains are already being diversified and India stands to become a major beneficiary, especially if it can speed-up domestic reforms. It is

welcome to hear Prime Minister Modi explain his vision for Atma Nirbhar Bharat, or self-reliant India, as expansive and not inwardly focussed.

To quote him directly, it is: “not about being selfcontained or being closed to the world.

It is about being self-sustaining and self-generating”.

Indian talent is also shining through. Whether in healthcare or technology, the contribution of Indianorigin doctors, pharmaceutical companies or IT professionals are increasingly visible across the world. The Global Indian Diaspora has also remained connected and concerned throughout the present situation, and organisations like the British Asian Trust, where I am privileged to serve as a Trustee, has raised in excess of £1 million to help the most vulnerable in society through its emergency Covid Appeal.

The adversity of the pandemic has also brought UK and India closer together, whether through repatriation flights for our respective citizens or the manufacturing of vaccines.

Looking forward, this same spirit of collaboration is important in harnessing the full potential of the special

relationship between our two countries. The scope of this partnership now spans everything from the soil to space and will be an important priority for the UK as it leaves the European Union and reimagines it’s global engagement.

So on 15 August, as the Indian tricolour flies high, we stand in solidarity with the hopes and aspirations of 1.3 billion people - one of the most diverse countries in the world with a multiplicity of regional languages, cultures, religions and traditions - but all united in their pursuit of a healthier, peaceful and prosperous future, and committed to acting as a positive role model amongst the family of nations. Now more than ever, India needs the world and the world needs India.

- Lord Jitesh Gadhia

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

27

15 - 21 August 2020

No, curry doesn’t stink. But what is curry after all?

Shefali Saxena On a regular day, if you Google the word ‘Curry’, you get about 43,80,00,000 results in approximately 0.84 seconds. But what exactly constitutes an authentic curry?

To trace the evolution of curry and politics of food over the years, Asian Voice exclusively spoke to Michelin Star Chef, Vineet Bhatia and Mallika Basu, author of Masala and Co-Founder Sizlspices.

Vineet Bhatia said, “That’s the same problem I have. What is curry? Curry is a generic name. Anything that comes into a bowl which is dark brown or deep red or orange in colour, and it goes into a bowl with lots of sauce, and may be some protein and vegetables, it suddenly becomes a curry. I remember when I used to work in India in the mid 80s at The Oberoi, all the foreigners would come and say that we want to have chicken curry. So I would tell them that there are a thousand versions of chicken curries, what exactly do you want?”

“Curry in Britain is used as a blanket term used to describe all kinds of British Indian restaurant food. It is not Indian food, it is a very specific taste and type of cuisine that is developed for the western market and it is absolutely delicious. But of course, it isn’t Indian food. The issue I have with it is that it is used interchangeably to describe Indian cuisine, which of course it is miles away from,” said Basu.

Vineet stated, “When I came to the UK in 1993, I found that Butter Chicken was not even red in colour, it was yellow. People who were cooking were not Indians. People would order Poppadom and Mango Chutney, Mango Lassi, Onion Bhaji, Chicken Tikka, Samosa, Biryani and Vindaloo. So without opening their menus, 99 percent of the restaurants you go to could and eat without even checking the menu.”

Politics of food Indian cuisine is n o w considered a fine d i n i n g cuisine. It is Vineet Bhatia

counted as one of the best cuisines of the world.

“Why does Indian food have to cost £5 a meal? Why can’t it cost £100 a meal?”

Vineet asked. In 2004 when he opened his restaurant, the first article that came out read ‘£100 for a curry’ and everybody felt that his business wouldn't flourish because it was too expensive. “We were extremely thrilled, because we knew we had broken the glass ceiling of Indian food trying to be cheap,” he chuckled.

Mallika Basu thinks that as generations, we’ve become used to paying less and less and less and buying more. “We eat too much food. Spend more, buy fewer things and hopefully with the pandemic, lots of people are feeling that when push comes to shove, how little do you need to get buy. You have a sack of atta and a pack of dal and you’re pretty much sorted. If something is cheap, you need to ask yourself, why it’s cheap.”

Vineet explained that many restaurant owners in London couldn’t carry forward their legacy because their children didn’t want to join the family business and instead chose to take up other jobs at the supermarkets and Uber. “They didn’t want to do it because people would tell them you stink like a curry. When I came in here, they looked at you as someone smelly from a third world country and thought that curry smells awful and smells of spice and kachcha (raw) haldi (turmeric) and dhaniya (coriander) and it’s oily and greasy. I tried to establish that that’s now how we make Indian food in our homes back in India,” said the Michelin Star Chef.

“Today when someone says the term curry, I smile and take it with a pinch of salt but it is a racist remark. I find it insulting. Anything below Mumbai is Madrasi. You go to Bangalore, Calicut, Hyderabad, Coorg, the food changes. We try to put boundaries in our food,” he added.

In the past century, the generation of grandmothers and parents who lived in the first half of the century, bought rawunprocessed spices, grinded them on their own in their courtyards and preserved them for years. In 2020, when those

customs and traditions have taken a backseat, primarily due to the nature of jobs in the world, Mallika runs her own spice company. “There’s a huge myth in the spice world about single origin spices which basically means that you get all your spices from the same part of the world.

Because growing spices has so much to do with the growing of the plant and the climate and soil quality, agriculture plays a huge role. I test every single spice,” she said.

During the lockdown in England, she came up with five spice blends and one of her absolute rules was to not use any cheap ingredients as fillers. “Things like salt, sugar and crushed olive leaves are mixed with rice powder to make spices heavier because they come cheap. My rule is, if I want to buy spices and herbs, I want them to be 100 percent pure,” she affirmed.

When Chicken Bhel Puri was basically soup and Gajar ka Halwa was expected to be served cold Vineet shared a couple of instances of his early days when he came to the UK of how people perceived Indian food. “I started working in a restaurant that was built in 1951. They were serving Chicken Bhelpuri. It was soup! They put cooked Chicken Tikka, onions, peanuts, murmura, dhaniya and tomato soup into it.”

“In Indian culture, we start with something meetha (sweet). So I made

Gajar ka Halwa. I used ghee, pistachio, almonds, cooked the Gajar (Carrot) and added milk and decided to serve it as a complimentary dish to all guests.

I served it to a foreigner.

Mallika Basu He called me and said, “You don’t know how to make a Gajar ka Halwa”. He said you never serve Gajar ka Halwa warm. I should be served cold as a cube.”

Basu feels that in recent years, the concept has really changed. She said, “I’ve lived in London for 24 years now, and I’ve seen huge changes not only in London, but even outside of London and it is wonderful to see, because their eyes have really opened up in terms of what food India can offer. Their taste preferences have been challenged. There’s a lot of awareness for cultural appropriation.

People are genuinely more interested in the provenance of cuisine, dishes, their taste and flavours.”

Today, the way we plate food has changed as compared to 15 years ago.

Plates are chosen keeping in mind that the customers can take a picture and upload on Instagram. Cookbooks and hand written notes have been replaced by iPads and tablets. Yet, Mallika said, “I don’t believe that there’s anything like Indian food. I don’t think Indian food exists. I think the food of India exists.”

Quintessential Indian food

by Mallika Basu I would choose five very popular dishes from five popular tourist destinations. I treat it as a kind of taste and palate challenger.

-

I would make one very Delhi dish like a ‘Maa ki Daal’ or butter chicken which is very Punjabi.

I’ll do something very Bengali, like a Kosha Mangsho or a Chhola Dal. I would do something from Goa for sure, like a nice fish curry or a Goan Beef fry.

I would definitely do something from Kerala like a Molee or Toran because it is a nice and easy side dish to do.

Reflect on the achievements of the Indian diaspora in the UK The United Kingdom and India have a long, shared history, and the ties that bind our two great nations, be they diplomatic, economic or cultural, go back through the generations.

On Indian Independence Day, we should reflect on the achievements of India and the Indian diaspora here in the UK, and look forward to the relationship between our nations strengthening further still.

It is a day to recognise the many important contributions made by the diaspora community here in the UK through development and commerce, or the vast investments made

by non-resident Indians in Indian communities through the building of homes, schools, and medical facilities for villages and towns. The Indian diaspora community embodies the link between our two countries, with the connections and knowledge that bring us together.

The Indian diaspora in the UK is one of the largest ethnic minority communities in the country, with the 2011 census recording approximately 1.5 million people of Indian origin, making up almost 2 per cent of the population yet contributing 6 per cent to the country’s GDP. Although

uncertainties remain about the UK’s future role on the world stage, one thing that is clear is that the diaspora community’s ability to bridge any divide that exists between our great nations will continue to deepen and develop UK-India relations in the future.

I want to wish Indians everywhere a very happy Independence Day. - Preet Kaur Gill, the Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston and Shadow International Development Secretary

28 INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

15 - 21 August 2020

A new era for UK-India relations Labour’s labour in India’s Independence struggle

This year’s unprecedented global economic uncertainties have brought the importance of international relationships into focus.

India especially has become a topic of trade conversations worldwide, because of the exciting opportunities its fast-growing economy presents.

Together, the UK and India are advancing discussions about the next chapter of their shared history, seeking to build on the ties that bind them.

Both countries economically support one another – India is the second-leading source of Foreign Direct Investment in the UK, reciprocated by the $27bn that the UK has invested in India since 2000.

At the beating heart of this symbiotic relationship are the collective values of their people and places.

Nowhere is this more evident than in business, where both populations’ thirst for innovation and creativity has captivated industries worldwide.

In the UK, the significance of Indian diaspora-owned businesses totals over £36bn for its economy.

The West Midlands exemplifies the positive influence of this energy and entrepreneurialism. Members of our 200,000-strong Indian diaspora have pioneered some of our region’s greatest achievements and cultural assets.

The late Lord Bhattacharya redefined industry-academic collaboration by founding WMG at the University of Warwick, which continues to drive unique R&D partnerships today, such as with Tata Motors, Jaguar Land Rover and Lotus.

My personal story in business reflects this. In 1972 my family moved to the West Midlands and established East End Foods in

response to growing demand from Asian migrants for authentic ingredients from the continent. I have since continued the business’ journey in my family by bringing the wholesale arm under my own enterprise – Lioncroft Wholesale Ltd. But beyond industry, our region has a much deeper affinity with India, as a core UK location for sacred places and festivals.

Dudley’s Lord Balaji Temple is a key centre for worship and culture that attracts devotees from across the country, while Birmingham’s Diwali on the Square is a highlight of national celebrations, attracting 20,000 people in 2019.

Our region can make a real difference in forging a new era for UK-India relations.

The new West Midlands India Partnership (WMIP) aims to foster mutual prosperity by driving trade and investment, boosting tourism, creating educational alliances, civic partnerships and energising cultural engagement.

Thanks to this new Partnership, we have a clear pathway to support and advance our vision and mission to work closely with India in a way that creates mutual economic and cultural benefit, like never before. As hosts of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the WMIP will help us to maximise the trade, tourism and investment potential of the event to generate shared benefits and opportunities for each other. We can elevate the profound connections of our past to strengthen our alliance and build a more prosperous future, together.

- Dr Jason Wouhra OBE, Chair of the West Midlands India Partnership (He comments on the West Midlands' role in the future of UK-India relations)

The Labour Party has a historically significant role in the fight for India’s Independence. Our 1945 manifesto made clear our commitment towards this goal which stated “… the Labour Party will seek to promote mutual understanding and cordial co-operation between the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, the advancement of India to responsible self-government, and the planned progress of our Colonial Dependencies.”

Soon after Clement Attlee’s election victory, the Indian Independence Act was passed in 1947 and Attlee became known as the “man who freed India.”

Since this time, Labour has been at the forefront of promoting values of internationalism and cooperation abroad, while building an inclusive society at home - where people of all walks of life are welcomed and have the opportunity to flourish.

The Indian diaspora is one of the most successful examples of this. Indians have now become an integral part of Modern Britain, with Indian culture, food and music enjoyed by people across the country, leading to the late Labour Foreign Secretary Robin Cook describing curry as the British national dish. Economically, according to a joint report by Grant Thornton UK and the Indian High Commission, Indian diasporaowned companies employ over 174,000 people and pay over £1 billion in Corporation Tax. And this does not even account for the vast contribution of Indian run SMEs. This is testament to how the diaspora has settled

and thrived in the UK, adding value not only to our economic prosperity but also to our wider society.

These achievements have not come to pass without challenges however. We know issues of racism were rife and much inequality still exists today. The Labour Party has always stood shoulder to shoulder with the community in this struggle. In fact, one of our seminal achievements was the passing and strengthening of the Race Relations Act in the 60s, which made it illegal to refuse housing, employment, or public services to a person due to their colour, race, ethnic or national origins. This provided the foundation for Indians and other ethnic minorities to build their lives in the UK with the protection of the law against racism.

There is still progress that can be made to increasing representation in senior levels across industries and public life, but the extent to which Indians have enriched British culture cannot be understated. Labour has also advocated in Parliament for a fair immigration system, including for family and student visas and work visas including for the many NHS doctors and nurses that have made a difference for so many. I am proud of the contribution that Indians make to our political, social and economic life in the UK, and that the bonds between India and Britain remain strong. I wish everyone celebrating a special Indian Independence Day. - Seema Malhotra MP for Feltham and Heston

India-UK: Ideas for an Enhanced Partnership The year 2020 is expected to be an inflection point in the relationship between the UK and India. Historically, a steady relationship but as we look at the fast-evolving nature of India and UK, there are many opportunities where the two countries can work together for an enhanced partnership. India and the UK share common interest in each other’s prosperity, generating jobs, R&D, and enhancing their economic competitiveness.

These provide a sound foundation for a partnership which will not only benefit the two countries but will demonstrate to the world that with meaningful collaboration we can address the common challenges of our times such as reform of global institutions, the fight against terrorism, climate change, energy security, health, and education.

In the race against the pandemic, the entire globe has witnessed the importance of cooperation and the requirement for active actions which are scalable, robust, and agile.

From charter flights for stranded Britons to be repatriated to a crucial consignment of paracetamol, the pandemic has proved that the UK-India relationship remains strong.

India has also joined the UK’s global vaccine mission. India’s capacity to produce vaccines at low cost and research expertise will play a very important role. The Serum Institute of India has started trials of the Covid-19 vaccine candidate developed by Oxford University and British pharma major

AstraZeneca. Similarly, Indian pharma giant Wockhardt has teamed up with the UK government to fill-finish Covid-19 vaccines.

The disruption caused by the corona virus and significant geo-political shifts require heightened cooperation between the two countries. Last month, at the 14th IndiaUK Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) the two countries agreed an Enhanced Trade Partnership – a step in the right direction, on the way to a Free Trade Agreement.

Indian companies have become large employers in several countries, most notably, the UK where several high-profile acquisitions have taken place. As the parent Indian company works with the labour force in the UK, organizational, technical, managerial, and cross-cultural skills are acquired. This has the potential to emerge yet another dimension to the multifaceted partnership.

Research & Development (R&D) and technology transfers could be vital drivers of the enhanced collaboration. There are serious opportunities for closer collaboration in areas such as advanced engineering, biotechnology, renewable energy, nano technology, design, quality assurance, and defense technologies. There are significant efforts in this regard, however there is a need to be more ambitious. India is seeking active partnership in R&D, joint

development, and transfer of technology in a very broad spectrum of spheres.

The education sector is another key area where there is enormous potential to develop bilateral collaboration in multisectoral research and knowledgesharing between industry and academia and to develop new capabilities within universities. The recently announced Education Policy by the Government of India should make it easier.

There is a huge potential for enhanced people-topeople contacts.

About a million people travel between the two countries every year. Almost two million persons of Indian origin have made UK their home. The Indian origin community play an important role in developing this partnership. Cultural collaboration between the two countries is happily on the increase. We must ensure that we build on this. Young people in both countries say they appreciate the culture of the other. And there are many areas where the UK can benefit from such strong relations as India continues to rise as a world power. It

is therefore vital that the UK understands contemporary India, its priorities and how the two countries are best placed to work together. Strong bilateral relationships depend on a foundation of mutual knowledge, understanding, and trust.

Cultural awareness supports economic and diplomatic ties.

Trade and economic connections will certainly be vital elements for enhanced relationship between India and the UK, but just as important, even more so, in the long run is the cultural relationship and people to people understanding. Cultural approaches can be a model for other forms of collaboration that is political, economic, and social. We now need to use all our cultural resources to create the basis of knowledge and understanding for the sake of our security, prosperity, and peace. The UK and India now have the golden opportunity to make a step change and put their relationship on a new strategic footing.

- Baroness Usha Prashar, Chair, FICCI UK Council

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL

29

15 - 21 August 2020

British Indians deserve an Independent review into Covid-19 deaths As India’s Independence Day is celebrated around the world, I would like to send my warmest wishes to all British Indians.

The contribution that Londoners of Indian descent have made and continue to make to the success of our capital and our country is incalculable.

From life-saving work in hospitals, surgeries and the emergency services, to helping keep our city moving with public and private transport and powering the economy through businesses large and small, Londoners of Indian descent have helped to shape all aspects of our society.

Throughout this pandemic, we have seen this more than ever, with Londoners of Indian descent serving their communities on the frontline, volunteering to help others or simply playing their part by staying at home. Even in the toughest of times, they have shown the very best of the spirit of our city. But, tragically, we have seen many lose their lives.

It has long been clear that people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds have been disproportionately impacted by Covid-19, with those from South Asian communities among the most

likely to die in hospital. This is simply unacceptable and British Indians deserve proper answers.

The events of recent months have spurred much-needed conversations about racism and systemic injustice and it is clear significant action must follow. That is why I have repeatedly called on the Government to ensure that the ethnicity of people who die from Covid-19 is recorded on their death certificates, and why I continue to call for an independent public inquiry into the causes of the disparity and for measures to be put in place to ensure change.

So, as we celebrate another year since India gained its independence, we must also ensure the hard-won rights and freedoms in Britain, secured through generations of activism and sacrifice, are available to all. And as we begin to recover from this crisis, we must prioritise forging a new social contract - one which advances the twin causes of racial and economic equality and supports the welfare and wellbeing of every single community in this country.

- Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London

A tribute to the anti-colonials I am incredibly proud of the multiculturalism of my home city. Leicester is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse places in the UK, and each of our interlinked communities contribute significantly to our collective religious, cultural and political life. In my first months as the MP for Leicester East, I have been working hard to ensure that I am a friend and ally to all communities in our wonderful city.

Leicester’s identity is forged from a proud history of immigration, particularly from India. As a staunch anti-imperialist, I celebrate Indian Independence Day for igniting many global anti-colonial independence movements in the decades after WWII.Since independence in 1947, many Indians have travelled to the UK andmade Leicester their home. According to the latest census, Leicester has the second highest Indian-born population in the UK. Leicester is defined by our diversity.

Over two-thirds of our community are from an African, Asian or minority ethnic background, and nearly half of our residents were born outside the UK. We are home to 240 faith groups across 14 different faiths, and our residents hail from over 50 countries.

This is what makes Leicester special. We are the city where the minorities make up the majority, and we are richer for this vibrant exchange of cultures. I have been

workinghard to represent the Indian community throughout my short time as Leicester’s MP, from lobbying the government for the safe return of British residents stranded in India to advocating for protections to the British Asian Wedding Industry.

I am incredibly proud to have been born and bred in such a wonderfully diverse city.Yet I do not take tolerance and multiculturalism for granted. The right for different communities and cultures to live side by side has been fought for by generations of struggle.

At a time when hate crime has more than doubled since 2013, and when powerful people are attempting to blame communities for the government’s mishandling of the coronavirus crisis, it has never been more important for our communities to come together and unite. We must oppose any attempt to divide us based on nationality or religion.

On the 73rd anniversary of Indian Independence, I wish all members of Leicester’s Indian community a happy and safe celebration. I will join you in celebrating the unique and enduring contribution of the Indian diaspora to Leicester’seconomy, culture and identity.

- Claudia Webbe, Labour MP for Leicester East

Celebrating Indians who laid their lives for us On this historic day, let us remember the thousands who laid down their lives to protect the dignity of the flag of India. At a time where there is much uncertainty in the world due to the terrible pandemic that is COVID-19 we must take the opportunity to celebrate those who have left their homeland and settled in the United Kingdom and who have become pillars of society.

My constituency Harrow East is one of the most diverse constituencies in the country and I am proud to represent a high percentage of people who have left India to begin a new life in the UK. In Harrow East, the Indian community are always prominent in local events and are the first to help. I was greatly touched by the number of volunteers from the Indian diaspora that immediately offered their help during the height of the pandemic to offer resources such as food, drinks, PPE and medicine to those in need.In my opinion this embodies the kind and sympathetic nature of the Indian people who have always been most welcoming when I have had the pleasure to visit community events.

Sadly, the pandemic has cost too many lives in the local Indian community. It is vital that we establish why so many people were afflicted with

this dreadful virus and also why so many have died.

On this day, it is important to celebrate the spirit of freedom today and enjoy the independence which was hard won. Happy Independence Day! Jai Hind - Bob Blackman, Conservative MP for Harrow East

Masala curry to artificial jewellery: The new Kohinoor of India’s success in the UK I am very pleased to see the immense progress made by India in its 74 years of Independence. The recent confirmation from Chancellor Rishi Sunak (first Indian-origin MP with keys to No. 11) about wanting Mahatma Gandhi’s face on the British coin is a hallmark of Indian diaspora’s success in the UK. Hard-working Indians have been making success stories long before Independence.

During two world wars, the British Indian armies played leading roles and were awarded with prestigious awards and knighthoods.

Maharaja Duleep Singh was brought to the UK with his K o h i n o o r diamond. Crying one day, he had said, “I have no one to talk with me in my mother tongue.” Since, then the UK has changed.

Today, Indians are living in every town and city of the UK. Soon after Indian independence in 1947, the British felt that they were in dire need of Indian workforce who came in without any problems and baggage attached to them.

Fellow Indian-origin individuals from Uganda have made worthwhile and

notable contributions to the UK today.

Thousands of Indians are celebrated success stories in the UK for their hardwork, skill-set and business acumen thereby, contributing to the UK’s economic growth.

Indians have established their footprint in various industries such as medicine, ophthalmology, dentistry, pharmacy, accountancy and law.

Lately, there has been a good record of Indians operating in hospitality, trade and property sectors as well.

The influence of Indian culture right from masala curries to a r t i f i c i a l jewellery and ethnic sarees have become a style-statement for British ladies.

Thousands of places of worship including the Gurudwaras and Mandirs have been brought into culmination by the united efforts of the Indian diaspora.

I offer my heartiest congratulations to the India diaspora for the significant milestones achieved across UK and wish them luck for all future endeavours. And I congratulate India for her magnanimous journey in becoming “Great India”.

- Lord Ranbir Singh Suri

30 READERS VOICE

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

KHICHADI

15 - 21 August 2020

Kapil’s

Morari Bapu's noteworthy donations

Indian Independence Day

A person that has been acclaimed as a master of the great epic 'Ramayana' and over 1000 discourses to his credit worldwide, has recently faced the wrath of the hardliner Hindu society for appeasing Muslims and dishonouring Krishna and his family at one instance. This has obviously hurt many of his ardent followers and well-wishers.

However, that has not stopped Bapu doing good work for society. He contributed twenty lack rupees to be equally distributed to the family of 20 soldiers martyred in IndiaChina border disputes. Furthermore, he pledged a donation of five lack rupees from his own funds to the historical construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and raise five crores from his followers. Amazingly, so far sixteen crores rupees has been raised and the figure could go well up.

It seems Bapu with the support of his followers will continue with the good work.

My heartiest congratulations on the Indian Independence Day and best wishes for bright future for our beloved nation.

It is so disheartening to note that for the last 5-7 years people have been led to believe that the country has made no or very little progress in the seven decades since Independence. Just as a glimpse, in contrast, I would very briefly comment on my findings and observation, as under.

Britishers did not go to India that was primitive or barren land, but a glittering jewel of the world at that time, when India's share of the world economy was 23 per cent compared to Britain's 1.3 per cent. India was the richest and highly industrialised country in the world and together with China accounted for almost 75 percent of the world's industrial output back in 1750. It was the centre of light in the Asiatic world.

Japan was just a shadow whilst India had a highly developed banking system and handled as much money as the Bank of England and Indians had similar standard of living to people in Britain back in 1750. India was wealthy, thriving, industrialised country with good education system. In fact, the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's income was 10 times more than that of Louis xiv. However, the tale of the British colonialism in India resulted in the conversion of such a successful country into one of the poorest, most backward, illiterate and diseased societies on earth as a poster boy of poverty.

At the time when we achieved our Independence India's economic growth was dropped to 0.8 percent (1900 to 1947), a life expectancy had dropped to 27, literacy rate to 16 percent, almost no domestic industries, and over 90 percent of the population living below what we now classified as poverty line. After the arrival of Electricity, in the first 50 years Britain, Europe and America were electrified whilst in India only 1500 villages were connected to the grid out of 640,000 but the government of India in less than 50 years after independence connected 320 times as many in a similar time span.

Since then India has marched forward, lips and bounds, and made tremendous progress in all the fields whilst facing adversities, something one can glean and marvel. The progress in some fields such as space and IT has become envy of many.

Rejoicing the journey made so far is our true celebrations.

H B Patel By email

Niranjan Vasant By email

Concern for air travellers Millions of Indians that live abroad have to travel to India frequently with diverse motives. These travellers mostly travel through Mumbai or Delhi airports where they have to undergo immigration requirements even if they are transit passengers. Some senior citizens or people with mobility issues and other disabilities normally book wheelchairs beforehand that can make them comfortable at the airports.

During my trips to India, I have however found that Mumbai as also Delhi airport have very limited wheelchairs available and at times they are also damaged and consequently unusable. After disembarking, passengers that are exhausted from the long-haul journey, have to wait and stand patiently for a long time. If your name is missing from the list of wheelchair users, you are denied this facility hence you have to make your own way to the immigration counters that are very distantly located at these 2 airports.

Though small golf style electric cars are accessible, but they are also not adequate to accommodate the growing number of travellers. Many travellers are quite ignorant about the distant location of these immigration counters and walking drains them completely. The concerned authorities must show concern for these air travellers and take effective steps to add to the existing number of wheelchairs as also the electric cars so as to offer these basic facilities to each and every passenger who is in need of them.

Bharat Shah By email

Distractors from within I am a great admirer of Vishnu Pandya’s historical articles published regularly in Gujarat Samachar, as people like us born and brought-up in East Africa are mostly ignorant of the glorious ancient history of India during Maurya and Gupta dynasty who gave India great kings like Chandragupta, Bindusara and Ashok (Maurya Dynasty).

King Chandragupta, under the guidance of his Guru Chanakya; defeated the Governors left by retreating army of Alexander the Great to rule Northern India and liberated India from the clutches of foreign rule. He later married Lady Helena, Macedonian Princes, in political alliance with Greece.

But declared that no children born out of this marriage of convenience could inherit the throne, rule his empire! I refer to Pandya’s historical article published in GS dated 16th May, about the greatest Emperor in Indian history, namely Ashok, under the title “Emperor Ashok’s Religious Conversion” which he describes as myth created by misguided historians.According to this mythological tale, in the mind of Pandya, Ashok, after the battle of Kalinga in the neighbouring State of Orrisa, resulting in deaths of thousands of innocent civilians, Ashok adopted Buddhism in name only, still conquering and expanding his empire.

Mr Pandya’s character assassination of Ashok is difficult to understand. I have read and studied many historical books of Maurya and Gupta dynasty, written by Westerners who all described Ashok as wise, well informed and dedicated ruler who introduced modern government, rule based on Egyptian, Greek and other civilization, introduced stones as main building material, replacing wood which was fire risk, as well as damaging eco system, as forest were fast disappearing.By building irrigation channels and dams, distributing water to dry areas, he increased agricultural, thus eliminating starvation. Yes, he maintained strong army to guard borders of his empire, stretching from modern day Afghanistan to Burma border.

In the history of ancient India, Ashok is the only ruler to govern on the principle of ahimsa, non-violence, according to Buddhist doctrine. I suggest people should read History of the World, published by Hamlyn in 1972, to do justice to Ashok, India’s greatest and noblest Emperor in history.

Bhupendra M. Gandhi By email

Respect your national flag Independence Day represents the true spirit of independent India and marks the patriotic fervour of all Indians across the country who celebrates this event with great enthusiasm year after year. On the occasion of Independence Day, we must remember the sacrifices made by those Indians who fought bravely for a liberated India. But it seems that the Gandhian ideals that inspired India’s independence struggles are no longer followed by the citizens today.

Each and every one of us respects Mahatma Gandhi and proudly addresses him as the ‘Father of the Nation’, but no one is prepared to tread the path adopted by him.

Independence Day is a day for us to celebrate with the hoisting of our national flag, recitation of our national anthem, singing patriotic songs and organising social and cultural events. The National Flag is symbolic of one’s respect for the nation. However, there has been a new trend to sell flags, made of paper and plastic, as Independence Day or Republic Day approaches. With a sense of national pride, people buy such flags but the very next day, we find these flags being trampled on roads, in dustbins and elsewhere. By allowing this to happen, people forget that they are insulting the National Flag of the country. This disrespect towards our flag must come to an end.

Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai, India

India’s new education policy India’s new education policy (AV 8-14 August 2020) is really an important milestone, setting a new and much-needed direction in the field of education. The new policy has evolved from the current needs keeping in mind the future requirement to make India a global power. It has been rightly said that the change is constant. Hence changes from time to time should be made to reflect the needs of society and industries. Plenty of new fields of learning are added in the past decade or so which were not there earlier. Since the internet and mobile technology became an integral part of our lives, emerging fields like nanotechnology, cybersecurity and plenty of other areas in clinical and medical sciences have become more important.There are plenty of companies from all over the world keeping their eyes on the emerging superpower called India. Many companies including Google and Apple have committed to invest in India. They know that India is one of the few countries which can fulfil their present as well as future requirements. Like Intelligent Quotient, there is a need to look at Emotional Quotient also.

Balanced and holistic education is very important especially when there is too much information available and it is difficult to judge what is good or bad. A bit of spirituality, how to keep away from stressful life and manage work/family balance should be embedded in the education system for the overall holistic development of strong characters.

Hitesh Hingu London

Follow me on Twitter: @kk_OEG

Pakistani Labour Party?

Kapil Dudakia Some Indian voters felt that when Keir Starmer took over the leadership of the Labour Party that there might be a change in how it works with the Indian community. I had calls from high profile staunch Labour supporters trying their best to convince me that it was changing. In May 2020 I wrote a piece titled, ‘Labour fails Indians again’, it was my attempt to raise some of the issues and also point out that Starmer had a small window in which to disassociate Labour from the Pakistani lobby. He has failed.

His first error was to set up the COVID BAME group and fail to invite even a single Hindu organisation. We then witnessed the fiasco of Labour MPs writing to the Rt Hon Priti Patel MP in which they attempted to victimise the Home Secretary on race lines. An incredibly disgraceful act of wilful gaslighting.

Starmer of course went on to promote a number of his MPs who have been openly hostile to India (and many Indians feel them as well). Issues emerging for example revolve around Kashmir, again.

There was a time when Indians felt that maybe Starmer would steer Labour away from the absurd position taken by the Party at their last conference.

However, in reality it seems he says one thing to Indians and then gives a nod of approval to his Pakistani vote bank.

Only last week we witnessed Labour Shadow International Development Secretary Preet Kaur Gill who seem to be suggesting that somehow Khalistanis had some unknown right of self-determination under some unknown UN resolution.

Thank God for the voice of common sense in our Lord Rami Ranger who quickly tweeted, ‘Today, I spoke with the British Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Boris Johnson MP who categorically assured me that British Government does not support Khalistan movement. Thank you PM.’.

Let me remind the Khalistanis of some historical truths. Guru Nanakji played a key role in getting the Ram Mandir decision for construction. The Janam Sakhis of Guru Nanakji state that he went to Ram Janmabhoomi for Darshan of Shri Ram and this was used by the courts as evidence.

Lord Ram is mentioned in the Guru Granth Sahib 2533 times, the only other divine name mentioned more times is Hari - 8344 times. In the final words of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, on page 1429, Guru Nanakji says: sang sakhA sabh taji ga-e ko-u na nibahi-O sAth kahu nAnak iha bipat mai Tek ek raghnAth - My companions and friends have all left me. None have remained with me to the last, in this calamity Raghunath is my only support.

In the same week Labour politicians undermined the building of the Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. In their zeal to appease to the Muslim vote bank, they forgot that 500 years ago the "Babri Masjid" was built and named after the butcher Mughal emperor Babur.The genocidal atrocities committed by the Islamic invaders, forgotten because they murdered, raped and destroyed Hindus.

The building of the Shri Ram Mandir is a step towards putting right, the wrongs of the past.

Labour politicians should be supporting Ram Mandir, instead they have sided with the extremists.

In 2014 when I wrote. ‘Is Labour going Sharia?’, it raised many eyebrows. However, it seems to me at least that this Labour Party is now but an extension of Pakistani politics. To all Indians who are still members of, and still support the Labour Party, is it not time you woke up to the clear reality that is in front of you?

We are grateful to all letter writers for more and more versatile letters well within word limit. Please keep contributing as always.

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

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

BOLLYWOOD

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

31

15 - 21 August 2020

Priyanka Chopra's 2020 mood calendar is a mood in itself A viral 2020 meme kickstarted by Hollywood actress Reese Witherspoon has taken the internet world by fire. With several Hollywood celebs creating their own meme that captures a funny representation of the deterioration of their mood, it was Priyanka Chopra's version of the meme that caught our eye.

The trend, originally started by Witherspoon, followed by actor and producer Mindy Kaling, shows stills from the celebs' films or

shows to show how their moods and appearances changed for the worse with the passing of each month in this year. Pri's collage shows her in a jovial mood at the beginning of the year, gradually deteriorating over the months. It ends with an exhausted Priyanka hitting herself with a glass of wine in the head.

Several actors partook in the trend, including top celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Gal Gadot, among others.

Genre: Biographical Drama Duration: 127 minutes

Devi, a Mathematical wizard Shakuntala Devi was a maths wiz who people compared to a human computer due to her ability of having no limits.

Gunjan Saxena lauds Pankaj Tripathi’s acting Former Air Force pilot Gunjan Saxena is impressed with Pankaj Tripathi’s performance as her father in her upcoming biopic, 'Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl'. Taking to Instagram, Gunjan lauded Pankaj for his work. “Father daughter duo. Respect @pankajtripathi .. You nailed it... Kudos....

The most simplistically portrayed father daughter bonding,” she wrote in her post, sharing a video of Pankaj speaking about his role in the film. The film stars Janhvi Kapoor as Gunjan.

In the video, Pankaj says that the role was very personal for him and that Gunjan for him, wasn’t Janhvi but like his own daughter.

“Just like Anup Saxena in the film, I am the same kind of father in real life. I am always after my daughter, I keep telling her to go play lawn tennis.”

Pankaj also met Gunjan’s father Anup during the shoot of the film. “Meeting him was extremely calming for me.

When I saw him, I kept observing his body language for a long time. He is a very interesting man, very interesting and very detail-oriented,” he said about him.

Pankaj also appreciated Janhvi’s work in the film, saying that he would cry after her takes. He said that Janhvi is innocent and sensitive and sincere. Janhvi said that Gunjan and Anup’s bond was reflected in the relationship she shared with Pankaj.

Ayushmann to undergo major physical transformation for Abhishek Kapoor's next Actor Ayushmann Khurrana is all set to undergo a major physical transformation for filmmaker Abhishek Kapoor's upcoming film with Vaani Kapoor. In a statement, Vaani talked about the movie and working with Abhishek. She is quoted as saying, “It's a lovely, heartrending film. I have always wanted to work with Abhishek Kapoor, being so inspired by his

films. This feels like an amazing opportunity to be part of his vision. Ayushmann is one of the most talented actors of our generation and I'm thrilled that our first film together is this beautiful love story.”

Ayushmann is currently on an impressive streak of success, with movies like 'Andhadhun', 'Badhaai Ho', 'Gulabo Sitaabo', and 'Dream Girl'.

I didn’t force my daughter to get into films: Chunky Panday As sparks fly from both sides of Bollywood about the nepotism debate, actor Chunky Panday says he’s rather surprised to hear words like ‘insiders and outsiders’, something he has never heard before, in his four-decade long career.

“I don’t even know how this term insider and outsider have come into place. The moment you sign a film, you become an insider. It’s your first assignment that makes you an insider.

From what I can tell you is that the equation of the industry has not changed. It’s is an equal playing field.

You’ve to have a huge amount of luck and then things will fall in place,” shares Chunky, adding that there sure-

ly will be ups and downs.

And whenever the nepotism debate reignites, his daughter, Ananya Panday has, come in the line of fire of trolls. “If my daughter chose to get into films, it’s her prerogative, I’ve not forced her. I wanted to become a doctor. I couldn’t become one. My father was a renowned heart surgeon and my mother was doctor. I must confess that I tried. And I just couldn’t succeed.

Then I became an actor. Kids today decide what they want to do. I hope and pray that they succeed. That’s all I can do,” the 57-year-old says.

The story centres around the wonderful life of Shakuntala Devi the maths genius from Bangalore, India who became world known for her abilities to be a human mental calculator.

The story is told through the eyes of her daughter Anu Banerji and talks about how she was an amazing mother as well as a tremendous woman. It shows her struggles through life as well as her ambitions and achievements.

But being told through the eyes of her daughter comes with its traumas and it shows how Devi was pushed by her parents especially her father to achieve and was pulled out of school to do shows and become the primary money earner for the family.

The film brings to light that being good at one thing such as maths does not necessarily mean you are good in other aspects and this is where Devi struggled in relationships. The first half of the movie rushes through her childhood and her early life in Europe. She toured around the world including the USA and Europe and had her abilities studied by a professor at the University of California, Berkeley.

But Devi was not just a math wizard she wrote books about maths and a book about homosexuals which is considered as the first work on this in India. This is highlighted in one of the pivotal scenes of the film, where Anu— played by Sanya Malhotra, is shown as confronting her mother because Shakuntala Devi uses her ex-husband to say that he was homosexual in order to promote her book on homosexuality, titled The World of Homosexuals. The segment chooses to focus on the troubled relationship of a mother with her daughter. The movie highlights the fact that Shakuntala Devi wrote a book on homosexuality and was in fact, the first to conduct a study on homosexuality in India in the late-seventies.

The movie also sheds light on the lesser discussed conversation around transgenerational trauma where it hints that Shakuntala Devi was bitter towards her mother because of her mother’s submissive nature to her father—who was exploitative. As a result of this, she vowed to be nothing like her mother, and be the independent and confident woman that she is, who is not afraid to voice her mind. Her mother tells her that what goes around comes around, and one day Shakuntala Devi’s daughter will come to resent her just like she resents her mother. This is exactly what happens in the movie and it shows the perpetuation of transgenerational trauma in Indian families.

Most fundamentally, the movie does not demonise a career-oriented woman for following her dreams. It attempts to educate the audience that rifts in families can occur in both traditionally conservative families as well as in modern households busting the misperception that independent working women are responsible for drifting relations in a family.

Vidya Balan essays the lead role of the woman that made it to the Guiness Book of World records and of course brings her own quirks to the film. The film reminds us of the woman that was so clever but was not given her due whilst she was around.

You can get in touch with Vallisa: djvallisa@gmail.com

32

www.asian-voice.com

15 - 21 August 2020

AsianVoiceNews

KOLLYWOOD

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Malavika Mohanan wanted to celebrate birthday with 'Master' for the birthday wish. Makers of the movie also shared a poster featuring Malavika and Vijay.

Talking about the movie recently, Malavika said, “It was like a big college picnic. It was so much fun. We made something cool and different from anything that has been made in Tamil cinema before. It was a blast working on the film. I wish I could say more but yes, it is going to be a treat

Actor Malavika Mohanan celebrated her 26th birthday over the weekend.

While she got wishes galore, Malavika said she wanted to celebrate the day with the team of 'Master'. Calling Covid “stupid”, the actress wrote, “Was waiting to celebrate with #TeamMaster in Chennai, but stupid covid”.

The statement came in response to 'Master' director Lokesh Kanagaraj

for Vijay and Vijay Sethupathi fans for sure. It is going to be madness.”

The movie, which was initially scheduled to release on April 9 this year. However, it got postponed due to the pandemic.

I joined film field because of my father: Shruti Haasan Entering the nepotism debate, actor Shruti Haasan admits that her entry into cinema was on account of her father Kamal Haasan. She says, “The doors of the film industry opened for me simply because of my surname. It would be criminal to deny that. But over the years, I learned that things are different in Tamil and Telugu cinema when compared to Bollywood.”

Shruti added, “I made my debut alongside a star like Suriya in Tamil, an actor who also got his break because of his father, Sivakumar sir. And yet, his path to stardom was carved by his work. After that initial launch, every actor has to prove their talent and work hard to get their next offer, especially in Telugu and Tamil cinema. Your background stops being such an influence after your debut. I am not sure whether this is the case in Bollywood. I think it's different there.”

On the work front, Shruti was recently seen in Tigmanshu Dhulia's 'Yaara'. She also has Vijay Sethupathi's 'Laabam', and Ravi Teja's 'Krack'.

Lokesh Kanagaraj Singer SP Bala Subrahmanyam tests positive for Covid in talks for a Tamil-Telugu bilingual project Filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj is all set to make his Telugu directorial debut with a yet-untitled bilingual project. A media report reveals a leading production house has already initiated talks with Lokesh. Major producers Mythri Movie Makers has approached him for a Tamil-Telugu bilingual film. Neither Lokesh nor the production house has made an official announcement yet.

Kanagaraj is currently gearing up for the release of upcoming Tamil film 'Master'. The film features Vijay, who plays a college professor while Vijay Sethupathi plays the antagonist. The leading female role is played by Malavika Mohanan. The movie also stars Andrea Jeremiah in a key role. Other media reports also revealed that Lokesh will direct Rajinikanth in a Tamil project, which will be bankrolled by Kamal Haasan's 'Raaj Kamal International'.

Legendary singer SP Balasubrahmanyam (SPB) has tested positive for the coronavirus after showing mild symptoms. In a video posted on his Facebook page, he said that even though he was instructed that he can self quarantine at home and get treated, he preferred to get himself admitted to a hospital for the sake of his concerned family members.

He said, “Last two to three days I have been having a little discomfort.

Discomfort means little chest congestion, which for a singer is nonsense. Phlegm forming and then cold and on and off fever. These three things, otherwise no problem. But I didn’t want to take it easy, so I went to

TV Listing 21:00

21:30

the hospital and checked. So they said it was just a mild, very mild positive of corona. They said you can stay home and self quarantine yourself.”

SPB added, “But I didn't want to do that. It is very tough in the place with all the family. They are very concerned, they can't leave you alone. So I got admitted to the hospital.” The legendary singer also said that his fans and well wishers need not worry about his condition. He also requested people to avoid calling him to enquire about his health.

“All my friends are here, they are taking good care of me, I am in good hands. And I have good health. Nobody has to worry about this one. So please

don't bother to call me to find out how I am,” he said.

20:30 BARRISTER BABU

21:00 BALIKA VADHU - LAMHE

NAATI PINKY KI LAMBI LOVE STORY PAVITRA BHAGYAA

PYAAR KE

SATURDAY 15TH AUG

11:00

SATURDAY 15TH AGU

* Schedule is subject to change

MON 17TH AUG FRI 21TH AUG 2020 11:30 14:30 15:30 16:00

19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30

SRIMAD BHAGWAT KASAM INTERNETWALA LOVE THE GREAT INDIAN GLOBAL KITCHEN ISHQ MEIN MARJAWAN 2 CHOTI SARDAARNI SHAKTI SHUBHARAMBH

18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 21:00 21:30

INDIA UNLIMITED ISHQ MEIN MARJAWAN 2 CHOTI SARDAARNI NAAGIN (SEASON 5) DESI BEAT RESET KHATRON KE KHILADI MADE IN INDIA

SUNDAY 16TH AUG

15:30 18:30 19:00 20:00 21:00 21:30

KABHI KHUSHI KABHI GHAM DESI BEAT RESET CHOTI SARDAARNI NAAGIN (SEASON 5) DESI BEAT RESET KHATRON KE KHILADI MADE IN INDIA

17:00

* Schedule is subject to change

MON 17TH AGU FRI 21ST AUG2020

8:00

8:30

TERE NAAL ISHQ

BHARADWAJ BAHUEIN

15:30 JAI SHRI KRISHNA

16:00 DHARAM THI GUJARATI

18:00

DESI BEAT SEASON 2

DHARAM THI GUJARATI

BFFS WITH VOGUE (SEASON 3)

19:00

FEET UP WITH THE STARS

19:30

OM NAMAH SHIVAY

20:30

21:00

(SEASON 2)

DESI BEAT SEASON 2 BALIKA VADHU

SUNDAY 16TH AUG

16:30 RASOI SHOW

11:00

DESI BEAT SEASON 2

18:00 TUM KAUN PIYA

18:00

DESI BEAT SEASON 3

17:30 CHHUTA CHHEDA 18:30 DIL KA RISHTA

19:00 MERE HUMRAHI

19:30 OM NAMAH SHIVAY

17:00

19:30 20:30

21:00

DHARAM THI GUJARATI OM NAMAH SHIVAY

DESI BEAT SEASON 2 BALIKA VADHU