Krish Raval sworn into the House of Lords P05 ---------------Labour’s immigration crackdown P11
15 - 21 FEBRUARY
Cultural stigma around alcohol addiction
Alcohol addiction is a growing and serious issue, affecting individuals and communities across the UK
Since it is heavily stigmatised, particularly within the British Asian communities, it becomes difficult for those struggling to seek help The silence around it therefore perpetuates harmful misconceptions and prevents meaningful conversations about the problem
Recent statistics have revealed a conc
, underscoring the urgent need for open dialogue, better awareness, and accessible support services
The Bhavan celebrates India's 76th Republic Day P15 ---------------Aga Khan, dies at 88 P20 ---------------2 Indian Americans among Time's AI Impact Award winners P21 N E W E R A F O R A I W I T H I N D I A A N D F R A N C E
Narendra Modi and Emmanuel Macron’s partnership takes the lead in global AI governance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron cochaired the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris on Tuesday, where Modi cautioned global leaders about the risks of unchecked biases in AI technology
Addressing a gathering of top officials, industry leaders, and AI researchers, Modi highlighted the need for responsible AI governance “While AI’s potential is astonishing, we must carefully consider the biases embedded in its design,” he stated
Swearing-in of Delhi's new CM likely after PM Modi returns
Subhasini Naicker
Anusha Singh
Shri Virendra Sachdeva
Indian Minister of Power Manohar Lal Khattar and Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change of the UK
Fourth India-UK Energy Dialogue held in
Delhi
India-UK Energy Dialogue Strengthens Bilateral Cooperation on Clean Energy and Sustainability
energy future The
M i n i s t e r s e m p h a s i s e d t h e need for economic growth and energy transition to go hand in hand while ensuring affordable and clean energy access for all
T h e y h i g h l i g h t e d t h e importance of energy security and sustainable development, committing to deeper
c o l l a b o r a t i o n i n ke y a r e a s such as power distribution, s e c t o r r e fo r m s , i n d u s t r i a l energy eff iciency, and decarbonisation Discussions also explored emerging opportun i t i e s i n e n e r g y s t o r a g e , green data centres, and offshore wind, with a particular focus on supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)
A major outcome of the
shore wind and green hydrogen and highlighted ongoing
Catapult and India’s Power Trading Corporation
Recognising the shared ambition for offshore wind development, the Ministers
ment of a UK-India Offshore W
(CERC) has been proposed to e n h a n c e r e n
w a b l e e n e r g y integration and grid transformation in India
B o t h M i n i s t e r s r e a ff irmed the value of the IndiaU K E n e r g y D i a l o g u e i n advancing shared clean energy transition goals, strengthe n i n g e n e r g y a c c e s s , a n d building secure, sustainable
I N B R I E F
FOUR MILLION BRITONS RISK AIRPORT GATE REJECTION
Over four million British passports are set to expire in 2025, potentially disrupting travel plans for many Research by Co - op Insurance, based on Freedom of Information Act data, highlights that nearly threequarters (72%) of UK adults intend to book a holiday both within the EU and beyond next year However passport renewal remains a common oversight with 1 in 10 (10 4%) Brits admitting they have missed a holiday due to an expired passport The study also reveals significant travel risks particularly among younger age groups A quarter (25%) of 25 to 34-year- olds frequently travel without insurance while nearly 3 in 10 (28%) of those aged 16 –24 have experienced a serious accident or illness abroad compared to just 8% of those over 55
dialogue was the launch of P
K
Accelerating Smart Power & Renewable Energy in India (ASPIRE) programme, which aims to enhance round-theclock power supply, expand renewable energy initiatives, a
energy eff iciency and decarbonisation This phase will be implemented in partnership w
Power (MOP) and Ministr y of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
Both sides welcomed the deepening bilateral cooperation in energy sector investments, technology partnerships, and job creation They reviewed progress on trade m
ecosystem development, supply chain growth, and f inancing models for offshore wind projects in both countries Miliband praised India’s ambitious renewable energy initiatives and expressed particular interest in learning
Rooftop Programme (PM –Sur ya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojna)
The dialogue also under-
market regulations in facilitating energy transition and strengthening energy security To support these objec-
announced the continuation of the Power Sector Reforms
Partnering for Accelerating Climate Change (UKPACT)
Additionally, a new taskfo
Off ice of Gas and Electricity
s u p p l y c h a i n s a l l w h i l e aligning these efforts with economic growth
As par t of the dialogue’s conc l u s io n, t he M in i s t e r s la unched two key report s: - ‘B e s t P r a c t i c e s C o m p e n d i u m o f I n d u s t r i a l E n e r g y
E f f i c i e n c y &
Decarbonisation’ - ‘Pa t h w a y s fo r E n e r g y
E f f i c i e n c y a n d
D e c a r b o n i s a t i o n i n t h e I n d i a n A l u m i n i u m
Sector’
B o t h s i d e s e x p r e s s e d their commitment to further strengthening cooperat i o n u n d e r t h e
C o m p r e h e n s i v e St r a t e g i c
Pa r t n e r s h i p a n d e a g e r l y anticipate the Fifth IndiaU K E n e r g y D i a l o g u e i n 2026
L abour MP Oliver Ryan suspended over WhatsApp group controversy
L abour MP Oliver Ryan has b een su sp e nd ed f rom th e p arty follow ing rev elatio ns about his inv olv ement in a WhatsA pp group that contai ned offensiv e mes sag es, includ ing alleged racist and sexist remarks
T h e ‘ Tr i g g e r Me Timbers’ group, largely com-
p o s e d o f G r e a t e r Manchester councillors and party activists, came under scrutiny after its messages
s u r f a c e d A L a b o u r
s p o ke s p e r s o n c o n f i r m e d
Are
Ryan’s suspension, stating, “As soon as this group was brought to our attention, a thorough investigation was immediately launched Swift action will always be taken where individuals are found to have breached the high
s t a n
them ” H
Addressing the controversy, Ry a n a c k n o w l e d g e d t h a t some of the messages were “
and expressed regret for not speaking out sooner “I did not see ever y message, but I accept responsibility for not b e i n g m o
challenging what was said I
also made some comments myself which I deeply regret and would not make today, and for that, I wholeheartedly apologise,” he stated
The scandal also led to
minister and his suspension from the party Reports indicate he made inappropriate jokes and comments about
Abbott
Police conf irmed they have recorded a non-crime hate incident related to the messages and are liaising with parliamentar y authorities as part of their inquiries
•A
•A
•Competitive compensation
•Flexible working hours
If you're
SCHOOL MOBILE BAN FAILS TO IMPROVE GRADES
A new study suggests that banning phones in schools does not improve students grades mental wellbeing sleep, or classroom behaviour Researchers from the University of Birmingham analysed 1,227 students across 30 secondary schools in England, comparing phone policies during breaks and lunchtimes Their findings, published in The Lancet s European health policy journal, show no significant benefits for schools with phone bans compared to those without However, the study found that higher smartphone and social media use was linked to poorer mental health, lower grades, less physical activity, disrupted sleep, and more classroom distractions These findings challenge the idea that phone restrictions alone can enhance student wellbeing and academic performance Instead, they highlight the broader impact of excessive screen time on young people’s health and education
NEARLY £100M ON ASYLUM HOUSING
MPs have criticised the Home Office for a “dysfunctional” culture that allows key safeguards to be “easily abandoned,” leading to costly failures in acquiring asylum accommodation A report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC ) reveals that the Home Office wasted nearly £100 million on failed sites including HMP Northeye purchased for £15 4m more than double its previous sale price before facing £20m in repair costs Other failed projects include the £34m Bibby Stockholm barge £60m RAF Scampton site and £2 9m on Linton- on- Ouse alongside £715m on the scrapped Rwanda scheme The PAC accuses the department of ignoring expert advice, bypassing due diligence and inflating costs in its rush to address asylum accommodation shortages, ultimately mismanaging public funds
KING CHARLES TO CUT OFF PRINCE HARRY?
King Charles is reportedly considering removing the Duke of Sussex from his will amid growing concerns over Prince Harry s marriage to Meghan Markle According to new reports, the 76 -year- old monarch is under pressure to safeguard the royal family s $55 billion fortune ahead of Prince William’s future reign A Palace insider told RadarOnline, “Many in royal circles believe Harry doesn’t deserve a dime and are urging Charles to cut him off ” While Charles had previously drafted his will, senior courtiers and family members are reportedly pushing him to revise it to exclude Harry This potential move follows speculation surrounding Meghan’s alleged divorce demands and rumours that she is exploring a tell-all book about her life postdivorce
Ed Miliband
Oliver Ryan
Can Labour health policies cope?
The government must exercise caution when implementing policies, as many of their promises, particularly in healthcare, h
declined in the three months leading up to September, falling nearly 20% below pre-pandemic levels This sharp drop has heightened concerns about the growing strain on public service spending in the UK
I
announced a £22 6bn increase in the NHS budget over two years and a £3 1bn boost to its capital budget She also set a 2% productivity target for 2025, aiming to enhance efficiency through technology and streamlined services However, data suggests NHS productivity is declining rather than improving
The government’s 10-year health plan is an ambitious initiative aimed at improving healthcare services However, significant challenges persist, with patients facing long waiting lists, delays in securing GP appointments, and extended wait times in A&E Access to dental care remains inconsistent across England, leaving many struggling to find local clinics Additionally, the growing issue of ‘corridor care ’ where patients receive treatment in hospital corridors due to overcrowding has been acknowledged in the policy However, these ongoing pressures continue to strain NHS resources, highlighting the urgent need for immediate and effective solutions
The Labour government is facing mounting challenges, from struggling healthcare policies to internal party controversies Amid growing concerns over NHS efficiency, it has also launched an investigation into a WhatsApp group where Labour MP and former health minister Andrew Gwynne p
‘Trigger Me Timbers’, allegedly included more than a dozen Labour councillors, party officials, and at least one other MP
,
While this controversy raises serious concerns within the party, broader issues such as healthcare, employment, and taxation require urgent attention beyond internal disciplinary actions
One of the most pressing health crises today is alcohol addiction, which not only burdens the NHS but also significantly increases the risk of various cancers, including breast, bowel, mouth, throat (oesophagus, larynx, and pharynx), and liver cancer Prostate cancer has recently become the most commonly diagnosed cancer in England, but it has no symptoms There is no national screening programme for it, as there is for breast, bowel, and cervical cancers Instead, men over 50 must request a blood test from their GP
Recently, alcohol-related deaths have reached a record high, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) In 2023, 10,473 people died from alcohol-specific causes in the UK, up from 7,565 in 2019 While the overall rate per 100,000 people has slightly declined due to regional variations, this remains the highest number on record In response, the BMA has urged the government to take urgent action to restrict alcohol availability
This crisis highlights the need for stricter alcohol policies and better support for those struggling with mental health
Additionally, with 1 5 million Britons unemployed, financial insecurity, rising costs, and gloomy weather are contributing to widespread distress, further driving alcohol dependence
While the NHS provides support, tackling these health challenges ultimately comes down to personal choices whether through reducing alcohol intake, exercising, practicing yoga, or maintaining a balanced diet However, without effective policies and better healthcare access, expecting individuals to manage these risks alone is unrealistic
A new era of uncertainty with Trump 2.0
Donald Trump is an extremist in every sense, embodying a brand of politics that is both chaotic and calculated While his actions often seem erratic, there is an undeniable strategy behind them For Trump, the presidency is not just about governance, it is a business venture and he operates it accordingly, as seen during his previous term and in his recent manoeuvres
Maybe that is why, Americans remain deeply divided over Trump’s plans and his handling of the presidency in the early weeks of his return He has launched his second administration with a flurry of policy actions, addressing issues ranging from trade and immigration to US foreign aid, demographic diversity, civil rights, and federal hiring Some of these actions have immediate policy implications, while others are more symbolic or already facing legal challenges Despite domestic controversy, Trump is also actively strengthening alliances in his second term
Among QUAD partners, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Trump struck a warm tone in their first meeting, with Tokyo managing to avoid the tariffs Trump has imposed on other allies The two leaders also pledged to stand together against Chinese aggression However, within the QUAD comprising Australia, India, Japan, and the United States India remains in the most precarious position, given its contested border with China While Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi enjoys preferential ties with President Trump, this is a critical issue he must raise with QUAD allies to ensure India’s strategic interests are safeguarded
India will need to recalibrate its positioning based on the evolving dynamics between the US and China, as their rela-
tionship swings between rivalry and rapprochement Beijing’s longstanding strategy of exploiting divisions among its adversaries could be used to create rifts within the QUAD and among transatlantic allies
Another pressing issue is the treatment of Indian deportees The recent deportation of a group of Indians from the US has sparked widespread concern, resentment, and anger in India Deportees reported being cuffed at their hands and legs throughout the journey, only being unshackled upon landing in Amritsar While the US has the legal right to enforce deportations, the manner in which they are conducted raises serious humanitarian concerns that India must address in its upcoming diplomatic engagement with Washington
All in all, Trump’s return to the White House is largely perceived as positive for India, mainly due to his strong personal rapport with PM Modi and his campaign promises to strengthen India-US ties (see page 1 for more) However, India must remain cautious, particularly regarding trade and immigration two areas where Trump has consistently taken a hardline stance PM Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will have to navigate these challenges with strategic foresight, ensuring that India plays its cards wisely
Trump’s presidency is now closely tied to the rise of the MAGA movement What started in 2016 as a mix of economic struggles and social frustrations, especially among White Americans, has grown into a powerful political force focused on nationalism and division With Trump back in charge, this movement is expected to become even more extreme, bringing significant changes not just for the US but for the world
Why Delhi turned its back on AAP after a decade
The BJP secured a landslide victory in the Delhi Assembly elections, winning 48 of 70 seats and ending AAP’s 15-year rule
This marks the party’s return to power in the capital after 27 years, driven by PM Modi’s influence and a strong appeal to middle-class and women voters The win, following its success in Maharashtra, strengthens the BJP’s dominance across North India, where it already governs Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the BJP’s Delhi campaign, launching sharp attacks on Arvind Kejriwal and AAP Seizing every opportunity, he accused AAP of pushing Delhi into crisis, calling it an ‘aapada’ (disaster) He also took a swipe at Kejriwal’s past, saying, “AAP has descended as a calamity on Delhi ” The BJP targeted women voters with key promises, including ₹2,500 monthly aid, ₹21,000 for pregnant women, and pensions for seniors Releasing the manifesto, JP Nadda emphasised women ’ s empowerment and accused Congress and AAP of deceit The strategy paid off, as 44 08 lakh women turned out to vote
Kejriwal’s biggest setback was AAP losing its image as a party with a difference Once built on moral capital, it gradually sacrificed its core values, eroding trust among loyal supporters Corruption charges, especially the alleged liquor scam, severely damaged Kejriwal’s credibility, landing him and key aides in jail AAP’s third term (2020-25) saw governance stagnate, marred by power struggles with the Lieutenant Governor, policy paralysis, and visible civic issues like broken roads and open sewers The party also failed to strengthen its volunteer base or build a strong organisational structure an area where the BJP has always held an edge
A key factor in the BJP’s victory was the rift between AAP and Congress, both part of the INDI Alliance Their failure to unite split the anti-BJP vote, ultimately benefiting the saffron party A clear example is the New Delhi constituency, where Arvind Kejriwal lost Had Congress backed him instead of fielding Sandeep Dikshit, Kejriwal might have won AAP first came to power in Delhi in 2013, unseating Sheila Dikshit’s Congress government, riding the anti-UPA wave sparked by the 2011 Anna Hazare movement This shift also benefited the BJP, which won nationally in 2014 and has remained in power since Meanwhile, Congress’ decline has continued, paralleling AAP’s rise in Delhi and Punjab
Congress sees AAP’s collapse as an opportunity to regain ground in Delhi, believing state-level revival is key to its national resurgence As AAP and Congress bicker, the INDIA bloc faces its next challenge in the Bihar elections Congress, already a weak link in the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan, failed to win any seats in Delhi and saw only a slight vote share increase
This could fuel calls within the alliance to replace Congress as its leader, with Mamata Banerjee emerging as a contender, though consensus remains elusive Meanwhile, Congress, which fiercely attacked Kejriwal during the campaign, now blames AAP for the defeat Spokesperson Supriya Shrinate stated it is not Congress’ “responsibility” to ensure AAP’s victory Congress strategy in Delhi suggests it aims not just to challenge the BJP but also to reclaim its lost ground, effectively sidelining smaller parties Having done so in the capital, it is likely to adopt a similar approach in upcoming elections, pushing to weaken strong regional parties while advocating for contesting alone
“Tomorrow is now ” Eleanor Roosevelt
Political Sketchbook
The UK and India connections
A s you watch En glan d play In dia i n the c ricket – you may well re call the Teb bit Cri cket Tes t The reade
ither Britis
or
here
nd m ostly all of Indi an heritage
We often forget how entwined British and Indian histories truly are, but the tradition of Indians serving in the British Armed Forces reaches back generations, including my own family Both my grand-
fought valiantly during the Second World War, a conflict in which over 2 5 million Indian soldiers volunteered to serve in the British Indian Army the largest volunteer force in history Their courage helped turn the tide in theatres spanning North Africa, Italy, and Burma
The legacy of Indian service in British uniform did not end with the Second World War The decades that followed saw countless sons and daughters of Indian heritage step up to serve in the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and British Army One poignant contemporary example is Flight Lieutenant Rakesh Chauhan, a British-Indian RAF officer who tragically lost his life in Afghanistan in 2014 His sacrifice reminds us that the values of duty and honour transcend cultural lines and unify us under a single standard service to protect liberty and peace
Yet for all the heroism and respect that should naturally flow from this shared tradition, I occasionally hear voices from within my own community deriding me as a “lackey” for being a British Indian who received an OBE It is a perplexing label, not least because I am also related to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, one of the towering figures of India’s freedom struggle To call me or anyone similarly placed a “lackey” undermines not only the service my family made during the Second World War, but also the sacrifices of all those who served to uphold ideals of freedom around the globe
Ironically, such derogatory comments say less about the target and more about the speaker They highlight how some individuals fail to grasp the nuance of dual heritage My British identity does not negate my Indian roots, nor does my Indian identity dilute my British citizenship We are all products of multiple influences, and in many ways, my life and family story underscore the tapestry of modern Britain where a child can wave the Union Flag while claiming proud lineage from Indian independence heroes
In the end, my son ’ s photograph is more than a mere snapshot It is a reflection of continuity of past generations who fought for ideals transcending boundaries, and of future generations who will carry that spirit forward As the Royal Crest states: Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense; Shame on anyone who thinks ill of this
Asian Voice is published by
Asian Business Publications Ltd
CB Pat el : Publisher and Editor
Rup anja na D utta : Managing Editor
Harrow Business Centre, 429-433 Pinner Road, North Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 4HN Tel: 020 7749 4080 • Fax: 020 7749 4081
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Alpesh Patel
Bengal’s heritage Durga idol finds permanent home
A g round breaking cu ltural m ilestone is set to unfo ld
t h i s M a rc h as th e
Q u ee ns g at e S h o p p i ng
C entre p rep ares to u nv eil
the Heritage Bengal Global's
i d o l fro m T h am es D u rg a
p arad e, a striking artw ork created by th e students from the Techno Ind ia Gro up in K olkata
This unique installation, crafted from recycled materials, represents a harmo-
Bengal’s rich cultural
Peterborough has been an
Club Peterborough, in col-
Bengal Global (HBG) O r i g i n
Durga Parade, the idol was at risk of being left in storage after the festivities, until a campaign led by Bengali Sanskriti Club Peterborough ensured it found a permanent home where it could be a p p r e c i a t e d b y t h e w i d e r public
R e c o u n t i n g h o w t h e idea first emerged, Anamika Ghosh, a member of Bengali Sanskriti Club Peterborough shared “While attending the H e r i t a g e B e n g a l G l o b a l awards ceremony, the direct o r o f H B G , A n i r b a n Mukhopadhyay, mentioned that this beautiful artwork, w h i c h w e h a d c o m m i ssioned from India, was simply lying in a garage after the T h a m e s P a r a d e T h a t ’ s when the lightbulb moment
struck me, ” she said D e t e r m i n e d t o f
suitable public space for the idol, Anamika initially faced
religious nature of the piece However, she reframed the narrative, emphasising the
Shakti the ultimate divine feminine “More than being a religious icon, she is a symbol of woman power That’s
g Centre, a hub of community e
n Peterborough
The installation of this i d
entire UK “I didn’t realise the magnitude of what had happened until Queensgate a
Council pointed it out They told me, Do you realise this is the first time a Hindu icon is being installed in a shopping centre in the UK?" said Anamika “For us Bengalis, i
pride
A unique artw ork with a pow erful m essage
Unlike traditional Durga idols, the installation features a modern interpretation of the goddess “It’s not a typical idol it’s an artwork Designed by students, i
entirely crafted from environmentally friendly mate-
described
Its vibrant colours and
expected to attract not just
Informational posters will accompany the display, educating visitors on the significance of Durga Puja and the cultural heritage behind the idol
the idol, the Peterborough’s Q
n g Centre is poised to become a beacon of cultural inclusivity, showcasing the artistic a n d s p
u a l h e r i t a g e o f Bengal while celebrating the e n d u r i n g s t r e n g t h o f women
British Hindus appeal to UK Foreign Office over persecution in Bangladesh
A d e le g a t i o n
We st, Ministe r for the Ind
D e v e lo p m e n t O ff ic e (FCDO), t his we ek t o d iscuss t he per secution of minor it ie s in Ban gla desh
c o
T h e m e e t i n g f o l l o w e d
Labour MP Rupa Huq’s failure to engage with minority groups during her visit to B
n g l a d e s h “ T h i s r a i s e s questions about why she dismissed a recent APPG [AllParty Parliamentary Group] r e p o r t d e t a i l i n g v i o l e n c e against Hindus and accused it of ‘peddling falsehoods,’”
BHAS UK stated
The group further highl i g h t e d t h a t s i n c e A u g u s t 2024, following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, religious minorities have faced ongoi n g t a r g e t e d a t t a c k s b y I s l a m i s t e x t r e m i s t s “ M P
Rupa Huq’s failure to meet minority groups during her visit could embolden radical elements if they perceive the UK government as indiffer-
ent to the violence against minorities in Bangladesh,” it added F C D O s o u r c e s r e a ffirmed the UK government’s s
human rights violations that took place between July and August 2024
the situation in Bangladesh, including reports of attacks o
Parliament in December, she confirmed that the issue was a priority during her visit to Bangladesh “Not only was this matter at the top of my
agenda, but we continue to
lence and lawlessness and offer support where possible to Bangladesh’s interim gov-
House of Commons She further emphasised: “The UK was among the first to send ministerial represen-
Yunus, and to advocate for m
compares to a face-to-face
importance of freedom of religion or belief, and in this
UK government orders Apple to provide access to encrypted data
re port edly ordere d Appl
Washington Post, the Home Office issued the directive u n d e r t h e I n v e s t i g a t o r y
P o w e r s A c t 2 0 1 6 , w h i c h allows authorities to compel companies to assist in evidence collection The order seeks broad access to fully encrypted data rather than a s s i s t a n c e w i t h s p e c i f i c accounts
Apple has long championed user privacy, offering standard protections and an o p t i o n a l A d v a n c e d D a t a
P r o t e c t i o n t o o l f o r f u l l
e n c r y p t i o n T h e c o m p a n y insists its system prevents a n y o n e i n c l u d i n g A p p l e itself from accessing user data Sources suggest Apple may discontinue encrypted storage in the UK to maint a i n i t s s e c u r i t y c o m m i tments
However, this would not m e e t t h e G o v
demands, as the law applies globally to firms operating in the UK, regardless of their
remains enforceable during the appeal process
Law enforcement agencies worldwide have pushed f
encrypted communications,
a l s exploit privacy protections However, tech firms warn that backdoors created for security services could also be misused by criminals or authoritarian governments Rebecca Vincent, interim d i r e c t o r a t B i g B r o t h e r Watch, called the move an “ u n p
n t e d a t t a c k o n privacy rights ” She urged the Government to revoke the order, arguing that weakening encryption undermines civil liberties without guaranteeing safety Critics warn that such measures could set a dangerous precedent for mass surveillance, extending beyond Apple to other technology firms
Rubbish piles up in Small Heath as Birmingham faces 7.5% tax hike
J u s t a s h or t d ri v e fr om Birmingham’s bus tling New Street station, the residential streets of Small Heath tell a different story
Litter fills green spaces, rubbish blocks pavements, and bulky items like mattresses and fridge freezers are dumped in areas meant for shrubbery On bin collection day, Camelot Way, one of the city’s worst flytipping hotspots, is particularly affected
O n g o i n g b i n w o r k e r strikes by Unite members have disrupted household waste and recycling collections in Birmingham
T h e c i t y c o u n c i l h a s advised residents to leave bins out if not collected on their usual day In Small Heath, lone refuse workers s t r u g g l e w i t h t h e o v e rwhelming task, as litter covers the streets As a result, litter-picking groups have formed, and residents are often seen using litter-pickers to clean up their front gardens Amid growing rubbish mounds and increased fees f o r p e s t c o n t r o l , Birmingham City Council plans to switch from weekly t o f o r t n i g h t l y
tions and
council
by 7 49% While lower than the 9 99% increase originally proposed and last year's 10%, it still means an average rise of £134 per househ o l d , a c c o r d i n g t o t h e opposition leader
Council, acknowledging the i m
for 2025/26 T
114 notices in 2023, when t
Anamika Ghosh
Catherine West (centre) with other dignitaries
HBG Durga idol at Thames parade
Krish Raval sworn into the House of Lords in historic ceremony
Anusha Singh
In a m oment of great sig nifi c an ce , K ri s h K u m a r
S ureshchand ra Rav al, OBE, w as formally introd uced as
t h e B aro n Rav al o f Hertsmere, in the Co unty of Hertford shire in the Hou se
o f L ord s T h e c e r e m o n y c o m -
m e n c e d w i t h t h e o f f i c i a l proclamation, delivered in a solemn and formal manner, affirming Baron Raval’s new status as a life peer It underscored his rights, responsibilities, and privileges as a member of Britain’s parliamentary and public assemblies
Following the proclamation, Lord Raval took the oath of allegiance, pledging loyalty to King Charles III,
h i s h e i r s , a n d s u c c e s s o r s T a k i n g h i s o a t h o n t h e Bhagavad Gita, Lord Raval’s elevation to life peerage is a testament to his outstanding contributions to leaders h i p d e v e l o p m e n t w i t h i n the corporate sector and his renowned efforts in fosteri n g c o m m u n i t y c o h e s i o n
His appointment, under the Life Peerages Act of 1958, g r a n t s h i m a s e a
House of Lords, recognising his dedication to fostering unity and social progress
D i r e c t o
F a i t h i n Leadership, Chair of Labour
I n d i a n s , a n d a f o r m e r
D i r e c t o r o f t h e C h u r c h i l l
L e a d e r s h i p F e l l o w s a t Cambridge University, Lord Raval was introduced in the c e r e m o n y b y J e w i s
M u s l i m p e
, L o r d Mendelsohn of Finchley and M i n i s t e r f o r F a i t h , L o r d Khan of Burnley a powerful testament to the deep connections and shared val-
u e s a m o n g l e a d e r s o f Britain’s diverse communities
A tribute to his parents and hu mble beginnings
For Lord Raval’s family,
A proud moment for the Hindu community and interfaith leadership
t h e o c c a s i o n w a s d e e p l y e m o t i o n a l H i s p a r e n t s , Sureshbhai and Padmaben Raval, watched with pride as t h e i r s o n t o o k h i s p l a c e a m o n g B r i t a i n ’ s l a w m a kers a moment that symboli s e d d e c a d e s o f s a c r i f i c e , resilience, and service Like many immigrants of their generation, they arrived in the UK in the 1970s, bringing with them capital, determination, faith, and a strong work ethic L o r d R
struggles, recalling how his parents ran a dry-cleaning business for over 30 years Day after day, they worked t
Krish Kumar Sureshchandra
oath on the Bhagavad Gita
"I want to ensure that I’m not a bottleneck but rather a bridgefacilitating the representation of our diaspora as well as other communities."
long commutes, and yet, his mother would daily prepare a fresh Gujarati meal for the family “That kind of sacrif
L o r d Raval noted Their values of service, faith, and persever-
this historic moment "It was
Thaker, his first cousin and attendee “
could hardly hold back her tears of joy,” he added
A celebratio n of leadership ed ucation and commu nity cohesion
The brief yet poignant ceremony was attended by f
members of both Houses of Parliament, all gathered to witness this historic occasion
A
Chinmay Pandya, a childhood friend and grandson of
Gayatri Pariwar movement, a spiritual community that today has between 100 to 150 million adherents worldwide Lord Raval credited t h e t e a c h i n
Sharma Acharya for instilling in him values of non-
people
L o r d R a v a l a l s o acknowledged the support of his wife, Dr The Lady Lucy Raval, who, despite the d e m
children, Lukshmi and Sita, has been a pillar of strength throughout his journey
Following the ceremony, Lord Mendelsohn, a distinguished investor and philanthropist, hosted a tea party i
, attended by several influent
faith, and politics The event s a w g
both Houses of Parliament, including Rt Hon Lord Roy
MP and Jeevun Sandher MP, who warmly congratulated and welcomed Lord Raval into his new role Vision for the future
I
Raval took the time to thank those who had supported his journey, including his mentor at Cambridge, Professor D
Downing Street He also acknowledged his new parl
pledged to earn their trust as a friend and colleague With his wealth of experience in leadership education and community cohe-
sion, and his keen interest in deepening bilateral ties with India, Lord Raval is expected to bring a unique and vital dimension to the House of Lords He outlined his vision, stating, "I am determined to work for everyone, and, as we Indians always strive to do, serve all communities, ensuring their interests are represented in a balanced way I also want to ensure that I’m not a bottleneck but rather a bridge facilitating t
communities "
While I represent everyone, my awareness of the Indian community means I have a responsibility to work w
immense talent is not left behind "
L-R: Prof David Ford, Navin Thaker, Dr Chinmay Pandya, Mrs Rekha Thaker, Padmaben Raval, Sureshchandra Raval and Lady Dr Lucy Raval
L-R: Lord Krish Raval CB Patel Lord Bhiku Parekh and Lord Jitesh Gadhia
Lord Krish Raval takes his oath of allegiance holding the Bhagavad Gita
Mr Abdulla Almanai Executive Director of the King Hamad Global Centre (left) and Her Excellency Shaikha Alanood Ebrahim Al Khalifa, First Secretary, Embassy of the Bahraini Embassy, London with Lord Krish Raval
UK universities eyes India for expansion amid financial struggles
U K universities are eyeing India’s v ast student market, w it h th e U n i v er si ty o f
S o uth am p ton lead ing th e ch arge by op ening a camp u s in Gur ga on, a De lh i satellite city, and enrolling students for what it calls “ the first camp us of its kind in Ind ia ” Other UK universities are quickly following suit Prof Chris Day, Newcastle
U
lor, recently said, “It almost seems that every day there’s
a
expressing strong support for a Newcastle campus in India, alongside others like Surrey and Coventry
P r o f A
head of higher education at t
N
Educational Planning and
A d m i n
D
explained that until 2023,
couldn’t operate campuses in India She added that UK universities are capitalising
population and low cost of
long-term employability
Indian students opting for a BSc in business management at Southampton
additional costs However,
Gurgaon offers the same
c
University of Delhi charges around £2,000 for tuition, demand is so high that over 58,000 institutions cater to 43 million students Private
Indian government aiming for 50% enrolment in higher education by 2035, UK universities see significant
market
explored opening
campus in Ahmedabad's Gift City,
Queen's University Belfast (QUB) will be the first UK University to open there,
QUB plans to invest £5m£7m in the Gift City campus, with expected returns reinvested into university activities to support financial sustainability
Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh highlight conservation and welfare in Nepal
T he Duke and Duch ess o f
E dinburgh shared affectio nate moments as they h eld h ands and playfu lly teased each oth er during th eir visit to Nepal
On the second day of t h e i r r o y a l t o
near Kathmandu
Holding hands, the couple descended a stone staircase after visiting the orchid house, surrounded by stunn i n g v i e w s o f t h e Kathmandu Valley Earlier, they planted a magnolia tree j u s t m e t
planted by the late Queen and Prince Philip in 1986
A d m i
" G o s h , t h e y ' v e d o n e v e r y , very well " As he filled in the h o l e f o r t h e n e w t r e e ,
S o p h i e e n c o u r a g e
ling " The couple laughed w h e n E d w a r d q u i p p e d , "That's the best bit of exercise I've had in ages " Sophie voiced concern
asking if visitor fees could
behind, and it has a huge impact," she
Reform chairman claims party could win 350-400 seats
Reform U K chairm an Zia Yusuf predicted th e party could win 350 to 4 00 M Ps in th e next general election and expressed understanding of concerns over a potential d onatio n fro m tech billionaire Elon M usk R
m U K
topped a YouGov p
time with 25% supp
y ahead of Labour at
July’s election and came second in 98 constituencies However, the one-point lead is within the margin of error
Reform UK also led a Find Out Now poll with 26% support In December, leader Nigel Farage met Elon Musk, who is rumoured to be considering a large donation, potentially through one of his UK-based businesses due to rules against foreign donations Political parties can accept donations from individuals on the UK electoral register or UK-registered companies Asked about concerns over donations from Elon Musk, Zia Yusuf said, “I understand those concerns We’ll play by the rules ” He emphasised that Reform UK is “here to win” and needs 350 to 400 MPs to transform the country
Millions of Brits could be denied boarding in 2025
Over 4 millio n British passports w ill expire in 20 25, acco rd ing to FOI data fro m C o- op Insu rance
Research by the provider also shows that 72% of UK adults plan to book a holiday next year, yet 1 in 10 have missed a trip due to an expired passport rising to 1 in 4 among those under 25 10 4% of Brits have missed a holiday due to an expired passport A quarter of 25–34year-olds travel without insurance, while 28% of 16–24-year-olds have faced a serious accident or illness abroad compared to just 8% of those 55+
erans and widows supported by the charity
Navy eases uniform rules, allows officers to wear saris
T he British Royal Navy now a llo w s w
c ers to w ear sarees as formal mess attire, a m ov e praised for inclu siv ity but criticised by conservativ e com mentators
Under the new policy, w
cultural garments like sarees beneath their mess jackets at formal events, aligning with existing rules for kilts a n d
Chairman of the Royal Navy
shared a LinkedIn photo of H o n o
Durdana Ansari in a sari and uniform jacket, highlighting efforts to embrace cultural attire in military dress
Graham Ward Lush, Head of Travel at Co-op Insurance, warns that an expired passport can lead to disappointment and financial loss Many countries require at least three to six months' validity, and renewals can take weeks
Study predicts 1 in 4 people in Britain will be migrants by 2035
A stud y pred icts that one in four people in the U K w ill be a mig rant within a decad e
Anoth er report estim ates the m igration crisis will cost taxpayers £23 4 billion, or an add itional £8 ,200 p er h ouseh old
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch criticised the migration statistics, calling for an end to the “ conveyor belt to a precious British passport ” She slammed Labour's relaxed stance on
t
o t afford it A Centre for Migration Control report predicts that by 2035, one in four people in the UK will be a migrant, contributing to a population rise to 75 36 million, with 18 2 million born abroad
I N B R I E F
FUNERALS DELAYED BY THREE WEEKS DUE TO NEW REGULATIONS
Funerals across England and Wales are taking up to three weeks longer due to new death certificate regulations Introduced in September, the requirement mandates that death certificates for natural causes be signed by both a medical professional and a medical examiner, replacing the previous system where doctors alone could sign them off The changes were prompted by the case of Harold Shipman, who murdered nearly 300 patients and signed their death certificates himself While the reforms were initially introduced in 2019 on a nonstatutory basis, they became legally mandatory in September However the new requirements are contributing to delays in the funeral process across England and Wales with bottlenecks exacerbating existing wait times according to funeral director associations LONDON NHS TRUSTS PAY £689M FOR CHILD MEDICAL
London NHS trusts have paid over £689m in child medical negligence claims over five years, an FOI investigation found Data from 21 trusts revealed 905 reported cases to NHS Resolution between 2019 and 2024 Royal Free London NHS Trust paid the highest amount £70 1m for 34 claims covering hospitals like Chase Farm and Barnet Whittington Health NHS Trust paid the least in child medical negligence claims at £601,000 Nationally treatment delays were the most common cause, while fatalities topped the list of primary injuries with 841 claims, followed by brain damage with 815 cases Two West London trusts paid over £70m combined Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust paid £38 1m across five hospitals, while Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Foundation Trust paid £32 5m Chelsea and Westminster reported the highest number of incidents (77), followed by Imperial (51), with each settling 21 claims with damages
ONE IN SEVEN MATHS LESSONS TAUGHT BY NON-SPECIALISTS
criticism, with Rear Admiral ( R
arguing
makes the Royal Navy more inclusive of diverse British cultures,” Kanani said, noting it was based on feedback from ethnic minority personnel
focus
recognition already granted to other British groups The R
addressed the criticism but maintains that mess jackets, shirts, and bow ties remain mandatory above the
Using ONS figures, experts estimate that by factoring in migration, births, and deaths, the UK’s foreign-born population will significantly rise Research from the Centre for Policy Studies reveals up to two million migrants could qualify for indefinite leave to remain, costing the economy £234 billion
This amounts to £8,200 per household over several decades
New research shared with PoliticsHome reveals that up to 15% of maths lessons in 2023-24 were taught by non-specialist teachers Experts warn that teacher shortages could undermine the government s economic growth and opportunity goals A former advisor on Rishi Sunak's maths-to-18 plan stressed the need for urgent action to address the issue Sunak's 2023 plan for an English Baccalaureate, requiring all students to study maths until 18, faces challenges due to teacher shortages Research from the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) found 15% of maths lessons in 2023-24 were taught by nonspecialists, the highest in recent years Previous studies have linked non-specialist teaching to negative impacts on student learning Additionally, maths teacher trainee recruitment fell short by over 25% last year mainly under the previous government
Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh
Zia Yusuf
Royal Free London NHS Trust
elebrate eCreat l & abr dan t te
Anuradha Paudwal's musical tribute to Adi Shankaracharya's legacy
Subhasini
ditya U tsav 2025 ’ , in trib-
ute to L ate Basant K umar
Birla
I
shared insights on the UK
S o u t h A s i a n c o m m u n i t y ’ s
r e s p o n s e t o ‘ B h a j a Govindam’ and how devo-
t i o n a l m u s i c c a n i n s p i r e
y o u n g e r g e n e r a t i o n s t o r e c o n n e c t w i t h s p i r i t u a l heritage and more
Adi Shankaracharya’s verses are deeply philosophical As a singer, how do you approach the challenge of expressing their spiritual essence through music?
Music has always been the most powerful medium of expression, reaching people faster than words alone
Personally, I believe it reso n a t e s d e e p l
t o u c h e s t h e s e
s T h e same verses, when recited w i t h o u t a t u n e , m a y n o t h a v e t h e s a m e i m p a c t a s when they are sung Melody enhances meaning, making the message register more
q u i c k l y T h e u s e o f ‘ s u r ’ (tone) is not just an artistic c h o i c
minds on a profound level
Whatwas the most moving response you received from the South Asian community in the UK regarding your rendition of Bhaja Govindam?
Whoever I played it for, even during my trips to the UK for two Bollywood concerts, was instantly excited Those I met personally were p a r t i c u l a r
They had seen what was on YouTube and loved it right away Many even asked, “Is this Sanskrit?” because the rendition sounded so much l i k e a s o n g A s a N o r t h Indian, I understand that South Indian singing, especially Carnatic music, can be challenging to follow unless o n e i s t r a i n e d i n i t
However, when the music is adapted into a North Indian
, i t b
with and appreciate
The Indian community in the UK deeply values its cultural heritage. How can music, especially Sanskrit hymns, serve as a bridge between generations in the diaspora?
Sanskrit hymns have a powerful and precise structure grammatically, mathematically, and phonetically Their composition is not just artistic but also scientific, with a profound impact o n t h e m i n d a n d b o d y
Their formation itself carries a therapeutic quality
m i
i a r , making it easier for North Indian listeners to connect
Community health day sparks awareness and action
A t a p ublic health session in Ilford , d ozens were unknow -
i n g ly f o un d t o h av e h i g h
b lo o d p r es s ur e H ea lth
S e c ret ary We s S t ree ti ng re ceiv e d the fi nd ing s at a h e alth d a y f or th e I nd i an
c o m m u n i ty a t th e I lf o rd Hindu C entre
From personal experience, I’ve found that in moments of fear or uncertainty, simply playing Sanskrit hymns
c a n i n s t a n t l y c a l
nerves and even help find solutions to problems In fact, many doctors have told me that they play my song ‘Ram Raksha Stotra’ in their hospitals, especially in 24h o u r s h e l t e r s a n d d u r i n g surgeries, to create a soothing environment
I believe this is because when your nerves are calm, you gain clarity of thought
A c o m p o s e d m i n d a l l o w s you to see situations from t h e r i g h t p
and actions
Doyou think classical and devotional music can play a role in reviving interest in India’s ancient spiritual heritage among the younger generation?
There is already a growing interest in spirituality and classical music Even today, many young children a
a v i n g u s wondering when they even started One of the things I truly admire about this gen-
when we simply followed t
i o n s w
q u e stioning them, today’s children ask ‘why’ we do certain things If we provide them with clear, logical explanations, their dedication and c
tions They don’t just follow they seek to understand, and once convinced, they pursue perfection with even greater passion
ABPL Group hosts felicitation programme in Ahmedabad
How Resilient Are You?
One of the m ost essential qualities a p erso n need s to surviv e and succeed is resilience It is th e innate ability to rec o ve r fro m d if fic ul ties , end ure ch allenges, and w ithstand pressure w ithou t losing th e strength to bou nce back
All of us go through tough times when we must face hardships and still find the strength to recover A person who can rise again from rock bottom can endure any adversity
When confronted with difficult situations that demand p
Sometimes we win, and sometimes we lose But even in defeat, our ability to keep going and stay in the game can be a turning point In the battle between David and Goliath, it was David’s resilience that led him to victory how else could he have stood against a giant?
Before becoming a best-selling author, J K Rowling faced tremendous hardships living on government assistance as a single mother and dealing with personal loss Her Harry Potter manuscript was rejected 12 times, but she refused to give up Eventually, a small publisher took a chance on her book The rest is history Her journey exemplifies resilience overcoming rejection, setbacks, and struggles to achieve success
Those who can take one more hit in life and keep moving forward often emerge victorious This applies to physical hardships, social struggles, and professional challenges alike A difficult boss, a significant financial setback, or even a painful breakup may test our strength Yet, those who show resilience in the face of pain and adversity are the ones who survive and succeed
In your personal or professional life, have you ever faced a situation that tested your resilience? How did you handle it? Are you prepared for the future if resilience is required?
(Expressed opinions are personal)
Celebrating Uganda heritage
O f t h e 3 0 0 p e o p l e screened, 15% had undiagnosed conditions, including 30 with high sugar levels and other potential health issues
D r G o p a l M e h t a o f Aldersbrook Medical Centre
p r e s e n t e d t h e f i n d i n g s t o
NI Maths fest aims to tackle maths anxiety
A Lo nd ond erry festival aims to ease “maths fear” for children and parents
H e l d a t
tary, Wes Streeting praised the event’s impact, calling f o r m o r e n a t i o n w i d e T h e event also connected attend e e s t o s u p p o r t s e r v i c e s , including Chig Patel, who has autism and struggled to find job assistance Guidance from Geeta Chaudhuri at PD
T e a c h b o o s t e d h i s c o n f idence “I finally see a way forward,” Chig said
M i n i s t e r W e s S t r e e t i n g , highlighting the importance of routine GP visits “Many are unaware of their health issues,” he said “This is a chance to educate the community on early detection and staying healthy ” T h e F e b r u a r y 1 h e a l t h day also encouraged blood donations, leading 19 people to book appointments Ilford North MP and health secre-
Former Chief Minister Shri Vijay Rupani addressed the 'Nari Shakti' programme organised by the ABPL Group in Ahmedabad on Saturday The event also honoured three Nari Shakti Consulting Editor of Gujarat Samachar Jyotsna Shah and Kokila Patel, and renowned singer Mayaben Deepak. Many dignitaries from various fields attended the event A detailed report will be published next week
h e G u i l d h a l l , the two-day event welcomes primary and secondary students from over 15 northwest schools, marking a first for Northern Ireland
Secondary students also learned about money mana
s shapes career choices
D r S u m e e t a G u p t a , founder of NI Maths Fest, hopes to break “maths anxiety ” She noted that fear of maths starts young and can
“This festival shows children that maths can be fun ”
A 2019 Cambridge study found that 1 in 10 children experience despair and rage over maths, based on a survey of 1,700 pupils aged 8 to
Rohit Vadhwana
L to R: Kavita Paudwal, Nitin Mukesh, Anuradha Paudwal and Kumar Mangalam Birla
Anuradha Paudwal
Health secretary Wes Streeting with community members
Dr Sumeeta Gupta
On the occasion of Uganda heritage, H E Nimisha Madhvani with other dignitaries presented at a Tourism Promotion Event presented by Watoto. Detailed report will be published next week
Former chief minister of Gujarat Shri Vijay Rupani
Consulting Editor of Gujarat Samachar Jyotsna Shah and Kokila Patel (right) with renowned singer Mayaben Deepak (centre)
Where Might Opportunities Open Up for Landlords This Year Across England and Wales?
Property investors are reassuringly forward thinking Landlords, specifically, are doing what they can to prepare for the coming months, and give themselves the best chance of success
We know this, thanks to the results of our recent
i n d e p e n d e n t s u r v e y
Between the 14th and 20th of January, we surveyed UK landlords who owned one or more BTL properties to assess their thoughts on the state of the current BTL market, the looming regulatory and tax changes, and their portfolios
The results showed that landlords aren’t underestimating, or being naïve about
t h e c h a l l e n g e s a h e a d o f them But they are taking steps to minimise the dama
instance, 63% of our respondents planned to take specific actions to reduce their tax liabilities before the start of the new tax year This rose to 83 3% in the East of England specifically
Also, 58% are planning to diversify their portfolios over the coming 12 months
o r s o , r i s i n g t o 7 0 % i n Greater London, and 80% in t h e W e s t M i d l a n d s Meanwhile, 65 5% have, or plan to speak with a finan-
cial expert for the coming tax year, with landlords in the East of England again
l
(83 3%)
The motivation is there, so what other pockets of opportunity could emerge in the rental scene across
E
( 5 0 % ) , W e s
Greater London (48%) have the highest proportion of landlords planning to add to their portfolios in 2025
Across the UK, the average is 36%
It may also be worth taking a closer look at potential opportunities in Wales, and thinking outside the South East bubble Some 28% of landlords here plan to cut their portfolio size; the highest result across all regions, and no one plans to expand
But, Wales also has the highest proportion of landl o r d s ( 2 8 5 7 % ) p l
reduce the rent they charge
wave of Southerners moving North for a lower cost of living Maybe we’ll see more heading westward in 2025 Elsewhere, rental cuts in the East Midlands (11 11%), the East of England (8 33%), and Yorkshire and The Humber (6 25%) may tempt renters
There will be plenty of activity this year and thankfully, as landlords adapt, and others seekout new opportunities, the specialist market will be there to facilitate action
Romesh Ranganathan takes over bakery counter
C o m ed i an Ro
h Ranganathan serv ed behind the counter at a bakery in Dorking, S urrey, last w eek, d rawing a large crowd He later v isited anoth er bakery
i n h i s h o m
to w n o f C rawley, West S ussex
Romesh Ranganathan, a
nered with the chain to crea
e Ranga Yum Yum Excited about the collaboration, he called it "the partnership of
the crowds were bigger than at his tour shows
Yum Yum became so popular that it is now a permanent fixture at the bakery
Ranganathan, who support-
years, helped establish the bakery in his hometown in
became
part-owner
Ranganathan for his handso
enjoyed working behind the counter and making products The bakery is donating 10p from each Ranga Yum Yum sold to Calm, a suicide p
y Ranganathan is also collaborating with bakers on a new treat, details of which are still under wraps
London’s swimmable rivers plan to tackle disparities in swimming access
Sir Sadiq Khan’s “swimmabl e rive rs ” plan for London a ims to improve wat er q ual ity a nd pr omo te "soci al a nd r a cial j us t ic e , " i n cr e a s in g sw i mm in g a c ce ss fo r d e pr i v e d comm unit ie s, a cco rd ing t o deputy may or Mete Coba n
S p e a k i n g t o t h e
A s s e m b l y ’ s e n v i r o n m e n t committee, Mr Coban confirmed the mayor ’ s goal for all of London’s waterways to meet “swimmable” standards by 2034 However, he noted that factors like tides and depth may make some areas
chairman Zack Polanksi wel-
comed the target, calling it a “huge commitment ” Coban emphasised the importance of ambitious targets, stating the initiative is about both improving water quality and addressing social and racial justice for Londoners
Mr Coban claimed that “ 9 4 % o f y o u n g , b l a c k Londoners don’t know how t o s w i m , ” t h o u g h t h e mayor ’ s office later clarified he meant that 95% of black adults and 80% of black children don’t swim, according to Sport England The same
adults and 78% of Asian chil-
grows
Punjabi farmer shares positivity through film
s hort document ary to spread joy and pos it ivity during
om Punjab, India, known f or its f arming heritage Bal Padda described his journey from Punjab, India’s "breadbasket," to the Vale of
documentary, ‘It's a Punjabi
farm workers, is being shown at a sold-out Regal Cinema screening in Evesham for 240 people The film, divided into
two 13-minute parts with an interval, highlights his story
The documentary highlights the love, talent, and faith of farm workers, featur-
Punjabi by one of them
Mr Padda described the Punjabi way as farming, family, food, music, and togeth-
struggles farmers overcome “Farmers are heroes, feeding the world’s eight billion people, yet they’re often unseen,
explained the
because
adding
dren In contrast, 89% of
71% of children are nonswimmers Coban attributed the disparity to a lack of
emphasising that the goal is
improving overall waterway quality and providing access
mental wellbeing He also a
discussion in March with
cleaning up urban rivers
Asylum seeker wins £100,000 for 'criminal' treatment
A n as y l um s e e ke r wo n £100,000 from the Home
O f fi c e af te r cl ai m in g s he was ‘treated like a c ri minal’ for overstaying Nadra Almas, who came from Pakistan on a student visa in 2004, said she couldn’t return due to persecut i o n o v e r h e r C h r i s t i a n faith
In 2018, Nadra Almas w a s h a n d c u f f e d a n d detained by Home Office
o f f i c i a l s f o r d e p o r t a t i o n , t h o u g h s h e w a s r e l e a s e d a f t e r t w
w e e k s I t t o o k nearly three years for the g o v e r n
t o g r a n t h
r e f u g e e s t a t u s , d u r i n g which time she was banned from working or claiming benefits, relying on friends a n d f a m i l y f o r s u p p o r t , which undermined her selfesteem
M s A l m a s m a d e s i x applications to stay in the UK between 2005 and 2014 H e r s o n w a s g r a n t e d refugee status in 2018 on s i m i l a r g r o u n d s A c o u r t r u l e d t h a t h e r t r e a t m e n t violated her right to family l i f e u n d e r t h e H u m a n Rights Act
Recorder McNeill noted t h a t h e r u n c e r t a i n s t a t u s prevented her from traveling, working, or developing family ties, causing anxiety and undermining her selfe s t e e m D u r i n g h e r t w ow e e k d e t e n t i o n , s h e w a s handcuffed, confined with t w o u n k n o w n m e n , a n d told she would be deported to Pakistan
Paresh Raja, CEO MFS
Romesh Ranganathan
Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar: A bridge to my roots
It has been five years since I moved to London from my beloved Gujarat for work Since then, I have been a regular reader and admirer of your weekly newspapers, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar
Before settling in London, I lived in Surat, the diamond city, where I had a stable job and a comfortable life Yet, like many others, I sought new opportunities abroad The transition wasn’t easy, adjusting to a new environment, people and culture came with its challenges Nostalgia often crept in until a friend introduced me to Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar Reading them felt like a warm embrace from home Back in Surat, I was a keen reader of Gujarat Mitra, but here, these weeklies have become my window to the world and my heritage
Determined to stay connected, I subscribed to Asian Voice While filling the form, I realised that for just a few extra pounds, I could also get Gujarat Samachar, in my own Gujarati language, for the entire year Opting for both was the best decision, I have never missed a renewal since- and neither have my wife These newspapers have never disappointed me; they provide a wealth of information worth every penny
From exclusive stories to India-UK news and global affairs to insightful columns the coverage extends reports on Bollywood, Indian organisations, business, sports, religion, culture, health, women ’ s issues, recipes and festivals While I occasionally wish for more sports and fiction content, the newspapers are so engaging that I eagerly await my fresh copies every Saturday
A special mention goes to Soneri Sangat As Thursdays are workdays, I often miss the live sessions, but thanks to your YouTube channel, I never skip an episode This Zoom programme adds another layer of excellence to your already outstanding publications
My heartfelt best wishes to Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar for their invaluable service to society through journalism
Ra ndhir C havda , Ha rr ow
Diabetes on the rise
A recent news report mentioned that Diabetes is becoming a major health crisis, with one in five adults affected or at risk While lifestyle choices matter, bigger issues are driving this epidemic
Unhealthy diets are a key reason Processed foods high in sugar and bad fats are everywhere, making it hard to eat healthily With more people living inactive lifestyles, obesity, one of the main causes of type 2 diabetes, is increasing Work stress and long hours also make things worse
Many people don’t know they have diabetes or are at risk because there is no national screening programme
Regular blood tests (HbA1c) could help catch it early and prevent complications Ethnic minorities, especially South Asians, have a higher risk due to genetics Economic factors also play a role, healthy food is often expensive, pushing low income families towards cheaper, processed options
To fight this crisis, the government must promote healthy eating, exercise and introduce national diabetes screenings Lowering the cost of nutritious food, raising awareness and improving education on diabetes prevention are crucial steps Without action, the strain on the NHS and society will only increase
Blackout challenge
It is heartbreaking to read about the deaths of young children in the US due to the "blackout challenge," highlighting serious gaps in social media regulation These dangerous trends spread quickly, putting vulnerable users at risk
While TikTok claims to remove harmful content, such challenges still reach children, often with tragic results The Online Safety Act does not do enough to protect them If content promoting life-threatening challenges is not illegal, the law is too weak
Social media companies must be held responsible, not just for removing harmful content but for stopping its spread Grieving parents are right to demand stronger action If governments worldwide truly care about online safety, they must strengthen laws to prevent more young lives from being lost
Rachna Jain
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Met Police officer jailed for assaulting man in hospital bed
A Metropoli tan Police officer, Pc Raj an Solan ki, 28, has been j ailed for 12 weeks af
North Eas
Area Command U n i t, p l e a de d
assault by beati ng and was sentenc ed at Wes tm ins te r Magistrates ' Court, according to the IO PC
T
said the incident occurred on June 9, 2024, when Pc Solanki and another officer attended a hospital in east
health evaluation
The man, who had been violent earlier, was handcuffed to a bed At around 1:15 a m on June 10, Solanki r
handcuff When attempt-
ing to reapply it, a struggle ensued Body-worn camera
o o t a g e s h o w e d S o l
n k i restraining the man in a choke-hold, causing visible d i s t r e s s a n d r e s t r i c t e d breathing
T h e I O P C s a i
man while holding him in a chokehold for over 20 seconds With help from others, the handcuffs were reapplied Solanki, sentenced to 12 weeks in jail, will also s e r v e a 1 2 - m o n t h p r o b ation
IOPC director Amanda Rowe emphasised that officers must use proportionate force, calling Solanki’s a c t i o n s u n l a w f u l a n d potentially dangerous The watchdog will work with Scotland Yard on further disciplinary action
Families condemn Grenfell Tower dismantling
The d ecision to disma n t le G r e n fe ll Tower has an ger ed some bere ave d famili e s a n d s ur v i v o r s of the 2017 fire t hat claime d 72 liv es a s
P
on tha t the we st London hig h-r ise would be ta ken down Grenfell United, representing affected families, condemned the move, calling it "disgraceful and unforgivable" as they felt their views were ignored While some hoped to preserve the structure as a memorial, others supported its removal due to safety concerns A former resident suggested keeping parts of the building for remembrance, warning that "if it's out of sight, it will be out of mind "
A formal government announcement is expected Friday Rayner reportedly based her decision on engineers’ safety recommendations A 2020 report highlighted structural instability due to fire damage and weathering
Survivors at the meeting voiced frustration over the consultation process, with one stating: "That building means a lot to me It is where my mother's soul rests " Journalist Kate Lamble noted that while some see Grenfell as a sacred resting place, others find its presence a painful daily reminder
Local residents are divided, with many supporting demolition Mushtaq Lasharie, a community leader, said: "We’ve waited seven years for closure MP Joe Powell acknowledged the emotional weight of the decision but urged progress on long-overdue promises to survivors The 2017 fire, fuelled by flammable cladding, was deemed a result of systemic failures Families continue to demand accountability, but legal proceedings may not conclude before 2026
Cambridge risks talent loss due to PhD funding cuts
The University of C am bridg e risks losing exceptional talent due to a significant decline in Ph D funding, warns V iceChancellor Prof Deborah Prentice
Since assuming office in 2023, she has emphasised the crucial role of PhD students in driving research, innovation, and education She expressed concern over reduced research council funding, making PhD support her top priority
announcement of a new government partnership with Cambridge, placing the university at the heart of the UK’s
“Europe’s Silicon Valley” between Cambridge and Oxford, projected to contribute £78bn to the economy
Prentice, previously provost at Princeton University, hopes the collaboration will usher in a golden era for Cambridge, despite recent financial challenges Cambridge remains resilient due to its £4 2bn endowment and income from Cambridge University Press, yet securing PhD funding remains a key focus of future fundraising efforts
K A P I L’S K H I C H A D I
Kejriwal - the Fake
8th February will be remembered for a long time in India, especially in Delhi It was the day when the fake Kejriwal was ousted from his throne in Delhi For a decade the people of Delhi played a very stupid game They voted in this merchant of fake promises and total ineptitude,and they suffered the consequences of their foolishness They finally woke up and on 8th February we learnt that not only did they eject Kejriwal, but they totally destroyed him in the process And to add salt to his injury,he even lost his own seat Imagine a leader of a party losing his own seat The coughing maestro finally got found out and in this process the BJP have not just gained a majority, but they have elevated themselves in a position of real dominance
I looked at the votes and guess what, there were 34 seats where the BJP won by such a huge margin that even if AAP and INC votes were added together, they would still have lost This was a tsunami of monumental proportions The Modi wave is real
For those interested in the results and the margins, the table gives you food for thought Table One:
For the BJP winning after 27 years of being in the Delhi wilderness is of course good news, however, with that comes responsibility and high expectations BJP cannot afford to go slow on development They cannot afford to go slow in getting rid of corrupt civil servants They cannot go slow in addressing some of the low hanging fruits that will give them the highest mileage
The BJP manifesto promised a long list of items, for me some of the most noteworthy are:
- Cleaning the Yamuna River and developing a riverfront
- Resuming pensions for seniors
- Free education from kindergarten to postgraduate level
- Ensuring a 100% manual scavenging-free Delhi
- Deploying e-buses to reduce pollution
- Allocating ₹765,000 crore for highway development
- Constructing new colleges
- Constructing a Mahabharat Corridor
- A zero-tolerance policy against misgovernance and corruption
This is an incredible opportunity for the BJP to hit the road running They have 3 years in which to make an impact and for there to be visible signs of real development If they can do that, they will set a marker down for the next national election in 2029
People may not necessarily agree with Trump,but one thing is for sure, Trump 2 0 has turned the USA upside down in his first 100 days The only way you can break the hold of the ‘deep state’ in any nation is to uproot and destroy it from its very origin The deep state is like a garden weed, if you allow even a bit to survive, you can bet it will raise its ugly head in due course
In his forthcoming visit to the USA to meet President Trump, PM Modi needs to set the tone that India will no longer take a back seat and dance to anyone ’ s tune If nations want the support of India, then those nations will need to prove their allegiance and loyalty to India first Let Delhi be the catalyst that gives a boost to the BJP juggernaut of nation building
Kapil Dudakia
Labour government launches Trump style immigration crackdown
fuels the abuse of vulnerable people and harms our economy ” T
toug h stance on im migration
Branded as a “UK-wide b
migrant workers, including I n d
l salons, convenience stores, and car washes Under the direction of Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, immigration teams raided 828 businesses
i n J a n u a r y u p 4 8 % f r o m the previous year leading
t o 6 0 9 a r r e s t s , a 7 3 % increase
T h e H o m e O f f i c e reported that while enforcement covers all sectors, a
s i g n i f i c a n t s h a r e o f l a s t month’s activity was in the f o o d , d r i n k , a n d t o b a c c o industries A single raid on a n I n d i a n r e s t a u
i n H u m b e r s
e s u l t e
s e v e n a r r e s t s a n d f o u r detentions “The immigration rules must be respected and enforced,” Cooper stated “For too long, employers have been able to exploit illegal workers without cons e q u e n c e T h i s n o t o n l y e n c o u r a
o u s Channel crossings but also
removing over 800 people in recent weeks It has also
Additionally, the Home Office has launched a digital campaign in Vietnam and Albania to discourage illegal
stories of exploitation and hardship Between July 2023 and January 2024, immigra-
More than 1,090 civil penalty notices have been issued, with businesses facing fines of up to £60,000 per illegal worker
“
clear message there is no hiding place for those who break the law,” said Eddy Montgomery, Home Office D
“We will continue ramping
most vulnerable and hold employers accountable ”
Four Labour MPs reinstated after suspension
Four Labour MPs who were susp en d ed for de fy in g t he pa rty ov er t he two-child b enefit ca p have had the whip restored after six months as in depe nde nts, accordin g to Sk y News
Byrne, Imran Hussain, and R
rejoined the parliamentary L
three MPs, former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, Apsana Begum, and Zarah Sultana remain suspended, with their status set to be reviewed in the future The reason for their continued suspension remains unclear
Reacting to the news on X, Ms Sultana suggested her suspension was linked to her outspoken stance on Gaza, stating, "Turns out speaking
up for Palestine is still a punishable offence " Meanwhile, McDonnell, who was shadow chancellor under Jeremy
expect to regain the whip until a police inquiry into his
resolved
McDonnell and Corbyn were questioned under cau-
tion last month after attending a demonstration where police alleged protesters had deliberately breached conditions The MPs and organisers denied this, saying they
children killed in Gaza with police assistance
The seven MPs originally lost the whip in July 2024 after backing an SNP amend-
Reform UK MP for Great Yarmouth, posted an image of the dual-language sign on his X account, arguing that
East London, has a significant Bengali-speaking population, and the bilingual sign aligns with efforts to reflect local communities
H
move argue that public signage should remain accessib
diverse demographics, while supporters believe English should remain the primary language for official signs
s t a t i
should be displayed exclusively in English His state-
m e n t q u i
support and criticism alike
M u s k
owner of X, responded to Lowe’s post with a single word: “Yes ” His endorsement added momentum to the discussion, amplifying
r e a c t i o n s a c r o s s s o c i a l media
Whitechapel, located in
the UK about multicultural-
national identity Some see
diversity, while others argue
Musk’s involvement has further fuelled the controversy, with his vast online following intensifying the discussion
Working to beat cultural stigma around alcohol addiction among British Asians
A l c o h o l - r e l a t e d d e a t h s i n the UK hit a record high for the fourth year in a row, with 10,473 deaths in 2023, according to the Office for
N a t i o n a l S t a t i s t i c s ( O N S )
T h i s r e p r e s e n t s a 4 % increase from 2022 and a 38% rise since 2019
While the overall death rate slightly dropped to 15 9 per 100,000, men continued to have nearly double the rate of women The ONS also noted a decline in death rates for those aged 25 to 59 for the first time since 2020
Experts are calling for m e a s u r e s l i k e m i n i m u m unit pricing, health warnings on labels, and stricter
a d v e r t i s i n g r e g u l a t i o n s t o address this growing health crisis
I t ' s t i m e t o b r e a k t h e stigma and address alcohol addiction as the medical and societal issue it truly is Ad dressing alcohol depend ency in South Asian communities
Dr Karamd eep Kau r, a Volunteer at NACOA and C o n s u l t a n t C h i l d a n d
A d o l e s c e n t P s y c h i a t r i s t , highlights the lasting impact
o f s u b s t a n c e m i s u s e i n h o u s e h o l d s , p a r t i c u l a r l y alcohol dependence, which
c r e a t e s a n e n v i r o n m e n t
w h e r e f a m i l y m e m b e r s a d o p t c o p i n g m e c h a n i s m s
like "don't talk, don't trust, and don’t feel This often
l e a d s t o m e n t a l h e a l t h i s s u e s , w i t h c h i l d r e n i n these households at higher risk of neglect, domestic violence, and addiction
Speaking about the steps that can be taken to address and reverse this concerning t r e n d w i t h i n t h e B r i t i s h
A s i a n c o m m u n i t y , Karamdeep said, “Awareness is key to addressing alcoholrelated issues, both physical
a n d m e n t a l M a n y i n t h e S o u t h A s i a n c o m m u n i t y hesitate to access existing alcohol support services due to concerns over stigma, a
l a c k o f u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f religion’s role, and limited
a w a r e n e s s o f a d d i c t i o n Services often rely too heav-
i l y o n a m e d i c a l m o d e l , neglecting therapy and cult u r a l s e n s i t i v i t i e s
G e n e r a t i o n a l a n d g e n d e r differences further compli-
c a t e m a t t e r s , a s d o e s t h e a b s e n c e o f g o v e r n m e n t
c o m m i t m e n t t o c u l t u r a l l y
s p e c i f i c s u p p o r t f o r B M E c o m m u n i t i e s T o i m p r o v e access, alcohol support services must be developed in collaboration with the community, integrating cultural competence and addressing these unique challenges ” D il es h P o p at, T u r n i n g Point’s diverse communities
l e a d , a d d r e s s e s c o m m o n misconceptions about alcohol addiction in South Asian communities He explained, A major myth is that alcohol addiction is a 'Western
problem' that doesn’t affect S o u t h A s i a n s , l e a d i n g t o d e n i a l a n d m i n i m i s a t i o n
A n o t h e r m i s c o n c e p t i o n i s that addiction is simply a lack of willpower, ignoring the medical and psychological factors involved There's also stigma around seeking professional help, with some b e l i e v i n g f a m i l y i n t e r v e ntion or religious guidance should suffice While these a r e i m p o r
addiction services are essential Lastly, the false belief
t h a t S o u t h A s i a n w o m e n don't struggle with alcohol a d d i c t i o n o n l y i n c r e a s e s s h a m e a n d i s o l a t i o n
Addiction affects everyone, regardless of gender, background, or status " Holistic ap proach to ad diction recovery
M o h am m ed A s h f aq MBE, Managing Director of
K I K I T P a t h w a y s t o R e c o v e r y , e m p h a s i s e d t h e critical role of mental health in the recovery process, and discussed their growth, driven by increased funding that has allowed for an expanded w o r k f o r c e a n d e n h a n c e d services He said, “Mental health is a vital component
o f r e c o v e r y , a n d s e r v i c e s m u s t a d o p t a h o l i s t i c approach In Birmingham, we integrate mental health support into our care plans from the outset by involving all relevant professionals ”
He added, “We've established a dedicated community outreach team that cond u c t s e d u c a t i o n a l w o r kshops in multiple languages, h e l p i n g t o e n g a g e m o r e i n d i v i d
t i o n Our prevention and harm reduction initiatives include d i s t r i b u t i n g n a l o x o n e t o those at risk of drug-related d e a t h , p a r t i c u l a r l y w i t h i n Asian and other vulnerable communities
“ D u r i n g t h e C o v i d - 1 9 lockdown, we operated voluntarily to ensure naloxone reached those in need With the rise of synthetic drugs a n d
related deaths, our commit-
ment to educating people about naloxone and its lifesaving potential has never been stronger ”
Our prison link workers play a key role in helping individuals transition from prison to treatment, reduci n g o v e r d o s e r i s k s W e ensure they have access to naloxone and attend crucial a p p o i n
tion ”
Rising alcohol deaths and hidd en crisis in com munities
M
BAC-IN, Soh an Sahota said,
“Our service is specifically designed to support ethnic minority communities We offer both face-to-face and home visit support A key part of our work is raising awareness about the impact of alcohol, not just on the individual, but on the whole family Based on this, we tai-
individual and their family,
recent rise of alcohol deaths, S
lrelated issues have escalated
due to the stress, uncertainty, and isolation brought on by events like the pandemic, lockdowns, and vaccination processes Many individuals are using alcohol to cope with these pressures, leading to chronic drinking and h e a l t h p r o b l e m s D e s p i t e this, the statistics on alcohol-related deaths in ethnic minority communities, part i c u l a r l y S o u t h A s i a n s , remain unclear We believe the true number of deaths is much higher, especially as a l c o h o l - r e l a t e d i l l n e s s e s , like liver disease and heart p r o b l e m s , o f t e n g o u n r eported as the primary cause of death ” “ T h e l a c k o f p r o p e r reporting and the difficulty in obtaining accurate data from the government is concerning, as it hides the reality of the problem in South Asian communities Cheap, easily accessible alcohol and the normalisation of excessive drinking contribute to
symptom of deeper societal issues, such as discontent, hopelessness, and the inability to manage emotions and r
h e r isolated people, making it easier to self-medicate with a
psychological crisis, pointing to a larger societal issue where people are struggling to find healthy ways to cope with their inner turmoil,” he added
Director sentenced for inflating
loans in Covid fraud
A rt i De da , 3 1, d ir ec to r o f K n ig h t W o r ke r s L td , h a s been jail ed f or f raudulently o bt a in ing t w o C o vi
Back Lo ans by
secured £50,000 in
being entitled to only one loan
Deda, from Slough, was sentenced to two-and-a-half y
transferring criminal property, and failing to comply with company law
None of the £100,000 in Bounce Back Loans was used for the business, as required by the scheme He had previ-
charges at Reading Crown Court
from being a company direc-
Snasdell, chief investigator at the Insolvency Service, said the sentence highlights the seriousness of Covid-related fraud, stressing that Bounce Back Loans were meant to support businesses, not fund personal use The Insolvency Service is committed to investigating crimes that impact taxpayers Knight Workers, founded in December 2017 with Deda as its sole director, showed little evidence of actual trading In July 2020, Deda fraudu
Bounce Back Loans, inflating the company's turnover to £390,000 and £495,000 He later falsely claimed to have made only one application
repayment
Tougher immigration policy traps slavery victims
Thou sands o f mod ern slavery victims are being d enied s up p
to
Modern Slavery Act of 2015 positioned the UK as a leader in tackling human traff
duced in 2023 to curb illegal migration have eroded victim protections As political focus shifted to managing small boat arrivals, thousands of slavery victims are now being denied support "Modern slavery is not an immigration issue; it's a human rights issue," said
Salvation Army, which has
4 years Following new rules requiring greater proof of exploitation, rejections in slavery cases surged to 45% i n 2 0 2 3 , u p f r o m 1 1 % i n 2022 By 2024's first nine months, the figure was 46% In 2023, the Home Office i
industries like nail salons, car washes, sex work, and drug trafficking A House of Lords report f r o m O c
o b e r
m a t e d 130,000 victims of modern slavery in Britain
Journey from trauma to sobriety
, Aunee Bho gaita said, “I was sexually molested as a ch ild by a clo se family member I didn't disclose th is until I wa s 1 3 , b ec
I c o me from a S outh Asian backgro und and our status is ve ry im p o r ta nt i n th e So uth Asian co mmu nity
Because the people are so afraid to speak out or hold people accountable or to even say what happened due to fear of being stigmat
anorexia and tried to commit suicide multiple times Around the age of about 19, I got to a stage where I really didn't want to be part of the British Asian community anymore It was just so detrimental I was very vulnerable at that point, and the person that I met was s o m e b o d y , w h o w a s n ' t Indian, and I guess he was almost my ticket to escaping Eventually that turned out to be quite a domestic
v i o l e n t r e l a t i o n s h i p
During that time of being in that relationship, I was
ostracised from my family
My circle was very, because of my toxic relationship ”
“I was at the university when I got pregnant with m y d a u g h t e r A n d o f c o u r s e , a y e a r i n t o University, I moved back to Leicester We had our own place By my third year of University, the relationship had become so bad that I had to actually leave the University just because I c o u l d n ' t m a n a g e i t , m y children as well as the relat i o n s h i p O n c e I ' d l e f t University, I had no qualifications, I had no job, I had no family, I didn't have any r e a l f r i e n d s W i t h a l l o f these things, I already had
un-dealt trauma so I decided to use alcohol as a medicating tool at that point I had drank alcohol prior to that, but never abused it
B u t a t t h a t p o i n t , w h a t started as weekend drinking turned into weekday d r i n k i n g I w a s d r i n k i n g about two litres of vodka e v e r y s i n g l e d a y I w a s found in the street or park i n a d r u n k e n s t a t e M y mother already suspected that I had a problem
The addiction got really bad It got to the stage where I was told I had 12 months to live, essentially, b e c a u s e m y h e a r t r e a l l y was not closing very well
M y m o m w a s r i n g i n g around trying to find me help Because within the South Asia community it's such a taboo subject, we're not knowledgeable about the services that are out
t h e r e E v e n t h o u g h w e found help for me through treatment as well as rehab and also helped me with my mental problems with techniques like CBT and much more Then I came out of rehab on the 31 July, 2 0 2 0 a n d c a m e b a c k t o
Leicester And it s been five
sober
she added
Speaking about opening up about alcohol addict i o n w i t h i n S o u t h A s i a n communities, Aunee said,
and trauma Parents today, whether born here
generation in South Asian communities
There’s a strong cultur-
and younger generations often avoid correcting or
o f fear of disrespect This creates a cycle of intergenerational tolerance and trauma, especially for women F o r e x a m p l e , m y g r a n dmother, who grew up in A f r i c a w i t h r o o
Gujarat, was taught to tole
s
, w h i c h s h e then passed on to her children, including her daughters ”
Mohammed Ashfaq MBE
Sohan Sahota
Dilesh Popat
Aunee Bhogaita
Anusha Singh
The fight for women’s rights in minority communities
approach, aiming to improve the lives of people within our community in any way we could This included initiatives such as disability access support, sewing classes for women, and activities for children However, over time, we identified a specific area where the demand was highest empowering women of South Asian descent, particularly those from the South Asian diaspora and migrant communities
d i s ad v an tag e d com munities, has taken a tailored approach to suppo rt w omen facing abuse
In an effort to bridge the gap between cultural sensitivi
BCB provides targeted initiatives that create safe spaces, r
While the organisation is predominantly women-led, with South Asian women making up nearly all its trustees, a unique aspect of BCB is the presence of men in leadership roles advocating for women's empowerment
Around two to three years ago,
crime, and supporting the younger generation in our community
Based on your experience working with women from minority communities, what key obstacles do you believe need to be addressed in order to provide meaningful support?
Language is a major barrier, which we address by having bilingual and multilingual women on the front lines, ensuring effective communication These women are
In this exclusive interview, we speak with the CEO of BCB, Abbas Najib, to discuss the organisation’s impact, the role of men in supporting women ’ s rights, and how the
c o m m u n i t y c a n p
breaking cycles of abuse
Can you share more about your nonprofit’s mission, its key aims, and the initiatives you’re undertaking to build stronger communities?
W e
we began focusing more on this area, and it has since become our core strength in securing and delivering impactful projects This shift has allowed us to drive real growth and make a tangible difference
More recently, we launched Rise Bradford, a project dedicated to supporting young people within the South Asian community Given our location, approximately 90% of the community around us is of South Asian heritage, making this
Currently, our main focus areas
minority an already disempowered group within a larger disempowered community
Beyond language, aware-
issue To tackle this, we run WhatsApp and social media
making
Transportation is also a com-
whenever possible, we
These are the typical challenges that disem-
face Occasionally, we
issues, such as restrictions on accessing cer-
family or societal pressures In such cases, a tailored approach is required to address individual needs
overcoming these barriers To date, I don’t believe we ’ ve had to turn anyone away we work hard to find solutions for each person who seeks our help
How do you address the cultural barriers that sometimes prevent South Asian women from fully accessing opportunities? We make a conscious effort to a
their own skills and potential at their own pace For instance, we offer sewing and beauty and wellbeing classes activities that are
South Asian communities and take
staffed by multilingual facilitators
As they engage in these programs, they gradually become aware of additional courses and opportunities available to them Our project
That said, we ’ ve done well in
pants to explore further education and skill development Our goal is to create stepping stones that lead
women toward greater independence and empowerment
Asyou work towards empowering women at the grassroots level, what role do you think men can play in this process?
Does your charity also focus on educating men in these communities about how their attitudes and support can impact women's opportunities and empowerment? Advocating for gender equality requires collaboration Just as men should support women ’ s empow-
encourage positive change among men It cannot be done in isola-
men, making discussions relatable and relevant to their lives
For example, I spoke to the
riage topics that
deeply with young people These discussions also provide an opportunity to highlight the role men can play
always an easy conversation, as these issues are often framed as a “them versus us ” debate However, when we make it personal asking, “What if it were your sister or
sparks
shift in perspective
I
involvement in women ’ s empowerment is essential Whether it’s supporting women in education, employment, or even their choice to be homemakers, men ’ s voices can be powerful allies
Abbas Nijab interacting with men of the communtiy
Women attending one of the classes offered by BCB
A community-driven approach to theatre and the arts
D i p e n J ob a n p ut r a , t he
f ounder of the unique and c om m u n i t y - d r i ve n th e -
a t r e gr o up , S e c on d
De gree , has c ulti va ted a s pace where acc ess to cult ure, t hea tre , a nd art i s m ade possi ble for people f rom di verse bac kgrounds
The concept of Second
D e g r e e o r i g i n a t e d f r o m his personal experiences navigating a world of culture and opportunity that, for many, seems out of reach It is a business, but
J o b a n p u t r a
n s i s t s i t ’ s more of a passion project,
d e s i g n e d f o r t h o s e w h o truly appreciate the theatre
T h e i d e a b e h i n d
Second Degree is simple: offer quality theatre experiences to a select commu-
n i t y , w i t h a f o c u s o n
s h a r e d c o n n e c t i o n s a n d mutual trust Initially, it was a side hustle, a passion project that allowed him to indulge in theatre while building meaningful con-
n e c t i o n s a n d o v e r t h e
y e a r s h e h a s c a r e f u l l y curated a group of likeminded people who wanted authentic experiences in the world of theatre, art, and culture
A c om munity-dri ven model
Unlike public ticketing platforms, Second Degree operates on an invitationonly basis Members must attend at least two shows before they can invite others, ensuring a close-knit community This exclusiv-
i t y i s b y d e s i g n , Jobanputra explains
“I was taking financial
r i s k s , b u y i n g t i c k e t s i n bulk, handling payments, so I needed to trust the people I was dealing with I also didn’t want to deal with constant last-minute
c h a n g e s o r u n r e l i a b l e attendees ”
W h i l e m a n y p e o p l e s e e k d i s c o u n t e d t h e a t r e tickets, he prioritises quality over price “I don’t do c h e a p t i c k e t s I d o t h e
best tickets I want to see t h e a c t i n g u p c l o s e , t o experience the show properly If someone just wants t h e c h e a p e s t s e a t s , t h i s isn’t the group for them ” The growth of Second Degree has been slow but i n t e n t i o n a l J o b a n p u t r a h
scale quickly, but he chose
t o k e e p i t m a n a g e a b l e
Now in its 18th year, it has grown to more than 450 theatre lovers who want to e x p e r i e n c e t h e b e s t o f
London’s cultural scene
Diversi ty in theatre: A ma tter of q uali ty
J o b a n p u t r a s t r e s s e s that the focus of the conversation shouldn’t just be about diversity in casting but about quality performances Whether an actor is Black, Asian, or white, what truly matters is their talent and craftsmanship
H e s a i d , “ T h e a t r e i s a v a i l a b l e a n d a c c e s s i b l e ,
b u t m a n y S o u t h A s i a n s still don’t attend When I s a w M u c h A d o A b o u t
Nothing with Meera Syal in the lead, half the audience was Indian That tells me they know where the t h e a t r e i s t h e y ’ r e j u s t waiting for ‘ one of us ’ to be on stage ”
U l t i m a t e l y , h e s e e s theatre as a platform for all kinds of talent, and access to it should not be limited by background or privilege It’s about nurturing talent, supporting u n d e r r e p r e s e n t e d c o mmunities, and providing opportunities for young people who may not have
the financial backing to p u r s u e a c a r e e r i n t h e arts
“I love seeing South Asian actors on stage, but what really matters is talent”, he stressed
The fu ture of thea tre
J o b a n p u t r a a c k n o w ledges that the future of theatre is uncertain, especially in the face of the c
c h e a p e r e n t e r t a i n m e n t options available “Even among my members who love theatre, attendance has dropped People who u
times a year now tell me,
‘My mortgage costs have tripled I have to be selective about how I spend on tickets ’” , he said
Asian theatre groups, sur-
“Unless they have deepp
cial returns, it’s difficult to sustain these product i o n s l
,
Jobanputra added
Yet, he remains hopeful, “Theatre will always have a place, but it needs s
m investors, but from audiences willing to engage with it ” He has personall
West End productions
His model, which is community-based, exclus i v e , a n d f o c u s e d o n building genuine connect i o n s c o u l d o f f e r a blueprint for the future of theatre, making it more i n c l u s i v e , d i v e r s e , a n d accessible
In a world where cultural access can be a privilege, Second Degree has managed to carve out a space where diverse com-
build a more inclusive and equitable experience for all
Is ignorance truly bliss?
Rupanjana Dutta
T he Old V ic buzzed w ith ex c it em e nt, as au d i e nc e g a th er ed to w atc h t h e
Saturday afternoo n sh ow o f
Oed ipus, with the celebrity s tar c as t i nc lu d i n g R am i Malek as Oed ipus and Indira Varm a as J ocasta
The story of Oedipus is known to many – not just as what Sophocles wrote about a
e
branches of the Greek philosophy in the mid 5th cent u r y B C E b u t m a n y a s
Sigmund Freud’s psychological explanation that developed in 1899 about the infamous subconscious sexual c o m p l e x p r e s e n t i n e v e r y
child
The Greek mythological story of Oedipus was the King of Thebes who unwittingly killed his father and married his mother Homer s a i d O e d i p u s ’ w i f e a n d mother Jacosta killed herself by hanging, while Oedipus
c o n t i n u e d t o r u l e , w h i l e some said he blinded hims e l f a n d l i v e d i n e x i l e i n
Athens He was eventually swallowed by Earth and he became a guardian hero of the land
Ella Hickson has proved herself as a brilliant dramat i s t t r o u g h O e d i p u s , w h o
can tell or adapt the story of a m y t h o l o g i c a l p a s t i n a relatable stage of the present- the lack of rain and drinkable water in a land, a glimpse of the current clim a t e c r i s i s e n g u l f i n g t h e world, as dancers usher in the rain almost in a hymnic trance
acclaimed film Guide, where Raju, played by the famous a c t o r D e v A n a n d , w h o resembled Hollywood actor Gregory Peck, gets trapped by villagers’ belief to end a d
loveless life in fasting, ultimately dying to bring the land its promised water
O e d i p u s s i m i l a r l y trapped in the prophecy of a n o r a c l e , p u b l i c l y announced to bring justice by punishing the murderer o f K i n g L a i u s , t o e n d a drought in Thebes, that tormented the lives of his subjects What followed was a tragedy, that left him blind, tearing his beautiful family and heroic life that he built, apart
a r
The actors in the scenes
l i n e n c l o
s - b r i n g i n g together a multitude of culture in a clever depiction of the thousands of years old tragedy Nothing can beat Indira Varma’s strength in a c t o f d e s p e r a t i o n a s a woman, brave yet broken, l o o k i n g t o s a v e h e r o w n f i r s t , a w i f
tragedies of her life into the h
, winning and losing repeatedly, as justice eludes her
angular movements perhaps to imitate Oedipus’ bad foot, a certain stoniness on his face, with glassy eyes, awkward pauses between words – strange yet transfixing as he glided through the stage like a white shadow- not a moment he was not the star that he has achieved to be!
The energetic dancers in the light and shadow of the stage production, brought in a new angle to the story-
, they offered the audience a respite and a new way to perceive and pursue information
A brilliant play, posing the age-old tragic question making you think hard – “is ignorance truly bliss?”
A must watch Oedipus at The Old Vic till 29 March 2025 Star ratings (out of five):
Bradford’s Yousef Naseer stars in ‘Virdee’ drama
Ni
Naseer fro m Brad fo rd stars
i n th e h i g h l y a nt ic i p at ed BBC dram a ‘V irdee’
S e t a n d f i l m e d i n h i s h o m e t o w n , t h e s h o w f o llows Detective Harry Virdee (Staz Nair), a dedicated officer estranged from his Sikh family after marrying Saima ( A y s h a K a l a ) , a M u s l i m woman
Y o u s e f , a D i x o n s C i t y
S c h o o l a l u m n u s , p l a y s Ateeq, while his six-year-old
b r o t h e r , W i s s a m , p o r t r a y s Aaron Virdee, the lead char-
acter’s son Yousef shared, “ M y r o l e i n ‘ V i r d e e ’ w a s emotional and challenging I play Ateek, a character from Bradford with struggles simi l a r t o t h o s e o f p e o p l e I know It really connected me to my roots He’s someo n e I ’ v e t r i e d t o a v o i d becoming, but you can see his vulnerability ” T h e s i x - p a r t s e r i e s , adapted by Bradford author AA Dhand from his bestselling novels, also features Y o u s e f ’ s b r o t h e r W i s s a m Yousef’s acting journey, sup-
ported by Articulate Drama
S c h o o l a n d A g e n c y i n Baildon, began at age eight Founded in 2013 by former lawyer Stacey Burrows, Articulate has become one of the UK’s top acting agenc i e s , k n o w n f o r c a s t i n g young talent
Y o u s e f c r e d i t e d Articulate Drama School in B r a d f o r d f o r h i s s u c c e s s , saying, “I wouldn’t be here without it, especially as a young Asian lad It kept me away from negative influences like crime and drugs ”
Dipen Jobanputra
Rami Malek as Oedipus and Indira Varma as Jocasta
Getting to the Root of London’s Dental Problems
Cllr Krupesh Hirani
Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow
Ev er had a throbbing to oth ache that ju st wouldn't quit? It’ s m iserable, right? And unfortu nately, it's a situation far too many Londo ners find themselv es in As C hair of the London A ssem bly Health Com mittee, I’v e been d igg ing d eep into the state of d entistry in our city, and the p icture isn't pretty
Our new report, “Decay & Delay: The state of Dentistry and Oral Health in London,” lays bare the stark reality of dental care in the capital
Let's start with the kids A shocking one in four five-year-olds in London suffers from tooth decay That's higher than the national average Think about that – tiny children already experiencing dental problems It's heartbreaking And the situation only gets worse Over 5,000 children under ten were admitted to hospital for tooth extractions in London last year Imagine the pain, the cost, and the long-term impact
But it’s not just children Access to NHS dentists is a major issue across the board Less than half of London’s children saw an NHS dentist last year, and for adults, the figures are barely better We’re talking about a massive access crisis And this isn't just a matter of inconvenience Poor oral health impacts everything from a child’s ability to learn to an adult’s overall wellbeing
One of the biggest problems is the current NHS dental contract It's simply not working It’s outdated, underfunded, and frankly, not fit for purpose This was something in the new Labour Government’s manifesto so there is hope that it will be an issue that will progress after years of inactivity Funding hasn't kept pace with inflation, meaning there isn't enough NHS dental activity to meet the needs of our growing population We need fundamental reform, and we need it now
So, what are we doing about it? Our report lays out some key recommendations First, we're calling for urgent dental contract reform This isn't something that can wait We need action to start this year
Second, we need to get the message out about the importance of dental check-ups, especially for children Many people don't realise that dental care is free for certain groups We're urging the Mayor to work with NHS England and local health bodies on a public awareness campaign targeting those most in need
Third, we need to focus on prevention Supervised toothbrushing programs in schools are vital, particularly in areas with high levels of deprivation In my previous capacity as the Cabinet Member for Public Health in Brent I introduced supervised toothbrushing in the most deprived parts of the Borough We're pushing for government funding to expand these programmes in areas of the highest need
Finally, we need to explore all options for improving oral health This includes investigating the feasibility of fluoridating London's water supply It’s a complicated picture with multiple water companies covering London and some also having coverage in areas outside of the capital, but one that deserves serious consideration
Good oral health isn't a luxury, it's a fundamental right Everyone deserves access to quality dental care, regardless of their background or postcode London should be smiling with pride at its dental care, but sadly, that’s not the case right now We need to get to the root of these problems and ensure everyone has a healthy smile It’s time for action, not just words
The Bhavan celebrates India's 76th Republic Day in London
Rupanjana Dutta
The Bhar atiya Vidya B havan organised India’s 76th Rep ublic Day celebration in Lo ndon on Thur sday, 6 Febr uary Key gu ests inclu ded the High Co mmissio ner of India to the UK, H E Vikr am Do raiswami, Lo rd N avnit Dholakia O BE DL and Lady Ann Dholakia, Cl lr Daryl Brown, Depu ty Mayor o f Ful ham and Hammersmith, Bar ry Gardiner MP, Vino d
Thakr ar , Bhavan's Tr ustee and Head, Mar keting
Subco mmittee to name a few
The event was chaired by Subhanu Saxena, Chairman, Bhavan UK who welcomed the guest of honour, dignitaries and all the people who had assembled in support of Bhavan's celebration of India's Republic Day
Speaking at the reception, Guest of Honour, the Indian High Commissioner H E Vikram Doraiswami said, “ If you look across the world at the evolution of democracy, if nothing else, is the least, worst system of government that humankind has ever known, you will see that it has not been in human nature to cede power to people easily Democracy and democratic rights have proceeded grudgingly, to be granted grudgingly, generation after generation to people on the basis of first, on the basis of
choose to belong to “And last and most of all, the Constitution enjoins upon us to do our best wherever we live, to make things better ”
Councillor Daryl Brown lauded Bhavan as a steadfast hub for education and culture, celebrating its fivedecade legacy while Lord Dholakia reflected on Bhavan's historical journey, from Oxford Street to its current home, and its role in fos-
title, then on the basis of power, on the basis of property, on the basis of education Nowhere else in history have you had a circumstance for a country to say, we will be a democracy and we will retain that democratic tradition as part of who we are, irrespective of how poor we may be, and no matter how complicated our circumstances are So commemorating Republic
Day matters for that reason
“The second reason why Republic Day matters is that is an opportunity for us to reaffirm to ourselves what the core value of the Constitution is! The core value of the Constitution, to me, is equality, and that is ingrained in the religious traditions and social and cultural traditions of India, no matter which religious denomination you
tering arts and culture MP Barry Gardiner described Bhavan as "a drop of India" in the UK, emphasising its spiritual and cultural significance
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Vinod Thakrar Praising CB Patel, Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar for his presence in the audience as well his decades of support, Mr Thakrar said, “We have been connected to CB for the last 50 years CB’s office was used when the Bhavan’s first meeting took place in London The support of such a senior figure in a media house is very much appreciated Thank you for coming to this event and we look forward to your continued support for Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, which is a cultural centre in London, UK ” A cultural programme followed with performances by Bhavan’s students
Cross-party group aims to restore UK community unity
Sajid Javid
urgency of a unifying vision, s
been ignored for
Sunder Katwala of British Future highlighted the need for sustained efforts, empha-
wide engagement to develop
A n ew cros s- party commi ss ion, chaire d b y former Cons ervati ve an d Lab our commun iti es s ecre tari es Sa ji d Javi d an d John Den ham, aims to enga ge mi ll i o n s a cr o s s t h e UK t o s tre ng the n commun it y cohes ion followi ng the Southport trage dy a nd rece nt ri ots L a u n c h i n g i n t h e s p r i n g , the commission is backed by the Together Coalition, founded by Brendan Cox, husband of the late Labour MP Jo Cox While not government-sponsored, the initiative has drawn interest from both No 10 and the opposition leader’s office O
Leicester community bids emotional farewell to beloved shopkeepers
A coup le who hav
L-R: Vinod Thakrar, Barry Gardiner MP, Subhanu Saxena, Lord Navnit Dholakia OBE DL Cllr Daryl Brown and H E Vikram Doraiswami (speaking)
L-R: Hemant Parekh, a prominent figure in Gujarati drama, who has played a key role in Bhavan’s activities CB Patel Lady Ann Dholakia and Lord Navnit Dholakia OBE DL
Rabindra Sangeet performance by Bhavan’s students
The Indian High Commissioner with Bhavan’s students who performed at the Republic Day celebration
The global impact of AI
A s a r t i f i ci a l i n t e l l i g e n ce
r e sh a p e s i n d u st r i e s , econ omi es, an d so ci et ie s, globa l le aders a re grappli ng
w i t h t h e ch a
d responsible use
The recent AI Summit, co-chaired by Indian Prime
d e n t Emmanuel Macron, under-
innovation with safeguards against bias and inequality
In this article, Anjana Susarla shares her expert
i n s i g h t e x p l o r i n g g l o b a l potential of AI in shaping policymaking and international cooperation would be highly appreciated Prof Susarla holds the Omura-
S a x e n a P r o f e s s o r s h i p i n
R e s p o n s i b l e A I a t t h e
Broad College of Business
She earned an undergraduate degree in Mechanical
E n g i n e e r i n g f r o m t h e I n d i a n I n s t i t u t e o f
T e c h n o l o g y , C h e n n a i ; a
g r a d u a t e d e g r e e i n
B u s i n e s s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n from the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta; and Ph D in Information
S y s t e m s f r o m t h e
U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s a t
Austin
Here's what she has to sayWith Pri me Min ister Modi co-cha iri ng the AI Summit in Pari s, how do y ou thin k
In dia 's role in A I deve lopme n t a n d p o l i cy w i l l impa ct g lob al di scussion s on A I govern ance?
India can play a great
r o l e i n s h a p i n g i n t e r n a -
t i o n a l c o n s e n s u s a r o u n d the values embodied in AI models NITI Aayog, the public policy think tank of the government of India has taken a leadership role in unveiling principles of responsible AI that specify the values and boundaries
o f a u t o m a t e d s y s t e m s , i n c l u d i n g a g o v e r n a n c e model assigning responsib i l i t i e s a n d a c c o u n t a b i l ities
In your opi nion , what are the ke y ethical con si derat i o n s t h a t p o l i c y ma k e r s must addr ess as A I techn o l o g i e s c o n t i n u e t o evolve ? How ca n in ternat i o n a l c o op e r a ti on h e l p e st a b li sh th e s e e th i ca l guid elin es?
Key ethical considerations should be that AI is t r a n s p a r e n t , r e s p o n s i b l e , ensures safety and privacy
P o l i c y m a k e r s n e e d t o ensure that use and design of AI that is fair, transparent, explainable, humancentric, and in a manner that safeguards privacy and
s e c u r i t y I n t e r n a t i o n a l
c o o p e r a t i o n c a n e n s u r e t h a t u s e o f a l g o r i t h m s must be accompanied by c o n s u m e r p r o t e c t i o n g u i d e l i n e s i n c l u d i n g t h e guidance and choices to be p r o v i d e d b y c o n s u m e r s Businesses deploying these technologies and develop-
e r s o f A I m u s t l i k e w i s e
consider the role played by e x p l a i n a b i l i t y , r i s k m a nagement, managerial agency, and human control in t h e i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f these technologies
What d o you thin k a re the main obstacle s to in tern ation al coopera tion on AI , an d how ca n w e ov ercome them to e nsur e A I's b en efi ts a re shared glob ally?
One of the challenges is t h a t d i f f e r e n t c o u n t r i e s and regions have adopted their own set of standards
In the past year, there have been a slew of proposals both in Europe and in the United States on regulation of AI China is unveiling AI regulations as well In the US, regulatory agenc i e s s u c h a s t h e F e d e r a l Trade Commission (FTC) has indicated that they will be paying attention to the use of automated decision
m a k i n g e n a b l e d b y A I
There are proposals being debated to regulate algo-
r i t h m i c h a r m s a n d b i l l s highlighting data privacy and protection across different US states Given this
p a t c h w o r k o f A I l e g i s l ation, we need an overarchi n g p r i n c i p l e o r s e t o f g u i d e l i n e s t h a t c a n b e agreed upon
W h a t e x ci t e s y o u mo st ab out the future of AI , a nd h o w d o y o u b e l i e v e t h e ne xt de cad e wi ll sha pe the rela tionship betw een technology an d soci ety?
Technological innovations enabled by AI could expand consumer welfare and well-being and could result in intangible investments such as new business models, new businesses and services that would not exist without AI AI
t e c h n o l o g i e s o f f e r g r e a t p r o m i s e i n i m p r o v i n g healthcare, enabling new modes of drug discovery, streamlining the modes of p r o d u c t i o n a n d d i s t r i b ution etc However, in order f o r t h a t v i s i o n t o b e realised, we also need to ensure that the development of AI takes place in an equitable manner and an understanding of how AI impacts consumer, markets and societal institutions We need algorithmic accountability, algorithmic l i t e r a c y , a n d a l g o r i t h m i c regulation to ensure equit a b l e o u t c o m e s w i t h o u t sacrificing the productivity, profitability, and consumer welfare gains from AI
N E W E R A F O R A I W I T H I N
Washington
He underscored the importance of ensuring that humanity, not machines, determine the course of AI’s evolution “We stand at the dawn of an AI age that will shape the destiny of humankind,” he added The summit, attended by heads of state, CEOs, and scie n
n d 1 0 0 nations, aims to establish governance frameworks that balance innovation with ethical s a f e g u
include U S Vice President JD
emphasised India's commitment to sharing its expertise t
accessible to all
During his address at the summit, Modi announced that India would host the next edition of the summit, further reinforcing its role in shaping global AI governance
G e n e r
l A n t o n i o G u t e r r e s Sharing details of the meeting on X, he wrote, Happy to h a v e m e t U N S e c r e t a r y -
V
views on Artificial Intelligence
enhance human productivity rather than replace workers "I a
human beings it will never replace human beings," Vance stated
He criticised the prevailing fears about AI-driven job losses, arguing that industry
Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing Macron, speaking ahead of the event, emphasised that AI presents a unique technological
“Current AI,” seeks to foster
advancements in health, educ
sustainability Modi empha-
competition but also promote equitable access to technology to prevent deepening digital divides
Speaking about India’s AI
that India, given its vast
General, Mr Antonio Guterres in Paris "
In his speech at the summit, Guterres underscored the need to bridge the AI divide, w a r n i n g a g a i n s t a f u t u r e w h e r e a r t i f i c i a l i n t e l l i g e n c e creates a world of "haves" and "have-nots "
M o d i r e c e i v e d a w a r m welcome in Paris, with members of the Indian diaspora g a t h e r i n g d e s p i t e t h e c o l d weather “A memorable welc o m e i n P a r i s ! T h e I n d i a n community’s enthusiasm was heartwarming,” Modi posted on social media
During a private dinner at the Élysée Palace, Modi also met JD Vance, marking his f i r s t e n g a g e m e n t w i t h t h e Trump administration’s leadership ahead of his US visit Congratulating Vance on his e l e c t o r a l v i c t o r y , M o d i s i gn a l l e d I n d i a ’ s i n t e n t t o strengthen strategic ties with
visit: T rade, tech, and tensions on th e agenda Following the AI Summit, the Indian Prime Minister will
leaders often overlook its true potential "Too many leaders in the AI industry, when they talk about the fears of replacing workers, really miss the point AI is going to make us more productive, prosperous, and free," he said
Modi’s visit to France is part of a broader diplomatic
summit, he and Macron will travel to Marseille to inaugurate an Indian consulate and visit the ITER nuclear research facility The leaders are also expected to finalise a defence agreement involving the procurement of 26 Rafale fighter jets and three Scorpene subm a r i n e s , a d e a l t h a t h a s reached its final negotiation phase
The summit underscores Europe’s bid to assert its role in AI governance amid USChina technological competition With AI reshaping indus-
Anjana Susarla
The Prime Minister interacts flock to meet him
PM in a bilateral meeting with the President of the Republic of Estonia, Mr Alar Karis in Paris
Narendra Modi addressing the delegates at the summit
The Indian Prime Minister recieved a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the airport by the Army Band of Paris
N D I A A N D F R A N C E
cal and emerging technologies, counter-terrorism, and the Indo-Pacific region
However, differences over trade policies, which Trump refers to as the need for “fair trade,” as well as issues related to illegal migration and visa
d e l a y s , w i l l a l s o f e a t u r e i n talks India is expected to seek
T r u m p ’ s c o o p e r a t i o n i n advancing key initiatives such as iCET (Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies)
C
o r ) , b o t h l a u n c h e d under the Biden administration
Despite Trump’s threats of i m p o s i n g h i g h e r t a r i f f s o n India and other nations, the Modi government is likely to push for a mini trade deal if
which were revoked in 2019,
scape has grown more
China’s expanding influence in
while offering the US greater market access Soon after Donald Trump was projected as the winner in last year ’ s US elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cong r a t u l a t
Republican leader “ my friend” and why wouldn’t he During T r u m p ’
n d Modi shared a strong personal rapport, marked by high-pro-
Assessing US-India relations under Trump's leadership
As Prim e Minister Narend ra M o d i m eet s U S P re si d e nt
Donald T rum p for the first time since securing his second term , th e dynamics of th
h ip take centre stage o nce ag ain
Over the years, the partnership between the world's two largest democracies has g
ning strategic defence, trade,
security While the Trump
tenure saw closer cooperation in countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific a
immigration policies
tention
In a conversation with D r R am e sh K an neg ant i, F o u nd er a nd Ex ec u ti v e D i rec to r at C en tre fo r
H u m an S ec u ri ty S t ud ie s (C HS S), we explore the evolution of US-India relations
u n d e r T r u m p ’ s l e a d e r s h i p , and how India navigates its strategic position, especially in the context of its shared b o r d e r w i t h C h i n a W i t h growing geopolitical shifts and economic realignments, what lies ahead for this crucial partnership? Here's what he has to say
How d o you assess the U SI nd i a re la ti o ns h i p u n d er
T ru m p 's lea d er sh i p c o mpared to h is prev ious presidency, and how d o you see it evolving in the current context?
The U S -India relationship under Trump's leadership saw significant convergences, particularly in areas such as democracy, strategic d e f e n c e , a n d t r a d e B o t h c o u n t r i e s s h a r e c o m m o n values, including constitut i o n a l i s m , r e s p e c t f o r minorities, and a commitment to democratic governance without military rule
On the strategic front, the Indo-Pacific framework b r o u g h t t h e U S , I n d i a , Australia, and Japan together to counter China’s growing i n f l u e n c e P o s t - C O V I D - 1 9 , t h e r
a crucial area of cooperation
I n d i a , a s a l e a d e r o f t h e
Global South, seeks to bridge the gap between the developed and developing world, and its partnership with the U S can enhance this role
W
gences, such as intellectual property rights and regional security concerns, particul
a k i s t a n , A f g h a n i s t a n , a n d
B a n g l a d e s h , b o t h n a t i o n s have the diplomatic understanding to navigate these issues With strong leadership on both sides, the relat i o n s h i p i s e x p e c t e d t o evolve positively, reinforcing economic and strategic ties
"India, as a leader of the Global South, seeks to bridge the gap between the
developed and developing world,
and
its partnership with
the
US
can enhance this role."
Since you asked about the broader strategic picture, I strongly believe India must remain vigilant across five critical domains: maritime s p a c e , p o l i t
s p a c e , cyberspace, the service sector, and the manufacturing sector China is actively trying to expand its influence in a l l
a must respond strategically
From the perspective of an Indian citizen and a policy thinker, I firmly believe that India must uphold its i
autonomy is crucial India should not be pressured or dictated by any country, nor should it overly align with one power at the expense of its sovereignty
position in the
States nor with China Given the fundamental ideological
alignment is unlikely anyway However, India must ensure its decision-making remains sovereign and independent in strategic matters
between the "digitally haves" and "have-nots" is growing India must safeguard its digital assets and infrastructure to maintain true independence in the modern era A bout Dr Ramesh Kanneg anti Dr Ramesh Kanneganti is an academic, researcher, and policy expert specialisi n g i
tions, security studies, and emerging technologies He earned an MPhil and PhD from the prestigious School of International Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University ( J N U ) H
Trump" in India
However, as Modi prepares to meet Trump in his second
Asia, immigration policies, and bilateral trade disputes remain uncertain points of discussion between the two leaders While some diplomats and foreign policy experts remain
cooperation, others urge cau-
unpredictable leadership style
lenges India-U S ties, they say, cannot be taken for granted Modi is also expected to engage with top business leaders, and a potential meeting with Elon Musk has not been ruled out
e m o c r a t i c alliances in shaping global development narratives Key sectors such as IT, pharmaceuticals, defence, and science and technology have been major areas of collaboration, with trade exceeding $200 billion
Under Trump, immigration policies and executive o r d e r s , i n c l u d i n g t h o s e affecting visas (F1, H-1B, and L1), created some concerns i n I n d i
h i
d e r P r i m e M i
t e r M o d i h a s m a i nt a i n e d a p o s i t i v e o u t l o o k , focusing on negotiations to protect Indian interests in the US
Looking ahead, emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence, will be
Do you think Ind ia is at a d is ad v ant ag e co m p a red to o ther cou ntries du e to its s h ared b o rd er w i th C h in a and th e direct consequ ences o f Ch ina's actions? Sho uld India take a m ore ag gressiv e stance in urging its partners to respond to China?
Y e a h , I t h i n k y o u ’ v e m a d e a v a l i d p o i n t I n d i a must be very careful in its approach and should avoid u n n e c e s s a r i l y a n t a g o n i s i n g either the United States or China After all, while we can choose our friends, we cannot choose our neighbours India has to coexist with its n e i g h b o u r s , w h i c h m a k e s e n g a g e m e n t w i t h C h i n a essential
We share a 3,488-kilometer land border with China, a significant stretch along the L i n e o f A c t u a l C o n t r o l ( L A C ) H o w e v e r , C h i n a ’ s increasing presence in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific is a major concern for India
h h a s focused on US-Israel strategic relations, Middle Eastern security, and global counterterrorism efforts D u r i n
journey, Dr Kanneganti was a w a r d
where he explored trilateral
between the US, Israel, and India He later worked close-
Recognising the need for
Dr Ramesh Kanneganti
Narendra Modi met UN Secretary General António Guterres at the summit
World leaders and representatives with co-chairs Narendra Modi and Emmanuel Macron (centre)
Narendra Modi with American Vice President JD Vance, his wife Usha Vance and kids
Dear Financial Voice Reader,
Alpesh Patel
Why You Might Want to Take Charge of Your Own Pension
We, the readers of the Asian Voice, are probably entrepreneurs, professionals or just plain savvy at managing our finances
Managing your own pension can feel like deciding to perform your own plumbing: risky if you don’t know what you ’ re doing, yet potentially cheaper, more efficient, and surprisingly straightforward once you learn the basics In the world of pensions, many savers default to professional fund managers because, well, they’re paid to manage money However, emerging research and trends indicate that self-management can be the more rewarding route providing you have the tools, knowledge, and a healthy dose of common sense Below, we explore the reasons behind this shift
1 The Underperformance of Active Management
A key argument in favour of self-management stems from the recurring underperformance of actively managed funds According to the S&P Dow Jones Indices SPIVA
Scorecard (which tracks the performance of active managers against their respective benchmarks), a significant majority of active funds fail to outperform their benchmark indices over long time horizons For instance, as of the 2022 SPIVA report for the U S market, around 75% of actively managed large-cap funds lagged behind the S&P 500 over a five-year period While this data is U S -centric, equivalent studies in the UK and Europe produce similarly sobering results
The takeaway? If a fund manager charging 1%–2% per year in fees can’t consistently beat a basic index tracker, you might reasonably ask: why not do it myself and cut out the middleman?
2 The Fee Drain
Fund management fees can be like termites in your pension pot: small and invisible at first, but capable of hollowing out a significant portion of your returns over time Even a modest annual management charge can compound into tens of thousands of pounds lost over decades By contrast, self-management particularly if you use lowcost index funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can significantly reduce fees If you save 1% in fees annually over 30 years, the cumulative impact on a pension pot can be astonishing
3 Empowerment and Transparency
When you manage your own pension, you gain a transparent view of exactly where your money is going Rather than trusting an opaque black box of fund strategies, you choose the assets be they equities, bonds, or alternative investments This hands-on approach fosters greater accountability: if a stock underperforms, you know exactly where to direct your frustrations (the bathroom mirror)
4. Tailored to Your Goals
Not everyone ’ s risk tolerance, time horizon, and personal values match an off-the-shelf pension fund Selfmanagement offers the flexibility to align investments with personal goals whether that’s a passion for sustainable energy, a bullish view on technology, or a defensive stance in bonds In essence, you become the curator of your own future
5 Technology Levels the Playing Field
Thanks to user-friendly online platforms self-directed investing is no longer a pastime reserved for day traders sporting multiple monitors Beginner-friendly interfaces enable you to access global markets at low costs, schedule regular contributions, and conduct research with the click of a button These platforms often provide charts, analyst opinions, and educational resources to help you navigate the retirement planning maze
UK government opens inquiry into AI in finance
The UK Trea sury Committee has issue d a call for evidence as par t of a ne wl y la un ched inquiry ex aminin g the growin g influe nce of ar tificial int ell ige nce (AI) on ban king, pe nsions, a nd financial services
The inquiry aims to explore how the UK’s financial sector can harness AI’s potential while addressing risks to financial stability and protecting consumers, particularly vulnerable groups The committee is seeking input from a diverse range of voices, including industry professionals and consumers, with responses due by 17 March Key areas of focus include AI’s impact on productivity, its benefits and risks for consumers and financial stability, and its projected evolution over the next decade The inquiry will also assess AI’s effect on employment in the financial sector, the UK’s global competitiveness, and potential cybersecurity threats
Treasury Committee Chair Dame Meg Hillier emphasised the importance of balancing innovation with regulation, stating, “It’s critically important the City can capitalise on innovations in AI and continue to be a world leader in finance We must, though, also ensure adequate safeguards are in place to mitigate associated risks, particularly for customers ”
Revolutionising indoor navigation for visually impaired students
Subhasini Naicker
Kavya Jain, a Londonbased product designer specialising in social and inclusive design, is revolutionising school accessibility with ‘Senseiforall’. Her innovation, ‘Sensei’, offers durable, lowcost tactile surfaces that can be easily affixed to walls, using unique patterns to guide visually impaired students through touch This solution enhances independence while saving schools up to 40% compared to traditional modifications
Asian Voice, Kamya spoke about her journey, key fea-
much more
Can you tell us about your journey and what inspired you to create Sensei?
years since I started ‘Sensei’, which began as my universi-
Product Design During my final-year dissertation, I was designing products for early child development when I came across an article comparing the development of visually impaired children to those with sight One detail stood out: while most chil-
often skip crawling and start walking later, delaying key developmental milestones
That insight sparked my project, but it became even more personal when my dad was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, causing blind spots in his vision His experience continues to motivate m
c c e s s i b l
spaces that empower visually impaired individuals to navigate the world independently
What specific challenges did you identify in creating an accessible and inclusive interior environment for people with vision impairments and complex needs?
In the UK, over 2 million
struggle with indoor navigation, including 23,000 child
unsafe, non-inclusive environments With only 11 or 12
wide, most visually impaired
students rely on mainstream schools that often lack adequate resources to support them
Key issues I identified i
consistent, intuitive navigation system, as current tools like wooden rails and tactile pavements are either inef-
many students depend
, t i g h t
l budgets make investing in innovative accessibility solutions difficult, further limiti n
impaired students
How do you ensure that Sensei meets the needs of people with complex needs, not just those with vision impairments?
At ‘Sensei’, our goal has a l w a y s b e e n t o c o - d e s i g n with our end users engagi n g v i s u a l l y i m p a i r e d s
dents, special needs educat
y experts to ensure our product is functional for those with vision impairment and complex needs
We prioritise multi-sens o r y d
touch and colour contrast, w i
audio cues for cognitive and s
tomised for different envi-
Currently, we ’ ve tested in three schools and are live in two, using continuous feedback to refine and adapt our solution for diverse disabilities and spaces
How do you address concerns regarding affordability and accessibility of your product for different sectors or communities?
Affordability has been a priority for ‘Sensei’ from the start we believe accessibility shouldn’t come at a high cost Existing solutions like wooden rails are expensive to install, require renovations, and have high mainten a n
, *Sensei* is made from lowcost EVA foam, making it
schools while requiring no structural changes
Our modular, stick-on design seamlessly integrates into existing spaces To fur-
and materials while exploring partnerships with local
tions to support low-income schools and public spaces Our goal is to keep improv-
accessibility is within reach for all
Bupa UK set to raise stake in Niva Bupa following India’s FDI limit hike
Heal th Insurance, may consid er i ncreasing
ts shareholding in the f uture, accordi ng to Kri shnan Ramachand ran, MD &
recent announcement in the Union Budget to raise the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in the insurance sector from 74% to 100%
optimistic about the oppor-
tunities in India I am sure they will consider increasing their stake in the times to come," Ramachandran state d C u r r e n t
55 98% of the recently listed insurer, while Fettle Tone
Niva Bupa made its stock market debut in November
2024
R a m a c h
n
n a l s o highlighted the company ’ s strategic focus on leveraging technology, data, and analytics to improve efficiency
Bupa’s combined ratio an essential profitability metric
for non-life insurers from 100 9% to 95-96% over the next five years "We ended last year at around 98 8%, and our goal is to bring it down further
O p e r a t i n
l e v e r a g e a n d economies of scale will play a key role in achieving this," he added A combined ratio
b e l o w 1 0 0 % s i g n i f i e s a n underwriting profit, whereas a ratio above 100% indicates higher claims payouts than premium earnings
I n t h e O c t o b e rDecember period (Q3FY25), t h e c o m p a n y a c h i e v e d a remarkable 189% growth in profit, reaching Rs 13 2 crore
During the April-December period of FY25, the company ’ s gross written premium (GWP) surged by nearly 30%, r i s i n g t o R s 5 , 0 1 1 3 c r o r e from Rs 3,848 1 crore in the same period last year
Kavya Jain
Krishnan Ramachandran
RBI cuts repo rate after 5 years
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cut the repo rate by 25 basis points, ending the longest pause in the history of the monetary policy framework, a move which is expected to make loans cheaper. Announcing the decision, Sanjay Malhotra, who took over as the 26th governor of the central bank in Dec, said the move was driven by easing inflation and concerns over global risks slowing growth
The rate cut, the first in
borrowing costs for millions
h floating rates The reduction in the rate comes close on the heels of the mega tax
r
dynamics, the MPC, while continuing with the neutral
restrictive monetary policy is
current juncture The MPC will take a decision in each of its future meetings based on
monetary policy statementhis first since taking over as governor
“We are committed to conducting monetary policy and take such measures, as
timely, carefully calibrated and clearly communicated,
macroeconomic conditions that reinforce price stability, sustained econo mic growth and financial stability ”
Bankers estimates that
linked to the repo rate A 25basis point reduction on a £100,000 home loan for 15 years will bring down EMIs
b
month RBI had last cut rates in May 2020 in wake of the Covid pandemic
Ford rethinks India re-entry, to take call in late summer
I s t h e r e a q u e st i o n m a r k ha ngin g over Ford’s r eturn t o India? The Ame rican auto m a j or , s ou r ce s s a id , w a s supposed to rel ease det ailed
p l a n s o f i t s f r e sh I n di a str ategy by Jan but is now r eportedl y doing a re thin k
A c c o r d i n g t o s o u r c e s with direct knowledge of the
m a t t e r , t h e c o m p a n y i s c u r r e n t l y r e c o n s i d e r i n g i t s I n d i a p l a n s a n d w i l l announce its final decision only in late summer “The company ’ s board discussed the matter in Jan and has d e c i d e d n o t t o m a k e a n y announcements right now, ” s a i d a s o u r c e W h e n
contacted through email, the Ford spokesman replied that t h e c o m p a n y r e m a i n s “committed to utilising the m a n u f a c t u r i n g c a p a b i l i t i e s in Chennai to serve global markets and are thankful to the govt of Tamil Nadu for its continued support as we advance our plans Further details regarding the type of m a n u f a c t u r i n g , t i m e l i n e s and other specifics will be shared in due course and we have nothing additional to share at this time ”
S o u r c e s s a i d s e v e r a l factors are responsible for Ford slowing down its India return plans For one, the
political climate in the US right now is less amenable towards foreign investments
America Also, Ford will need
operation worthy again
A
t s said if Ford decides to reengineer the Chennai plant for EVs, it will cost anywhere b
million, given that the weld and assembly lines will need to be redone
Govt names 20 countries to boost exports
The Centre nam ed 20 countries , inc luding Austral ia, Braz il , China , and France as a part of its drive to increas e exports , with focus on s ix focus s ectors in both c om modities and s ervices Minis ter of s tate f or c om merc e and indus try Jitin Prasada tol d Lok Sabha that a m eeting wa s held las t m onth with of ficials f r o m t he c om m er c i a l win g s of In d ia n M is sions in these countries to strategis e ways to boost trade
The list of priority countries includes Australia, Brazil, Bangladesh, China, France, G e r m a n y , I n d o n e s i
Netherlands, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Türkiye, the UAE, the UK, the US, and Vietnam
According to the minister, discussions revolved around strengthening multilateral
hindering exports
"A set of actionable strategies designed to
Analytics Portal to explore emerging market
information," the minister said
The Indian Missions in these countries have also been urged to support the ‘One District One Product’ (ODOP) initiative by
through higher exports
Govt accuses Kia of $155mn tax evasion
I ndi a ha s ac cus ed So ut h K o r e a ’ s
mi s-classi fy ing compo ne nt i mports but the ca rmaker h a s d e n i e d w r o ng d o i ng ,
t he l atest f igh t by a for eig n a utoma ker with New Del hi
o ver tari ff s, a ccord ing to a d o cu m e n t a nd t wo source s K i a c o m p
third-largest auto market, where it has a share of 6% of 4 million units a year, a
Sonet SUVs are among the top sellers
T a x o f f i c e r s s e n t a confidential notice to Kia’s Indian unit in April 2024, flagging alleged tax evasion of £135mn, according to a g
Altman now sees India as one of the leaders in AI revolution
OpenA I founder S am A ltman - who just a year and a half ago d ubbed India’s am bitions of build ing found ation A I mo dels with lim ited budg et as a “hop eless” pursuitnow believ es the cou ntry can be “ one of the lead ers ” in heralding technological leapfrog ging
3 comment, Altman - back in the Asian region following the DeepSeek launch at a fraction of cost compared to w
s such as Meta, Google and M
i n gwas more measured in his response, while emphasising that he was “quoted out of c
n t e x t ” “ I t h i n k I n d i a should be one of the leaders o f t h e A I r e v o l u t i o n I t ’ s really quite amazing to see what the country has done i n e m b r a c i n g t e c h n
stack,” he said during a chat w
T &
minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
“India is an incredibly important market for AI in general, (and) for OpenAI in particular It's our second biggest market We tripled our users here last year ” He said India has a high
should be
“leader” when
Honda-Nissan deal in doubt weeks after talks began
J ap a n ’ s Hon da M ot o r a n d N i s sa n M ot o r ca l le d i n t o qu e s t i o n a n a g r e e m e n t r e a ch e d l e ss t h a n t wo m o n t h s a g o t o c on si d e r combin ing, ca sting doubt on t heir e ffort s to form one of t h e w o r ld ’ s la r g e s t a ut omak ers
The pair are discussing v a r i o u s o p t i o n s , i n c l u d i n g t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f withdrawing from deal talks, a c c o r d i n g t o s e p a r a t e statements The companies
w e r e r e s p o n d i n g t o a n e a r l i e r N i k k e i n e w s p a p e r report that said Nissan will p u l l o u t o f a n a g r e e m e n t
with Honda because the two sides are unable to agree on terms
A c o l l a p s e o f t h e d i s c u s s i o n w o u l d s p e l l t r o u b l e f o r N i s s a n , w h i c h was counting on its Japanese
p e e r f o r a l i f e l i n e I t s standing in the global auto i n d u s t r y h a s s t e a d i l y d e t e r i o r a t e d o v e r t h e l a s t half decade due to listless l e a d e r s h i p a n d a n u n c o m p e t i t i v e p r o d u c t lineup Honda shares rose 8 2%, while Nissan slumped 4 9% b e f o r e t h e T o k y o S t o c k Exchange suspended trading
due to the Nikkei report Shares in France’s Renault, Nissan’s biggest shareholder, fell as much as 3 4% in Paris Honda and Nissan reiterated that they plan to make an announcement about their future around mid-Feb The c o m p a n i e s h a d a l r e a d y postponed plans to offer an update on the direction of t h e i r p o t e n t i a l i n t e g r a t i o n by the end of last month F r i c t i o n e
outlets reported that Honda h a d
India becomes 9th largest advertising market worldwide
The global advertising ind ustry is set for a 7 7% growth in 20 25, fueled by a digital wav e th at w ill clai m 8 2% of total ad rev enu e, ac c o rd i ng to th e l at es t Gro u p M T Y NY report Exclud ing U S p olitical adv ertising, dig ital co ntinues to lead the ch arge, g row ing at 10 2% g lo bally India secures its place as the 9th largest a d v e r t i s i n g m a r k e t w o r l d w i d e , w i t h t h e sector projected to grow 7% year-on-year, reaching £16 41bn in 2025 - an incremental £1 07bn over 2024 Digital advertising is spearheading this expansion, set to capture 60% of total ad spend, up from 58% in 2024
“India is at the forefront of a marketing revolution driven by AI and data privacy As
global ad spend surpasses $1 trillion, India emerges as a top 4 growth market, with digital now accounting for over 60% of ad s p e n d W i t h a s h i f t t o p e r s o n a l i z e d engagement, commerce-driven marketing, and responsible innovation, mixed reality and immersive tech fuel experiential content While TV is vital, we also see AI agents transform customer interactions, we also witness brand-audience connections getting redefined with the surge of emerging formats like programmatic CTV and AI-driven retail media All of this is positioning India for unprecedented innovation and impact in the modern marketing era, ” Prasanth Kumar, CEO, GroupM South Asia, commented
BP, ONGC tie up for projects in India, abroad
assembly of the carmaker’s luxury Carnival minivan, the n
t
h o w e d I n a statement, Kia India said it made “ a detailed response, supported by comprehensive evidence and documentation to substantiate” its stand and t h e a u t h o
l reviewing the matter The
respond to queries
F la g s h i p ex p lo r er ONG C and British energy m ajor BP p l c si g n ed a f ra m ew o r k M o U ( M em o r and u m o f U nderstandi ng) to exp lore partnersh ips in oil and g as p ro j e ct s i n In d i a an d i nt ern ati o n all y, g i v i ng a m u c h - ne ed ed leg u p f o r India’s pitch for investm ents at th e India Energ y Week wh ich began on Tuesday The MoU comes within a month of ONGC selecting
B P a s a t e c h n i c a l s e r v i c e provider for raising output from its flagship Mumbai
High oil and gas field The focus of the collaboration will be on exploration and p r o d u c t i o n a s w e l l a s t r a d i n g , b e s i d e s o t h e r vectors of the energy sector, t h e c o m p a n i e s s a i d a f t e r s i g n i n g t h e M o U i n t h e p r e s e n c e o f o i l m i n i s t e r Hardeep Singh Puri T h e c o m p a n i e s s e e scope for jointly bidding for o f
i v
c
e r s I n addition, the companies see potential for collaborating in deep-water exploration, enhancing production and optimising management of ONGC’s maturing fields T h e M o U e n v i s a g e s v a l u e - c r e a t i o n t h r o u g h s t r a t e g i c c o l
b o n sequestration The MoU is valid for three years, during which both parties will work
areas of collaboration
Sanjay Malhotra
Sam Altman & Ashwini Vaishnaw
Pr ince Karim Al-Hussa ini, widely known as A ga Kha n 1V, has pa sse d awa y at t he age of 88 in L
r eve re d spiritua l lea der of millions of Ismaili Muslims and a pr omine nt philant hropist
Born on December 13, 1936, i n C r e u x - d e - G e n t h o d , S w i t z e r l a n d , A g a K h a n I V b e c a m e t h e 4 9 t h h e r e d i t a r y Imam of the Ismaili Muslims at the age of 20, succeeding his grandfather, Aga Khan III, in 1957 His grandfather had chos e n h i m o v e r h i s f a t h e r , A l y Khan, stating that the community needed a leader “who has been brought up in the midst of the new age ” Though, he was born in Geneva, he spent his early years in Kenya He was a p p o i n t e d I m a m o f I s m a i l i Muslims in Tanzania after the passing away of his grandfather
The Ismailis, a Muslim sect w i t h a g l o b a l p o p u l a t i o n o f approximately 1 5 million, have s i g n i f i c a n t c o m m u n i t i e s i n P a k i s t a n , I n d i a , A f g h a n i s t a n , a n d A f r i c a H i s l e a d e r s
marked the expansion of the
Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims, dies at 88
Network (AKDN), a vast philanthropic organisation that runs numerous educational, health-
across 30 countries The AKDN,
approximately $13 3 billion, has played a pivotal role in advancing development in areas such a s B a n
India, Pakistan and Tajikistan
The AKDN is engaged in many d e v e l o p m e n t a l a c t i v
Pakistan
Aga Khan IV’s philanthropic work was guided by his belief in the moral responsibility of priv-
have no notion of the accumulation of wealth being evil The Islamic ethic is that if God has given you the capacity or good fortune to be a privileged individual in society, you have a moral responsibility to society ”
This philosophy was reflected in the Ismaili Muslim practice of
income as a religious duty, contributing to both his wealth and his extensive charitable efforts
He founded the prestigious
innovative architectural works that improve the quality of life and embrace Islamic traditions
Islamic heritage sites, such as the Humayun s Tomb in Delhi
In 1957, Queen Elizabeth II
Highness,” reflecting his prominent role on the world stage Aga Khan's personal life reflected both his wealth and his commitment to philanthropy A was a billionaire with vast business
stemmed from investments in
media, where he founded the Nation Media Group, the largest
tion in East and Central Africa
island in the Bahamas, a superyacht, and a private jet, the Aga Khan remained dedicated to his charitable causes His fortune was estimated at around $13
channelled into global development projects He was particularly focused on improving education, health, and infrastructure in the developing world
Ismaili Muslims are a funloving and unique community and their imam also is a fun loving person In his early life in Nairobi, he started a newspaper called 'East African Nation ' Aga Khanis are a very scat-
o m
i t y , t h e y
e spread all over the world – in Canada, in India, Kazakhstan
India’s comments on Mujib home demolition ‘unexpected, undesirable': Dhaka
DH A K A : Ba n
s crit icised In dia’s comme nts on the d emolit ion of t he hist o r i c Dh a n m on d
n e x p e c t e d a n d u n d e si ra ble”
F o r e i g n m i n i s t r y
s p o k e s p e r s o n M o h a m m a d
R a f i q u l A l a m - s a i d Bangladesh does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries and expects the same in return “As you k n o w , t h e f o r m e r P M ( S h e i k h H a s i n a ) h a s b e e n making political statements at various times while staying in India, which is not being received well by the people of Bangladesh,” he said
I n d i a l a s t w e e k c o ndemned the vandalism and demolition of Dhanmondi 32, calling it “regrettable”
I n d i a ’ s f o r e i g n m i n i s t r y spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said, “It is regrettable that t h e h i s t o r i c r e s i d e n c e o f Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a symbol of the heroic resis-
t a n c e o f t h e p e o p l e o f B a n g l a d e s h a g a i n s t t h e f o r c e s o f o c c u p a t i o n a n d oppression, was destroyed ” J a i s w a l a d d e d t h a t t h o s e who value Bangladesh’s freed o m s t r u g g l e u n d e r s t a n d the significance of this residence for the national consciousness of the country
T h e i n t e r i m g o v t o f B a n g l a d e s h , l e d b y Muhammad Yunus, has previously termed the vandali s m a s u n f o r t u n a t e a n d u n e x p e c t e d , l i n k i n g i t t o “provocative remarks” made b y H a s i n a f r o m I n d i a I t urged India to ensure that its territory is not used to prom o t e i n s t a b i l i t y i n
Bangladesh and to prevent further remarks by Hasina
M e a n w h i l e , F r a n c e - b a s e d human rights outfit JMBF described the attacks as an a f f r o n t t o B a n g
democratic values
40 arrested
Forty people have been arrested in Bangladesh in an operation launched following a violent attack on student activists during vandali s m a t t h
“Operation Devil Hunt”, a g
operation began after gangs “linked to the fallen auto-
c
group of students, leaving them severely injured” The violence occurred during the attack on the house of former Liberation War affairs minister Mozammel Haque
Trial begins for Salman Rushdie’s attacker
been delayed twice, most recently due to an unsuccessful attempt by his defense to move the case to another venue If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison
Pakistan, Bangladesh etc Aga Khan took very special care of his devotees In 1972, when the U g a n d a e x p u l s i
, Aga Khan made contacted the Canadian president and secured 10,000 vouchers for the Uganda Ismaili community These peop l e
u s t h a d t o
h e Canadian High Commission's office and show their membership of the Ismaili community In the UK as well, Aga Khanis by virtue of their leader's arrangem
amount of loans at lower cost than the general public So they are a community that shares and cares They are big hoteliers, run care homes, pharmacies etc Aga Khan is not just a
entrepreneur, an environmen-
responsibilities Aga Khanis don't care about their leaders personal life To them, he is a guru He was laid to rest at Aga Khan mausoleum, in Aswan, Egypt, on Feb 9 at a private ceremony Son named successor Rahim al-Hussaini has been named the new Aga Khan The new Aga Khan V was designated in his father’s will “in accord a n c e w i t h h i s t o r i c a l S h i a Imami Ismaili Muslim tradition and practice,” the community said on its website
Indian origin rapper starts jail term for racial posts in Singapore
S I N G AP O RE : In dia n-o rigin rap p er Subh as N air began his six-w eek jail term f or attempting to p romote il l will among racial and rel igio us grou ps th rough o nl ine pos ts in mul tiethnic Singapo re The 32-year-old Singaporean, whose full n a m e i s S u b h a s G o v i n P r a b h a k a r N a i r , appealed against his conviction and sentence before Justice Hoo Sheau Peng over two days starting last year The High Court had dismissed his appeals, the Channel News Asia reported For attempting to promote feelings of ill will between racial or religious groups, Nair could have been jailed up to three years, fined or both
in brief
DEMOCRATS POSTPONE VOTE ON KASH PATEL’S NOMINATION
The Senate Judiciary Committee has delayed the vote on Kash Patel s nomination to lead the FBI citing panel rules and pushing the decision to next week Although Patel s nomination was initially on the agenda for consideration Senate Democrats requested a one-week delay, a move allowed once per member A similar delay occurred with Attorney General Pam Bondi s nomination last month The delay is not expected to impact Patel s confirmation chances, as he remains well-positioned to receive support from Republican senators
INDIAN ORIGIN CEO CHALLENGES MUSK
An Indian-origin CEO has waded into the ongoing controversy over the future of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Aravind Srinivas, the CEO of Perplexity AI, has challenged Tesla counterpart Elon Musk to "stop" him if he can from raising a mammoth sum from the federal agency “Considering raising $500B from USAID Funding secured Stop me if you can @elonmusk What is USAID?" Srinivas posted on X The post came days after US President Donald Trump and Musk called for shutting down the federal agency Not long ago Musk said USAID was a “criminal organisation” and deserved to be shut down
INDIAN ORIGIN JAILED FOR RUNNING OVER 2 TEENS
A 36-year-old Indian origin construction executive has been sentenced to up to 25 years for driving at 150 kmph while drunk resulting in a crash that killed two teenagers in the US The crash took place in 2023 on Long Island in New York Amandeep Singh was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the deaths of 14-year-old Ethan Falkowitz and Drew Hassenbein in the drunk driving crash in Nassau County Singh appeared stone faced and barely acknowledged the victims family members as he entered the courtroom in Mineola Hundreds of tearful friends and loved ones packed a Nassau County courtroom as Singh was sentenced to up to 25 years for the deaths of Roslyn Middle School eighth-graders Falkowitz and Hassenbein on May 3, 2023
REP KRISHNAMOORTHI RECITES GAYATRI MANTRA
Matar was captured on cellphone
wounds, resulting in the loss of his right eye and severe liver damage
Matar has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree attempted murder and sec-
Chautauqua County Court in Mayville, has
Rushdie, who has lived under threat since the 1988 publication of 'The Satanic Verses', is expected to be among the first witnesses His novel was deemed blasphemous by Iran’s then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who issued a fatwa calling for his
Rushdie remained a target and has spoken in interviews about believing he would die on stage that day He later published a memoir recounting the attack
In a brief oral decision, Justice Hoo said she agreed with the lower court's decision on conviction and sentence, adding that the sixweek jail term was "not disproportionate or c r u s h i n g " N a i r w a s f o u n d g u i l t y o f f o u r charges by a district court in 2023 after a trial The charges were over racially-charged statements he made between July 2019 and March 2021 They relate to a YouTube video where he and his sister, Preeti Nair, performed a song having racist lyrics While Nair was given a two-year conditional warning by the police for the video, he re-offended by posting racial comments on social media Nair later performed a stage play where he displayed a hand-drawn replica of the comments related to Chan Jia Xing A District Judge eventually sentenced Nair to the prosecution's proposed jail term of six weeks in September 2023, resulting in the present appeal
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi addressed the National Prayer Breakfast at the United States Capitol representing the Hindu community and reciting the Gayatri Mantra to an audience that included congressional leaders from both parties and President Trump, who also spoke Since 1953, the National Prayer Breakfast has been an opportunity for Members of Congress to pray collectively for our nation, our leaders, and our friends abroad in a spirit of love reconciliation and unity For his prayer Krishnamoorthi recited the Gayatri Mantra in Sanskrit and then said in English “We meditate on the divine radiance of the Supreme Being the source of life who is worthy of worship May that divine light enlighten and guide our intellect toward righteousness and truth
INDIAN ORIGIN TECH ENTREPRENEUR ASSAULTED
The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) is investigating an assault in the Mission District that left tech entrepreneur Vishnu Hari seriously injured On January 18 officers responded to a report of a man bleeding from the head at the intersection of 24th and Bryant Streets Medics were already on the scene, and the victim, later identified as Vishnu Hari, co-founder of the 3D simulation engine firm Ego was transported to a local hospital Authorities reported that the assault occurred following a dispute with another individual, which escalated when the suspect struck Hari with a metal pipe
Subhas Nair
Aga Khan
in brief
SENATE CONFIRMS PAM BONDI AS AG
The Senate confirmed Pam Bondi as attorney general, putting in place a steadfast loyalist to President Trump to oversee a justice department he has bitterly denounced Bondi 59 was confirmed by a vote of 54-46 with one Democrat Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania joining the Republican majority A former prosecutor in Florida Bondi has acted as a high-profile surrogate for Trump She cast doubt on the results of the 2020 election, criticised prosecutors in other jurisdictions who charged Trump with crimes and defended him at his first impeachment, over whether he had improperly withheld military aid to Ukraine
SENATE COMMITTEE PUSHES THROUGH RFK’S NOMINATION
The Senate finance committee voted to forward the nomination of Robert F Kennedy Jr to the full Senate, setting up a vote on whether Kennedy, one of the nation’s most vociferous critics of vaccines, should become the nation’s next health secretary Senator Bill Cassidy a physician who has been on the fence about Kennedy cast the deciding vote after days of publicly agonizing over what to do The final tally was split along party lines: 14 Republicans voted yes and all 13 Democrats opposed him Shortly before casting his vote in favour of advancing Kennedy, Cassidy said in a statement that he had received serious commitments from the Trump administration in exchange for his support
SUSPECTED JIHADIST ATTACK KILLS 32 IN MALI
A suspected jihadist attack on a convoy escorted by Malian soldiers and Russia s Wagner mercenaries has killed 32 people in northern Mali, officials said The attack took place between the northern cities of Gao and Ansongo, they said The death toll was initially put at 10 but soon rose to 32 “We have more than 30 bodies from the scene,” said a hospital source in Gao “The jihadists ambushed a civilian convoy escorted by Malian soldiers and Wagner mercenaries,” an official said, requesting anonymity Another official said five lorries were destroyed by Islamic State (IS) jihadists But IS is yet to claim responsibility for the attack
EL SALVADOR PREZ OFFERS TO ACCEPT US CRIMINALS
President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador offered to jail convicted criminals deported by the US, a move that won praise from secretary of state Marco Rubio despite questions about whether it is legal or even possible “We have offered the USA the opportunity to outsource part of its prison system ” Bukele wrote on the social platform X saying his govt was willing to take in convicted criminals including US citizens for a fee The fee would be relatively low for the US but significant for us making our entire prison system sustainable El Salvador signed a similar agreement in 2019but it was never implemented because of the Covid-19 pandemic
311-YEAR-OLD VIOLIN SELLS FOR $11 3MN
A 311-year-old Stradivarius violin sold for $11 25 million at Sotheby s, in a closely watched auction that drew interest from investors, collectors and classical musicians The violin was made by famed Italian luthier Antonio Stradivari in 1714, during the socalled golden period of violin making It was later owned by one of the greatest violinists of the 19th century, Hungarian-born virtuoso Joseph Joachim, a close associate of Johannes Brahms
2 Indian Americans among Time's AI Impact Award winners
in tr od uced in 2022,
mony will be held on Februar y
in Dubai
Anandkumar is at the forefront of integrating AI with scientific research, accelerating discoveries across physics, medicine, and climate science her work centers on “neural operators,” a rev-
and accuracy Unlike traditional numerical methods, her models learn from data while incorporating fundamental physics principles, making them significantly faster and more efficient
throughs include the AI-driven
which generates highly accurate week-long forecasts in secondsthousands of times faster than conventional models The technology has already proven its
weather events like hurricane Beryl in 2024
Arvind Krishna: IBm ceO Arvind Krishna has positioned the company as a leader in spe-
cialized AI, prioritizing efficiency and targeted applications over the massive, resource-intensive models favored by competitors like OpenAI and Google Under his leadership, IBm has focused on creating smaller, more costeffective AI tools tailored to specific industries, allowing businesses to enhance productivity without the need for billion-dollar investments in general-purpose AI models Krishna’s strategy gained validation when the chinese AI lab Deepseek released an efficient open-source model in early 2025, raising concerns about the longterm profitability of large-scale AI ventures Around the same t i m e , I B m a n n o u n c e d a 1 0 % increase in AI-driven software sales, surpassing market expectations and boosting its stock to an all-time high of $240 billion
Elon Musk recruits UC Berkeley grad Akash Bobba to DOGE
Go vernment Efficiency (DOGE), spearh eaded by Elon Musk, has drawn scrutiny for its recruitment choices o f six engineers ag ed 19-24 wh ich includ es 22year-old Akash Bo bba
his age he previously interned at meta, focusing on AI, worked at Palantir in data analytics, and c
Associates in financial modeling h i s p r o b
gained attention when a former
classmate, charis Zhang, shared on X that Bobba once rewrote an e n
c
d e b a s e overnight after it was accidentally deleted, helping his team secure first place in their class Despite his technical exper-
16 Indians detained as they try to enter Germany illegally
A A C H E N ( G E R M A N Y ) : G e rm an Fe d e ra l P ol i c e announced tha t offic ers patrolli ng i n Aac hen, near the Belgian border, s topped a van c arry ing 15 i llegal mi gran ts Polic e s ay the van, whic h had a capac ity of nine, was overcrowded, w ith several of the passen ge rs sittin g on the floor without se atb elts, putting them in what off icers called a li fe-threatening situation on the A44 autobahn
Authorities in the state of north rhine-Westphalia say the 24-year-old driver and all 15 passengers were Indian nationals, none of whom could produce valid bordercrossing documents When asked where he lived, the driver said he was a legal resident of France A check with French authorities quickly proved this to be untrue
All 16 individuals were given warnings and taken to a nearby police station at eschweiler, where they were searched and questioned During questioning, police learned that the driver had charged between €20 and €100 ($21 – $104) per passenger for his assistance, while also promising that he could avoid police when bringing them to Germany
Individuals who pleaded for asylum were taken to local immigration authorities, while the rest were sent back to Belgium The driver of the vehicle was charged with smuggling foreigners under life-threatening, inhumane or degrading circumstances or grave endangerment of health
tise, Bobba’s role - along with f i v e o t h e r y o u n g e n g i n e e r s , i n c l u
1 9 - y e
h a s raised concerns According to Wired, at least four members of the team, including Bobba, have received top-level security clearances despite having no prior government experience critics argue that placing individuals with limited knowledge of federal operations in positions with access to sensitive data poses a national security risk D O G e ’ s m i s s i o n i s t o s t r e a m l i n e f e d e r a l o p e r a t i o
ciencies, and cut billions in gove
e
department’s structure and leade r s h i p c h o i c e s h a v e a l r e a d y caused internal friction reports on X suggest that some governm e n t a g e n c i e s r e s i s t m u s k ’ s team, with allegations that certain DOGe personnel attempted to access classified information a t t h e U s A g e n c y f o r I n t e r n a t i o n a l D e v e l o p m e n t (UsAID) This reportedly led to security officials being placed on leave
As controversy swirls around DOGe’s unconventional hires, questions remain about oversight, security protocols, and the extent of musk’s influence within the administration
Anti-Indian, racist staffer to be rehired by Musk
W ASHI N GTO N : E lo n M us k, ac ting with impu nity as a no n- elected o fficial, h as announced th at he wou ld rehire Marko Elez, a fo rm er Department of G o ve r nm e nt E f f ic i en c y ( DO GE ) emp loyee, who h ad been previo us ly fired f or pos ting rac is t c omments Th e decis io n c ame af ter Elez resigned on F ebru ary 6, fol low ing revelations of th e o ffensive p osts , w hich were unco vered by T he Wall Street Jo urnal
O n e o f t h e p o s t s , m a d e i n september, stated, “normalize Indian hate,” while another said, “you could not pay me to marry outside of my ethnicity ” musk, who runs X, conducted a poll asking whether elez should be rehired, and 78% of his predictably mAGA respondents voted in favor of bringing him back musk’s decision to rehire elez followed a supportive statement from Vice President JD Vance, who shared musk’s post on X, which read, “he will be brought back To err is human, to forgive divine ” Vance, while express-
ing disagreement with some of elez’s posts, argued, “I don’t think stupid social media activity should ruin a kid’s life,” suggesting that elez should only be fired if he was truly a “bad dude or a terrible member of the team ” Vance’s support for musk’s decision was met with criticism from congressman ro Khanna Khanna
q u e s t i o n e d w h e t h e r e l e z w o u l d apologize for his racist post before being rehired, calling out the lack of accountability for elez’s actions “If you are going to rehire someone to represent you & the UsA, why not i n s i s t h e a p o l o g i z e f o r s a y i n g ‘normalize Indian hate?’” Khanna emphasized The debate over elez’s rehiring drew in congressman raja Krishnamoorthi, who expressed his outrage “There should be no place for racism and hate in our government, within the Department of G
Krishnamoorthi said
3rd judge blocks Trump’s order ending birthright citizenship
NE W HA M PSH IRE : A third f ederal judge on Monday blocked Pre sident Trump’s exec utive order ending birthright c it iz enship for the children of pe ople who are in the US il legall y The ruling from Us district judge Joseph Laplante in new hampshire comes after two s i m i
maryland last week Laplante, who was nominated by republican President George W Bush, said he wasn’t persuaded by the Trump administration’s defence of the executive
order he said he would issue a longer order later explaining his reasoning A lawsuit filed by the American civil Liberties Union contends that Trump’s order violates the constitution and “attempts to
brought on behalf of immigrant rights groups with members who are
asserts that children of non-citizens are not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the Us and therefore are not entitled to citizenship At least 9 lawsuits have been filed to challenge the birthright citizenship order In the case filed by four states in seattle, district judge John coughenour said last week Trump govt was attempting to ignore the constitution Trump office is appealing the judge’s block A federal judge in maryland also blocked Trump’s order in another case
Anima Anandkumar and Arvind Krishna
Akash Bobba
During the discussion, the PM revealed, “Had I not been the PM, I would have liked to work in the skill development ministry ” He advised the young audience
n o t j u s t g i v i n g orders ” F o c u s i n g o n s k i l l d e v e l o p m e n t , M o d i s a i d , “Degrees are valuable, but s k i l l s m a k e y o u i n d i s p e n s a b l e ” H e s h a r e d e x a m p l e s o f y o u n g
e n t r e p r e n e u r s a n d innovators who turned their
p a s s i o n s i n t o c a r e e r s , e m p h a s i s i n g t h a t adaptability and continuous
l e a r n i n g d e f i n e s u c c e s s today
“ Y o u a r e l u c k y t o b e growing up in an era with so much technology You don’t need to run away from it,
b u t y o u m u s t d e c i d e w h e t h e r y o u a r e u s i n g i t wisely,” he said “ T e c h n o l o g y i s n o t a storm that will sweep you away - it is a tool If you use it properly, it will empower you, ” he said addressing a common complaint parents have of their children
Students participated in a c a n d i d e x c h a n g e w i t h Modi, marked by warmth a n d s p o n t a n e i t y “ E a r l i e r , we met him on stage, but this time, it feels personal,” one student shared Another a d d e d , “ N o s c r i p t s , n o f o r m a l i t y - j u s t o p e n discussion It makes us feel heard ”
The discussion covered a wide range of topics, from l a n g u a g e a n d c u l t u r e t o h e a l t
r a l a p r a i s e d H i n d i , p r o m p t i n g the PM to recite a poem “Society wrongly associates
success with exam scores But real success comes from
A
d cricketer focuses on the ball, not the noise in the stadium
S i m i l a r l y , s t u d e n t s
stress,” Modi said
31 Maoists, two security men killed in fierce Bastar gunbattle
At le ast 31 Ma oist insurg ent s a nd t wo securit y pe rsonn el w e r e k i lle d in a
r egion, on e of the last N ax al str ongholds in the countr
r a t i o n i s on g oi n g
a n d o f fi ci a l s e x p e c t t h e Ma oist d eat h toll to rise
T h i s i s t h e s e c o n d -
l a r g e s t M a o i s t c a s u a l t y count in a single security
s t r i k e , a f t e r 3 8 g u e r r i l l a s w e r e g u n n e d d o w n i n
Narayanpur’s Thulthuli on Oct 3 last year Since 2024, more than 280 Maoists have been killed in Bastar
The number of Maoists killed this year has risen to 81 in just six weeks Major o p e r a t i o n s i n c l u d e t h e killing of 16 Naxal fighters in G a r i a b a n d o n J a n 2 1 a n d
jaggery) sweets “Just like we offer guests something at home, he shared with us, ” a student observed PM Modi underscored mindful living, asking, “Do you know how m
habits
O n e x a m s t r e s s , h e reassured students, “Marks don’t define you ” Modi told
s t u d e n t s t h a t k n o w l e d g e and examinations are two different things One should not view exams as be-all and end-all in life, he said
251 out of 543 LS MPs face criminal cases, including 19 of 20 Kerala MPs
Data on crim inalisation of p o l i ti cs p res en ted to S upreme Cou rt sh owed th at o f the 543 Lok S abha MPs, as m any as 251 face crim inal cases, and of them , 1 70 are ch arged with offenses th at a re p u n is h a ble w i th an i m p r i so n m en t o f f i v e o r m ore years
Collating the data from various high courts, amicus curiae and senior advocate Vijay Hansaria submitted a 83-page report to a bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan It stated that 19 out of 20 MPs (95%) from K e r a l a f a c e d c r i m i n a l c h a r g e s , a n d 1 1 o f t h e m faced serious cases
O f t h e 1 7 M P s f r o m Telangana, 14 faced criminal charges (82%), Odisha 76%
(16 of 21), Jharkhand 71% (10 of 14), Tamil Nadu 67% (26 of 39), around 50% of MPs from other major statesUttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, W e s t B e n g a l , B i h a r , Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh - faced criminal cases
Haryana (10 MPs) and Chhattisgarh (11 MPs) have
j u s t o n e M P e a c h f a c i n g criminal charges, Punjab 2 out of 13, Assam 3 out of 14, Delhi 3 out of 7, Rajasthan 4 out of 25, Gujarat 5 out of 25, and Madhya Pradesh 9 out of 29 MPs faced criminal charges
Hansaria told the court that though SC had in 2023
d i r e c t e d t
HCs to set up a bench to monitor the progress of trial in criminal cases pending
Chin ese componen ts in drone s being su p pl i e d t o t h e a r me d f or c e s, t h e
d e fe n ce e s t a b l i sh me n t h a s n o w sc r a pp e d t h r e e co n t r a ct s fo r t h e induction of 400 logistics dr one s by the Army The defence establishment is also p u t t i n g a “ s t r i n g e n t m e c h a n i s m ” i n place to ensure the military drones
b e i n g a c q u i r e d d o n o t h a v e “ a n y Chinese parts or electronics as well as malicious codes”, sources said T h e c o n t r a c t s t h a t h a v e b e e n scrapped for 200 medium-altitude, 100
h
logistics drones, collectively worth over
legislators, there were many states which are yet to set up designated courts for this
which, in some states, trial in such cases is pending for more than two decades
He said as of Jan 1, as many as 4,732 criminal cases
such cases pending Other states having large pendency of such cases are Odisha 457, Bihar 448, Maharashtra 442, Madhya Pradesh 326, Kerala
3 1 5 , T e l a n
3 1 3 , Karnataka 255, Tamil Nadu
2 2 0 , J h a r k h a n d
Delhi 124
£23mn, were inked with a Chennai-
procurement provisions by the Army in 2 0 2 3 T h e s e d r o n e s w
p
i m a r i l y meant for deployment along the 3,488km Line of Actual Control with China, following the military confrontation that erupted in April 2020 after the
Ladakh
armed forces This
major cyber security threat, with the possibility of
eight in Gangaloor on Feb 2
S e c u r i t y f o r c e s h a v e a l s o faced fatalities On Jan 6, eight constables and a driver w e r e k i l l e d w h e n M a o i s t s targeted their vehicle with an IED weighing nearly 70kg in Bijapur
U n i o n h o m e m i n i
successful operation “The
indebted to these heroes I once again reaffirm that by M
79%
of
fencing
at
from the
of
coordinated operation from multiple directions to hem in the insurgents in the jungles of Bijapur district’s Indravati National Park Intelligence reported the presence of a large group of Maoists and senior commanders By late
guerrillas
Bangladesh border completed, says MHA
T he unio n ministry of h ome affairs told P arliament that a ro u n d 7 9 % o f I n di aBangladesh bo rder fencing wa s no w c o mp le te an d c o n s tru ct i o n e ff o r
o n go i n g t o c o ve r th e re ma i ni ng s tr etc h e s I n a statement, MH A said that aro u nd 8 64 km of I ndiaBangladesh border was yet to be fenced wh ich inc lu ded a length of 1 74 5 km of no nfeasi ble gap
“ T h e c h a l l e n g e s f a c e d in completing the feasible s t r e t c h e s o f f e n c i n g
p r o j e c t s r e l a t e t o l a n d acquisition, Border Guard
B a n g l a d e s h ( B G B ) objections, limited working
s e a s o n a n d l a n d s l i d e / m a r s h y l a n d , ” M o S (home) Nityanand Rai said Replying to a question
i n L o k S a b h a , R a i acknowledged that it had been conveyed to Govt of B a n g l a d e s h t h a t I n d i a would observe all protocols a n d a g r e e m e n t s b e t w e e n the two govts and between Border Security Force and Border Guard Bangladesh w i t h r e g a r d t o s e c u r i t y m e a s u r e s a t t h e b o r d e r , i n c l u d i n g f o r f e n c i n g “Govt of India’s expectation
t h a t a l l e a r l i e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g s w i l l b e i m p l e m e n t e d b y Bangladesh and there will
be a cooperative approach to combating cross-border c r i m e s h a s a
s o b e e n c o n v
y e d t o G o v t o f Bangladesh,” he added Rai said that the total length of India-Bangladesh border was 4,096 7 km, of which 3,232 2 km had been c o v e r e d w i t h a f e n c e “Construction of fencing is a n i m p o r t a n t s e c u r i t y measure for securing the b o r d e r F e n c i n g h e
y addressing the challenges o
movement of criminals and trafficking,” Rai said
A e r o I n d i a 2 0 25 - a
co n flu e n ce o f c r it i ca l a n d fron tier techn ologies - will pr ov ide a platform to furt her str eng then relat ion s a mong like-min ded coun tr ie s based on mut ual r espect, in ter est
a n d be n e fi t t o d e a l wi t h
t o d a y ’ s un ce r t a i n t i e s, ”
d e f e n c e m i n is t e r R a j n a t h
Sing h said afte r open in g the
Be n g a lu r u a e r o s ho w a t Yelaha nk a air force sta tion
T h e m i n i s t e r e x u d e d
compromised,” a source said “An adversary can seize control of a drone or ‘soft kill’ it through jamming T
y protection measures, ” he added All this has gained urgency after some cases of operational failures in the deployment of UAVs for tactical ISR
l o n g t h e borders with China and Pakistan In Aug last year, an infantry unit deployed along the Line of Control in the Rajouri sector inexplicably lost control of a fixed-wing VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) UAV, which then veered into Pakistan-occupied J&K
confidence that the five-day event, pegged to be Asia’s
l a r g e s t a e r o s p a c e a n d
d e f e n c e e x h i b i t i o n , w i l l showcase India’s industrial capability and technological advancements to the world, while further strengthening s y m b i o t i c r e l a t i o n s w i t h friendly countries
Emphasising that peace could never be achieved in isolation, or in a weak state
o f s e c u r i t y , S i n g h s a i d , “ L a s t i n g p e a c e c a n b e
a c h i e v e d o n l y i f n a t i o n s b e c o m e s t r o n g e r t o g e t h e r and work for a better world order ” “ S e c u r i t y , s t a b i l i t y a n d peace are shared constructs t h a t t r a n s c e n d n a t i o n a l b o r d e r s , ” h e f u r t h e r s a i d , while underscoring the need f o r i n t e r n a t i o n a l cooperation to deal with the emerging challenges
He pointed out that in the present environment of global uncertainty, India is one country that has never attacked anyone, nor has it been involved in any great p o w e r r i v a l r y “ W e h a v e always been an advocate of peace and stability It is part of our fundamental ideals,” he said In a message to defence m i n i s t e r s , s e n i o r o f f i c i a l
Rajnath Singh
US plane brings back 104 deported Indians, most from Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana
the youngest passenger just four years old Forty-eight individuals are below the age of 25
The flight , which
and 45 US officia
O
highest number of deportees - 33 each - are from Gujarat and Haryana, followed by 30 from Punjab Three are from
Pradesh each, while two are from Chandigarh
The deportees include 25 women and 12 minors, with
The deportations come amid increasing US immigration enforcement meas u r e s , p r i m a r i l y t a r g e t i
individuals who entered the c
stayed their visas They are
against an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the country
S
that they were picked up
at
M
U S
about 10 days ago
Some said they travelled to the US
from the UK After landing in Amritsar, deportees from Punjab and Haryana were sent home by road 8 minors among 33 Gujaratis
came crashing down for 33
G
minors, who were deported from the US and landed in India last week Sources said
Mehsana, Patan, Anand and B
“They had entered the US illegally five to eight years
added
India protests mistreatment India has protested the U
Gujarat to set up office in Taiwan to woo chip giants A
PM Modi blames Cong for India's slow growth in first 4 decades
while a lso slammin g it for houndin g film st ar s
nd a rt ist es durin g the Eme rge ncy
In his reply to the motion of t
Rajya Sabha, Modi said Congress’ “ f a i l u r
“corruption and incompetence” led to the world to use “Hindu rate of growth” - recalling the coinage of economist Raj Krishna - a term disparaging to the c o m m u n
(Congress) failed but “blamed an entire civilisation for it”, Modi said
He contrasted this with his govt’s economic achievements and said, “Today, the world recognises India’s economic strength, and we are one of the fastest-growing economies Free from Congress’ grip, the country is breathing freely and soaring high ”
Modi painted a stark picture of India's economy under Congress, recalling an era when even buying a scooter required a decade-long wait and obtaining a gas connection depended on MPs’ quotas He lambasted ‘licence raj’ and govt-controlled markets which, he argued, stifled India’s entrepreneurial potential India’s natural ability for free trade and business was crushed under Congress’s governance, ” Modi said, contrasting it with his govt’s success in making India one of the fastest-growing economies
To buttress his criticism, he cited two senior Congress members of the House - an “erudite” former finance minister who had in an interview acknowledged that people had to pay bribes to get past the stifling licence and quota regime, and another who had recalled how his father had to wait for 15 years to buy a car Modi also recalled leading lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri being jailed during the prime ministership of Jawaharlal Nehru and the ban on Bollywood legends Dev Anand and Kishore Kumar on AIR and Doordarshan
Woman who advised Kennedys and transformed Indian heritage
Bi ml a Nand a was bo rn in 1932 i n Bal ochi stan, th en p art of Briti sh Indi a A ft er study in g at Kinna ird College , Part ition force d he r fa mily t o r eloca te t o Ind ia , wher e her fathe r becam e t he first husban dry commission er She late r st udied a t Miran da House in Delhi a nd en ter ed an ar ran ged ma rria ge wit h a N ehru a ide but left to p ur sue furthe r studie s in the US
Bimla earned an English degree from the University of Michigan and a postgraduate degree in child development
During a 1958 Hollywood visit, she toured Warner Brothers and lunched with Elvis Presley, who admired her sari
Back in India, she became one of the first women to divorce, facing social backlash before becoming a women's rights pioneer In 1963, she married John Bissell, the founder of Fabindia Bimla played a key role in Jackie Kennedy’s 1962 India tour and advised John F Kennedy Jr on Indian etiquette In the 1980s, she and her husband pioneered converting Indian palaces into luxury retreats A renowned hostess, Bimla curated events like a 2012 dinner for Henry Kissinger She passed away on January 9, 2025, at the age of 92 due to complications from diabetes
handcuffed and shackled in a military plane
Govt sources, who confirmed that there are 96
cerns with the US (on mistreatment),” foreign secre-
Brazil, officially protested the treatment meted out to its citizens
A fter havi ng suc cessfu lly attracted key g l ob al s emi c
n du ct or i n du s try pl ayer s from Tai wan and other region s ov er the past two years, Gujarat govt plan s to set up i ts fi rs t ov erseas offi ce by establishi ng a Gujarat Desk at Taipei City, the capi tal of Taiwan , to attract addi tional in vestment i n semiconductor and other tech sectors
A senior official stated that Gujarat has made a headstart in attracting global companies in the semiconductor industry and key companies are setting up units already “Taiwan is a world leader in the semiconductor industry The state govt has decided to establish its first global office in Taipei to facilitate fresh investments in Gujarat by Taiwanese semicon-
Restraining deportees not new: Jaishankar
After outrage over treatment meted out to Indian
which echoed
Parliament as well, external affairs minister S Jaishankar strongly defended it saying there had been no change in the past
US procedure for the flight
The minister’s statement followed visuals released by US authorities, and comments
ductor companies and global companies based out of Taiwan,” the source said
“We plan to initiate a help desk that can assist Taiwanese companies in their language and provide various levels of support for their operations in Gujarat Operations of the centre in Taipei City are likely to commence soon This will be Gujarat govt’s first office outside India,” said a senior official Govt officials said that of the five semiconductor facilities sanctioned by the govt of India under the Semicon India programme, four projects are being established in Gujarat A chip packaging cluster is being developed in GIDC Sanand with major projects by Micron Technology Inc, C G Semi and Kaynes Semicon Moreover,
India's first commercial semiconductor fab is being established in Dholera SIR by TATA Electronics Pvt Ltd Officials added that Gujarat govt, in collaboration with the Centre will also organise the Indian
Ecosystem Conference in March
Another event being held alongside
industry leaders, govt officials, innovators, and experts to deliberate cuttingedge technologies, trends, and collaborations that will shape the future of the ESDM (electronics systems design and manufacturing) sector in India
Pm Narendra Modi
SOUTH
Bengaluru cops stop Ed
Sheeran's
B
N G
street performance
S he e ra n ’ s s u r p ri s e l i ve s t re et p erfo rmance in Bengaluru on Su nday morning was abrup tl y halted by the city p olic e, wh o clai med he d id not have the necessary permiss ions The poli ce stated th ey had also received a complai nt from t h e p u bl i c r eg ar
n t wa s registered agai nst the si nger
A viral video circulating on social
playing his guitar on Church Street
A police officer from Cubbon Park police station said they received a call
o
N
n g a performance on Church Street that was causing a disturbance “Our men saw the crowd swelling in no time We
hand,” the officer said
Police initially did not recognise the singer “We requested the singer to stop his performance, but he didn’t h
performing We had no option but to unplug the microphone and musical instruments to stop the performance,” an officer said The police action angered music lovers, who began shouting in protest In response, Sheeran asserted that he
another video, he is seen saying, “We have permission to be here, but this policeman is shutting it down ”
approached the DCP Central office for
Street “As Church Street is a crowded place, we denied permission,” they stated
Dubai emerges as main hub for Punjab youth to enter US
Tirupati laddu ghee adulteration case: 4 arrested
TI RU P A TI : Th e C entral Bureau o f Investig ation’ s SIT took four people into custod y, including the MD of the T amil Naid u dairy, in connection with Tiru pati ladd u g hee adulteration case
A c c o r d i n g t o s o u r c e s , t h e f o u r i n c l u d e R
Rajasekharan, MD of Dindigul-based AR Dairy; Vipin Jain and Pomil Jain of Uttarakhand-based Bhole Baba Dairy and Apoorva Chawda representing Vaishnavi Dairy from Nellore Sources said CBI arrested the four after questioning them over the past three days
SIT’s investigation revealed serious violations in ghee supply, with irregularities at every step, sources said The row had erupted in Sept last year when Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that ghee adulterated with animal fat was used to prepare Tirupati laddus during the YSRCP govt TDP later released a laboratory report in support of the allegations, which was refuted by YSRCP and dubbed as meant to tarnish the party
NORTH-EAST
BJP to pick new Manipur CM at Feb 12 Delhi meeting
T he BJP high co mmand will h old a crucial m eeting in Delhi on F ebruary 1 2 to select M anipur's next chief m inister Party sources c o nf i rm e d all B J P l eg i s la to rs fro m th e northeastern state have been sum moned to attend th e deliberations, w ith 10 Kuki ML As p ossibly jo ining th e d iscussions
The leadership selection comes after N Biren Singh resigned as chief minister on February 9 evening amid speculation of a no-confidence motion Singh submitted his resignation to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhawan, hours after meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi
including preserving Manipur's territorial
fighting drug trafficking, and strengthening border security measures Sources indicate he also recommended suspending the State Assembly, though details remain unclear
2 Punjab ex-cops get life term for 1992 fake encounter killings
against them at Tirupati East PS While state govt began its probe, after the issue reached the doors of the Supreme Court, the apex court in Oct last year ordered CBI to form an SIT to probe adulteration claims C
loans an d even sell in g off their buffaloes, families fr om Punjab ha ve lost their en tire ear nings in sen din g a member of their family to US As Punjab govt official s fan ned acr oss the state t o find detail s and the modus operan di of h ow t he y c r os se d ov e r il lega ll y, Dubai e me rged as the main hub of ag ent s oper at ing ‘donkey’ routes to US v ia Mexico
The functionary said there were people in Punjab linked to agents in Dubai who connect people to these agents and these linkages “would be looked into ”
Akashdeep Singh, a 23-yearold, told the officials his family paid Rs 45,00,000 to an agent named Ashok based in Dubai to send him to US After striking a deal with the agent through a f a m i l y “ f r i e n d ” i n P u n j a b ,
Akashdeep first went to Dubai on July 6 last year on a tourist v i s a b e f o r e e m b a r k i n g o n a nightmare journey to US where he was caught on Jan 24 while crossing the border
A f t e
c h i n g D u
, Akashdeep’s six-month horrific j o u r n e y t o o k h i m t o B r a z i l , Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, H
Mexico - a common “donkey” route from Dubai - before being caught by US border officials
“We sold 6 kanals of land, mortgaged 2 acres and sold off o
buffaloes to arrange money He w a s c a u
mother Daljit Kaur said
Akashdeep is one of many, who risked it all for American dream, only to see it shatter
M O H A L I : A C B I c o ur t
sentenc ed two former Punj ab Police officers, both aged over 7 0, t o l if e im pri so nme nt f or killi ng an Army jawan and a farmer in a fake enc ounter in 19 92 The court convicted exSH O of Maj itha police station Gurbhinder Singh and f ormer ASI Parshotam Singh under IPC section 302, read with sections 120 -B a nd 2 18 Spec ia l j udg e Rakes h Kumar Gupta also fined them Rs 2 00, 000 each Baldev Singh alias Deba, a lance naik in the Army, and Lakhwinder Singh alias Lakha, a farmer, were falsely labeled as t e r r o r i s t s a n d k i l l e d n e a r Sansara village on Sept 13, 1992 The CBI probe found they were illegally detained The case was filed on SC orders in 1995, but w i t n e s s t e s t i m o n i e s w e r e
HC rejects Bengal govt's plea, admits CBI’s appeal in Sanjay Roy's life term
K O L K A T A : C alc u tt a Hi g h C o u r t rej e ct ed We st B eng al g o v e rnm ent 's app eal challenging the trial court's life term till d eath sentence aw arded to RG Kar hosp ital rap e-m urd er case conv ict Sanjay Roy However, a similar p lea filed by the inv estigation auth ority, CBI, w as accepted by th e court A d ivision bench comprising justices Debangsu Basak and Md Sh abbar Rashid i said th at since th e inv estigation of the case was cond ucted by t h e C B I, i t i s th e ap p ro p ri at e auth ority to iss ue d irecti ons f or th e presentation o f an app eal against th e inadequ acy of sentence
The court also said that the state
cannot issue such directions so long as the central government or the CBI is willing to do so," the bench said The CBI approached Calcutta HC
delayed due to legal stays Of 37 witnesses, only 19 deposed as many had died Several accused, i n c l u d i n g k e y o f f i c e r s , d i e d during trial
A s p e c i a l C B I c o u r t h a d convicted the two cops under I P C s e c t i o n 3 0 2 , r e a d w i t h sections 120-B and 218 Special CBI judge Rakesh Kumar Gupta a l s o s l a p p e d a f i n e o f R s 200,000 each on the duo, and s a i d d e f a u l t i n g o n p a y m e n t would entail an additional 3 5 years in jail
B a l d e v S i n g h a n d
Lakhwinder Singh were picked up by police in connection with t h e m u r d e r o f t h e n P u n j a b c a b i n e t m i n i s t e r G u r m e j Singh’s son on July 23, 1992, and k i l l e d i n a s t a g e d e n c o u n t e r near Sansara village on Sept 13, 1992
Amul to set up world’s largest curd plant in Benegal
earlier this week when three senior state ministers - Govindas Konthouam, Thongam Biswajit, and L Susindro Meitei - along with four BJP MLAs flew to Delhi via a chartered flight BJP MP Sambit Patra and other state officials were present at the Raj Bhavan during Singh's resignation
MILITANTS LOOT ARMS FROM IRB OUTPOST IN MANIPUR
Militants raided an India Reserve Battalion (IRB) outpost in Thoubal district of Manipur and looted six SLRs, three AK-series rifles, and a large quantity of ammunition Additional forces were deployed and a search was conducted, yielding eight stolen weapons But one SLR remained missing An investigation has been launched to determine how the attack was carried out, which left three security personnel wounded police said Sources said gunmen arrived in multiple vehicles, seized weapons at gunpoint, and fled with around 270 rounds of ammunition and 12 magazines Police identified militants from Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) as the attackers, though other groups are also suspected to have been involved A KCP militant was arrested The looting of arms from security forces has been a persistent issue in Manipur since the outbreak of ethnic violence on May 3 2023 Mobs and insurgent groups have taken away thousands of weapons and ammunition from police stations IRB outposts and armouries In the initial months of the violence, an estimated 4,000 weapons, including A K series rifles, SLRs, and carbines, were looted, along with over 600 000 rounds of ammunition
maximum punishment i e , punishment of death to the convict Sanjay Roy was found guilty under Sections 64 (rape), 66 (punishment for causing death), and 103(1) (murder) of t h e B h a r a t i y a N
) Under Section 66, he was sentenced to life imprisonment till death He was sentenced to life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 50,000 under Section 64 and an additional five months of imprisonment upon non-payment of the fine U n d e
s sentenced to life imprisonment with a Rs 50,000 fine, and another five months in jail if the fine remains unpaid
VA D OD A RA: Dai ry gi ant Amul will set up the wo rl d’s l a rg es t cur d ma n uf a ctu ri n g pl an t n ea r Kolkata i n Wes t Be ngal The ann ounce me nt was mad e at the Benga l Glob al Busi nes s Summit i n Kolk ata by Jay en Mehta , ma na gi ng di rector of Guj arat C ooperativ e Milk Ma rketi ng Fe derati on (GCMMF), the bod y tha t markets d airy products under the b rand n ame Amul The pla nt will ha ve a capa city of 10,00,000 kg per day for manufa cturin g dahi, mis hti doi , yogurt, las si and buttermilk “This inte grated dair y plan t, which w ill b e the larges t i n eas tern In dia, will als o process and pack 15,00,0 00 litres of milk a day alon g with ice cream, fla voured mi lk, pane er, ghee and UHT mi lk,” Meh ta sa id
The state-of-the-art Amul Bengal Dairy plant is being set up at Sankrail Food Park in Howrah near Kolkata with an investment of £60mn in two phases by Anand-based Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Limited, popularly known as Amul Dairy Amul Dairy is a member of GCMMF
“ T h e c o n s u m e r s o f B e n g a l h a v e a s t r o n g preference for curd - popular as ‘tok doi’ and ‘mishti doi’ This plant will help cater to the growing demand in the market,” said Mehta Amul is currently the largest fresh milk brand in Bengal, with sales of more than 10,00,000 litres of milk per day
Arijit Singh takes Ed Sheeran on scooter ride, ditches security
Ed Sheeran continues to wo w fans w ith his d o w n- to - ea rth na tu re an d c ap t i v at in g p erfo rm ances
Ed Sheeran was recently spotted with singer Arijit Singh in Jiaganj, Murshidabad, West Bengal, where the two took a scooter ride through the town, surprising locals who saw their favorite singer without security V i d e o s c i r c u l a t i n g o n I n s t a g r a m a n d X
(formerly Twitter) show Arijit driving the scooter with Ed seated behind, joined by friends on their own scooters
A report revealed that Ed Sheeran and Arijit Singh spent nearly five hours together, cruising through Jiaganj’s dusty roads, from the lively Phulmore to the quiet banks of the B h a g i r a t h i R i d i n g o n S i n g h ’ s s c o o t e r , Sheeran accompanied him to Shibtala ghat, where they took a mechanised boat for an h o u r - l o n g r i d e o n t h e r i v e r T h e D I G confirmed that Ed was in town and had requested no additional security
Lord Bhikhu Parekh felicitated on birthday; his two books unveiled
Jyotsna Shah
A grand felicitation function was held on 18th January 2025 at the Sarjan Art Gallery, in the Alkapuri area of Vadodara to honour Padma Bhushan Lord Bhikhu Parekh on his 90th birthday. This event was organised in collaboration with 11 literary and academic institutions of Vadodara The occasion also featured the launch of two books authored by Prof Parekh
Over 125 distinguished
attended the event The pro-
Saraswati Vandana by artists from the Anjali Memorial Trust Renowned litterateur
S
welcomed the guests while acknowledging the contributions of the collaborating institutions
In the thought sympo-
P a r i k s h a n – E k V i c h a r
G o s h t i , " D h a v a l M e h t a delivered an insightful presentation on Lord Parekh’s
discourse on the worldview o f G a n d h i , T a g o r e a n d
Ambedkar
He explained that Lord P a r e k h ’ s w r i t i n g s o n t h e p h i l o s o p h i e s o f G a n d h i , T a g o r e a n d A m b e d k a r a r e both creatively insightful and intellectually profound, yet presented in a simple mann e r t h r o u g h l o g i c a l d i scourse He emphasised that the concept of democracy is deeply rooted in a distinct p o l i t i c a l p h i l o s o p h y F o r Gandhi, truth was liberation (moksha), and his political engagement was driven by the weapon of Satyagraha Tagore’s ideology centered around the concept of SatC h i t - A n a n
focused on the uplift of the D a l i t c o m m u n i t y L o r d
Parekh has critically examined the perspectives of all three with remarkable neutrality
P r o f P r a v i n b h a i P a t e l gave a detailed presentation on "Lord Parekh’s discourse on Multiculturalism," using a projector to delve deeply
i n t o t h e s u b j e c t H e remarked that in our society,
Swearing-in of Delhi's new CM likely after PM Modi returns
The oath c eremony of the new Delhi chief mini ster is likely to take plac e after Prime M inis ter Narend ra M odi returns from his visi t to the U S thi s week, acc ordi ng to sources in the BJP The sweari ng-i n ce remony wi ll b e a grand e vent that will m ark the BJ P's return to pow er in Delhi after 26 y ears and the chie f m inis te rs of all N DAruled states will be invited, the s ourc es said Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely meet BJP president JP Nadda to disc u s s t h e g o v e r n m e n t f o r m a t i o n i n t h e national capital Delhi BJP chief Virendraa Sachdeva will meet the 48 newly elected MLAs soon According to sources, Modi, Shah and Nadda discussed the government formation and oath ceremony at the BJP headquarters earlier
of 344 votes The BJP’s vote share was 45 56%, while the AAP secured 43 57% votes and the Congress’s poll percentage was 6 34
Not just Kejriwal and Sisodia, most of AAP’s senior leadership didn’t make it to the assembly except for outgoing CM Atishi and AAP Delhi convener Gopal Rai, who also held the environment portfolio
politics and religion often receive greater importance than intellectualism, which has rarely been given due r e c o g n i t i o n H o w e v e r , today's event is a commendable step in that direction He further emphasised that having a globally renowned
s c h o l a r a m o n g u s , w h o i s stepping into his 90th year, is
'Stay
W h i l e t h e B J P l e a d e r s h i p i s y e t t o announce its choice for the CM's post, newly elected MLA Parvesh Verma is being seen as the front-runner after he emerged as a giant slayer by defeating Aam Aadmi
P a r t y ( A A P ) n a t i o n a l c o n v e n e r A r v i n d Kejriwal
T h e v o t i n g f o r t h e D e l h i A s s e m b l y Elections 2025 concluded on February 5 with an overall voter turnout of 60 39%
T h e h i g h e s t v o t e r t u r n o u t w a s i n Mustafabad (69%) Lowest was in Karol Bagh (47 40%)
BJP bags 48 of 70 seats
The BJP staged a thumping comeback in Delhi after more than 26 years as it won 48 of the 70 seats in the Assembly polls, results of which were announced on February 8
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) secured 22 seats while the Congress drew a blank for a third straight time
AAP candidate from Matia Mahal Aaley Mohammad Iqbal registered the highest victory margin of 42,724 votess, defeating
B J P ’ s D e e p t i I n d o r a , a c c o r d i n g t o t h e Election Commission’s (EC) data
BJP’s Chandan Kumar Choudhary won the Sangam Vihar seat by the lowest margin
Among the party biggies who bit the dust was the outgoing health and urban development minister, Saurabh Bharadwaj, who lost the Greater Kailash seat that he had held since 2013 Bhardwaj was not just an important minister but also a forceful party spokesperson
Other prominent losers were former AAP health minister Satyendar Jain, who is out on bail, and deputy speaker Rakhi Birla BJP reclaims Milkipur in UP; DMK bags Erode
B y - p o l l s i n U P ’ s M i l k i p u r r e s e r v e d assembly seat and Erode (East) in Tamil Nadu handed landslide victories to governing parties BJP and DMK in the two states BJP reclaimed Milkipur from SP in a political grudge match, while DMK proved too strong for its opponent in Erode (East)actor-politician Seeman’s NTK, a Tamil nationalist organisation
I n E r o d e ( E a s t ) , D M K ’ s V C
Chandhirakumar won with a margin of 91,374 votes, securing 74% of the vote share and providing a happy tonic to CM MK Stalin’s party before next year ’ s assembly elections AIADMK, BJP, and allies stayed away from the by-polls
pride
Prof Parekh has conducted an in-depth analysis of the complexities of multiculturalism, formulating a compre-
within a democratic society
His philosophy of multiculturalism upholds the value and dignity of every culture
Dr Milind Kavatkar presented his research findings on the topic "Prof Parekh's Cultural Discourse and Our Future," offering insightful perspectives on the relevance of his ideas in shaping the future
Historian Prof Shirinben Mehta presented the historic
Makrand Mehta’s role as the editor of Lord Parekh’s book
R e s p o n d
hearted manner, Prof Parekh n
, Tagore and Ambedkar were all religious, their approaches were distinctly different
Likewise, their philosophies on patriotism also varied
Following the intellectual discourse, the event concluded with Lord Parekh’s birthday cake-cutting ceremony
In January 2025, the first
Gujarati-translated book on L
"Vishva Naagarik Ane Viral Vidya Purush – Lord Bhikhu
P
Parikshan" (Global Citizen and Distinguished Scholar –I n t
i o n a n d Examination)
Following Makrandbhai’s passing, the remaining editorial responsibilities were taken over by Prof Sitanshu Y
contributed the foreword
translations of Lord Parekh’s
authors and primarily features writings by Makrand Mehta
The second book, "Prof Bhikhu Parekh: Jeevan Ane Vichar" (Life and Thought),
Ramin Jahanbegloo, was also launched at this event The book has been translated by Anuradha Bhatt For those
insights into Lord Parekh’s life and experiences, these books are
must-read His
potential to offer new directions Both books are pub-
Ahmedabad
united, work among public', says Kejriwal at meet with Punjab AAP MLAs
Ar
w al t o l d P u n ja b AA P M L As t o s ta y u ni te d a nd
r e q u es t e d t h e m t o w o r k
a mo ng th e p u blic He als o s aid that winning the 202 7 as sembly elections is th e target of the party Kejriwal will l ikely spend mo st of his time in P unjab
The meeting took place with all the party’s legislators, ministers and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at Kapurthala House in Delhi amid rumours that there is a dissent within the party following the election debacle in the national capital
Sources said that Kejriwal wanted the party to be unified and work for the people
aspirations Kejriwal is also said to have urged the party w o r k e r s t o w o r k h a r d t o ensure that the AAP returns to power in Punjab in 2027
A leader of the party said t h a t t h e p a r t y l
were told that winning the 2027 assembly elections is the most important task and t
done to achieve that should b e d i s c u s s e d w
(Kejriwal)
Chief Minister
o l d the party MLAs that all the promises made to the public will be fulf i l l
d H e a l s o a d d e d that victory and defeat are two sides of the same coin In 2012, when he lost the polls he thought it was end of the world However, he said that he again contested the elections and became MP twice and now he is the chief minister Given that Punjab is the only state under AAP’s r u l e , t h e d i s c u s s i o n s a n d decisions from the meeting c o u l d s i g n i
the party’s direction and stability
Take firm steps to curb J&K terror, Shah tells security forces
Dire ct ing the se cur it y forces a nd ag encies to coun te r infilt ra tio n a nd acts of t er ror in Ja mmu & Kashmir wit h a ruthless app roach, hom e min ist er Amit Shah a sk ed the m to se t t heir sights on a chie ving t wo k ey goals‘ zero in filtra tion’ an d ‘ upr ooting the existe nce of t er rorists’ in the Union Te rrit ory
Chairing a high-level review meeting on the security scenario in J&K, Shah flagged the role of narcotics proceeds in funding terror and facilitating infiltrators and stressed on the need to take prompt action against this trend with “alacrity and rigour”
The meeting was attended by J&K lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha, chief secretary and DGP, apart from Intelligence Bureau director and senior officials of the ministry of home affairs and J&K govt The review was in continuation of the meeting chaired by Shah earlier, in which the Chief of Army Staff, G
among others
The back-to-back meetings by Shah came close on the heels of a terror attack in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district,in which ex-serviceman Manzoor Ahmad Wagay, his wife and another relative were killed
Stating that the Narendra Modi govt is committed to completely wiping out terrorism from J&K, Shah said the sustained and coordinated efforts in this direction over the past 10 years have significantly weakened the terrorism ecosystem He exhorted the security agencies to stay focused on taking stringent action against infiltrators and terrorists, including those engaged in terror financing “Our goal should be to uproot the existence of terrorists,” Shah told the meeting The home minister directed the agencies to make new appointments in the posts of Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in view of the timely implementation of the new criminal laws
Lord Bhikhu Parekh addressing the Audience
During the cake cutting Dr Jayashree Mehta and other dignitaries joined Lord Bhikhu Parekh in a heartfelt celebration
Yash Raj Films and Britain’s railway celebrate love across cultures
T o m ark 200 years of the m odern railway in 20 25, Britain’s railw ay has partnered w ith India’s largest film studio, Yash Raj Films, for a UK -India cultural celebration sh owcasing the unifying power of love
Yash Raj Films (YRF) is celebrating 30
(DDLJ) in 2025, a pop culture milestone that became one of India's highest-grossing films
Station, where Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol's characters first meet and fall in love
As part of Valentine's Day celebrations, YRF and Britain’s railway are collaborating to highlight the romance of train travel YRF is also producing ‘Come Fall in Love - The D D L
Manchester Opera House on 29 May 2025
Directed by Aditya Chopra, the Englishlanguage musical tells the story of Simran, a young British Indian woman engaged to an arranged marriage in India, who falls for a British man named Roger
designer Derek McLane, and casting director
David Grindrod
Suzanne Donnelly, Executive Director of Railway 200, said, “We’re excited to partner
filmmakers and shaped our culture, making this the perfect time to mark DDLJ's 30th
bicentenary
Jane Austen's 250th birthday: Top events in her hometown and beyond
Literary enth usiasts worldwide are gearing
u p to celebrate th e 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth Reno wned fo r her wit, keen so cial o bservation, and insigh tfu l p ortrayals
o
generatio ns
B o r n i n S t
Austen spent much of her life in the county, where special events will mark her 250th anniversary
n g d e s k a n d attending a Regency ball to touring the house where she died, 2025 offers exciting experiences for Austen fans The NY Times has ranked Jane Austen's England as one of its top 52 places to visit in 2025, highlighting the global appeal of the beloved author Southampton may not be the first place associated with Jane Austen, but the author
attended boarding school there briefly and celebrated her 18th birthday at a ball at The D o l p h i n h o t e l S h e l a t e r l i v e d i n C a s t l
Square, where the Juniper Berry pub now stands An exhibition at God s House Tower, ‘In Training for a Heroine’, explores Austen’s early career, featuring her traveling writing desk with a secret drawer From March to October, the SeaCity Museum will showcase ‘A Very Respectable Company’, displaying rare paintings, letters, books, and personal items, many shown to the public for the first time
The SeaCity Museum exhibition will highlight Jane Austen's close circle of family a n d f r i e n d s d u r i n g h e r
Southampton Meanwhile, the Jane Austen House Museum in Chawton is preparing for a busy year, with events celebrating her novels, including ‘Sense and Sensibility’ in M
Week in December
Top travel trends to watch in 2025
One m onth of 2025 has already passed, but there’s still plenty of time to p lan a w ell - d es erv ed g eta w ay A s tra v el continues to evo lv e, several trends are expected to sh ape the year ahead From n o ct o u ri sm to i m m er si v e c u lt ur al e xp e ri enc e s, 2 0 2 5 p ro m i s es exc i ti ng o pportunities for trav el Here’s a look at a few key trav el trends to watch th is year 1 Noctourism
Noctourism – a blend of night-time travel experiences – is gaining popularity in 2025, offering everything from lateo p e n i n g m u s e u m s t o b i o l u m i n e s c e
beaches and northern lights viewings With s o l a
e x c e p t i o n a l a u r o r a d
n d aligns with the travel industry's core mission of fostering connections with the world, enhancing our experiences under the stars
2 Holidays based on tranquillity
C a l m c a t i o n s , h o l i d a y s f o c u s e d o n tranquillity, are gaining popularity in 2025 as noise pollution, particularly from traffic, is recognized as a major health issue Havila Voyages offers "quiet escapes" along the N o r w e g i a n c o a s t
o r e c a s t s comparing cities like New York and Paris Meanwhile, Unplugged provides tech-free cabins in the UK and Europe, and the new retreat Majamaja in Helsinki’s archipelago
o
growing trend of escaping technology while traveling
Men throw grand birthday bash for stray dog
A heartwarming video has taken the internet by storm, capturing a group of young men celebrating the birthday of a stray dog uniquely The now-viral clip features a stray dog named "Ludo" being taken for a ride in an open jeep as his well-wishers mark the occasion with cake and fireworks Adding to the festivities, the group put up large hoardings along the road with a special message: "Humare priye, wafadar, khoonkar Ludo Bhai ko janamdin ki lakh lakh badhaiyaan" (Heartfelt birthday wishes to our beloved, loyal, and fierce Ludo Bhai) The celebration didn't stop there- Ludo was showered with flowers and adorned with a floral garland The video ends with a meaningful message urging people to protect dogs and other innocent animals According to reports, the video was filmed in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh Nurse applies glue on boy’s wound, suspended
A nurse at a primary health centre in Karnataka’s Haveri district has been suspended for resorting to an unorthodox treatment - using FeviKwik glue instead of sutures to close a deep gash on a seven-year-old boy’s right cheek Her reasoning? Stitches would leave an “ugly scar ” on the child’s face Gurukrishna Annappa Hosamani suffered facial and leg injuries while playing in his neighbourhood Upon being taken to the health centre, nurse Jyothi applied glue to his cheek injury, covered it with cotton, and secured it with a tight bandage She allowed his leg bruises to heal naturally The 36-year-old nurse with a decade’s experience insisted that FeviKwik was a safer alternative However, her unconventional approach alarmed the boy’s parents Seeking a second opinion, they took him to a private hospital, where doctors confirmed that no further treatment was necessary Despite the seemingly harmless outcome, the boy’s family filed a complaint with the local health protection committee “The incident raised serious concerns on the quality of healthcare and the accountability of medical staff in the region,” said the boy’s father Annappa Hosamani SC grants protection to Discovery and its officials
The Supreme Court ordered police in Delhi, Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Haryana to provide protection to offices and officials of Discovery which claimed threats to life and property since telecast of documentary ‘Cult of Fear: Asaram Bapu, Saint or Sinner?’ from the self-styled religious guru ’ s supporters Senior advocate Abhinav Mukerji told a bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan that supporters of the jailed self-styled godman, convicted of murder charges, had attempted to vandalise Discovery’s Mumbai office after telecast of the documentary on Jan 30 on its OTT platform and a complaint was lodged at Bandra Kurla Complex PS seeking protection Mukerji said though police dispersed the mob, it failed to take any concrete action against the hooligans Thereafter, threats were issued to Discovery officals The bench issued notice to the state govts and ordered that adequate security measures be taken at the offices of Discovery Man's superglue prank goes wrong, seals his lips shut
In the era of social media, people often go to extreme lengths to gain attention and go viral online From dance routines to elaborate pranks, platforms are brimming with such content Recently, a video of a man from the Philippines has taken the internet by storm In the clip, the man applies superglue to his lips as part of a prank, but things turn disastrous The video begins with the man sitting in a shop, holding a tube of superglue and playfully showing it off to the camera He applies the glue to his lips, but within seconds, the adhesive works as intended, leaving his lips firmly sealed At first, the man appears to find the situation amusing, laughing as though the prank was successful However, his laughter quickly fades as he struggles to open his mouth His amusement turns to panic when he realizes his lips won't budge, no matter how hard he tries Moments later, tears stream down his face as the gravity of the situation sets in, leaving him visibly distressed
Doctor carries out his own vasectomy on camera
A surgeon from Taipei, Taiwan, has become an internet sensation after self-performing a vasectomy Dr Chen Wei-nong documented the procedure on social media, stating that he undertook this action as a 'gift' to fulfil his wife's desire to avoid future pregnancies In the video, Dr Chen provides an educational guide by meticulously explaining the eleven steps of the vasectomy procedure while simultaneously operating Dr Chen opted to perform the surgery himself to minimize the risk of errors, demonstrating his confidence in his surgical abilities The procedure, typically completed within 15 minutes, was extended to an hour due to the inherent challenges of self-surgery Speaking during the procedure, he admitted, "It is really painful when you touch the vas deferens, and it feels strange to sew yourself up " Despite the discomfort, he completed the surgery successfully Dr Chen concluded the video by reassuring viewers that he was feeling well the next morning His daring self-surgery has captivated the internet, with many users expressing surprise and admiration for his bravery and surgical expertise
3 Travel meets AI Technology will play a bigger role in trip p
Amadeus customers prioritising generative AI However, many travel firms are still figuring out how to use it effectively A
company Byway, which has developed its own AI engine to simplify multi-country t
challenge for European trips 4 Holiday rom ance W i t h
burnout, especially in online dating, has become a growing concern A 2024 Forbes Health survey found that 79% of Gen Z feel drained by online dating To combat this, travel trends reports from Globetrender and A
romance or simply new friendships, more g
making it easier than ever to meet people in person
Russian woman charges Rs 100 for selfies
A viral video features a Russian woman cleverly charging Rs 100 per selfie to every Indian who approached her for a photo Tired of the constant requests for pictures with foreigners, she came up with this unique solution to manage the interruptions The video begins with Instagram user @angelinali777 playfully mimicking how locals often request her for photos "Ma'am, please, one photo? One photo? We're tired of this, so I came up with a solution," she says, holding up a piece of paper that reads, "1 selfie Rs 100 " She holds up the sign on the beach as a group of Indian men gathers around her, taking pictures They pose beside her while she continues to display the sign Several men were even willing to pay for the selfie, and she proudly showed off her earnings to the camera Along with her video, the woman wrote, "And now we're all happy Indians get their photo with a foreigner, and foreigners aren't tired because they're paid for the selfie How's this solution?"
Uber driver transforms cab into luxury lounge
An Uber driver in Delhi has redefined customer service by converting his vehicle into a mobile convenience store His Maruti Celerio is meticulously stocked with an assortment of complimentary items, including WiFi, snacks, candies, bottled water, umbrellas, sanitisers and tissues, ensuring a unique and memorable experience for his passengers His vehicle is also stocked with an array of medications, including pain relievers, antacids, antihistamines, and more His thoughtful provisions also extend to personal care items, such as safety pins, oil, toothpaste, powder, perfume, and shoe polish Remarkably, all of these amenities are offered to his passengers completely free of charge
How your walk may reveal early dementia symptoms
Experts are warning that certain walking patterns
cou ld signal the o nset of d em entia Accord ing to
t h e I ri sh S t ar, researchers h av e identif i ed w alk i ng - re lat ed symp tom s as red flags, as walking requ ires sig nificant cog nitive effort
As dementia progresses, individuals may struggle with direction and accurately interpreting their surroundings Four clear signs can help identify the condition while walking
G
London, explains that early-stage Alzheimer’s can impair spatial awareness and object recognition This can cause individuals to misinterpret their surroundings, leading to erratic walking As cognitive decline progresses, changes in walking speed and step size reflect reduced confidence and balance
Here are four key walking signs that could indicate dementia:
1 Slowed walking : A noticeable reduction in walking speed, often linked to Parkinsonism in advanced dementia
2 Red uced arm sw ing and instability: Slower walking leads to less arm swing and postural instability
3 Increased risk of falls: Patients may struggle with object perception, increasing fall risk
4 A imless wand ering and nav igation issues: Confusion and disorientation when navigating, such as difficulty determining directions
Dr Kadam Nagpal, senior consultant neurologist at Salubritas Medcentre, advises caregivers to use Bluetooth or geo-tags, such as lockets or bracelets, to track patients with dementia who may wander He also recommends improving the home’s navigation with glow-in-the-dark signs and ensuring 24-hour supervision Dr Nagpal highlights key walking symptoms aimless wandering, difficulty navigating, and slow walking as important indicators of cognitive decline, urging assessment for dementia
Study finds tomato extract may boost brain health
L ifestyle choices significantly imp act dep ression risk, with d iet and exercise playing key roles A study in ‘Food Science & N u tri
and other red fruits Lycopene, w hich g ives tomatoes their v ibrant co lor, may offer surprising m ental h ealth benefits Lycopene, a compound in tomatoes, enhances brain cell communication, potentially easing depressive symptoms In an early-stage study on male mice with acute social stress, those given lycopene showed improved social behavior, a key sign of mood enhancement While still in its early phases, this research offers hope for future treatments
How does lycopene work
Researchers found that lycopene enhances synaptic plasticity, helping the brain adjust neuron connections an ability weakened by depression It also supports the hippocampus, crucial for memory and emotional processing
Experiments on mice showed lycopene boosts BrainDerived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a protein vital for brain cell survival and communication, likened to fertilizer strengthening plant roots
However, human studies are needed, as the required dosage is much higher than what a typical diet provides While a medium tomato has just 3–5 mg of lycopene, an effective human dose may be around 110 mg daily
This far exceeds what one can get from tomatoes alone
Despite these limitations, the study offers hope for natural depression treatments in the future
Skincare or overkill? The risks of teens following beauty trends
Dr Bhavjit Kaur
Anusha Singh
In an era where beauty influencers and viral skincare routines dominate social media, teenagers are increasingly adopting complex skincare regimens designed for mature skin From layering multiple active ingredients to using harsh exfoliants and anti-aging products, many young people are unknowingly damaging their skin in pursuit of flawless complexions
Experts warn that following online trends without proper knowledge can lead to long-term skin issues, including sensitivity, irritation, and premature aging Dr Bhav jit Kaur, Trustee and Board Member at th e British Co lleg e of Aesthetic M ed icine, sheds light on how
g teenagers, the risks of using potent ingredients too soon, and the essential steps for maintaining healthy, youthful skin
S
much? And what should they be using instead? Dr Kaur provides expert guid-
between skincare and self-care
In recent years, we’ve seen a rise in youngsters using skincare and makeup products meant for older age groups. What are your thoughts on this trend?
It’s concerning because children's and teenagers' skin is still developing The overuse of strong active ingredients or heavy, occlusive makeup can
d
long-term issues like sensitivity, break-
Leading to sometime permanent or temporary scarring and hyperpigmentation
Overusing anti-ageing ingredients before they are needed may also reduce their effectiveness later in life when they would be more beneficial
Whatis the skincare that this age group actually needs?
A simple three-step ro utine is ideal:
• Gentle cleanser– to remove dirt and sweat without stripping the skin
• Lightweight moisturiser – to keep the skin hydrated
• SPF 30-50 – the only true ‘antiageing’ product they need at this stage!
Additionally, maintaining a wellbalanced diet and staying hydrated will help support healthy skin from within
Whatissues could using excessive or unsuitable skincare products lead to?
D a m a g i n g t h e s k i n ’ s p r o t e c t i v e barrier at an early age can make it more reactive and prone to conditions like rosacea, eczema, and persistent acne Overusing anti-aging ingredients before they are needed may also reduce their effectiveness later in life
Retinol, for example, accelerates cell turnover, which is unnecessary for young skin and can cause peeling, redness, and irritation Over-exfoliation can lead to chronic dryness and may even speed up aging due to constant skin stress Many teenagers use scrubs alongside retinol, thinking it will help w i t h a c n e o r h y p e r p
However, scrubs act like sandpaper, causing microtears and worsening irritation Instead, acne should be treated under medical guidance rather than relying on over-the-counter products
Another issue is impatience with skincare Many teenagers buy products like La Roche-Posay or CeraVe but switch brands too quickly, expecti n g i n s t a n t r
treatments take six to eight weeks to
Yoga poses to combat depression in working women
The modern work-life balance can leave women feeling overwhelmed and stressed, with the constant juggle between career and personal commitments impacting mental health.
Experts suggest that Yoga is an effective solution to combat depression, as it improves physical health, boosts emotional well-being, and fosters mindfulness
For working women juggling mul-
strengthens inner resilience Here are some Yoga poses that could help fight depression in working women:
Sukhasana (easy pose):
Simply sitting cross-legged with hands on the knees helps calm the mind and reduce anxiety
Savasana (corpse pose):
This resting pose calms the body and mind, fostering inner peace and stillness It helps women feel centered and grounded, empowering them to
d approach challenges with calm
Setu Bandhasana (bridge pose):
This back-bending pose opens the chest and shoulders, promoting emotional release and reducing anxiety and fatigue It encourages authentic
your
potential
Balasana (child's pose):
This forward-curling pose with the forehead on the ground promotes deep relaxation and calmness, helping relieve stress It encourages women to acknowledge their feelings and prioritise wellbeing, a key aspect of self-empowerment
Makarasana (crocodile pose):
Lying on your stomach with your forehead resting on your hands, this pose calms the nervous system and relieves tension in the neck and shoulder muscles
Mountain pose (Tadasana):
This standing pose enhances posture, balance, and alignment It’s a great foundation for other yoga poses and helps reduce stress and anxiety by fostering a sense of grounding and stability Downward-facing dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana):
This pose stretches the entire back of the body, from shoulders to heels, helping to relieve stress and anxiety by easing tension in the neck, shoulders, and back
switching disrupts the skin and hinders progress
Improper skincare habits also contribute to long-term damage Popping
such as AHAs, BHAs, and salicylic acid, increase sun sensitivity Without sunscreen, this raises the risk of hyperpigmentation and further skin damage
Hyperpigmentation is the body’s
exposure In hotter climates, people with darker skin tones naturally produce more melanin for protection
W
areas, it signals prolonged sun exposure without proper protection This highlights the importance of "listening to your skin" and taking preventive
Teaching children basic skincare principles whether through schools or informed parents would help prevent common mistakes Young people are receptive to logical explanations, and with the right knowledge, they can develop healthier skincare habits
What advice would you give to youngsters who want to care for their skin but may be overdoing it with the wrong products?
Beauty trends come and go, but healthy skin is for life Your skin does-
strong actives at a young age less is more Focus on nourishing your skin, not fixing problems that don’t exist Confidence comes from feeling good in your skin, not from following unrealistic beauty standards Encourage them to use gentle, hydrating products and emphasise that good skin starts with a healthy lifestyle hydration, a
For those with specific skin concerns, I
strong products based on social media trends
Study reveals brain ‘switch’ for fear, offering hope for PTSD and anxiety
Anxiety and P TS D c an sig nifi cantly impact daily life, promp ting ongoing res
study
exploring
brain pro cesses and o verco mes fear
Published in ‘Science’, the study reveals
treatm ents for anxiety and fear-related disord ers like P TSD F e
instinct, alerting us to threats However, as we gain experience, we learn to recognise these threats as less harmful A study on mice demonstrated how they suppress instinctive fear of visual threats In a study on mice, the visual cortex and Ventrolateral Geniculate Nucleus (vLGN) were found to play key roles in processing fear Initially, the mice panicked at the sight of a shadow resembling a predator, but after repeated exposure, they adapted and remained calm This demonstrates how the brain learns to recognise and suppress fear, turning perceived threats into harmless stimuli over time PTSD and anxiety are fear-based disorders, with PTSD triggered by traumatic events and anxiety involving excessive worry about future outcomes This discovery is significant as it shows how vLGN can help control fear responses
Anil Kapoor, Anupam Kher and others thank PM Modi for WAVES role
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently led a meeting of the WAVES Advisory Board to position India as a global entertainment hub Anil Kapoor thanked the PM on social media for the initiative WAVES is a global summit uniting entertainment, creativity, and culture, according to the Prime Minister’s Office
On X, PM Modi shared, "Just concluded a productive meeting with the WAVES Advisory Board, a global summit uniting entertainment, creativity, and culture Board members, eminen individuals from diverse fields, offered valuable insights to help position India as a global entertainment hub " Meanwhile, ‘Animal’ actor Anil Kapoor expressed on X, "Honoured to be part of the WAVES Advisory Board and contribute to this initiative We had insightful discussions and look forward to making India a global entertainment hub!"
Anupam Kher expressed his gratitude on social media, thanking Prime Minister Modi for the opportunity to join the WAVES Advisory Board He wrote, "Thank you, PM Modi, for this amazing initiative ES will make India a bal entertainment hub, nd in a few years, India will be the 'Davos' of entertainment and culture "
Megastar Chiranjeevi expressed gratitude, stating, "Thank you, PM Modi, for the honour t was a privilege to be rt of WAVES and ibute with esteemed members WAVES will elevate India’s global 'soft power ' Exciting times ahead!"
During the WAVES Summit (February 5-9, 2025), PM Modi held virtual discussions with top actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and AR Rahman, and business leaders including Mukesh Ambani, Satya Nadella, and Anand Mahindra
Naomika Saran to debut opposite Agastya Nanda in rom-com
Bollywood
legends Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan made history with classics like ‘Anand’ and ‘Namak Halaal’
Now, their legacies live on as their grandchildren, Naomika Saran and Agastya Nanda, team up for an upcoming romantic comedy
Naomika Saran, granddaughter of Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia, is set to make her Bollywood debut alongside Agastya Nanda, Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson Directed by Jagdeep Sidhu in his Bollywood debut, the film is backed by Maddock Films and produced by Dinesh Vijan Sidhu, known for Punjabi hits like ‘Qismat’ and ‘Shadaa’, has also contributed as a dialogue writer for ‘Saand Ki Aankh’ and ‘Srikanth’
Naomika, daughter of Rinke Khanna and Sameer Saran, has already gained attention for her striking resemblance to Dimple Kapadia
Meanwhile, Agastya Nanda, who impressed with his debut in ‘The Archies’, will next be seen in ‘Ikkis’, directed by Sriram Raghavan Co-starring Dharmendra and Jaideep Ahlawat, the film is based on the life of war hero Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, a role that offers Agastya a chance to showcase his talent and cement his place in Bollywood
Udit Narayan faces backlash as 'serial kisser' after controversial video emerges
Renowned
playback singer Udit Narayan is at the centre of controversy after a video surfaced online showing him kissing a female fan on the lips
The clip, which quickly went viral, has led to social media users calling him a ‘serial kisser,’ a title once associated with actor Emraan Hashmi In the video, Narayan can be seen posing for selfies with fans near the stage, before unexpectedly kissing one woman on the lips after tilting her head
Udit Narayan has sparked widespread criticism after a video surfaced showing him kissing a female fan on the lips, following a similar incident with a young fan just days earlier Several fans have since shared videos of the singer engaging in similar acts
Amol Palekar recalls slapping Smita Patil on ‘Bhumika’ set
Amol Palekar recently reflected on an incident at the Jaipur Literature Festival 2025, where he expressed regret over slapping his co-star, Smita Patil, in the 1977 film ‘Bhumika’, without her consent While ‘Bhumika’ is remembered for its strong storyline and performances, Palekar's actions on set remain a source of regret for him.
Amol Palekar recalled a regretful moment from ‘Bhumika’'s shoot, where director Shyam Benegal ordered him to slap Smita Patil for a scene without prior
consent Despite Palekar’s initial refusal, he eventually followed the direction He explained, “I was confused and scared, but Smita performed
brilliantly, and I gave her a tight slap " The sudden action shocked Patil, but they continued until Benegal called "cut "
Amol Palekar recalled the moment Smita Patil reacted with shock and anger after he slapped her during ‘Bhumika’'s shoot, following a direction from Shyam Benegal He immediately apologised, and they both cried together Reflecting on the incident, Palekar said, "If it were today, I wouldn't have done it, not just due to theatre discipline but because I don't believe in raising my hand on a woman " The film, inspired by Hansa Wadkar’s autobiography ‘Sangtye Aika’, also starred Naseeruddin Shah and Amrish Puri
with female fans, raising concerns about the appropriateness of his behaviour Many netizens have taken to social media to express their disapproval, calling for an apology and questioning the conduct of a respected figure in the industry
Udit Narayan addressed the controversy, explaining, There is a deep, pure bond between my fans and me What you saw was simply a manifestation of that love " He defended his actions, stating, "This is nothing new Even big stars like Michael Jackson hug and kiss fans There's no need to make a big deal out of it; I consider it a matter of pride and believe this incident has only boosted my career "
Vicky Kaushal defends deleted Lezim dance in ‘Chhaava’ as cultural effort
Ahead of its release next week, Vicky Kaushal’s ‘Chhaava’ sparked controversy over a scene showing him, as Sambhaji Maharaj, performing the Maharashtrian folk dance Lezim Following objections, director Laxman Utekar removed the sequence In a recent interview, Vicky clarified that the dance wasn’t crucial to the story but aimed to showcase Indian culture globally.
Vicky Kaushal shared that every
explained
people’s king, would have joined in if asked However, respecting audience sentiments, the scene was removed as it wasn’t crucial to the story Laxman Utekar revealed that he r
consulting Raj Thackeray, calling him
Kalki Koechlin on Dev D: “I was stressed about Hindi, recited dialogues in my sleep”
Kalki
Koechlin recalls being "highly stressed" about her Hindi while working on ‘Dev D’, her first lead role in Hindi cinema Released in February 2009, the Anurag Kashyap-directed film, now a cult classic, reimagines Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s ‘Devdas’ Starring Abhay Deol as Dev and Mahie Gill as Paro, Kalki played Leni/Chanda while still learning the language Kalki Koechlin recalls being "highly stressed" about Hindi while filming ‘Dev D’ "I was still learning the language and had a tutor for my dialogues I didn’t understand some of them, but I memorised them so well I could recite them in my sleep It felt like a big exam," she said
Marking 15 years since its release on February 6, ‘Dev D’ was Anurag Kashyap's first major hit, earning critical acclaim for its cast Amit Trivedi’s soundtrack, featuring hits like ‘Emosanal Attyachaar’, ‘Paayaliya’, and ‘Pardesi’, remains iconic Kalki Koechlin, 41, counts ‘Emosanal Attyachaar’ among her favorites and still listens to it She recalls hearing it during her audition for Chanda and feeling certain the film would succeed
"I went for an audition, and they were playing the song in the office I asked, ‘Is that going to be in the film?’ They said, ‘Yes, probably ’ And I thought, ‘Okay, I have to be in this,’" Kalki recalled She added that ‘Dev D’ wasn’t an instant hit but gradually achieved cult status
Sooraj Barjatya reveals Salman Khan’s
secret to mass appeal
Salman Khan has delivered some of his best performances under Sooraj Barjatya's direction, with memorable films like ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’, ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun !’, and ‘Hum SaathSaath Hain’ In a recent interview, Barjatya discussed the unique qualities that make Salman a massive star
Sooraj Barjatya shared, “I ve worked with Salman for over 600 days His naturalness as an actor is his biggest strength He doesn't orry about making mistakes or how he might look, which allows him to f u l
meeting Raj Thackeray, I decided to remove the scene
He clarified that the dance wasn’t significant, and the decision was made out of respect for the character
This fearlessness really works in his favor ” S o o r a
“Salman’s mass appeal comes from trusting his instincts He connects with the everyday person He works r d o n h i s
closely before stepping in On set, he makes everyone feel at ease with his presence
Ameesha Patel recently discussed the evolving film industry, highlighting how actors' priorities have shifted Reflecting on her generation, she noted that stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukerji, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and herself were focused on delivering strong performances, unlike today’s actors who often prioritise social media presence.
prioritizing their digital image over their craft She argued that today’s stars focus more on Instagram, reels, and social appearances rather than delivering strong performances, which
actors like Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Akshay Kumar continue to draw audiences because they focus on their on-screen work, unlike newer actors who rely on social media for visibility
constant visibility has diminished the star power of today’s actors, stressing that maintaining an air of mystery is key to sustaining audience intrigue
superstars like Amitabh Bachchan and
Patel concluded with
message for younger actors, saying, "Real cinema is about killing it on the big screen, not on Instagram "
Prithviraj wants SRK for Mohanlal’s role in ‘Lucifer’ Hindi remake
Mohanlal and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s highly anticipated film ‘L2: Empuraan’ is generating immense buzz in the Mollywood industry The recently unveiled teaser delivers a visually stunning experience, hinting at a ground-breaking cinematic spectacle that is set to redefine the industry.
Director Prithviraj Sukumaran expressed his desire to cast Shah Rukh Khan in a Bollywood remake of ‘Lucifer’ He revealed that SRK would be his ideal choice to reprise Mohanlal’s iconic role from the Malayalam original Prithviraj also shared that Shah Rukh is his favorite Bollywood star
‘L E ’ h hi hl i i d l he 2019 h than its South odfather’, maran will cater s, with indi for a he film Sikandar’ It will be in elugu, i
Naga Chaitanya thanks Sobhita Dhulipala for ‘Thandel’ shoutout
Actor Sobhita Dhulipala gave a shoutout to her husband, Naga Chaitanya, ahead of his film ‘Thandel’'s release On Instagram, she praised his hard work and said she’s eager to see his clean-shaven look
Sharing a ‘Thandel’ poster on her I n s t a g r a m S t o r y , S o b h i t a D h u l i p a l a praised Naga Chaitanya’s dedication, calling the film an “extraordinary love story ” She also teased him in Telugu a b o u t f i n a l l y s h a v i n g h i s b e a r d
Chaitanya quickly reshared her post, replying, “Thank you, my bujjithalli ” Sobhita Dhulipala’s ‘shaved beard’ remark follows producer Allu Aravind’s recent revelation at a ‘Thandel’ event He recalled Sobhita asking at her wedding when she’d finally see her hus-
Parvathy Thiruvothu opens about past relationship and mental health struggles
Parvathy Thiruvothu, known for speaking her mind, has earned both admiration and criticism but remains true to herself The National Award-winning actor discussed her past relationships, struggles with mental health, which led to her inability to manage her emotions
Parvathy opened up about her past struggles with mental health, which affected her eating habits and relationships She shared how her short temper, exacerbated by hunger, ruined a relationship with a “wonderful person ” After years, she apologised, learning to be more cautious before entering relationships The actor maintains cordial relationships with exes while setting clear boundaries Although single for the past three years, she clarified that she has never been romantically involved with actors or directors but has dated people from the technical side of the film industry
Reflecting on her experience with dating apps, Parvathy admitted, "I find it strange to 'buy' people for relationships I check these apps occasionally, but mostly keep my accounts suspended I prefer falling in love the traditional way, after truly getting to know someone Ideally, it would be with someone from the same field "
Suriya applauds Unni Mukundan’s
performance in ‘Marco’
The critically acclaimed Malayalam film ‘Marco’ has garnered widespread praise and now seems to have found a new admirer in Tamil superstar Suriya
band’s face again Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita tied the knot on December 4 at Hyderabad’s iconic Annapurna Studios, surrounded by family and close friends
A film industry insider shared on X (formerly Twitter) that Suriya was deeply impressed with ‘Marco’ Posting pictures of himself handing flowers to Unni Mukundan and director Haneef Adeni, he w t “H d t
resonating across India in multiple languages ”
‘Marco’, one of India's most violent films, follows the titular gangster (Unni Mukundan) on a brutal rampage after his brother's murder The cast includes Siddique, Jagadish, Abhimanyu Shammi Thilakan, Kabir Duhan Singh, Anson Paul, and Yukti Thareja
A spinoff of the 2019 ‘Mikhael’, it shares some characters but has a standalone story After a successful theatrical run from December 20, ‘Marco’ will stream on SonyLIV from February 14 and has been dubbed in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, and Kannada
Priyanka Chopra's younger brother, Siddharth, tied the knot with actor Neelam Upadhyaya in a star-studded ceremony
Priyanka played the perfect sister, walking Siddharth down the aisle and energising the crowd with a dance to Bollywood beats at the baraat
In a heartwarming video, Priyanka, dressed in a baby blue lehenga, encouraged guests to cheer louder as Siddharth, looking dashing in a cream sherwani, walked towards his bride
T h e w e d d i n g , s t e e p e d i n H i n d u t r a d i t i o n s l i k e H a l d i , Mehendi, and Baarat, saw Nick Jonas embracing his role as jiju In a video shared by Dr Madhu Chopra, Nick, dressed in a white blazer and padgi, carried the pooja thali with a varmala for the bride and groom Priyanka and Nick also stole the spotlight, dancing to her iconic "Desi Girl" from ‘Dostana’ during the Baraat Priyanka's energetic moves had Nick trying to keep up Priyanka Chopra shared heartfelt moments at her brother Siddharth's wedding, helping bride Neelam Upadhyaya and escorting Siddharth to the mandap Nick Jonas and his parents, Kevin Sr and Denise, actively joined the celebrations While Parineeti Chopra and Rekha attended, big Bollywood names like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Karan Johar, a n d A k s
collaborations with Priyanka
‘All We Imagine As Light’ & ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ miss out at Critics Choice Awards
The 30th Critics Choice Awards 2025 proved disappointing for Indian nominees, with ‘All We Imagine As Light’ and ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ both failing to win Payal Kapadia’s ‘All We Imagine As Light’, a strong contender for Best Foreign Language Film, lost to ‘Emilia Perez’ starring Selena Gomez Competing against films from Latvia, Brazil, Ireland, and Germany, the film, despite its Grand Prix win at Cannes 2024, has struggled at major Hollywood awards, including missing out at the Golden Globes
Adding to the disappointment, ‘All We Imagine As Light’ wasn’t India’s official Oscar submission for 2025 The Film Federation of India chose Kiran Rao’s ‘Laapataa Ladies’ for Best Foreign Language Film, but it also failed to secure a nomination
In the television category, ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’, starring Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, was nominated for Best Foreign Language Series but lost to ‘Squid Game’ Other nominees included ‘Acapulco’, ‘La Máquina’, ‘The Law According to Lidia Poët’, ‘My Brilliant Friend’, ‘Pachinko’, and ‘Senna’ The Critics Choice Awards 2025 took place in Los Angeles on February 7
In ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ praises Varun Dhawan for his portrayal of the fiercely loyal, yet misguided, Bunny The duo impresses with slick stunts, though their chemistry as a couple is lacking Kay Kay Menon excels as a manipulative spy, and child actor Kashvi Majmundar, playing young Nadia, shines as a brave, sharp girl, setting the stage for Priyanka’s lead role in the franchise While the series features impressive action and a strong cast, it falls short in plot and pacing It may not be the most binge-worthy in its genre, but action fans will find plenty to enjoy
Savan Kotecha seeks
collaboration with Arijit Singh: "One of the most magical voices"
Singer-songwriter
Savan Kotecha has made a name for himself globally, collaborating with stars like Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and One Direction Now, he's turning his attention to India's music scene, aiming to create a home-grown teen pop sensation
Born into a traditional Gujarati family in the US, Kotecha's path to music was unconventional Despite initial disapproval from his parents, he pursued his passion, finding success as a songwriter, with his big break coming from working with Simon Cowell and artists like Westlife and One Direction
"Pursuing music was my parents' worst nightmare and probably still is!" Kotecha laughs, recalling his early struggles At 19, after sending songs to labels, one
ed him, saying no girl would put an dian guy on her wall That led him to ongwriting, where he found success with Simon Cowell’s artists like Westlife, Usher, and Bieber, and later helped develop One Direction Despite often being the only brown person in the room, Kotecha now aims to change that "Melody is everything," he says, focusing on usic that emotionally resonates ss language barriers
His latest passion project is creating a diverse Indian boy band that gives teen girls home-grown pop stars to admire "I want a group that represents all parts of India and makes the country proud," he states Inspired by his experience with international bands, Kotecha is set on bringing local pop music to India and instilling national pride
Tillotama Shome talks misrepresentation of Northeast in Indian media, role in ‘Paatal Lok 2’
Tillotama Shome has shared her experience playing Meghna Barua, an Assamese police officer, in ‘Paatal Lok 2’. The actor emphasized the importance of staying true to her role as a Nagamese-speaking Assamese woman, ensuring she did justice to the character
her concerns about portraying an Assamese character, saying, "As
worried about misrepresenting the community I didn't want people to feel like, 'Why couldn't they get an Assamese person for this role?'” She added, "I was aware of this challenge and worked extra hard to
representation to be humane,
overlooked The Northeast is often misrepresented, and I didn't want to add to that by failing to capture
the language properly It was really important to me "
‘Paatal Lok 2 ’ also stars Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Gul Panag, Nagesh Kukunoor, Jahnu Barua, and Prashant Tamang Directed by Avinash Arun Dhaware, the second
India beat England; clinch ODI series
E ngland were beaten again in
their h osts 305 to win, England's struggles on tour continued as
majestic 11 9 from 90 balls to p ower India towards
The opener was caught after
full toss in the 30th over but by that stage only a further 85 runs
but still won with four wickets and 33 balls remaining
While Rohit's century was his first for India for 11 months, England are still searching for form under new coach Brendon McCullum
They wasted a platform set through an opening partnership of 81 by Ben Duckett and Phil S
Despite all of England's top six making it beyond 25, Joe Root was the highest scorer with 69
with a ball remaining in their 50
opener against Australia on 22 February, is in Ahmedabad on
Wednesday
England all-rounder Jacob Bethell was ruled out of playing in Cuttack after sustaining a
ODI that will also cause him to miss the Champions Trophy
England have now lost six of seven matches on this tour - one that was supposed to mark the
in brief
results
Their batting was improved on the 4-1 T20 series defeat and 248 all out on Thursday, but as a
failure to capitalise on starts
reared its head
T h
progressed to three figures cost them England's total was made to look well below par when batting became easier under the lights
India's spinners went at less t
Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Saqib Mahmood and Mark Wood all selected, with Jofra Archer and B
punished as they hammered the middle of the pitch
In the first ODI at Nagpur,
wickets
Ravindra Jadeja joins elite club with 6,000 runs and 600 wickets
J oe Root and Steve Smith - thei r
n a m e s d e f i ne a n er a , th ei r wic kets are priz ed possessi ons for any bowler But for Ravindra J adej a, they have simply been regular scalps i n his remarkable c areer Dismis s them once, and i t ’ s a m om e n t to c h e ri s h
D ismis s them 23 times, and you o wn t he m Fe w bo wl ers c an c l a i m t o h av e re pe a te d ly outfoxed two of the greates t b atters of their generation, but J adej a has done it with a mix of c u n n i ng , c on t rol , a nd s he er mas tery over his craft
S o w h e n R o h i t S h a r m a tossed the ball to his veteran
spinner on Thursday, Root
Kuldeep Yadav - knew the real
partnership between Root and
Neeraj Chopra to begin season in May at Doha DL
With 20 25 promising a busy year for track and field , head lined by
S e p te m be r ’ s W o rld A t h le ti cs C h am p i o ns h i p s i n T o k yo , javelin ace Neeraj C hop ra, it is l ea rnt , w i ll co m m enc e h is season at the Doh a Diam ond L eague (DL) on May 1 6
A c c o r d i n g t o I n d i a n
a t h l e t i c s ’ c h i e f c o a c h Radhakrishnan Nair, Neeraj is expected to feature in the Doha meet, which will mark the two-
t i m e O l y m p i c a n d W o r l d Championships medallist’s first
c o m p e t i t i v e o u t i n g i n t h e upcoming athletics season He will then proceed to other DL events lined up in different parts of Europe in July-Aug
“Neeraj is already preparing for the opener with his coach
( C z e c h j a v e l i n l e g e n d J a n Z e l e z n y ) , ” N a i r s a i d D
i s third on the list of a total 14 DL
m e e t s t h i s s e a s o n t h a t
c o m m e n c e s o n A p r i l 2 6 i n C h i n a ’
culminating with the Diamond League Final in Zurich on Aug 27 and 28
Before the Tokyo Worlds, Neeraj is expected to feature in DL events in Rome, Stockholm, P a r i s , E u g e n e , M o n a c o , Lausanne and Brussels, provided he remains injury-free The 26year-old from Panipat has been
t r a i n i n g w i t h Z e l e z n y i n h i s S o u t h A f r i c a n b a s e i n P o t c h e f s t r o o m , w h e r e h e h a s b e e n u n d e r g o i n g o f f - s e a s o n t r a i n
been a familiar hub for Neeraj, where he prepared for both the T o k y o 2 0 2 0 a n d P a r i s 2 0 2 4 Olympics
A c c o r d
r a j ’ s throwing technique, his run-up
s e q u e n c e a n d p l a n n i n g h i s season ’ s calendar in preparation for the Worlds, where he will be defending his title During the s e a s o n , N e e r a j w i l l a l s o b e l o o k i n g t o b r e a c h t h e e l u s i v e 90m-mark, with his personal best being 89 94m, which he achieved at the Stockholm DL in 2022
England captain Jos Buttler was
g dangerous, threatening to take England deep into the innings But Jadeja sensed the moment He sent down a skiddy, darting delivery at over 100 kmph, one that hurried onto Root’s pads
b
appeal was loud, the umpire’s finger went up, and Root stood there in disbelief The review
damage was done Jadeja had trapped his prey for the 12th t
, R a v i n d r a Jadeja marched into an elite club, becoming only the fifth
great Anil Kumble, Kapil Dev, Harbhajan Singh, and R Ashwin now have company - Jadeja has sealed his name among India’s finest Jadeja also etched his name into the record books as the highest wicket-taker in IndiaEngland ODIs played in India, surpassing James Anderson (40 w i c k e t s ) a n d l e a v i n
h i n d Andrew Flintoff (37) And with 6 , 0 0 0 i n t e r n a t i o n a l r u n s t o complement his 600 wickets, Jadeja now stands alone - a oneof-a kind Indian spinner
An Indian win in ice hockey after 2018
l l od ds b y re cor ding their firs t internat ional win s inc e 2018 when they beat M acau 4-2 at t he As ian Winter Gam es in Harbin, China
Not having participated in an
2018 and getting just a handful of days to prepare for the current event due to selection delays, the
group-stage game It may not prove enough to advance Having suffered huge losses - a 0-30 and a 1-19 drubbing by Hong Kong and Turkmenistan respectively, India were at the bottom of the pool, but the win was a great morale boost for a
team constantly facing the odds They ended their campaign in third spot in Group C with three much-treasured points
S
Sarthak Patnaik, who is currently with the team in China, said the victory at the Harbin Ice Hockey A r e n a w
number of reasons
“It was a great win, especially considering the challenges our p l a y
have not given up Moreover, the squad is quite thin, we are playing without many extra players or substitutes That’s stressful but
Science India, said
Indian match officials opt out of CT in Pakistan
Indi a ’ s two match off ici al s - former bowler and now match referee Javagal Sri nath and umpi re Ni ti n M eno
be
Champi ons Trop hy to be held in P akis tan and Dubai from Feb 19 to March 9
According to a reliable source, Menon refused to travel to Pakistan citing “personal reasons ” “He can’t officiate India’s matches in Dubai as tournament rules stipulate neutral umpires,” the source said Srinath, who is currently officiating in the IndiaEngland white-ball series, said that he had asked ICC for “leave” during CT as he had been on the road for the past four months “Three match referees are
SUNRISERS SPEND £100MN TO BUY HUNDRED TEAM
Sunrisers Hyderabad have acquired the Northern Superchagers for £100 million, becoming the third IPL franchise to own a team in The Hundred Mumbai Indians had bought 49% shares of the Oval Invincibles team while Lucknow Super Giants purchased a similar stake in the Manchester Originals for an estimated £107 million “We are delighted to be entering into an exclusivity period with the SUN Group and will be continuing our conversations with them in the coming weeks with a view to setting the Northern Superchargers up for long-term and sustained success Yorkshire CCC s chief executive officer Sanjay Patel said in a statement This is SRH s second overseas investment after Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20
HEAD, SUTHERLAND BAG TOP HONOURS
Opener Travis Head and allrounder Annabel Sutherland secured the top honours at the Australian Cricket Awards 2025, winning the Allan Border Medal and Belinda Clark Award for the Men s and Women s Cricketer of the Year respectively While Sutherland was able to join the ceremony Head received his medal from coach Andrew McDonald as the side prepares for the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo KARUNARATNE
TO RETIRE AFTER SECOND AUSTRALIA TEST
Former Sri Lanka Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne will retire from the format after his 100th match the final Test of Sri Lanka’s two-Test series against Australia in Galle The 36-year-old opener has scored 7 172 runs with 16 centuries and 39 half-centuries in 99 appearances He has played 50 ODIs but has never featured in a T20 International
INDIAN GOALIE SOM KUMAR JOINS SLOVENIAN CLUB
Young Indian goalkeeper Som Kumar has joined NK Radomlje a club competing in Prva Liga the top tier league of Slovenian football This marks a significant step in 19-year-old Kumar’s career as he becomes the only Indian footballer with a professional contract in Europe currently Standing at 6 3, Kumar spent the last season with ISL club Kerala Blasters, before mutually agreeing to part ways with the team in pursuit of international opportunities for himself Kumar has earlier spent four years in Slovenia before moving back to India in 2024
SUMIT NAGAL
REACHES PRE-QUARTERFINALS OF ROSARIO CHALLENGER
Sumit Nagal progressed to the pre-quarter finals after a hard-fought win over local favourite Renzo Olivo at the 2025 Rosario Challenger in Rosario, Argentina Nagal, seeded eighth, displayed determination to rally his way to a 5-7 6-1 6-0 win over Olivo The 27-year-old Indian will next face the winner of the match between Chinese Taipei’s Tseng Chun-hsin and Bolivian Hugo Dellien
anyway enough for the tournament,” the source said David Boon, Ranjan Madugalle and Andrew Pycroft, all members of ICC’s elite panel of match referees, comprise the team of match referees for CT
Both Srinath and Menon’s names were missing from a list of 12 umpires and three match referees that the ICC announced last week that will take charge of the proceedings in the eight-team global tournament to be played in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi in Pakistan and Dubai in the UAE
Srinath is the only Indian in the ICC Elite panel of match referees, while Menon is the sole Indian in the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires
